India's doping woes came to the fore once again with the country topping the World Anti-Doping Agency's 2023 testing figures among countries which analysed 5,000 or more samples even as the sports ministry promised an "aggressive clean-up" and an amended Anti-Doping Act after addressing objections from the WADA.
The structure of the nine-team WTC remains intact with each side playing three home and as many away series over a two-year period culminating in the final of a one-off Test.
According to reports, Dravid, granted an extension after his contract ended on November 19, attributed the loss to the pitch at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium.
The gender tests conducted by the International Boxing Association (IBA) on two female fighters at last year's world championships that led to their disqualification were illegitimate and lacked credibility
India will set themselves up as Australia's opponents in that final if they win the fourth Test in Ahmedabad next week.
Ashwin has had the opportunity to play under the wing of both stars. He pointed out that there isn't a huge gap between Gambhir and Dravid's approach or the passion that the duo shares for Indian cricket.
Nissanka had featured in a 41-run opening partnership with Dimuth Karunaratne, who scored 20 before being undone by a rising delivery from Kagiso Rabada that forced an edge behind to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne.
India captain Rohit Sharma was named the 'Men's International Cricketer of the Year', while former head coach Rahul Dravid was conferred with the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' at the Ceat Cricket Rating Awards 2023-24 here on Wednesday.
ICC chief executive David Richardson said that out of one billion followers of cricket, 68 per cent are fans of all the three formats taking the number of Test cricket fans close to 700 million..
Marnus Labuschagne believes India's memorable fourth innings run chase at the Gabba from 2021 is of little relevance heading into the final day of a gripping Boxing Day Test.
'It's really amazing for my team mates, I must give another shout out to them. They're really encouraging.'
The Indian players are currently on a break and will reassemble on July 14.
A desperate India seek to restore parity against South Africa and remain consequential in the World Test Championship.
Prolific India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, the leading run-scorer in the ongoing Test series against England, has been nominated for ICC Men's Player of the Month Award for February alongside New Zealand's Kane Williamson and Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka.
'There's no secret we're right in the hunt for the World Test Championship final following our two-nil win over India and having Trent and Kane fully fit and focussed for the upcoming series will be crucial.'
Kohli congratulated Watling as both India and New Zealand stepped out to the field on the Reserve Day of the ongoing WTC final
'Selectors should have a clear idea about him (Pujara). Do they need him to play Test cricket anymore or do they want to continue with youngsters and communicate it to him. Somebody like Pujara can't be dropped, then picked, dropped again and then picked. Same with Ajinkya Rahane also.'
The Indian players got down to business on Friday with an intense session in the nets under the watchful eyes of head coach Gautam Gambhir.
IPL 2016 champions Sunrisers Hyderabad are hoping for a turnaround in their fortunes after failing to make it to play-offs in the last three seasons.
Skipper Rohit Sharma chose not to place batters under the cosh for the series defeat against New Zealand
With T20 franchises potentially becoming players' primary employers, and most boards finding Test cricket financially not viable, the format's future remains a concern for the purists.
India yet to make formal bid for hosting World Athletics Championships in 2027
'Virat Kohli is getting into the groove ahead of the #WTC23 Final'.
The retirement of Ravichandran Ashwin has opened the door for other spin all-rounders to step up, and Vidyut is confident that Washington Sundar could be the one to watch.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, two sides chasing their first IPL title, will square off in a tantalising Qualifier 1 encounter on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
'An important piece of carry-on luggage here. The #WTC21 Mace will travel to its new home in style.'
Australia's star batter Travis Head believes opening the batting in Test cricket is a "specialist job" and has ruled himself out of contention to replace veteran David Warner.
Quizzed whether batting will be easier in the final Test as it will be a red ball game again, he answered in affirmative.
Shastri lauded the team for making it to the WTC final despite the ICC changing the qualification criteria last year.
Ahead of the WTC final between India and Australia, Ricky Ponting picked Australia's playing XI.
As per the International Cricket Council (ICC), the nine top-ranked sides will compete in the championship with each side playing six series on a home-and-away basis against mutually selected opponents in a two-year cycle.
'To make consecutive finals isn't easy. What it means is that India was the only team to play consistently well over a period of four years.'
'There will be a lot of spice to the contest -- there is a reason India is the only team other than England against whom Australia is keen to play a five Test series.' 'I'll watch, as I suspect most fans will -- but this one time, I'll watch with considerable trepidation and, from a fan's point of view, with the hope that the team finds its feet and that right quick,' notes the distinguished cricket commentator Prem Panicker.
Rohit looked quite relaxed as he and daughter Samaira passed their time checking out some fish in a lake.
India's batters must now prepare for the switch from the turning tracks on home soil to the pace and bounce of Australian pitches.
The tournament's once-robust pool of around 300 line judges has been cut to 80 and they will serve as "match assistants", who support chair umpires and step in should the ELC -- powered by more than 450 cameras -- fail in any of the 18 courts in use.
Here's a wrap of all major international episodes in 2024.
Brad Haddin believes he might have insight into the recent exchange of heated words between Gautam Gambhir and Ricky Ponting.
'It feels emotional because only me and the people who are close to me know exactly what we have been through on and off the court, and it has been everything except easy.'
'I would have selected @ybj_19 as KL Rahul's replacement for the World Test championship final. He is that good.'
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