McGrath, who is known to make predictions ahead of the Ashes series, said it's going to be a great contest between Australia and England.
India will be hoping to pull off a miracle on Sunday by surviving Australia's relentless bowling onslaught.
Hazlewood makes the cut as Australia confirm WTC final squad
Ajinkya Rahane said his side were determined to be 'ruthless' in their approach after the hosts demolished Afghanistan by an innings and 262 runs inside two days in its debut Test match, in Bengaluru.
Chasing a target of 283, India 'A' knocked off the runs in 39.4 overs.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's fairytale resurgent run will be up against the might of five-time champions Chennai Super Kings and the weather gods when the two sides clash in an epic do-or-die match to decide the fourth and final team for the IPL play-offs, in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Batting coach Vikram Rathour on Saturday said that a first innings score of 250-plus will put India in a fighting position against New Zealand, keeping the prevailing conditions in Southampton in mind during the ICC World Test Championship final.
Catch glimpses of Kohli and his boys in action at the nets on Sunday.
The final will be played at the Oval from June 7-11.
Delhi Capitals started their preparations for the upcoming IPL with their first nets session after completing their one-week quarantine, in Dubai, on Saturday. All the top India players including captain Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Shikhar Dhawan, Ishant Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Prithvi Shaw took part in the first nets session along with their other team-mates at the ICC Academy in Dubai, where the squad also got the opportunity to train under the lights.
Magnificient Manish Pandey struck his maiden One-day century to secure India a pride-salvaging six-wicket victory against Australia in the fifth and final ODI in Sydney on Saturday.
Kohli, playing in his 500th international game, was batting on 87 in with Jadeja on 36 at the other end.
Shastri wants both Ashwin and Jadeja in Indian playing XI for WTC Final
Cheteshwar Pujara warmed up in style for the upcoming two-Test series against West Indies with a fluent century in the warm-up match against West Indies Cricket Board President XI.
England series a Test of character for India, says Rahane
Despite being hit by the absence of key bowlers due to injuries as well as international commitments, Chennai Super Kings will still like to display their on-field ruthlessness while taking on wooden spooners Gujarat Titans in a 12th round IPL encounter in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Senior India batter Cheteshwar Pujara redeemed himself with an unbeaten double hundred in the second innings as Sussex snatched a draw against Derbyshire at the 2022 County Championship in Derby on Sunday.
A defiant Ajinkya Rahane hit a superb 103 to pull India out of trouble after a mid-innings collapse on a lively track at Lord's, as the visitors ended the first day's play on a respectable 290 for nine on Day 1 of the second Test in London.
Rohit Sharma leaves no stone unturned to play doting dad to daughter Samaira.
The Indian dressing room is 'noisier', Coach Ravi Shastri noted, after the 23 year old's return.
Aaron Finch's arrival is a timely boost for the Kolkata Knight Riders who are struggling with their opening combination.
India captain Virat Kohli batted in the nets on the sidelines of the warm-up match against Select County XI in Durham on Wednesday.
The India Test vice-captain has scored just three hundreds and eight fifties from 48 innings since 2016.
Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, on Thursday, launched the jersey of his team, Rising Pune Supergiants, one of the new entrants in this year's Indian Premier League.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the first Test against New Zealand, starting on Thursday?
Ajinkya Rahane said the key to his success was keeping a blank mind and playing one ball at a time.
Has any cricketing legend asked the all-powerful BCCI Secretary Jay A Shah how selections are taking place without a chief selector in place for the last four months? Who takes all the important decisions at selection meetings?, asks Harish Kotian.
If there is any truth to the chatter around Hardik Pandya shifting base to Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans, then the five-time IPL champions have "struck gold", India off-spinner R Ashwin said.
With both batsmen going hammer and tongs it was guaranteed that Rajasthan would breach the 200 run mark.
Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane said that his team will have to bowl with a lot of patience on fifth day on Monday in their pursuit of victory in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
Ajinkya Rahane has said it is always a challenge to play against Australia.
CSK would be hoping to pick up two more points against Delhi Capitals, who have struggled in the tournament for the most part.
Chennai Super Kings are not looking for a "quick fix" to their issues in the batting department and head coach Stephen Fleming is ready to give the likes of Daryl Mitchell time to get settled in top-three after their fourth loss in eight games.
After applauding Anrich Nortje, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin, Ponting told his boys that, "Our tournament starts now."
Another tough choice India need to make is in the wicket-keeping department.
Ruturaj Gaikwad's 98 was a display of pure power and precision, laced with 10 boundaries and 3 towering sixes.
Virat Kohli celebrated the New Year with his family and team-mates in South Africa.
Suryakumar Yadav received his maiden Test team call-up as he along with opener Prithvi Shaw were called up for India's upcoming Test series in England as replacements after three players were ruled out due to injury.
Both teams head into their IPL game on Sunday on the back of defeats in their previous matches. While CSK fell short by 32 runs against Rajasthan Royals, PBKS lost to Lucknow Super Giants by 56 runs.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances