A round-up of Sunday's action in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy group stage matches.
R Ashwin is always up for a challenge and two days from his landmark 100th Test, India's premier off-spinner looked back at the on-field battles he has enjoyed in international and domestic cricket.
Massive chance for series win in India, SA better-placed with spin resources: Bavuma
Shubman Gill, silenced his doubters with a noteworthy performance in the recent Test series against England.
The veteran spinner made his World Cup comeback after a long wait of eight years.
Ravichandran Ashwin has taken criticism on the chin and has responded with a bagful of wickets, refusing to let that 'outside noise' disturb the equilibrium of his mind.
India thumped Australia by 99 runs in the second of the ongoing three-match ODI series, on Sunday to secure the ODI series 2-0 after winning the second match through the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method at Indore's Holkar Cricket Stadium.
'I have been speaking to him on the phone. So he is very much in the line.'
Abhishek Sharma waged a lone battle with an entertaining 68 from 37 balls in the second T20I against Australia at MCG on Friday.
Test cricket will see two players featuring in their 100th game together for only the fourth time when India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and England batter Jonny Bairstow take the field in Dharamsala on Thursday.
How India's players fared in the Bangladesh Test series.
'He is definitely much more mature and he knows the value of his place in the Indian team, 2-3 years of not being there.' 'He will now look to take care of his body much more. He has developed from a youngster to a responsible person now.' 'He knows what he needs to do, to succeed at the highest level.'
Subramaniam has no reason to believe that the man would hang up his boots anytime soon.
Ashwin retains No 1 spot, Bumrah moves to 4th in ICC rankings
Ahead of the mini-auction, scheduled to be held in Doha on December 26, the 10 franchises have released their list of retained and released players.
'This England team has openly advertised that they will go for the target whatever may be the target. So as a batting line-up, we've to keep in mind that we have to give them less time but give a bigger target.'
'...there's something better and meaningful to explore.'
'Yashasvi has not put a foot wrong, he has taken to Test cricket like a fish to water.'
Former star spinner Harbhajan Singh picked Ravichandran Ashwin ahead of all-rounder Shardul Thakur for India's upcoming Boxing Day Test clash against South Africa in Centurion.
R Ashwin is a content man after becoming only the second Indian to take 500 Test wickets and has no interest in chasing Anil Kumble's national record of 619 scalps.
The opening day of the first Test between India and West Indies belonged to senior Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
'When you lose, you learn so many things. But people who learn even when they win, will become champions.'
This marks a rebound after more than two years of underperformance during a strong rally in smallcap stocks.
'Dhoni is a very cool captain. But he was also very happy and was enjoying that moment.'
Ashwin was spotted enjoying a leisurely time with team-mates and coaching staff during a trip to Titou Gorge in Dominica.
Ravichandran Ashwin becomes leading wicket-taker in Border-Gavaskar Trophy history
Amidst strong speculation of him wanting to snap the ties with Rajasthan Royals, wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson said his long association with the IPL franchise has transformed his life and career.
Shubman Gill has described his appointment as India's ODI captain as the "biggest honour", expressing pride in carrying forward the legacy left by Rohit Sharma, who will play under him in the upcoming three-match series in Australia.
Ajit Agarkar's contract as the chief selector was renewed before IPL 2025 taking into account Team India's successful showing during his tenure.
In 242 international appearances, Gambhir scored 10,324 runs at an average of 38.95, with 20 centuries and 63 fifties in 283 innings. He is amongst 14 Indians to have 10,000 international runs.
Following his official announcement as CSK's skipper, Gaikwad admitted that Dhoni had given him a subtle hint about a change in the team's leadership last season.
'Today is a hugely emotional moment for a man who is sitting back in Chennai.'
Opener Musheer Khan (112) and veteran Siddhesh Lad (100 not out) hit centuries to rally Mumbai to 289/5 on Day 1 of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match against Himachal Pradesh.
India's highest wicket-taker in Tests Anil Kumble praised Ravichandran Ashwin's massive effort, the best for any Indian in West Indies.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a master of out of the box strategies, flung the new ball to R Ashwin in the IPL 2011 final against Royal Challengers Bangalore and the then rookie off-spinner made an impact in the fourth ball itself, dismissing an in-form Chris Gayle.
Fresh from a hard-fought 2-2 draw in England, Shubman Gill's men will be eager to translate their overseas resilience into home dominance.
He is the ninth bowler and fifth spinner to complete the feat in Tests.
Only if we could have a Rohit versus Ashwin clash in the semis! What a perfect fill-up it would be for the resurgence of the Ranji Trophy.
Michael Vaughan feels England have discovered a 'world-class superstar' in young off-spinner Shoaib Bashir
The veteran spinner was named as a late replacement for the injured Axar Patel in India' 15-member squad for World Cup 2023.
