The full implications of the India's refusal to play Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan were laid bare on Sunday as Australia and South Africa waited to find out whether they will play their semi-finals in Lahore or Dubai this week.
Australia's new student visa rules focuses on stricter eligibility, higher financial and English language requirements among others.
Skipper Steve Smith said the opener, who suffered the quad injury while fielding but struggled on to scored 20 runs from 15 balls before the game was washed out, is unlikely to be fit to face India or New Zealand on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Underdogs Nagaland showed they are made of sterner stuff as their batters fought tooth and nail all day to score 365/5 and frustrate Tamil Nadu who would be fancying their chances of enforcing a follow-on after a mammoth 512-run first-innings total in a Ranji Trophy Group A match in Bengaluru on Monday.
Round up of all the Ranji Trophy action on Thursday
India is the second-most successful team in the Sultan of Johor Cup, having won three titles (2013, 2014, and 2022). Only Great Britain, with four titles, have dine better than them.
Information technology (IT) services major Infosys on Wednesday announced the formation of a joint venture (JV) with Telstra, Australia's leading telecommunications and technology company. This will allow Infosys to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled cloud and digital solutions for Australian businesses.
'I think everyone's shot selections at that time... we could have done better with our shot selections.'
The lack of quality first class cricket in the Caribbean has impacted the Test team badly and considering that, West Indies skipper Roston Chase wants the current bunch of players to get a longer run so that they can learn on the job.
Trump's proposed policy limits undergraduates from any one country to 5% at select top US universities, raising concerns for Indian aspirants eyeing elite colleges.
'The battle for brain power among Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Nvidia and Tesla and newer AI companies is fierce.' 'Given the race for AI with China, these companies will find it hard pressed to fill that talent gap,' notes an IT professional based in the US.
'Government officials use Gmail and ordinary phones without basic security consciousness.' 'Interoperability, especially in joint exercises with countries like the US, worries me.' 'It often means we open our systems to them, but they don't reciprocate.' 'They could have kill switches in their systems and might even be able to affect ours.'
Respect over rivalry? India-Pakistan face-off awaits
New Zealand's Chris Gaffaney and England's Richard Illingworth have been appointed as on-field umpires for the Champions Trophy semi-final between India and Australia in Dubai on Tuesday.
The Champions Trophy Group B fixture between Australia and South Africa in Rawalpindi was abandoned without a ball being bowled on Tuesday.
India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, are coming into the showpiece event on the back of a hard-fought ODI series loss to Australia, where opener Smriti Mandhana slammed two back-to-back centuries and the spinners, led by Deepti Sharma, giving a good account of themselves.
The 2026 T20 World Cup is likely to be played from February 7 to March 8 with matches spread across at least five venues in India and two in Sri Lanka.
Neeraj Chopra made it look effortless as he sealed his spot at the World Athletics Championships with a stunning first throw in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Group A winners India will take on World champions Australia in the first semi-final in Dubai on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
Australia's historic pedigree in cricket's biggest tournaments will count for nothing when they run into an Afghanistan side that is fast cementing its place in the game's top table in the Champions Trophy match in Lahore on Friday.
'Professor Kitagawa is an exceptional researcher, a good teacher and above all a great person.'
Jamie Smith will return from injury to keep wickets and bat at number three in England's Champions Trophy opener against Australia in Lahore on Saturday.
India, Australia and England are likely to be joined by South Africa, New Zealand and Sri Lanka in the top division, while Pakistan, the West Indies, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Ireland will be placed in the second division.
India have not beaten Australia in ICC knockouts matches since winning the 2011 World Cup quarter-final.
'Funny enough, I'm not one for records, but when you mention Meg Lanning, I'm glad I'm above that one. As long as we are winning the games, then I'm all good.'
'We need to make sure we invest in the right spaces to play Test cricket where it means something and has jeopardy.'
Images from the ICC Champions League Group B match between Afghanistan and Australia in Lahore, on Friday.
Alex Carey reckons Australia might need to put at least 400 runs on the board if they bat first against South Africa
Here's a roundup of all Ranji Trophy matches played on Day 1 on Wednesday.
Australia's middle order enforcer Josh Inglis said their depleted side will draw a lot of confidence after pulling off a record chase against England in their Champions Trophy opener on Saturday.
Bavuma said his hamstring was 'feeling good' ahead of his return, and the South African skipper also confirmed he would bat at number three for the opening match of the three-game series behind openers Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram.
Australia will look to seal the three-match T20 series against South Africa with another win in Darwin on Tuesday.
'They are not only setting new standards for themselves but also paving the way for future players to keep pushing those boundaries.'
Australia's Champions Trophy roster will have a different look to the peerless squad that took a record-extending sixth World Cup title at the 2023 tournament in India.
Australia have enough experience and versatility in their line-up to get into tournament-mode quickly for the Champions Trophy following a difficult buildup to the One-Day International showpiece, according to opener Travis Head.
As Team India gears up to bounce back in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, their preparations at The Gabba in Brisbane have taken a creative turn.
'We need to get a better share of the pie because we were the cash cows for a long time.'
Virat Kohli is yet to arrive in Bengaluru and it is not clear when he will undergo the mandatory fitness test ahead of the new season.
'For all you know, in the next five years there could be a path-breaking cancer treatment and I may be absolutely fine. Or maybe I won't be. I have to live with both scenarios.'
The BCCI never believes in taking decisions in haste and would always gauge the public perceptions before taking a call, which is sensitive in nature considering the massive fan following of the two greats.
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