With no Jasprit Bumrah in the Indian line-up, the 'Men In Blue' are missing a trick. And despite Mohammed Shami's brilliance in the warm-up game against Australia on the other day in Brisbane, the bowling unit doesn't inspire much confidence.
Former champion Rafael Nadal shrugged off concerns about his fitness ahead of the Australian Open and paid tribute to fellow 'Big Four' rival Andy Murray, a day after the emotional Briton revealed plans to retire.
Take a look at six of the up-and-comers who could upset the top names at the year's first Grand Slam.
Novak Djokovic's star still burns bright as he returns to Melbourne Park in search of a record seventh Australian Open title.
Even putting on socks and shoes caused him severe pain, the three time Grand Slam winner revealed.
Captain Joe Root confirmed his participation in the five-Test series at the meeting and will likely be joined by a full-strength squad.
It was a dream come true moment for Tamil Nadu bowlers Thangarasu Natarajan and Washington Sundar as they made their Test debuts at the Gabba.
Marcus Harris will be the only change to the 11, with opener David Warner cleared to play after struggling with his groin strain in Sydney.
Maria Sharapova declared herself free from the worry of a forearm injury after charging into the Australian Open third round on Wednesday.
Roger Federer has rejigged his coaching team for next year by parting company with Stefan Edberg and bringing Ivan Ljubicic on board, the 17-time Grand Slam champion said on Wednesday.
Australia Test skipper Tim Paine has tipped Marnus Labuschagne to be a future captain and says the top-order batsman's natural leadership qualities make him a great fit for the role.
In a bid to save its New Year fixture between India and Australia, the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust has offered to host the Brisbane Test too, if the Queensland government refuse to grant exemptions to the teams returning from New South Wales.
Former champions Stanislas Wawrinka and Rafael Nadal gave Australian Open organisers a massive boost on Tuesday when they both said they were looking forward to next week's season opening Grand Slam after battling long-term injuries.
An ESPNCricinfo report earlier stated that the Boxing Day Test will start from the traditional date of December 26 in Melbourne, following the pink-ball game at the Adelaide Oval from December 17.
For the past 75 years, one of India's greatest all-rounder's name is repeatedly dragged whenever a batter wilfully tries to steal yards at non-striker's end and is legally run out.
CA confirmed media reports that Cummins was dining at an Adelaide restaurant on Wednesday night where a positive COVID-19 case was identified.
A round-up of tennis matches played on Tuesday.
Carey said selectors had not spoken to him about playing beyond the first two Tests.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has asked his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison to help ease strict quarantine rules to allow the families of England's cricketers to tour with the players during the upcoming Ashes series.
Journalist Peter Greste arrived in Australia and been reunited with his family after 400 days in a Cairo jail.
Australia fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile could miss the Ashes series against England after breaking down with another back injury.
Cricket Australia on Monday said they are yet to start discussions on whether Australian cricketers would compete in the remainder of IPL 2021, which will take place in the UAE in September-October.
After two years of injury frustration and bouts of depression, Victoria Azarenka is hoping a little bit of motorcycle riding and some street art will change people's perceptions and help her to a third Australian Open title. The 26-year-old Belarusian is one of the favourites for the year's opening grand slam that starts on Monday after proving her fitness following a nagging foot injury that has restricted her appearances over the past two years. Now injury free and fresh off her first title since August 2013 at the Brisbane International last week, she is looking forward to the courts she made her own in 2012 and 2013.
Roger Federer is keeping a lid on expectations.
South Africa's captain in the shortest format Quinton de Kock said AB de Villiers could have come out of international retirement for the T20 World Cup 2020, which has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Australian and Indian players came together to form a barefoot circle in a powerful stance against racism
Naomi Osaka is no longer a shy, introvert youngster and the newest Grand Slam winner in women's tennis says she owes her maturity to last year's US Open triumph.
'Pant was scared of... well, nothing actually'
A BCCI official in the know of developments said that the Indian cricket board stands with the boys as such behaviour is 'unacceptable'.
Beginning on December 3 in Brisbane, India will play four Testss in Australia, sandwiched between three Twenty20 Internationals and an equal number of one-dayers.
Australia captain Tim Paine said the chances of their first ever test against Afghanistan going ahead are "not looking good" with the Taliban unwilling to let women play cricket and questioned why the game's governing body had remained quiet on the issue.
Delhi Capitals on Tuesday announced former Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris as their new bowling coach for the upcoming 13th edition of IPL, starting next month.
He is not seeing what perhaps everyone else around him is seeing: An over-commercialised player who is really an under-performing batsman, observes Sandeep Goyal.
If crowds flock to the India ODI on Friday, the Gabba could host a day-night Test.
India pacer Mohammed Siraj revealed that words of encouragement from head coach Ravi Shastri during the team's tour of Australia made him change his mind about returning home after his father's death.
Tim Paine is stepping away from cricket for an "indefinite mental health break", his manager said on Friday, leaving Australia's Ashes preparations in disarray a week after the wicketkeeper's resignation from the captaincy.
Rajneesh Gupta presents all the interesting numbers from Day 4 of the India-England Test at Lord's.
Australia women's 'A' team coach Leah Poulton has lavished praise on young Indian opener Shafali Verma for her powerful batting, and said the teenager is "some one to watch over" in the future. Playing for India 'A' women's team, the 15-year-old smashed a 78-ball 124 in a one-day match against Australia 'A' last month in Brisbane leaving behind a lasting impression on Poulton.
India had more good days than bad with the Ravi Shastri-Virat Kohli combination at the helm of affairs and, as the cracking partnership of nearly seven years comes to an end, here's a look at their major achievements.
As the players warm up before the tournament, meet the players who could well be contenders for the 2017 Australian Open titles.
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