The lure to play an extra bowler in Hardik Pandya along with an in-form Rohit Sharma in the opening Test against South Africa has cast doubts over Ajinkya Rahane's place in the playing XI despite having the best away record among the current crop of batsmen.
That depends on Axar Patel's recovery from injury.
The 22-year-old has already missed the first two games against Australia and Afghanistan but there is a high chance of him making it to the playing XI for the marquee clash against the arch-rivals.
Australia on Saturday brought in opening batsman Phillip Hughes as cover for the injured Simon Katich for the second Test against Pakistan beginning on Sunday at the SCG.
Board President's XI were 110 for 2 in their second innings when stumps were drawn on their third day, having stretched their overall lead to a healthy 251.
Disgraced batsman David Warner's hopes of playing in the third Ashes Test looked slim on Friday after he failed in both innings of Australia A's tour match against a Zimbabwe Select XI in Harare.
The Sri Lankan off-spinner can expect a warm welcome from Australian crowds next month, Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said.
Gillespie injured his shoulder playing for South Australia in Australia's domestic first-class competition.
Rajasthan Royals would be keen to adapt quickly to their new 'home ground' when they lock horns with last season's runner-up Kings XI Punjab in their campaign opener in the Indian Premier League in Pune.
Australia remain optimistic about their Twenty20 World Cup campaign despite being shown up in all facets by India in the opening two matches of their current series. With Steve Smith leading an advanced party to New Zealand for the forthcoming ODI series, the Australians have made more changes to their XI, with Shane Watson to lead the side after skipper Aaron Finch suffered a hamstring injury in Friday night's second T20 defeat. In-form top-order batsman Usman Khawaja comes into the squad as Finch's replacement, and will likely open the batting alongside Shaun Marsh. Finch is awaiting scan results and the Australia camp is bullish he will be able to return before the start of the World Cup in India on March 8.
With Jason Krejza failing to convince that he has it in him to trouble the Indian batsmen in the forthcoming Test series, Australia decided to rush in Victorian all-rounder Cameron White as replacement for injured spinner Bryce McGain.
The concept of day-night Tests has Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke a little concerned as he feels it would be difficult to bat under floodlights in the longer version of the game.
Rohit Sharma and Manish Pandey sparkled with half-centuries but rest of India's batsmen put up a lackluster performance before the bowlers came good to hand the team a 64-run win over a second string Western Australia XI in the warm-up one-day cricket match at the WACA, in Perth, on Saturday.
'If I'm not good at something, I'll be my first best critic. And I will work on it and I'm not someone who will sit on my laurels.'
Australia's limited-overs captain Aaron Finch wants the home team players to strike a fine balance when they confront Virat Kohli in the opening Test as he believes, if provoked too much, the India skipper can be ruthless against his opponents.
Kaur is the only Indian to feature in the best XI of WBBL despite some quality performances by the likes of Smriti Mandhana, who became the first from the country to hit a century in the league with a record-equalling 114 not out.
Images from Day 3 of the fourth and final Test between India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, on Saturday.
India coach Duncan Fletcher has made both local media and Cricket Australia set-up paranoid ahead of the four-match Test series starting on December 26.
The ground announcer who was stood down for allegedly introducing England spinner Monty Panesar in a mock Indian accent, is seeking clarification from Cricket Australia (CA) over his removal after denying any slur was made.
The Indian team management quelled concerns over Ishant Sharma's fitness after the pacer walked off bowling just 5.3 overs on the opening day of their first practice match against Cricket Australia Chairman's XI in Canberra on Thursday. Team officials insisted that Sharma left the field to remove some strapping from his ankle that had loosened and was uncomfortable with it.
It was learnt that once Kishan conveyed his decision, Tripura selector Jayanta Dey wanted Wriddhiman Saha and he was also contacted.
Ravi Shastri was reappointed as the India head coach, the BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee announced on Friday.
Rajneesh Gupta previews Game 6 in IPL 12: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab.
Star all-rounder Kieron Pollard will lead the Trinidad side whereas Darren Sammy will lead the Caribbean Select XI.
Australia captain Michael Clarke is pleased with whatever batting opportunity he and his teammates had against Scotland on Saturday and said every member of the squad was 'switched on' for the knockout stage of the World Cup.
Swashbuckling Australia opener David Warner intends to play in the 13th IPL if it happens this season, his manager said on Thursday, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to wreak havoc on the world.
The opening batsman has been named in the squad that will challenge world champions Australia in one-day matches on Oct 5, 7 and 9.
The Indian team management is pleased with the way the players are adjusting to the bounce and pace of the Australian pitches ahead of the T20 World Cup.
India aim to seal series as Tilak Varma looks for quality batting time
The first Test Australia hosts against India this week is set to be fraught with conflicting emotions as players return to battle with a mixture of relief and apprehension after the tragic death of Phillip Hughes.
In all Test history, only one player has played fewer Tests than Karun Nair after scoring a triple ton.
Tendulkar, Sehwag and Rahul Dravid figure in the one-day and Test squads, while Anil Kumble is in the Test squad for the Super Series against Australia.
It was a forgettable series for India batter Suryakumar Yadav as he fell for three straight golden ducks in the three-match ODI series against Australia.
India's senior batsman Cheteshwar Pujara is expecting a strong showing from Ravichandran Ashwin in the upcoming Test series against Australia.
It is very difficult not to respect Mohmmed Shami for his mastery over his craft.
There has been a lot of talk going around KL Rahul's poor form and ahead of the third Test, former India coach Ravi Shastri opened up on Rahul's struggles.
The South African said his players would go all out in the remaining two matches.
Ben Stokes will return home after Chennai Super Kings' final league game to prepare for the upcoming Ashes.
