Formidable India have their tails up as they head to the gargantuan MCG for the second T20I against Australia here on Friday, thanks to the influx of young talent and the return to form of skipper Suryakumar Yadav.
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.
The architects of the win were Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, who blasted a 105-run opening stand that left Pakistan's bowlers gasping.
Images from the fifth T20 International between India and South Africa, in Ahmedabad, on Friday.
IMAGES from the 3rd T20I between India and South Africa in Dharamsala on Sunday.
Images from the second T20 International between India and South Africa, at the PCA's New Chandigarh Stadium, Mullanpur.
'Playing after a long time and batting at No. 4 was a bit of pressure for me, but I had one thing on my mind that I had to play my style of cricket.'
IMAGES of the Asia Cup Final played between India and Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday
Former cricketer Irfan Pathan has heaped praise on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowling allrounder Shivam Dube and suggested that India selectors should keep a close eye on 30-year-old for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The lack of runs from captain Suryakumar Yadav and his deputy Shubman Gill remains a talking point.
The year had a variety of films to choose from. Not all of them were successful at the box office, but had merit.
Chennai Super Kings batting coach Mike Hussey is in awe of Shivam Dube for transforming into a batter who no longer ducks or defends when faced with the short ball, an improvement that has been monitored personally by former captain and team talisman Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Dube is only the third player to accomplish this more than once, following Yuvraj's three instances and Virat's two.
When the Indian team entered the ICC Cricket Academy Arena for their evening net session ahead of the Asia Cup, Samson was the first to start his solo keeping drills with fielding coach T Dilip, even as others were just about lumbering up.
Shami puts Bengal on top of points table with easy win vs Services
'The way Abhishek and Shubman bat, it is like fire and ice.'
Hardik Pandya made a memorable comeback to the Indian team, smashing a blistering half-century to power India to a thumping 101-run win over South Africa in the first T20 International.
India's spinners took six wickets in a stunning fight back to rout Australia by 48 runs in the fourth T20I on the Gold Coast on Thursday.
The triumph at the Dubai International Stadium marked India's ninth Asia Cup title and showcased the team's grit, character, and ability to perform under pressure.
Expect some fireworks for the highly-versatile Cameron Green along with Quinton de Kock, Matheesha Pathirana, Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, arrived in Delhi on Tuesday and linked up with rest of the Indian team, many of whom were playing in the two-Test series against West Indies.
Earlier, warm-up routines had players darting through shuttle runs and high knees before bats were unsheathed.
Dube got in thanks to more game time for Chennai Super Kings during the first 10 games of the league.
It is believed that captain Sanju Samson has asked Rajasthan Royals to trade him or release him into the auction, signalling an end to his long association with the franchise.
Patel stayed unbeaten on the crease in India's innings, scoring 21 off 11 balls to power his side to 167 and then took two wickets, removing Matthew Short and Josh Inglis.
The T20 WC champions will look to enter this phase with clarity of intent as they refine roles, streamline combinations and settle the XI that will carry the weight of expectations in front of home crowds.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson expressed disappointment about India refraining from engaging in the customary handshake when his side made attempts towards it after the end of the match.
Abhishek Sharma waged a lone battle with an entertaining 68 from 37 balls in the second T20I against Australia at MCG on Friday.
India will be keen to get the job done against Bangladesh and seal their place in Sunday's final before considering resting their players.
That is the level of trust we have in each other.'
stroked 69 not out off 53 balls to steer India to a famous five-wicket victory in the title clash, dedicated his knock to "all the Indians".
Shivam Dube carried his rich recent form into domestic circuit cracking a rapid fifty but Shreyas Gopal's four-wicket haul ensured that Mumbai were bowled out for 251
India captain Suryakumar Yadav said that Powerplay overs will be crucial in the five-match T20 International series against Australia.
Gautam Gambhir has made it clear that India's new T20 approach isn't just about fearless batting, it's about all-round aggression.
Flamboyant Indian opener Abhishek Sharma, who notched up another fifty in the Asia Cup on Wednesday against Bangladesh, credited his fearless batting to sheer hard work and hours of practice in the nets.
Abhishek Sharma's scintillating 75 was beautifully complemented by Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy as India comfortably hammered Bangladesh by 41 runs to enter the Asia Cup final in Dubai on Wednesday.
Shivam Dube smashed a quickfire half-century to power India to a thumping six-wicket victory against Afghanistan in the first T20 International.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction saw some foreign names earning big bucks, headlined by Aussie all-rounder Cameron Green
'It was just put the ball in the right areas, don't try too much and see what happens.'
'We have to forget this game because we have one the day after tomorrow. We're looking forward to delivering a better performance there.'
