Rohit Sharma is all smiles as he returns to the nets ahead of India's opening ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Friday.
Sunrisers Hyderabad ended their disappointing IPL season with power-packed batting effort, etching a crushing 110-run victory over Kolkata Knight Riders.
Kolkata Knight Riders batter Quinton de Kock says having former Chennai Super Kings players Ajinkya Rahane and Moeen Ali in their ranks gave them key insights into the Chepauk conditions, which prompted the decision to field an extra spinner, a move that proved crucial in their eight-wicket win in the IPL match in Chennai on Friday.
As captain, Gautam Gambhir won KKR its two titles. Now, as team mentor, can he inspire KKR to achieve glory?
With the Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh just around the corner, India's star batsman KL Rahul focused on power-hitting during a training session in Dubai.
IMAGES from the Champions Trophy Group A match played between India and Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, in Dubai on Thursday.
IMAGES from the IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday
Matthew Hayden shared a behind-the-scenes insight into Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting's excitement about young opener Prabhsimran Singh
With Bumrah out of commission, speedsters Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana will have to take responsibility.
'India needs to score big because they will have to defend those totals without Bumrah.'
'I never expected a very easy run for me. I know that we lost in Sri Lanka and against NZ and it is not a good place to be. All we can do is keep working hard and we will try winning every game that we play to represent the country.'
In his 13th pink ball Test since 2015, the 34-year-old Australian pacer has taken 72 wickets at an average of 17.
KKR lifted their third IPL title with an eight-wicket thrashing of Sunrisers Hyderabad in a lop-sided final.
Australia were the number one team back in the day and reminisced the challenges they faced playing against them.
IMAGES from the IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals in Kolkata on Monday
'It would have been 2-2 coming to the Wankhede (Stadium for final T20I). It would have been way more on the game. But it didn't happen.'
India head coach Gautam Gambhir said he has not seen a 'better T20 hundred' than Abhishek Sharma's 54-ball 135 in the fifth T20I against England.
Marnus Labuschagne arrived at the crease in Perth with a plan: channel his inner Cheteshwar Pujara.
Expect some fireworks for the highly-versatile Cameron Green along with Quinton de Kock, Matheesha Pathirana, Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi.
Other than the batters, some excellent catching from both teams was the highlight at the hallowed Eden Gardens.
Former Bangladesh opener Imrul Kayes reckons the absence of Jasprit Bumrah will provide his team an opportunity to put India's pace attack under pressure.
K L Rahul would look to make the most of his first red-ball outing in months ahead of the upcoming Test series against England.
'What Shami does is hit the seam and move the ball off the deck. It is dangerous as batsmen will not be able to guess easily which way the ball is going to move.'
The Indian cricket team has commenced their training regimen in Sri Lanka, marking the beginning of their preparations for the ODI series against the hosts.
Jasprit Bumrah has started his rehabilitation at the NCA in Bengaluru as he races against time to get fit for the Champions Trophy.
Images from Day 1 of the first Test between Australia and India in Perth, on Friday.
For DC, the onus will be on Prithvi Shaw and veteran Australian David Warner to provide a solid start.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the second ODI against England on Sunday?
India pacer Mohammed Shami has apologised to the fans and the BCCI after the board decided against rushing his return to the team for the high-profile tour of Australia as he is yet to attain match fitness.
His performance in Pune was a powerful response to his recent struggles in the Ranji Trophy, where he had been dismissed for ducks in both innings during Mumbai's loss to Jammu and Kashmir.
Kolkata Knight Riders will have little motivation left when they take on also ousted Sunrisers Hyderabad in an inconsequential IPL game in New Delhi on Sunday.
Suryakumar Yadav was picked as the India T20I captain ahead of Hardik Pandya, while Rohit stays as the captain of the ODI team.
Despite the challenging build-up, Gambhir said he is "extremely confident" of retaining the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The players will hope to be as confident as they prepare for the fight to keep their World Test Final chances alive.
The 31-year-old didn't find a place in the squad against England because of Reddy's recent exploits.
India included two debutants -- Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy -- while leaving out Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Bharat Arun singled out pacers Harshit Rana and Mitchell Starc for their crucial contributions in KKR's title triumph.
Kohli, dismissed for 18 off 7 balls, was convinced the delivery from Harshit Rana was a no-ball due to its height.
The common theme in their opening game defeats was how the seemingly powerful batting and bowling units of KKR and RR failed to fire.
The common theme in those defeats was how the seemingly powerful batting and bowling units of KKR and RR failed to fire.
Playing as the opener, Sanju Samson has made just 39 runs in the first two T20 Internationals against Bangladesh.
