Australia's title bid will be tested by injuries and Asian conditions at the T20 World Cup.
Punjab Kings will aim to recover from their first defeat of the season when they face Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League. Gujarat Titans, on a two-game winning streak, will be looking to continue their momentum.
Punjab Kings, after a series of losses, face Mumbai Indians in a crucial IPL match, needing to address their bowling and fielding weaknesses to stay in the playoff race.
Innovative strokeplay from Glenn Maxwell (23) injected impetus into Australia's response, though it was Stoinis who delivered the knockout blow as spinner Wanindu Hasaranga conceded 53 runs in three overs without taking a wicket.
Venkatesh Iyer's explosive innings of 73 not out off 40 balls propelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a formidable 222 for four against Punjab Kings in their IPL match. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal also made significant contributions.
Riyan Parag needs to lead from the front as Rajasthan Royals face a strong Punjab Kings side in their Indian Premier League match. Punjab Kings have been consistent, while the Royals have lost momentum after a strong start.
Punjab Kings face a must-win situation against Lucknow Super Giants to keep their IPL playoff hopes alive, needing a turnaround after a series of defeats and dependence on other match results.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has identified Chennai Super Kings' bowling as their primary concern, suggesting they need to consistently score high to compensate. He also praised Ayush Mhatre's potential and Rohit Sharma's improved fitness.
David Warner and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis scored half-centuries as 2021 champions Australia opened their account in the T20 World Cup with a 39-run win against Oman.
The Lucknow Super Giants bowlers fired in unison as they eked out a four-wicket win over Mumbai Indians.
Irfan Pathan backs Shreyas Iyer to replicate last season's form for Punjab Kings in IPL 2026, saying the batter is already a proven cricketer who doesn't need the league to prove his place in India's T20I team.
Marcus Stoinis and Kyle Mayers put on a power-hitting masterclass as Lucknow Super Giants slayed Punjab Kings by 56 runs in a high-scoring contest in Mohali .
Delhi Capitals face a tough challenge against the dominant Punjab Kings in their upcoming IPL match. Delhi's inconsistent batting and fielding woes need immediate addressing to counter Punjab's strong batting lineup and cohesive bowling attack.
Pat Cummins will undergo final scans later in the month to determine his participation in the World Cup, Cricket Australia said.
Axar Patel's 11-ball 21, laced with a four and a six in the last over off Marcus Stoinis, was instrumental in India's 48-run victory in the fourth T20I.
Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup with a back injury, with left-armer Ben Dwarshuis named as his replacement.
On Thursday afternoon, class XI student Sameer Khan was making life difficult for the 6'4" tall Marcus Stoinis during Australia's net session ahead of the opening ODI against India.
IMAGES from the Indian Premier League match played between Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans in Lucknow on Sunday.
Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Ellis, Glenn Maxwell and hTim David will also be rested from the three-match T20I series against Pakistan, starting on January 29.
Punjab Kings, currently unbeaten, will rely on their strong batting lineup to maintain their winning streak against Lucknow Super Giants, who are concerned about Rishabh Pant's injury, in their upcoming IPL match.
In three of Delhi's five wins this season, Marcus Stoinis has been the game-changer with the bat and ball.
'This wasn't an easy decision, but I believe it's the right time for me to step away from ODIs and fully focus on the next chapter of my career.'
Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis will undergo a scan later on Thursday after pulling up with a hamstring issue during an Indian Premier League (IPL) match, the injury coming just weeks before the start of the Twenty20 World Cup.
Washington Sundar enhanced his reputation as a T20 hitter with India batting in top gear through the innings to comfortably chase down a target of 187 for a series levelling five-wicket win over Australia.
Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul was all praise for Marcus Stoinis' match-winning 63-ball-124 not out against Chennai Super Kings as he felt that the home team's score of 210 for 4 was at least 30 runs above-par on that particular Chepauk track.
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.
Pak cricket fraternity questions seriousness of touring teams after depleted Aussies lose 1st T20I
Cricket Australia will support any Aussie player who chooses not to return, as the focus shifts toward international duties -- particularly the World Test Championship final at Lord's on June 11.
Australia missed the services of leg-spinner Adam Zampa against Sri Lanka, who is down with COVID.
Mumbai Indians face a crucial IPL match against Punjab Kings, with concerns over Rohit Sharma's fitness and the team's overall performance.
Stoinis lost his spot in Australia's ODI team to Marnus Labuschagne during the World Cup in India
Australian team will be aiming to put up a much better batting performance with a rejigged playing eleven against an upbeat South Africa
Australia has recalled all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, along with paceman Kane Richardson and spinner Ashton Agar, for the T20 series against England in the lead-up to the World Cup.
After winning the toss and choosing to bowl first against Chennai Super Kings in Chennai on Wednesday, PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer hinted that Glenn Maxwell is ruled out for the remainder of the IPL 2025 season due to a finger injury.
Mumbai cricketers stole the spotlight in a thrilling IPL 2026 match, as Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan and Shivam Dube shone for Chennai Super Kings, while Shreyas Iyer guided Punjab Kings to victory.
Australia will aim to salvage pride against Oman in their final T20 World Cup match after a disappointing campaign marked by injuries and poor form.
A versatile and dynamic Australian unit, without key pacer Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, who is likely to miss the early stages of the tournament, will be going into the T20 World Cup with hopes of going deep in the tournament.
Kolkata Knight Riders face a tough challenge against a strong Punjab Kings side in their upcoming IPL match.
Steve Smith, who hit a 62-ball century in the 66-run win for Australia, said the team is keeping its fingers crossed on Stoinis's situation.
Australia, dealing with injury concerns surrounding captain Mitchell Marsh, will face a potentially tricky Zimbabwe side in their upcoming T20 World Cup Group B match. The Aussies are aiming for a Super Eights spot, but Zimbabwe's bowling attack and experienced players could pose a challenge.
