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.
Australia's title bid will be tested by injuries and Asian conditions at the T20 World Cup.
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.
Selectors have recalled pace stalwart Hazlewood for the second ODI after he missed the MCG match to play Sheffield Shield cricket.
Stoinis single-handedly dragged the Lucknow Super Giants from 123 after 17 overs to a commanding total that soared well beyond the par score of 177.
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' desire to keep playing international cricket beyond the T20 World Cup in June has not been diminished by Cricket Australia's decision to drop him from the central contracts list, the all-rounder said.
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.
IMAGES from the IPL 2024 match between Chennai Super Kings and Lucknow Super Giants at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday.
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.
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.
Pat Cummins will undergo final scans later in the month to determine his participation in the World Cup, Cricket Australia said.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mumbai Indians face a crucial IPL match against Punjab Kings, with concerns over Rohit Sharma's fitness and the team's overall performance.
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 .
Pak cricket fraternity questions seriousness of touring teams after depleted Aussies lose 1st T20I
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.
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.
'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.'
IMAGES from the Indian Premier League match played between Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans in Lucknow on Sunday.
Kolkata Knight Riders face a tough challenge against a strong Punjab Kings side in their upcoming IPL match.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In three of Delhi's five wins this season, Marcus Stoinis has been the game-changer with the bat and ball.
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.
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.
Already out of Super Eights contention, Australia beat Oman by nine wickets in their inconsequential final group clash of the T20 World Cup, in Kandy, on Friday.
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.
Australia host the next T20 World Cup in 2028 but will be eyeing a bigger prize a few months before that when cricket is reintroduced to the Olympics in LA.
Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer who have often been overlooked in the T20 format, will captain Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings respectively with both eager to make a statement.
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.
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.
A recap of the action of the fifth week of IPL 2026.
Stoinis lost his spot in Australia's ODI team to Marnus Labuschagne during the World Cup in India
