Shubman Gill has been ruled out of the remainder of the ongoing first Test against South Africa after he continues to be under observation in a Kolkata hospital for a neck injury.
The Proteas arrive high on confidence, having fought out a hard-earned 1-1 draw in Pakistan last month under challenging conditions.
South Africa all-rounder Chris Morris has been called into their Champions Trophy squad after paceman Morne Morkel was ruled out of the tournament through injury.
And ahead of the 4th Test, some members of the Indian team went all out at a gym training session.
Runs have dried up for Suryakumar, with his last T20I fifty coming back in October 2024. With the World Cup less than two months away, the pressure has begun to mount.
Albie Morkel has decided to retire from all forms of cricket, ending a two-decade career that earned him a reputation as a clean striker of the ball and a bowler full of guile.
The pitch, left unwatered for nearly a week, appeared dry and brown with faint traces of grass, conditions that could bring reverse swing and variable bounce into play later in the match.
India suffered a major pre-match blow in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan as star all-rounder Hardik Pandya was ruled out of the title-deciding clash in Dubai due to a niggle.
India's bowling coach Morne Morkel expects the batting unit to lift its performance under pressure in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan
South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel will retire from all formats of international cricket after the four-match home Test series against Australia
The pacer took 4-60 as India were bowled out for 307 runs in their first innings, conceding a 28-run lead. The hosts finished at 90/2, leading overall by 118.
'Tomorrow we can just focus on doing a good warm-up, get the boys ready to hopefully get the ball in the right area and create a little bit of excitement again.'
He has always opened the bowling for South Africa but speedster Morne Morkel isn't complaining at being used as a one-change bowler by his IPL team Delhi Daredevils.
India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak on Friday acknowledged that Sanju Samson has been going through a lean phase without doubting the quality of the struggling batter, and reiterated the team management's support for him.
Little-known ambidextrous Bengal spinner Kaushik Maity seamlessly doubled up for both roles during the optional practice session.
South African pacer Morne Morkel believes his and Dale Steyn's exploit with the new bowl on the first day of the opening Test would have repercussions on the rest of the three-match series and also send a good message to the Indian camp.
Pace bowlers Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn claimed four wickets apiece to help dismiss England for 203 on the first day of the second Test at Headingley on Friday. Morkel took four for 52 and Steyn four for 76 before the home team hit back in the final session to reduce the Proteas to 101 for three at the close.
The others to arrive after a delayed flight were K L Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy along with some members of the support staff.
South Africa's fast bowler Morne Morkel may miss the first Test against Pakistan due to a foot injury.
Statistical highlights of the IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Daredevils in Kolkata on Thursday.
Left-arm swing bowler Tsotsobe, who has recovered from a long-term injury, and left-arm spinner Robin Peterson are the only new players in the squad for the September 22 to October 5 tournament in South Africa.
'We knew it won't be easy to hit how much you may connect. Plan was to bowl smartly and when a batter is set, force him to hit on the bigger sides than small sides.'
Morne Morkel on Wednesday showed what he can do if gets a little bit of purchase from the wicket. Though the pitches so far have been spinner friendly, the Bridgetown, Barbados pitch offered assistance to fast bowlers.
South Africa took a vice-like grip on the first Test after Morne Morkel and Johan Botha skittled Pakistan for 248 on the third day at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
This happened following India's practice session that saw both India's senior batters hit the nets at the Optus Stadium.
The second and final Test starts in Guwahati from Saturday with India trailing 0-1 after the defeat on a challenging Eden Gardens pitch in Kolkata.
Prasidh Krishna has the ability to bowl "magic balls" and the pacer needs to be given an extended run to serve India for a long time, said bowling coach Morne Morkel in London on Sunday.
South Africa included batsman Justin Ontong and fast bowler Morne Morkel in their squad for the one-day series against West Indies.
Delhi Daredevils' pacer Morne Morkel is relishing the prospect of another bowling duel with Sachin Tendulkar when his side takes on Mumbai Indians in an Indian Premier League in New Delhi on Sunday.
South Africa fast bowler Morne Morkel said on Tuesday the contest between the home side's fast bowlers and India opener Virender Sehwag would be the key contest in the forthcoming three-Test series.
South Africa pacer Morne Morkel was surprised at the nature of pitch on offer at the Kingsmead after India took early control of the series-deciding second cricket Test by finishing day one on a commanding 181 for one.
Indian Test skipper Shubman Gill spoke on the team dinner hosted by head coach Gautam Gambhir on Thursday
Morkel removed Zimbabwe's most experienced batsman Hamilton Masakadza with the first ball of their innings and Chamu Chibhabha and Brendan Taylor were also dismissed as the visitors made a tentative start under lights.
South Africa paceman Morne Morkel thrived on a fast WACA pitch to capture five wickets but the tourists made hard work of a three-wicket victory over Australia in the second one-day international in Perth on Sunday.
The 'Impact Player' in IPL might have restricted Chennai Super Kings' Shivam Dube's role but 'India's Shivam Dube' aspires to be a full-fledged all-rounder backed by head coach Gautam Gambhir and helped by bowling coach Morne Morkel.
'Pretty amazing. The whole tournament, we remained unbeaten, it feels pretty amazing to be in this position.'
South Africa were dealt a severe blow on Friday as Morne Morkel, their premier fast bowler, was ruled out of the ongoing first Test against India after suffering a Grade I ligament tear on his ankle on Day 3.
India's pace great Zaheer Khan is reportedly set to part ways with Lucknow Super Giants after just one season as their mentor.
Earlier, warm-up routines had players darting through shuttle runs and high knees before bats were unsheathed.
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