Shami marked his return to ICC tournament with an exceptional five-for while also becoming the fastest Indian and the second quickest overall to reach 200 ODI wickets
Regular captain Pat Cummins, fellow quick Josh Hazlewood and all-rounder Mitch Marsh have been ruled out with injuries, while Marcus Stoinis withdrew himself after his shock decision to quit ODIs on Thursday.
With an aggressive mindset and intense training sessions, India looks set to make a powerful statement when they step onto the field, observes K R Nayar, the veteran cricket writer, from Dubai.
Legendary West Indies batsman Sir Vivian Richards expressed his disappointment and frustration at the absence of the Caribbean side from the Champions Trophy, urging them to emulate Afghanistan's rise in world cricket. Richards highlighted Afghanistan's fighting spirit and consistent performances, contrasting their presence in the tournament with the West Indies' exclusion.
India won their seventh ICC trophy, while registering their third Champions Trophy triumph.
'We are committed to leveraging our influence constructively to support the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) in fostering cricket development and ensuring playing opportunities for both men and women in Afghanistan'.
Dhoni appears in an unexpected avatar - seated in a bathtub filled with ice against a snowy landscape, yet visibly sweating under immense pressure.
Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Canadian national convicted in the United States for his role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has been extradited to India. Rana, a close associate of Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, was involved in the conspiracy from 2005 onwards and assisted Headley in obtaining a visa for India. He is the third person to be sent on trial in India for the 26/11 attacks after Ajmal Kasab and Zabiuddin Ansari alias Abu Jundal. Rana's extradition comes after US President Donald Trump approved the request.
Jasprit Bumrah, who is down with swelling in his back, is expected to make a full recovery by the first week of March.
India may be one of the favourites, but Uthappa said they will have their task cut out in their opener against Bangladesh.
The meet and greet session was actually a platform for all the like-minded cricket boards to pledge their support for the 'Hybrid Model' to the new ICC chair.
Unfazed by New Zealand's group stage defeat to India, opener Will Young is focused on exploiting Rohit Sharma's side's weaknesses in the Champions Trophy final in Dubai on Sunday.
'I could not believe that such a great player could be so friendly. He was like a father figure to all of us.'
The source said that the PCB is expecting to get some sort of viable answer from the BCCI officials at the upcoming meeting on the progress they have made (if any) on seeking clearance from their government to send their team to Pakistan early next year for the tournament.
Rohit Sharma will either open or bat at number three in the Adelaide Test against Australia, reckoned former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI against New Zealand in Sunday's final?
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes South Africa has a slight edge over New Zealand in their Champions Trophy semifinal clash.
Newly appointed PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi would be eyeing an assurance from BCCI secretary Jay Shah on India's participation in next year's Champions Trophy in Pakistan during next week's ICC Meeting in Dubai but is unlikely to make headway as of now.
K L Rahul is likely to be rested for the white-ball series against England, starting in Kolkata on January 22.
A total of 33 members of the Pakistan contingent, including players, three travelling reserves and team officials, are awaiting their visas.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for their first Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh on Thursday?
PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi says he is not even considering the possibility of next year's ICC Champions Trophy being moved out of Pakistan despite the speculation surrounding India's participation in the event.
Beginning with the Eden T20I, the two teams will fight it out in a full white ball series, comprising five T20Is and three ODIs, which will serve as a crucial warm-up for the Champions Trophy, slated to begin on February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai.
Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir on Thursday backed chairman of the Dubai Cricket Council Abdul Rahman Falaknaz's offer to host bilateral series between India and Pakistan in the UAE.
India to face West Indies, South Africa in Women's T20 World Cup warm-up matches
A 'hybrid model' to host next year's Champions Trophy in Pakistan remains an option as India's participation cannot be decided by the ICC if there is a government policy against it, a source in the governing body's all-powerful executive board told PTI on Friday.
'I will watch India's match against New Zealand with no tension -- just enjoy the cricket.'
According to Dainik Jagran, Kuldeep, who is currently at the NCA in Bengaluru, is likely to be fit by the end of this month, which could likely see him being named for the ODI series against England, which will begin on February 6.
'He had a terrific World Cup back in India (2023) where he played beautifully in the middle-order and I actually felt then that he'd almost cemented that spot and made that his own.'
Mystery spinner bowls in nets as India prep for three-match ODI series vs England.
A hybrid model was followed during the Asia Cup last year, when India's matches were held in Sri Lanka while other matches were played in Pakistan.
Former India spinner R Ashwin has called for a shift away from the superstar culture prevalent in Indian cricket, urging for a more grounded approach.
'The team expected me to bowl fast and used me as an attacking option. I tried to repay the faith by sticking to my strengths and staying humble.'
Pakistan was the designated hosts for the tournament scheduled for September, but with the BCCI making it clear that the Indian team would not be able to travel to the neighbouring country owing to security concerns, the event has been moved to Dubai.
Even though Mahendra Singh Dhoni has retired, a large number of young fans could be seen wearing his iconic No. 7 jersey.
West Indies legend Sir Vivian Richards has praised Virat Kohli's fighting spirit, energy, and passion, calling him a "great" and "legendary" player.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is optimistic that it will be able to host Champions Trophy next year as a delegation of the International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to reach the country on Monday to inspect the ongoing preparations for the prestigious tournament.
There was talent and a pathway, but a decade down the road the UAE have not made any other appearances in a global event.
The tournament was decorated with several impactful players and 12 of them have made it to the ICC Champions Trophy Team of the Tournament.
Former West Indies batsman Chris Gayle has come out in support of Virat Kohli, who has been struggling for runs in recent times, saying the Indian batter is still the "best player in the world". Gayle said that Kohli's current form is just a "patch" and that the Indian captain will "pick himself up" and come back stronger.
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