Kohli, Kohli.... the chants from 90,000 fervent fans still reverberate in the ear when you step into the fabled MCG, even two years after the former Indian skipper pulled off a stunning heist against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022.
Rohit Sharma, who joined the team on Day 3 of the Test, was present to witness the historic win and shared a heartwarming moment with Virat Kohli, who returned to form with a brilliant century.
Mohammed Shami has made a stunning return to competitive cricket after a year-long injury layoff, excelling for Bengal in their Ranji Trophy victory against Madhya Pradesh. Shami's impressive performance included seven wickets across two innings and a quickfire 37 with the bat, helping Bengal secure a narrow 11-run win.
'Not sure whether I will be going, fingers crossed.'
Former captain Sourav Ganguly wants the BCCI to immediately send Mohammed Shami to join the Indian team in Australia, even if he is unable to play in the Perth Test.
Adam Gilchrist has called upon the struggling Marnus Labuschagne to stop overthinking his approach and advised him to bat more freely in the second Test against India.
'He is a tall bowler and he will be able to generate bounce.' 'What goes in his favour is also his ability to get movement.'
Marcus Stoinis says a ready reckoner in how to have a long T20 career has already been created by 40-plus stalwarts like Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Faf du Plessis.
Sarfaraz Khan was spotted leaving the training session early after being hit on his elbow at the nets practice on Thursday.
The biggest positives with the bat in Perth were Virat Kohli regaining his rhythm and Jaiswal's coming of age hundred in his debut Test in Australia. Both will look to build on those significant gains in Adelaide.
India overtook Australia after their thumping 295-run win in the first Test in Perth.
'If Rohit wants to open, KL should bat at No. 3. Nothing later than that.'
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting advised struggling batters Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith to trust their game akin to star India batter Virat Kohli.
Ravichandran, father of veteran off-spinner Ashwin, said he was caught off guard by his son's sudden retirement from international cricket, but stunningly hinted that there could be underlying reasons for it, including him feeling "humiliated".
Bishan Bedi-led India held the previous record when they thrashed Australia by 222 runs in the Melbourne Test in December 1977.
Jaiswal has made a reputation as one of the most ferocious Test openers in a long time, capable of scoring fast and big both.
During his gutsy knock on Friday, he became the third highest run getter for India in the World Test Championships with 2032 runs in 52 innings.
Former National chairman of selectors MSK Prasad says Nitesh Kumar was identified at the age of 12, and from day one he stood out as a player with abundant talent.
Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is on the cusp of making history after he went level with former spinner Bishan Singh Bedi for most wickets in an overseas Test series for India.
The iconic MCG won't have the bounce of Perth or the seam movement of Gabba but it will still be pace-friendly with 6mm of grass covering
At the end of the first day of play, it is the home side that is firmly in control, and India that is now reduced to chasing the game.
'His capacity for hard work, relentless application and focus, allied to his God-given gifts, has made him a champion every Indian can be proud of.'
Buoyed by their win in the first Test in Perth, the Indian cricket team arrived in Canberra for the mid-series two-day game against the Australia Prime Minister's XI on November 30 and December 1 ahead of the Pink Ball Test in Adelaide on December 6.
Indian cricket has produced a generational superstar in Yashasvi Jaiswal and will remain in good health even when Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma decide to call time on their careers, said former Australia World Cup winner Darren Lehmann.
Steve Smith is not getting unduly bothered by people's opinion over his role in the 'sandpapergate' episode
The last time an Ashes in Australia started away from the Gabba was in 1982 when the historic foes drew at the WACA in Perth.
His century in the Perth Test during the 2018-2019 series is rated by many as his finest, which Virat Kohli also acknowledges as his best in Australia.
Hailed as one of Indian cricket's brightest young talents, the 22-year-old Yashasvi Jaiswal made a dazzling start to his Test career.
Virat Kohli and Steve Smith will be "dangerous" and "hungry" for runs in the remaining two Tests
The Perth Test marks Bumrah's second stint as a stand-in captain, having also led his country against England in 2022, and he could not have been dealt a tougher hand.
'We have nothing but respect for every Indian cricketer who takes the field on Friday'
While the whole batting unit faltered, the spotlight fell firmly on seniors Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, whose lean patches in recent times have become a matter of concern.
In a fiery contest, Jaiswal had his moment of cheeky brilliance against Mitchell Starc, a legendary fast bowler with over 330 Test wickets to his name.
Bumrah now has 36 wickets on Australian soil, and the batter he's dismissed most times is his opposite number Pat Cummins (6).
'What they bring to the table (can) never be written off.'
Just-retired R Ashwin's father Ravichandran kicked up a controversy on Thursday by claiming that "humiliation" could have been a reason for his son's decision to call it quits but the veteran off-spinner made light of the "dad comment", blaming it on lack of media training.
Rohit Sharma wilted under the traditional Australian tactic of mentally breaking down the opposition captains
Nathan McSweeney had a disappointing start to his international career after being ousted by Bumrah for 10 and zero in the first Test at Perth.
Ashwin's age is certainly a factor that is being kept in consideration.
Marsh's fitness has been a major concern for the hosts in the lead up to the pink ball Test, starting Friday.
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