Shubman Gill once again showcased class as he hit his maiden Test fifty
The series already in their pocket, India would aim for a clean sweep against the hosts and end the tour of Australia on a high when the two teams clash in the third and final Twenty20.
Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam finally found their scoring touch with half centuries in a 105-run stand to lay the foundation for victory.
Coach Langer backed Smith and warned Team India that great players do not miss out on scoring for a long period.
Left-arm pacer Thangarasu Natarajan earned his maiden call-up to the Indian Test squad after he was named as the replacement for the injured Umesh Yadav for the last two games against Australia.
Former opener Gautam Gambhir believes the Indian team management needs to take good care of its pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and if required, the fast bowler should be given a break during the upcoming home series against England.
Before the two teams face off in a much-anticipated four-Test series starting on December 17, Australia A are scheduled to play two three-day tour games against India A, which features Test specialists.
It sure did for New Zealand pace legend Richard Hadlee who had to offer his teammates a week's holiday to take one home back in 1986.
Images from Day 3 of the third Test between Australia and India, at the SCG, on Saturday.
Selectors would have hoped to see some sort of form from Joe Burns but the right-hander was trapped leg before wicket
Survives sharp bowling to notch up another half-ton
Images from Day 1 of the third Test between Australia and South Africa at the SCG on Wednesday.
'Healthy competition is always good for the team'
With this win, India are at the top spot on the points table with four points in two wins in two matches. The Netherlands are at the bottom and are yet to score a point.
AB de Villiers smashed West Indies bowlers from pillar to post for the quickest 150 in one-day internationals on Friday but the South African skipper said only hard work earns a batsman the right to dominate in such a fashion.
Under-fire England held their first news conference since being knocked out of the World Cup on Wednesday with inexperienced all-rounder Chris Jordan handed the responsibility of addressing the media on behalf of the squad.
From January 1, 2021 to September 9, 2024 -- during which Joe Root hit 17 centuries, Kane Williamson has hit, Steve Smith has made six tons but Virat Kohli has managed just two centuries.
Root shared a 106-run partnership with Jonny Bairstow, who was standing in for injured wicketkeeper Matt Prior and fell just two run short of his half century before the tourists were bowled out for 418. England's bowlers initially struggled to impose themselves on the Invitational XI, who had reached 153 for four by close of play for a lead of 39 after their first innings 304.
'When it comes to cricket, I try to entertain as much as possible whether it's for good or for bad..., thankfully, it was on the good end of things.'
Steve Waugh feels Kohli is now much more in control as a player and would be keen to lead the team to a series win abroad.
Now that the two teams have reached the semi-final stage, albeit by taking contrasting routes, an India-Pakistan title clash is being anticipated.
'You might see things quite different from what you usually see' 'I don't mind a bit of chat on the field; a bit of banter'
Images from Day 2 of the third Test between Australia and India, at the SCG, on Friday.
Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar's tryst with Australia and "The Don" continues as the legendary batsman will be inducted as a Bradman Honouree along with former Test captain Steve Waugh at a gala dinner in Sydney on October 29.
Latham was just one of three players to have broken bones on the tour, with opening bowler Trent Boult sustaining a fracture in his right hand during the second Test in Melbourne.
'A lot to work on but this is the blueprint of the way we want to play Test cricket and hopefully we'll keep doing that.'
The Indian cricket team kicked off the New Year with an energy packed practice session for the third Test against Australia in Sydney.
India all-rounder Hardik Pandya bowled in top-flight cricket for the first time since returning from a back surgery more than a year ago, with his team under pressure against Australia during the second ODI in Sydney on Sunday.
Dhoni is likely to abandon the rest of the Australian Test tour following his sudden retirement from Test career for reportedly taking a vacation in between before returning to Australia for the One-day tri-series in mid-January.
Training sessions are the players' only break from the monotony of being holed up alone in their hotel rooms, so they have been taking to practice with gusto, said Carey.
Australia looked destined for their biggest score of the series against India after a half century from debutant opener Will Pucovski helped them to 166 for two at the end of the rain-disrupted first day of the third Test in Sydney on Thursday.
The obituaries had been written only three days earlier, Shane Watson's 13-year international cricket career declared dead and buried.
Ferguson, who will need five to six weeks to recover, is returning to New Zealand and a replacement for him will be named on Tuesday, coach Gary Stead told reporters on Monday.
Kohli is struggling for big runs of late and his last Test century was against the West Indies at Port of Spain in July 2023.
The Boxing Day Test between India and Australia might feature crowds with the Victoria government saying that it is "very confident" of having fans in the stands for the much-awaited clash.
Australia captain Clarke plays down talk of pressure, believes 'the boys will be fine'
The 16 skippers made history, coming together in Melbourne for the first time at a T20 World Cup.
'I am heartbroken at his dismissal, but I a happy Mayank has almost cemented his place in the team. Look at his consistency. He has now two half-centuries and a good 42 in the three innings he had played so far Down Under'
Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq has placed his money on India to prevail over Australia.
With the Sydney Cricket Ground having a history of assisting spin from third day onwards, Australian left-arm orthodox Ashton Agar is hoping to get picked in the XI and play his part in the fourth and final Test against India starting January 6.
