Virat Kohli came into the Centurion Test with only one proper net session on Christmas eve but India batting coach Vikram Rathour categorical said that at this stage of his career, the former captain doesn't need to train a lot.
'The confidence is always there that, yeah, I have a few runs behind my back. But, at the same time, there is a very thin line between you getting a bit complacent also when you are coming into any game after scoring runs.'
Former Australia paceman Mitchell Johnson has slammed the decision to play a day-night Ashes match next year, saying the pink ball Test is a "totally different" game. England will play Australia in a Test under the lights for the first time at the Adelaide Oval in the second match of the 2017-18 Ashes series, it was announced this week. Johnson, who retired ahead of the inaugural day-night Test in Adelaide last year, thinks the Ashes series generates enough interest and ticket sales without any added novelty.
Not really impressed with the preparation that India will have going into the Test series against Australia, former captain Sourav Ganguly has said a couple of two-day practice games are just not enough.
'That's great for our team and in a way Ashes are bloody hard to win. It's not going to be easy but if we were to win it, that is legacy defining stuff.'
Wahab Riaz is the ninth bowler in history of Pakistan to take a five-for on debut, recorded against England as he took 5/63 at The Oval.
Ponting called for an investigation into the ball change and now the owner of Dukes' ball is set to launch an internal probe into the row.
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.
Young Rishabh Pant has become the fastest Indian wicketkeeper to claim 50 dismissals in Test cricket, surpassing former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Australia opening batsman David Warner has been ruled out of next week's series-opening Test against India in Adelaide and will target a return for the second Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, Cricket Australia said on Wednesday.
Smith will look to reprise his performance from the 2019 Ashes series in England, where he amassed 774 runs in his four Tests
'Their batting line-up is more vulnerable to both pace and spin, and they look weak. Some of their first-choice batsmen have an ordinary record in domestic cricket, averaging 30-35 at best.'
Australia and India control their own destiny as they edge towards the conclusion of the competition
Speaking to ANI, sources in the know of developments in the Indian team said that the batsman will need a little more time before he can go full throttle.
Kohli has managed just 111 runs in three Tests against Australia but Ponting is not worried about lack of runs.
ICC said it docked points and fined both England and Australia for maintaining slow over-rate during the recently-concluded Ashes series.
David Warner is very happy for his Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate Thangarasu Natarajan's Test call-up but he is 'not sure' if the Tamil Nadu left-arm seamer can consistently hit one length, over after over, in the five-day format.
The 19-year-old from Mumbai, wearing a protective brace on his left ankle, was seen jogging around the Adelaide Oval before the start of the fifth and final day of the first Test.
Only two batters have managed to achieve this unique record before him.
Robin Uthappa hired Pravin Amre and tweaked his technique but it led to a loss of natural flair.
Rohit Sharma admitted that the decision to open the batting in Test matches back in 2019 was one of the biggest risks he took as a cricketer because he was aware that it was his 'last chance' in red ball cricket.
Captain Rohit Sharma believes all individuals showed a lot of character and stepped up when needed to take India to the World Test Championship final for the second consecutive time.
'Yes, the playing conditions still vary over time. But you're still in control of what sort of works for you on a pitch. So, you might play on a new hybrid pitch for one game.'
Commenting on the post, Ishan Kishan jokingly asked, 'Why is Mr. Rajni doing so extra?'
Jasprit Bumrah will have to squeeze every ounce of energy from his already overworked body, while Ajinkya Rahane will hope to get one final chance to save his international career when India take on England in the fifth and final Test, chasing a historic series win, in Manchester on Friday.
Kohli, playing in his 500th international game, was batting on 87 in with Jadeja on 36 at the other end.
Rohit cops blow on left thumb day before WTC final
Opening batsman Marcus Harris has been called into Australia's first Test squad as the hosts count the cost of a number of injuries ahead of the series opener against India in Adelaide.
India qualified for the World Test Championship final after New Zealand edged Sri Lanka by two wickets off the final ball in a dramatic finish to the first Test in Christchurch on Monday.
'Unveiling #TeamIndia's new training kit Also, kickstarting our preparations for the #WTCFinal,' the BCCI tweeted photos of players Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur and Head Coach Rahul Dravid, Bowling Coach Paras Mhambrey and Batting Coach Vikram Rathour donning the kits.
The problem with non-selection of an Indian player in the XI is more to do with lack of matches rather than poor show since they have won both the series that they played in 2021.
The structure of the nine-team WTC remains intact with each side playing three home and as many away series over a two-year period culminating in the final of a one-off Test.
If the pitch gets hampered then the match officials will assess the pitch and see whether it is in good condition to play or not if yes they will continue playing on the same and if not then they will look at the other pitch condition and take a call on whether they can play on the other one or not, according to ANI.
The diagnosis comes a month after United States President Donald Trump and other members of his family and inner circle tested positive
Travis Head's counter-attacking hundred and his unbroken 251-run stand with Steve Smith put Australia in charge on 327/3 on the opening day of the WTC final against India.
Pakistan were 30-1 at stumps on Day 2, still 401 runs behind New Zealand's 431 in the first innings.
On December 19, 2016, India, under Kohli, scored a mammoth 759 for 7 declared against England at the Chepauk in Chennai to eventually win the match by an innings and 75 runs.
