The T20 WC champions will look to enter this phase with clarity of intent as they refine roles, streamline combinations and settle the XI that will carry the weight of expectations in front of home crowds.
For the first time in many years, India are going into a home Test match as underdogs and not favourites. Ask any player worth his salt and he would tell that it is not a happy place to be.
Tristan Stubbs scored an unbeaten career-best 112 from 81 balls as South Africa thumped Ireland by 174 runs to clinch their three-game One-day International series with a game to spare in a hot and humid Abu Dhabi on Friday.
Ahead of the mini-auction, scheduled to be held in Doha on December 26, the 10 franchises have released their list of retained and released players.
Images from Day 1 of the first Test between India and South Africa, in Kolkata, on Friday.
India's awe-inspiring batting depth will face a stern test against South Africa's quality spin attack in the first Test, starting in Kolkata on Friday.
South Africa beat Australia by five wickets to win World Test Championship
IMAGES from Day 1 of the WTC Final between Australia and South Africa at Lord's on Wednesday
Top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen will lead South Africa during next month's Twenty20 tri-series with New Zealand and hosts Zimbabwe, with four uncapped players in the squad, Cricket South Africa said on Thursday.
Australia's Glenn Maxwell produced an unbeaten half-century in a tense chase to help the hosts edge out South Africa by two wickets in the third and final Twenty20 International and complete a 2-1 series victory in Cairns on Saturday.
DC skipper Axar Patel said four wins in four matches had given the team a huge boost in morale.
Four franchises were involved in a bidding war with MI Cape Town making the initial move followed by Paarl Royals. However, towards the end it was Johannesburg Super Kings and Sunrisers Eastern Cape, who fought tooth and nail before the latter made a winning bid of R 9.2 million.
While the Indian batter was in full flight, one of his powerful sixes inadvertently struck a fan in the crowd.
Krunal Pandya recorded his first fifty in IPL since 2016, helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru pull off a six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals.
Jadeja reduces South Africa to 93/7 in second innings, India smell big win
South Africa will aim for their first Test victory in India in more than 15 years.
Massive chance for series win in India, SA better-placed with spin resources: Bavuma
Rizvi, Nair power DC to six-wicket win over Punjab Kings
Delhi Capitals pulled off a thrilling win via the Super Over against Rajasthan Royals, courtesy a Mitchell Starc masterpiece.
In a major boost to Delhi Capitals, vice-captain Faf du Plessis has decided to return for the remainder of the IPL while England all-rounder Will Jacks will rejoin Mumbai Indians for their final two league fixtures.
WTC-bound SA players to miss play-offs after BCCI asks teams to release them by May 26
South Africa go into the five-day clash at Lord's, which starts on Wednesday, as underdogs but Conrad struck an optimistic tone at a press conference on Monday.
'DC v RCB: Dressing room Chat Part 2. Jitesh appreciates cameos from Bethell and David, and has a special message for Rajat in the end!'
Bavuma said his hamstring was 'feeling good' ahead of his return, and the South African skipper also confirmed he would bat at number three for the opening match of the three-game series behind openers Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction saw some foreign names earning big bucks, headlined by Aussie all-rounder Cameron Green
Starc was at his lethal best in the Super Over, restricting RR to just 11/2 with a masterclass in death bowling.
South Africa ended 27 years of hurt by beating Australia at Lord's to win the ICC World Test Championship 2025.
Expect some fireworks for the highly-versatile Cameron Green along with Quinton de Kock, Matheesha Pathirana, Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi.
Delhi Capitals looked like a well-oiled machine with four wins in a row before a stunning batting meltdown against Mumbai Indians halted their momentum.
Delhi Capitals will be desperate to arrest their slump and stay in contention for a play-off berth when they take on high-flying Punjab Kings in a crucial IPL match in Dharamsala on Thursday.
The former India seamer also criticized CSK's lack of aggression during the middle overs with the bat, saying the team appeared to lack direction before the inclusion of Dewald Brevis brought some much-needed spark.
K L Rahul's impeccable 93 not out off 53 deliveries propelled Delhi Capitals to an emphatic six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Chinnaswamy stadium, Bengaluru, on Thursday, April 10 2025.
He's a champion bowler: Rahane hails Narine's game-changing spell
Shaken by the abrupt suspension of their previous match due to the India-Pakistan conflict, a struggling Delhi Capitals will look to regroup and address bowling concerns when they face table-toppers Gujarat Titans in a reverse-leg IPL clash in Delhi on Sunday to keep their play-off hopes alive.
Fresh from their morale-boosting win over LSG, and bolstered by the return of India wicketkeeper-batter K L Rahul, Delhi Capitals will look to build on the momentum when they take on formidable Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL match in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.
The upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Delhi Capitals (DC) in Chennai promises a captivating battle between wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Noor Ahmad. Both bowlers are known for their artistry and ability to control the middle overs.
Drugs ban gives Rabada extra motivation for WTC final, says the Proteas captain
Suryakumar Yadav lavished praise on spinner Varun Chakravarthy for his magical figures of 5 for 17 during their three-wicket loss to South Africa in the second T20I in Gqeberha
IMAGES from the Indian Premier League match played between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals in Hyderabad, on Monday.
The series promises a fascinating duel between the two modern-day pace greats.
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