Australia suffered another big blow as experienced opener David Warner was ruled out of the last two Tests against India after injuring his elbow and suffering concussion in the second Test in Delhi.
India captain Rohit Sharma has climbed to second place in the ICC men's ODI batting rankings, closing in on top-ranked Shubman Gill.
The spotlight in the World Test Championship Final is on the electrifying duel between Australia's batting mainstay Steve Smith and South Africa's pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada.
The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side will face South Africa on Thursday and the defending champions Australia on October 12 at the ACA-VDCA stadium in Visakhapatnam.
Images from Day 2 of the fourth Test between Australia and India, at the Gabba, on Saturday.
While defending totals of 350 or more in 59 Tests, India have won 42, with their sole defeat coming against England at Edgbaston in 2022.
Pat Cummins captured the sentiment perfectly, calling this potentially the 'last chance' for fans Down Under to witness these legends in action. With both stalwarts set to be 39 and 40 respectively by the 2027 World Cup, every appearance carries added significance. Ro-Ko have been the heartbeat of Indian cricket for over 15 years. Their return brings an emotional lift to the team and raises expectations for the series against the world champions.
When I'm batting, I think only as a batter: Captain Gill on dual responsibility
Images from Day 3 of the fourth Test between Australia and India, at the Gabba, on Sunday.
India along with New Zealand and Pakistan are in contention for the last remaining semi-final spot from Group A.
Frustrating to lose wickets to part-timer; SA are doing right to make three finals: Wolvaardt
Star batter Shubman Gill was on Saturday named captain of the Indian Test squad for the upcoming five-match away series against England, signaling the start of a new era in Indian red-ball cricket.
rediffGURU Dr Karan Gupta offers career guidance to young aspirants on how to choose the best course and career in India and abroad.
The world champions, having already sealed the series 4-1, fielded an unchanged side after opener Matthew Hayden failed to recover fully from his hip injury.
After 45 games in the ICC men's cricket World Cup the group stage is complete, and the final four now know who will play who in the semi-finals. Australia, India, England and New Zealand knew prior to Saturday's final group matches that they would be in the top four and that all that was to be decided was the end of group standings.
Images from Day 4 of the third Test between Australia and India, at the SCG, on Sunday.
Images from Day 1 of the third Test between Australia and India at the SCG, on Thursday.
Images from Day 2 of the third Test between Australia and India, at the SCG, on Friday.
Images from Day 4 of the fourth Test between Australia and India, at the Gabba, on Monday.
Images from Day 1 of the fourth Test between Australia and India, at the Gabba, on Friday.
Images from Day 3 of the third Test between Australia and India, at the SCG, on Saturday.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing for the World Cup opener against Australia?
Ajinkya Rahane hits 159 in Ranji Trophy match against Chhattisgarh
'I think we have got a very settled batting lineup. Would not like to shuffle it around too much but when the need arises, you know we are flexible about it.'
'India is much stronger in white ball than the red ball. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli... they know that these youngsters are pushing them.'
Trent Boult is relishing facing World Cup hosts India on Sunday as the tournament's only remaining unbeaten teams go head-to-head in Dharamshala.
Tickets for six short-format matches between Australia and India in November and December were all but exhausted on Friday, Cricket Australia said, while there is also some good news about the opening match in the Test series.
A look back at a few memorable showdowns in the last decade and half that had the quintessential crests and troughs of Test cricket.
South Africa will be eager to turn consistent recent form into a title-winning run when they open their women's ODI World Cup campaign against traditional powerhouses England in Guwahati on Friday.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI against Pakistan on Sunday?
This is the first time India will play a bilateral series on Australian soil.
India's frustrating FIH Women's Pro League campaign continued with the Salima Tete-led side suffering their third successive loss, a 1-4 defeat to world No.2 side Argentina
Mahendra Singh Dhoni vs Australia in Tests: 65 dismissals -- 51 catches, 14 stumpings -- in 19 games. India's captain is the seventh wicketkeeper to complete 251 catches in 90 Tests. Statistical highlights of the opening day's play in the third India-Australia Test in Melbourne.
India will kickstart their campaign on September 10 against the UAE. Media reports suggest that Gill could make his return to the T20I team, possibly as vice-captain.
Who do you think should be part of the Indian team for the first Test against England?
Underdogs Nagaland showed they are made of sterner stuff as their batters fought tooth and nail all day to score 365/5 and frustrate Tamil Nadu who would be fancying their chances of enforcing a follow-on after a mammoth 512-run first-innings total in a Ranji Trophy Group A match in Bengaluru on Monday.
A look back at some of the most painful moments when South Africa came heartbreakingly close -- but always fell short -- before finally breaking the curse at Lord's.
'After the media exchanges between Ajit Agarkar and Mohammad Shami last week, newly-appointed selector R P Singh is at Eden Gardens for the Bengal vs Gujarat clash. The World T20 winner spoke to Shami at length after the day's play today.'
'There is always a plan. Whenever you can give him a break, you will.'
Round up of all the Ranji Trophy action on Thursday
