Rajasthan Royals' star-studded batting will face the serious challenge of decoding Sunil Narine's mystery at Eden Gardens when they take on two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders in a top-of-the-table IPL clash in Kolkata on Tuesday.
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.
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.
The 23-year-old fast bowler has not played a Test since his stunning seven-wicket debut against South Africa as an 18-year-old in 2011.
A dominant Australia hammered India by 10 wickets in the day-night second Test on Sunday to level the five-match series 1-1.
'I've been bowling here for the Melbourne Stars, I know the pitch, I know the length.'
Australia have kept their bowling options wide open for India tour
While a few catches were put down by both teams, there were some that stuck.
Shah Rukh Khan joined the jubilant KKR players and support staff on the field, high-fiving them and sharing emotional embraces after their thrilling win over the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa collected three wickets apiece in Australia's eight-wicket demolition of Zimbabwe on Wednesday, giving the home side an unassailable 2-0 series lead from the second One-Day International at Riverway Stadium in Townsville.
After the bowlers restricted Australia, a patient knock from KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja saw India clinch a five-wicket win over the visitors.
Konstas, Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft among others are looking to get into the Australian XI as Khawaja's opening partner in the series against India.
Not Cummins, not Starc, this bowler was the difference in the end for Australia, reckons Ravichandran Ashwin
Former Australia pacer Jason Gillespie has questioned Pat Cummins' massive IPL price tag.
'You also know that Gambhir has an aura, the way he comes and takes the team along. I was just talking about that.'
Krunal Pandya recorded his first fifty in IPL since 2016, helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru pull off a six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals.
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.
The three-match ODI series between Australia and West Indies will start from February 2 till February 6 in Brisbane, Sydney, and Canberra respectively.
Pakistan left with plenty to ponder following 14-run loss to Australia
IMAGES from Day 3 of the 3rd Test played between Australia and Pakistan at SCG on Friday.
IMAGES from Day 2 of the WTC Final played between Australia and India at The Oval in London on Thursday.
IMAGES from the World Cup match between Australia and England played in Ahmedabad on Saturday
Australia declared their first innings on 556 for nine and then skittled out Pakistan for 148 to seize control of the second Test in Karachi on Monday.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji present Rediff.com's Most Valuable Player Index of IPL 2025 after Game 29.
Australia's historic pedigree in cricket's biggest tournaments will count for nothing when they run into an Afghanistan side that is fast cementing its place in the game's top table in the Champions Trophy match in Lahore on Friday.
The IPL teams are expected to splurge on players like Pat Cummins, Harry Brook and Mitchell Starc.
The good news is the team management has enough time on hand to think through the defeat and to find answers to the questions Adelaide has thrown up, around both its batting and bowling before the next test begins.
Pakistan's ODI series victory in Australia showcased the raw pace and skill of their fast bowling attack, spearheaded by Haris Rauf.
Kohli's farewell came during a turbulent Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, a place once synonymous with his rise.
Australia led England by 12 runs at the end of a tense and fluctuating second day to leave the final Ashes Test at The Oval on a knife-edge on Friday.
'We have plenty of options here to cover the forced changes of Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Marsh, so we'll have another look at the wicket tomorrow and we'll name the team at the toss'
Meet Urmila Rosario, the World Cup 2023 winning side's team manager.
Skipper Rohit Sharma would fancy a perfect culmination to Indian team's World Cup preparations as hosts eye a rare clean sweep of Australia in the third and final ODI in Rajkot on Wednesday.
Apart from Kohli, four other Indians who were picked in the ICC's Test and ODI Teams of the Year.
Steve Smith has said he had never encountered a wicket like the one at the SCG
Kolkata Knight Riders have discovered a surprise hero in Vaibhav Arora in the post Mitchell Starc era. The team management trusts the pacer so much now that they are not hesitant to pick him ahead of more reputed international names, assistant coach Ottis Gibson said on Monday.
New South Wales paceman Abbott and Queensland veteran Neser are the reserve quicks behind regulars Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson.
Josh Hazlewood took a five-wicket haul to skittle New Zealand for 162 on Day 1 of the second Test.
Jake Fraser-McGurk set the IPL alight with his smashing performance with the bat for Delhi Capitals, hitting 330 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of 234.
The appointment of Mo Bobat and Andy Flower and Dinesh Karthik into the coaching staff changed the template, and it reflected in RCB's approach in the auction room in 2024.
