Skipper Steve Smith led the way with another torrent of runs as Australia raced to 251 for six and a lead of 348 over India before rain stopped play at the end of the fourth day of the fourth Test on Friday.
"I was the one who suggested that we should go back home immediately because it was clear it was one-sided and it was not fair but Anil (Kumble) showed great leadership qualities and managed everything," Laxman said during the launch of his book '281 and Beyond' in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Struggling Australian pace spearhead Brett Lee is almost certain to miss out the third Test against South Africa starting on Saturday in Sydney due to a foot injury, team Physio Alex Kountouris said.
Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting said, the struggling David Warner missed out on a golden opportunity to retire in front of his home crowd.
During his patient knock, Pujara faced 250 balls, hitting 16 of them for fours, and added 75 runs for the unbeaten fifth wicket stand with Vihari.
The weather-ravaged, dead rubber third Test between Australia and the West Indies petered out in a draw at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Thursday.
Kim Clijsters came through a major test of her early season form to reach the Sydney International final with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 victory over Alisa Kleybanova on Thursday.
India have recalled Ajinkya Rahane to reinforce their batting line-up, which will have to be at its best to negate the Australian attack.
"This was his ground, the Sydney Cricket Ground," Clarke said. "This is where he played his last game, this is where his spirit will live forever."
The SCG may be perfect for the under-performing trio -- Pujara, Dhawan and Ashwin -- to regain their touch.
Left arm quick Mitchell Starc will replace injured seamer Mitchell Johnson in Australia's lineup for the fourth and final dead rubber Test against India starting on Tuesday.
Australian opener Chris Rogers has decided that the fourth and final cricket Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground will be his last on home soil.
Heavy rain washed out play in the third Test between Australia and West Indies for the second successive day on Wednesday, further reducing the already slim chance of a result in the dead rubber match.
At the close, after 75 overs were squeezed in around two lengthy rain interruptions, the West Indies were 207 for six with Denesh Ramdin on 23 and Carlos Brathwaite not out 35 after winning the toss.
A dominant Australia looked firmly on course for a 5-0 Ashes series sweep when they reached 140 for four, a lead of 311, at close of play after skittling England for 155 on the second day of the fifth Test on Saturday.
India's senior batter Cheteshwar Pujara warmed up for the Test series in South Africa with a gruelling nets session.
England rode their luck through a rocky afternoon spell to reach 167-3 in their first innings at the close of play on the second day of the fifth Ashes Test after dismissing Australia for 280 on Tuesday.
Green will have a period of rest ahead of the tour of India
Australia have kept their bowling options wide open for India tour
With 17 needed to win, Dean was run out for 47 with veteran off-spinner Deepti Sharma deciding to clip the bails during her delivery stride to put an end to the 35-run partnership that gave India 3-0 sweep.
The 32-year-old Starc was diagnosed with a detached tendon in the middle finger and missed the third and final Test against the Proteas at Sydney.
Australia have won only four Test series in India in three quarters of a century of touring the country, the last coming in 2004.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's retirement from Test cricket has left the Indian think-tank fretting over the ideal playing combination that will take on Australia in the fourth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground starting next Tuesday.
Matt Renshaw says he will try to make a 'good impression'
In the T20I rankings, Suryakumar Yadav continues his reign at the top of the batting charts, driven by his brilliant century in the third T20I against Sri Lanka.
Sachin Tendulkar has revealed he had to manage the recurrence of a painful, decade-old toe injury during India's tour of Australia.
Josh Hazlewood ruled out of next week's opener in Nagpur, which begins on Thursday.
The Australian captain said there had been two incidents on the field that his side could have handled better.
JP Duminy says Australia could trump the hosts 2-1 in the much anticipated Test series
Andhra skipper Hanuma Vihari batted left-handed and defied speedster Avesh Khan to add 26 runs for the 10th wicket and help his team reach 379 against Madhya Pradesh on the second day of the Ranji Trophy quarter-final.
The skipper is also counting on the likes of part-time spinners Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith to pitch in the slow bowling department.
"If you talk to all the great players out there, they say he is a great player. We'll just have to see if he bounces back in Melbourne. He is a pretty tough nut, old David. I don't think that (run drought) necessarily worries him," Erskine added.
Lokesh Rahul hit his maiden century, Virat Kohli his fourth of the series but Australia's Shane Watson hit back with two wickets in as many balls to leave India on 342 for five after the third day of the fourth Test on Thursday.
Relishing the challenge of squaring off against new Indian captain Virat Kohli in the fourth and final cricket Test in Sydney, Australian skipper Steve Smith described his rival number as an "emotional character".
Former Australia captain Ian Chappell feels even though he backs the hosts to win the series 3-0, India should field five specialist bowlers including two spinners in the final cricket Test, starting January 6.
Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar will join Australia's squad for the fourth and final Test against India in Sydney, captain Steven Smith said on Tuesday.
"I've always played my cricket under the belief that you pick your best 11 players and that's never changed. I think it's wrong to give players guarantees," the Australian Test captain said.
Steve Smith scored a sparkling century and put on 128 for the sixth wicket with Brad Haddin to rescue Australia and push the hosts to 326 all out shortly before close of play on the first day of the fifth Ashes Test against England on Friday.
India's premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed that he felt like he was being "thrown under the bus" after a remark by former head coach Ravi Shastri left him crushed during a torrid phase in his career when he contemplated retirement multiple times.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances