Ballon d'Or: The 68th edition of the Ballond? Or will take place tonight to crown the best female and men players of the 2023-2024 season of Football. France's football governing body, France Football awards this iconic award on a yearly basis, recognising the individual brilliance of football players on the turf over a period of one year.



Ever since the award was introduced 68 years ago in 1956, it has turned out to become one of the most precious and desired awards in the history of Football. England's legendary footballer and icon Sir Stanley Matthews was the first ever Ballond? Or winner.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/10/20241028_151550-859x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-149042" style="width:492px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior is the favorite to win the 2024 Ballon d'Or | Image: X (Los Balncos Zone) </figcaption></figure>



Real Madrid?s left winger and Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior is regarded as the favourite to win the Men's Ballon D'or while Aitana Bonmati of Barcelona Femini is the favourite to win the women's Ballon d'Or for a second-successive time.



The Ballon d'Or 2024 award-ceremony also marks the beginning of a new-era in Football with the legendary duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi not getting nominated in the 30-man shortlist for this year. It ends their dominance of multiple decades which saw the two lift the award 13 times in the last sixteen years since 2008.



Alongside the men?s and women's Ballon d?Or awards, the 68th edition will also feature multiple different awards. The best goalkeeper of the 2023-2024 season will be awarded the Yashin Trophy while the best under 21 player will be given the Kopa Trophy.



Coaches will also be awarded the best Men's and Women's coach of the year awards while prizes will be handed out to the best Men's and Women's Football-Clubs. The player who scored the highest number of goals in the 2023-2024 season will be awarded the Gerd Muller Trophy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Ballon d'Or Trophy is awarded on the basis of three-main criterias:</h2>



The first criteria involves individual brilliance alongside impressive and decisive character. The second criteria for awarding the trophy involves the overall performance of the player's team in a particular season.



Additionally, the nominees' fair play and class are evaluated as well. To determine the true winner of the prize, a global panel of specialised journalists, one from each nation, submitted their votes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ballon d'Or 2024: 30-Man Nominee list for the Men's award</h2>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid and England)</li>



<li>Hakan ?alhano?lu (Inter Milan and Turkey)</li>



<li>Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid and Spain)</li>



<li>R?ben Dias (Manchester City and Portugal)</li>



<li>Artem Dovbyk (Girona and Ukraine)</li>



<li>Phil Foden (Manchester City and England)</li>



<li>Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen and Spain)</li>



<li>Erling Haaland (Manchester City and Norway)</li>



<li>Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund and Germany)</li>



<li>Harry Kane (Bayern Munich and England)</li>



<li>Toni Kroos (Real Madrid and Germany)</li>



<li>Ademola Lookman (Atalanta and Nigeria)</li>



<li>Emiliano Mart?nez (Aston Villa and Argentina)</li>



<li>Lautaro Mart?nez (Inter Milan and Argentina)</li>



<li>Kylian Mbapp? (Paris Saint-Germain and France)</li>



<li>Martin ?degaard (Arsenal and Norway)</li>



<li>Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig and Spain)</li>



<li>Cole Palmer (Chelsea and England)</li>



<li>Declan Rice (Arsenal and England)</li>



<li>Rodri (Manchester City and Spain)</li>



<li>Antonio R?diger (Real Madrid and Germany)</li>



<li>Bukayo Saka (Arsenal and England)</li>



<li>William Saliba (Arsenal and France)</li>



<li>Federico Valverde (Real Madrid and Uruguay)</li>



<li>Vin?cius J?nior (Real Madrid and Brazil)</li>



<li>Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain and Portugal)</li>



<li>Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao and Spain</li>



<li>Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen and Germany)</li>



<li>Granit Xhaka (Bayer Leverkusen and Switzerland)</li>



<li>Lamine Yamal (Barcelona and Spain)</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Ballon d'Or 2024 Award-ceremony: Live-Streaming information</h2>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">When will the Ballon d'Or 2024 Award-Ceremony be held?</h5>



The Ballon d?Or 2024 award-ceremony will take place on Tuesday, 29th of October (India).







<h6 class="wp-block-heading">At what time will the Ballon d?Or 2024 ceremony start?</h6>



The Ballon d?Or 2024 ceremony will commence at 1:15 am Indian Standard Time (IST).







<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Will any Indian TV channels broadcast the 2024 Ballon d'Or Award-Ceremony?</h6>



The 2024 Ballon d'Or Award-Ceremony will be telecasted live on the Sony Sports Network on television in India.



<h6 class="wp-block-heading">Can I watch the Ballon d'Or 2024 award-ceremony on any OTT platforms?</h6>



Yes, fans in India can easily watch the 2024 Ballon d'Or Award-ceremony on the application and website of Sony Liv. The ceremony can also be watched for free on the YouTube channel of L'equipe. 



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Ballon d'Or Award-Ceremony: When and Where to watch the event in India? Vini jr or Rodri, who will win the award?

ballon-dor-award-ceremony-when-and-where-to-watch-the-event-in-india-vini-jr-or-rodri-who-will-win-the-award

A day off for one of the best strikers, Haaland will be looking to forget this draw against <a href="https://www.chelseafc.com/en">Chelsea</a> on Saturday. A late halftime strike from Sterling gave Chelsea the lead but City came with an equaliser from Rodri in the 83rd minute.?



City fell behind Arsenal and Liverpool in the title race after their draw with Chelsea, as both of their competitors secured victories earlier in the day.



Haaland, known for his efficiency in front of goal, surprisingly missed three clear chances in the thrilling 1-1 draw. This occurred after Arsenal and Liverpool, City's competitors for the title, had won their matches earlier on Saturday. The leading scorer in the Premier League had nine attempts on goal but failed to find the back of the net, marking his highest number of shots in a single game without scoring in all of his 79 appearances for Manchester City.



READ MORE: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/croatian-legend-luka-modric-to-not-extend-his-contract-with-real-madrid/">Croatian Legend Luka Modric to not extend his contract with Real Madrid</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/02/ERLING-HAALAND-MANCHESTER-CITY-.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-126716" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: MPL</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">"Haaland not to be blamed,? says coach Pep Guardiola </h2>



As per a report from <a href="https://www.espn.in/football/story/_/id/39546652/guardiola-wont-blame-erling-haaland-manchester-city-draw-chelsea">ESPN</a>, "It's good to have nine shots, and next time he's going to score," said Guardiola. "I was a football player for 11 years and scored 11 goals. I'm not a proper man to give advice to strikers. We create the chances, he had the chances, and next time he's going to score. I don't blame him. It's football, it's human beings."



Haaland scored a total of 16 goals this season but the Norwegian seems to be off the line this weekend. The frustration can be seen as a cameraman intruded too closely on the exasperated Norwegian international in the moments following the match and fierce Haaland pushed the camera out of his face.&nbsp;



Haaland had a forgettable afternoon individually, failing to capitalize on several prime chances. Despite his remarkable goal-scoring record of 52 goals in 53 matches last season, the Norwegian striker missed the mark entirely on multiple occasions when he had opportunities to challenge Djorde Petrovic, the goalkeeper for the visiting team. Seven of Haaland's efforts were made by his head, including the one where he directed Julian Alvarez?s cross over the crossbar in the early stages of the match.



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Angry Erling Haaland shoves Sky Sports camera off his face after Man City 1-1 draw

angry-erling-haaland-shoves-sky-sports-camera-off-his-face-after-man-city-1-1-draw

Croatian Midfielder Luka Modric, 38, is close to the expiration of his contract with Real Madrid after 12 years with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Madrid_CF">The White House</a>. With 515 appearances and 38 goals across all competitions, the 38-year-old has decided not to extend his contract after the end of the season.?



The captain of the Croatia national team has participated in 27 matches across various competitions this season. However, he has only been in the starting lineup for 15 out of his team's 35 games, which means he typically plays just over half of each match, averaging around 50 minutes on the field. Last season, he didn't play at all in just two games, but that number has increased to six this season.



Unfortunately for the experienced player, his situation is deteriorating. In the team's recent matches against Atl?tico Madrid, Girona, and RB Leipzig, which were all crucial games, Modric saw limited playing time. Specifically, he played for 15 minutes, and 20 minutes, and did not play at all in these matches respectively.



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/02/Luka-Modric-Real-Madrid-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-126672" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: ASports.tv</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Modric is likely to leave The White House this summer</h2>



The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner?s future remains uncertain as many would argue his lack of game time this season. Modric is reported to be frustrated with the management as he's been used as a backup option.



?As per the report from <a href="https://www.news18.com/football/real-madrid-midfielder-luka-modric-to-not-extend-his-contract-according-to-report-8780135.html">News 18</a>, Modric opened up by saying, ?I?m not sure I?ve been on the bench for the three games in a row, that feeling was especially strange to me. The coach decided it for his reasons. I repeat I didn?t stay to stay, but I want to play and enjoy football.?Modric is unhappy with Real Madrid Boss Carlos Ancelotti?s decision to bench him for most of the season and he wants to bring an end to his tenure with Real Madrid.?



Modric joined The White House back in 2012 coming from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur joining the midfield alongside Toni Kroos and Casemiro. He appeared in 160 matches in his four-year contract scoring 17 goals before moving to Spain.?Modric is known as one of the best midfielders and has captained his national side to the finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He is regarded as the greatest Croatian Footballer ever with 24 international goals.?



 In 2018, Modric experienced one of the most successful periods in his career while representing both Real Madrid and the Croatia national team. He achieved notable milestones, including securing his fourth Champions League title with Real Madrid and reaching the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup with Croatia. Modric's outstanding performances earned him the prestigious Golden Ball award at the World Cup, recognizing his exceptional contribution to leading his nation to its first-ever World Cup final. Furthermore, he was honored with the 2018 Ballon d'Or, highlighting his exceptional talent and achievements throughout the year.



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Croatian Legend Luka Modric to not extend his contract with Real Madrid

croatian-legend-luka-modric-to-not-extend-his-contract-with-real-madrid

France superstar Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid transfer saga might be seeing its end since the Frenchman has been looking to extend his contract with PSG amid talks of his transfer to the La Liga side.&nbsp;



Many reports claimed that PSG and Kylian Mbappe weren't happy with the offer from Real Madrid and were looking for a contract extension. However, the latest offer from the Spanish legends would make him the costliest star in the current Los Blancos squad. Compared to the offer made by the club in 2022, the current proposal is lower.?



Previously, Real Madrid put forward a bid of $140 million to lure him away from PSG. The player currently receives a net salary of $80.8 million before bonuses at PSG, and according to <a href="https://theathletic.com/uk/">The Athletic</a>, Real Madrid cannot match this figure.



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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/02/mbappe-1024x575.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-126615" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: SportCo</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid is in real doubt </h2>



The all-time top goalscorer for PSG, Kylian Mbappe was approached by the Spanish legends Real Madrid earlier this year for a transfer in the summer. Real Madrid also made an offer back in 2022 that was rejected by the Frenchman as he stayed with PSG.?



According to sources cited by <a href="https://www.90min.com/">90min</a>, PSG has proposed a contract to Mbappe worth ?70 million per year before taxes. Additionally, they are willing to retroactively return his ?80 million loyalty bonus, which he had waived last summer. This offer comes with the condition that PSG receives a legally binding assurance that they won't suffer financial losses if Mbappe departs on a free transfer after declining the one-year renewal option on his current contract.



Furthermore, PSG has granted permission for Mbappe to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics with the French national team if he agrees to the terms of the contract. Despite the tournament overlapping with Euro 2024 and extending from late July to mid-August, PSG is supportive of Mbappe's involvement. This would result in Mbappe being absent from club duties for nearly three months, accounting for pre-tournament preparations, match fixtures, and necessary rest periods for both events.



Mbappe possesses the qualities to become the emblematic figure of a club, thereby boosting Real Madrid's worldwide reputation. Additionally, a transfer to Madrid could boost Mbappe's club trajectory, which has somewhat plateaued at PSG. PSG's inability to contend strongly for the Champions League has hindered Mbappe's career progression, making a move to Real Madrid potentially beneficial for his development.



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Kylian Mbappe's transfer to Real Madrid stays on hold for the 2024 season

kylian-mbappes-transfer-to-real-madrid-stays-on-hold-for-the-2024-season

Football is an attacking ball sport that was first played in the mid-19th century in England. The game has a legacy of over 150 years and now it is governed internationally by FIFA.&nbsp;



The game is often considered the most widespread and renowned sport in the modern world, as it has been played by an estimated 250 million players from numerous countries around the world. The game that embarked on its journey from the island nation of England has now turned out to be the favorite sport for several European, South American and other nations from various parts of the world.&nbsp;



Thus, football has spread from being an international sport to being played at the domestic club level and the clubs have made a place of their own in the hearts of football fans. However, alongside the jerseys and the famous players who donned them, even the football pitches have left their mark on the history of the game.&nbsp;



In this article, we discuss the 10 most iconic grounds in the world that host this beautiful game and one of these might be your favorite team's home stadium as well.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">10. Old Trafford, United Kingdom</h2>



The iconic European football ground is the UK's second-largest football stadium and traces its roots back to 1910. Since then, it has been a pioneer in world football. Often known as the home ground for the popular PL club Manchester United, it hosts an audience of nearly 74,300.&nbsp;



Often referred to as ?The Theatre of Dreams,? first said by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Charlton" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bobby Charlton</a>, this ground has witnessed several United as well as England national stars who have brought glory to their sides and have led the most impactful careers in world football.?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">9. Estadio Azteca, Mexico City</h2>



The official football home ground for the national team of Mexico and Club America is a remarkable stadium and the largest in Latin America. The stadium recorded a large attendance of 119,853 for a football match back in 1968; however, the original capacity today stands at 87,523.&nbsp;



The field remains to leave a special mark on the history of football, as it witnessed the two all-time legends of the game playing in their most famous World Cup victories. Pele won his last World Cup with Brazil in 1970 at this ground after defeating Italy, while later in 1986, Diego Maradona won the finals against West Germany, before which in the quarter-finals he scored both the Goal of the Century as well as the controversial ?Hand of God Goal.?.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">8. San Siro, Italy</h2>



The largest stadium in Italy is often known as the home stadium for arch-rivals AC Milan and Internazionale. Known to Inter fans as the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, this ground hosts over 80000 at its maximum strength.



The ground has hosted several World Cup matches as well as Champions League finals and is known to have a unique feature for the spectators. This ground has a similar eye symmetry to any part of the stadium, which provides maximum visibility.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">7. Soccer City, South Africa</h2>



The First National Bank Stadium was renovated and expanded before South Africa hosted the World Cup in 2010. With a magnificent look and a huge capacity of around 95,000 spectators now, the stadium hosted several crucial matches of the 2010 World Cup, including the finals played between Spain and the Netherlands, where, after a long struggle, Andres Iniesta found the back of the Dutch net.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">6. Maracana Stadium, Brazil</h2>



Among the several iconic grounds, one can not leave the historic grounds of Maracana, as to date it remains the only ground recording that has exceeded attendance on multiple occasions, as many as 26 times. The largest attendance came back in the 1950 World Cup final, where Brazil was defied a win by Uruguay in front of the still-standing spectators and a large audience comprising Brazilian fans.&nbsp;



Also, it again shocked the world with the 2014 Germany vs. Argentina World Cup final, where Messi and co. were denied their World Cup glory by the ultimate extra-time goal from Mario Gotze.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Anfield Road, United Kingdom?</h2>



Unlike the other stadiums in this list, this ground does not include iconic World Cup matches or record-surpassing attendance; however, it remains the most known grounds of modern football as this has been the ground for one of the most successful clubs in football recently, which is Liverpool. As Jurgen Klopp and co. have pulled wonders on this track, the dugouts have proven to be far more electrifying than their present audience capacity, which is nearing 61000.?



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/02/Allianz-Arena-Germany-1024x768.jpg" alt="Allianz Arena Germany" class="wp-image-126378" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: Brittanica </figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Spain</h2>



The iconic stadium hosts games as the home stadium for Real Madrid, one of the most famous top-level teams in world football. Home to famous talents from Puskas to Zidane and CR7, the stadium is often shadowed by Camp Nou's capacity.&nbsp;



With a capacity of 85,000, the ground is Spain's 2nd largest football stadium, which was the first stadium in Europe to have hosted both a UEFA Euro final and a World Cup final as well.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Wembley, United Kingdom?</h2>



Undoubtedly, Wembley is one of the most beautiful grounds in modern-day football. With a huge capacity of 90,000, the ground, since it was rebuilt in 2007, has witnessed several FA Cups as well as multiple Champions League matches and finals.&nbsp;



Widely known to have hosted the Olympic final games of 2012 and even several athletic games Wembley Stadium is nowadays usually referred to as the ?The Home of Football.?.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Camp Nou, Spain?</h2>



The home of the legendary football club Barcelona is Spain's and Europe's largest stadium, as well as the second-largest football stadium in the world.?The ground's huge capacity makes it one of the wonders of the world, with a planned seating capacity exceeding 105,000. The ground has witnessed almost the entire career of generational GOAT - Lionel Messi.?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Allianz Arena, Germany?</h2>



Known as FC Bayern Munich's home stadium, the ground had a capacity of over 70,000, as it is the second largest stadium in Germany.?However, despite being the second-largest stadium, it is the most popular one as it hosted the 2012 Champions League final and is also the declared venue for the 2025 Champions League final after it was shifted from 2023. This ground also witnessed the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The stadium is one of the world's greatest stadiums and is widely known for its electrifying atmosphere.?



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Top 10 Football Stadiums Around the World

top-10-football-stadiums-around-the-world

Football, the game that originated in the island nation of England, is widely known across the nation of America as soccer. The game itself has shown a recent rise and great development in the country and hence, Major League Soccer, which is now one of the most renowned soccer leagues in the world, has garnered the attention of several great achievers of world football.&nbsp;



The Major League Soccer is the highest professional soccer league in America. It was initiated in 1993 and included 29 teams in the competition. 15 teams among them have had the privilege to win the competition, and the<a href="http://lagalaxy.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> LA Galaxy</a> have the most titles, i.e., 5. However, Los Angeles FC are the heavyweights after winning their last season in 2022.?



Since the early 2010s, several great players who have previously donned the jerseys of the greatest football clubs across famous leagues like the EPL or the La Liga and have also made immense impact internationally for their nations in world cups and several other international leagues have made the MLS a decorated soccer league In America and worldwide.



Though several greats of the game have been featured in the MLS since a long decade ago, the move of the supposed GOAT - Lionel Messi, to the MLS brought several great footballers to the limelight.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Lionel Messi?</h2>



The supposed best footballer not only of his generation but throughout the history of the game, Lionel Messi shocked the world with his million dollar move to the Inter Miami club in 2023. The Argentine-born legend has appeared in 14 games for the club and he sparks his excellence in the MLS as well.



The Barcelona great, who has unforgettable records set in both club and international football, has now also scored 11 quick goals in Major League Soccer. Messi is often also regarded as one of the finest ever playmakers; he has also delivered five assists for his fellow players.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Frank Lampard?</h2>



Undoubtedly another legendary player to have left an impact in the growing phase of Major League Soccer. The English legend was placed as one of the best midfield players of his generation, as he made 100+ appearances for his nation of England.?



Starting his career from the West Ham United academy, where he played youth football, he rose to prominence during his time in Chelsea where he played from 2001 to 2014 featuring in over 400 games and scoring on 147 occasions. This great was brought into the MLS by the New York City FC for 2 seasons in 2015-16 where in his 31 appearances he scored 15 goals alongside 4 assists and remains to be among the greatest to have featured in the history of the Major League Soccer.?



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/02/Frank-Lampard-1024x768.jpg" alt="Frank Lampard" class="wp-image-126324" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Frank Lampard in Major League Soccer - Source: Elite Sports NY</figcaption></figure>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Thierry Henry?</h2>



The French professional footballer has been deemed one of the greatest names in the history of this beautiful sport. He is considered one of the greatest strikers to have ever stepped on the field, having won the World Cup with France in 1998, followed by the Euro in 2000. This great held a record for most international goals for France (51) until 2022.&nbsp;



The renowned Arsenal star has been referred to as the greatest player ever for the Arsenal team as he has an almost invincible record as a target man with 174 goals in 254 appearances, after which he was moved to Bracelona, where he performed decently before being listed among the elite players to have featured in the Major League Soccer for the New York Red Bulls in 2010 and in this speculated time he scored 51 times for his new side. In his 122 games, he also delivered 35 assists across his short career in Major League Soccer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Kaka?</h2>



Ricardo Kaka, often referred to as Kaka, is one of the finest Brazilian midfielders who was part of Brazil's 2002 World cup winning squad. He was part of the famous quartet that included the unstoppable Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Adriano alongside him. Throughout his career with Brazil, he has scored 29 goals and provided 22 assists.&nbsp;



Kaka, despite his immense talent, has not been able to enjoy the immense success he deserved. However, during his days with AC Milan, he has scored 77 goals and assisted 60. For Real Madrid, he spent some great seasons with 23 goals and 26 assists and then was picked by Major League Soccer franchise Orlando City in 2014, where he kept a record of 24 goals and 22 assists.?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. David Beckham?</h2>



The legendary English player, who was named by the legend of football Pele in the FIFA 100 list, was widely known throughout his career for his accurate crossing ability and bending freekicks. A legend of the United in the PL and later a great inclusion to the Real Madrid side from 2003 to 2007, Beckham was an eminent playmaker with 172 assists alongside 105 goals that he scored.



His dominance for England also came from his playmaking ability from the wings. This iconic footballer was one of the most unique inclusions in the MLS for the LA Galaxy, as he featured in 124 games, scoring on 20 occasions and delivered 42 useful assists. His charm only faded a decade later, when Lionel Messi made his move to Major League Soccer.



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Top 5 Footballers who played in Major League Soccer

top-5-footballers-who-played-in-major-league-soccer

<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Nassr_FC">Al Nassr</a> is one of the most popular sides in Saudi Arabia?s football league. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudi_Pro_League">The Saudi Pro League</a> has been in the context of becoming a bigger football sensation considering the amount of money they have invested in the recent couple of years. In the previous year, Al Nassr, a Saudi Pro League club, secured the services of Cristiano Ronaldo through a contract exceeding $200 million annually.



Al Nassr stands as one of Saudi Arabia's highly accomplished football clubs, boasting an impressive collection of 28 official trophies. Domestically, the club has clinched eighteen Pro League championships, six King Cups, three Crown Prince's Cups, three Federation Cups, and two Super Cups. On the international stage, Al Nassr achieved a remarkable feat in 1998 by securing both the Asian Cup Winners' Cup and the Asian Super Cup, achieving a historic Asian double. Furthermore, the club added to its international accolades by winning the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023. Al Nassr's success extends to the Gulf region with two GCC Club Cup titles in their triumph-laden history.



READ MORE: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-eng-wasim-jaffer-wants-rohit-sharma-to-bat-at-no-3-to-make-way-for-this-player-as-opener/">IND vs ENG: Wasim Jaffer wants Rohit Sharma to bat at No.3 to make way for this player as opener</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/01/al-nassr-1024x728.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-125892" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: Reuters</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AL NASSR 2024: SCHEDULE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Date</td><td>Match</td><td>Competition</td><td>Time</td></tr><tr><td>Thursday, Feb 1</td><td>Al Nassr vs Inter Miami CF</td><td>Club Friendly</td><td>23:30</td></tr><tr><td>Friday, Feb 9</td><td>Al Hilal vs Al Nassr</td><td>Club Friendly</td><td>TBD</td></tr><tr><td>Wednesday, Feb 14</td><td>Al Fayha vs Al Nassr</td><td>AFC Champions League</td><td>23:30</td></tr><tr><td>Saturday, Feb 17</td><td>Al Nassr vs Al Fateh</td><td>Saudi League</td><td>22:30</td></tr><tr><td>Wednesday, Feb 21</td><td>Al Nassr vs Al Fayha</td><td>AFC Champions League</td><td>23:30</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, Feb 25</td><td>Al Shabab vs Al Nassr</td><td>Saudi Pro</td><td>22:30</td></tr><tr><td>Thursday, Feb 29</td><td>Al Nassr vs Al Hazem</td><td>Saudi Pro</td><td>22:30</td></tr><tr><td>Thursday, Mar 07</td><td>Al Nassr vs Al Raed</td><td>Saudi Pro</td><td>22:30</td></tr><tr><td>Saturday, Mar 16</td><td>Al Ahli vs Al Nassr</td><td>Saudi Pro</td><td>00:30</td></tr><tr><td>Thursday, Apr 4</td><td>Al Nassr vs Al Tai</td><td>Saudi Pro</td><td>TBD</td></tr><tr><td>Thursday, Apr 11</td><td>Abha vs Al Nassr</td><td>Saudi Pro</td><td>TBD</td></tr><tr><td>Thursday, April 18</td><td>Damac vs Al Nassr</td><td>Saudi Pro</td><td>TBD</td></tr><tr><td>Thursday, April 25</td><td>Al Nassr vs Al Fayha</td><td>Saudi Pro</td><td>TBD</td></tr><tr><td>Thursday, May 2</td><td>Al Khaleej vs Al Nassr</td><td>Saudi Pro</td><td>TBD</td></tr><tr><td>Monday, May 6</td><td>Al Nassr vs Al Wehda</td><td>Saudi Pro</td><td>TBD</td></tr><tr><td>Thursday, May 9</td><td>Al Okhdood vs Al Nassr</td><td>Saudi Pro</td><td>TBD</td></tr><tr><td>Thursday, May 16</td><td>Al Nassr vs Al Hilal</td><td>Saudi Pro</td><td>TBD</td></tr><tr><td>Thursday, May 23</td><td>Al Riyadh vs Al Nassr</td><td>Saudi Pro</td><td>TBD</td></tr><tr><td>Monday, May 27</td><td>Al Nassr vs Al Ittihad</td><td>Saudi Pro</td><td>TBD</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AL NASSR 2024: SQUAD</h2>



 David Ospina, Waleed Ali, Raghid Al-Najjar, Mohammed Al Otaibi, Nawaf Alaqidi, Sultan Al-Ghannam, Muhammad Sahlouli, Abdulaziz Saud Al Aliwa, Marcelo Brozovic, Anderson Talisca, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Man?, Khalid Al-Ghannam, Mohammed Maran, Abdulrahman Ghareeb, Meshari Al Nemer, Fahad Al Taleb, Abdullah Madu, Mohammed Al-Fatil, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Nawaf Boushal, Alex Telles, Mohammed Qassem Al-Nakhli, Aymeric Laporte, Abdulaziz Al Faraj, Waleed Bin Hibah, Marzouq Tambakti, Ali Lajami, Seko Fofana, Abdulmajeed Al-Sulaiheem, Sami Al-Najei, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Ali Al-Hassan, Aiman Yahya, Ot?vio.







<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AL NASSR 2024: BEST STARTING LINEUP</h2>



Marcelo Brozovic, Sultan Al-Ghannam, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Alex Telles, Aymeric Laporte, Nawaf Alaqidi, Otavio, Talisca.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AL NASSR 2024: TOP 5 PLAYERS</h2>



<ul>
<li>Cristiano Ronaldo</li>



<li>Sadio Mane</li>



<li>Aymeric Laporte</li>



<li>Marcelo Brozovic</li>



<li>Otavio</li>
</ul>







<h2 class="wp-block-heading">AL NASSR 2024: LIVE STREAMING</h2>



Al Nassr fans worldwide can catch the thrilling moments of their favorite football team's matches through various streaming platforms based on their respective locations. In the United States, Fox Sports 2, Shahid, and Paramount+ serve as go-to destinations for fans to tune into the action. For fans in India, Sony Sports Network offers an immersive streaming experience, ensuring that they don't miss a single goal or exciting play. Meanwhile, in Italy, SportItalia stands as the preferred platform for streaming Al Nassr matches. 



READ MORE: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=125865&amp;action=edit">Inter Miami 2024 Schedule, Squad, Top 5 players, Live Streaming and more</a>

Al Nassr 2024 Schedule, Squad, Top 5 players, Live Streaming and more

al-nassr-2024-schedule-squad-top-5-players-live-streaming-and-more

Florida-based American football club <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter_Miami_CF">Inter Miami</a> is one of the most popular football clubs in America. Founded in 2018, the team commenced its participation in<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Major_League_Soccer_season"> Major League Soccer's (MLS)</a> Eastern Conference in the 2020 season. The club gained notable global recognition even before its establishment, primarily due to the involvement of club president and co-owner David Beckham. The spotlight intensified in 2023 when the renowned Lionel Messi joined the club on a free transfer, sparking widespread attention and excitement. After Messi's signing, the team achieved a significant milestone by clinching its inaugural major trophy?the expanded 2023 Leagues Cup. 



This competition serves as a prominent North American zonal tournament within the CONCACAF region. The triumph marked a significant moment in the club's history, showcasing its competitive prowess and elevating its standing in the MLS landscape. The convergence of star power, including Beckham and Messi, has undoubtedly contributed to the club's growing global presence and success on the soccer stage.







READ MORE: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-eng-wasim-jaffer-wants-rohit-sharma-to-bat-at-no-3-to-make-way-for-this-player-as-opener/">IND vs ENG: Wasim Jaffer wants Rohit Sharma to bat at No.3 to make way for this player as opener</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/01/inter-miami-2024-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-125885" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Source: Inter Miami CF</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">INTER MIAMI CF 2024: SCHEDULE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Date</td><td>Opponent</td><td>Time (GMT+5:30)</td><td>Location</td></tr><tr><td>Thursday, Feb 22</td><td>Salt Lake</td><td>06:30</td><td>DRV PNK Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Monday, Feb 26</td><td>Galaxy</td><td>07:00</td><td>Dignity Health Sports Park</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, Mar 03</td><td>Orlando</td><td>03:00</td><td>DRV PNK Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Monday, Mar 11</td><td>Montr?al</td><td>03:30</td><td>DRV PNK Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Saturday, Mar 16</td><td>DC United</td><td>23:30</td><td>Audi Field</td></tr><tr><td>Saturday, Mar 23</td><td>New York</td><td>23:30</td><td>Red Bull Arena</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, Mar 31</td><td>NYCFC</td><td>05:00</td><td>DRV PNK Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, Apr 07</td><td>Colorado</td><td>05:00</td><td>DRV PNK Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, Apr 14</td><td>Sporting KC</td><td>06:00</td><td>Arrowhead Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, Apr 21</td><td>Nashville</td><td>05:00</td><td>DRV PNK Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, Apr 28</td><td>New England</td><td>05:00</td><td>Gillette Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, May 05</td><td>New York</td><td>05:00</td><td>DRV PNK Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, May 12</td><td>Montr?al</td><td>05:00</td><td>Stade Saputo</td></tr><tr><td>Thursday, May 16</td><td>Orlando</td><td>05:00</td><td>Inter&amp;Co Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, May 19</td><td>DC United</td><td>05:00</td><td>DRV PNK Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, May 26</td><td>Whitecaps</td><td>08:00</td><td>BC Place</td></tr><tr><td>Thursday, May 30</td><td>Atlanta United</td><td>05:00</td><td>DRV PNK Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, Jun 02</td><td>St. Louis</td><td>05:00</td><td>DRV PNK Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, Jun 16</td><td>Philadelphia</td><td>05:00</td><td>Subaru Park</td></tr><tr><td>Thursday, Jun 20</td><td>Columbus</td><td>05:00</td><td>DRV PNK Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, Jun 30</td><td>Nashville</td><td>06:00</td><td>GEODIS Park</td></tr><tr><td>Thursday, Jul 04</td><td>Charlotte</td><td>05:00</td><td>Bank of America Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, Jul 07</td><td>Cincinnati</td><td>05:00</td><td>TQL Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Thursday, Jul 18</td><td>Toronto</td><td>05:00</td><td>DRV PNK Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, Jul 21</td><td>Chicago</td><td>05:00</td><td>DRV PNK Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, Aug 25</td><td>Cincinnati</td><td>05:00</td><td>DRV PNK Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, Sep 01</td><td>Chicago</td><td>06:00</td><td>Soldier Field</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, Sep 15</td><td>Philadelphia</td><td>05:00</td><td>DRV PNK Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Thursday, Sep 19</td><td>Atlanta United</td><td>05:00</td><td>Mercedes-Benz Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Saturday, Sep 21</td><td>NYCFC</td><td>23:30</td><td>Yankee Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, Sep 29</td><td>Charlotte</td><td>05:00</td><td>DRV PNK Stadium</td></tr><tr><td>Thursday, Oct 03</td><td>Columbus</td><td>05:00</td><td>Lower.com Field</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, Oct 06</td><td>Toronto</td><td>05:00</td><td>BMO Field</td></tr><tr><td>Sunday, Oct 20</td><td>New England</td><td>03:30</td><td>DRV PNK Stadium</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">INTER MIAMI CF 2024: SQUADS</h2>



1- Drake Callender 2- DeAndre Yedlin 4- Christopher McVey 5- Sergio Busquets 6- Tom?s Avil?s 7- Jean Mota 8- Leonardo Campana 9- Luis Su?rez 10- Lionel Messi 11- Facundo Far?as 13- CJ Dos Santos 14- Corentin Jean 15- Ryan Sailor 16- Robert Taylor 17- Ian Fray 18- Jordi Alba 19- Robbie Robinson 20- Diego G?mez 22- Nicol?s Stefanelli 24- Julian Gressel 26- Gregore 27- Sergii Kryvstov 28- Edison Azcona 30- Benjamin Cremaschi 32- Noah Allen 33- Franco Negri 35- Felipe Valencia 40- Harvey Neville 41- David Ruiz 43- Lawson Sunderland 49- Shanyder Borgelin 55- Tyler Hall 62- Israel Boatwright 81- Santiago Morales 99- Cole Jensen







<h2 class="wp-block-heading">INTER MIAMI CF 2024: STARTING LINEUP</h2>



Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, David Ruiz, Julian Gressel, DeAndre Yedlin, Noah Allen, Serhiy Kryvtsov, Tom?s Avil?s, Drake Callender, Sergio Busquets, Lionel Messi



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">INTER MIAMI CF 2024: TOP 5 PLAYERS</h2>



<ul>
<li>Lionel Messi</li>



<li>Sergio Busquets</li>



<li>David Ruiz</li>



<li>Jordi Alba</li>



<li>Luis Suarez</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">INTER MIAMI CF 2024: STREAMING DETAILS</h2>



As of the provided information, it is stated that all matches of the Major League Soccer (MLS) will be available for streaming exclusively on Apple TV, as the platform holds the sole broadcasting rights to the league. This arrangement signifies that Apple TV has secured exclusive access to broadcast and stream MLS matches, making it the primary and sole source for fans to follow the league's games.



READ MORE: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/palmeiras-making-contact-to-sign-striker-diego-costa/">Palmeiras making contact to sign striker Diego Costa</a>

Inter Miami 2024 Schedule, Squad, Top 5 players, Live Streaming and more

inter-miami-2024-schedule-squad-top-5-players-live-streaming-and-more

Palmeiras Boss, Abdel Ferreira after their most recent victory over Santos by 2-1, made it clear in the press conference that the side is looking to sign a center forward. Diego Costa, who's been free in the market, is on the list and the Brazilian side is trying to make contact to sign the 35-year-old.&nbsp;



Diego Costa has been without a club since his exit from Botafogo. He featured in 12 games and scored only 3 goals. The Ex <a href="https://www.chelseafc.com/en">Chelsea</a> star is a free agent in Brazil and is eager to join a side, especially in Brazil for the upcoming season.



Read More: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/icc-u19-world-cup-2024-super-six-schedule-groups-timings-full-squad-venues-streaming-and-broadcasting-details/">ICC U19 World Cup 2024 Super SIX Schedule, Groups, Timings, Full Squad, Venues, Streaming and Broadcasting Details.</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/01/diego-costa-.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-125867" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Diego Costa might be back in Brazil for the Palmeiras</h2>



Former Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa who has been free in the market is reportedly being contacted by the Brazilian side Palmeiras for a move.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.skysports.com/">Sky Sports</a> reports that Palmeiras is prepared to offer the former Chelsea striker an annual after-tax salary of approximately ?2.6 million. This season, the striker has faced persistent injury issues, participating in only seven La Liga matches and scoring two goals. Abdel Ferreira, the Palmeiras coach, said in a recent press conference, "If a center forward leaves, we need another. I wanted someone who knew Brazilian football, who dominated football here, who would give us experience because we already have many good boys"



Costa, formerly associated with Chelsea, brings a wealth of experience and a formidable goal-scoring record to Palmeiras. The transfer has been fueled by Palmeiras' eagerness to bolster their offensive prowess, seeking to secure a prominent position in both domestic and international competitions.?His physical prowess, clinical finishing, and seasoned understanding of the game make him a valuable asset for Palmeiras' ambitions. As the club competes on multiple fronts, including domestic league competitions and continental tournaments, Costa's experience in high-stakes encounters could prove crucial.



Costa has been an absolute success for his former sides like Atletico Madrid and Chelsea. He also scored 10 international goals for Spain in his 24 appearances. He played his last international match back in 2018.?



Read More: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-eng-wasim-jaffer-wants-rohit-sharma-to-bat-at-no-3-to-make-way-for-this-player-as-opener/">IND vs ENG: Wasim Jaffer wants Rohit Sharma to bat at No.3 to make way for this player as opener</a>

Palmeiras making contact to sign striker Diego Costa

palmeiras-making-contact-to-sign-striker-diego-costa

<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_City_F.C.">Manchester City</a> signs a contract with 18-year-old Argentine midfielder Claudio Echeverri for a term till 2028. Though the youngster will be staying at River Plate as a loan player for the remainder of the season and will join the Etihad next January.?



Echeverri was the captain of the under-17 Argentine side at the World Cup and also scored a hat-trick in a quarter-final against Brazil. Though they were eliminated in the penalties at the semis. City is now all set to welcome the 18-year-old talent into the squad.?



Read More: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-eng-watch-axar-patel-bamboozles-nemesis-jonny-bairstow-with-a-crocker/">IND vs ENG: Watch: Axar Patel bamboozles nemesis Jonny Bairstow with a crocker</a>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/01/Claudio_Echeverri-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-125696" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Claudio Echeverri gets a four-and-a-half-year contract from Man City</h2>



Manchester City confirms the signing of the Argentine under-17 captain Claudio Echeverri for ?12.5 million from River Plate. Echeverri is often referred to as the ?Next Messi? in Argentina will be staying at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Club_Atl%C3%A9tico_River_Plate">River Plate</a> on loan till January next year when he will be included in the Man City squad.?



Echeverri has been a sensation since his youth days when he scored nine goals in seven games at the Champions Trophy Youth Tournament in Venice. He made his first team debut for River Plate in June 2023 and has featured in 6 matches to date. He has also got the opportunity to train with the senior side alongside Messi.&nbsp;



The 18-year-old will be joining the star-studded side next season with Kevin De Bruyne, Haaland, and Alvarez in the attack. The attacking midfielder will be finding it easy to get a good start to his career in the Premier League. And it's no surprise that he will be getting a call to the international side in no time soon.&nbsp;



The four-and-a-half-year contract is effective from 25th January and will end in 2028. Echeverri is very highly rated for his performance and City will be expecting it as a good investment for the future.?



Read More: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-eng-1st-test-2024-day-1-stumps-england-at-246-10-india-at-119-1-bazball-flops-against-ashwin-and-jadeja/">IND vs ENG 1st Test 2024: Day 1 Stumps, England at 246/10 &amp; India at 119/1, Bazball flops against Ashwin and Jadeja</a>

Man City signs Argentina Under 17 midfielder

man-city-signs-argentina-under-17-midfielder

Football

Things are not at all going right for the Indian team currently at the moment in Test cricket. Amid all this, a fresh set of reports has emerged in the media, which has suggested that Virat Kohli might be back at the helm of things as a leader in Test cricket. 
Virat Kohli, who is the most successful Test captain of India, has expressed his desire to take over the Test captaincy of India. As per the reports in RevSportz, it is learned that the senior batter wants to continue playing till 2027 as he wants to give his best for the team and help them. 
There were reports in Indian Express, which claimed that one senior batter in the team, ahead of the series, had made his thought that he would be eyeing the captaincy and had mentioned at the start that he would be doing something special in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. 
Virat Kohli, who is expected to be that senior player, feels that he can help the team in the transition phase. He has touted himself as the ‘Mr Fix-It’, and he believes that no youngster so far is ready to take the charge and wants to take over the captaincy on an interim basis. 
<h2>Virat Kohli expressing his desire to take over the leadership role means that Rohit Sharma's tenure as the captain of the team is all set to end</h2>
Virat Kohli expressing his desire to take over the leadership role means that Rohit Sharma's tenure as the captain of the team is all set to end. The skipper of the team has come under massive scrutiny following his poor efforts in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. 
His poor performances with the bat, too, haven't helped his cause, as the captain has scored around 30 runs in the series. There have been several reports that have stated that Rohit Sharma might announce his retirement after the Sydney Test, which will be the last game of the series. 
Things are also not going right in the Indian dressing room. It is learned that senior players of the team aren't on the same page with Gautam Gambhir, and the head coach, too, hasn't been amazed by the way the players have played in the series so far. 
The Sydney Test will be a great opportunity for the entire team to reply to all the criticism. The match will be played from 3rd January and winning there will help the Rohit Sharma-led side to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/jasprit-bumrah-crushes-ravichandran-ashwin-to-become-the-first-india-bowler-to-/">Jasprit Bumrah crushes Ravichandran Ashwin to become the first India bowler to...</a>

Virat Kohli, who is the most successful Test captain of India, has expressed his desire to take over the Test captaincy of India

Virat Kohli wants India Test captaincy again, as he doesn't trust...

virat-kohli-wants-india-test-captaincy-again-as-he-doesn-t-trust-

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has come under massive scanner for his poor performances as the coach of the Indian team. But things are turning worse for him because of the team's disappointing effort in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. 
Gautam Gambhir has come under massive scrutiny as the things in the Indian dressing room are great. As per the reports in PTI, it is learned that the senior players of the team and the head coach are not on the same page related to the decisions in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. 
The reports added that some of the players of the team haven't shown their confidence in Gautam Gambhir. This is because of his experiments of playing 11 and the way he handled Shubman Gill, who was dropped from the team for the fourth Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. 
Some of the senior players are not feeling good with Gautam Gambhir. This is because they believe that communication isn't as good as it used to be during the time of Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid. This has come under the notice of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). 
<h2>If the performance doesn't improve, even Gautam Gambhir's position wouldn't be safe - BCCI source</h2>
The BCCI source said that Gautam Gambhir's position as a head coach isn't safe. He said that if results don't come good in the last match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 along with ICC Champions Trophy 2025 then he is likely to be sacked. Speaking to PTI, he said: 
"There is a Test match to be played and then there is Champions Trophy. If the performance doesn't improve, even Gautam Gambhir's position wouldn't be safe." 
The source, while calling Gautam Gambhir a "compromise", said that he wasn't even first choice for the role. He mentioned that VVS Laxman and other foreign coaches didn't want to take the role and hence he was given the opportunity. He added: 
"He was never BCCI's first choice (it was VVS Laxman) and some of the well-known overseas names didn't want to coach all three formats, so he was a compromise. Some other compulsions were also there." 
It remains to be seen how Gautam Gambhir bounces back from this situation. The India team will be next seen in action on 3rd January when they will be playing the next match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/-for-all-the-ups-downs-rohit-sharma-bids-adieu-to-/">"For all the ups &amp; downs" - Rohit Sharma bids adieu to.....</a>

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has come under massive scanner for his poor performances as the coach of the Indian team.

Gautam Gambhir to be sacked as reports of his poor equation with senior players puts him under gun

gautam-gambhir-to-be-sacked-as-reports-of-his-poor-equation-with-senior-players-puts-him-under-gun-

Team India, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma are currently taking part in the five-match 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series versus the Australiana on Australian soil. The fourth Test-Match of this series ended on the 30th of December in Melbourne where the Indian Team suffered an embarrassing 184-runs defeat. 
The win in Melbourne allowed the home side to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Let us tell you that the Men in Blue had been given a target of 340 runs to secure the win, but they got all-out for just 155 runs. Following this defeat, a lot of weaknesses of the Rohit Sharma-led team have been exposed. 
The two teams will now travel to Sydney where they will be squaring off versus each other in the fifth &amp; the final Test-Match of the series. The forthcoming contest will commence from the 3rd of January, 2025 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
If the Men in Blue want to save the series, then they have to win the Sydney Test-Match by any means possible and they have to find solutions to their five problems which got exposed in Melbourne. Let's take a look at five reasons why the Indian Team lost the Melbourne Test-Match. 
<h2>Five Reasons why Team India lost the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match versus Australia</h2>
<h3>5. The flop performance of the Top order</h3>
If we exclude the Perth Test-Match, then the performance of the top order of the Indian Team has not been good in the other three tests. They have failed to create a big partnership for the Men in Blue. The opening duo of KL Rahul &amp; Yashasvi Jaiswal got involved in a magnificent 201 run partnership for the first wicket. 
But since that match, the Indian Team in every other contest of the BGT Series have struggled to create big partnerships for the first and second wickets. In this case, the team management of Team India needs to make the players prepare in a special manner otherwise their chances of winning in Sydney will reduce.

<h3>4. Poor fielding display, many catches got dropped</h3>
In the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match, the Indian team showcased a lackluster fielding performance, where they dropped four catches in the 2nd inning of the contest and these dropped catches proved to be very costly. Yashasvi Jaiswal alone dropped three catches while the other one was dropped by Siraj. If Rohit Sharma &amp; CO want to finish out on top in the Sydney Test-Match, then they have to show improvisations in the fielding.

<h3>3. Poor performance with the bat of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma</h3>
The below par performance of the duo of Virat Kohli and Captain Rohit Sharma with the bat have proven to be a major reason behind Team India's lackluster performance in the ongoing BGT 2024-25 series. Opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal is currently the highest run getter for the Men in Blue in the ongoing BGT series having amassed 359 runs in four contests. 
Kohli is at the fourth position in the list of Team India's highest run getters, having scored 167 runs in seven innings. He scored an incredible century in the Perth test but besides that, he hasn't done much and his bat has stayed silent in the other three matches. 
Talking about Rohit Sharma, his condition is even more worse in terms of batting performance. The 37-year-old has hit the Australian bowlers for just 31 runs in five innings in three BGT tests. He is currently averaging just 6.20, which is considered as miserable when you take into consideration the standards which the skipper has set for himself. 
The Indian fast bowlers have scored more runs than the skipper, which makes it even more embarrassing for the Indian skipper. Seamer Akash Deep has scored 38 runs in three innings in the ongoing BGT series. If the two time WTC runners-up want to have any chances of winning in Sydney, then both Kohli and Rohit will have to start firing with the bat. 

<h3>2. Weak Captaincy of Rohit Sharma</h3>
The Men in Blue have won just a single contest in the ongoing series, where they secured a dominant victory in Perth under the leadership of Jasprit Bumrah. The seamer led the team in the absence of Rohit as he missed the opening test due to being on a paternity-leave. 
However, ever since he returned to lead the team in Adelaide, things started to go all wrong for India. The team wasn't able to win a single match and now they are on the verge of losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. 
Somewhere down the line, the leadership of Rohit Sharma has proven to be weak. An example of this can be seen in the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match where in the 2nd inning, the Indian bowlers had dismissed six Australian batters for a mere score of 91 runs and the situation was looking really good for the team. 
However, after this Rohit looked very relax and took things lightly that the last four wickets fell after the hosts had reached the score of 234 runs. Post the fall of six wickets, the Indian skipper was supposed to implement a tight fielding setup in order to create pressure on the lower order of the Aussies. 
Instead, he implemented a spread out fielding setup which allowed the lower middle order Australian batters to take easy doubles and singles and they got involved in big partnerships which helped their team to get in a strong position.The duo of skipper Pat Cummins and Marnus Labuschagne stiched a 57 run partnership for the 7th wicket and tailenders Scott Boland &amp; Nathan Lyon got involved in a partnership of 61 runs for the final wicket which caused issues for the Indian team. 
The 37-year-old will have to showcase strong captaincy in the Sydney Test-Match if the Men in Blue want to save the BGT series.

<h3>1. Complete dependency on Jasprit Bumrah</h3>
If we look at it closely, Team India has been heavily dependent on vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah in the entire BGT 2024-25 series. This dependency has been the highest in the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match. You can guess this from the fact that the 29-year-old is the highest wicket taker in the current series as he has dismissed batters 30 times in four encounters. 
Australian skipper Pat Cummins is the 2nd highest wicket getter of the series, with 20 scalps next to his name. While in terms of Indian bowlers, Siraj has dismissed 16 Australian batters, Akash Deep has five scalps and Harshit Rana has taken just four wickets in two matches and Jadeja has also taken the same number of scalps too. 
In this way, these four bowlers have dismissed a combined number of 29 batters in comparison to the 30 scalps of Bumrah. These stats show how dependent Team India has been on Bumrah alone and the other bowlers have to start taking the initiative if they want to help the Rohit Sharma-led retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/virat-kohli-wants-india-test-captaincy-again-as-he-doesn-t-trust-/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Virat Kohli wants India Test captaincy again, as he doesn't trust...</a>

Jasprit Bumrah of India walks back after getting dismissed in the Melbourne Test-Match | Image: X(CriccrazyJohns)

The Indian Team suffered an embarrassing defeat in the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match and that defeat exposed many problems of the Men in Blue. We will take a look at those problems in this article.

5 Reasons why Team India lost the Melbourne Test match versus Australia

5-reasons-why-team-india-lost-the-melbourne-test-match-versus-australia

India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah dethroned Ravichandran Ashwin to become the highest-ever ranked bowler in the history of the Test rankings of ICC. The fast bowler achieved a rating point of 907, which no ever bowler from a has achieved. 
Jasprit Bumrah surpassed Ravichandran Ashwin's rating points of 904 to become the highest-ranked Indian bowler in the ICC rankings. The former Indian off-spinner achieved 904 rating points in December 2016 and scripted history, highlighting the legacy that he created. 
Jasprit Bumrah achieved the feat after his incredible performances with the ball in the Boxing Day Test against Australia. The fourth match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between the teams took place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, and it saw the hosts winning the match. 
Jasprit Bumrah picked 9 wickets in the match with a fifer in the second innings. Ahead of the match, the fast bowler had a rating of 904, and his exceptional performance saw him getting at the top of the list in the ICC Test rankings for bowlers in the longest format of the game. 
<h2>List of the highest rank Indian bowlers </h2>
Here's the list of the highest rank Indian bowlers 
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
Name
</td>
<td valign="top">
Rating
</td>
<td valign="top">
Date
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
Jasprit Bumrah
</td>
<td valign="top">
907
</td>
<td valign="top">
31 Dec 2024
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
R Ashwin
</td>
<td valign="top">
904
</td>
<td valign="top">
12 Dec 2016
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
Ravindra Jadeja
</td>
<td valign="top">
899
</td>
<td valign="top">
20 Mar 2017
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
Kapil Dev
</td>
<td valign="top">
877
</td>
<td valign="top">
19 Jan 1980
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
Anil Kumble
</td>
<td valign="top">
859
</td>
<td valign="top">
30 Jan 1994
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
Vinoo Mankad
</td>
<td valign="top">
811
</td>
<td valign="top">
17 Nov 1952
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
Subhash Gupte
</td>
<td valign="top">
806
</td>
<td valign="top">
10 Jan 1956
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
Bishan Singh Bedi
</td>
<td valign="top">
804
</td>
<td valign="top">
20 Dec 1977
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
Dilip Doshi
</td>
<td valign="top">
794
</td>
<td valign="top">
3 Feb 1982
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
Mohammed Shami
</td>
<td valign="top">
790
</td>
<td valign="top">
16 Nov 2019
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Jasprit Bumrah has been nothing short of exceptional in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He has been a major reason behind the team fighting hard in the series. The premier fast bowler has been single-handedly carrying the bowling lineup of the team. 
Jasprit Bumrah is the leading wicket-taker in the history of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The pacer has picked 30 wickets in the 4 games, and with one more match remaining in the series, he is expected to take a few more wickets for the team.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/-for-all-the-ups-downs-rohit-sharma-bids-adieu-to-/">"For all the ups &amp; downs" - Rohit Sharma bids adieu to.....</a>

India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah dethroned Ravichandran Ashwin to become the highest-ever ranked bowler in the history of the Test rankings of ICC.

Jasprit Bumrah crushes Ravichandran Ashwin to become the first India bowler to...

jasprit-bumrah-crushes-ravichandran-ashwin-to-become-the-first-india-bowler-to-

Team India have been going through a transition period at the moment. They have found themselves on the receiving end in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 and are on the verge of getting eliminated from the World Test Championship final race.
India have retained the BGT trophy for ten years, and it looks like Australia will end that drought and regain the trophy as they are leading by 2-1 with one game left to play. Not just the performance; some reports are also claiming a rift in the Indian camp.
Team India have struggled badly in the series with the bat. The form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli has not scored runs as they would have liked. That's where India would have liked a solid batter like Cheteshwar Pujara, who has had immense success on previous Australian tours and played a crucial role in India's BGT triumphs in the last two tours.
<h2>IND vs AUS: Ajit Agarkar declined Gautam Gambhir's request to pick Cheteshwar Pujara for BGT series - Reports</h2>
According to some media reports, the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir wanted to include veteran Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara in the Indian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but Ajit Agarkar and his team declined his request. Pujara has done a great job on Australian soil and is one of the leading scorers in the BGT history. He knows the conditions well and has done well against the likes of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon.
Notably, Pujara scored the most runs in the BGT 2018-19 and finished the tournament with 521 runs at an average of 74.42 with three hundreds and one fifty when India won the first-ever test series on Australian soil. Then again, he scored 271 runs in the BGT 2020-21 and played crucial innings in Sydney and the historic Gabba win.
In Australia, the 36-year-old has played 11 tests and scored 993 runs at an average of 47.28. It has been learned that Gambhir even talked about Pujara's inclusion after India won the first test in Perth. But the Indian selection committee didn't approve his request.
Pujara played his last test match for India during the World Test Championship final 2023 at the Oval. His form declined after that but he has done well at the domestic level. Team India are currently struggling to score runs and they need a sound performance to level the series with a win at the SCG.
Also Read<a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/3-reasons-why-resting-virat-and-rohit-from-england-odis-can-be-blunder-ahead-of-champions-trophy-2025/#google_vignette">: 3 Reasons why Resting Virat and Rohit from England ODIs can be blunder ahead of Champions Trophy 2025</a>

Cheteshwar Pujara scored the most runs for India during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2018-19 for India when India won the test series in Australia.

Gambhir vs Agarkar? Selection Committee declined Head Coach's request of Cheteshwar Pujara's inclusion for BGT 2024-25: Reports

gambhir-vs-agarkar-selection-committee-declined-head-coach-s-request-of-cheteshwar-pujara-s-inclusion-for-bgt-2024-25-reports

IND vs AUS 5th Test: India lost at Melbourne Cricket Ground on the boxing day test even after they were considered the better side at the MCG. Now, after conceding a massive 184-run loss in the fourth test, India and Australia are set to take a bout at Sydney Cricket Ground for the last time in the series and the first time in the year 2025.
The defeat at the MCG was a key moment in the series. Big names like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma failed to shine, and the middle order fell apart when the team needed them most. Australia’s star bowlers, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, made life difficult for India, showing their weakness in overseas conditions. This loss sparked heated discussions about India’s plans and preparation for away games.
The result shook Indian cricket, raising serious questions about Rohit Sharma’s captaincy and Virat Kohli’s form. Fans and experts began calling for changes, suggesting new players should get a chance to step up. With young talent waiting in the wings, all eyes were on the senior players to prove they could still perform under pressure.
With a scoreline of 2-1, Australia is dominating and is a high favorite for the trophy. The only hope for Indian side is that the last test is set to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground. 
<h2>India's history at the SCG</h2>
The Indian cricket team’s last Test loss at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) came in January 2008 during the heated 2007–08 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia won by 122 runs in a game packed with drama, including the infamous "Monkeygate" controversy between Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds. That defeat became a turning point for India, building the team’s resilience and setting the stage for stronger performances at the SCG in the years to come.
Since that 2008 loss, India hasn’t lost a Test at the SCG. A standout moment was the thrilling draw in January 2021, where Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari battled through injuries to save the match. Their gutsy effort helped India hold their ground and ultimately secure a historic series victory in Australia, earning widespread admiration.
India’s overall Test record at the SCG stands at 1 win, 5 losses, and 7 draws, with their only win dating back to 1978. The SCG holds a special place in India’s cricketing journey, filled with moments of struggle and triumph. From the heartbreak of 2008 to remarkable comebacks, India’s performances at the SCG showcase the team’s growth and determination in world cricket.
Match Played- 13 India Won- 01 Australia Won- 05 Draw- 07
READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/indian-cricket-team-india-s-full-test-cricket-schedule-in-2025-they-will-face-these-teams/">Indian Cricket: Team India's full Test Cricket schedule in 2025, they will face these teams</a>

With immense pressure now on India, the history of Sydney gives some hope to the Indian team. The SCG journey reflects growth, from the controversial 2008 loss to unbeaten performances, including a heroic 2021 draw, showcasing resilience and evolving strength in overseas cricket.

India's SCG journey highlights resilience, overcoming setbacks like the 2008 loss and achieving iconic moments like the 2021 draw.  

India's Record at Sydney Cricket Ground Before the IND vs AUS 5th Test

india-s-record-at-sydney-cricket-ground-before-the-ind-vs-aus-5th-test

India captain Rohit Sharma bid adieu to 2024 in a staggering Instagram post. The senior batter posted a video on Instagram on Tuesday, December 31, of his best and worst moments of 2024. This comes amid the talks related to his retirement. 
Rohit Sharma had a roller coaster ride in 2024 as the captain had his best and worst part of his career. The India captain started the year on high as under him India won the Test match at Centurion and went on to draw the series. After that, he was at his best in the Test series against England. 
Rohit Sharma with the team full of youngsters won the Test series against England. Under his leadership, India won the five-match series by a massive margin of 4-1. He led from the front and also slammed two centuries in the series, helping the team win. 
After that, Rohit Sharma was at his best in the IPL as he was amongst the highest run-getters for Mumbai Indians. He also slammed the century there. He also returns to the T20Is before the Tests as slammed a century there as well. 
<h2>The best moment for Rohit Sharma was in June when under his leadership India won the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.</h2>
The best moment for Rohit Sharma was in June when under his leadership India won the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. He was the leading run-getter for the team in the tournament as he top-scored and helped the India team end their ICC title drought. 
Things didn't go well for Rohit Sharma after that. Since then has been going through a rough patch in the Tests. The India captain has failed to get going and under his leadership team faced the whitewash first time at home as they lost the series to New Zealand by the margin of 3-0. 
He is currently in Australia but things have been poor for him as well. The batter has scored just 31 runs in the three games and also under him India is behind in the series by 2-1. He has registered scores of 3, 6, 10, 3 and 9 and following this, there have been a lot of talks related to his retirement as well. 
He posted the video with caption: "For all the ups &amp; downs, and everything in between, Thank you 2024."
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEPoz8Ah2oV/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&amp;igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==">You can watch video here: </a>
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/3-changes-india-must-make-to-win-the-scg-test-to-retain-the-border-gavaskar-trophy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3 changes India must make to win the SCG Test to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy</a>

"For all the ups & downs" - Rohit Sharma bids adieu to.....

-for-all-the-ups-downs-rohit-sharma-bids-adieu-to-

India is all set to lock horns with England in the three-match ODI series. This will be the only series for the Men in Blue before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and it will be extremely important for the team as they would want to look at their combination for the tournament. 
The ODI series between England and India will get underway from 6th February at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. The second game of the series is scheduled to take place on 9th February in Cuttack, followed by the last match to be played on 12th at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. 
There have been several reports that have claimed that India will be playing the series in the absence of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. This is because BCCI wants their premier players to be rested and fresh for the ICC Champions Trophy 2024, which will be a crucial event for the team. 
If the reports emerge to be true, then it will be a massive problem for the Indian team that they will be playing without their captain. This has raised speculations about who will be leading the team in the three-match ODI series against the full-strength England team at home. 
<h2>Who will captain India in the absence of Rohit Sharma during England ODIs </h2>
With Rohit Sharma being rested for the three-match ODI series, it is expected that Shubman Gill will be captaining the team against England. The young batter was recently appointed as the vice-captain of the team in the white-ball format after the team went through the transition. 
It is expected that the squad for the England series will be similar to what India will be named for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Therefore, it will be a great opportunity for the young players who will be picked to make their case strong for the tournament. 
Shubman Gill, since the last few years, has been the best batter for India in the ODIs. He has shown his real class with the bat and would want to carry on the same form. He also was captain of the team during the T20I series against Zimbabwe and will be keen to replicate the same performance.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/3-changes-india-must-make-to-win-the-scg-test-to-retain-the-border-gavaskar-trophy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3 changes India must make to win the SCG Test to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy</a>

There have been several reports that have claimed that India will be playing the series in the absence of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah

Who will captain India if Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli will be rested for England ODIs

who-will-captain-india-if-rohit-sharma-jasprit-bumrah-and-virat-kohli-will-be-rested-for-england-odis-

Team India are currently in Australia for the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The fifth and final test will end on January 7; after that, India will play three T20Is and three ODIs against England at home between January 22 and February 12.
This will be the last three ODIs for India ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, and India will look to prepare for the upcoming mega event. However, there has been news that India might rest Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
Being India's premier pacer, Bumrah has been doing too much in Australia, but resting out-of-form Virat and Rohit might not be ideal. Hence, we will talk about three reasons why India should not rest Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from England ODIs.
<h2>Three reasons why India should not drop Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from England ODIs ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025</h2>
1. Form of both players
Dropping a player who is struggling with form might not do good for the team. Both Virat and Rohit have struggled in Australia, and they are searching for runs badly. Consistent failures must have hurt their confidence as well. Hence, at home on Indian batting pitches, it can be ideal to get back to form. But if India rest them, they won't have the time to get back to form and will enter the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after a string of low scores.
2. Only ODIs to prepare for Champions Trophy 2025
Since the ODI World Cup 2023 at home, Rohit and Virat have only played three ODI matches. Though they have played test cricket consistently, ODI format is a different game altogether. Hence, to get back into rhythm, the upcoming ODI series against England can be perfect. At least England are going with the same team that will feature in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. That is why India must need to do and give the game time to their main batters whom you expect to fire in the mega event.
3. Managing Replacement
The form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is under scrutiny, and many questions have been raised about their position in tests. However, ODI cricket is a totally different format. But loss of form can sometimes hurt the confidence, and it can affect other formats as well. Hence, India should play them in England ODIs because if they fail, then they can pick the backup batters for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. That means if these two don't score runs against England, then India can take some hard decisions and pick other players as replacements.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/3-changes-india-must-make-to-win-the-scg-test-to-retain-the-border-gavaskar-trophy/">3 changes India must make to win the SCG Test to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy</a>

The Indian management is looking to rest Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from England ODIs ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025.

3 Reasons why Resting Virat and Rohit from England ODIs can be blunder ahead of Champions Trophy 2025

3-reasons-why-resting-virat-and-rohit-from-england-odis-can-be-blunder-ahead-of-champions-trophy-2025

Batting great Sunil Gavaskar gave a massive suggestion to the Indian team going forward in Test cricket. He said that the Rohit Sharma-led should keep an eye on Venkatesh Iyer for the red-ball cricket as he can be handy for the team. 
India hasn't been blessed with as many fast-bowling all-rounders as they would've wanted. After Kapil Dev, it was Hardik Pandya who took the mantle and has been doing a staggering job for the team in the white-ball cricket but his fitness hasn't supported him at all. 
Hardik Pandya played a few Tests for India but couldn't carry on in the format. The all-rounder last played in 2018 and, after that, has been focusing on white-ball cricket after that, India tried Shardul Thakur, and although he did a decent job, the quality wasn't there, and he was dropped. 
India now has included Nitish Kumar Reddy in the team and the all-rounder has been doing a great job in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He has shown great promise with the bat as he also slammed a magnificent century and helped the team tackle the trouble. 
But it's fair to say that the quality of the ball still has been lacking. Nitish Kumar Reddy hasn't been the best with the ball and hasn't bowled well, which has put an extra burden on Jasprit Bumrah, who has bowled around 140 overs in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. 
<h2>India must also keep an eye on Venkatesh Iyer, who can be another fine all-rounder and is a left-hander to bat - Sunil Gavaskar</h2>
Amid the debate around all-rounder, Sunil Gavaskar has suggested the name of Venkatesh Iyer, claiming that he can be a fine all-rounder for the team. He also pointed out that he played in the county. Writing in his column, he explained: 
"India must also keep an eye on Venkatesh Iyer, who can be another fine all-rounder and is a left-hander to bat. His bowling too can do with some work, but he has played in England and can be a very good option to have there," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar. 
Venkatesh Iyer has already made his India debut, having played two ODIs and nine T20Is. He also played for Lancashire in the England summer earlier this year.
Also Read:<a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/indian-cricket-team-india-s-full-test-cricket-schedule-in-2025-they-will-face-these-teams/#google_vignette"> </a><a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/indian-cricket-team-india-s-full-test-cricket-schedule-in-2025-they-will-face-these-teams/#google_vignette">Indian Cricket: Team India's full Test Cricket schedule in 2025, they will face these teams</a>

Batting great Sunil Gavaskar gave a massive suggestion to the Indian team going forward in Test cricket.