The IND vs AFG series has been sealed by <a href="https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-team/india/2" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-team/india/2">India </a>already. They were sensational with both bat and ball in the two games and bagged 6-wicket wins in both games. The focus now shifts towards the dead rubber third T20I, which will be played on 17th January. The match is slated to take place in Bengaluru and it is expected to be run feast.?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">IND vs AFG: India playing 11 for the third T20I against Afghanistan prediction</h2>



The third IND vs AFG series will be an opportunity for the Indian team to test their bench strength and combinations. They would be keen to make some changes and test some players going into the T20 World Cup 2024.&nbsp;



The opening combination of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to be unchanged. All the eyes will be on skipper Sharma because he has bagged two ducks in two games. He would be hoping to get some runs under his belt in the last IND vs AFG game and tick a few boxes.&nbsp;



Virat Kohli made a return to the team in the last game and looked in great touch. He got 29 runs but he too would be keen to get a big score and make his case strong. Shivam Dube no doubt will bat at No.4. He has been nothing short of exceptional in the IND vs AFG series with both bat and ball.?



Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-afg-t20i-shivam-dube-vs-hardik-pandya-for-t20-world-cup-2024-rohan-gavaskar-reveals-his-choice/" data-type="post" data-id="125300">IND vs AFG T20I: Shivam Dube vs Hardik Pandya for T20 World Cup 2024? Rohan Gavaskar reveals his choice</a>



Rinku Singh hasn?t got the desired time to bat in both the games. He took crease for a few balls in both games and therefore team might be looking to promote him and see how he goes. With the series already in the bag, India would be hoping to bring Sanju Samson in the XI in place of Jitesh Sharma for the last match.&nbsp;



If Samson gets the opportunity, he would be eager to make it count. Axar Patel is expected to retain his place in the team whereas we might see Washington Sundar getting rested. The all-rounder is expected to make way for Kuldeep Yadav, who took a 5-wicket haul in his last T20I.&nbsp;



Yadav is likely to partner with Ravi Bishnoi. Team management would be keen to see how the two leg-spinners will go about in small ground. Mukesh Kumar is also likely to be rested and it is expected that Avesh Khan will be the pacer along with Arshdeep Singh in the team.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">India playing 11 for the third IND vs AFG T20I prediction</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/11/India.jpg" alt="RSA vs IND, 2nd T20I: Players to Watch out For | India Tour of South Africa" class="wp-image-123128" /></figure>



Here is India playing 11 for the third IND vs AFG game in Bengaluru: 



Rohit Sharma (c)? Yashasvi Jaiswal? Virat Kohli? Shivam Dube? Rinku Singh? Sanju Samson (wk)? Axar Patel? Ravi Bishnoi ? Kuldeep Yadav? Arshdeep Singh Avesh Khan?



Here?s the India squad for the T20I series against Afghanistan:&nbsp;



Rohit Sharma (C), S Gill, Y Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, W Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar

IND vs AFG: India playing 11 for the third T20I against Afghanistan prediction

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Australia skipper Pat Cummins has come with a massive statement on Jasprit Bumrah after the win against India in the fourth Test of the series. He said that he had no empathy for the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team for not winning the game despite giving his best. 
India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been one of the main reasons why the team has been putting in a great fight in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The premier fast bowler has given his best with the ball, and the same was the case in the Melbourne Test. 
Jasprit Bumrah yet again single-handedly carried the bowling lineup of the team. He hardly got any support from others as he was seen bowling his heart out. Since there was no support from others, he had to bowl again and again which took a lot out of him. 
Jasprit Bumrah picked up four wickets in the first innings and then followed it with five wickets in the second innings. His exceptional effort with the ball was the massive reason behind India making a comeback in the match giving them a chance to draw and even win the match. 
Jasprit Bumrah, who bowled 53 overs in the match, unfortunately ended on the losing side as Australia won the game by the massive margin of 184 runs. With this win, they took a 2-1 lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 with one game to go.
<h2>"Empathy? Not too much, no - Pat Cummins on Jasprit Bumrah</h2>
Pat Cummins was in awe of Jasprit Bumrah, saying that he is the most influential Indian player. He claimed that the fast bowler has been troubling them a lot in the series and is a big threat to them. Speaking to reporters, he explained: 
"Yeah, he's, you know, obviously a really good bowler in great form. You know, he's been their most influential player. He's made it difficult for us at times. You know, I thought all their bowlers bowled really well yesterday. 
"Again, I don't think the pitch was doing too much, but they made it really tough for us and toiled hard. So I thought, yeah, they all bowled quite well. You know, he, in particular, poses the biggest threat."
Pat Cummins was also asked by one of the reporters if he feels empathy for Jasprit Bumrah losing after such a game. Replying to this, he said: "Empathy? Not too much, no." 
Jasprit Bumrah notably is the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The premier Indian pacer has picked 30 wickets in the series and would want to add more to his tally.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/india-lost-the-boxing-day-test-at-the-melbourne-cricket-stadium-by-184-runs-australia-took-a-2-1-lead-in-the-series-/">India lost the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Stadium by 184 runs. Australia took a 2-1 lead in the series.</a>

Australia skipper Pat Cummins has come with a massive statement on Jasprit Bumrah after the win against India in the fourth Test of the series

Pat Cummins makes fun of Jasprit Bumrah, says he has no...

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India skipper gave a bold verdict on Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal during the second innings of the Melbourne Test against Pat Cummins. He said he didn't know what to make of it but also subtly blamed umpires for not deciding in their favour. 
Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal in the second innings of the fourth Test against Australia. The batter was literally holding the fort for India, and until he was batting, it also seemed that the Rohit Sharma-led side would draw the game and head into the last match with a score of 2-1. 
But in what was a turning point of the game, Yashasvi Jaiswal bagged a controversial dismissal. This was because third umpire Sharfuddoula didn't consult the technology and gave the verdict based on the visible evidence that he saw after multiple replays being played. 
Pat Cummins bowled a short ball on the leg stump, to which Yashasvi Jaiswal attempted to play a pull shot. The ball took the glove and was grabbed by Alex Carey, but the on-field umpire didn't raise his finger. Upon taking the DRS, the Australia team was pretty confident about the batter hitting the ball. 
As the replays were being played, there seemed a deflection and after seeing replays three to four times, the umpire was convinced and then finally decided to check the ultra Edge. What caught the attention of many was when the RTS showed up, there wasn't any spike there. 
This invited huge controversy as even Yashasvi Jaiswal didn't look okay with the dismissal, he was seen having a conversation with the umpire. It also invited a lot of debate with many fans and experts sharing their take on the same. 
<h2>I really don't know what to make of that because the technology didn't show anything - Rohit Sharma on on Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal </h2>
Captain Rohit Sharma also shared his verdict on the same and pointed out the same thing related to technology not showing the spike. He was left confused about how umpires want to use the technology. 
The skipper also was upset with things not going their way in the last few years related to technology. While talking about the same, he explained: 
"Look, I really don't know what to make of that because the technology didn't show anything. With the naked eye, it seemed that he did touch something. I don't know how the umpires want to use the technology, but in all fairness, he did touch the ball. But again, it's about the technology, which we all know is not 100 per cent." 
"Like I said, we don't want to look too much into that. It's just that we are more often than not falling on the wrong side of it. It has been happening since India. I think we have been a little unfortunate."
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/top-five-highest-totals-chased-down-by-india-in-test-cricket-/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Top five highest totals chased down by India in Test cricket </a>

India skipper gave a bold verdict on Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal during the second innings of the Melbourne Test against Pat Cummins.

"Don't know how the umpires..." Rohit Sharma delivers bold verdict on Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal

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India batter Virat Kohli has come under a massive firing line after he failed in the recently concluded fourth Test against Australia. The Boxing-day Test match between the teams took place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne. 
Virat Kohli was expected to play a major role for India in the fourth match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. This was because, after his century, he looked torrid with the bat with balls outside off stump, bringing his downfall in the Australian conditions. 
In the first innings of the MCG Test, Virat Kohli looked very solid with the bat, and it seemed that he had found the solution to the balls outside off. The batter didn't deal with the balls in that channel, but his patience didn't last long as he ultimately poked at the ball, which was in the same area bowled by Scott Boland. 
In the second innings, Virat Kohli was expected to bring the Indian innings on track after the team lost Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul early on in the innings. However, this wasn't the case. The batter was back in the hut with the ball outside off yet again, bringing in the downfall. 
Mitchell Starc bowled a delivery around the fifth stump, and this lit Virat Kohli's eyes as he went for the big drive. The ball caught the outside edge of his bat and was caught by Usman Khawaja in the slips as the batter had to take the long walk back to the pavilion after scoring just 5 runs.
<h2>The King is dead, King Bumrah has taken the mantle now - Simon Katich </h2>
As Virat Kohli failed to make an impact in the second innings at MCG, Simon Katich fumed at the batter and said that the King is dead. The premier batter was dethroned from his title, with former Australia cricketer naming Jasprit Bumrah the new King. Speaking while doing commentary, he explained: 
"The King is dead. He trudges off. King Bumrah has taken the mantle now. Kohli looks dejected with himself. That was a big knock for him. He has come up short. Australia will be very, very happy with the situation they find themselves in." 
Virat Kohli, in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has managed just 61 runs in other matches. Overall, in 2024, he has only scored 417 runs this year at an average of 24.52. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/top-five-highest-totals-chased-down-by-india-in-test-cricket-/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Top five highest totals chased down by India in Test cricket </a>

India batter Virat Kohli has come under a massive firing line after he failed in the recently concluded fourth Test against Australia.

"The King is dead" - Virat Kohli destroyed as new King of Cricket gets named

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Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, Team India managed to lift the T20 World Cup for the 2nd time ever in their history as they secured a nail-biting win versus South Africa in the final and left arm pacer Arshdeep Singh played a key role in helping his team lift the trophy. 
Arshdeep finished the tournament as the joint-highest wicket taker alongside Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi (17 wickets) and his exceptional performances in the shortest format of the game in 2024 have been rewarded as the pacer has been nominated in ICC's Men's T20 International Player of the year award. Alongside the 25-year-old, Sikandar Raza of Zimbabwe and Travis Head of Australia have also been nominated. 
<h3>The performance of Arshdeep Singh in 2024</h3>
The performance of Arshdeep Singh with the ball in 2024 has been phenomenal. In 18 matches, the 25-year-old has managed to dismiss 36 batters at an exceptional average of 13.5. With these statistics, he finished the year of 2024 as the joint-highest wicket-taker in T20 Internationals.
Earlier in the year 2022, Bhuvneshwar Kumar had taken 37 wickets. This is the second best performance of an Indian fast bowler in T20 Internationals in a calendar year. Now Arshdeep Singh has become number two in this list.
<h2>Smriti Mandhana is also in the race of winning the ICC Women's ODI Player of the year</h2>
Apart from Arshdeep, Indian Women's Cricket Team's elite batter Smriti Mandhana is also a part of the race of winning the ICC award. Her exceptional performances with the bat in the 50 over format meant that her name has also been nominated in the list of 'ICC Women's ODI Player of the year award'. 
She will be locking horns for this award versus Annabel Sutherland of Australia and South African captain Laura Wolvaardt. It will be interesting to see which player will be given the ICC Women's ODI Player of the year award.Mandhana is anticipated to be the favorite to win the award.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/can-team-india-still-qualify-for-the-wtc-final-despite-suffering-a-defeat-in-melbourne-versus-australia-/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Can Team India still qualify for the WTC Final despite suffering a defeat in Melbourne versus Australia?</a>

Arshdeep Singh of India celebrates their T20 World Cup 2024 win in Mumbai's Marine Drive | Image: BCCI

Left Arm pacer Arshdeep Singh of Team India has been nominated for ICC Men's T20 Player of the year award and he's regarded as the favorite to win the award

Arshdeep Singh of India the favorite to win ICC's Men's T20 Player of the year award

arshdeep-singh-of-india-the-favorite-to-win-icc-s-men-s-t20-player-of-the-year-award

The Indian Cricket Team, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, suffered a humiliating 184 runs defeat in the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match and after this defeat, their road to qualifying for the 2023-25 WTC Final has become even more difficult. In this article, we will find out how the Men in Blue can still qualify for the WTC final despite suffering a defeat in Melbourne
Let us tell you that Temba Bavuma-led South Africa have already booked their ticket for the 2023-25 WTC Final in Lord's. The Indian Team are competing with the Mighty Australians to secure the second vacant final spot. While the Men in Blue are currently sitting at the third position in the overall WTC standings following their defeat in Melbourne, the Kangaroos on the other hand have occupied the second spot. 
<h2>How can the Indian Team qualify for the WTC Final after suffering a defeat in the Melbourne Test-Match?</h2>
Following their defeat in the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match, the first thing which the Indian team needs to do is defeat the Mighty Australians by any means possible in the fifth and highly important Test-Match in Sydney of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. The Sydney Test-Match is going to be the Rohit Sharma-led team's final fixture of the current WTC cycle which makes it mandatory for them to secure a victory there. 
If they suffer a defeat in the Sydney Test-Match, then all of their hopes of qualifying for the final will get crushed. Securing a win in the final BGT Test will allow Rohit Sharma and his men to snatch the second position away from the Kangaroos in the overall standings. 
This will only be possible though if the Pat Cummins-led team lose the two-match Test-Series versus Sri Lanka by a margin of 1-0 or 2-0. If the Kangaroos lose the Sydney Test but end up winning the Test-Series versus the Sri Lankans by a margin of 2-0, then in this situation, the Men in Blue will get eliminated from the race of the final. 
<h2>The Proteas have qualified for the WTC Final for the first time</h2>
The Proteas have qualified for the WTC Final for the first time ever in their Cricketing history and they will be looking to go all out in search of their first ever ICC Trophy. The Final of the previous edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) was played between Fierce-Rivals Australia and India where the the Kangaroos managed to reign supreme. The Final of the Inaugural edition of the event took place between New Zealand and the Indians in 2021 where the Kane Williamson-led team crossed the finish line successfully.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/-rohit-thank-you-for-your-service-massive-statement-comes-on-india-retirement-/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">‘Rohit, thank you for your service' - Massive statement comes on India retirement</a>

Australia celebrate after dismissing the final Indian batter in the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test | Image: ICC

The Indian Team suffered a humiliating defeat in the Boxing-Day Test and this defeat has made their chances of qualifying for the WTC 2023-25 cycle Final even harder.

Can Team India still qualify for the WTC Final despite suffering a defeat in Melbourne versus Australia?

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Former Indian head-coach Ravi Shastri has praised Australia's decision of not declaring in the final session of the fourth day of the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match despite having a lead of more than 300 runs. He feels that their decision to not do so is a smart one and believes that Aussie skipper Pat Cummins delayed the declaration call because he realised that the Indians would have dominated if they had declared in the final session as the pitch was completely favouring the batters on the fourth day of the MCG Test-Match. 
The Men in Blue were not even able to dismiss the number 10 and number 11 Australian batters in the final-session. This means that the surface is providing a lot of assistance to the batters. If the Rohit Sharma-led team would have scored 50 runs without losing a single wicket in the final period of the fourth day, then Australia would have lost the dominance which they had created. 
Realizing this, Cummins took the bold decision of batting for the entire day. However, Ravi Shastri also mentioned that the Pat Cummins-led team will try to put the Men in Blue under pressure by taking the new ball at the beginning of the fifth and final day of the Melbourne Test-Match.
"Australia is worried about India's strong batting line-up. This is also a reason for delaying the declaration. Especially what happened at the Gabba is still fresh in Australia's mind. India had won that day by chasing 329 runs. The fact that there are many players in the Indian team who show aggressive batting may have also caused the declaration to be delayed. India went through a similar situation in 2015.
The Aussies, who did not declare on the fourth day that day, declared after batting a few overs at the beginning of the fifth day. India was able to draw the Test that day. It is not impossible for India to get a draw in Melbourne as well. But India needs to try for victory," said Ravi Shastri.
Elite Australian seamer Mitchell Starc also said that following the conclusion of the fourth day's play, the home team will get enough overs to try and bowl the Indians on the fifth and final day of the Melbourne Test-Match. 
"Since the fifth day starts early, we will be getting the chance to take the 2nd new-ball after the end of 80 overs. After this, we will get around 18 overs and then the new ball will decide the fate of the match," Starc said
The fifth and the final day of the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match promises to be a really exciting one as both teams would be looking give their best shot of taking the lead heading into the final Test-Match in Sydney. 
It will be particularly a more important for the Men in Blue as a win in this match would guarantee them the chance to retain the BGT Trophy while Australia, who haven't won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series since 2018 would be looking to end the Indian dominance.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/top-five-highest-totals-chased-down-by-india-in-test-cricket-/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Top five highest totals chased down by India in Test cricket</a>

Ravi Shastri, Head Coach of India looks on as they are interviewed ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match between India and Namibia at Dubai International Stadium | Image: Getty Images

Former Indian Head Coach Ravi Shastri has made a big revelation regarding Australia's decision of not declaring on the fourth day of the MCG Test-Match.

IND vs AUS 4th Test: Why didn't Australia declare on the fourth day? Ravi Shastri reveals the reason

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Former Australia player Mark Waugh made a bold statement on the retirement of Rohit Sharma amid all the criticism. He said that if he was the selector of Team India, he would've told the captain thank you for your services in the longest format of the game. 
Rohit Sharma is under massive up and it won't be a surprise if we will see the India captain in action last time in the Tests in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The skipper has failed terribly to get going in the ongoing series and time is running away for him. 
Rohit Sharma, who missed the first Test of the series, batted in the middle order for two games to let KL Rahul open. However, the captain struggled to get going and then returned as an opener in the fourth Test of the series in Melbourne but failed to deliver in the first innings. 
The upcoming innings will be a massive opportunity for him to turn the tides and silence all these critics. However, if he fails to get going, there are chances that he might retire, and Jasprit Bumrah will take over the leadership of the team in this format. 
<h2> ‘Rohit, thank you for your service" - Mark Waugh </h2>
Mark Waugh said that if Rohit Sharma fails, then selectors should tell him that they are getting Jasprit Bumrah as captain for Sydney. While talking to Fox Cricket, he said that all great player's career comes to an end. He explained:
"If I was a selector now, it depends what happens in the second innings, but if he doesn't make runs … I'd be saying, ‘Rohit, thank you for your service. You've been a great player, but we're going to bring in Jasprit Bumrah as captain for the SCG. The signs are there that he's past his best. It happens to all players. All great players come to an end at some stage." 
Mark Waugh added that Rohit Sharma's movement in the field and his tactical decisions haven't been great and he has been given leniency by the BCCI for his past contributions. He explained: 
"The numbers don't lie. Even his movement in the field and his tactical decisions have been off the pace. I think they've given him leniency already because he's been a great player for India, but at some stage, that leniency has to stop. It stops after this Test match unless he makes runs in the second innings." 
In the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Rohit Sharma has slammed just 22 runs. He has been averaging just around 11 in the last 8 games in the longest format of the game.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/wtc-final-south-africa-secure-the-final-berth-here-s-how-india-can-qualify-for-the-world-test-championship-final/">WTC Final: South Africa secure the final berth; here's how India can qualify for the World Test Championship final</a>

Rohit Sharma is under massive up and it won't be a surprise if we will see the India captain in action last time in the Tests in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

‘Rohit, thank you for your service' - Massive statement comes on India retirement

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India's journey to reach the ICC World Test Championship final is getting tougher as each day passes by. They are currently locking horns with Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 and two matches are still left in the series, which will decide their fate. 
India is currently engaged in the fourth game, and the game will be concluding tomorrow. The game is likely to see all three results. Australia are currently 333 runs ahead with one wicket in hand, and it is expected that India will have to chase around 350 runs if they pick a wicket early. 
A win will take India close to the final of the ICC World Test Championship as if they win the Sydney Test, they will qualify directly for the final. But if the ongoing game ends in a draw, the path will be very a bit tough for him as they need to win the next match, which will be a must-win. 
If the ongoing match ends in a draw and India wins the Sydney Test, then Australia needs to lose one match in their next series against Sri Lanka. If this all happens then the Rohit Sharma-led side will be entering the final of the ICC World Test Championship and will be playing South Africa at Lord's. 
But if the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 ends in a draw, then India will have a massive threat as both Sri Lanka and Australia will be in contention for the final. If the island nation beats the Pat Cummins-led side by the margin of 2-0, then they will qualify for the final of the ICC World Test Championship. 
India, however, can still qualify even if the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 ends in 1-1, but it will be an impossible task. In this scenario, Sri Lanka should win the series 1-0 and draw one game in the series. But this is impossible as Galle always has match results, which will be a cause of concern for India.
<h2>India's qualification scenario for the ICC World Test Championship </h2>
Here's India's qualification scenario for the ICC World Test Championship
- If the MCG Test ends in a draw.
- SCG Test is a must-win match.
- Then Australia shouldn't win both games against Sri Lanka. 
(India can qualify even if BGT ends in 1-1 but then SL should win the series 1-0 which is impossible as Galle always has match results) 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/sportswear-brand-puma-slams-sanjay-manjrekar-on-nitish-to-be-dropped-remark-after-reddy-s-spectacular-boxing-day-ton-/">Sportswear brand Puma slams Sanjay Manjrekar on "Nitish to be dropped" remark after Reddy's spectacular Boxing Day Ton </a>

India's journey to reach the ICC World Test Championship final is getting tougher as each day passes by.

Massive threat for India! Sri Lanka all set to qualify for the WTC Final if...

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India batter Virat Kohli was at his animated best during the Day four of the ongoing fourth Test against Australia. The match between the teams is taking place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne. 
India staged a decent comeback in the match and has given them a great chance to win the game. This was possible because of Virat Kohli and his electric effort on the field. The batter lifted the entire team and with the way he was charging up, Australian was under pressure. 
Virat Kohli also took over the charge of the Indian team as well as he was seen captaining the team. The batter was seen getting the field placements and also was seen passing on the inputs to the skipper Rohit Sharma, as the crowd was also behind him all the time. 
Virat Kohli also plotted the wicket of Steve Smith for Mohammed Siraj, and not only this, he was seen having a chat with both the bowlers, telling them to bowl which lines and lengths. You can see the video below the article: 
Coming to the match, India had another decent day with the bat in the ongoing fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Their effort with the bat and ball has given them a real chance to win the game at MCG. 
Nitish Kumar Reddy (114)  could add just nine runs to his overnight tally as the Indian innings ended on 369 runs, trailing by 105 runs. Pat Cummins, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon picked three wickets each. 
Australia, in the second innings, had a poor start to their innings as Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were all over the batters. The hosts were left tottering at 96 for six, but at the other end, Marnus Labuschagne (70) held the one end and took his team out of trouble along with Pat Cummins (41) as the duo added 57 runs for the seventh wicket. 
After Marnus and Cummins got out, Nathan Lyon (41*) and Scott Boland (10*) frustrated the bowlers and took the lead over 330 runs with their 55-run partnership. At stumps on Day four, Australia was 228 for nine with a lead of 333 runs.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/sportswear-brand-puma-slams-sanjay-manjrekar-on-nitish-to-be-dropped-remark-after-reddy-s-spectacular-boxing-day-ton-/">Sportswear brand Puma slams Sanjay Manjrekar on "Nitish to be dropped" remark after Reddy's spectacular Boxing Day Ton </a>
<h2>Watch: Virat Kohli taks charge of Indian team, passes inputs to bowlers</h2>

India batter Virat Kohli was at his animated best during the Day four of the ongoing fourth Test against Australia.

Watch: Virat makes comeback as Test captain, helps Rohit Sharma in the field setting

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ICC Champions Trophy 2025: The ICC has officially confirmed the hybrid model for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and team India is all set to compete in this prestigious tournament! While fans eagerly await the BCCI's official squad announcement, the excitement is already building. In the meantime, let’s dive into a thrilling prediction of India’s probable squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises to be a cricketing spectacle, scheduled from February 19 to March 9. Hosted across Pakistan and Dubai, this prestigious tournament will feature eight top teams battling it out in 15 thrilling matches.
India, captained by Rohit Sharma, finds itself in Group A alongside Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. All of India’s matches will be played in Dubai, starting with an exciting opener against Bangladesh on February 20 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
With political factors shaping the tournament’s venues, India’s Dubai campaign adds a distinct flair. Fans are set for a rollercoaster of action, with iconic rivalries, unforgettable moments, and nail-biting drama expected throughout the Champions Trophy 2025.
Following a grueling five-match Test series against Australia, India will focus on this high-pressure tournament. Packed with experience and young talent, the Men in Blue are geared up to showcase their dominance on the world stage.
Here’s a glimpse at India’s likely squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025:
<h2>India’s Probable Squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025</h2>
Top-Order Stars: Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the front-runners to open India’s innings, with Shubman Gill waiting in the wings as a strong backup. Known for their consistency in ODIs, these players are expected to give India a flying start at the top.
Reliable Middle-Order: The middle order is set to shine with the likes of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant. Rahul, who proved his mettle in the lower middle order during the 2023 ODI World Cup, is likely to be a key player once again. The explosive Surya Kumar Yadav and young talent Dhruv Jurel may also feature, adding depth and versatility to India’s batting lineup.
Dynamic All-Rounders and Spinners: Either of Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy will lead the charge as all-rounders, bringing balance to the squad. In the spin department, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja are expected to shoulder the responsibility, with their knack for breaking partnerships and keeping the pressure on.
Formidable Pace Attack: The fast-bowling unit will be headlined by Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami. Shami’s experience and skill make him a strong pick, despite limited appearances post the ODI World Cup. Rising stars like Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana could also earn spots, injecting fresh energy into India’s pace arsenal.
<h2>India’s Probable Squad</h2>
1- Rohit Sharma 2- Yashasvi Jaiswal 3- Shubman Gill 4- Virat Kohli 5- KL Rahul 6- Rishabh Pant 7- Suryakumar Yadav 8- Dhruv Jurel 9- Hardik Pandya 10- Nitish Kumar Reddy 11- Kuldeep Yadav 12- Axar Patel 13- Ravindra Jadeja 14- Jasprit Bumrah 15- Mohammed Siraj 16- Mohammed Shami 17- Arshdeep Singh 18- Harshit Rana
READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/icc-cricket-champions-trophy-2025-schedule-teams-fixtures-full-squads-time-table/">ICC Cricket Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule, Teams, Fixtures, Full Squads, &amp; Time Table</a>

India’s probable ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad features a strong top order, a dependable middle order, versatile all-rounders, quality spinners, and a lethal pace attack, blending experience and emerging talent for success.

India’s squad combines experienced stars and young talents, with balanced batting, all-rounders, spinners, and a fiery pace unit.