IPL 2022 Points Table, Orange Cap, Purple Cap: Faf du Plessis-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 13 runs in match 49 of the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 in the MCA Pune.



MS Dhoni invited RCB to bat first after winning the toss. RCB openers provided a solid start to the innings and added 62 runs before the dismissal of Faf du Plessis (38 runs). Moeen Ali scalped du Plessis? wicket and opened the gates for CSK bowlers to charge.



Soon, Virat Kohli and Glenn Maxwell also departed to the dugout. Kohli scored 30 runs while Glenn Maxwell could only manage 3 runs before getting caught in a mix-up and getting run out.



Following the debacle, Mahipal Lomror, Shahbaz Ahmad and Dinesh Karthik controlled the situation and took RCB to an above-par total in the turning track. RCB scored 173 runs in their given quota of 20 overs.



In reply to a good total, CSK looked comfortable most times during the chase, however, a few mistakes took the game away from them. Chennai was safely cruising and looked dominating, however, RCB pulled the game in the middle order by picking consecutive wickets.



The turning track was brilliantly exploited by the trio of Glenn Maxwell, Shahbaz Ahmad and Wanindu Hasaranga during the middle overs and then came Harshal Patel who picked three wickets and snatched the game away from CSK.



RCB won the fixture by 13 runs and pushed CSK further down in a shell and reduced CSK?s chances of qualification.



This very article will take you through IPL 2022 Points Table, Orange Cap, Purple Cap - Updated on 5th May after RCB vs CSK match.



<h2>IPL 2022 Points Table:</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table><tbody><tr><td>S.NO</td><td>Team</td><td>Matches</td><td>Win</td><td>Loss</td><td>Points</td><td>NRR</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>LSG</td><td>11</td><td>8</td><td>3</td><td>16</td><td>0.703</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>GT</td><td>11</td><td>8</td><td>3</td><td>16</td><td>0.120</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>RR</td><td>11</td><td>7</td><td>4</td><td>14</td><td>0.326</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>RCB</td><td>12</td><td>7</td><td>5</td><td>14</td><td>-0.115</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>DC</td><td>11</td><td>5</td><td>6</td><td>10</td><td>0.150</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>SRH</td><td>11</td><td>5</td><td>6</td><td>10</td><td>-0.031</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>KKR</td><td>12</td><td>5</td><td>7</td><td>10</td><td>-0.057</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>PBKS</td><td>11</td><td>5</td><td>6</td><td>10</td><td>-0.231</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>CSK</td><td>11</td><td>4</td><td>7</td><td>8</td><td>-0.028</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>MI</td><td>11</td><td>2</td><td>9</td><td>4</td><td>-0.894</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2022/05/points-table-3.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-89275"/><figcaption>Image: IPLT20.com</figcaption></figure>



Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) jumped to the fourth position from sixth following their victory against Chennai Super Kings. Faf du Plessis and co have six wins from 11 outings and need to win the remainder of their matches to get a confirmed berth in the playoffs.



Notably, RCB can?t afford to lose any fixture from now on as their net run rate (-0.444) is worrisome. With a couple of losses, it will boil down to the permutation and combination which surely no team wants.



Chennai Super Kings have reduced their chances for the playoff qualification following the loss against RCB. The Dhoni-led CSK is currently placed in the penultimate position with three wins from seven matches.



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/not-everybody-gets-the-support-in-indian-cricket-that-ms-dhoni-has-received-says-yuvraj-singh/">Not everybody gets the support in Indian cricket that MS Dhoni has received, says Yuvraj Singh</a>



<h2>IPL 2022 Orange Cap:</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2022/05/orange-cap-4.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-89276"/><figcaption>Image: IPLT20.com</figcaption></figure>



RCB skipper Faf du Plessis scored 38 runs which helped him to remain in the playoff race. He is currently placed in the sixth position with 316 runs in 11 outings and has an average of 28.73, which is the lowest amongst all the top ten rankers.



No other changes were seen in the run-getters chart following the RCB vs CSK match. Jos Buttler remains the Orange Cap holder with 588 runs from 10 matches followed by KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan and Abhishek Sharma.



<h2>IPL 2022 Purple Cap:</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2022/05/purple-cap-4.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-89277" width="1000" height="627"/><figcaption>Image: IPLT20.com</figcaption></figure>



RCB?s spinner Wanindu Hasaranga scalped a solitary wicket and jumped two places to reach fifth in the purple cap chart. Hasaranga has a total of 16 scalps in 11 outings.&nbsp;



Harshal Patel?s match-defining three wickets spell helped him enter the top ten wicket-takers chart with a total of 13 wickets in 10 matches.



Meanwhile, Yuzvendra Chahal is still dominating the race with 19 wickets in 10 outings followed by Kuldeep Yadav, Kagiso Rabada and T Natarajan.



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ipl-gave-a-different-dimension-to-my-understanding-says-virat-kohli/">IPL gave a different dimension to my understanding, says Virat Kohli</a>

IPL 2022 Points Table, Orange Cap, Purple Cap - Updated on 5th May

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Australia Cricket Team's test skipper Pat Cummins and elite batter Steven Smith are on the brink of securing significant-milestones ahead of the Boxing-Day Test-Match versus Team India. 
Smith, who brought an end to his 25-inning hundred drought in the Gabba Test-Match which ended in a draw, possesses an incredible record with the bat in Boxing-Day Test-Matches as he has amassed 1,093 runs in 11 games at an unbelievable average of 78.07, with four hundreds and five half-centuries next to his name.
The 35-year-old is away by just 191 runs to reach the milestone of 10,000 runs in the longest format of the game and become just the fourth Aussie batter to achieve the massive landmark after Allan Border, Ricky Ponting and the legendary Steve Waugh. 
Smith's current runs tally in Test-Matches stands at 9,809 runs after taking part in 112 games and 200 innings, with an amazing average of 56.05 and he has also scored 33 hundreds and 41 half centuries. 
Pat Cummins on the other hand, is also approaching yet another huge milestone as he is close to completing 500 wickets in International Cricket.
The 31-year-old pacer needs to dismiss eight more batters to become just the seventh Aussie bowler to pick up 500 wickets in International Cricket after the likes of the legendary Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Glenn McGrath, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon. 
The Australian skipper has currently picked up 492 wickets at a really good average of 24.53, with his best figures standing at 6-23 and he also has 14 five-wicket-hauls next to his name.
<h2>Australia's Playing 11 for the Boxing-Day Test-Match versus India</h2>
Pat Cummins (Captain), Sam Konstas, Alex Carey (WK), Mitch Marsh, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Travis Head and Scott Boland.

Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-aus-4th-test-dream-11-teams-h2h-record-pitch-report-weather-report-and-more/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IND vs AUS 4th Test: Dream 11 Teams, H2H Record, Pitch Report, Weather Report and more</a>

Steve Smith (L) and Pat Cummins (R) of Australia | Image: Getty Images

The Australian duo of Steven Smith and Pat Cummins are anticipated to play an important role in helping Australia win the BGT after 10 years. Both of them are also looking to secure massive milestones in the Boxing-Day Test-Match versus India

IND vs AUS: Smith and Cummins eye huge milestones in Boxing Day Test versus India

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The highly anticipated high-intensity encounter between fierce-rivals India and Australia is set to unfold in the fourth Test-Match of the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy, a match which has created a lot of excitement &amp; buzz among fans and Cricket enthusiasts. 
Known as the Boxing-Day Test-Match, this iconic contest will be played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from the 26th of December onwards, kicking off at 5:00 AM Indian Standard Time (IST). As the series is level at 1-1, fans are eager to see which team will take the series lead in this battle between the fierce-rivals
The road to this all-important Boxing-Day Test-Match has been a rollercoaster ride for both teams. The Rohit Sharma-led team started the series on a strong note, securing a dominant 295-runs victory in the Perth Test-Match only for the Mighty Australians to bounce back on a strong note, reigning supreme in the Adelaide Test-Match by a comfortable margin of 10 wickets. 
The Gabba Test-Match was a really important and exciting one for both sides but due to constant rain interruptions, the contest ended in a draw. However, immediately post the conclusion of that match, Indian Cricket Team's elite off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin announced his decision to retire from International Cricket, leaving fans and Cricket enthusiasts shocked.
As the Boxing-Day Test-Match emerges closer and closer, questions regarding the Starting XI will be asked. Will Indian Captain Rohit Sharma fit enough to play in the 4th Test? Sharma's participation in the Melbourne Test-Match is eagerly anticipated, as is the potential inclusion of Australia's hard hitting batter Travis Head who is facing some injury related issues too. In this article, we will be taking a look at the best possible Dream 11 team and other related information to the game.
<h2>IND vs AUS: Head-2-Head records in Test Cricket between Australia and India</h2>
Fierce-rivals Australia and India have played a total of 110 Test-Matches versus each other and out of these 110 encounters, the Men in Blue have triumphed on 33 occasions while the Mighty Australians have had the upperhand over the Indians as they have reigned supreme in 46 contests. 30 matches between the two sides have ended in a draw while one contest ended in a tie.
<h3>IND vs AUS 4th Test: Pitch-Report of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) </h3>
In recent years, the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has created pitches which prove to be favourable for the seamers making a bowling paradise for the speedsters. While the MCG surface lacks the sharp bouncy nature of the Optus Stadium of Perth or the helpful seam-movement of the Gabba Stadium, it's 6mm grass-covering makes it's surface a favourable one for the fast bowlers. 
As the game progresses and the pitch starts to wear out, the spinners will then start coming into the game. Overall, the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match promises to be an even encounter between bat and ball.
<h2>IND vs AUS 4th Test: Weather Forecast of Melbourne</h2>
The weather forecast of the fourth Test-Match in Melbourne is going to prove to be a mixed-bag. On the first day of the contest (26th of December), there's a 50% chance of rain interrupting with the proceedings of the game, with strong-winds anticipated in the evening period. The second day is also expected to be a rain affected one, with possible showers in the morning hours. 
However, the weather conditions are anticipated to see improvisations from the 3rd day onwards, with the rain percentage reducing to 30%. The fourth and fifth days of the contest are expected to have minimal rain interruptions, offering better playing conditions.
<h2>IND vs AUS 4th Test: When and Where to watch the match live in India? </h2>
The Boxing-Day Test-Match between fierce-rivals India and Australia will kick off from Thursday, 26th of December onwards. The proceedings of the contest will start from 5:00 AM Indian Standard Time (IST) onwards and Indian fans can tune into the Star Sports 1 &amp; Star Sports 1-HD channels to catch the live action of the contest. The Hindi coverage of the Boxing-Day Test-Match can be watched live on the Star Sports 1 Hindi and Star Sports 1 Hindi HD channels. 
For the OTT lovers, the application &amp; website of Disney + Hotstar will be offering live-streaming services for the forthcoming match.
<h2>IND vs AUS 4th Test: Best Dream 11 team for the forthcoming contest between Australia and India</h2>
Wicket Keepers: Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul
Batters: Travis Head, Virat Kohli and Steven Smith
All Rounders: Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Reddy
Bowlers: Pat Cummins, Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Starc and Mohammed Siraj
<h2>IND vs AUS 4th Test: Best player options for Captain and Vice-Captain | Dream 11</h2>
Captain: Jasprit Bumrah, Travis Head
Vice-Captain: Mitchell Starc, Steven Smith

Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-aus-4th-test-mcg-pitch-report-ground-conditions-and-weather-forecast/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IND vs AUS 4th Test: MCG Pitch Report, Ground Conditions, and Weather Forecast</a>

Ravindra Jadeja of India scored a brilliant half-century in the Gabba Test-Match versus Australia | Image: Getty Images

The Boxing-Day Test-Match between India and Australia promises to be a really exciting and exciting encounter with the series currently level at 1-1, both sides would be looking to make full use of the conditions on offer and take the lead in the series. In this article, we will be taking a look at various details related to the match

IND vs AUS 4th Test: Dream 11 Teams, H2H Record, Pitch Report, Weather Report and more

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IND vs AUS 4th Test: The stage is set for an epic showdown as cricketing giants India and Australia prepare to face off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the much-anticipated Boxing Day Test Match. The stakes couldn't be higher with the series delicately poised at 1-1. These final two Tests carry immense significance as they will determine who walks away victorious in this gripping Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
For India, a win at the MCG means retaining the coveted trophy, solidifying their dominance. On the other hand, Australia is eyeing a breakthrough victory, one that would mark their first series triumph over India in a decade. A loss for the hosts would spark serious introspection, while for India, a defeat could leave their World Test Championship (WTC) journey hanging by a thread. 
<img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202412/image_430x256_67567da01e404.jpg" alt="">
The Gabba Test may have ended on a damp note just six days ago, but the cricketing world has been buzzing with developments ever since. India’s bowling maestro Jasprit Bumrah has forced Australia to reshuffle their top order, paving the way for the remarkable debut of 19-year-old Sam Konstas, who steps into the limelight after just 11 first-class games. This bold move by Australia reflects their determination to counter India’s fiery attack and regain control of the series.
However, off-field controversies have added extra spice to the build-up. Indian captain Virat Kohli had a heated exchange with a reporter at Melbourne airport, and Ravindra Jadeja stirred up debate by answering media questions exclusively in Hindi.
To top it off, whispers of a conspiracy surfaced when the visitors were reportedly given used pitches to practice on at the MCG. With tempers flaring and tensions mounting, all eyes are on Boxing Day, where the fate of the series—and perhaps much more—will be decided.
<h2>IND vs AUS 4th Test: Melbourne Cricket Ground</h2>
With a clear weather forecast and MCG’s recent history favoring results, a draw seems unlikely, especially with an expected crowd of over 90,000 eagerly awaiting this high-stakes drama.
<img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202412/image_430x256_676b8808363bf.jpg" alt="">
<h3>Pitch Report</h3>
In recent years, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has worked to create Test pitches that favor pace bowlers, making it a battleground for speedsters. While it lacks the sharp bounce of Perth or the pronounced seam movement of the Gabba, the MCG compensates with a lively 6mm grass covering, ensuring a pace-friendly surface for the fast bowlers to exploit early on.
As the match progresses, spinners are expected to step into the spotlight, playing a crucial role in the latter stages. Interestingly, the pitch offers no clear edge to teams batting first or second, adding an unpredictable element to the game. However, according to curator Matt Page, the surface is unlikely to crack enough to significantly aid spin, keeping the pacers firmly in the spotlight.
<h3>Weather Forecast</h3>
The weather forecast for the fourth Test at the MCG brings a mix of uncertainty and optimism. Day 1 (December 26) comes with a 50% chance of rain, potentially disrupting play, while strong winds are expected to make conditions challenging in the evening. Day 2 might also see morning showers, keeping the teams on edge as they adapt to unpredictable interruptions.
From Day 3 onward, the outlook brightens significantly, with rain chances dropping to just 30%, paving the way for more uninterrupted cricket. The fourth and fifth days are expected to have minimal rainfall, offering favorable conditions for the match's climax. As the weather shapes the narrative, players must seize every opportunity amid these shifting conditions.
READ: I<a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/india-playing-11-for-the-fourth-test-against-australia-prediction-/">ndia playing 11 for the fourth Test against Australia prediction</a>

The MCG Test promises high stakes, pace-friendly pitches, unpredictable weather, and fiery contests. India and Australia face off with the series tied, amid off-field drama, rising stars, and crucial World Test Championship implications.

High-stakes cricket at MCG: Series tied, pace-friendly pitch, unpredictable weather, off-field drama, rising stars, and trophy-deciding action! The Fourth Test between India and Australia is going to bring it all to us!

IND vs AUS 4th Test: MCG Pitch Report, Ground Conditions, and Weather Forecast

ind-vs-aus-4th-test-mcg-pitch-report-ground-conditions-and-weather-forecast

Fierce-rivals India and Australia are currently squaring off versus each other in the currently ongoing 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy series. Following the completion of the first three games, the series is level at 1-1.
However, a big incident took place after the conclusion of the Gabba Test-Match. Team India's elite off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin made a shock announcement that he will be retiring from International Cricket and this decision shocked the entire Cricketing world. 
His decision to retire seems to have been executed due to the emergence of Washington Sundar and the preference which the Indian management gave to the youngster over Ashwin. However, it's believed that the 38-year-old off-spinner took the harsh decision of hanging up his boots as he wasn't given much importance in Overseas Test-Matches and this situation has persisted in the current BGT series as well.
In this situation, it's been reported by many sports news websites that following the retirement of Ashwin, one more star Indian player is likely to call time on their Test Career within a span of one week. And it's none other than pacer Mohammed Shami.
Shami is has missed out on selection from the remaining two matches due to a minor swelling in his left-knee. It's being reported that the seamer will wait till the end of the fourth Test-Match and if the BCCI decides that Shami will not be considered for the fifth and final match of the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophy, then he is anticipated to announce his retirement from the longest format of the game. 
Some rumors are also suggesting that the pacer will only be ready to play five-day format matches for the Men in Blue if they manage to qualify for the final of the 2023-2025 cycle of WTC. 
<h2>What are the chances of Shami getting selected in Team India's squad for the upcoming 2025 edition of the Champions Trophy?</h2>
34-year-old Mohammed Shami is currently representing the team of Bengal in the ongoing 2024-25 edition of the Vijay Hazare tournament. This competition is considered as a crucial one for the fast bowler as his good performances with the ball will guarantee him a place in the Indian Cricket Team's squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy starting in February of next year. 
Reportedly, post the conclusion of next year's Mega-Event, Shami is planning to retire from International Cricket and place his focus solely on the IPL

Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/icc-unveil-the-official-champions-trophy-2025-schedule-know-all-the-details-regarding-india-s-matches/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ICC unveil the official Champions Trophy 2025 schedule, know all the details regarding India's matches</a>


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Mohammed Shami of India is currently playing for Bengal in the ongoing edition of the Vijay Hazaar Trophy | Image: PTI

It's likely that one more star player is going to follow in the footsteps of Ravi Ashwin and announce his retirement from Test Cricket post the conclusion of the BGT 2024 series vs Australia

IND vs AUS: Following the retirement of Ashwin, this star player plans to announce his retirement in 1 week, this is the reason

ind-vs-aus-following-the-retirement-of-ashwin-this-star-player-plans-to-announce-his-retirement-in-1-week-this-is-the-reason

India batter Virat Kohli has been under the spotlight for his batting in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The batter started the series on a high as he hit a magnificent century in the opening game the Perth. 
However, after that, Virat Kohli hasn't been at his best, as he has fallen cheaply and has bagged a series of low scores. The premier batter has struggled against the balls outside off as Australia pacers have found the weakness to send him packing early on in innings. 
After scoring a century in Perth, Virat Kohli has struggled to get going with most of his dismissals coming against the balls outside off. The premier batter after that innings in Perth has added just 26 runs, which is a cause for concern. 
In Adelaide, Virat Kohli got out against Mitchell Starc and then Scott Boland. In the Gabba Test, he got out while driving the ball towards cover against Hazlewood. This has seen him getting criticised a lot for his approach. 
But to negate this threat, Virat Kohli worked hard in the nets. As per the reports in Sports Tak, it is learned that the batter focussed on leaving the ball and looked very solid, best in the nets so far in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
<h2>Virat Kohli reportedly asked Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna to bowl to him outside off stump, asks fast bowlers to bowl fast</h2>
Virat Kohli reportedly asked Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna to bowl to him outside off stump. Not only this, the fast bowler also was telling the pacers to bowl fast and also was seen shouldering their arm so that the bowler would not find an edge even if there was extra bounce.  
Virat Kohli will be key for India going into the next match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He would be keen to silence all his critics and help his team win the next game of the series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne.
Also Read:<a href="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/admin/India%20playing%2011%20for%20the%20fourth%20Test%20against%20Australia%20prediction"> </a><a href="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/admin/India%20playing%2011%20for%20the%20fourth%20Test%20against%20Australia%20prediction">India playing 11 for the fourth Test against Australia prediction</a>

India batter Virat Kohli has been under the spotlight for his batting in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Virat Kohli finally manages to counter the challenge of the outside off-stump ball; comes up with this huge thing in nets

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India skipper Rohit Sharma provided a massive update about his fitness ahead of the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The Boxing-day game of the series between the teams will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne. 
India was jolted by the massive blow as skipper Rohit Sharma was hit on the knee during the training session. The batter looked in immense pain and was also seen wearing an ice pack around his knee as it was learned that he had some swelling. 
Rohit Sharma also stopped batting in the nets as physios turned his attention towards him. However, after some attention, the batter looked fine and even batted in nets but the swelling was still there, raising speculations over his availability for the next game of the series. 
<h2>Knee is fine - Rohit Sharma </h2>
However, during the press conference ahead of the Melbourne Test, Rohit Sharma provided an update about his fitness. He mentioned that he is fine and will be playing the next match. He also talked about used pitches being given to them for practice. He stated: 
"Knee is fine. Nothing had changed since last I spoke. We had two sessions what can change? I think those pitches that we trained are used pitches. Today is the only day we are gonna get fresher wickets. Will go and see how it is, train accordingly." 
Rohit Sharma also believes that the series is fairly levelled at 1-1, depicting that both the teams have played a great brand of cricket. He elaborated: 
"It's been good. We have been fortunate as well the attitude boys showed after getting all out for 150 and then to bowl out for 100 Adelaide we didn't play well, Brisbane there wasn't much. After 3 Tests, if I look at 1-1 it's a fair reflection of how both teams have played." 
The MCG Test will be a great opportunity for Rohit Sharma to return to form and silence all his critics. The batter so far has scored 19 runs in the series and would want to set the stage on fire.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/tanush-kotian-over-kuldeep-or-axar-rohit-sharma-makes-a-big-revelation-why-india-picked-an-uncapped-spinner-ahead-of-boxing-day-test/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tanush Kotian over Kuldeep or Axar? Rohit Sharma makes a big revelation why India picked an uncapped spinner ahead of Boxing Day Test</a>

India skipper Rohit Sharma provided a massive update about his fitness ahead of the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Rohit Sharma's knee injury rules him out of the MCG Test? Captain provides a colossal update

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Cricket's global governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday, 24th of December announced the official schedule and fixture list of the upcoming ICC Mega-Event, the 2025 Champions Trophy. The competition, featuring the top eight One-Day International teams, will be played between 19th of February to 9th of March, with matches to be help in Dubai and Pakistan. 
The opening fixture of the tournament will be played between Pakistan and New Zealand in the city of Karachi as both teams will be kicking off the tournament. A total of 15 games will be played over a span of 19 days, with the city's of Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi playing host to the games in Pakistan. UAE's Dubai will also host several encounters, including the all-important group-stage phase contests of the Indian Cricket Team and the first semi-final as well. 
The all-important Final is scheduled to be played on the 9th of March in the city of Lahore, unless Team India qualifies for the marquee match, in which case the summit clash will be shifted to Dubai. Both the semi-finals and the final will have reserve days if rain interrupts the proceedings of the contests.
The highly anticipated India vs Pakistan match will be played on the 23rd of February in Dubai, which is also going to be a highlight of the competition. Other key matches include Australia vs England on the 22nd of February in the city of Lahore and South Africa vs Afghanistan in Karachi on 21st of February. 
Each of the three Pakistani venues will play host to three group-stage encounters, with Lahore also set to host the 2nd Semi-Final. The Dubai leg of the Champions Trophy kicks off on 20th February, with the Men in Blue squaring off versus Asian-rivals Bangladesh. 
The 2025 edition of the Champions Trophy will witness the top eight teams from the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup competing versus each other to get their hands on the prestigious Trophy. Fans are eagerly waiting for this exciting tournament, with hosts Pakistan aiming to defend their title. 
<h2>Group Stages  </h2>
<h2>All of the participating teams are divided into two groups:  </h2>
- Group A: India, New Zealand, Bangladesh and Pakistan
- Group B: South Africa, England, Australia and Afghanistan

<h2>Champions Trophy 2025: Full schedule of the competition</h2>
19th of February, Wednesday: New Zealand versus Pakistan in the city of Karachi, Pakistan
 
20th of February, Thursday: Bangladesh versus India in the city of Dubai, UAE
 
21st of February, Friday: South Africa versus Afghanistan in the city of Karachi, Pakistan
 
22nd of February, Saturday: England versus Australia in the city of Lahore, Pakistan
 
23rd of February, Sunday: Pakistan versus India in the city of Dubai, UAE
 
24th of February, Monday: Bangladesh versus New Zealand in the city of Rawalpindi, Pakistan

25th of February, Tuesday: South Africa versus Australia in the city of Rawalpindi, Pakistan
 
26th of February, Wednesday: Afghanistan versus England in the city of Lahore, Pakistan
 
27th of February, Thursday: Bangladesh versus Pakistan in the city of Rawalpindi, Pakistan
 
28th of February, Friday: Australia versus Afghanistan in the city of Lahore, Pakistan

1st of March, Saturday: England versus South Africa in the city of Karachi, Pakistan
 
2nd of March, Sunday: New Zealand versus India in the city of Dubai, UAE
 
4th of March, Tuesday: First Semi-Final in the city of Dubai, UAE
 
5th of March, Wednesday: Second Semi-Final in the city of Lahore, Pakistan
 
9th of March, Sunday: The All-important Final in the city of Lahore (If Team India qualifies, then the match will get shifted to the city of Dubai, UAE) 
 
10th of March, Monday: Reserve-day for the Final

Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/3-players-who-can-prove-to-be-long-term-replacements-for-ravi-ashwin-in-india-s-test-team/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3 Players who can prove to be long-term replacements for Ravi Ashwin in India's Test Team</a>

The Champions Trophy on display in the city of Karachi, Pakistan | Image: Getty Images

The eight-team tournament runs from February 19 to March 9. The highly-awaited India versus Pakistan match wi be played on the 23rd of February in the city of Dubai.

ICC unveil the official Champions Trophy 2025 schedule, know all the details regarding India's matches

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The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 has been reaching the conclusion and there are just two games left in the series. The focus shifts towards the fourth match of the series, which will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne. 
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between the teams is currently levelled at 1-1. Therefore it will be a perfect opportunity for the the Indian team to take a lead in the series, especially with the fact that they haven't lost a game in Melbourne since 2011. 
Coming to the Indian XI for the fourth Test against Australia, it is likely that India will go unchanged. However, there are chances that they might go with two spinners looking at the conditions, which will be hot and humid in Melbourne. 
Openers - KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal; No.3 - Shubman Gill 
The Indian top order for the Melbourne Test will be the same. KL Rahul no doubt has locked his place as an opener in the team after his heroics in the first three games. On the other hand, Yashasvi Jaiswal has been kept quiet in the last two games after his century in Perth. 
Shubman Gill is expected to bat at No.3 and would be hoping to get some runs under his belt. The young batter has looked with the shots but hasn't been able to convert his starts and would want to change that in the next match of the series. 
Middle order - Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant (wk) 
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant are expected to be the middle order for the Indian team during the Melbourne Test. The trio has struggled to get going in the Test series, and it will be a great opportunity for them to return to form and help the team win. 
The pressure, in particular, will be on skipper Rohit Sharma, as he scored just 19 runs in the last two games. Virat, on the other hand, slammed a ton in Perth but failed to get going in the last two games. Pant had starts but couldn't cash on them. 
All-rounders - Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar 
India is expected to play three all-rounders in Melbourne. The likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy have been scoring runs for the team in the series. While Washington Sundar, who played the first match is likely to make a return. 
Washington Sundar is expected to replace Akash Deep for the Melbourne Test. Going with two spinners could turn out to be a great strategy for the team. 
Pacers - Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj 
The two front-line pacers for the Indian team going into the next game will be Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. The two have been doing their job to great perfection and would want to carry on their form. 
<h2>India Playing 11 for MCG Test Prediction </h2>
KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
 Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/tanush-kotian-over-kuldeep-or-axar-rohit-sharma-makes-a-big-revelation-why-india-picked-an-uncapped-spinner-ahead-of-boxing-day-test/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tanush Kotian over Kuldeep or Axar? Rohit Sharma makes a big revelation why India picked an uncapped spinner ahead of Boxing Day Test</a>

Coming to the Indian XI for the fourth Test against Australia, it is likely that India will go unchanged

India playing 11 for the fourth Test against Australia prediction

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Replacing the legendary Ravichandran Ashwin in the Test Team is not going to be an easy task for the Indian Cricket Team management. Since 2014, Ashwin's bowling has proven to be an X factor in the Men in Blue's Test-Series wins. The 38-year-old recently announced his retirement from International Cricket following the conclusion of the Gabba Test-Match which shocked the entire world of Cricket. 
His contributions with both bat and ball have proven to be really important for Team India and now that he has retired, let's take a look at three players who can prove to be long-term replacements for the legendary off-spinner. 

<h2>3. Saurabh Kumar</h2>
31-year-old slow left arm orthodox spinner Saurabh Kumar has proven to be consistent threat with the ball in Domestic Cricket. Representing the team of Uttar Pradesh, he has taken part in a total of 77 first-class games, in which has dismissed 321 batters at a good average of 25.9. He also has 25 five-wicket hauls next to his name and his best figures are 8-64.
He's a capable batter too, having scored 2,333 runs at a decent average of 25.92 which includes 2 hundreds and 15 half-centuries and he's in excellent form at present. He was also included in India's squad for the home England Test-Series and when it comes to home Test-Matches, it's believed that he will be the next one to get regular opportunities to represent the Indian Cricket Team in the longest format of the game.

<h2>2. Manav Suthar</h2>
22-year-old Manav Suthar, hailing from Rajasthan has recently started to find his feat in First-class Domestic Cricket. But, since his debut, he has bowled in a consistent manner and has 86 scalps next to his name in 21 contests at a good average of 27.53.This includes six four-wicket hauls, four fifers and two 10-wicket hauls. 
Even with the bat, he's a handy player as he has scored 663 runs with a highest score of 93* runs and has also brought up hif fifty four times. He's a promising youngster and with age on his side, Suthar can certainly prove to be a like-to-like replacement for Ashwin.

<h2>1. Washington Sundar</h2>
It's a realistic and known fact that Washington Sundar will be the most likely and suitable replacement for the legendary Ravi Ashwin. Sundar has been performing in an exceptional manner in Test Cricket recently, consistently picking up wickets and scoring crucial runs down the order. He's also a part of the ongoing 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series versus the Kangaroos and since Ashwin will not be there in the last two Test-Matches, Sundar will take his place. 
While he has been a consistent performer over the years, the only problem he faces is his history of getting injured for long durations. His injury problems have proven to be a major reason behind his inability to make himself a regular in Team India's squad for the last three years, there's a possibility that the BCCI might just consider keeping backup options in mind.

Ravichandran Ashwin of India receives his 100th Test cap from former Indian Head coach Rahul Dravid | Image: BCCI

India's star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin , who took 537 wickets in 106 Tests, has announced his retirement from international cricket. The Indian Management are on a lookout for a suitable like-to-like replacement for the legendary Off-spinner.