The Australian Men's Cricket Team defeated Team India in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series by a margin of 3-1 and this series victory helped them to qualify for their 2nd successive World Test Championship (WTC) final. While thier final qualification is already secured, the Kangaroos are scheduled to take part in one more Test-Series in the ongoing WTC cycle. 
They will be travelling to Sri Lank to take part in a two-match Test-Series and their Test Skipper Pat Cummins will not be a part of this tour as he will be away on paternal duty. Moreover, the Kangaroos will also be travelling without ace seamer Josh Hazlewood who injured himself in the India Test-Series. 
According to a news report of the Sydney Herald, since the Aussies have already confirmed their WTC final spot, they don't want to take any kind of risks with Hazlewood.The 33-year-old who hurt his calf in the Gabba Test-Match versus the Men in Blue got ruled out of the remainder of the BGT series and he had previously said that he was aiming to make a comeback to Australia's first Test-Series versus the Sri Lankans since 2022.
<h2>The trio of Starc, Boland and Abbott will go on the tour of Sri Lanka</h2>
According to some sources of the Sydney Morning Herald, since Josh won't get the opportunity to travel to Sri Lanka as the selectors don't want to risk him, the duo of Sean Abbot and the in-form Scott Boland will be travelling as the seamers alongside Mitchell Starc. 
Boland was in red hot form in the BGT series versus the Indians, dismissing 21 batters in just six innings with a mind blowing average of 13.19. He also picked up an important fifer in the series and his performance with the ball were crucial in his team's success in the five-match Series. 
Abbot on the other hand was called up to the squad but he didn't get a chance to feature in any of the matches. With Cummins and Hazlewood missing the Sri Lanka series, there are high chances of Abbott playing versus the Island nation. 
<h2>What's the news about Australian skipper Pat Cummins</h2>
The selectors will meet on Wednesday of this week to finalise their squad. 16 players can be selected for the tour and The team is expected to be announced on Thursday, 9th of January
Captain Pat Cummins has indicated that he will not be available for part or all of the tour as he awaits the birth of his 2nd child. It will also have to be seen how he recovers from fatigue after playing five consecutive Test matches against India. Cummins and Starc were selected as Australia's only two frontline fast bowlers for the Sri Lanka tour three years ago, which was tied 1-1.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/icc-champions-trophy-2025-rohit-sharma-s-career-under-danger-bcci-wants-yashasvi-jaiswal-in-the-squad-/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma's career under danger! BCCI wants Yashasvi Jaiswal in the squad</a>

The selection woes of Australia have increased following the injury of Hazlewood and it's reported that he won't be travelling to Sri Lanka for taking part in the two-match Test-Series

SL vs AUS: Another Headache for Australia, this fast bowler will miss the Sri Lanka tour

sl-vs-aus-another-headache-for-australia-this-fast-bowler-will-miss-the-sri-lanka-tour

The Indian Cricket Team suffered a humiliating 1-3 series defeat in the five-match 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy versus the Aussies and this defeat has made them suffer a huge loss. Not only did this series defeat cost the Rohit Sharma-led team the chance to qualify for the WTC Final, it also led them dropping down to the third position in the recently updated ICC Test-Team Rankings. The Men in Blue had qualified for two successive WTC Finals in 2021 &amp; 2023 but Rohit Sharma &amp; CO failed to qualify this time around, suffering embarrassing defeats versus New Zealand (NZ) &amp; Australia (AUS) in the bilateral Test-Series. 
<h2>Australia lead the ICC Test-Team Rankings </h2>
Talking about the Test Team Rankings, the Mighty Australians are sitting at the pole position with 126 rating points next to their name. On the other hand, after defeating the Shan Masood-led Pakistan in the two-match Test-Series, the South Africans have secured the second spot of the rankings with 112 rating points to their name. 
The Indian Team are sitting at the third position with 109 rating points after having a poor WTC Test-Cycle. Let us tell you that South Africa (RSA) and Australia (AUS) have successfully qualified for the 2023-25 WTC Final which will be taking place at the iconic Lord's Cricket Stadium and this fascinating contest will be played in June of this year.
Before competing in the two-match Test-Series versus the Shaheens, the Temba Bavuma-led South Africa were at the third position in the Test Team Rankings. But, Team India's 1-3 defeat versus the Kangaroos and then their easy 2-0 win over the Green Shirts helped them to snatch the 2nd spot of the rankings away from the Indian Team. 
Talking about other teams, the fifth spot of the rankings is occupied by England (ENG) who have 106 Rating Points to their name and New Zealand (NZ) and the others are quite far away from the top-5 ranks. Fierce-Rivals of India, Pakistan are at the seventh position. 
<h2>Team India have failed to qualify for the WTC Final for the very 1st time</h2>
When the first even World Test Championship (WTC) final was played in 2021, Team India had locked horns versus the Kane Williamson-led New Zealand (NZ). However, much to dismay of the Indian fans, the Virat Kohli-led team had to face an embarrassing defeat as the Kiwis secured a comfortable eight-wicket win and lifted the WTC Test-Mace for the very first time. 
The Men in Blue then qualified for then qualified for yet another WTC Final in 2023 where they faced the Mighty Aussies but even in that game, they had to suffer a defeat as the Pat Cummins-led team won by a margin of 209 runs. This time around, it's going to be the first time ever in the history of the competition that a Final will be played without the participation of the Indian Team.
<h2>Updated ICC Test-Team Rankings</h2>
<table class="ds-w-full ds-table ds-table-md ds-table-auto" style="width: 100.732%;">
<thead class="ds-bg-fill-content-alternate ds-text-left">
<tr class="">
<th class="ds-min-w-max" style="width: 20%;">Position</th>
<th class="ds-min-w-max" style="width: 28.1356%;">Team</th>
<th class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 20.339%;">Matches</th>
<th class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.5932%;">Points</th>
<th class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.9322%;">Rating</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody class="">
<tr class="">
<td class="ds-min-w-max" style="width: 20%;">1</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-flex ds-items-center ds-gap-1" style="width: 28.1356%;">Australia</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 20.339%;">36</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.5932%;">4531</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.9322%;">126</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="ds-min-w-max" style="width: 20%;">2</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-flex ds-items-center ds-gap-1" style="width: 28.1356%;">India</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 20.339%;">39</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.5932%;">4248</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.9322%;">109</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="ds-min-w-max" style="width: 20%;">3</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-flex ds-items-center ds-gap-1" style="width: 28.1356%;">South Africa</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 20.339%;">27</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.5932%;">2932</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.9322%;">109</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="ds-min-w-max" style="width: 20%;">4</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-flex ds-items-center ds-gap-1" style="width: 28.1356%;">England</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 20.339%;">46</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.5932%;">4815</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.9322%;">105</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="ds-min-w-max" style="width: 20%;">5</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-flex ds-items-center ds-gap-1" style="width: 28.1356%;">New Zealand</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 20.339%;">33</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.5932%;">3216</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.9322%;">97</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="ds-min-w-max" style="width: 20%;">6</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-flex ds-items-center ds-gap-1" style="width: 28.1356%;">Sri Lanka</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 20.339%;">25</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.5932%;">2271</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.9322%;">91</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="ds-min-w-max" style="width: 20%;">7</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-flex ds-items-center ds-gap-1" style="width: 28.1356%;">Pakistan</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 20.339%;">27</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.5932%;">2225</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.9322%;">82</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="ds-min-w-max" style="width: 20%;">8</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-flex ds-items-center ds-gap-1" style="width: 28.1356%;">West Indies</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 20.339%;">29</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.5932%;">2184</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.9322%;">75</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="ds-min-w-max" style="width: 20%;">9</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-flex ds-items-center ds-gap-1" style="width: 28.1356%;">Bangladesh</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 20.339%;">29</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.5932%;">1884</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.9322%;">65</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="ds-min-w-max" style="width: 20%;">10</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-flex ds-items-center ds-gap-1" style="width: 28.1356%;">Ireland</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 20.339%;">5</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.5932%;">131</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.9322%;">26</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="ds-min-w-max" style="width: 20%;">11</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-flex ds-items-center ds-gap-1" style="width: 28.1356%;">Afghanistan</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 20.339%;">6</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.5932%;">112</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.9322%;">19</td>
</tr>
<tr class="">
<td class="ds-min-w-max" style="width: 20%;">12</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-flex ds-items-center ds-gap-1" style="width: 28.1356%;">Zimbabwe</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 20.339%;">6</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.5932%;">0</td>
<td class="ds-min-w-max ds-text-right" style="width: 15.9322%;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

The ICC has released it's latest updated Test Team Rankings and Team India has suffered a setback following their defeat in the BGT series. South Africa have made an advancement in the rankings

ICC Test Rankings: India face a setback in the rankings after the defeat in BGT, Australia & South Africa make advancements

icc-test-rankings-india-face-a-setback-in-the-rankings-after-the-defeat-in-bgt-australia-south-africa-make-advancements

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), as per the reports in News 18, has finalised the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The governing body soon will be making the official announcement as the deadline for the squad announcement is around the corner. 
As per the reports, it is learned that Rohit Sharma will be captaining the India team in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The senior batter will be opening the innings for the team in the tournament along with Shubman Gill, who of late has been India's best batter in the ODIs. 
Along with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal will be the third opener for the Indian team in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The left-hander is yet to make his debut for the team in the ODIs, but having been extremely successful in Tests and T20Is, he is likely to ace this format. 
The middle-order batters for India will see Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer. The duo were the backbone of the team in the ICC World Cup 2023 and were one of the main reasons behind the team reaching the final. They would be keen to emulate the same this time around as well and help a team win. 
India will be entering the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with two keepers in the team. KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant will be performing the role for the team in the tournament. The two will be fighting for a place in the XI and it remains to be seen who among them will make it. 
The likes of Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel will be the three all-rounders in the Indian side for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Along with Jadeja and Axar, Kuldeep Yadav will be the third spinner in the team for the tournament. 
India also be going with four seamers in the team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Jasprit Bumrah will be leading the attack, while Mohammed Shami will be making a comeback after injury. Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh will be the other two seamers in the team. 
<h2>India squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 </h2>
Here's the India squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 
Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami and Arshdeep Singh 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/mohammed-shami-to-miss-the-icc-champions-trophy-2025-pacer-provides-a-massive-fitness-update-/">Mohammed Shami to miss the ICC Champions Trophy 2025? Pacer provides a massive fitness update</a>

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), as per the reports in News 18, has finalised the squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

India's squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 finalised

india-s-squad-for-the-icc-champions-trophy-2025-finalised-

Former England player Michael Vaughan picked his combined playing XI from the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. What caught the attention of many was the cricketer-turned-commentator didn't name Nitish Kumar Reddy, who set the stage on fire in the series. 
Nitish Kumar Reddy was the shinning light for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He made his debut in the first game at Perth and showed great promise and went on to slam ton in 4th Test in Melbourne. He ended the series with 298 runs with the bat and also went on to pick 5 wickets.
Michael Vaughan went on to pick five Indian players in his combined XI. Yashasvi Jaiswal will be opening the innings for the team along with the young Australian batter Sam Konstas. Both the batters were exceptional with the bat in the series and played a vital role for their teams. 
India batter KL Rahul, who opened the innings for India, will be batting at No.3 in Michael Vaughan's innings. Along with him, Steve Smith has been named at No.4 as the Australia batter returned to form and slammed two centuries in the series. 
Travis Head, who was the leading run-getter in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, will be batting at No.5. The batter slammed over 500 runs in the series and was one of the main reasons why Australia won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 by the margin of 3-1. 
India duo of Rishabh Pant, who will be keeping the innings, and Ravindra Jadeja will be two players who will form the lower order in the series. The duo did a decent job for India with the bat and were the main reasons why the team fought hard in the series. 
The pacer battery picked by Michael Vaughan in his combined Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 included the Australia pace trio of Pat Cummins, Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc. Also, Jasprit Bumrah features in the team picked by the former England cricketer. 
<h2>Michael Vaughan picks his combined XI from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 </h2>
Here's the Michael Vaughan picks his combined XI from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 
Sam Konstas, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jasprit Bumrah, Scott Boland
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/-youngster-will-maintain-a-batting-average-of-25-30-virat-kohli-asked-to-leave-team-india-/#google_vignette">"Youngster will maintain a batting average of 25-30"- Virat Kohli asked to leave Team India</a>

Former England player Michael Vaughan picked his combined playing XI from the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

No place for Nitish Reddy! Michael Vaughan names his combined BGT XI

no-place-for-nitish-reddy-michael-vaughan-names-his-combined-bgt-xi-

The attention has solely turned towards the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after the bizarre outing for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The ICC event will be played from 19th February to 9th March in a hybrid model, where India will be playing games in Dubai. 
The India squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 has been the major talking point as the tournament will be extremely crucial for the team. As per several media reports, it is learned that the BCCI will be naming the team next week as the deadline for squad announcement is on 12th January. 
With the deadline for squad announcement around the corner, the reports in RevSportz claimed that the India squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will see young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal making a cut into the team. It is learned that he will be there as the third opener in the team in what will be a huge tournament. 
Yashasvi Jaiswal will serve as a cover for Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, who will be the two front-line openers in the team. This no doubt indicates that with both the openers being under pressure and not scoring runs, there are chances that the left-hander might take their place. 
<h2>Yashasvi Jaiswal has been a regular member for India in the Tests as well as the T20Is</h2>
Yashasvi Jaiswal has been a regular member for India in the Tests as well as the T20Is. The opening batter, however, is yet to make his debut in the ODIs. The left-hander has a great FC record, and it won't be a surprise if he finds success in ODIs as well as he has done in the other two formats of the game. 
Rohit Sharma has been under the pump for his poor outings of late. He failed badly in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 as he scored just 31 runs around an average of just 6. The upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be a great opportunity for him to turn around things and make a return to form. 
Rohit Sharma will be leading the team in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. It was under his leadership that India won the T20 World Cup 2024 and ended their ICC title drought. He would be hoping to emulate something similar in the Champions Trophy and reply to all his critics in style.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ipl-this-player-might-become-the-new-captain-of-rcb-was-seen-captaining-in-syed-mushtaq-ali-trophy/">IPL: This player might become the new captain of RCB, was seen captaining in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy</a>

The attention has solely turned towards the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after the bizarre outing for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma's career under danger! BCCI wants Yashasvi Jaiswal in the squad

icc-champions-trophy-2025-rohit-sharma-s-career-under-danger-bcci-wants-yashasvi-jaiswal-in-the-squad-

The crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground has always been under the scanner, especially when the Indian team plays. During the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the fans in Sydney didn't go easy on the Indian players as they made life tough for them. 
During the last Test between India and Australia, Indian players in Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj were at the receiving end of racial slurs. The players of the team were abused by the fans, and it turned out to be a big controversy, with Sydney Cricket management banning the particular section of the ground. 
A similar kind of thing unfolded on Day 1 of the ongoing match between India and Australia. Again, a particular section of the crowd came under the radar. The fans were abusing Indian fans in the stadium as they were seen chanting, "Where is your visa?". The video went viral on the internet with many lashing out at fans. 
The people at the Sydney Cricket Ground were also seen booing Indian players as well. They had a go at Virat Kohli and then later Jasprit Bumrah, who was involved in a massive fight with Sam Konstas during the last over of Day 1 of the ongoing Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. 
Coming to the match, Australia started the last day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 on a dominating note. The visitors carried their good form and put India under massive pressure at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney. The start with the bat didn't go the way India would've wanted as both the openers, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, were back early. Shubman Gill, who replaced Rohit Sharma, played a decent hand of 20 runs off 64 balls with two boundaries. 
He, along with Virat Kohli (17), added 40 runs for the third wicket. But both the batters couldn't bat for long as India was left tottering at 72 for four. Rishabh Pant (40) batted with great grit and looked solid before he yet again perished to a wild shot. Ravindra Jadeja (26), too, had a start, but he too couldn't get going for long as India was reduced to 148/8. Captain Jasprit Bumrah (22) hit some shots in the end and took the team to a total of 185. 
Australia, in response, lost Usman Khawaja as Jasprit Bumrah bagged his 31st wicket of the series. At stumps, Australia was 9 for one with 176 runs behind.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/clouds-looming-over-virat-kohli-batter-s-retirement-date-gets-finalised-/">Clouds looming over Virat Kohli! Batter's retirement date gets finalised</a>
<h2>Watch: Australian fans  humiliate Indians at SCG</h2>

The crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground has always been under the scanner, especially when the Indian team plays

Watch: Australian fans humiliating Indians at SCG? Viral video exposes Sydney crowd

watch-australian-fans-humiliating-indians-at-scg-viral-video-exposes-sydney-crowd-

India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah's fitness is one of the trending topics in Indian cricket. The speedster experienced back spasms during the last Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, which took place at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney. 
After bowling just 10 overs in the first innings in Sydney, Jasprit Bumrah walked off the field and underwent scans. He didn't take the field again as India was without their captain in the last innings of the match. This no doubt cost India but also sent a sense of scare among the Indian fans. 
Jasprit Bumrah didn't look in great shape either, and now his fitness has raised massive concerns over his availability for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This is because there is no clarity over the seriousness of the injury that the premier fast bowler has faced in his back during the match. 
As per the reports in Sports Tak, it is learned that Jasprit Bumrah will be consulting a personal doctor as well along with the BCCI medical team. The fast bowler will be having a chat with the doctor in New Zealand who operated on him during the back surgery he faced in 2022. 
It is learned once Jasprit Bumrah meets that doctor, there will be a lot of clarity over his injury. It will be the doctor only who will be deciding what the fast bowler has to do to return to action. This raises a lot of concern over his fitness, especially with big events like the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. 
<h2>Jasprit Bumrah is all set to be rested for the three-match ODI series against England.</h2>
Bumrah is all set to be rested for the three-match ODI series against England. This is because BCCI wanted the fast bowler to be fit and be at 100% for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. If the pacer remains unfit for the tournament, it will turn out to be a big blow for the team. 
The pain in the back for Jasprit Bumrah arises due to his workload in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The fast bowler bowled 151 overs in the five games and picked 32 wickets. He gave his best for the side but ended up on the wrong side of the result. However, more than that his fitness was the main concern. 
Bumrah is very unlikely to play any T20I game this year, meaning that he won't be part of the T20I series against England. Another section of the reports added that he might play one ODI against Three Lions to get into the rhythm for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Read Also:<a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/preview/icc-champions-trophy-2025-bcci-orders-selectors-to-keep-an-eye-on-this-kkr-spinner-for-ct-/"> </a><a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/preview/icc-champions-trophy-2025-bcci-orders-selectors-to-keep-an-eye-on-this-kkr-spinner-for-ct-/">ICC Champions Trophy 2025: BCCI orders selectors to keep an eye on this KKR spinner for CT</a>

India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah's fitness is one of the trending topics in Indian cricket

Massive injury for Jasprit Bumrah? Fast bowler to consult the personal doctor in New Zealand

massive-injury-for-jasprit-bumrah-fast-bowler-to-consult-the-personal-doctor-in-new-zealand-

India spinner Varun Chakravarthy is in contention to be picked in the Indian squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. As per the reports in RevSportz, it is learned that the BCCI has asked the selectors to keep an eye on the Kolkata Knight Riders spinner. 
Varun Chakravarthy has impressed the selectors and the BCCI with the way he made his comeback in the Indian setup after the IPL 2024. The mystery spinner set the stage on fire with the ball in the T20Is against Bangladesh as well as South Africa. 
In both series, Varun Chakravarthy turned out to be the game-changer for India. The mystery spinner helped India win both the series and was the key performer for the team. He was applauded a lot by fans and pundits for the way he made a comeback to India. 
The BCCI reportedly has told one of the selectors to watch the fitness, moments and progress of Varun Chakravarthy, who is playing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. The India spinner has been shining with the ball in the domestic tournament, making his case strong for the team. 
Varun Chakravarthy is making strong performances for Tamil Nadu in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. The spinner has taken 13 wickets at an average of 13.62 in the tournament so far, and with the way he is going strong, he surely would've taken the interest of selectors. 
<h2>The Indian team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to be announced next week</h2>
The Indian team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to be announced next week. Before the tournament, India will be taking on England in the three-match ODI series. There are chances that Varun might be picked for that series. 
The mystery spinner is yet to make his debut for India in the ODIs. But with the kind of form he is going through, there are high chances that he might be picked in the England series and might even play in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/-youngster-will-maintain-a-batting-average-of-25-30-virat-kohli-asked-to-leave-team-india-/#google_vignette">"Youngster will maintain a batting average of 25-30"- Virat Kohli asked to leave Team India</a>

India spinner Varun Chakravarthy is in contention to be picked in the Indian squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: BCCI orders selectors to keep an eye on this KKR spinner for CT

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The 5th &amp; Final Test-Match in Sydney between Fierce-Rivals Australia and India ended today and the home team secured an easy six-wicket win and this win allowed them to secure the series by 3-1.This win of the Aussies has also made some significant changes in the overall standings of the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. 
Talking about the contest, the Jasprit Bumrah-led team were at 124-4 in their 2nd inning and they were looking set to set a big target for the Pat Cummins-led team. However, the Australian bowlers were in deadly mood as their perfect bowling display led to Team India suffering a batting collapse and they lost wickets in quick succession and eventually got bundled out for a mere score of 157 runs. 
Wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant fought the lone warrior's battle as he played an impressive inning of 61 runs in just 33 deliveries but he didn't get any kind of support from his fellow batters at the other end and the Kangaroos took full advantage of this and eventually the game turned in the favour of the Defending Champions. 
For the Australian team, Scott Boland took 6 wickets while giving away 45 runs while skipper Pat Cummins also played a good hand with figures of 3-44 next to his name. 
The Aussies were given a target of 162 runs to win the Sydney Test-Match but they lost wickets unnecessarily as Sam Konstas (22 runs in 17 deliveries), Marnus Labuschagne (6 runs in 20 deliveries), and Steve Smith (4 runs in 9 balls) went back to the pavilion cheaply, leaving the Australian team suddenly in a dire position of 58/3.
Next, opening batter Usman Khawaja played a good knock of 41 runs in 45 deliveries which allowed his team to initiate a comeback in the contest. If Bumrah wouldn't have got injured, then Khawaja wouldn't even get the chance to go past the 10 runs mark. 
Without the availability of Bumrah, the Aussie batters started to play their shots freely and theu began creating a lot of pressure on the Indian bowling unit. While Prasidh Krishna did his best to help his team stay alive in the contest, he began to falter and this worked in the favour of the Australians. 
As a result, the duo of Beau Webster &amp; Travis Head got involved in a strong partnership for thethe fifth wicket and added 58 runs in just 53 balls and this turned out to be winning factor. They helped their team reach a score of 162-4 and the Kangaroos won the encounter by a margin of six wickets.
<h2>WTC Final Chance:</h2>
Pat Cummins-led Aussies have successfully qualified for the 2023-25 World Test Championship (WTC) Final after securing the BGT series 3-1. Temba Bavuma-led South Africa have already secured their tickets for the Final after defeating Pakistan in the first Test-Match. 
Keeping the statistics in mind, Team India have failed to qualify for the WTC Final for the first time since 2021. They are ranked third in the overall Standings with a PCT of 50. South Africa are the table toppers with a PCT of 66.67 while the Kangaroos are ranked 2nd with 63.73 PCT next to their name. They are followed by the likes of New Zealand (48.21) and Sri Lanka (45.45) respectively.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/india-vs-pakistan-will-the-two-rivals-play-a-test-match-versus-each-other-this-english-legend-wants-them-to-play-in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India vs Pakistan: Will the two rivals play a test match versus each other? This English legend wants them to play in</a>

Indian Captain Rohit Sharma couldn't really have a say in the way things panned out in the Sydney Test-Match| Image: Getty Images

Can Team India still qualify for the WTC Final after suffering an embarrassing defeat in the Sydney Test-Match Or have they been eliminated completely?

Team India lost the Sydney Test Match, do they have any chances of qualifying for the WTC Final? Explained!

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The Australian Cricket Team, under the leadership of Pat Cummins successfully defeated Team India in the Sydney Test-Match by a margin of six wickets and this wicket helped them to seal the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series by 3-1.
While the Aussie players are going to be really happy with this series win, the Indians on the other hand, are facing a lot of criticism following the series defeat especially the Indian batters. Senior players like Virat Kohli are the main targets of the critics. 
In the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, Kohli got dismissed on the outside off-stump line eight times and versus the Aussie bowlers, the former Indian skipper looked helpless &amp; cluseless versus the them. Now, AB De Villiers, the South African legend has made a huge revelation regarding how the former Indian and RCB skipper can tackle the outside off-stump deliveries.
<h2>'Every Batsman in the world struggles with some weakness'</h2>
AB De Villiers said, "He (Virat) can definitely find a solution to the the outside off-stump deliveries. Every batsman out there has a weakness and if I talk about myself, then the deliveries which used to come towards the pads in a straight line used to trouble me a lot. But I learnt from it and scored a lot of runs in the remainder of my career. 
I still remember the Test-Series versus England (ENG). The series kicked off on a positive note and I scored good amount of runs in the Durban Test-Match and everything was going smoothly. But, then the duo of Stuart Broad and James Anderson started dismissing me on a successive note and especially, with the new ball, I got out constantly".
<h2>What's the solution to the problem of Virat Kohli? </h2>
AB de Villiers believes that old balls keep running in the mind of the 36-year-old, which automatically affects the next forthcoming delivery. What happened before on the previous ball doesn't matter... He (Virat) should play every ball like a new and fresh one, he should just forget thinking about the previous deliveries. If finds success in doing this properly, then he can play the outside off-stump deliveries in a much better way.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/3-big-positives-for-team-india-from-the-embarrassing-bgt-series-loss-against-australia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3 Big Positives for Team India from the Embarrassing BGT Series Loss against Australia</a>

Scott Boland got the better of Virat Kohli for the fourth time in the BGT 2024-25 series | Image: Getty Images

Virat Kohli has struggled a lot with the outside off-stump deliveries in the ongoing BGT Series