AUS vs ENG: The Champions Trophy is back and is scheduled to be played in Pakistan in 2025. Just like several other teams, the mighty Aussies are also looking to consolidate their hold on the format with several new players who are replacing the likes of the veterans, who were a part of Australia?s World Cup-winning squad in 2023. First among them and probably the greatest would be David Warner, the veteran who has been a huge slave to Australian cricket and retired from all formats of the game recently after the end of the T20 World Cup. Warner was seen opening alongside Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh in the last World Cup; however, the Aussies will be in the quest for a batter to replace him in the role. 



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/07/Departing-Warner.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-143720" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">David Warner finally off for the Aussies (Image: Cricket Australia)</figcaption></figure>
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Veteran pacers Josh Hazelwood, Mitchell Starc, and all-rounders Glenn Maxwell, as well as veteran batter Steven Smith, are all either too old or lacking in form. Though they have chances to feature in the Champions Trophy, the Aussies would look to land some replacements for them in the long run. With the Champions Trophy in sight, Australia will have their first breakthrough series in the format to access their experiments in the 50-over format, and the outing will be a tour of England in the upcoming contest on September of 2024. The first breakthrough for a player has been for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_Fraser-McGurk">Jake Fraser-McGurk</a>. The young Australian opener has been in the buzz with his splendid performances across several competitions in the world. In his short appearance, he already holds the record for the fastest hundred in List-A cricket, having registered it in just 29 balls. 



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/07/Aussies-new-Opening-pair.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-143721" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Aussies count in on new opening pair for England ODIs (Image: Cricket Australia)</figcaption></figure>
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Considering Travis Head?s unstoppable form for over 2 years now, he remains Australia?s constant surprise across all formats of the game, and so will he be seen against England in the ODIs. Though the likes of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne have been picked for the ODIs, Team Australia would undoubtedly look to bring out some of their experiments, including players like Cameron Green and Josh Inglis in the role. Green has already shown how classy a batter the big West Australian all-rounder can be whenever he is provided the role to bat up the order. 



YOU MAY LIKE TO KNOW: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/warner-ruled-off-chances-in-the-champions-trophy-david-is-retired-for-us-says-chief-selector-bailey/">Warner ruled off chances in the Champions Trophy ? ?David is retired for us? says Chief Selector Bailey</a> Inglis has, however, played only in the shortest format for the Aussies, and keeping aside his role as a wicketkeeper, he can be included as a batter in the middle order. With the likes of skipper Marsh at 3 and Green at 5, Glenn Maxwell might find himself more in a finisher?s role at No. 6, with the likes of Matt Short securing some chances at the veterans' place. 



<figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2024/07/Green-can-be-the-best-all-rounder-in-the-World-provided-the-gametime-he-deserves-1024x683.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-143722" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Green can be the best all-rounder in the World provided the gametime he deserves (Image credit: NDTV Sports)</figcaption></figure>
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With Marcus Stoinis set to miss the England tour, several Aussie players have been looking to land themselves in the role, with the biggest contenders among them being Cam Green as well as Aaron Hardie. In the absence of World Cup-winning skipper Pat Cummins, the Aussies will be led by Mitchell Marsh, and the pace bowling will be shepherded by veteran pacer Mitchell Starc, with Hazelwood, Hardie, Ellis, Abbott, and Zampa being their only spinners. The Aussies do not have much to choose from the bunch of players on the bowling deck. Likely with changes, the Aussies will be in the quest to build a perfect team for the upcoming Champions Trophy and will also be eyeing the World Cup title defence some years later, in 2027.

AUS vs ENG: What are the Australians trying to rebuild their squad for the Champions Trophy as they start experimenting on the England tour?

aus-vs-eng-what-are-the-australians-trying-to-rebuild-their-squad-for-the-champions-trophy-as-they-start-experimenting-on-the-england-tour

The first ever pink-ball Test-Match in the history of Cricket was played in 2015. Trans-Trasman rivals New Zealand and Australia took part in that match and it was a highly fierce and exciting contest. The Kangaroos ended up finishing on the winning side in that encounter by a margin of three-wickets. 
A few days ago, the Mighty Australians crushed Rohit Sharma-led India by a margin of 10 wickets in the Adelaide Pink-ball Test-Match, which was the Kangaroos's 13th victory in Day &amp; Night Test contests. So far, Australia have suffered just a single defeat in the longest format of the game matches played with the pink-ball, which came versus the West Indies. The big question which arises is why is it so difficult to defeat the Kangaroos in Pink-ball Test-Matches?
<h2>This is the secret behind Australia's success in Pink-ball Test-Matches... </h2>
The base of any side is strengthened only when players are given high number of chances in Domestic Cricket in a structural-way. One of the main reasons behind the Aussies's gold performance in Pink-ball tests is that Cricket Australia, the cricket governing body of the nation conducts domestic-cricket matches with the Pink-ball. This simply means that in Australia, youngsters who have the tendency of playing the Pink-ball well are being groomed from the Domestic-Cricket level itself. Be it a batter or a bowler, all the players are getting exposed to the Pink-ball in a really good way. 
25-year-old Nathan Mcsweeney is good example of this. He played a good knock of 39 runs in the first inning of the Adelaide Test-Match versus the Indians and stood firmly at the crease and controlled one end beautifully. This is the same player who scored a total of 762 runs with the bat in 10 contests of the 2023-24 season of Sheffield Shield, which the Domestic First-class tournament of the nation.
<h2>Australia has taken part in the highest number of Pink-Ball Tests</h2>
2023 WTC winners Australia are the only team to have taken part in the highest number of Test contests played with the Pink-Ball. They have taken part in a total of 13 contests so far, out of which they have secured victories in 12 games and have won all the Adelaide Pink-Ball fixtures. England have also played 7 Pink-Ball matches so far alongside the likes of West Indies and India. South Africa, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka have also managed to gain valuable experience of playing Day &amp; Night Tests.

Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/3-player-battles-to-watch-out-for-in-the-third-ind-vs-aus-test-at-the-gabba/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Three Player Battles to Watch out for in the Third IND vs AUS Test at the Gabba</a>

Australia have a formidable record in Pink Ball Day & Night Test-Matches | Image: Getty Images

Australia has played 13 pink ball test matches so far, out of which they have secured Victories on 12 occasions. Know what's the secret behind their success in Day & Night Matches?

What's the secret behind Australia's success in Pink Ball Day & Night Tests? Why do teams find it difficult to defeat them?

whats-the-secret-behind-australias-success-in-pink-ball-day-night-tests-why-do-teams-find-it-difficult-to-defeat-them

A really exciting and interesting Test-Series is taking place currently between fierce-rivals India and Australia. So far two contests have been played in the series and both team have managed to win one match each. The current Gabba Test-Match is facing constant interruptions due to rain. 
But, the Mighty Australians have performed in a much better way in this contest. Especially the duo of Steve Smith and Travis Head have troubled the Indian Team by scoring centuries. With this, a big record of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar is in danger of getting broken. One of Steven Smith or Virat Kohli can go on to break that record. 
<h2>History of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series</h2>
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series which takes place between the Indian Cricket Team and the Australian Cricket Team started in the year 1996. The Little Master of India Sachin Tendulkar took part in this Test-Series between 1996-2013. During this period, he managed to score nine hundreds in 34 encounters, which is the highest number of hundreds scored by any batter in this particular series. 
But now, this record is in danger of getting broken. Australia's Steven Smith and India's Virat Kohli have also scored the same number of tons as Sachin and both of these players have an excellent chance of scripting history.
<h2>Virat Kohli and Steven Smith have scored nine hundreds in the BGT series</h2>
Talking about the legendary Virat Kohli first, he played his first BGT series in 2011 and since then he has gone on to score nine centuries in 27 contests. Steve Smith of Australia on the other hand also has nine hundreds next to his name but he has done it in fewer games i.e. 21 matches. Whoever scores a century first will break the record of Sachin Tendulkar. 
<h2>Two matches are still left to be played in the current series</h2>
Currently, just the third encounter of the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy is going on. Two matches are still left to be played. That means if everything goes according to the plan, then the duo of Kohli and Smith will have four innings to play in.
Both of them have a great chance of breaking the record of Tendulkar but it remains to be seen who succeeds in getting to the 10 hundreds landmark first. At present, everyone has their eyes set on the Gabba Test-Match as the 5th and the final day of that contest is still pending. However, due to constant rain interruptions, it's looking likely that this fixture is going to end as a draw.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ravindra-jadeja-broke-56-year-old-record-with-his-fifty-at-the-gabba-went-past-sachin-virat-and-rohit-to-achieve-a-big-milestone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ravindra Jadeja broke 56-year-old record with his fifty at the Gabba; went past Sachin, Virat and Rohit to achieve a big milestone</a>

Virat Kohli of India touches hands with Steve Smith of Australia after Australia won the First Test match between Australia and India at Adelaide Oval on December 19, 2020 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Since the inception of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series in 1996, only three batters have managed to score nine hundreds in the history of the series i.e. Sachin Tendulkar, Steven Smith and Virat Kohli. All three of them are tied at nine tons and Kohli & Smith have a excellent chance of surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar

BGT: 2 Players have come close to this great record of Sachin Tendulkar, will the record get broken in this series?

bgt-2-players-have-come-close-to-this-great-record-of-sachin-tendulkar-will-the-record-get-broken-in-this-series-

Australia has suffered a massive blow ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. As per the reports in ESPNCricinfo, it is learned that captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are all set to be ruled out of the tournament, which will begin on 19th February. 
Pat Cummins suffered an ankle injury during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 and missed the ongoing Test tour to injury due to the same and also the birth of his second child. The fast bowler since then has been out of action and hasn't resumed any kind of bowling. 
Pat Cummins hasn't gained his full fitness and it is highly likely that he will be missing the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This will be a massive blow as not only will they miss the quality bowler but also the captain, who took them to win the ICC World Cup 2023. 
In the absence of Pat Cummins, Australia is likely to give the leadership role to either Travis Head or Steve Smith. The latter has been leading the team in the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka, and under his leadership, Australia won the first game of the series by a massive margin. 
The development was confirmed by Australia head coach Andrew McDonald, saying that Pat Cummins is highly likely to be unavailable. He also talked about giving leadership roles to Steve Smith and Travis Head. Speaking to SEN, he said:
"Pat Cummins hasn't been able to resume any type of bowling so he's heavily unlikely, so that would mean that we do need a captain. Steve Smith and Travis Head are the two that we've been having conversations with while we've been building out that Champions Trophy team along with Pat back home. They'll be the two that we look at for that leadership post." 
<h2>Josh Hazlewood is expected to be ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025</h2>
Apart from Pat Cummins, star pacer Josh Hazlewood also is expected to be ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The fast bowler is battling with a hip issue, which he faced in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He, too, hasn't bowled since then and is against time to recover. 
His absence could be a big blow as well as he has been one of the consistent players for the team. Pat Cummins, along with Hazlewood, are now among the three Australia players to be ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Earlier, Mitchell Marsh was ruled out of the tournament.
Also Read:<a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/shock-to-team-india-before-champions-trophy-jasprit-bumrah-ruled-out-of-entire-england-odi-series/"> </a><a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/shock-to-team-india-before-champions-trophy-jasprit-bumrah-ruled-out-of-entire-england-odi-series/">Shock to Team India before Champions Trophy, Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of entire England ODI Series</a>

Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 {PC:X}

Australia has suffered a massive blow ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

As per the reports in ESPNCricinfo, it is learned that captain Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are all set to be ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Massive blow for Australia! Pat Cummins and star pacer ruled out of the tournament

icc-champions-trophy-2025-massive-blow-for-australia-pat-cummins-and-star-pacer-ruled-out-of-the-tournament-

In today's world, there is hardly any youth who does not know Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo is not just famous for football but is also considered an inspiration. He is one of the richest footballers and a billionaire. His garage is filled with luxury cars. <o:p></o:p>
On this special occasion of Cristiano Ronaldo birthday, we have brought you details of his car collection along with information about some of his major achievements. So, let's begin today's article.<o:p></o:p>
<h2 class="MsoNormal">Cristiano Ronaldo Birthday - Top 5 Expensive Cars<o:p></o:p></h2>
The first car in Cristiano Ronaldo's garage is the Bugatti Centodieci, which costs £9 million. This hypercar is extremely rare, with only 10 units produced globally. It features a highly powerful engine capable of reaching top speeds. This car is a perfect blend of luxury and performance and is one of Ronaldo's prized possessions.<o:p></o:p>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">Bugatti Chiron<o:p></o:p></h3>
The second rare car in his garage is the Bugatti Chiron, valued at €2 million. Known for its speed and engine excellence, this is another high-performance vehicle owned by Ronaldo.<o:p></o:p>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">McLaren Senna<o:p></o:p></h3>
The third car, which is both powerful and expensive, is the McLaren Senna, priced at €1 million. Designed for both road and track use, this car is named after the legendary Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna. It is an exceptional vehicle in Ronaldo's collection.<o:p></o:p>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">Ferrari F12 TDF<o:p></o:p></h3>
The fourth car in Ronaldo’s garage is the Ferrari F12 TDF. This is a limited edition car, produced in very small numbers worldwide. It is celebrated for its powerful engine and is a favorite among car enthusiasts.<o:p></o:p>
<h3 class="MsoNormal">Rolls-Royce Cullinan<o:p></o:p></h3>
The fifth car, which makes Cristiano Ronaldos birthday even more special, is the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Known for its luxury and comfort, this car offers a rare combination of performance and a lavish driving experience.<o:p></o:p>
Cristiano Ronaldo birthday special car collection is truly exciting and amazing. Apart from these, he owns many more cars, but today, on this special occasion, we have highlighted only five of them. Each of these cars represents a significant financial investment, showcasing Ronaldo’s immense love for cars and the luxurious lifestyle he leads.<o:p></o:p>
Recently, Samay appeared in Kaun Banega Crorepati, where he did comedy with Indian legend Amitabh Bachchan. A special influencer episode of the show featured other famous YouTubers and comedians like Bhuvan Bam and Tanmay Bhat.<o:p></o:p>
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Samay’s journey from printing engineering to stand-up comedy has been quite inspiring. His life is full of humor, and he is an incredibly talented comedian. Watching his videos can instantly lift your mood, as his natural humor connects with millions of people in India.

In today's world, there is hardly any youth who does not know Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo is not just famous for football but is also considered an inspiration. He is one of the richest footballers and a billionaire. His garage is filled with luxury cars. 

Cristiano Ronaldo Birthday, Top 5 Luxury Cars Owned By Ronaldo Will Amaze You

Cristiano Ronaldo Birthday: Top 5 Luxury Cars Owned By Ronaldo Will Amaze To You

cristiano-ronaldo-birthday-top-5-luxury-cars-owned-by-ronaldo-will-amaze-to-you

IND vs ENG 1st ODI: The ODI series between India and England, the two powerhouse teams, will commence on February 6 with the first ODI at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. As the two big guns prepare to take on each other, all eyes will be on the thrilling individual battle that can shape the series. 
This high-stakes encounter promises some intense face-offs between world-class players. With the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma at the top order of India and Jos Buttler and Joe Root for England, the series is going to be tough for bowlers and the stakes are high for the contest. Let's take a closer look at the key player battles to watch out for in IND vs ENG 1st ODI:
<h2>Key Player Battles to Watch Out For in IND vs ENG 1st ODI</h2>
<h3>1- Rohit Sharma vs Jofra Archer</h3>
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has been struggling with form in recent times, particularly against pace. His vulnerability around the off-stump was exposed during the Test series against Australia, where he repeatedly fell to deliveries in that channel. The trend continued in his only Ranji Trophy appearance, where he failed in both innings against similar deliveries. Additionally, short-pitched bowling is emerging as another concern, making him a prime target for England’s pace spearhead, Jofra Archer.
Archer has already enjoyed success against Rohit in the T20 format, dismissing him three times in just 29 deliveries while conceding only 23 runs. This translates to an impressive strike rate of under 10 balls per wicket against the Indian captain. However, Rohit is known for his ability to adapt quickly to different conditions, and he has proven his resilience time and again. If he can counter Archer’s pace and movement, this battle could be a defining one in the first ODI.
<h3>2- Virat Kohli vs Brydon Carse/Gus Atkinson</h3>
<img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202502/image_430x256_67a2cfa1cda02.jpg" alt="">
With only one of Brydon Carse or Gus Atkinson likely to feature in England’s playing XI, whoever gets the nod will have a crucial role to play against Virat Kohli. Both pacers possess the skill set needed to challenge the modern master of white-ball cricket, especially around his well-documented weakness outside the off-stump. During the Test series against Australia, Kohli repeatedly fell to deliveries in the fifth-stump channel, edging behind—a vulnerability that Atkinson and Carse have the accuracy to exploit.
Unlike express pacers like Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, who rely on raw speed, Atkinson and Carse focus more on control and precision. This makes them an even bigger threat to Kohli early in his innings, as they can keep him guessing with disciplined lines. While there aren’t many head-to-head statistics available for this contest, the impact of this battle could be significant in shaping the match’s outcome.
<h3>3- Jos Buttler vs Mohammed Shami</h3>
<img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202502/image_430x256_67a2cfa7148b9.jpg" alt="">
Jos Buttler, one of England’s most recognized cricketers in India, has been in fine form recently. A well-rounded and technically sound batter, he has very few weaknesses that bowlers have successfully exploited. However, if there is one bowler who could trouble him, it is India’s seasoned pacer, Mohammed Shami.
Shami holds a statistical edge over Buttler in ODIs, having dismissed him five times in just 67 deliveries. While Buttler has managed to score 57 runs off those balls, Shami’s ability to generate movement and maintain a probing line makes him a serious threat. With his knack for producing sharp seam movement and late swing, Shami will look to unsettle Buttler early and continue his dominance in this intriguing contest.
4- Joe Root vs Axar Patel/Ravindra Jadeja
<img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202502/image_430x256_67a2cfa35fdae.jpg" alt="">
England’s right-handed batting maestro, Joe Root, has historically struggled against Jasprit Bumrah, particularly in Indian conditions. However, with Bumrah unavailable for this series, India may turn to spin as their primary weapon against him.
Despite being an exceptional player of spin, Root has shown vulnerability against left-arm off-spinners in the past. With no Bumrah to trouble him with pace and movement, India could look to exploit this weakness by deploying their spinners strategically. In the absence of their pace spearhead, setting a spin trap for Root might be India’s best bet to keep him in check.

The IND vs ENG 1st ODI will feature key battles, including Rohit vs Archer, Kohli vs Atkinson/Carse, Buttler vs Shami, and Root vs India’s spin trap. These matchups could shape the game’s outcome.

Crucial player battles—Rohit vs. Archer, Kohli vs. Atkinson/Carse, Buttler vs. Shami, and Root vs. spin—will define IND vs ENG 1st ODI.

Key Player Battles to Watch Out For in IND vs ENG 1st ODI Ft. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

key-player-battles-to-watch-out-for-in-ind-vs-eng-1st-odi-ft-virat-kohli-and-rohit-sharma

IND vs ENG: After the T20 series concluded, as Mohammed Shami returned to the shortest format for India after a huge span of absence from the format, the World Cup 2023 hero is back playing a crucial hand in the ODI series against England, which will begin on the 6th of February. 
 
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_Shami">Mohammed Shami </a>has had a decent T20 return with 3 wickets across 2 games played and is considered one of the greatest ODI bowlers for India of all time. Especially in the absence of legendary pacer Bumrah, Shami is the most experienced pacer to lead the Indian pace attack. 
 
Ever since the 2023 Cricket World Cup, Shami will play his first one-day international match, supposedly at the Vidarbha Stadium tomorrow. Ahead of the vital clash, Mohammed Shami will enter the field with 195 wickets to his name in the longest limited-overs format. 
 
<h2 dir="ltr">A Glimpse into Mohammed Shami’s Career </h2>
<img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202501/image_430x256_679066d186630.jpg" alt="" width="799" height="497">
A peek into Mohammed Shami's stunning career despite injuries (Image Credit: X)
Shami, the Indian fast bowler, began his journey from the T20 Trophy starring for Bengal back in 2010, where he had one of the best debuts ever. Shami played for several franchises in the IPL the Delhi Daredevils, Punjab Kings, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata_Knight_Riders">Kolkata Knight Riders</a>, and Gujarat Titans, where he picked 127 career wickets in the franchise-level cricket tournament. 
 
Shami has played over three World Cups for India ever since his debut in 2013, as he has been India’s highest wicket-taker in the history of the CWC, playing over three editions in 2015, 2019 and 2023. With 450+ career wickets in the Men in Blue’s jersey, Shami, despite participation in several WTC and CWC games, could never be seen on the podium, though he won several individual records, the last being named the Player of the Tournament in the 2023 World Cup. 
 
<h2 dir="ltr">List of Bowlers fastest to reach 200 ODI wickets</h2>
 
Shami, who has appeared in 101 games and is only 5-wickets away from the remarkable 200 wicket mark, is like Australian modern-day legendary fast bowler <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitchell_Starc">Mitchell Starc</a>, who also has 200+ wickets and reached the milestone in just 102 matches and the 101 bowling innings. 
 
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Saqlain Mushtaq (Pakistan) – 104
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Trent Boult (New Zealand) – 107
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Brett Lee (Australia) – 112
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Allan Donald (South Africa) – 117
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Waqar Younis (Pakistan) – 118
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Shane Warne (Australia) – 125
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Makhaya Ntini (South Africa) – 126
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) – 127
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Mitchell Johnson (Australia) – 129
</li>
</ul>
Other bowlers included the above-written, who also achieved the amazing 200 wickets in least time, with Shami threatening the top spot of Mitchell Starc since he will play his 102nd match in the ODI format and will also play his 101 innings in the white-ball match, as he is just 5-wickets away from being named the greatest ever in the game. 
 
<h2 dir="ltr">Fastest to 200 ODI wickets for India</h2>
<img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202502/image_430x256_67a2c0b463d76.jpg" alt="" width="791" height="492">
Shami to surpass Agarkar for fastest 200 ODI Wickets for India (Image Credit: X)
The current Indian selection committee head,<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajit_Agarkar"> Ajit Agarkar</a>, picked the fastest 200 wickets for India as the veteran pacer achieved the feat in just 133 games and ended his career with 288 wickets in the format. 
 
So far, only 7 Indian bowlers have crossed the 200-wicket mark; Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath have picked over 300+ ODI wickets, while Zaheer Khan, Agarkar, Harbhajan Singh, Kapil Dev, and Ravindra Jadeja have also picked over 200 wickets for the Men in Blue. 
 
<h3>Most Wickets for India in ODIs:</h3>
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Anil Kumble – 334
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Javagal Srinath – 315
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Ajit Agarkar – 288
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Zaheer Khan – 269
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Harbhajan Singh – 265
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Kapil Dev – 253
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Harbhajan Singh – 220
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Venkatesh Prasad – 196
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Zaheer Khan – 195
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Irfan Pathan – 173
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Kuldeep Yadav – 172
</li>
</ul>

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IND vs ENG: Indian veteran pacer Mohammed Shami nearing big record in ODIs ahead of the First ODI vs England

Mohammed Shami returns to the ODI format and will be eyeing a world record on his return in the first ODI against England.

IND vs ENG: Indian veteran pacer Mohammed Shami eyeing a World record in the 1st ODI against England

ind-vs-eng-indian-veteran-pacer-mohammed-shami-eyeing-a-world-record-in-the-1st-odi-against-england

In what promises to be an exciting and thrilling contest, Steve Smith-led Australia and Dhananjaya de Silva's Sri Lanka are set to lock horns versus each other in the second and the last match of the two-match Test-Series at the Galle International Stadium of Galle from the 6th of February onwards (Wednesday). 
In the opening encounter of the series, the Mighty Aussies secured a comfortable victory by an inning and 242 runs and this win helped them to take an unassailable lead of 1-0 in the two-match series. In such a situation, the Dhananjaya de Silva-led Sri Lanka would be looking to make a strong comeback by rectifying their mistakes in the second match. 
Ahead of this exciting contest, some thrilling player battles will be seen taking place between the star players of both teams which can go on to affect the outcome of the match. We will be taking a look at those player battles in this article
While the Kangaroos have already taken the lead in the series, the home side will have the chance to make a strong comeback by taking advantage of the home conditions on offer. It will be interesting to see which team finishes out on top in these player battles and which team succumbs to the pressure. 
<h2>Dinesh Chandimal versus Matthew Kuhnemann</h2>
Australia's left-arm orthodox spinner Matthew Kuhnemann failed to create an impact with the ball in the first ball, ending the match with 0 scalps to his name but he can trouble Sri Lankan batters on the spinning track of Galle. 
This will be especially very challenging for experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal. He is a good player of spin, has a good record against them and also he knows the conditions of Galle quite well but the variations of Kuhnemann can trouble him in the second Test-Match.
<h2>Prabhat Jayasuriya versus Usman Khawaja</h2>
Australia's experienced opening batter Usman Khawaja is in great form with the bat and he also possesses' an excellent batting record on Subcontinental surfaces. While the Australian team management would be happy to see him performing, they might be a little worried in the 2nd match as experienced left-arm spinner Prabhat Jayasuriya can trouble him a lot. 
The 33-year-old has excellent variations up his sleeve and has knack of performing brilliantly in spin-friendly conditions and home conditions. He also got the better of the Southpaw in the opening encounter, dismissing him when he was batting on the score of 232 runs and Jayasuriya would be looking to get the better of Khawaja again in the final match of the series. 
<h2>Other notable player battles</h2>
Apart from the two above-mentioned player battles, the battle between elite Aussie off-spinner Nathan Lyon and promising Sri Lankan batter Kamindu Mendis will also be worth watching out for. 
Angelo Mathews will have to rely on his batting technique to tackle the speed and swing of Mitchell Starc and at the same time, Asitha Fernando has the ability to trouble the Australian duo of Josh Inglis and Marnus Labuschagne with his pace and bounce.
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Mitchell Starc had Kamindu Mendis strangled down leg side, Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st Test, Galle, 3rd day, January 31, 2025 | Image: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Australia led by Steve Smith secured an easy victory in the opening match of the series by a margin of an innings and 242 runs and took an unassailable 1-0 lead in the series. In such a situation, the Sri Lankan team would like to make a strong comeback in the series by correcting its mistakes in the second match. In this match, some interesting player battles will be witnessed between the star players of both teams, which can surely affect the outcome of the match

Sri Lanka and Australia are set to lock horns versus each other in the 2nd and final Test match of the two match series and while the Kangaroos have already secured an unassailable 1-0 lead, the home side would not like to lower their morale as they would want to execute a perfect comeback in the series. Some exciting player battles are also going to take place and we will be taking a look at them