IND vs SA 1st Test: Team India's maestro batter Virat Kohli has reportedly joined the Indian squad ahead of the upcoming India vs South Africa 1st test in Centurian. Kohli had left the squad midway due to a "family emergency" and flew to London, earlier this week. 



The exact reasons why Virat Kohli had to leave the Indian team midway and fly to London is still known, however, it can be ascertained that he received the BCCI's approval for the same.



Reportedly, Virat Kohli's decision to fly to London was a planned one and all the members of the squad as well as the BCCI were well aware of it. 



?Virat Kohli wasn?t going to play that game [intra-squad match]. The team management was aware of his plan and schedule, and it isn?t something which happened overnight or due to a family emergency. Look at the player in question, it?s Virat Kohli. He is very well planned regarding these things and his London trip was communicated and planned well in advance,? says a senior BCCI official.



The official further revealed that after Virat joined the Indian squad on December 15, he had a few very good net sessions with the boys. Now that he is back with the squad the batter is likely to undergo another few rounds of the net session before the 1st test on December 26.



?Kohli left India for South Africa on December 15. Had good 3-4 training sessions before he went to London on December 19. For the next few days, he was in London and has now linked up with the Test squad and will in all likelihood train in Centurion tomorrow,? adds the official.



The ongoing India tour of South Africa is at its climax with only a two-game test series remaining to be played. The tour comprised a three-game T20I series followed by as many games ODI series and a two-match test series. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">IND vs SA Test Series Updates</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/06/Fyo2S7SaAAEeoUD-1.jpg" alt="IND vs SA 1st Test: Virat Kohli joins Team India for India vs South Africa 1st Test" class="wp-image-115148" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ishan Kishan to move NCA ahead of India's West Indies Tour</figcaption></figure>



The India-South Africa 1st test begins at the SuperSport Park in Centurian on boxing day and the second game of the series will begin on January 3 in the Newlands, Cape Town.



Notably, Team India had to undergo a couple of changes to the test squad ahead of the India vs South Africa test series. The team would miss the services of veteran pacer Mohammad Shami, who didn't get the clearance from the BCCI's medical outfit to feature in the test series due to some medical issues.



Opener Ruturaj Gaikwad and wicketkeeper batter Ishan Kishan are other players to miss the series, though they were initially named in the squad. While Gaikwad is ruled out after suffering a finger injury, Ishan Kishan has opted out of the test series due to "mental fatigue."



Below is Team India's squad for the South Africa test series: 



India Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Prasidh Krishna, KS Bharat (wk), Abhimanyu Easwaran.



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-sa-south-african-dean-elgar-to-retire-from-international-cricket-after-india-vs-south-africa-test/">IND vs SA: South African Dean Elgar to retire from international cricket after India vs South Africa Test</a>



For more details head to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.icc-cricket.com/homepage" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ICC?s&nbsp;</a>official website.<a href="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/plugins/gumlet/assets/images/pixel.png"></a>

IND vs SA 1st Test: Virat Kohli joins Team India for India vs South Africa 1st Test

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IND vs SA 1st Test: India's Playing11: It can be, now, said that the sheen of test cricket, the traditional form of the sport, has been revived in the last couple of years. Unlike earlier, there is huge excitement among the fans for the test series happening around the world and it gets bigger if it has something to do with Team India, who is set to play a two-game test series against South Africa.



India and South Africa will lock horns in the first of the two-match test series at the SuperSport Park in Centurian on December 26. The fixture is just one night away as we write this article for you.



While India will aim to win their maiden series in South Africa and become the second Asian side to conquer the Protean land, South Africa will have the sole objective of not allowing the opposition to do so.



In 2021-22, Team India managed to defeat South Africa in the first test, but the home side turned the tables in the next two games to deny Team India their first series win in South Africa.



In good news for the Indian side, star batter Virat Kohli has rejoined the Indian contingent after abruptly leaving the team midway due to personal reasons. 



The key to winning in South Africa would begin with picking the right playing11 for the fixtures. Though India will be short on the playing options, they would not feel the urgent need for any special player.



Let's now discuss India's Playing11 picked by former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar:



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">IND vs SA 1st Test: India's Playing11</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/07/Virat-Kohli-Ravindra-Jadeja-1.jpg" alt="IND vs SA 1st Test: India's Playing11, Rohit-Jaiswal to open, Gill at 3, Ashwin-Jadeja pair picks Sunil Gavaskar" class="wp-image-116846" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Pic - Twitter</figcaption></figure>



Sunil Gavaskar came up with some interesting playing combinations for the Indian team ahead of the 1st IND vs SA test. The former cricketer turned analyst seemed to be impressed with Yashasvi Jaiswal and paired him alongside captain Rohit Sharma in the opening slot.



Shubman Gill, who usually opens with Rohit, was pushed down to number three by Gavaskar. The third position belonged to Cheteshwar Pujara earlier, but the batter has been dropped from the squad recently.



Virat Kohli retained his fourth place followed by KL Rahul at five, who will also have the added responsibility of wicketkeeping. Shreyas Iyer is placed at number 6 followed by two all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin at seventh and eighth positions.



Gavaskar picked three pacers - Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Mukesh Kumar - as his three pace bowling options.



?My playing XI is gonna be very simple. The openers will be Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma - the captain. No.3 Shubman Gill, No.4 - Kohli, No. 5 KL Rahul, and No.6 Shreyas Iyer. 5 and 6 can move, and after that will be Ravindra Jadeja and?Ravichandran Ashwin," Gavaskar told?Star Sports.



Then I'll have three fast bowlers - Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj," Gavaskar added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">India's Playing11 against South Africa 1st Test</h2>



Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Mukesh Kumar.



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ipl-2024-csk-captain-ms-dhoni-expected-to-be-fit-to-play-in-the-tata-ipl-2024-chennai-super-kings/#google_vignette">IPL 2024: CSK Captain MS Dhoni expected to be fit to play in the Tata IPL 2024 | Chennai Super Kings</a>



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IND vs SA 1st Test: India's Playing11, Rohit-Jaiswal to open, Gill at 3, Ashwin-Jadeja pair picks Sunil Gavaskar

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IND vs SA Live: India are back in action in the red-ball format as they are scheduled to play a two-match Test series in South Africa starting 26 December. India have never won a Test series in South Africa, is it time to make some alteration in the numbers? The stage is all set for IND vs SA 1st Test and in this post, you will read When And Where To Watch The IND vs SA Test Match Live.



<div class="wp-block-rank-math-toc-block" id="rank-math-toc"><nav><ul><li class=""><a href="#ind-vs-sa-1st-test-match-2023-live-streaming-details">IND vs SA, 1st Test Match 2023: Live Streaming Details</a></li><li class=""><a href="#streaming-and-broadcasting-details">Streaming and Broadcasting Details</a></li><li class=""><a href="#ind-vs-sa-test-schedule">IND vs SA Test Schedule</a></li><li class=""><a href="#india-vs-south-africa-1st-test-team-squads">India vs South Africa 1st Test Team Squads</a></li></ul></nav></div>



When it comes to winning a Test Series in South Africa, there are just a handful number of teams that have achieved the feat; England, Australia, and Sri Lanka. India have played eight test series in South Africa and have lost 7 of them with one ending in a draw. Of the 23 Tests India have played in South Africa they've won a paltry four.?



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/12/6d8a98b17e045005a99d0eabfe89458a_original-1.jpg" alt="IND vs SA Live: When And Where To Watch The IND vs SA Test Match Live? Check Out For Full Details" class="wp-image-124500" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">IND vs SA</figcaption></figure>



The Men in Blue haven't played a single match in the format since their 1-0 victory over the West Indies back in July this year. They are also at the top of ICC WTC Points Table 2023-25 with 66.67 PCT points. While South Africa haven't played any test match in the new cycle of the World Test Championship, this series will serve as their first in the cycle.



South Africans will experience the weight of their past. They are not as good as they have been in previous home series versus India, especially with Dean Elgar's 37.28 average being one of only three players averaging above thirty.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/12/India-vs-South-Africa-3-1.jpg" alt="IND vs SA Live: When And Where To Watch The IND vs SA Test Match Live? Check Out For Full Details" class="wp-image-124501" /></figure>



Temba Bavuma and Rohit Sharma will play their first match since their national teams were eliminated from the World Cup in India last month. For these proud leaders, winning this series won't make their disappointment go away, but losing would be equally heartbreaking.



Down below, you will read read When And Where To Watch The IND vs SA Test Match Live:



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="ind-vs-sa-1st-test-match-2023-live-streaming-details">IND vs SA, 1st Test Match 2023: Live Streaming Details</h2>



~When will the IND vs SA First Test match be played? IND vs SA 1st test match will be played from Tuesday, 26 December 2023- Saturday 30 December 2023.



~What is the timing of the India vs South Africa 1st Test match? The IND vs SA 1st Test will begin at 01:30 PM IST on Sunday and the toss will be at 1:00 PM.



~Venue of the first Test match between India and South Africa? The first Test match between India and South Africa will be played at SuperSport Park, Centurion.



~Where can to watch the IND vs SA 1st Test match on TV in India? India vs South Africa 1st Test match will be telecasted live on Star Sports Network TV channels. You can catch the live action in the Disney+ Hotstar.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="streaming-and-broadcasting-details">Streaming and Broadcasting Details</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Country</td><td>Channel</td></tr><tr><td>Australia</td><td>Fox Sports Networks and Channel</td></tr><tr><td>India</td><td>Star Sports Networks and Disney+ Hotstar App</td></tr><tr><td>South Africa</td><td>Sky Sports Networks</td></tr><tr><td>UK</td><td>Sky Sports</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/category/cricket-team/icc-teams/pakistan/">Pakistan</a></td><td>Ten Sports Pakistan</td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/category/cricket-team/icc-teams/sri-lanka/">Sri Lanka</a></td><td>PEO TV</td></tr><tr><td>Carebbian</td><td>Flow Sports</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="ind-vs-sa-test-schedule">IND vs SA Test Schedule</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Matches</td><td>Dates</td><td>Timings</td><td>Venue</td></tr><tr><td>SA vs IND 1st Test</td><td>Dec 26- Dec 30 '23</td><td>1:30 PM</td><td>SuperSport Park, Centurion</td></tr><tr><td>SA vs IND 2nd Test</td><td>Jan 3- Jan 7 '24</td><td>1:30 PM</td><td>Newlands, Cape Town</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="india-vs-south-africa-1st-test-team-squads">India vs South Africa 1st Test Team Squads</h2>



India Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shardul Thakur, Mukesh Kumar, Prasidh Krishna, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah.



South Africa Squad: Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Nandre Burger, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, and Kagiso Rabada.



READ:<a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-sa-1st-test-dream11-prediction-dream11-team-india-vs-south-africa-supersport-park-cricket-stadium-centurion-pitch-report/"> IND vs SA 1st Test Dream11 Prediction, Dream11 Team?</a>



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IND vs SA Live: When And Where To Watch The IND vs SA Test Match Live? Check Out For Full Details Of IND vs SA 2023

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IND vs SA: Rohit Sharma's biggest mental challenge during India vs South Africa 1st Test: The butterflies can already be felt in the stomachs of the cricket fans who have fallen in love with the traditional form of the sport as Team India gears up to face mighty South Africa in their den. India will return to the red ball format after four long months and it is going to be a crazy challenge for the Indians to conquer the Proteas, who have been impeccable in their home soil.



The India vs South Africa two-game Test series begins on December 26 at the SuperSport Park in Centurian. The IND vs SA fixture will get underway at 1:30 PM.



Notably, the test series will also mark the presence of veteran players with the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah among others coming under a hood after the ICC World Cup 2023. 



The last time India toured South Africa in 2021, the scoreline remained 2-1 in favour of the Proteas. Despite claiming the first test convincingly, India lost two consecutive games to lose the well-set three-game test series in the last tour in 2021-22.



Interestingly, this will be Rohit Sharma's first test series in South Africa as the leader of the side. The flamboyant batter had to miss out on the last South Africa test tour as he copped a blow in his hamstring.



The upcoming two-game series will be his chance to rewrite India's name in the history books by becoming the second Asian side to defeat South Africa in a test series. Back in 2019, Sri Lanka became the first Asian team to defeat Proteas in a test series.



However, playing test cricket is no mean task in South Africa, especially for the batters. While the bowlers enjoy their outing in this part of the world, the batters have seemingly struggled to get going. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">IND vs SA: Biggest Challenge for Rohit Sharma in South Africa Test</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/07/Rohit-Sharma-IND-vs-WI.jpg" alt="IND vs SA: Rohit Sharma's biggest mental challenge during India vs South Africa 1st Test reveals Sunil Gavaskar" class="wp-image-116897" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rohit Sharma during IND vs WI 2nd Test | AFP/Getty Image</figcaption></figure>



Pointing out a couple of challenges for Rohit Sharma, former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar believes the foremost challenge for the Indian captain would be to shift his mental state from ODIs to red-ball cricket.



"First and foremost, the challenge would be to get your mental state into a Test match situation. He has been batting in the ODI format where he had decided that he was going to be playing the attacking role and try and score as many runs as possible in the first 10 overs of field restrictions," Gavaskar said.?



The cricketer-turned-analyst added that Rohit Sharma would ensure that Team India reaches a comfortable score at the end of the day, should he remain unbeaten.



"He has to think in terms of batting the whole day. If he bats the whole day, then clearly, with the range of shots he has got, he will be able to end up with 150-plus not, then India will be 300-plus or 350-plus," he added.



Interestingly, Rohit Sharma has been instrumental in consistently giving Team India brisk starts. The right-handed batter has taken his odd chances in the first few overs to keep the scoreboard ticking and that has certainly worked for the team as well. 



However, executing such a strategy in South Africa against the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee and Lungi Ngidi would need enormous concentration. It remains to be seen how Rohit Sharma plans his innings as the Protea pacers would go the extra mile to take his wicket as early as possible.



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-sa-1st-test-indias-playing11-rohit-jaiswal-to-open-gill-at-3-ashwin-jadeja-pair-picks-sunil-gavaskar/">IND vs SA 1st Test: India?s Playing11, Rohit-Jaiswal to open, Gill at 3, Ashwin-Jadeja pair picks Sunil Gavaskar</a>



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IND vs SA: Rohit Sharma's biggest mental challenge during India vs South Africa 1st Test reveals Sunil Gavaskar

ind-vs-sa-rohit-sharmas-biggest-mental-challenge-during-india-vs-south-africa-1st-test-reveals-sunil-gavaskar

IND vs SA Day 1: On Wednesday, December 26, India will play South Africa in the opening Test of the two-match series at SuperSport Park, Centurion. This will be the first match of South Africa in the new cycle of WTC. It doesn't seem to be an ideal day for a match as there are more than 70% rain chances in Centurion today and this article will lead you through the IND vs SA Day 1 Weather Forecast and Pitch Report of SuperSport Park, Centurion.



<div class="wp-block-rank-math-toc-block" id="rank-math-toc"><nav><ul><li class=""><a href="#ind-vs-sa-day-1-weather-forecast">IND vs SA Day 1 Weather Forecast</a></li><li class=""><a href="#ind-vs-sa-day-1-pitch-report">IND vs SA Day 1 Pitch Report</a></li></ul></nav></div>



Temba Bavuma and Rohit Sharma will play their first match since their teams' traumatic exit from the World Cup in India last month. This series plays an important role for both teams in the context of the World Test Championship Points table. A win or loss will impact their standings in the WTC Points table so it will be interesting to see what would be the approach of the captains of both sides.



So far, India has played eight Test series in South Africa; seven of those series have ended in losses, with one ending in a draw. In twenty-three Test matches played in South Africa, they have only managed four victories. Nevertheless, they have triumphed in three of their last five Test matches against the Proteas, including a match on Boxing Day at SuperSport Park during the trip in 2021?2022, under Virat Kohli's captaincy.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/12/India-vs-South-Africa-3-1.jpg" alt="IND vs SA Live: When And Where To Watch The IND vs SA Test Match Live? Check Out For Full Details" class="wp-image-124501" /></figure>



The team captained by Rohit Sharma looks set to start with a revamped starting lineup, with Mohammed Shami, Ajinkya Rahane, and Cheteshwar Pujara being left out. Leading pacers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi of South Africa are anticipated to return after sitting out the white-ball series against India, and young player Tristan Stubbs may make his Test debut.



India got a few blows as Ruturaj Gaikwad and Mohammed Shami were ruled out of the series owing to injuries. However, the team got their replacement but couldn't see any foot to fit in Shami's shoes in the squad.



Down below is the IND vs SA Day 1 Weather Forecast and Pitch Report of SuperSport Park, Centurion:



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="ind-vs-sa-day-1-weather-forecast">IND vs SA Day 1 Weather Forecast</h2>



India vs South Africa (India tour of South Africa 2023) | India vs South Africa 1st Test match will be played at SuperSport Park, Centurion from December 26 to December 30 starting at 10:30 AM Local and 1:30 PM IST.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/12/centurian.png" alt="IND vs SA Day 1 Weather Forecast and Pitch Report of SuperSport Park, Centurion| South Africa vs India 1st Test" class="wp-image-124517" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">IND vs SA Day 1 Weather Forecast (<a href="https://weather.com/en-IN/weather/hourbyhour/l/18f418fcb6ff7c40b4fde21dcfc19f5794d54dd67694761eabca009abcf4a043" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weather.com</a>)</figcaption></figure>



ACC TO WEATHER.COM, the weather is predicted to be overcast throughout the day. As the weather websites show, there are high chances of rain on Day 1 which makes it not an ideal day for a test match to begin. A ~50% chance of rain is predicted in the morning and it keeps increasing to ~85% in the evening. It seems rain is going to interrupt the match throughout the day. The Temperature in the morning is expected to be around 19? C and is expected to rise to 22?C the day.



Winds with a speed of around 15-20KMPH will gust towards the Northeast. Humidity will stay at the higher end at 80% (around 78% in the morning and falls to 81% in the evening). So, the possibilities of rain are always but we can hope for some game on day 1 of the IND vs SA 1st test match.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="ind-vs-sa-day-1-pitch-report">IND vs SA Day 1 Pitch Report</h2>



In red-ball cricket, Centurion's SuperSport Park provides decent support for pace bowlers. The pitch curator has disclosed that starting on Day 1, both sides may anticipate a surface that is conducive to pace. Extra bounce and seam for the bowlers have also been confirmed by India's head coach Rahul Dravid.



Since the Pacers have typically dominated at SuperSport Park, it is anticipated that both sides would use extra quick options in their bowling attacks on Boxing Day. But after the ball becomes old, the hitters are also expected to score large runs.



READ:<a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-sa-live-when-and-where-to-watch-the-ind-vs-sa-test-match-live-check-out-for-full-details-of-ind-vs-sa-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> IND vs SA Live: When And Where To Watch The IND vs SA Test Match Live? Check Out For Full Details Of IND vs SA 2023</a>



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IND vs SA Day 1 Weather Forecast and Pitch Report of SuperSport Park, Centurion| South Africa vs India 1st Test

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IND vs SA 1st Test: South Africa has copped a big blow after their skipper Temba Bavuma was revealed to have suffered a left hamstring injury on day one of the ongoing India vs South Africa 1st test in Centurian. The South African medical team will closely monitor the batter through the course of the 1st test.



Unfortunately, Temba Bavuma had to leave the field, early on day one of the IND vs SA 1st test, after sustaining an injury in his left hamstring. 



The incident took place in the 20th over of the innings when Bavuma was chasing a ball off Virat Kohli's blade. Though Bavuma managed to stop the delivery in the extra cover regions, he looked in discomfort as he clutched his hamstring and walked off the field.



Veteran batter Dean Elgar spearheaded the South African side post-Bavuma's exit in the 1st session of the IND vs SA test at the SuperSport Park.



During the course of the game, the commentators revealed that Temba Bavuma has suffered an injury to his left hamstring and the Proteas medical team would continue to monitor him for the remainder of the fixture. Cricket South Africa (CSA) is yet to comment on Bavuma's further participation in the test series. 



Notably, the South African captain played with a right hamstring injury in his last international game during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India. The batter picked up the injury on his right hamstring during the group-stage fixture against Afghanistan. However, he looked unfazed by it and took the field in the next fixture against Australia in the semi-final 1. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">IND vs SA 1st Test Highlights</h2>



Meanwhile, talking about the IND vs SA 1st Test, the home side remained on top with Team India reeling at a score of 208 runs in the loss of 8 wickets. Senior pacer Kagiso Rabada led the assault against Team India and picked his maiden fifer against the opposition.



India seemed to be in an uncomfortable position at one stage when the wickets were consistently falling, however, wicketkeeper batter KL Rahul's unbeaten knock of 70 runs has steadied things a bit. Owing to his classy innings, Team India has now a respectable total on the board with 2 more wickets in hand.



Besides KL Rahul, Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer were dismissed in their 30s while Shardul Thakur played 24 run innings.



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/india-vs-south-africa-why-is-ravindra-jadeja-not-playing-in-the-first-test-match-against-south-africa/">India vs South Africa: Why is Ravindra Jadeja not playing in the first Test match against South Africa?</a>



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IND vs SA 1st Test: South Africa captain Temba Bavuma suffers left hamstring injury during 1st Test against India

ind-vs-sa-1st-test-south-africa-captain-temba-bavuma-suffers-left-hamstring-injury-during-1st-test-against-india

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 You

cristiano-ronaldo-birthday-top-5-luxury-cars-owned-by-ronaldo-will-amaze-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>

ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/abhishek-sharma-turns-heads-with-iconic-milestone-surpasses-the-likes-of-his-mentor-yuvraj-singh-and-chris-gayle-to-be-the-second-cricketer-to-reach-this-feat-in-t20-internationals/">Abhishek Sharma's unique milestone in the Final T20 against England</a>

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.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/shock-to-team-india-before-champions-trophy-jasprit-bumrah-ruled-out-of-entire-england-odi-series/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shock to Team India before Champions Trophy, Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of entire England ODI Series</a>

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