IND vs RSA, 2nd Test: Team India suffered a humiliating setback to the Proteas in the first test match of the two-match series when the South Africans ended the Men in Blue's aspirations of winning their first ever test series on South African soil by beating India by a margin of 32 runs and an innings. Things became even worse for the Indian team when 2 WTC points were deducted from their overall points tally due to having a slow overrate in the first test match. But there is some good news for the Men in Blue, as Star All-Rounder Ravindra Jadeja is likely to feature in the second test match against South Africa.



Jadeja missed the boxing day test due to back spasms, but he has started to train and is expected to be available for selection for the 2nd and final test match of the Freedom Series between India and South Africa. According to PTI?s report, the CSK All-Rounder was spotted doing some training sessions on the ground before the start of play on Day three of the first Test at Centurion. He ran multiple rounds of 30?40-meter sprints and did not look uncomfortable by any means.



Jaddu was even seen bowling without any discomfort alongside compatriot Mukesh Kumar during Day 3?s lunch break on a practice pitch, but he was mostly doing spot bowling under the supervision of Rajnikanth, the India Strength and Conditioning coach.



In the first test match, Team India clearly missed the services of Ravindra Jadeja, particularly in the batting department. Ravichandran Ashwin batted at number 7, and Shardul at number 8 couldn't give the same batting steadiness to Team India as Jadeja does when he's in the playing 11.



Ashwin was decent with the ball in the boxing day test match in unfavorable conditions, as he finished with figures of 1-41, and with Jadeja?s comeback in the next game, the spin duo of Ashwin and Jaddu, if they play together, might just ensure that South Africa don?t whitewash the Men in Blue in the 2-match test series.



Currently, Ravindra Jadeja is the number-one-ranked all-rounder in the ICC Test Rankings, and he has had a really good 2023 calendar year as well. He has scored 281 runs in 7 test matches, which include 2 half-centuries, and has managed to pick up 33 wickets in 7 games. He is on track to finish as India?s 2nd-highest wicket taker behind Ashwin (41 wickets) in the 2023 calendar year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">IND vs RSA, 2nd Test: Squad</h2>



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



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



Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/icc-punish-team-india-after-india-vs-south-africa-test-docked-wtc-points-for-slow-over-rate/" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/icc-punish-team-india-after-india-vs-south-africa-test-docked-wtc-points-for-slow-over-rate/">ICC PUNISH Team India after India vs South Africa Test, docked WTC points for slow-over rate</a>



Visit the?<a href="https://www.icc-cricket.com/homepage" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ICC OFFICIAL WEBSITE</a>?for more recent updates

IND vs RSA, 2nd Test: Ravindra Jadeja all set to make a comeback in the second test match against South Africa

ind-vs-rsa-2nd-test-ravindra-jadeja-all-set-to-make-a-comeback-in-the-second-test-match-against-south-africa

IND vs SA: Shardul Thakur suffers blow on shoulder ahead of India vs South Africa 2nd Test: In a bit of a concerning development ahead of the India vs South Africa New Year test, all-rounder Shardul Thakur has suffered a blow on his shoulder. The incident happened during Team India's optional practice session in Centurian ahead of the 2nd test.



The fast bowling all-rounder was hit on his left shoulder while facing throwdowns at the SuperSport Park on Saturday. He looked in discomfort initially, however, continued to bat despite the pain. 



Shardul Thakur was spotted with an ice pack sling bag on his left shoulder after his batting session ended in the SuperSport Park. Though the sources claimed that the all-rounder was fine and no further medical investigation was required, he didn't have a go in the nets with the ball in hand.



All this happened during Team India's optional practice session conducted in Centurian after the first India vs South Africa test ended earlier than expected. Skipper Rohit Sharma was present in the session along with the likes of Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin and Yashasvi Jaiswal.



Meanwhile, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah didn't opt for the optional training session.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">India vs South Africa: Visitors failed to conquer final frontier</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/12/Team-India-Test-against-South-Africa.jpg" alt="IND vs SA: Shardul Thakur suffers blow on shoulder ahead of India vs South Africa 2nd Test" class="wp-image-124568" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Team India | AFP/Getty Image</figcaption></figure>



It's worth noting that India's performance in the Centurian test remained disheartening as it ended inside three days of play. South Africa handed an embarrassing defeat to India by an innings and 32 runs to retain the 2-game test series.



With the defeat, India's hopes of conquering the final frontier, as the people call it, remained unfulfilled. The best Rohit Sharma and Co can do from here on is to level the series by winning the Cape Town test.



Team India had several problems which were exposed by the Proteas during the first test. Some of them are lack of experience, temperament of the young players, not enough substance in the bowling unit and many more. 



The opening combination didn't work out for the team in both the innings. Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul managed to soak in a bit of pressure during the first innings, but they too failed to go big in the second innings, barring Virat, who felt the need for a stable partner at the other end.



The bowling unit, overall, misfired, barring Jasprit Bumrah. The likes of Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur leaked runs on many occasions and to such an extent that the captain had to put them off to stop the run flow. 



The captaincy also became the talk of the town during the first test as Rohit Sharma looked clueless with his approach. Though he is known for his sharp and tactical moves, Rohit's decisions were highly debatable during the first test.



It remains to be seen what changes Team India will make for the second test, which begins on January 03 at the Newlands in Cape Town. 



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-rsa-2nd-test-ravindra-jadeja-all-set-to-make-a-comeback-in-the-second-test-match-against-south-africa/#google_vignette">IND vs RSA, 2nd Test: Ravindra Jadeja all set to make a comeback in the second test match against South Africa</a>



Visit the?<a href="https://www.icc-cricket.com/homepage" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ICC OFFICIAL WEBSITE</a>?for more recent updates

IND vs SA: Shardul Thakur suffers blow on shoulder ahead of India vs South Africa 2nd Test

ind-vs-sa-shardul-thakur-suffers-blow-on-shoulder-ahead-of-india-vs-south-africa-2nd-test

Watch Virat Kohli smashes huge six to R Ashwin in nets ahead of India vs South Africa 2nd test: While India's hopes of conquering the final frontier were crushed by South Africa a few days ago, Team India will still be aiming to not let loose of the two-game test series. With one game to go in the series, Rohit Sharma and Co would aim to level the series by winning the upcoming fixture.



Team India lost the Boxing Day test in Centurian within three days by an innings and 32 runs. With the defeat, a test series win in South Africa remains a far-fetched dream for the Indian team. 



The visitors were blown away by Dean Elgar's magnificent century knock followed by an impressive bowling display by the Proteas. It turned out to be a comprehensive failure by the Indian side, despite some sublime batting efforts from KL Rahul and Virat Kohli.



After leaving Centurian after the optional practice session which was attended by many Indian players including captain Rohit Sharma, the Indian side travelled to Cape Town where the second test of the two-game series will be held.



The India vs South Africa 2nd test is scheduled to begin on January 03 at Newlands in Cape Town. 



After landing in Cape Town, the Indian team was spotted having an optional training session. Though it was optional, Virat Kohli was one among many others who was seen having a go at the bowlers.



It's worth noting that Virat Kohli didn't opt for the optional training at the SuperSport Park in Centurian a couple of days back, however, he was spotted sweating out in the middle during the second option training session in Cape Town on January 01.



Virat Kohli, who had a decent outing in the first test, tonked ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for a six, as seen in the video shared by PTI news agency journalist Kushan Sarkar on X, formerly known as Twitter.



Below is the video in which Virat Kohli smashes huge six to R Ashwin in nets ahead of India vs South Africa 2nd test



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://twitter.com/kushansarkar/status/1741748351949779168
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Kohli was also seen facing a local left-arm pacer during his stay in the middle in a bid to counter Marco Jansen's skillset during the second test. 



Rohit Sharma and Co are likely to have another practice session on January 02 before the team heads out for the India vs South Africa 2nd test. 



The team has got a new addition in the form of pacer Avesh Khan as a replacement for Mohammad Shami. The veteran bowler is yet to completely recover from his heel injury.



Team India's Squad for 2nd test against South Africa:



Squad: Rohit Sharma (C),?Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Mukesh Kumar, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravichandran Ashwin, KS Bharat (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul (wk), Mohd. Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna, Abhimanyu Easwaran,?Avesh Khan



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-sa-india-playing-11-for-the-second-test-against-south-africa-prediction/">IND vs SA: India playing 11 for the second Test against South Africa prediction</a>



For more details head to <a href="https://www.icc-cricket.com/homepage">ICC's </a>official website.

Watch: Virat Kohli smashes huge six to R Ashwin in nets ahead of India vs South Africa 2nd test

watch-virat-kohli-smashes-huge-six-to-r-ashwin-in-nets-ahead-of-india-vs-south-africa-2nd-test

SA vs IND: 2 Changes India can make for 2nd Test against South Africa: After going down in the first test at the SuperSport Park in Centurian, the stage is all set for the 2nd game of the series between India and South Africa. This time the contest will be held at the Newlands Stadium in Cape Town, starting January 03.



Team India couldn't match the competition which South Africa posted in the first test. The game was wrapped up by the Proteas inside three days and handed a defeat to Team India by an innings and 32 runs.



Following the first test loss, Team India has significantly worked harder on their skills. The team conducted a couple of optional practice sessions during the breaks to mend the flaws. The Indian side is likely to undergo another training session today - January 02 - before they turn up for the 2nd test on January 03.



The likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shardul Thakur, R Ashwin and Yashasvi Jaiswal among others were in attendance during the optional session at the SuperSport Park and Newlands Stadium. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SA vs IND: 2 Changes India can make for 2nd Test</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/01/Mukesh-kumar-1.jpg" alt="SA vs IND: 2 Changes India can make for 2nd Test against South Africa suggested by Irfan Pathan" class="wp-image-101717" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image Source: Google.com</figcaption></figure>



Team India is very likely to make changes to the playing11 for the second test against South Africa. The team felt the need for a decent batter down the order at number 7, a place which is usually owned by all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. The all-rounder is expected to back into the side after missing out on the first test against South Africa due to back spasms. 



"Ravindra Jadeja, if fit, should come back in the team. Ashwin did bowl well from what was expected out of him on that pitch but we missed Jadeja's control while batting at number 7 in Centurion,? Pathan told Star Sports.?



In another change indicated by Irfan Pathan, the Indian side can look towards Mukesh Kumar in the pace bowling department if they don't feel confident going with Prasidh Krishna, who made his test debut in the last game. 



Prasidh Krishna didn't have a memorable outing in his debut match. The pacer conceded runs at an economy of 4.70 and could only pick a solitary wicket.



"If you're Rohit Sharma and you want to go with the same bowling attack, that's also fine. But if you're thinking of making a change, Mukesh Kumar could come in for Prasidh Krishna. But if you feel Prasidh is confident in the nets, then he should be backed for the second Test," he added.



Below is Team India's likely playing11 for the 2nd test against South Africa:



India's Playing11: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumarh, Mohammad Siraj, Prasidh Krishna/Mukesh Kumar.



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/watch-virat-kohli-smashes-huge-six-to-r-ashwin-in-nets-ahead-of-india-vs-south-africa-2nd-test/">Watch: Virat Kohli smashes huge six to R Ashwin in nets ahead of India vs South Africa 2nd 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.

SA vs IND: 2 Changes India can make for 2nd Test against South Africa suggested by Irfan Pathan

sa-vs-ind-2-changes-india-can-make-for-2nd-test-against-south-africa-suggested-by-irfan-pathan

Rohit Sharma likely to field same playing11 for India: Indian captain Rohit Sharma appeared cool as ever and unfazed by Team India's defeat in the first test against South Africa as he walked in for the pre-match press conference for the 2nd test. Though the Indian side faced criticism for their underpower show in the opening test, the Indian captain stressed showing faith in the youngsters.



Team India had multiple issues during the first test in the Centurian. The lively grass scrutinised the Indian batters comprehensively while when it comes to the bowling department, the Indian pacers were not as good as the Proteas were on the same pitch.



The team felt the lack of experience in its bowling unit as well. Particularly, the likes of debutant Prasidh Krishna and all-rounder Shardul Thakur couldn't find their rhythm throughout the game, which ended inside three days.



However, despite such a dull outing in the first test, Indian captain Rohit Sharma believes in backing players and providing them with enough opportunities to prove their worth in gold.



"Honestly, I haven't thought too much about that (pace bowling changes) although we have briefly chatted with the management and the coaching staff. We've not completely finalised our playing XI. Obviously, everyone is available for selection. There are no injury concerns. We'll sit down in the evening and decide what is the right one. I still feel that sometimes when you have inexperience in your attack, we have that, you have to show some faith," said the Indian captain during the pre-match conference.



Debutant Prasidh Krishna bowled 20 overs in the first test in which he conceded 90 runs at an expensive economy of 4.70, though he managed to scalp his maiden wicket trapping opposition wicketkeeper batter Kyle Verreynne.



Meanwhile, Shardul Thakur had an even worse outing as he conceded runs at an economy of 5.30. He too got a wicket to his name.



"That can happen to any team. Like I said in the last post-match press conference about Prasidh playing his first game, we all get nervous when you are playing your first game. I will still back that thought of mine that he has got good ability to succeed at this level, especially in this format. It's just about showing faith and trust in everyone, and getting the job done from them."



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/12/Jadeja.jpg" alt="IND vs SA: Rohit Sharma likely to field same playing11 for India, hints backing Prasidh Krishna, Shardul" class="wp-image-124543" /></figure>



Team India's playing11 for the India vs South Africa 2nd test is largely expected to be the same. The only change the team will make is bringing in all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja for R Ashwin. 



Jadeja suffered back spasms ahead of the first test and was unavailable for the game. However, as the captain himself asserts that all the players are available, the all-rounder should be back into the playing11.



Below is Team India's complete playing11 for 2nd test against South Africa:



India's Playing11: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/sa-vs-ind-2-changes-india-can-make-for-2nd-test-against-south-africa-suggested-by-irfan-pathan/">SA vs IND: 2 Changes India can make for 2nd Test against South Africa suggested by Irfan Pathan</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.

IND vs SA: Rohit Sharma likely to field same playing11 for India, hints backing Prasidh Krishna, Shardul

ind-vs-sa-rohit-sharma-likely-to-field-same-playing11-for-india-hints-backing-prasidh-krishna-shardul

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

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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>
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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. 
 
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Saqlain Mushtaq (Pakistan) – 104
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Trent Boult (New Zealand) – 107
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Brett Lee (Australia) – 112
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Allan Donald (South Africa) – 117
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Waqar Younis (Pakistan) – 118
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Shane Warne (Australia) – 125
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Makhaya Ntini (South Africa) – 126
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Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) – 127
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Mitchell Johnson (Australia) – 129
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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>
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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>
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Anil Kumble – 334
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Javagal Srinath – 315
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Ajit Agarkar – 288
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Zaheer Khan – 269
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Harbhajan Singh – 265
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Kapil Dev – 253
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Harbhajan Singh – 220
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Venkatesh Prasad – 196
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Zaheer Khan – 195
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Irfan Pathan – 173
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Kuldeep Yadav – 172
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</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

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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