Former Indian batter Suresh Raina has been one of the finest to have played the game of cricket. He was a perfect team man as his ability to chip with bat, ball and even in the field put the team in a strong position many times before he called time on his international career on 15th August 2020 minutes after MS Dhoni announced his retirement. Not only did he prove out to be a vital cog in the Indian team but is a legend of the Indian Premier League as well.&nbsp;



Known as ?Mr IPL? Suresh Raina is one of the main reasons behind the success of the <a href="https://www.iplt20.com/auction" data-type="URL" data-id="https://www.iplt20.com/auction">IPL</a>. Since the inception of the league, the southpaw played many famous knocks and was one of the mainstays for the Chennai Super Kings. Apart from Dhoni, Raina deserves equal credit for the success of the franchise. Being among the highest run-getters in the league, he called time on his career after going unsold in the IPL 2022 auction.?



<h2>?Mai Shahid Afridi nai hu,? Suresh Raina?s hilarious reply to a reporter asking him to come out of retirement and play in IPL&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/03/IMG_6728.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-104670" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Suresh Raina | LLC</figcaption></figure>



Raina, who now plays T20 leagues across the globe, is currently a part of the India Maharajas in the ongoing Legends League Cricket Masters tournament in Doha, Qatar. He was the top performer for his side in their recent game against World Giants.



Maharaja?s batters struggled to get going but Raina came to the rescue and played a brisk knock. He scored 49 off 41 deliveries that helped his side post a total of 136 runs, which at one moment seemed difficult. The batter smashed 2 fours and 3 sixes in his innings and was the lone warrior for his side with second best contribution coming from Manvinder Bisla, 36.?



ALSO READ:?<a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-aus-odi-schedule-2023-squads-venues-ticket-booking-details-live-streaming/">IND vs AUS ODI Schedule 2023, Squads, Venues, Ticket Booking Details, Live Streaming</a>



Raina also chipped in with the ball as he picked the wicket of Chris Gayle, who smashed a staggering half-century. Despite his all-round performance in the game, he failed to win the game for his side. While he was the top performer for his team on the field, his best came in the press conference.&nbsp;



After the game, Raina was asked by a reporter whether he might return to professional cricket after his performance in the game as many are eager to see him in the IPL again. Replying to this, he showed great humour and gave a savage response, saying:??I'm Suresh Raina, not Shahid Afridi! I've taken the retirement.?



Here?s the video:?



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https://twitter.com/VibhuBhola/status/1636072401631956992?s=20
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<h2>Suresh Raina - a prolific run-getter in IPL&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/03/IMG_6730.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-104672" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Suresh Raina | BCCI/IPL</figcaption></figure>



Suresh Raina has been a prolific run-getter in the tournament. He made his debut for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2008 and was an integral part of the team. The former Indian batter captained Gujarat Lions in IPL 2016 and 2017 and returned back to the MS Dhoni-led side in 2018 and played a key role in his side?s title-winning triumph. Suresh Raina, who is CSK?s highest run-scorer, is also the fifth-highest run-getter in IPL cricket. The left-hander had amassed 5528 runs at an average of 32.51 and a strike rate of 135.



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WATCH: ?Mai Shahid Afridi nai hu,? Suresh Raina?s hilarious reply to a reporter asking him to come out of retirement and play in IPL?

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Legends League Cricket 2023 Points Table: Gujarat Giants defeated Southern Superstars by 5 wickets and eliminated their last hope of qualification for knockout stages. This win helped Gujarat Giants to sit on the top of the Legends League Cricket 2023 Points Table and also handed them a ticket to the elimination round. We present you the latest updated Legends League Cricket 2023 Points table after Gujarat Giants and Southern Superstars.



<div class="wp-block-rank-math-toc-block" id="rank-math-toc"><h2>Jump To:</h2><nav><ul><li class=""><a href="#legends-league-cricket-2023-points-table-after-mt-vs-snss">Legends League Cricket 2023 Points Table After MT vs SNSS</a></li></ul></nav></div>



Southern Superstars had a chance to make it to the elimination rounds if they could have managed to defeat Gujarat Giants. Ross Taylor's Southern Superstars had a mediocre kind of season as they won just one match out of five. They ended in the 5th position of the Legends League Cricket 2023 Points table at the end of the season.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/12/Gujarat-Giants-1.jpg" alt="Legends League Cricket 2023 Points Table Updated (3 December) After Gujarat Giants vs Southern Superstars | Full LLC 2023 Teams Standings" class="wp-image-123247" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gujarat Giants LLC 2023</figcaption></figure>



All this started with Gujarat Giants winning the toss. Bowling first Gujarat got an early breakthrough. Upul Tharanga and Shreevats Goswami offered a counterattack and got the runs going till 9 overs. The swing of the pendulum again shifted towards Gujarat Giants when they took wickets regularly in the next couple of overs restricting Superstars at just 158 off 9 down.



The first-over wicket by Razzak filled in the confidence of Superstars in the defense. They got a couple of more wickets later on but it was Abhishek Jhunjhunwala, who assured he would take his team home with a stellar 81 off just 49 balls. A 10-ball 21 by Elton Chigumbura was enough for Gujarat Giants to seal the match and make it to the top of the table.



Down below is the latest updated Legends League Cricket 2023 Points table after Gujarat Giants and Southern Superstars:



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="legends-league-cricket-2023-points-table-after-mt-vs-snss">Legends League Cricket 2023 Points Table After MT vs SNSS</h2>



Gujarat Giants are now at the top after they defeated Southern Superstars. They have won three matches and lost one in the five games they have played till now with one being washed out. They have 7 points and an NRR of +0.083.



Manipal Tigers are also having a nice season under Harbhajan Singh. They have played 4 and won three of them resulting in 6 points and an NRR of +1.224.



They are followed by Irfan Pathan?s Urbanrisers Hyderabad. A similar 3:1 win-to-loss ratio and a healthy NRR of +0.514. Gautam Gambhir?s India Capitals are next and have lost a couple of close matches. They have lost 3 and won just 1 but they possess a decent NRR of +0.303.



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><thead><tr><th>Teams</th><td>Mat</td><td>Won</td><td>Lost</td><td>NR</td><th>Pts</th><td>NRR</td></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Gujarat Giants</td><td>5</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>7</td><td>+0.083</td></tr><tr><td>Manipal Tigers</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>6</td><td>+1.224</td></tr><tr><td>Urbanrisers Hyderabad?</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>6</td><td>+0.514</td></tr><tr><td>India Capitals</td><td>5</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>+0.303</td></tr><tr><td>Southern Super Stars</td><td>5</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>-0.108</td></tr><tr><td>Bhilwara Kings</td><td>5</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>-1.424</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/12/LLC-points-table.jpg" alt="Legends League Cricket 2023 Points Table Updated (3 December) After Gujarat Giants vs Southern Superstars | Full LLC 2023 Teams Standings" class="wp-image-123248" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Legends League Cricket 2023 Points Table</figcaption></figure>



READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/aus-vs-pak-australia-announces-squad-for-the-first-test-against-pakistan-lance-morris-included/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AUS vs PAK: Australia announces squad for the first Test against Pakistan; Lance Morris included</a>



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Legends League Cricket 2023 Points Table Updated (3 December) After Gujarat Giants vs Southern Superstars | Full LLC 2023 Teams Standings

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The last few months have been below par for Team India in terms of performances. They didn't enjoy much time on the field. But everything can change as the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is coming up, and India will be one of the favorites teams entering the tournament.
But can they do it without Jasprit Bumrah? Well, not many will give the Indian cricket team a chance if Bumrah doesn't take part in the upcoming event. That is the reason Rohit Sharma and his men are currently in big confusion over Bumrah's participation.
Notably, the pacer didn't bowl in the final innings of the fifth test at the SCG due to a fitness issue. Though it wasn't serious and we might see the name of Jasprit Bumrah in the Indian squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, it will come with one condition.
<h2>Will Jasprit Bumrah be ready for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025?</h2>
Notably, the last date to submit the provision squad for all teams is January 12. There is no doubt Bumrah will be part of the squad, but his participation in the tournament will be subject to his fitness. As reported by Hindustan Times, the pacer will only step on the field when he feels pain-free.
The report indicates that the pacer has reached New Zealand to consult Dr. Rowan Schouten, who is an orthopedic surgeon. He was the one that treated Bumrah back in 2023, when he suffered from a back injury. The report quoted, "The surgeon is in touch with BCCI’s medical team, and the selectors are expected to be informed.”
India are all set to host England for five T20Is and three ODIs before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The tour will begin on January 22 and will conclude on February 12, a week before India will play their first game of the Champions Trophy 2025. India will start their campaign with a game against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai.
India are already struggling with the bad form of the batters. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are going through rough patches. Adding to that, there is no clarity over Mohammed Shami's return. The pacer has been playing at the domestic level, but he is not getting clearance from the NCA to play for India. And if Bumrah doesn't play, India will be under immense pressure.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/australia-suffered-a-massive-blow-after-josh-hazlewood-captain-pat-cummins-is-also-likely-to-miss-icc-champions-trophy-due-to-injury/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australia suffered a massive blow; after Josh Hazlewood, captain Pat Cummins is also likely to miss ICC Champions Trophy due to injury</a>

Jasprit Bumrah didn't bowl in the second innings of the fifth test against Australia at the SCG. He will be rested for the England series ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

India to miss Jasprit Bumrah in ICC Champions Trophy 2025? Ace pacer to travel to New Zealand to undergo scans - Reports

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The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is just a month away, and the two-time champion, Australia, have been hit with a couple of massive injury-related blows. Star pacer Josh Hazlewood, who was ruled out of the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, might not take part in the upcoming mega event, and now, there is another massive injury concern.
ODI captain Pat Cummins is likely to miss the coming event. This news has certainly hit the team and Australian fans, as the captain is a key member of the squad and has been nursing an ankle injury. His participation in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is hanging by a thin thread.
Notably, Australia are scheduled to tour Sri Lanka for two test matches ahead of the coming ICC event. Cummins has been rested, and Steve Smith has been given the captaincy duties for the upcoming series. Australia have already qualified for the World Test Championship final, which is why the coming tests don't hold much value and their result won't affect anything. Hence, Cricket Australia decided to give Cummins a rest.
<h2>Pat Cummins might miss the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to an ankle injury</h2>
The captain, Pat Cummins, played a crucial role in helping Australia win the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He finished with the second-most wickets in the series after Jasprit Bumrah (32). Cummins took 25 wickets at an average of 21.36. He also scored 159 runs with the bat in this low-scoring series.
However, playing all five tests on the trot has seemed to have affected him, and the captain has sustained an ankle soreness. Meanwhile, the captain is on leave because of the birth of his second child, which was also one key reason for him missing the Sri Lanka tour. That's what George Bailey, the chief selector of Australia, also confirmed in one of his statements.
But the recent news has not just raised questions about his availablity but also his participation in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. He is set to undergo scans for his sore ankle. Bailey said, "We’ll have to wait and see when the scan comes back and see how it's tracking. There’s a little bit of work to do.”
That indicates that the two-time Champions Trophy winner are in jeopardy. If Cummins couldn't make it in time, then Mitchell Marsh is likely to lead Australia in the mega event, which will begin on February 19. Australia are placed in Group B, and they will begin their campaign on February 22 against England.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/icc-champions-trophy-2025-to-shift-from-pakistan-to-uae-completely-here-s-why/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to shift from Pakistan to UAE completely? Here's why</a>

Pat Cummins led Australia to to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy win after a wait of ten years. Cummins is likely to miss the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to injury.

Australia suffered a massive blow; after Josh Hazlewood, captain Pat Cummins is also likely to miss ICC Champions Trophy due to injury

australia-suffered-a-massive-blow-after-josh-hazlewood-captain-pat-cummins-is-also-likely-to-miss-icc-champions-trophy-due-to-injury

Australia Tour of Sri Lanka 2025: Australia, after having a dominating Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, are all set to tour Sri Lanka for a red-ball series. Cricket Australia have announced the squad for the tour today and Steve Smith is named captain of the side as Pat Cummins is rested.
Australia won the Border Gavaskar Trophy after a decade this year. The series started with Perth's loss for them and many ruled them out as a competition against India this time as well. But, they owned strong character and won three out of four test matches clinching the series 3-1. 
The entire bowling department was thoroughly in the best of their forms, the batting looked damped in the first two tests but by the end of BGT 2025, the entire batting lineup got some runs from their bat. 
<img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202412/image_430x256_676e141bad740.jpg" alt="">
Now, Australia has unveiled a 16-player squad for their upcoming two-match Test series in Sri Lanka, with a few surprising changes. Skipper Pat Cummins will miss the tour as he takes paternity leave to welcome his second child while continuing to recover from an ankle issue that plagued him throughout the home season.
Meanwhile, Mitchell Marsh, who was part of the team that triumphed over India, has been left out. Adding to the injury concerns, Josh Hazlewood remains unavailable due to the setback that sidelined him during the latter stages of the India series. These adjustments set the stage for an intriguing challenge as Australia gears up for the Sri Lankan Tests.
<h2>Australia Squad for Sri Lanka Tour</h2>
Steve Smith (C), Travis Head(VC), Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Nathan McSweeney, Beau Webster, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Cooper Connolly, Todd Murphy, Matt Kuhnemann, Sean Abbott
Australia's squad for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka signals a clear strategy to tackle spin-friendly conditions. With only two frontline pacers, Mitchell Starc and Sean Abbott, the focus has shifted firmly to spin.
Todd Murphy and Matt Kuhnemann join the experienced Nathan Lyon, creating a strong spin arsenal designed for the turning tracks of Galle. This balanced mix of experience and fresh talent shows how the selectors are adapting to the challenges of playing conditions in Sri Lanka.
On the batting front, Nathan McSweeney has earned a spot in the squad despite falling out of favor during the India series. Adding a fresh spark, young Cooper Connolly, a left-handed batter who can also bowl orthodox spin, has received his first-ever Test call-up. His inclusion not only reflects Australia’s faith in young talent but also highlights their intent to embrace versatility.
Sam Konstas also retained his spot in the side. Alex Carey and Josh Inglis are two wicket-keeping options and the presence of Vice Captain Travis Head provides an absolute balance to the squad. With these selections, Australia seems ready to take on the Sri Lankan conditions with both skill and strategy.
READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/icc-champions-trophy-2025-to-shift-from-pakistan-to-uae-completely-here-s-why/">ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to shift from Pakistan to UAE completely? Here's why</a> 
SOURCE- <a href="https://x.com/cricketcomau/status/1877160916057313759">CRICKET AUSTRALIA</a>

Australia's squad for the Sri Lanka Tests emphasizes spin with Lyon, Murphy, and Kuhnemann. McSweeney returns, while debutant Connolly adds versatility. Starc and Abbott lead a trimmed-pace attack.

Australia strengthens spin options for Sri Lanka Tests, recalls McSweeney, and includes debutant Connolly. Starc, Abbott lead reduced pace lineup.

Cummins Rested, Smith to Lead! Cricket Australia Announced Squad for Sri Lanka Tour

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The next big destination for cricket fans is the upcoming mega event. It is the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which is all set to take place in Pakistan and the UAE. We are just five weeks away from the ninth edition, as the tournament will kick off on January 19 in Karachi.
The top 8 teams will be taking part in the tournament and will be divided into two groups of four teams each. But with a little over one month left in the start of the mega event, the drama continues to take new episodes.
Firstly, it was the tensions between the Indian Board and the Pakistan Cricket Board that forced the ICC to go for a hybrid model where India will play all their matches in Dubai after the Indian Board refused to send their team to Pakistan, citing security concerns.
<h3>Pakistan to lose the hosting rights of ICC Champions Trophy 2025?</h3>
As a result, the ICC added the UAE as the venue for Indian matches in Dubai, which will be a neutral venue. But it looks like the clouds of uncertainty have loomed once again over the hosting rights of the events. As per the latest media reports, it has been learned that the construction work at the three shortlisted venues in Pakistan is nowhere near done. There are 35 left in the start of the tournament, and the renovation work, which began in August last year, has not been completed.
The deadline to complete the renovation work was December 31, which has passed. According to the Times of India, the stadiums are still far away from the completion of the work. As per the TOI's source, some parts of the stadium are still under construction, and the finishing work will take a bit longer. The work to be done related to fencing and placing of floodlights and some other detailing work is still pending.
The three venues to host matches are National Bank Stadium in Karachi, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, and Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. This came to notice when the PCB decided to shift the coming ODI tri-series in Pakistan, involving New Zealand and South Africa, from Multan to Lahore and Karachi.
However, the PCB has declined all such rumours and said that the work will be done as planned. Notably, the ICC will schedule an inspection, and a team will be sent to check the arrangements of all three venues. PCB will hand over all three venues to ICC on February 12. But if the shortlisted stadiums don't meet the expectations by then, the ICC can shift the entire ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to the UAE.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/sa2025-schedule-and-live-streaming-when-and-where-to-watch-south-africa-t20-2025-league-in-india-/">SA2025 Schedule and Live Streaming: When and Where to Watch South Africa T20 2025 League in India?</a>

Pakistan are the official host of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, the renovation work is still going on, which has passed the deadline.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 to shift from Pakistan to UAE completely? Here's why

icc-champions-trophy-2025-to-shift-from-pakistan-to-uae-completely-here-s-why

India keeper-batter Sanju Samson might be a surprise inclusion in the Indian team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. As per the reports in India Today, it is learned that the right-hander is likely to be there as the backup keeper for Rishabh Pant in the team. 
The reports stated that Sanju Samson's inclusion in the Indian team will depend on how the BCCI treats Gautam Gambhir. It is learned that if the head coach has the same say in the selection matters that he had during the Australia tour, then the keeper-batter might be included in the Indian team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. 
The India squad for the Australia tour was mostly picked on the recommendation of Gautam Gambhir. The head coach played a huge role in the selection of Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy. But the team failing badly there didn't go any good to the head coach. 
Some reports claimed that head coach Gautam Gambhir won't be having a say in selection matters. However, if that isn't the case, then the reports in India Today say that the head coach's favourite, Sanju Samson, will be picked for the team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. 
 Rishabh Pant will be the first-choice keeper in the team, and Sanju Samson will be serving as backup.
It is learned that Rishabh Pant will be the first-choice keeper in the team, and Sanju Samson will be serving as backup. This will be a massive step for the Indian team going forward, as Samson has been in hot form in white-ball cricket, especially in T20 cricket. 
Sanju Samson has made a staggering return to the Indian T20I setup as he slammed three centuries in the two series that were played. The keeper-batter also has a great record in the ODIs as well as he has an average of over 56 in his short career and would want to cash on that as well. 
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to begin from 19th February. The Indian team for the tournament is all set to be announced soon, and it is learned that Rohit Sharma will be leading the team, which will see some of the expected names.

India keeper-batter Sanju Samson might be a surprise inclusion in the Indian team for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.