2nd Test between New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, Day 1 live update: Due to poor lighting, New Zealand were 155/2 at stumps on Day 1 of the second Test against Sri Lanka.



Highlights Of New Zealand Against Sri Lanka, Day 1 -&nbsp;



Sri Lanka hopes to recover from the tragedy in Christchurch. New Zealand bats first. Play is halted due to bad lighting. The Kiwis were at 155/2 after 48 overs, which was the end of the day's play. For the hosts, Devon Conway (78) and Kane Williamson (26 not out) had the most runs. New Zealand has Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls at the crease. The hosts got off to a great start thanks to Devon Conway and Tom Latham. The first two people to bat scored 87 runs together. By Kusan Rajitha, Conway hit 78, and Latham went out on 21. Sri Lanka won the coin flip and chose to bat at Basin Reserve. Doug Bracewell came back to the Test team after six years because Neil Wagner was hurt and couldn't play. On Day 1 of the Wellington Test, lunch was taken early because the outfield was wet.



<h2>What for Sri Lanka-</h2>



The Lankans are well aware that it would be difficult to recover after Kane Williamson single-handedly denied them a memorable win in the first Test. Dimuth Karunaratne believes they can take 20 wickets against Tim Southee's New Zealand in the second test, which begins on Friday in Wellington. But, with the World Test Championship (WTC Final) out of the picture, they will be lacking incentive.



Sri Lanka's prospect of winning a rare series in New Zealand has vanished. Yet a win at the Basin Reserve would put a stop to a losing skid in the nation that dated back to 2006, when they shared a series.



In their last encounter, the hosts may have struggled with motivation. Neil Wagner, the fiery paceman, has been ruled out due to a hamstring problem. Neither club has settled on its starting lineup. But New Zealand is poised to feature Doug Bracewell in the speed attack for his first test in years, joining skipper Tim Southee and Matt Henry.



New Zealand recalls fondly its final test at the Basin Reserve. They defeated England by a single run, becoming just the fourth team in history to win after being forced to follow on.



In preparation for a big night out, the players climbed into a limousine and drove a few laps around the track. Southee stated that another limousine booking would not be necessary to inspire his team.



<h2>New Zealand vs. Sri Lanka Match Details:</h2>



Date: March 17, Friday



Time: 3:30 AM IST.



Venue: Basin Reserve in Wellington.



NZ vs SL Live Streaming: Amazon Prime Video



<h2>Sri Lanka?s Position-</h2>



<ul>
<li>After a last-ball drama in the first Test, New Zealand leads the series 1-0.</li>



<li>Sri Lanka's prospects of qualifying for the WTC Final are also gone as a result of the setback.</li>



<li>Nonetheless, Sri Lanka is hoping to recover in Wellington.</li>



<li>In six Tests, Sri Lanka has only won once in the Basin Reserve.</li>
</ul>



<h2>Sri Lanka (Playing XI):&nbsp;</h2>



Oshada Fernando, Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Nishan Madushka (w), Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, and Prabath Jayasuriya



<h2>New Zealand (Playing XI):&nbsp;</h2>



Tom Latham, Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (w), Tim Southee (c), Matt Henry, Blair Tickner, Michael Bracewell, and Doug Bracewell



Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/tata-ipl-2023-bcci-approves-opening-ceremony-tata-ipl-opening-ceremony-returns/" target="_blank" data-type="post" data-id="104718" rel="noreferrer noopener">TATA IPL 2023: BCCI Approves Opening Ceremony. TATA IPL Opening Ceremony Returns.</a>

2nd Test between New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, Day 1 live update

2nd-test-between-new-zealand-vs-sri-lanka-day-1-live-update

New Zealand vs Afghanistan Dream11 Prediction: Match number 16 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 will see New Zealand go up against Afghanistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The fixture (New Zealand vs Afghanistan) will be played on October 18, Wednesday, starting at 2:00 PM IST. This article will lead you through New Zealand vs Afghanistan Dream11 Prediction World Cup 2023, NZ vs AFG Dream11 Team, New Zealand Playing 11, Full Squads, Top Fantasy Picks, Head to Head.



<div class="wp-block-rank-math-toc-block" id="rank-math-toc"><h2>Table of Contents</h2><nav><ul><li class=""><a href="#new-zealand-vs-afghanistan-match-details">New Zealand vs Afghanistan Match Details</a></li><li class=""><a href="#new-zealand-vs-afghanistan-playing-11">New Zealand vs Afghanistan Playing 11</a><ul><li class=""><a href="#new-zealand-playing-11-squad">New Zealand Playing 11 &amp; Squad</a></li><li class=""><a href="#afghanistan-playing-11-squad">Afghanistan Playing 11 &amp; Squad</a></li></ul></li><li class=""><a href="#nz-vs-afg-dream-11-team">NZ vs AFG Dream 11 Team</a></li><li class=""><a href="#new-zealand-vs-afghanistan-dream-11-top-fantasy-picks">New Zealand vs Afghanistan Dream11 Top Fantasy Picks</a></li><li class=""><a href="#new-zealand-vs-afghanistan-dream-11-prediction-world-cup-2023">New Zealand vs Afghanistan Dream11 Prediction World Cup 2023</a></li><li class=""><a href="#new-zealand-vs-afghanistan-head-to-head-records-in-world-cup">New Zealand vs Afghanistan Head-to-Head Records in World Cup </a></li></ul></nav></div>



The Black Caps have been on a joyous ride so far in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023. Their performances have been absolutely spot on with very minimal flaws. The team has done well on multiple occasions so far and will hope to continue their sublime performance as the tournament progresses further.



In three games held so far, New Zealand have lost none, despite missing their mainstay batter - Kane Williamson. The team has looked daunting with or without the services of skipper Kane Williamson, who has been ruled out of the World Cup 2023 Phase One after suffering a blow on his thumb.



Afghanistan, on the other side, went through a roller coaster ride of losing two games on the trot before making a surprise attack on England in their third fixture, a couple of days ago. The Afghans went on to defeat England by 69 runs to bring up their first victory of the ICC World Cup 2023.



However, the challenge against New Zealand won't be easy for them. The Kiwis are on a winning run and have every base covered. They are hitting the nail on its head with every department at hand, so going against them will be a herculean task. However, on a good day a business can flip things on its head for Afghanistan.



Talking about the team's position in the World Cup 2023 Points Table, New Zealand is seated only second to Team India in the ranking table with six points while Afghanistan is placed sixth in the table with just two points.



The article will walk you through all the necessary details of the fixture including - New Zealand vs Afghanistan Dream11 Prediction World Cup 2023, NZ vs AFG Dream11 Team, New Zealand Playing 11, Full Squads, Top Fantasy Picks, Head to Head.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="new-zealand-vs-afghanistan-match-details">New Zealand vs Afghanistan Match Details</h2>



Tournament: ICC World Cup 2023, India



Match Details: New Zealand vs Afghanistan, Match 16



Day/Date: Wednesday/October 18, 2023



Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai



Time: 2:00 PM IST



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="new-zealand-vs-afghanistan-playing-11">New Zealand vs Afghanistan Playing 11</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="new-zealand-playing-11-squad">New Zealand Playing 11 &amp; Squad</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/10/New-Zealand-2.jpg" alt="New Zealand vs Afghanistan Dream11 Prediction World Cup 2023, NZ vs AFG Dream11 Team, New Zealand Playing 11, Full Squads, Top Fantasy Picks, Head to Head " class="wp-image-120873" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Team New Zealand | Pic - Twitter, Blackcaps</figcaption></figure>



Playing 11: Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham(c &amp; wk), Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult



Squad: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Tom Latham(w/c), Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Mark Chapman, Will Young, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Ish Sodhi, James Neesham, Tim Southee



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="afghanistan-playing-11-squad">Afghanistan Playing 11 &amp; Squad</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/10/Afghanistan-1024x616.jpg" alt="New Zealand vs Afghanistan Dream11 Prediction World Cup 2023, NZ vs AFG Dream11 Team, New Zealand Playing 11, Full Squads, Top Fantasy Picks, Head to Head " class="wp-image-121404" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Afghanistan | Getty Image</figcaption></figure>



Playing 11: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Ikram Alikhil(w), Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi



Squad: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahmat Shah, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ikram Alikhil(w), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Najibullah Zadran, Abdul Rahman, Naveen-ul-Haq, Riaz Hassan, Noor Ahmad



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="nz-vs-afg-dream-11-team">NZ vs AFG Dream 11 Team</h2>



Wicketkeeper: Ikram Alikhil



Batters: Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Hashmatullah Shahidi



All-Rounders: Daryl Mitchell, Rashid Khan, Mitchell Santner



Bowlers: Matt Henry, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Lockie Ferguson



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="new-zealand-vs-afghanistan-dream-11-top-fantasy-picks">New Zealand vs Afghanistan Dream11 Top Fantasy Picks</h2>



Devon Conway:



<ul>
<li>Match: 03</li>



<li>Runs: 229</li>



<li>Average: 114.50</li>
</ul>



Rahmanullah Gurbaz: 



<ul>
<li>Match: 3</li>



<li>Runs: 148</li>



<li>Average: 49.33</li>
</ul>



Mitchell Santner: 



<ul>
<li>Match: 03</li>



<li>Wickets: 08</li>
</ul>



Matt Henry: 



<ul>
<li>Match: 03</li>



<li>Wickets: 08</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="new-zealand-vs-afghanistan-dream-11-prediction-world-cup-2023">New Zealand vs Afghanistan Dream11 Prediction World Cup 2023</h2>



It's quite hard to move past New Zealand at this point in time. The team is in sensational form and they have ticked all their boxes at the start of the ICC World Cup 2023. Three wins from as many games against quality opponents is a high-class act. Moreover, New Zealand holds an upper hand over Afghanistan having gone 2-up in the last two World Cup appearances - 2015 and 2019.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="new-zealand-vs-afghanistan-head-to-head-records-in-world-cup">New Zealand vs Afghanistan Head-to-Head Records in World Cup </h2>



Matches Played: 02



New Zealand Won: 02



Afghanistan Won: 00



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/odi-world-cup-2023-points-table-latest-after-australia-vs-sri-lanka-upcoming-world-cup-2023-matches-highest-run-getter-most-wickets-all-stats/">ODI World Cup 2023 Points Table Latest after Australia vs Sri Lanka, Upcoming World Cup 2023 Matches, Highest Run Getter, Most Wickets All Stats</a>



Visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.icc-cricket.com/homepage" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ICC OFFICIAL WEBSITE</a>&nbsp;for more recent updates.<a href="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/plugins/gumlet/assets/images/pixel.png"></a><a href="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/plugins/gumlet/assets/images/pixel.png"></a> <a href="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/plugins/gumlet/assets/images/pixel.png"></a><a href="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/plugins/gumlet/assets/images/pixel.png"></a>

New Zealand vs Afghanistan Dream11 Prediction World Cup 2023, NZ vs AFG Dream11 Team, New Zealand Playing 11, Full Squads, Top Fantasy Picks, Head to Head

new-zealand-vs-afghanistan-dream11-prediction-world-cup-2023-nz-vs-afg-dream11-team-new-zealand-playing-11-full-squads-top-fantasy-picks-head-to-head

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

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

India's squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 finalised

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

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

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

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

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

India fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been giving his best to return to cricket. The pacer has faced a lot of setbacks, and there is now massive speculation if he will be fit for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, which will be played in February-March this year. 
Mohammed Shami, who faced an ankle injury during the ICC World Cup 2023, missed a lot of cricketing action including the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 as well as the T20 World Cup 2024. However, after completing the rehab, the fast bowler finally made his comeback in domestic cricket. 
Mohammed Shami played for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25. He featured in one game and looked in a great rhythm. With the way he bowled, it was also certain that he would play a part for India at some stage in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. But that wasn't meant to as the NCA wasn't convinced with his fitness. 
Mohammed Shami then featured in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 for Bengal and made a solid impact for the Team in the white-ball tournament as well. The fast bowler was reportedly fit to play the last two games of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. But he faced another setback. 
Mohammed Shami had swelling in their knees, and it made BCCI release the official statement about the pacer. They revealed the fresh injury, saying that the fast bowler will be missing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, the medical team will monitor his progress, and he will be working at the National Cricket Academy. 
However now, Mohammed Shami has provided a fitness update about himself. The fast bowler returned to the nets and was seen bowling at full throttle. The pacer posted a video about himself in which he was seen bowling in the nets at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. 
Mohammed Shami looked in fine rhythm as he was seen bowling with accurate accuracy. The pacer hit the stumps on target and it gives a clear indication that he might be fit for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The BCCI reportedly is monitoring him, and there are high chances that he might play the tournament. 
Do Read:<a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ipl-2025-predicted-rcb-playing-xi-and-top-3-combos/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> IPL 2025: Predicted RCB Playing XI and Top 3 Combos</a>
<h2>Watch: Mohammed Shami returns to action, bowls in full throttle in nets</h2>

India fast bowler Mohammed Shami has been giving his best to return to cricket.

Mohammed Shami to miss the ICC Champions Trophy 2025? Pacer provides a massive fitness update

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We are just five weeks away from the start of the ICC Champions Trophy. This will be the ninth edition of the ICC event, which is scheduled to take place in Pakistan and the UAE with the top 8 teams taking part in it, including Team India.
The Men in Blue are part of Group A, which also have Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh. India will start the campaign on February 20, with a match against Bangladesh in Dubai. India are likely to announce their provision squad by January 12. This will be the first major ICC tournament for Gautam Gambhir as head coach.
India won the T20 World Cup 2024, and the expectation from the team will be very high. But there are a few things that they need to plan. One of them is the opening combination for the team. Hence, we will talk here about three possible opening combinations that India can try for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
<h2>Three Opening Combinations India can Opt for the Champions Trophy 2025</h2>
1. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill
The pair of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill is likely to be the first-choice opening duo that will start the innings in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. These two have been batting together since 2023 and had great numbers. As a pair, they have played in 25 innings and scored 1732 runs at an average of 72.16. They have five hundred and eleven 50-run stands between the two. India will look at them as the first-choice opening duo.
2. Rohit Sharma and Yashavi Jaiswal
Being captain, Rohit Sharma is almost a certainty at the top, irrespective of his current form. That's where India can try to change his partner. Yashavi Jaiswal has been in excellent form in the last year or so and scored the most runs for India in the BGT 2024-25. He is a flamboyant opener who likes to take on the bowling. Rohit and Jasiwal have opened the innings for India in Tests, and it has been successful. This also gives India a left-hand and right-hand option at the top.
3. Yashavi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill
Rohit is not in his best form, but it doesn't mean that he won't be part of the playing XI. One thing, India can try to make some changes in the batting order. India will face Pakistan, New Zealand, and Bangladesh in their group, and these teams have good left-arm pacers, which has been a weakness of Rohit. Hence, there is a possibility that India can try Jaiswal and Gill to open the innings. Both are young and complete each other in many ways. Jaiswal is attacking, and Gill is a traditional striker of the ball.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/is-virat-kohli-s-and-rohit-sharma-s-form-a-worry-for-india-ahead-of-champions-trophy-2025-here-s-how-these-two-have-performed-in-ct-history/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Is Virat Kohli's and Rohit Sharma's form a worry for India ahead of Champions Trophy 2025? Here's how these two have performed in CT history</a>

India will open their campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 with a match against Bangladesh on February 20 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.

3 Dynamic Opening Combinations India can try in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

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

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