IND vs RSA, 3rd T20I: After facing a heartbreaking defeat to the Proteas in the 2nd T20i, Team India looked to bounce back with a win in the 3rd and final T20i of the 3-match T20i series. Aiden Markram led South Africa to lead the three-match series 1-0. The final T20i will take place at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. The match will start at 8:30 PM IST.



Ruturaj Gaikwad's presence was definitely missed in the top order as both the openers, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, got out without scoring any runs. If Gaikwad manages to recover successfully from his illness, he will walk straight into the playing 11 for the final T20i. He is in good form, and he was the highest run scorer for the Men in Blue in the 5-match T20i series vs. Australia, and his inclusion in the playing 11 would provide some much-needed solidity for the Indian team.



Shubman Gill would be his partner at the other end. Regarded as the Prince of Indian Cricket, he had a decent ODI World Cup, and after the final vs. Australia, he took a break and returned to yesterday's match. Gill looked a bit rusty on his return and struggled to get going vs. the pace of the South African bowlers, and he would have to adjust according to the conditions quickly as India would be relying on the duo of Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad to get The Men in Blue off to a flier in the 3rd T20i vs. South Africa.



Skipper Suryakumar Yadav will bat at No. 3 and is expected to lead the team from the front once again. He scored an important 50 vs. the Proteas in the previous game and would want to play another captain?s knock in the 3rd T20i and help India level the 3-match T20i series.



Tilak Verma is expected to bat once again at number 4. He looked fine in the previous match with a knock of 29 runs from 20 balls, but he got dismissed for playing a poor shot. He would want to play a better knock in the 3rd T20i as he can attack the bowling unit of The Proteas freely at will. His part-time spin bowling can give him the edge over Shreyas Iyer, and The Men in Blue can use him as a sixth bowling option.



Rinku Singh will come to bat at number 5. He has been in outstanding form since his debut and played a brilliant knock of 68 runs in the last match. He showed that he is more than a finisher, and he knows how to build an inning properly. He would want to ensure that India win the 3rd T20i and level the series by performing well once again, as his presence in the middle order solidifies the batting of the Men in Blue.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/12/India-vs-South-Africa-3rd-T20I.jpg" alt="IND vs SA 3rd T20I Playing11, Dream11 Prediction, India vs South Africa Dream11 Team, New Wanderers Stadium Johannesburg Pitch Report, India Playing11 | India tour of South Africa 2023-24" class="wp-image-123642" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: Associated Press</figcaption></figure>



Jitesh Sharma will once again don the wicket-keeping gloves for the final T20i of the series vs. South Africa. He tried to go after Aiden Markram in the last match but got dismissed cheaply, so he would want to perform well in the 3rd T20i; otherwise, his spot in the playing 11 will be taken by Ishan Kishan.



Ravindra Jadeja played the role of the spin bowling allrounder in the previous game and scored some useful runs with the bat in the backend of the innings but was not able to do much with the ball. But he is not someone who cannot be taken lightly, as he is a clutch player, and he would be looking to control the run flow of the South African batters in the final T20i on the batting-friendly pitch of Johannesburg.



Kuldeep Yadav is expected to handle the spin bowling department along with Jadeja for the third and final T20i of this series. He picked up a wicket and gave away just 26 runs in the 2nd T20i, and the Chinamen bowler would want to trouble the South African bowlers once again with his spin in Johannesburg.



Mohammad Siraj will lead the pace bowling unit. He looked in great rhythm, picking up 1 wicket by giving away 27 runs in his 3 overs, and would want to deliver a similar performance in the final T20i.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/12/shamsi-1.jpg" alt="ICC T20I Player Rankings (Rank 1 to 10) Updated (13 December) After SA vs IND 2nd T20I | Full ICC Men?s T20I Player Standings" class="wp-image-123643" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tabraiz Shamsi (Image: Associate Press)</figcaption></figure>



Mukesh Kumar picked up 2 wickets as he dismissed David Miller and Aiden Markram in the 2nd T20i, but his economy was quite high, and he would want to bowl economically in the 3rd T20i.



Arshdeep Singh is not able to replicate his IPL form in international cricket. He gave away 24 runs in his very first over in the 2nd T20i and ended the match with figures of 0-31 in 2 overs. There's no update regarding the availability of Deepak Chahar, so Arshdeep would be the 3rd seamer in the 3rd T20i vs. South Africa.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">India?s predicted Playing XI against South Africa in the 3rd T20I</h2>



Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Verma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh.



Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/rsa-vs-ind-3rd-t20i-players-to-watch-out-for-india-tour-of-south-africa-last-t20i/" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/rsa-vs-ind-3rd-t20i-players-to-watch-out-for-india-tour-of-south-africa-last-t20i/">RSA vs IND, 3rd T20I: Players to Watch out For | India Tour of South Africa, Last T20I</a>



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

IND vs RSA, 3rd T20I: Team India Strategies against South Africa in third T20I | India tour of South Africa

ind-vs-rsa-3rd-t20i-team-india-strategies-against-south-africa-in-third-t20i-india-tour-of-south-africa

South Africa vs India, 1st Test: The Indian cricket team is preparing for a crucial two-match Test series against the hosts, following a historic ODI series success in South Africa. The action of the longest format of the game begins on December 26 with a Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion, followed by the second Test at Newlands on January 3.



<div class="wp-block-rank-math-toc-block" id="rank-math-toc"><nav><div><div class=""><a href="#schedule-of-the-test-series-between-india-and-south-africa">Schedule of the Test Series between India and South Africa</a><div><div class=""><a href="#where-can-we-watch-the-test-series-between-india-and-south-africa">Where can we watch the Test Series between India and South Africa?</a></div><div class=""><a href="#will-the-test-matches-be-broadcast-on-any-ott-platform">Will the test matches be broadcast on any OTT platform?</a></div><div class=""><a href="#indias-probable-playing-11-for-the-1st-test-match">India's probable playing 11 for the 1st Test match</a></div></div></div><div class=""><a href="#indias-test-squad-vs-south-africa">India's Test Squad vs South Africa</a></div><div class=""><a href="#south-africas-test-squad-vs-india">South Africa's Test Squad vs India</a></div></div></nav></div>



Indian captain Rohit Sharma, along with mainstays Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, will make their long-awaited comeback. India will be on a quest to write their name in history by winning their first Test series in South Africa. Furthermore, The Men in Blue would be hoping to maintain their top spot in the World Test Championship 2023-25 Points table with a victory in the 2-match Test Series against The Proteas.



Yashasvi Jaiswal had a solid test series against the Windies as an opener, and he is set to open the innings alongside Skipper Rohit Sharma against South Africa. Rohit is returning to the National Team setup after a break following the conclusion of the ODI World Cup, and his contribution with the bat, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal, will be extremely important for Team India if they want to win their first ever Test Series on South African soil.



Shubman Gill (The Prince of Indian Cricket) will bat at No. 3 after giving up his opening place to teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal. Gill's form has been somewhat troubling since he was not at all good in the just-finished three-match T20i series against South Africa, and he needs to perform well with the bat if India is to do well against South Africa.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/05/Indian-team-test_11zon-1024x676.jpg" alt="WTC FINAL 2023: Virat Kohli &amp; Others will leave for England on May 22nd(Tomorrow)" class="wp-image-113626" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Virat Kohli &amp; Others</figcaption></figure>



King Kohli will bat at number four in the batting order. In the recently finished ODI World Cup 2023, he was in the best form of his life, overtaking the great Sachin Tendulkar in terms of most ODI centuries. He had a rest after the World Cup and will make his comeback in the Test series against the Proteas. He would be hoping to replicate his ODI form in the longest format of the game, and his contributions will be crucial for Team India against South Africa.



Shreyas Iyer will make his long-awaited return to the longest format of the game in the series against South Africa. He played his previous test match against Australia in this year's Border-Gavaskar Trophy before suffering a back injury that forced him to miss the IPL 2023 and the WTC 23 Final. Ajinkya Rahane replaced Iyer in the lineup, but Rahane failed to impress during the West Indies tour, and Shreyas Iyer has been in top form in recent months, and he will be eager to end 2023 on a high by helping India win the test series against South Africa.



KL-Rahul will play the role of wicketkeeper against the Proteas. He usually prefers opening in the longest format of the game, but this time he would be seen batting at number 6, which is going to be quite unusual for him, and it would be interesting to see how quickly he adapts to his new role in Test matches.



For the first match, Ravindra Jadeja is slated to be the lone spinner. The Centurion pitch is quite green and will favor the seamers, and we've seen that the Indian management likes Jadeja to be the lone spinner in seam-friendly circumstances, and that will be the case against the Proteas as well.



Shardul Thakur will be the team's second all-rounder. If this match were taking place in India or at a venue where the conditions were favorable for spinners, Ashwin would have started ahead of Shardul, but because the surface would aid the seam bowlers, Ravi Ashwin will have to sit on the bench.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2023/06/Rohit-Sharma-Jasprit-Bumrah-1.jpg" alt="Players who can replace Rohit Sharma as India's captain in ICC WTC 2023-25" class="wp-image-114836" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image Source: Twitter</figcaption></figure>



Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are going to be sure shot starters in both the test matches against the Proteas, but the question is: who will be the 3rd seamer in the absence of the injured Mohammed Shami? Mukesh Kumar made his test debut against the Windies earlier this year and is coming off a decent ODI and T20i series against South Africa. The 30-year-old is expected to get the nod over Prasidh Krishna since Mukesh has already experienced the conditions of South Africa in the white ball series.



The forthcoming tests will be missed by Mohammed Shami, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Ishan Kishan. Shami and Gaikwad are out due to injuries, while Ishan Kishan has been withdrawn from the squad due to personal reasons.



KS Bharat and Abhimanyu Easwaran have been called up as replacements for Ruturaj and Ishan while no replacement has been announced for Shami, and Mukesh Kumar or Prasidh Krishna might play the role of the 3rd seamer in the test series against the Proteas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="schedule-of-the-test-series-between-india-and-south-africa">Schedule of the Test Series between India and South Africa</h2>



1st Test: 26/12/23, 1:30 PM (IST) Supersport Park, Centurion



2nd Test: 3/01/24 2:00 PM (IST) Newlands, Cape Town



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="where-can-we-watch-the-test-series-between-india-and-south-africa">Where can we watch the Test Series between India and South Africa?</h3>



One can watch the action of the test series on the Star Sports network on TV.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="will-the-test-matches-be-broadcast-on-any-ott-platform">Will the test matches be broadcast on any OTT platform?</h3>



Yes, one Can watch the live action of the test series on the application and website of Disney+Hotstar



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="indias-probable-playing-11-for-the-1st-test-match">India's probable playing 11 for the 1st Test match</h3>



Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mukesh Kumar / Prasidh Krishna.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="indias-test-squad-vs-south-africa">India's Test Squad vs South Africa</h2>



Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, Abhimanyu Easwaran, KL Rahul (WK), KS Bharat (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mukesh Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Prasidh Krishna.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="south-africas-test-squad-vs-india">South Africa's Test Squad vs India</h2>



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



Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-sa-rohit-sharmas-biggest-mental-challenge-during-india-vs-south-africa-1st-test-reveals-sunil-gavaskar/" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ind-vs-sa-rohit-sharmas-biggest-mental-challenge-during-india-vs-south-africa-1st-test-reveals-sunil-gavaskar/">Rohit Sharma?s biggest mental challenge during India vs South Africa 1st Test reveals Sunil Gavaskar</a>



For more details, head to the?<a href="https://www.icc-cricket.com/homepage" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ICC?s?</a>official website.

South Africa vs India, 1st Test: Team India strategies against RSA, Playing 11 and Live Streaming Details

south-africa-vs-india-1st-test-team-india-strategies-against-rsa-playing-11-and-live-streaming-details

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IND vs ENG: After the T20 series concluded, as Mohammed Shami returned to the shortest format for India after a huge span of absence from the format, the World Cup 2023 hero is back playing a crucial hand in the ODI series against England, which will begin on the 6th of February. 
 
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_Shami">Mohammed Shami </a>has had a decent T20 return with 3 wickets across 2 games played and is considered one of the greatest ODI bowlers for India of all time. Especially in the absence of legendary pacer Bumrah, Shami is the most experienced pacer to lead the Indian pace attack. 
 
Ever since the 2023 Cricket World Cup, Shami will play his first one-day international match, supposedly at the Vidarbha Stadium tomorrow. Ahead of the vital clash, Mohammed Shami will enter the field with 195 wickets to his name in the longest limited-overs format. 
 
<h2 dir="ltr">A Glimpse into Mohammed Shami’s Career </h2>
<img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202501/image_430x256_679066d186630.jpg" alt="" width="799" height="497">
A peek into Mohammed Shami's stunning career despite injuries (Image Credit: X)
Shami, the Indian fast bowler, began his journey from the T20 Trophy starring for Bengal back in 2010, where he had one of the best debuts ever. Shami played for several franchises in the IPL the Delhi Daredevils, Punjab Kings, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolkata_Knight_Riders">Kolkata Knight Riders</a>, and Gujarat Titans, where he picked 127 career wickets in the franchise-level cricket tournament. 
 
Shami has played over three World Cups for India ever since his debut in 2013, as he has been India’s highest wicket-taker in the history of the CWC, playing over three editions in 2015, 2019 and 2023. With 450+ career wickets in the Men in Blue’s jersey, Shami, despite participation in several WTC and CWC games, could never be seen on the podium, though he won several individual records, the last being named the Player of the Tournament in the 2023 World Cup. 
 
<h2 dir="ltr">List of Bowlers fastest to reach 200 ODI wickets</h2>
 
Shami, who has appeared in 101 games and is only 5-wickets away from the remarkable 200 wicket mark, is like Australian modern-day legendary fast bowler <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitchell_Starc">Mitchell Starc</a>, who also has 200+ wickets and reached the milestone in just 102 matches and the 101 bowling innings. 
 
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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>
<img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202502/image_430x256_67a2c0b463d76.jpg" alt="" width="791" height="492">
Shami to surpass Agarkar for fastest 200 ODI Wickets for India (Image Credit: X)
The current Indian selection committee head,<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajit_Agarkar"> Ajit Agarkar</a>, picked the fastest 200 wickets for India as the veteran pacer achieved the feat in just 133 games and ended his career with 288 wickets in the format. 
 
So far, only 7 Indian bowlers have crossed the 200-wicket mark; Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath have picked over 300+ ODI wickets, while Zaheer Khan, Agarkar, Harbhajan Singh, Kapil Dev, and Ravindra Jadeja have also picked over 200 wickets for the Men in Blue. 
 
<h3>Most Wickets for India in ODIs:</h3>
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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

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

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

Mitchell Starc had Kamindu Mendis strangled down leg side, Sri Lanka vs Australia, 1st Test, Galle, 3rd day, January 31, 2025 | Image: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

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

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