The South African Men's National Cricket Team, under the leadership of Temba Bavuma became the first team to secure the 2023-25 WTC cycle Final berth as they triumphed over Shan Masood-led Pakistan in the first Test-Match at Centurion on Sunday, 29th of December. 
After struggling at 99-8 in the run chase of 148 runs, the home side cross the finish line thanks to a magnificent partnership of the ninth-wicket between tailenders Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada. 
The win in the Centurion Test-Match over the Shaheens has steered the Proteas to 88 points in 11 encounters in the current WTC cycle, giving a significant boost to their PCT to 66.67 ahead of the PCT of the Mighty Australians i.e 58.89 and Team India's 55.89 PCT. Both of those teams are currently fighting it out against each other in the ongoing 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series which is currently tied at 1-1.
With the Proteas confirming their ticket to the WTC Final, which will be held at the iconic Lord's Cricket Stadium between the 11th of June to 15th of June of 2025, only Australia and the Indian Team are the only two realistic contenders fighting it out versus each other secure the other vacant final spot. 
The Temba Bavuma-led team became just the fourth team to qualify for the WTC final after Team India (2021&amp; 2023), Reigning Champions Australia (2023) and inaugural-winners New Zealand, who lifted the WTC Test Mace in 2021 under the captaincy of Kane Williamson. 
The Proteas kicked off their 2023-25 WTC campaign with a 1-1 home Test-Series draw versus the Men in Blue before falling to a 2-0 defeat versus the Kiwis in February of this year. Temba Bavum and CO then secured two consecutive series wins over the Windies and the Bangladeshi Tigers before securing a easy 2-0 home series win versus Sri Lanka earlier this month
This defeat versus South Africa was Pakistan's seventh one in the current WTC cycle in 11 participated emcounters and this defeat meant they have dropped down to the eighth position below Asian-rivals Bangladesh in the overall WTC Standings. The 2nd and final Test-Match between both the teams will be played in the city of Cape Town from the 3rd of January, 2025.
<h2>Updated WTC Points-table:</h2>
<table class="table cb-srs-pnts" style="width: 99.5122%; height: 383.359px;">
<thead>
<tr class="cb-srs-gray-strip " style="height: 10px;">
<td class=" cb-srs-pnts-th text-center" style="width: 7.18033%;" title="Position">Pos</td>
<td style="width: 2.11186%;"> </td>
<td class=" cb-srs-pnts-th text-left" style="width: 20.6963%;" title="Team">Team</td>
<td class=" cb-srs-pnts-th" style="width: 13.7271%;" title="Matches Played">Matches</td>
<td class=" cb-srs-pnts-th" style="width: 8.86982%;" title="Matches Won">Won</td>
<td class=" cb-srs-pnts-th" style="width: 8.02508%;" title="Matches Lost">Lost</td>
<td class=" cb-srs-pnts-th" style="width: 10.9817%;" title="Matches Drawn">Drawn</td>
<td class=" cb-srs-pnts-th" style="width: 6.54677%;" title="Matches Abandonded">NR</td>
<td class=" cb-srs-pnts-th" style="width: 10.7705%;" title="Total Points">Points</td>
<td class=" cb-srs-pnts-th" style="width: 11.1929%;" title="Percentage of Points">PCT</td>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 58.5938px;">
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-center" style="width: 7.18033%;">1</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-center" style="width: 2.11186%;"> </td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-left" style="width: 20.6963%;">South Africa</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 13.7271%;">11</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 8.86982%;">7</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 8.02508%;">3</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 10.9817%;">1</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 6.54677%;">0</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 10.7705%;">88</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 11.1929%;">66.670</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 36.1953px;">
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-center" style="width: 7.18033%;">2</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-center" style="width: 2.11186%;"> </td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-left" style="width: 20.6963%;">Australia</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 13.7271%;">15</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 8.86982%;">9</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 8.02508%;">4</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 10.9817%;">2</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 6.54677%;">0</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 10.7705%;">106</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 11.1929%;">58.890</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 36.1953px;">
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-center" style="width: 7.18033%;">3</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-center" style="width: 2.11186%;"> </td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-left" style="width: 20.6963%;">India</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 13.7271%;">17</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 8.86982%;">9</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 8.02508%;">6</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 10.9817%;">2</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 6.54677%;">0</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 10.7705%;">114</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 11.1929%;">55.880</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 58.5938px;">
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-center" style="width: 7.18033%;">4</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-center" style="width: 2.11186%;"> </td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-left" style="width: 20.6963%;">New Zealand</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 13.7271%;">14</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 8.86982%;">7</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 8.02508%;">7</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 10.9817%;">0</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 6.54677%;">0</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 10.7705%;">81</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 11.1929%;">48.210</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 36.1953px;">
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-center" style="width: 7.18033%;">5</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-center" style="width: 2.11186%;"> </td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-left" style="width: 20.6963%;">Sri Lanka</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 13.7271%;">11</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 8.86982%;">5</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 8.02508%;">6</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 10.9817%;">0</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 6.54677%;">0</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 10.7705%;">60</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 11.1929%;">45.450</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 36.1953px;">
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-center" style="width: 7.18033%;">6</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-center" style="width: 2.11186%;"> </td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-left" style="width: 20.6963%;">England</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 13.7271%;">22</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 8.86982%;">11</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 8.02508%;">10</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 10.9817%;">1</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 6.54677%;">0</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 10.7705%;">114</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 11.1929%;">43.180</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 36.1953px;">
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-center" style="width: 7.18033%;">7</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-center" style="width: 2.11186%;"> </td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-left" style="width: 20.6963%;">Bangladesh</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 13.7271%;">12</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 8.86982%;">4</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 8.02508%;">8</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 10.9817%;">0</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 6.54677%;">0</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 10.7705%;">45</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 11.1929%;">31.250</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 36.1953px;">
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-center" style="width: 7.18033%;">8</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-center" style="width: 2.11186%;"></td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td text-left" style="width: 20.6963%; text-align: left;">Pakistan</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 13.7271%;">11</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 8.86982%;">4</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 8.02508%;">7</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 10.9817%;">0</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 6.54677%;">0</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 10.7705%;">40</td>
<td class="cb-srs-pnts-td" style="width: 11.1929%;">30.300</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Marco Jansen (L) and Kagiso Rabada (R) of South Africa held their nerve and helped their team secure a victory over Pakistan in Centurion  | Image: Getty Images

South Africa have become the first team to qualify for the WTC 2023-25 Final after their win over Pakistan in Centurion

Updated WTC Points-Table following South Africa's win over Pakistan | South Africa survive a scare

updated-wtc-points-table-following-south-africa-s-win-over-pakistan-south-africa-survive-a-scare

The finalists of both World Test Championship cycles in the history of Test cricket—once the number-one ranked team for a long time before the home series against New Zealand and a side brimming with some of the finest red-ball cricketing talent—have suffered as many as 11 batting collapses in their last 14 innings.
If we set aside a few individual performances from these 14 innings, the overall display as a unit reveals two more poor performances. Not to mention, India managed to win just one Test out of those seven, and that too only when the entire top order fired up and put up substantial runs.
The most disheartening aspect is that India faltered against New Zealand at home, on pitches they themselves had chosen to play on. New Zealand, on the other hand, executed their plans and tactics flawlessly, adapting brilliantly to subcontinent conditions. They not only outplayed India but also delivered a resounding statement by securing a 3-0 whitewash in the Test series on Indian soil.
Following the home humiliation, India embarked on their tour of Australia for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and started on a high note, winning the first Test in Perth. Despite being bowled out for just 150 in the first innings, a brilliant 161 from Jaiswal and an unbeaten century from Kohli (100*) secured a memorable victory for India.
While Indian bowling, led by Jasprit Bumrah, has delivered consistently and performed satisfactorily, the same cannot be said for the batting lineup, which continues to struggle with inconsistency.

The second innings at Perth was the last time Indian batting displayed solidity. In the pink-ball Test at Adelaide, the team suffered a double collapse, resulting in a defeat. At Brisbane, KL Rahul, Jadeja, and Akash Deep were the only players to score above 20, highlighting the lack of form and consistency within the batting order.
The latest disappointment came in Melbourne, where the story was no different. Despite promising starts, the batters threw away their wickets, leading to yet another collapse. Jaiswal, however, continued his excellent form and proved to be the lone bright spot in an otherwise dismal batting performance, fully deserving the bit of luck that came his way.
<h2>Things Going Wrong With Indian Batting</h2>
<h3>Out of Form Captain</h3>
<img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202412/image_430x256_67738a0a1ea8d.jpg" alt="">
Rohit Sharma, the Indian Test Captain, is just out of the knick and it looks like he is out of the mindset he used to have. If we talk on his numbers in the Border Gavaskar trophy 2024-25, he has scored only 31 runs in the three tests of the series. His total runs in the series are just one more than Jasprit Bumrah's wickets in the series.
The runs simply aren’t coming. While the statistics might provide material for laughs and social media memes, on a serious note, they paint a grim picture of Rohit as a batter. Not only has he struggled with his form, but his performance as a Test captain has also been far from tactically sound or proactive. The prolonged lean patch has seemingly further impacted his decision-making, compounding the issues for both himself and the team
<h3>Virat and the fifth Stump Love Affair</h3>
<img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202412/image_430x256_67738a0bddf09.jpg" alt="">
‘Modern-day greats will figure out their way… you know… path,’ Rohit Sharma said with a smile when asked about Kohli's tendency to chase the fifth-stump ball ahead of the Boxing Day Test. Ironically, in both innings at the MCG, Kohli was dismissed chasing deliveries outside the off-stump, proving that the issue remains unresolved.
There seems to be a clear pattern emerging for both Kohli and Rohit, and opposing teams now know exactly how to send them back to the pavilion. The Australians, in particular, are enjoying testing Virat Kohli's patience, and it hasn’t taken much effort to reap the rewards. At this point, even someone like Mitch Marsh could dismiss Kohli by consistently bowling on the fourth or fifth stump line.
This issue needs to be addressed urgently. Kohli has earned his place among the greats over the years, but now it’s time for him to show how he can adapt and overcome this persistent fifth-stump vulnerability.
<h3>Rishabh Pant Being Over Aggressive </h3>
<img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202412/image_430x256_67738a0dba404.jpg" alt="">
Pant, known for his fearless and attacking style, has played key roles in many of India's victories. Yet, his tendency to go for high-risk shots has led to untimely dismissals, one of the most notable being a poor judgment call during the Melbourne Cricket Ground match, where he attempted an ill-conceived scoop shot.
Pant is putting in significant effort to get those valuable starts, and he’s been successful in doing so. But his aggressive instincts often take over, causing his well-earned starts to end in unfortunate dismissals.
READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/on-this-day-in-2014-the-legendary-ms-dhoni-played-his-final-test-and-retired-from-the-longest-format-of-the-game/">On this day in 2014, the legendary MS Dhoni played his final test and retired from the longest format of the game</a>

India’s recent struggles in Test cricket reflect inconsistent batting, with key players like Kohli and Rohit failing to find form. Despite strong individual performances, persistent issues, especially against Australia, remain unresolved.

India’s Test cricket woes continue with inconsistent batting and decision-making, despite individual brilliance, especially against Australia’s relentless pressure.

What's Wrong With India's Batting in Recent Times? Indepth Analysis Featuring Border-Gavaskar Trophy

what-s-wrong-with-india-s-batting-in-recent-times-indepth-analysis-featuring-border-gavaskar-trophy

The performance of the Indian Cricket Team in 2024 has been mixed. While they lifted the T20 World Cup trophy for the 2nd time after a long gap of 17 years, they also suffered a humiliating 3-0 home series whitewash versus New Zealand. This defeat meant that they had to suffer their first Test-Series defeat on home soil after 12 years.
Currently, the Men in Blue are in Australia where they are taking part in the 2024-25 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. But, the Mighty Australians have the upper hand as they are leading the series by a margin of 2-1.
<h3>How many Test-Matches will the Indian team play in 2025? </h3>
Against which teams will the Men in Blue lock horns in Test Cricket next year i.e 2025? They will be kicking off 2025 with the Sydney Test-Match versus the Kangaroos. This test will be played between Australia and India from the 3rd of January onwards. If the Rohit Sharma-led team manages to book their ticket for the 2023-25 WTC Final, then they will get the chance to play yet another Test-Match in 2025.
Post this, the Blue Army will embark on the Tour of England where they will be taking part in a five-match Test-Series. This series will also kick off the team's 2025-27 WTC cycle.
In short, the Blue Army will be taking part in a total of 10 Test Cricket contests in 2025 and it may increase to 11 if they qualify for the WTC Final.
<h2>The Indian Team will play Test-Matches in 2025 versus these teams</h2>
The five-match Test-Series versus the Three Lions will be the first one of the year for the Indians. Post the conclusion of the England tour, Rohit Sharma and CO will lock horns versus the West Indies in a home two-match series. 
Once that series is over, they will then play their final Test-Series of the year versus the Proteas which will be once again a two-match one. This particular Bilateral Test series will be played on Indian-soil.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/3-changes-india-must-make-to-win-the-scg-test-to-retain-the-border-gavaskar-trophy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3 changes India must make to win the SCG Test to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy</a>

Indian players celebrate the dismissal of Australian captain Pat Cummins in the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test | Image: Getty Images

Team India's full Test Cricket schedule in 2025

Indian Cricket: Team India's full Test Cricket schedule in 2025, they will face these teams

indian-cricket-team-india-s-full-test-cricket-schedule-in-2025-they-will-face-these-teams

After suffering a humiliating defeat versus the Australian Cricket Team in the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match, a lot of questions have started to raise on the duo of Rohit Sharma &amp; Virat Kohli. It's believed that both the players will retire from the longest format of the game post the conclusion of the ongoing 2024-25 BGT series but, have both of them really made up their mind to retire? 
Will the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy versus the Australia be the final Test-Series of Rohit and Virat? Former Indian Cricketer and Head-Coach has made a big prediction on this matter. 
<h2>'Kohli still has 3-4 years of Cricket left in him but...'</h2>
Ravi Shastri believes that the legendary Virat Kohli still has three to four years of Cricket left in him, but Rohit Sharma on the other hand is struggling with poor form and technique in red-ball Cricket. Therefore, the Indian captain needs to start thinking about his future. 
He said, "I feel that he (Virat) will carry on playing Cricket for a few more years. Forget the manner in which he's getting dismissed or other things, I feel he will play for atleast three-four years. As far as Rohit is concerned, he needs to take the tough decision. His footwork is not the same anymore".
<h2>What's going on with Indian skipper Rohit Sharma? </h2>
Regarding the poor form of Rohit Sharma in Test Cricket, Shastri said that he probably takes a lot of time while executing his shots at times. So he should take a big call after the ens of this series versus Australia. 
Apart from this, the former Indian Heach Coach also pointed fingers towards the problems in Rohit's batting-technique, especially in the way he moves his front-foot. He said, "We all have witnessed many times in this current series that his front-foot is not going towards the ball as it's supposed to. He needs to find a way to overcome these problems otherwise he needs to move away from Red Ball Cricket".
It will be interesting to see what kind of a decision both Kohli and Sharma take in regards to their future in the longest format of the game. 
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/on-this-day-in-2014-the-legendary-ms-dhoni-played-his-final-test-and-retired-from-the-longest-format-of-the-game/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">On this day in 2014, the legendary MS Dhoni played his final test and retired from the longest format of the game</a>

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma of India chatting with each other in the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match | Image: X (Tanuj Singh)

Former Indian Head Coach Ravi Shastri has given a big statement regarding the future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Test Cricket

IND vs AUS: Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will retire! Former Indian  Head Coach makes a big prediction

ind-vs-aus-virat-kohli-and-rohit-sharma-will-retire-former-indian-head-coach-makes-a-big-prediction

On this day i.e 30th of December, in 2014, Indian Cricket Team's prominent skipper MS Dhoni announced his decision to retire from Test-Cricket midway through the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India. 
The 2014 Boxing-Day Test-Match at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) witnessed Dhoni's final appearance in the white jersey of Team India while the introduction of Lokesh Rahul was also witnessed in the red-ball format. 
The 2014 Boxing-Day Test ended in a draw with neither sides able to secure the win but both of them showcased exceptional level of performances. Former Australian skipper Steven Smith played an outstanding knock of 192 runs in the 1st inning, while the duo of Rahane and Kohli steadied the sinking ship of the Indians by getting involved in a massive 262-run partnership for the 4th wicket.
The former played a sublime knock of 147 runs in 171 deliveries while the latter was even better scoring 169 runs in 272 deliveries before getting dismissed off the bowling of the legendary Mitchell Johnson. 
<img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202412/image_870x_6772d5aed1bb4.jpg" alt="" width="386" height="263" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">
Talking about MSD, he played a decent inning of 24 runs which was an unbeaten one and it also proved to be his final one in the five-day format. While the Indians played well and were in search of their maiden BGT series victory on Australian soil, the dream didn't get achieved at that time as the Kangaroos showcased some brilliant level of Cricket and sealed the series by a margin of 2-0.
Talking about the record of MSD's captaincy in Tests, he helped the Men in Blue win the Test Mace twice under his leadership and he kept the team highly competitive in the five-day format. He led the Indian Team in 60 Test-Matches, securing wins in 27 games, 15 draws and 18 defeats. He had a winning percentage of 45% as the captain of the Indian Team in red-ball Cricket. 
In terms of personal stats, Dhoni managed to score a total of 4,876 runs in 90 Tests with the help of six magnificent centuries and 33 fifties. 
Post his retirement from the longest format of the game, MSD continued to represent the Men in Blue in limited overs formats and played his last matches in One Day International and T20 Internationals in 2019 before calling it a day on the 15th of August, 2020
The Veteran wicket keeper batsman continues to play in the best T20 league in the world of Cricket i.e the IPL for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He has helped them lift the IPL Trophy five times under his leadership.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/travis-head-at-the-risk-of-getting-punished-by-the-icc-due-to-his-controversial-celebration-in-melbourne/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Travis Head at the risk of getting punished by the ICC due to his controversial Celebration in Melbourne</a>

MS Dhoni of India leaves the field on day five of the Third Test match between Australia and India at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 30, 2014 | Image: Getty Images

The legendary Indian Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni played his last test-match on this day in 2014

On this day in 2014, the legendary MS Dhoni played his final test and retired from the longest format of the game

on-this-day-in-2014-the-legendary-ms-dhoni-played-his-final-test-and-retired-from-the-longest-format-of-the-game

Australia skipper Pat Cummins has come with a massive statement on Jasprit Bumrah after the win against India in the fourth Test of the series. He said that he had no empathy for the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team for not winning the game despite giving his best. 
India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been one of the main reasons why the team has been putting in a great fight in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The premier fast bowler has given his best with the ball, and the same was the case in the Melbourne Test. 
Jasprit Bumrah yet again single-handedly carried the bowling lineup of the team. He hardly got any support from others as he was seen bowling his heart out. Since there was no support from others, he had to bowl again and again which took a lot out of him. 
Jasprit Bumrah picked up four wickets in the first innings and then followed it with five wickets in the second innings. His exceptional effort with the ball was the massive reason behind India making a comeback in the match giving them a chance to draw and even win the match. 
Jasprit Bumrah, who bowled 53 overs in the match, unfortunately ended on the losing side as Australia won the game by the massive margin of 184 runs. With this win, they took a 2-1 lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 with one game to go.
<h2>"Empathy? Not too much, no - Pat Cummins on Jasprit Bumrah</h2>
Pat Cummins was in awe of Jasprit Bumrah, saying that he is the most influential Indian player. He claimed that the fast bowler has been troubling them a lot in the series and is a big threat to them. Speaking to reporters, he explained: 
"Yeah, he's, you know, obviously a really good bowler in great form. You know, he's been their most influential player. He's made it difficult for us at times. You know, I thought all their bowlers bowled really well yesterday. 
"Again, I don't think the pitch was doing too much, but they made it really tough for us and toiled hard. So I thought, yeah, they all bowled quite well. You know, he, in particular, poses the biggest threat."
Pat Cummins was also asked by one of the reporters if he feels empathy for Jasprit Bumrah losing after such a game. Replying to this, he said: "Empathy? Not too much, no." 
Jasprit Bumrah notably is the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The premier Indian pacer has picked 30 wickets in the series and would want to add more to his tally.
Read Also: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/india-lost-the-boxing-day-test-at-the-melbourne-cricket-stadium-by-184-runs-australia-took-a-2-1-lead-in-the-series-/">India lost the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Stadium by 184 runs. Australia took a 2-1 lead in the series.</a>

Australia skipper Pat Cummins has come with a massive statement on Jasprit Bumrah after the win against India in the fourth Test of the series

Pat Cummins makes fun of Jasprit Bumrah, says he has no...

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India skipper gave a bold verdict on Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal during the second innings of the Melbourne Test against Pat Cummins. He said he didn't know what to make of it but also subtly blamed umpires for not deciding in their favour. 
Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal in the second innings of the fourth Test against Australia. The batter was literally holding the fort for India, and until he was batting, it also seemed that the Rohit Sharma-led side would draw the game and head into the last match with a score of 2-1. 
But in what was a turning point of the game, Yashasvi Jaiswal bagged a controversial dismissal. This was because third umpire Sharfuddoula didn't consult the technology and gave the verdict based on the visible evidence that he saw after multiple replays being played. 
Pat Cummins bowled a short ball on the leg stump, to which Yashasvi Jaiswal attempted to play a pull shot. The ball took the glove and was grabbed by Alex Carey, but the on-field umpire didn't raise his finger. Upon taking the DRS, the Australia team was pretty confident about the batter hitting the ball. 
As the replays were being played, there seemed a deflection and after seeing replays three to four times, the umpire was convinced and then finally decided to check the ultra Edge. What caught the attention of many was when the RTS showed up, there wasn't any spike there. 
This invited huge controversy as even Yashasvi Jaiswal didn't look okay with the dismissal, he was seen having a conversation with the umpire. It also invited a lot of debate with many fans and experts sharing their take on the same. 
<h2>I really don't know what to make of that because the technology didn't show anything - Rohit Sharma on on Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal </h2>
Captain Rohit Sharma also shared his verdict on the same and pointed out the same thing related to technology not showing the spike. He was left confused about how umpires want to use the technology. 
The skipper also was upset with things not going their way in the last few years related to technology. While talking about the same, he explained: 
"Look, I really don't know what to make of that because the technology didn't show anything. With the naked eye, it seemed that he did touch something. I don't know how the umpires want to use the technology, but in all fairness, he did touch the ball. But again, it's about the technology, which we all know is not 100 per cent." 
"Like I said, we don't want to look too much into that. It's just that we are more often than not falling on the wrong side of it. It has been happening since India. I think we have been a little unfortunate."
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/top-five-highest-totals-chased-down-by-india-in-test-cricket-/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Top five highest totals chased down by India in Test cricket </a>

India skipper gave a bold verdict on Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal during the second innings of the Melbourne Test against Pat Cummins.

"Don't know how the umpires..." Rohit Sharma delivers bold verdict on Yashasvi Jaiswal's dismissal

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India batter Virat Kohli has come under a massive firing line after he failed in the recently concluded fourth Test against Australia. The Boxing-day Test match between the teams took place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne. 
Virat Kohli was expected to play a major role for India in the fourth match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. This was because, after his century, he looked torrid with the bat with balls outside off stump, bringing his downfall in the Australian conditions. 
In the first innings of the MCG Test, Virat Kohli looked very solid with the bat, and it seemed that he had found the solution to the balls outside off. The batter didn't deal with the balls in that channel, but his patience didn't last long as he ultimately poked at the ball, which was in the same area bowled by Scott Boland. 
In the second innings, Virat Kohli was expected to bring the Indian innings on track after the team lost Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul early on in the innings. However, this wasn't the case. The batter was back in the hut with the ball outside off yet again, bringing in the downfall. 
Mitchell Starc bowled a delivery around the fifth stump, and this lit Virat Kohli's eyes as he went for the big drive. The ball caught the outside edge of his bat and was caught by Usman Khawaja in the slips as the batter had to take the long walk back to the pavilion after scoring just 5 runs.
<h2>The King is dead, King Bumrah has taken the mantle now - Simon Katich </h2>
As Virat Kohli failed to make an impact in the second innings at MCG, Simon Katich fumed at the batter and said that the King is dead. The premier batter was dethroned from his title, with former Australia cricketer naming Jasprit Bumrah the new King. Speaking while doing commentary, he explained: 
"The King is dead. He trudges off. King Bumrah has taken the mantle now. Kohli looks dejected with himself. That was a big knock for him. He has come up short. Australia will be very, very happy with the situation they find themselves in." 
Virat Kohli, in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has managed just 61 runs in other matches. Overall, in 2024, he has only scored 417 runs this year at an average of 24.52. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/top-five-highest-totals-chased-down-by-india-in-test-cricket-/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Top five highest totals chased down by India in Test cricket </a>

India batter Virat Kohli has come under a massive firing line after he failed in the recently concluded fourth Test against Australia.

"The King is dead" - Virat Kohli destroyed as new King of Cricket gets named

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Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, Team India managed to lift the T20 World Cup for the 2nd time ever in their history as they secured a nail-biting win versus South Africa in the final and left arm pacer Arshdeep Singh played a key role in helping his team lift the trophy. 
Arshdeep finished the tournament as the joint-highest wicket taker alongside Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi (17 wickets) and his exceptional performances in the shortest format of the game in 2024 have been rewarded as the pacer has been nominated in ICC's Men's T20 International Player of the year award. Alongside the 25-year-old, Sikandar Raza of Zimbabwe and Travis Head of Australia have also been nominated. 
<h3>The performance of Arshdeep Singh in 2024</h3>
The performance of Arshdeep Singh with the ball in 2024 has been phenomenal. In 18 matches, the 25-year-old has managed to dismiss 36 batters at an exceptional average of 13.5. With these statistics, he finished the year of 2024 as the joint-highest wicket-taker in T20 Internationals.
Earlier in the year 2022, Bhuvneshwar Kumar had taken 37 wickets. This is the second best performance of an Indian fast bowler in T20 Internationals in a calendar year. Now Arshdeep Singh has become number two in this list.
<h2>Smriti Mandhana is also in the race of winning the ICC Women's ODI Player of the year</h2>
Apart from Arshdeep, Indian Women's Cricket Team's elite batter Smriti Mandhana is also a part of the race of winning the ICC award. Her exceptional performances with the bat in the 50 over format meant that her name has also been nominated in the list of 'ICC Women's ODI Player of the year award'. 
She will be locking horns for this award versus Annabel Sutherland of Australia and South African captain Laura Wolvaardt. It will be interesting to see which player will be given the ICC Women's ODI Player of the year award.Mandhana is anticipated to be the favorite to win the award.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/can-team-india-still-qualify-for-the-wtc-final-despite-suffering-a-defeat-in-melbourne-versus-australia-/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Can Team India still qualify for the WTC Final despite suffering a defeat in Melbourne versus Australia?</a>

Arshdeep Singh of India celebrates their T20 World Cup 2024 win in Mumbai's Marine Drive | Image: BCCI

Left Arm pacer Arshdeep Singh of Team India has been nominated for ICC Men's T20 Player of the year award and he's regarded as the favorite to win the award

Arshdeep Singh of India the favorite to win ICC's Men's T20 Player of the year award

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The Indian Cricket Team, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, suffered a humiliating 184 runs defeat in the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match and after this defeat, their road to qualifying for the 2023-25 WTC Final has become even more difficult. In this article, we will find out how the Men in Blue can still qualify for the WTC final despite suffering a defeat in Melbourne
Let us tell you that Temba Bavuma-led South Africa have already booked their ticket for the 2023-25 WTC Final in Lord's. The Indian Team are competing with the Mighty Australians to secure the second vacant final spot. While the Men in Blue are currently sitting at the third position in the overall WTC standings following their defeat in Melbourne, the Kangaroos on the other hand have occupied the second spot. 
<h2>How can the Indian Team qualify for the WTC Final after suffering a defeat in the Melbourne Test-Match?</h2>
Following their defeat in the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match, the first thing which the Indian team needs to do is defeat the Mighty Australians by any means possible in the fifth and highly important Test-Match in Sydney of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. The Sydney Test-Match is going to be the Rohit Sharma-led team's final fixture of the current WTC cycle which makes it mandatory for them to secure a victory there. 
If they suffer a defeat in the Sydney Test-Match, then all of their hopes of qualifying for the final will get crushed. Securing a win in the final BGT Test will allow Rohit Sharma and his men to snatch the second position away from the Kangaroos in the overall standings. 
This will only be possible though if the Pat Cummins-led team lose the two-match Test-Series versus Sri Lanka by a margin of 1-0 or 2-0. If the Kangaroos lose the Sydney Test but end up winning the Test-Series versus the Sri Lankans by a margin of 2-0, then in this situation, the Men in Blue will get eliminated from the race of the final. 
<h2>The Proteas have qualified for the WTC Final for the first time</h2>
The Proteas have qualified for the WTC Final for the first time ever in their Cricketing history and they will be looking to go all out in search of their first ever ICC Trophy. The Final of the previous edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) was played between Fierce-Rivals Australia and India where the the Kangaroos managed to reign supreme. The Final of the Inaugural edition of the event took place between New Zealand and the Indians in 2021 where the Kane Williamson-led team crossed the finish line successfully.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/-rohit-thank-you-for-your-service-massive-statement-comes-on-india-retirement-/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">‘Rohit, thank you for your service' - Massive statement comes on India retirement</a>

Australia celebrate after dismissing the final Indian batter in the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test | Image: ICC

The Indian Team suffered a humiliating defeat in the Boxing-Day Test and this defeat has made their chances of qualifying for the WTC 2023-25 cycle Final even harder.

Can Team India still qualify for the WTC Final despite suffering a defeat in Melbourne versus Australia?

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Former Indian head-coach Ravi Shastri has praised Australia's decision of not declaring in the final session of the fourth day of the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match despite having a lead of more than 300 runs. He feels that their decision to not do so is a smart one and believes that Aussie skipper Pat Cummins delayed the declaration call because he realised that the Indians would have dominated if they had declared in the final session as the pitch was completely favouring the batters on the fourth day of the MCG Test-Match. 
The Men in Blue were not even able to dismiss the number 10 and number 11 Australian batters in the final-session. This means that the surface is providing a lot of assistance to the batters. If the Rohit Sharma-led team would have scored 50 runs without losing a single wicket in the final period of the fourth day, then Australia would have lost the dominance which they had created. 
Realizing this, Cummins took the bold decision of batting for the entire day. However, Ravi Shastri also mentioned that the Pat Cummins-led team will try to put the Men in Blue under pressure by taking the new ball at the beginning of the fifth and final day of the Melbourne Test-Match.
"Australia is worried about India's strong batting line-up. This is also a reason for delaying the declaration. Especially what happened at the Gabba is still fresh in Australia's mind. India had won that day by chasing 329 runs. The fact that there are many players in the Indian team who show aggressive batting may have also caused the declaration to be delayed. India went through a similar situation in 2015.
The Aussies, who did not declare on the fourth day that day, declared after batting a few overs at the beginning of the fifth day. India was able to draw the Test that day. It is not impossible for India to get a draw in Melbourne as well. But India needs to try for victory," said Ravi Shastri.
Elite Australian seamer Mitchell Starc also said that following the conclusion of the fourth day's play, the home team will get enough overs to try and bowl the Indians on the fifth and final day of the Melbourne Test-Match. 
"Since the fifth day starts early, we will be getting the chance to take the 2nd new-ball after the end of 80 overs. After this, we will get around 18 overs and then the new ball will decide the fate of the match," Starc said
The fifth and the final day of the Melbourne Boxing-Day Test-Match promises to be a really exciting one as both teams would be looking give their best shot of taking the lead heading into the final Test-Match in Sydney. 
It will be particularly a more important for the Men in Blue as a win in this match would guarantee them the chance to retain the BGT Trophy while Australia, who haven't won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series since 2018 would be looking to end the Indian dominance.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/top-five-highest-totals-chased-down-by-india-in-test-cricket-/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Top five highest totals chased down by India in Test cricket</a>

Ravi Shastri, Head Coach of India looks on as they are interviewed ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match between India and Namibia at Dubai International Stadium | Image: Getty Images

Former Indian Head Coach Ravi Shastri has made a big revelation regarding Australia's decision of not declaring on the fourth day of the MCG Test-Match.