India lost the Boxing-Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) by 134 runs, which brought a ruined conclusion to the team’s 2024 year. Indian team has not seen desired outcomes since they won the 2024 T20 World Cup.

The two biggest disappointments for Indian team have been the home Test series defeat to New Zealand, and the ODI series loss to Sri Lanka. Indian team has participated in 15 Test matches in 2024, where the team secured 8 victories, 6 defeats, and 1 draw.

India will face Australia in Sydney in the last Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 as their first assignment of 2025. The Champions Trophy is going to be the main focus after the Sydney Test. The campaign will begin on February 20 against Bangladesh, as they play their first games in Dubai.

From January 22, India will face England in three ODIs and five T20Is before the Champions trophy. The fourth World Test Championship cycle for India will begin later this year as they visit England for a five-match test series. India is scheduled to play 18 T20Is, 10 Tests and 12 ODIs excluding the ICC and ACC competitions in 2025.

Complete Schedule of India for 2025:

1) India vs Australia 5th Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy- January 3- 7 (Sydney)

2) India vs England 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs (January- February 2025)

1st T20I: January 22 in Chennai
2nd T20I: January 25 in Kolkata
3rd T20I: January 28 in Rajkot
4th T20I: January 31 in Pune
5th T20I: February 2 in Mumbai

1st ODI: February 6 in Nagpur
2nd ODI: February 9 in Cuttack
3rd ODI: February 12 in Ahmedabad

3) Champions Trophy (February-March 2025_

India vs Bangladesh: February 20 in Dubai
India vs Pakistan: February 23 in Dubai
India vs New Zealand: March 2 in Dubai
Semi-final (if qualified): March 4 in Dubai
Final (if qualified): March 9 in Dubai

4) World Test Championship Final (if qualified)- June 2025 (Lord’s Cricket Ground)

India vs England 5 Tests- June-August 2025 Overseas

1st Test: June 20-24 in Headingley
2nd Test: July 2-6 in Edgbaston
3rd Test: June 10-14 in Lord’s
4th Test: June 23-27 in Manchester
5th Test: July 31-August 4 in Oval

5) India vs Bangladesh- 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is in August 2025- Away

6) India vs West Indies- 2 Tests in October 2025 in Home

7) India vs Australia- 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is in November 2025- Away

8) India vs South Africa- 2 Tests, 3 ODIs, and 5 T20Is in November-December 2025 at Home

The post Check out Indian team’s Complete schedule for 2025: All the Red-ball and White-ball Events and Tournaments appeared first on Cricket Country.

During the first week of January 2025, the squads will go through a spontaneous training camp in order to prepare for the tournament. This tournament is going to witness seven matches with a final. Indian team will play the tournament opener against Pakistan. there are two matches given to India against every opponent in this tournament.

“India’s participation in the Champions Trophy 2025 is a proud moment for the entire nation. This prestigious tournament in Colombo not only offers a platform for our players to showcase their talent but also highlights the importance of inclusivity in sports,” said Ravi Chauhan, General Secretary of DCCI.

“The DCCI is committed to fostering opportunities for athletes with disabilities, and this event is another step towards setting new benchmarks in the world of cricket. I wish all the participating teams the very best for this tournament,” he added.

:Sminu Jindal Founder-Chairperson of Svayam, said, “We are delighted to support Team India in their journey to the Champions Trophy 2025. This tournament is a testament to the resilience and determination of these remarkable athletes,” he further added.

“At Svayam, we believe accessibility is a fundamental right, and we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where talent can thrive without barriers. I extend my best wishes to the Indian team and all participants for a successful and inspiring event,” he concluded.

Schedule for Physical Disabled Champions Trophy 2025:

January 12: India Men PD v Pakistan Men PD
January 13: India Men PD v England Men PD
January 15: India Men PD v Sri Lanka Men PD
January 16: India Men PD v Pakistan Men PD
January 18: India Men PD v England Men PD
January 19: India Men PD v Sri Lanka Men PD
January 21: Final

The post India and Pakistan to play THIS tournament before Champions Trophy 2025: Details appeared first on Cricket Country.

“The Men’s Selection Committee has named all-rounder Tanush Kotian as an addition to India’s squad for the fourth and fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The off-spinner from Mumbai has played 33 first-class matches, taking 101 wickets at an average of 25.70. In addition to his bowling achievements, Kotian has three five-wicket hauls and has scored two centuries and 13 half-centuries,” said BCCI in their official statement

“He was part of the India A squad and participated in the second first-class game against Australia A at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Kotian played a pivotal role in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy 2023-24 triumph. He was awarded the Player of the Tournament for his outstanding all-round performance, which included 502 runs at an average of 41.83 and 29 wickets at an average of 16.96,” the statement further added.

Kotian’s bowling style is frequently compared to Ravichandran Ashwin. He bowls with speed, constantly delivering between 85km/h and 90km/h, while adding bounce and turn. He is a great addition to the team because of his ability as well as his talent for breaking partnerships.

Kotian used to play gully cricket during his beginning days in the busy lanes of Vikhroli, Mumbaito develop his abilities. His career has had a great influence by his father, a former semi-professional cricket player who is now a coach as well.

India’s squad for the fourth and fifth Test
Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Devdutt Padikkal, Tanush Kotian

The post Ravichandran Ashwin’s replacement for Indian squad: BCCI announced all-rounder as the successor for legendary spinner appeared first on Cricket Country.

Sanjay Manjrekar believes that the Indian bowling attack relies on Jasprit Bumrah more than needed. Sanjay also pointed out that Mohammed Siraj failed to provide enough support to Bumrah, while pacers like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana struggled to make any impact whatsoever.

Manjrekar was also impressed how Australian openers Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne mad use of of the opportunity after Bumrah departed. The stunning century by Travis Head further put light on India’s bowling lineup.

“The Indian bowling attack suddenly looked average. There was Bumrah, a bit of Siraj and Harshit Rana realised that every day is not going to be like the Perth Test match. Credit to young Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne who grafted the innings. But there was not relentless quality bowling at those guys and that’s why maybe India wasn’t able to cash in,” Manjrekar said.

“In Adelaide, in both innings, there was more of a reality check for the No.3 and No.4 of what they have to face in foreign conditions when the bowlers are holding their swing. There is of course a lack of experience with the kind of bowling attack that India have. There is Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj has been there before but he is not quite Mohammed Shami. Just put Shami in that equation in that evening session (Day 1 Adelaide) and the story would have been different,” he concluded.

The post ‘Not quite Mohammed Shami…’: Sanjay Manjrekar makes Sarcastic comment at India after 10-wicket loss in Adelaide Test appeared first on Cricket Country.

South Africa are at the top with a 63.33 win percentage. This is their sixth win out of the ten Tests. Australia is following in closely with a percentage of 60.71. Indian team has secured nine wins out of the 16 total Tests they have played, and have a win percentage of 57.29.

After the whitewash on South African soil, Sri Lanka has kept their fourth position with a win percentage of 45.45, and they a over England by a little bit as they are at 45.24.

Coming to India, the team can still secure their chance to enter the WTC finals if they win the remaining three Tests against Australia and secure the series 4-1. This will take their win percentage to 63.15 and solidify their place in WTC Finals. However, if the team loses even one more Test, their win percentage will drop to 57.89.

In case such thing happens, Indian will have to be dependent on the outcomes of other teams, and will have to hope that Pakistan beats South Africa 2-0 and for Sri Lanka to whitewash Australia at home, with one or both Tests ending in a draw.

The post WTC Points Table: South Africa take over Australia and secure 1st place with 109 run win over Sri Lanka appeared first on Cricket Country.

Call it luck or timing, but there were two individuals who rescued Pant before calling for medical assistance. The two individuals, who later got identified as Rajat and Nishu, did not waste time and called for an ambulance and were the reason Pant got saved.

After he recovered from his injuries, Rishabh pant went on to his official Instagram account and shared how he was grateful to his saviors Rajat and Nishu. As a token of his gratitude, he gifted both his life saviors a scooter each.

The video of Rajat and Nishu being gifted their scooters has been making rounds n social media now, as this wholesome gesture from Rishabh Pant has won the hearts of a lot of fans and supporters. It was even shown in the video that Rishabh Pant was also written on the scooters. Here is the video:

Rishabh Pant gifted two wheeler vehicle to Rajat and Nishu ❤️
Thank you Rajat and Nishu ( They were the first responders on that horrific day ). We are indebted to you.#RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/Zb3Haj75zF

— Naman (@Im_naman__) November 23, 2024

The post WATCH: Rishabh Pant gives a Special gift to the two men who Rescued him after his Deadly car crash in 2022 appeared first on Cricket Country.

Indian team was flawless in the format across the year, especially with the win in the 2024 T20 World cup under the leadership of Rohit Sharma.

Men in Blue have played a total of 26 T20Is and won 24 of them. The year for India has ended with a stunning win percentage of 92.31. The only two matches lost by the team are one in the five-match series against Zimbabwe, and the other during the 2nd T20I in the four-match series against South Africa.

According to ESPNcricinfo, the year for Indian team has seen a massive record as they have become the first team in the world to have created this massive record.

The Men in Blue have finished a year with a win percentage of more than 90 in T20Is with more than 15 matches played in total. The previous record was by Pakistan, which they had set in 2018.

Highest Win% In A Year In T20Is (Minimum 15 Matches Played):-

The post India breaks Pakistan’s 6-year old record with their series win in South Africa appeared first on Cricket Country.

Before leaving for Australia, Gambhir had said that Ponting should focus on Australian cricket instead of Indian cricket, to which Tim shared some of his views. He spoke about his Gautam is ‘not a great fit’ for the team, and that it is wrong if his temper breaks down at simple questions.

“He created a great environment, the players were energised, they played with passion, he sold them the dream and motivated them in a really light-hearted enjoyable way. They have gone to a new coach now that is really prickly, really competitive – and that not to say that’s not a good thing and a good way to coach – but my concern is that it’s not a great fit for the Indian cricket team,” Tim said.

“If your coach is the first one to crack in a press conference after being asked a simple question, it could be a really long summer for Gautam Gambhir if India don’t get off to a good start on Perth,” he added.

The post Ex-Australian skipper labels India’s head coach not a fit for the team before Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 appeared first on Cricket Country.

During one of these practice sessions, Mumbai-based Sarfaraz Khan, who is currently touring with the Indian team for the first time, was spotted leaving the nets because of an elbow injury.

The clip of Sarfaraz leaving the nets has been making rounds on social media. Here is the clip:

#BorderGavaskarTrophy Practice #ViratKohli 's Intense practice session in Perth.#sarfarazkhan has got hit on the arm…& left the nets.

***Indian fans climb the tree to watch training of superstars.@imVkohli #INDvAUSpic.twitter.com/W8MESx3ong

— alekhaNikun (@nikun28) November 14, 2024

Sarfaraz Kahn has had his shares of problems as it was earlier revealed by West Australian that he had been struggling on Australians soil as well.

“Sarfaraz Khan looked every bit the batter who hasn’t played outside of the subcontinent. He was caught on the crease fending shortballs and chopping balls outside his off stump onto the wickets,” posted the West Australian.

The post WATCH: Major injury scare for Indian team before Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Sarfaraz Khan dropped from Training appeared first on Cricket Country.

He has said that replacing Gambhir would be a premature decision after just five months of being unsuccessful, and that it is probably not like anything like that is even going to happen.

New Zealand destroyed India with a 3-0 series defeat in three-match Test series at home grounds. Indian team had lost an ODI series 0-2 to Sri Lanka before that as well.

There are reports coming in that separate coaches for white-ball and red-ball cricket might get appointed for Indian team if that do not give out sweet outcomes in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

“I am saying the rumour will be baseless. I see it as a rumour floated around with a slight malicious intent because he has just been appointed. It doesn’t happen that the coach is fired or separate coaches are made for different formats if the players don’t do well,” Chopra said.

“I am saying the rumour will be baseless. I see it as a rumour floated around with a slight malicious intent because he has just been appointed. It doesn’t happen that the coach is fired or separate coaches are made for different formats if the players don’t do well,” he further added.

The post Aakash Chopra on Gautam Gambhir being sacked if India fails to perform in Border-Gavaskar Trophy appeared first on Cricket Country.