This comes after the duo failed to impress with the bat throughout the recently concluded 5-match Border-Gavaskar series. While Rohit scored just 31 runs from the 5 innings he played during the series, Kohli only managed to score a total of 190 runs he played against the Aussies.

On the other hand, India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah continued his reign at the top of the Test bowler rankings. Bumrah, who made history ahead of the fifth and final Test against Australia by recording the highest-ever ICC Rankings rating for an Indian bowler at 907 points, improved that tally by one point after taking two wickets in the first innings at the SCG.

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant’s blistering knock of 61 in Sydney saw him climb 3 places and reach the ninth spot on the batter rankings while Yashasvi Jaiswal retained his fourth position.

Australia pacer Scott Boland made a massive 29-place jump and reached the 9th position. Boland was the star performer for the Baggy Greens in the Sydney Test, picking up a total of 10 wickets on the lively pitch. Australia skipper Pat Cummins also made significant gain in the rankings, climbing to number two after picking up 5 wickets in the final match. 

Meanwhile, South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma’s brilliant century against Pakistan saw him climb 3 spots and reach the number 6 spot while also achieving a career-best rating of 769. South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada rose a spot and occupied the third spot in the Test bowler rankings.

The post Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli see MAJOR drop in latest ICC Test Rankings following Border-Gavaskar series appeared first on Cricket Country.

Bumrah captained the Indian team in both the Perth and Sydney Tests in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar series. While the Men in Blue did register a dominant 295-run victory in Perth under Bumrah’s leadership, they lost by 6 wickets in Sydney and the defeat saw Australia triumph in the series by 3-1.

The Indian team was captained by Rohit in the rest of the 3 Tests, however they weren’t able to register any victory in those games, drawing once and losing the other two.

Rohit was heavily criticized by fans and former cricketers alike for his abysmal batting display and also for his poor leadership. Many reports also claimed that he will announce his retirement from the format following the conclusion of the series. However, that hasn’t happened yet.

Now Kaif has claimed that instead of Rohit or Bumrah, either Rishabh Pant or KL Rahul should lead the Men in Blue in the 5-match England series.

“I want a batter to lead India in the Test series against England. Whether it is Rishabh Pant or K.L. Rahul. The first two have already worked. Rishabh Pant is the captain of the IPL. He is getting mature. K.L Rahul has worked for many years. So, these two can be a shake, but I don’t believe that Bumrah is the right option after Rohit Sharma,” Kaif said.

Defeat in the Sydney Test meant that the Men in Blue failed to secure a spot in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC). The final will be played between Australia and South Africa later this year.

The post NOT Rohit Sharma or Jasprit Bumrah: Ex-India star picks captain for England Tests in viral video appeared first on Cricket Country.

The 27-year completed his half-century in just 29 deliveries, just behind his own record of a 28-ball half-century against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru in 2022. Pant was eventually dismissed by Australia skipper Pat Cummins to restrict India to 124/5.

Pant headed back to the dugout after playing a highly entertaining knock comprising of 6 boundaries and 4 massive sixes.

Fastest half-centuries for India in Test cricket

28 balls – Rishabh Pant vs Sri Lanka, Bengaluru, 2022

29 balls – Rishabh Pant vs Australia, Sydney, 2025

30 balls – Kapil Dev vs Pakistan, Karachi, 1982

31 balls – Shardul Thakur vs England, The Oval, 2021

31 balls – Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Bangladesh, Kanpur, 2024

The explosive half-century also saw Pant became the only player in history to score 2 fifties in under 30 deliveries in red-ball cricket. This was his first fifty of the series and the second-fastest by anyone on Australian soil.

Following the end of second day’s play, India pacer Prasidh Krishna highly praised Pant’s fearless innings.

“All of us were sitting together, the bowlers were sitting together and watching him bat and we definitely said if I was sitting at home and watching this, I would have loved it. To be able to do it from the ground, I mean, nothing like it. I know it’s a lot of risk, but that’s the way the game is played today,” Krishna said.

The post Rishabh Pant scripts HISTORY, becomes first player in Test cricket to achieve this feat appeared first on Cricket Country.

The video of Pant’s first-ball six off Scott Boland’s bowling went viral on social media within no time. Pant’s six off Boland was the seventh instance of an Indian batter hitting a six off the first ball of an innings in Tests and only the second time that it happened in an away Test.

Pant showed a completely opposite attitude than what he showed in the first innings of the Sydney Test. The 27-year-old batted quite sensibly, scoring 40 runs off 98 deliveries in the first innings and was the top-scorer for the Men in Blue.

The wicketkeeper-batter came out to bat after Boland dismissed Kohli for just 6 runs on the first ball of the 14th over of India’s second innings.

The post WATCH: Rishabh Pant BRUTALIZES Scott Boland, opens his account with huge six in second innings appeared first on Cricket Country.

On January 4, Bumrah and Pant worked together and got the upper hand on Marnus Labuschagne, But before the day’s play, Pant was questioned how it felt while keeping the wickets to Bumrah’s bowling, to which the keeper had a brilliant answer.

“Oh, man! It is pretty difficult because of the kind of angles he creates, sometimes you have to move to one side a bit quicker and when the edges come on the other side, you just have to manage. It is quite difficult but part of the job I would say,” Pant said while speaking on 7Cricket.

Justin Langer asked Rishabh Pant what it's like to keep to Jasprit Bumrah.

Rishabh: "Oh man…"

😅 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/WGHflHLK0l

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 3, 2025

Coming to the match, India’s stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah won the toss and decided to bat first. The visitors managed to score 185 runs before Australian bowlers wrapped up their innings. Rishabh Pant was the highest run-scorer for India as he scored 40 runs.

Australian innings began on Day 1 of the Test, where they played three overs and lost the wicket of Usman Khawaja. The second Day saw the fall of Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Travis Head in the first session. By the time it was lunch time, Australia was at 101 runs on the loss of 5 wickets. KL Rahul was the best fielder in the first session, as he took three catches within the four wickets which got taken.

The post WATCH: Rishabh Pant’s views on keeping the wickets for Jasprit Bumrah will leave you Shocked appeared first on Cricket Country.

What happened between Bumrah and Konstas:
Jasprit Bumrah and Sam Konstas were involved in a somewhat aggressive exchange during the final moments of Day 1. Bumrah took his position and was about to bowl to Usman Khawaja. Sam Konstas was at the striker’s end, and made a remark that did not sit well with Indian premium pacer. Bumrah reacted by taking two steps towards the Australian youngster.

The umpire had to step in on this altercation to keep the parties apart, but this incident clearly irritated Jasprit Bumrah. On the final ball of the Day, Bumrah got back as he took the wicket of Australian opener Usman Khawaja, followed by having a great celebration.

“I feel they had a little chitchat; they wanted to waste some time. I feel that’s the reason Konstas had a conversation with Jasprit Bumrah. He said something; I didn’t hear it. But I feel that’s the only thing which he wanted to do—waste some time so we don’t get to bowl one more over,” Rishabh Pant told reporters.

Coming to the match, India’s stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah won the toss and decided to bat first. The visitors managed to score 185 runs before Australian bowlers wrapped up their innings. Rishabh Pant was the highest run-scorer for India as he scored 40 runs.

The post ‘Wanted to waste some time…’: Rishabh Pant makes MASSIVE revelation on Jasprit Bumrah and Sam Konstas verbal spat appeared first on Cricket Country.

According to Shastri, Rishabh Pant’s wicket in the third session lifted the Australian team and they went on to clinch 6 more wickets in the same session to not only win the match by 184 runs, but also take a 2-1 lead in the series.

“I think the turning point was the wicket of Rishabh Pant. They knew they couldn’t win the game by lunchtime once they lost three wickets. The only chance you have of winning is if there’s a platform set, exactly what Rohit said. And then, when Rishabh Pant got out after tea, that lifted the Australians. That was the opening they were looking for, and they made sure to capitalize on it,” Ravi Shastri said on Star Sports.

India’s final wicket fell with less than 14 overs remaining in the day. Nathan Lyon dismissed Mohammed Siraj to help Australia complete a famous victory over the Men in Blue in Melbourne.

With this win, Australia now stands on the verge of winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as they head into the fifth and final Test which will be held in Sydney and will commence from December 3. The Baggy Greens are now also in a strong position to make it to their second consecutive World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The post ‘Turning point was Rishabh Pant’s wicket’: Ravi Shastri’s BLUNT take on India’s defeat in Melbourne Test appeared first on Cricket Country.

During the second session, Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal were going strong as India did not lose a single wicket in that session.
Before the third session began, Ashwin posted a leadership-related post, which worked as a magnet and attracted lot of attention.

“Good leaders emerge when they show resolve for a scrap,” Ashwin wrote on X. “This tweet isn’t for people who own fan clubs,” he further said in the second post.

This tweet isn’t for people who own fan clubs😂😂 https://t.co/HthA1yiuWM

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 30, 2024

Ashwin then went on and later gave the clarification for making that post, stating that he had referred to Jaiswal in the post.

“Now a days, implied meaning can be taken out of context. I was referring to Jaiswal’s wonderful scrap today. Peace out folks,” he wrote.

Now a days, implied meaning can be taken out of context.

I was referring to Jaiswals wonderful scrap today. Peace out folks🤝 https://t.co/HthA1yiuWM

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 30, 2024

India went on and lost the match by 134 runs as Australia has now taken a 2-1 lead in the series with one match remaining. The result has also left India anything but out of the World Test Championship final race.

The post R Ashwin gives clarifies as his “Good leaders” Social media post triggers Conflict on social media appeared first on Cricket Country.

This was when he did the offensive celebration, as he pointed one finger to his other hand which was somewhat forming a circle. Initially, a lot of people criticised this behaviour before Cummins and the broadcasters could explain it.

“Oh, sorry! Yes, okay! I can explain that. His finger is so hot, that he is going to put it in a cup of ice. Yes, that’s what it is. That’s normally the running joke. Was it at the Gabba or somewhere, where he got a wicket as well and just got straight to the fridge, grabs a bucket of ice, puts his finger in and just walks in front of Lyno (Nathan Lyon). Just like that, thinks its very funny. So that’s what it would have been, nothing else,” Par Cummins said in the post-match conference.

Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu was massively disappointed with this celebration, and called it ‘obnoxious’ behaviour. He has also made request for a massive punishment for Head, since he believed that the gesture by the Australian bowler was not an insult to an individual but to the whole nation.

“Travis head’s obnoxious behaviour during the course of the Melbourne test doesn’t auger well for for the gentleman’s game…… sets the worst possible example when there are kids, women , young & old watching the game……. this caustic conduct did not insult an individual but a nation of 1.5 billion Indians……stringent punishment that would serve a deterrent for the future generations needs to be slapped on him so that no one dares follow suit,” Sidhu wrote on X formerly known as Twitter.

Australia won the Boxing-Day Test by 184 runs, and will now be entering the Sydney for the final Test of the five-match Test series with a 2-1 lead. They have a high chance of winning this series and secure their place in the finals of the World Test Championship.

The post ‘Did not insult an Individual but…’: Indian legend demands Travis Head to be strictly punished for ‘Questionable’ celebration appeared first on Cricket Country.

According to The Times of India, rumors are floating around the BCCI’s top-brass and selectors about Rohit’s place in the team. The report also stated that with India’s chances of making it to the WTC final looking really slim following their defeat in Melbourne, the Sydney Test is expected to be Rohit’s last match in the format.

The report came immediately after India’s embarrassing 184-run loss at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in the fourth Test. The defeat saw Rohit increase his winless record as the skipper. In the last 6 Tests under Rohit’s leadership, India have drawn 1 and lost 5.

Following the end of the second session on the final day of the Melbourne Test, India had only lost 3 wickets and with the duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant looking set on the crease, it looked as if the match would end in a draw. However, India suffered a batting collapse in the third session which saw them lose all of their remaining 7 wickets and go behind in the series 2-1.

The loss also means that India now needs to win the Sydney Test and hope that Australia don’t win either of the two Tests in Sri Lanka that’ll follow this series, to qualify for the WTC final. On the other hand, Australia need just 1 win in their remaining 3 Tests to make it to their second consecutive WTC final.

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