While Team India appear to have hit their stride at the right time just ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 – having battered England 3-0 at home in an ODI series – they will still face the problem of having to replace Jasprit Bumrah during the main tournament. Bumrah, unquestionably India’s pace spearhead, has not been able to recover from a back issue in time for the tournament. Former England coach David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd stated that left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh, set to replace Bumrah in India’s playing XI, will have to significantly adjust from T20I cricket to ODI cricket.
“It’s a great opportunity for someone to come in, someone who wouldn’t make the team. But you can’t get away from the fact that he (Bumrah) is the best bowler in the world, and if he isn’t playing for you, you’ve got a problem” said Lloyd, speaking on TalkSport Cricket.
Arshdeep Singh is India’s highest-ever T20I wicket-taker, but has only played nine ODIs till date. Lloyd mentioned that shifting from T20Is to ODIs would be a big change.
“Massive difference – four overs to 10. If you’re the opposition, test him out; really get into him,” Lloyd said.
“‘This is not T20 mate, this is not a little party, you’ve got to come back and come back again’, that will be something he won’t be used to,” Lloyd said.
Arshdeep is one of three pacers selected by Team India for the Champions Trophy 2025, alongside the experienced Mohammed Shami and the recently-debuted Harshit Rana. India went with as many as five spinners in their squad, keeping in mind the conditions in Dubai and the short duration of the tournament.
Arshdeep has fared fairly well in his nine ODIs so far for India, having picked up 14 wickets at an average of 23.
However, Arshdeep played just a solitary game in the three-match ODI series against England, with Shami playing two and Rana playing all three.
The absence of Bumrah – who was named the ICC Cricketer of the Year for 2024 – will surely be felt by India. The 31-year-old has won the ‘Player of the Tournament’ at the T20 World Cup 2024 and the ‘Player of the Series’ at the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and appeared in the best form of his career heading into the Champions Trophy.
India are likely to go with two frontline seamers in their playing XI at the Champions Trophy, with all-rounder Hardik Pandya being the third seam option.
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Indian cricket fans were left shocked and disappointed when it was announced that star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah would be missing the upcoming Champions Trophy due to injury. However, his replacement, an up-and-coming young bowler, has sent a big warning to all those who may underestimate him.
In a recent interview, the new addition to the Indian squad made it clear that he is not here to play T20 cricket or attend parties. He emphasized the importance of the Champions Trophy and the seriousness with which he takes his role in the team.
With Bumrah’s absence, this young bowler has big shoes to fill, but it seems like he is more than ready for the challenge. As he prepares to take on some of the best teams in the world, he is determined to prove his worth and make a name for himself on the international stage.
So, to all those who may doubt him or think that he is just a temporary replacement, beware. This is not T20 or a party – this is the Champions Trophy, and this bowler is here to make a statement. Let’s see what he can bring to the table and how he can help India in their quest for glory.
Jasprit Bumrah was included while fellow fast bowler Mohammed Shami made a comeback as India announced their squad for the Champions Trophy 2025. Rohit Sharma will lead the side in the competition with Shubman Gill acting as his deputy. “We are waiting on Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness and will know his status in early February from BCCI’s medical team,” chief selector Ajit Agarkar said during the press conference. The same squad will also take on England in the three-match ODI series with Harshit Rana included for the ODI series only keeping Bumrah’s fitness in mind.
Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul will be the two wicketkeepers for both Champions Trophy and the England ODI series. There’s no place for pacer Mohammed Siraj though, as India have opted to go with left-arm fast-bowler Arshdeep Singh.
The eight-team tournament will feature 15 50-over matches and will be played across Pakistan and Dubai. The biggest match of the tournament between two arch-rivals India and Pakistan will be played on February 23 in Dubai. India will start its campaign against Bangladesh on February 20. India’s last league match will be against New Zealand on March 2.
Group A of the tournament features current Champions Trophy holders and hosts Pakistan, along with India, New Zealand and Bangladesh, while Group B features Cricket World Cup 2023 champions Australia, alongside Afghanistan, England and South Africa.
Before the ICC Champions Trophy, India will play a three-match ODI series against England which will be kickstarting on February 6.
Before the ODIs, a five-match T20I series against England will start from January 22 onwards. The five-match T20I series will commence on January 22 in Kolkata. The second and third matches will be held on January 25 and 28 in Chennai and Rajkot, respectively. The fourth game of the series will be played on January 31 in Pune. Mumbai will host the final match of the T20I series on February 2.
India’s squad for Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja.
(With agency inputs)
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In a major announcement, Jasprit Bumrah has been included and Mohammed Shami makes a return in Rohit Sharma-led India’s Champions Trophy squad. Youngster Shubman Gill has been named as the vice-captain for the prestigious tournament.
Bumrah, known for his deadly yorkers and impeccable death bowling skills, will add depth to India’s pace attack. Shami, who has been in top form in recent matches, will bring experience and firepower to the bowling unit.
Shubman Gill, who has been impressive with his consistent performances, has been rewarded with the vice-captaincy role. The young batsman has shown maturity beyond his years and will provide valuable support to captain Rohit Sharma.
With a strong squad comprising of top players like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant, India will be a force to reckon with in the Champions Trophy. The team will be looking to defend their title and bring home yet another trophy.
The fans are eagerly looking forward to witnessing the magic of Bumrah, the skill of Shami, and the talent of Gill on the big stage. India’s campaign in the Champions Trophy promises to be an exciting one, and the team is determined to make the country proud.
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There were injury concerns over both Bumrah and Kuldeep ahead of the selection on Saturday, with Kuldeep not having played any competitive cricket since his hernia surgery in November, while Bumrah had suffered a stress-related injury during the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Kuldeep has been building up his bowling load at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru and is understood to be bowling 10-12 overs at a go.
The 15-man squad will be led by Rohit Sharma, with Shubman Gill as his vice-captain, and also includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was picked for the first time in ODIs. He is likely to be the reserve opener for the Champions Trophy.
With Virat Kohli the No. 3, the middle order has the same look as the squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup with Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul retaining their spots, along with allrounders Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. Apart from Rahul, Rishabh Pant is the other wicketkeeper in the 15, preferred ahead of Sanju Samson who did not take part in the recent Vijay Hazare Trophy. Washington Sundar is the fourth allrounder in the squad, which includes only four specialist bowlers.
Mohammed Shami, who was recently named in the T20I squad for the upcoming home series against England following a long injury layoff, was also named in the Champions Trophy squad. He last played international cricket at the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he was the tournament’s highest wicket-taker with 24 wickets.
The final squad for the Champions Trophy must be submitted to the ICC by February 11.
India play three bilateral ODIs against England on February 6, 9 and 12 – their first 50-over games since the tour of Sri Lanka in August last year – before the Champions Trophy. India are in Group A in the Champions Trophy and begin their campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, after which they play Pakistan on February 23, and New Zealand on March 2. India play all their matches in Dubai because their government refused to let the team travel to Pakistan.
India has announced its squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy, and it includes some exciting young talent alongside experienced players. Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Mohammed Shami are among the players who have been named in the squad.
Bumrah, known for his deadly yorkers and ability to bowl in the death overs, will be a key player for India in the tournament. Kuldeep Yadav, with his deceptive spin and variations, will add a different dimension to India’s bowling attack.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young and talented batsman, has been rewarded for his consistent performances in domestic cricket and the IPL. His attacking style of play could prove to be a game-changer for India in crucial matches.
Mohammed Shami, with his pace and swing, will provide the much-needed experience and firepower to India’s fast bowling department. His ability to take crucial wickets at crucial moments could be vital for India’s chances in the tournament.
With a mix of youth and experience, India’s squad for the Champions Trophy looks strong and balanced. Fans will be eagerly awaiting the team’s performance in the tournament as they aim to bring home the trophy once again.
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Team India brought its A-game to the table in the first session on Day 2 of the Sydney Test. The pacers ran riot and claimed four wickets to put pressure on Australia and pulled the visitors back into the game after they were bundled out for 185. Mohammed Siraj claimed two, while Jasprit Bumrah and Prasidh Krishna picked a wicket each in the first session as Australia were 101/5 at Lunch break.
Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah worked on a plan to trouble Sam Konstas while Mohammed Siraj got the better of him.(AFP)
The Indian bowlers were fired right from the start as skipper Bumrah resumed his on-field battle with young Sam Konstas on Day 2, and Virat Kohli joined the party once again.
Bumrah dismissed Marnus Labuschangne early in the day to pile up pressure on Australia, but Konstas kept trying to score quick runs. Kohli shared a plan with Bumrah to trouble the young batter.
The former India captain had a chat with Bumrah before an over and advised him to bowl a ball closer to his body to create a chance of getting his wicket.
‘Yes Bumrah, there is your man now,” Kohli teased Konstas while running towards Bumrah.
‘Bowl him close towards his body, he might go for attacking shots. There is a chance to get him out. We have one over, take this chance,” Kohli told Bumrah.
The Indian skipper took it seriously and nipped back in Konstas. He tried to pull on the first back but missed it completely and got hit on the body. The Aussie batter tried to ease off some pressure by stepping out, but Bumrah followed him and once again bowled towards his body, and he failed to time it.
Bumrah didn’t hold back after that and taunted Konstas that he was batting line as a number 10 batter.
The Aussie opener was later dismissed by Mohammed Siraj for 23 after edging the ball to Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Bumrah fired-up after heated exchange with Konstas on Day 1
Meanwhile, Konstas also had a brief on-field altercation with the Indian skipper on Day 1 also where Bumrah’s face clearly indicated he wasn’t pleased with whatever Konstas had said to him while standing at the non-striker’s end.
The atmosphere flared up after that as Bumrah was all fired up. On the next delivery after the fiery exchange, the Indian skipper gave a fitting reply to the young Australian. He put Usman Khawaja in an awkward stance to lure out a thick outside edge, with KL Rahul taking a sharp catch at the second slip.
In a thrilling showdown in Sydney, Indian cricket stars Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah left Australian batsman Sam Konstas feeling the heat as they relentlessly hounded him on the field. The duo were relentless in their attack, with Kohli even going as far as to comment on Konstas’ batting skills, saying he was “batting like a no. 10.”
Despite the pressure from Kohli and Bumrah, it was ultimately Indian bowler Mohammed Siraj who dismissed Konstas, ending his innings and securing a victory for the Indian team. The intense competition and fierce gameplay from all players made for an exciting match that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The performance by Kohli and Bumrah showcased their incredible talent and determination, while Konstas’ struggle against their formidable skills highlighted the intensity of the match. Overall, it was a memorable showdown between these cricket giants that will surely be talked about for years to come.
Sam Konstas was at the centre of a fiery exchange with India’s stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah amid a dramatic finish to the opening day of the final Test at the SCG, which has set up another compelling duel when play resumes on Saturday.
Australia’s reply started with just 15 minutes of the day remaining, and first ball Konstas walked down the crease at Bumrah and whipped him through midwicket. Konstas then exchanged words with Bumrah before what became the penultimate ball of the day after Usman Khawaja had pulled away from the strike, seemingly to try and eat up time to ensure there wouldn’t be another over.
Konstas turned to Bumrah and appeared to say something, which prompted umpire Sharfuddoula to step in. The next delivery passed through outside off stump. Then, with the final ball of the day, Bumrah had Khawaja edging to second slip, and immediately turned and locked eyes with Konstas at the non-striker’s end and took a couple of steps towards him, before being joined by several team-mates, including Virat Kohli, in exuberant celebration.
“I feel they had a little chit-chat,” Rishabh Pant said of the exchange. “They wanted to waste some time. I feel that’s the reason he had a conversation with Jassi [Bumrah]. He [Konstas] said something, I didn’t hear it, but I feel that’s the only thing which he wanted to do to just waste some time so we don’t bowl one more over.”
The India players were animated as they left the field, having a few minutes earlier been bowled out for 185, while Konstas walked off a few metres behind Khawaja, with Australia 9 for 1.
“It was an interesting one,” Beau Webster said of how Australia’s innings started. “I was sitting next to Heady [Travis Head] in the rooms watching on the TV and the first ball he [Konstas] ran down and clipped him over midwicket. There almost wasn’t surprise anymore, it was like there he is, he’s away.
“Sammy’s a very confident young man, it’s what they do these days, those youngsters, they get after it and put themselves out there. He’s got all the skills and all the talent to back it up so hopefully he has a really good day tomorrow and puts a few runs on the board.”
Konstas’ selection in the latter part of the series has had a dramatic impact. He struck 60 off 65 balls in his debut innings at the MCG, where he scooped Bumrah on a regular basis, and in the process of his stay was shoulder-barged by Kohli between overs. Bumrah struck back against Konstas in the second innings by removing him for 8.
In the field, Konstas was heavily engaged with the packed MCG crowd and in the final innings, as Australia pushed for victory, was a vocal presence around the bat.
“He’s playing with a lot of flair,” Scott Boland told Fox Cricket. “He’s definitely under their skin. You can see that in the last few moments there.”
Speaking ahead of the SCG Test, Konstas’ mentor Shane Watson said he had been surprised by how outgoing the 19-year-old had been.
“My experience of dealing and working with Sam has been a very quiet, reserved personality,” he said. “[He’s] a very deep thinker and certainly not an extrovert. But obviously what we saw in the Test match is that he absolutely is a showman.”
Bumrah’s late strike will raise India’s hopes that he has one more huge performance in him to cap an outstanding series with the visitors needing to win to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“Think there’s definitely a method to go about batting on this wicket, but Jasprit is a world-class bowler and no doubt he’s going to challenge our whole batting group,” Webster said. “He’s phenomenal with his lengths and lines, it is going to be tough on a wicket that will offer a fair bit for him.”
Pant acknowledged India would have liked a few more runs but was confident in India being able to stay competitive in the match.
“I think I wouldn’t say it’s a par score, I think anything over 220 to 250 would be a par score,” he said. “But still a very competitive score because the way ball is moving now I think there’s a lot of help for the bowler and hopefully we can capitalise on that.”
Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo
The highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India has once again lived up to its reputation as one of the most fiercely contested rivalries in cricket. The battle between two of the world’s best fast bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah and Sam Konstas, has been a highlight of the series so far.
Both Bumrah and Konstas have been in scintillating form, consistently troubling the opposition batsmen with their pace, accuracy, and ability to extract movement off the pitch. Their duels have captured the imagination of fans and pundits alike, with each delivery from either bowler being scrutinized and analyzed for its potential impact on the game.
Bumrah, known for his unorthodox action and deadly yorkers, has been a thorn in the side of the Australian batsmen, picking up crucial wickets at key moments in the match. Konstas, on the other hand, has impressed with his raw pace and aggressive approach, constantly testing the Indian batters with his intimidating short-pitched deliveries.
As the series progresses, all eyes will be on Bumrah and Konstas as they continue to push each other to new heights and strive to outdo one another in what has become a personal battle within the larger context of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The rivalry between these two fast bowlers has added an extra layer of excitement and drama to an already enthralling series, and fans can’t wait to see what twists and turns await in the remaining matches.
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The old saying only mentions sticks and stones. Rishabh Pant might want it amended to include leather as well. He had a big red welt on his left arm where a back-of-a-length ball from Mitchell Starc had reared up off the Sydney pitch to strike him flush.
Thanks to his heroics on his last Border-Gavaskar tour, this one began with a lot of focus on him. Even otherwise, with the pitches in Australia getting spicier and the new Kookaburra ball making life more difficult for the top order, the impact of players like Pant and Travis Head, coming down the order, always had the potential to change the course of Test matches.
The conversation around Pant began to shift, though. The risks that he takes to play those unorthodox shots had begun to catch up with him. His scoop in the first innings in Melbourne, where he was trying to pick out the gap at fine leg – he got hit on his body the first time he tried it and was caught at deep third the very next ball when he went for it again – came in for a lot of criticism. Being dismissed by a part-time bowler in the second innings, when India were trying to save the Test, took that discourse to a whole other level. There were other batters not doing their job as well but his wicket was singled out.
With that as the backdrop, Pant walked in in Sydney and spent 98 balls being someone else. There were still glimpses of his disdain for that red ball. In the 43rd over, he helicoptered a cut shot. Those usually involve back and across movements. But he couldn’t be bothered. He just trusted his hand-eye coordination and then, at the point of contact, let his wrists go for a whirl, and the ball skipped away behind point. Under normal circumstances, that’s what a Pant highlights reel would be all about.
These weren’t normal circumstances. His application had come under question. During optional training, reserve wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel had a long net, large parts of it right alongside Pant, and he looked quite good. It took a while for Pant to become a regular in India’s Test team – largely because his keeping needed to improve; his batting was already there – and since then he’s been among the first names on the sheet. Melbourne cast doubt over his temperament. Sydney almost became the scene of his redemption. He took so many body blows. Two back-to-back in the gut. Then another in the gut which left him winded enough he went down to the floor. One right on the side of the helmet, which looked awful. He tried to get out of the way but that bouncer just kept following him. Starc looked extremely concerned and wouldn’t leave Pant’s side until he got a nod of the head from the batter.
“I think this is the first time I’ve gotten hit so much,” Pant said, “But you know in cricket you can’t plan anything, so everything happened for the first time for sure at some point of time in your career, but that was me today.”
India were showing bravery. They were trying to correct their mistakes. Virat Kohli abandoned his open stance to be more side-on, which in theory would reduce the chances of him playing away from his body because his alignment was putting his front shoulder closer to balls outside off stump. They tried to rely on their defensive skills. Ravindra Jadeja tried to leave as many as he could. They tried to play the situation and ignore their natural instincts.
As much as they did all this, though, they seemed to gain little. They still collapsed from 57 for 2 to 148 for 8. The only difference was, it was a slow-burn collapse spread out across 41 overs. It’s back to their bowlers to bail India out, and it is possible that they could. There are frailties in the Australian batting order and the pitch is offering plenty of help.
“I feel it was a little tough pitch,” Pant said. He believed India’s 181 was not quite a par score but was close to it. “The ball was doing off the wicket quite a bit especially after the end of second session I would say.”
India did expect batting to be difficult when they won the toss and chose to put a total on the board. What they didn’t expect was the consistency of movement and the extra bounce. It gave them zero breathers. When they tried to manufacture shots, it backfired.
Shubman Gill wanted to make sure it was the last ball before lunch so he went down to do some gardening. Steven Smith at slip saw that and said, “This is bull****. Oi, let’s play”. Gill turned around and replied, “You take your time, Smithy, nobody says anything to you.” Then he faced up to Nathan Lyon and got caught by Smith at slip. Kohli’s side-on stance seemed to be helping until once again Scott Boland produced a ball that he nicked.
India went to stumps in a rage. The penultimate ball of the day sparked a confrontation. Usman Khawaja asked Jasprit Bumrah to wait. Sam Konstas got involved with a couple of words from the non-strikers’ end. Bumrah didn’t like it. The two of them had to be separated by the umpires. The last ball of the day produced a wicket. Khawaja was out caught, and Bumrah whipped around and walked towards Konstas. He knew he couldn’t get in his face. He held his emotions in check and then vented them when Konstas walked off. Veins popping. India haven’t been a happy team on this tour. They’ve felt antagonised. They had come to Sydney damned for all that they did. Sydney damned them when they didn’t, too. That last ball wicket, though, felt powerful. All 11 players ran up to their captain bristling with life once more.
In the highly anticipated 5th Test match of the Aus vs Ind series in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, it was a day of futility for the Indian team until their star bowler Jasprit Bumrah caught fire.
The Indian team struggled to make an impact in the match as the Australian batsmen dominated the proceedings, piling on the runs and putting the visitors under immense pressure. The Indian bowlers toiled hard but failed to make any significant breakthroughs, with the Australian batsmen looking comfortable at the crease.
However, just when things seemed bleak for India, Jasprit Bumrah stepped up and produced a brilliant spell of fast bowling that turned the tide in India’s favor. Bumrah’s fiery pace and pinpoint accuracy rattled the Australian batsmen, and he picked up crucial wickets to put India back in the game.
With Bumrah leading the charge, the Indian team managed to claw their way back into the match and put the Australians on the back foot. Bumrah’s exceptional performance not only lifted the spirits of the Indian team but also showcased his immense talent and skill as a bowler.
As the day ended, India had managed to stage a remarkable comeback, thanks to Jasprit Bumrah’s heroics. The match hangs in the balance, with both teams looking to gain the upper hand in what promises to be an exciting finale to the series.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Aus vs Ind series reaches its thrilling conclusion.
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Australia dismissed India for 185 on day one of the fifth Test but a fired-up Jasprit Bumrah struck with the final ball of the day to boost the tourists late on.
Bumrah had opener Usman Khawaja caught at second slip for two and turned to celebrate in the face of 19-year-old Sam Konstas, with India thinking both batters were wasting time in what proved to be the last over.
The tourists, who trail 2-1 in the best-of-five series and need to win to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy, had earlier tentatively edged to their total on a lively Sydney pitch.
They left out struggling captain Rohit Sharma but the move did little to improve the fortunes of their top order as Scott Boland took 4-31.
India were 72-4 when Boland dismissed Virat Kohli for 17 and 120-6 when Rishabh Pant, who top scored with a cautious 40, and Nitish Kumar Reddy fell to the seamer in consecutive balls.
But Bumrah, captaining India in Rohit’s place, hit three fours and a six in a 17-ball 22 to lift the total and his dismissal left time for India to have three overs at Australia before the close.
The hosts looked to have survived with Bumrah accusing Khawaja of wasting time in the final over, before exchanging words with Konstas as Australia ran the clock down to ensure there was not time for another over.
However, Bumrah had the last laugh as he dismissed Khawaja for a sixth time this series, the left-hander poking an edge to KL Rahul, who took a fine low catch.
It left Australia, who need only a draw to regain the trophy, 9-1.
India need a win to remain in contention to qualify for the World Test Championship final later this year.
In a thrilling day of cricket at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Jasprit Bumrah’s late burst of wickets gave India a glimmer of hope after Australia dominated for most of the day. The hosts finished the day on top, but Bumrah’s late strikes have kept India in the game.
Australia got off to a strong start with openers David Warner and Marcus Harris putting on a solid partnership. The duo looked in control against the Indian bowlers until Mohammed Siraj broke through to dismiss Warner. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith then steadied the ship, putting on a crucial partnership before Labuschagne fell to Ravichandran Ashwin.
Smith continued to pile on the runs, frustrating the Indian bowlers with his patient innings. However, Bumrah’s late burst of wickets turned the tide in India’s favor. The fast bowler dismissed Smith and Travis Head in quick succession, giving India some much-needed momentum heading into day two.
Despite Bumrah’s heroics, Australia finished the day in a strong position at 274/5. The hosts will look to build on their total on day two, while India will be hoping for early wickets to put pressure on the Australian batsmen.
The series is finely poised at 1-1, with both teams looking to gain the upper hand in this crucial third Test. With plenty of drama and excitement still to come, cricket fans can expect a thrilling contest between these two top sides. Stay tuned for more updates from Australia v India at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
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Captain Jasprit Bumrah has given India a glimmer of hope of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy following the dramatic dismissal of Australian opener Usman Khawaja on the final delivery of day one at the SCG.
The hosts were in complete control of the New Year’s Test after bowling out India for 185 in 72.2 overs, with Australia’s openers tasked with surviving three overs during a tricky passage of play before stumps.
However, umpires were forced to intervene when Bumrah became embroiled in a tense war of words with Australian opener Sam Konstas at the non-striker’s end during the last over of the day.
In a late twist, Khawaja edged the final delivery of the day towards KL Rahul at second slip, at which point Bumrah immediately spun around and glared at Konstas as his teammates celebrated the late breakthrough.
Australia is 1-9 at stumps on day one, with Konstas unbeaten on 7, still trailing by 176 runs.
Earlier on Friday, Scott Boland claimed four wickets, including his 50th Test scalp, to rip through India’s middle order before fellow quick Mitchell Starc (3-49 from 18 overs) helped clean up the tail. The Victorian seamer finished with 4-31 from 20 overs, his best bowling figures since his unforgettable Test debut at the MCG in 2021.
Smith gives it to Gill after brainfade | 00:49
None of India’s players reached fifty, while boundaries proved difficult to come by as the tourists ticked along at around two runs per over throughout the day.
The opening day was marred by a couple of contentious decisions from third umpire Joel Wilson, with Snicko technology once again in the spotlight, while the Australians dropped chances against all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on 3 and 5.
Having taken over the captaincy from axed skipper Rohit Sharma, Bumrah walked out donning the navy jacket on Friday morning, opting to bat first after winning the toss.
Indian opener KL Rahul survived five overs on the soft wicket before flicking a half-volley on leg stump from the wounded quick Mitchell Starc towards square leg, where Konstas accepted a regulation chance.
“Something there” – Review successful! | 02:50
Introduced to the attack in the eighth over, Boland only needed four deliveries to unearth a breakthrough, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal nicking towards the slips cordon where Australian debutant Beau Webster snaffled his maiden Test catch.
Controversy erupted the following delivery when Indian superstar Kohli edged to a lunging Steve Smith at second slip, who parried the Kookaburra with an outstretched hand towards teammate Marnus Labuschagne at gully. However, third umpire Joel Wilson contentiously turned down the dismissal following a lengthy review, deeming that Smith received assistance from the surface before flicking up the ball. The Australian vice-captain shook his head in disbelief after his acrobatic effort went unrewarded.
Kohli and the recalled Shubman Gill added 40 for the third wicket before the Indian No. 3 suffered a brain fade on what proved the final delivery before lunch, needlessly charging at spinner Nathan Lyon and edging to slip for 20.
‘That’s out!’ – DRS drama favours Kohli | 03:07
Early in the afternoon session, Kohli lazily pressed at a length delivery from Boland and edged through to Webster for 17, booed by the Sydney crowd as he exited the field. The Victorian was denied another wicket in his following over when Smith dropped a dolly at second slip, gifting Jadeja an early life.
Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant absorbed two painful blows while facing Starc from the Paddington End – one left a bruise on his left arm while the other crashed into his helmet, forcing a concussion test.
Not long after, Lyon spilled a one-handed chance at backward point to hand Jadeja another reprieve and deny Webster his maiden Test wicket, with Pant rubbing salt into the wounds by slapping the following delivery down the ground for a 99m six. In comical scenes, venue staff needed a ladder to retrieve the ball from the top of the sight screen.
Pant required further medical attention after copping a Cummins bumper to the shoulder, but survived through to the tea break in a 48-run partnership with Jadeja for the fifth wicket.
Momentum swung firmly back in Australia’s favour early in the evening session when Boland struck in consecutive deliveries – Pant top-edged a pull shot towards mid-on for 40 before Smith swallowed a catch at second slip to remove Melbourne centurion Nitish Reddy Kumar for a golden duck. The hat-trick delivery narrowly evaded Washington Sundar’s outside edge, with Boland receiving a standing ovation from the Member’s Stand when he returned to fine leg.
Gill undone by Smith’s chirping | 00:31
Jadeja’s laborious knock ended when Starc trapped him plumb on the pads for 26 – the left-hander wasted a review before sheepishly trudging off the ground when ball-tracking showed the Kookaburra would have hit halfway up middle stump.
Wilson was once again the centre of attention when Australia reviewed a caught-behind chance against all-rounder Washington Sundar, who was sent packing for 14 after a small spike appeared on Snicko as the Kookaburra passed his glove.
Prasidh Krishna departed after a wild slog before Cummins (2-37 from 15.2 overs) wrapped up the innings, with Bumrah blasting 22 (17) in a late counterpunch.
With the Sydney crowd praying for a trademark ramp, teenager Konstas instead charged at Bumrah and clipped the first delivery of Australia’s innings through mid-wicket for a boundary. Later in the same over, Bumrah struck Khawaja on the glove, allowing the Australian to soak up precious time with medical staff running onto the ground.
However, Konstas’ late antics fired up Bumrah and gave India something to celebrate following an otherwise one-sided day.
Earlier, Australian great Mark Waugh presented Webster with his baggy green as the Tasmanian all-rounder became the nation’s 469th men’s Test cricketer.
The fifth Test between India and Australia will resume on Saturday at 10.30am AEDT.
TEAMS
Australian XI
1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Sam Konstas, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Beau Webster, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Pat Cummins (c), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Scott Boland, 11 Nathan Lyon
SYDNEY WEATHER FORECAST (per Bureau of Meteorology)
Day one: 26 and cloudy, 20 per cent chance of rain in the morning
Day two: 29 and sunny, five per cent chance of rain
Day three: 34 and sunny, five per cent chance of rain
Day four: 35 and mostly sunny, 20 per cent chance of rain
Day five: 25 and showers, 80 per cent chance of up to 15mm of rain
Day 1 Live Updates and Blog: Scott Boland shines with 4 wickets, Sam Konstas stuns with four first-ball dismissals, Jasprit Bumrah confronts Konstas
The first day of the highly anticipated match between Team Australia and Team India has been nothing short of eventful. Scott Boland was the star of the day, taking 4 crucial wickets to put Australia in a commanding position. However, the highlight of the day was Sam Konstas who created history by dismissing four batsmen on the first ball of their innings.
In a heated moment, Jasprit Bumrah confronted Konstas after his fourth consecutive first-ball dismissal, leading to a tense exchange between the two players. The incident added an extra layer of drama to an already thrilling match.
The weather played spoilsport towards the end of the day, with rain interrupting play. The Sydney rain is expected to continue into tomorrow, which could potentially impact the outcome of the match.
As the day comes to a close, here is a look at the scorecard:
Team Australia: 225/7 (Boland 4-45)
Team India: Yet to bat
Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the match progresses.
Australia’s young opening batter Sam Konstas has time and again shown his intent to not limit his talking to his bat. In the last over before stumps on Day 1 of the 5th Test between Australia and India on Friday, Konstas unnecessarily riled up Jasprit Bumrah over a matter that didn’t even involve him. Right after the incident, Bumrah removed Konstas’ opening partner Usman Khawaja at the striker’s end, prompting an act of aggression from the Indian pacer, prompting Virat Kohli to join in as well.
It all happened on the penultimate delivery of the day when Khawaja took a little time to get ready at the striker’s end, resulting in Bumrah’s rhythm getting disturbed. However, the non-striker Konstas involved himself in the incident by uttering a few words to Bumrah, riling up the pacer.
On the next delivery, Bumrah got Khawaja caught in slips, thanks to KL Rahul‘s brilliant effort.
After taking the wicket, Bumrah charged at Konstas at the non-striker’s end as a part of his celebratory act. Kohli, who is known to wear his heart on his sleeve, also came running from the slip cordon and seemingly charged at Konstas.
Earlier, India disappointed with the bat yet again, putting a total of 185 runs on the board, that too after stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah contributed 22 runs with the bat. Rishabh Pant was the top-scoring batter for India on the opening day, scoring 40 runs before giving-in to his attacking instincts yet again. Kohli, on the other hand, disappointed again by scoring just 17 runs before getting dismissed to the outside off delivery again.
India had benched Rohit Sharma in the match over poor form but his replacement Shubman Gill failed to make his start count as well, scoring just 20 runs before getting dismissed by spinner Nathan Lyon.
Bumrah’s solitary wicket before stumps on Day 1 set the desired platform for India ahead of Day 2. India would hope for a few quick wickets early on Day 2.
Topics mentioned in this article
out for the fire on the cricket field as tensions rise between India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah and Australian journalist Sam Konstas.
In a recent press conference, Konstas once again poked Bumrah with a controversial question about his bowling technique, to which the fiery fast bowler responded with a sharp retort. This is not the first time that Konstas has targeted Bumrah with his probing questions, and it seems like the Indian pacer is not taking it lightly.
On the other hand, Indian captain Virat Kohli has also come to Bumrah’s defense, slamming Konstas for his aggressive questioning and standing up for his teammate. Kohli’s fiery attitude and protective nature towards his players have once again come to the forefront, showing his unwavering support for the Indian team.
As the tension between Bumrah, Kohli, and Konstas continues to escalate, it will be interesting to see how this drama unfolds on the cricket field. Stay tuned for more updates on this fiery rivalry.
NEW DELHI: The opening day of the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground was a spectacle of high drama, with Virat Kohli surviving a golden duck scare earlier in the day and the action culminating in a heated exchange between Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah and Sam Konstas. The incident occurred when Australian opener Usman Khawaja delayed Bumrah’s delivery, signaling that he wasn’t ready to take strike just as Bumrah began his run-up. Adding to the tension, Konstas intervened, gesturing at Bumrah to stop. “What’s the problem?” Bumrah was heard asking Konstas as the two players approached each other in a confrontational manner. The on-field umpire quickly stepped in to diffuse the situation and separated the two.
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Bumrah, however, had the final word moments later. On the very next delivery, he dismissed Khawaja with a full-length ball that induced an outside edge, neatly taken by KL Rahul in the slips. Rather than celebrating the wicket, Bumrah turned to Konstas and delivered an icy death stare, adding another layer of intensity to the SCG showdown. WATCH:
Australia ended the opening day at 9/1 after bowling India out for 185. India, who had recovered from 57/3 to 107/4 at tea, suffered a dramatic collapse in the final session, losing their last six wickets for just 78 runs. Rishabh Pant top-scored with a gritty 40 off 98 balls, while Scott Boland was the standout bowler for Australia, claiming 4/31 in an impressive spell.
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In reply, Australia lost opener Usman Khawaja to Jasprit Bumrah on the final ball of the day, finishing the day with a minor setback. India, trailing the series 1-2, were led by Jasprit Bumrah in this match after regular skipper Rohit Sharma opted to sit out the series finale.
In a recent cricket match, tensions ran high as Jasprit Bumrah, the star Indian fast bowler, got into a heated exchange with Sam Konstas, the opposing team’s player. The incident occurred during a crucial moment in the game, with both players exchanging words and gestures.
The drama did not stop there, as India’s skipper stepped in to diffuse the situation. However, Bumrah continued to glare down Konstas, showing his competitive spirit and determination to come out on top.
The intense moment was captured on camera, and fans are buzzing with excitement over the heated exchange. Both players are known for their fiery personalities on the field, and this incident only added to the drama of the match.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story, as tensions continue to rise on the cricket field. Watch the video of the exchange here: [link to video]. #CricketDrama #BumrahVsKonstas #IntenseRivalry
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