Former cricketer Parthiv Patel believes India's recent batting collapses in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy aren't due to aggressive play, but rather a lack of disciplined application. He emphasizes the team's proven ability and urges them to bat with more traditional Test match discipline.

Thirteen-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi from Bihar created history by becoming the youngest player signed by an IPL franchise. Rajasthan Royals secured him for Rs 1.10 crore. Captain Sanju Samson expressed excitement, highlighting Suryavanshi's impressive century against Australia U-19. The Royals, known for nurturing young talent like Yashasvi Jaiswal, aim to develop Suryavanshi under Rahul Dravid's mentorship.

Grzegorz Gajewski, D Gukesh's coach, compared the new world chess champion to Magnus Carlsen, highlighting Gukesh's analytical approach over Carlsen's intuition. Gajewski also likened Gukesh to a young Fabiano Caruana, praising his patience and precision. Gukesh was recently felicitated by the Tamil Nadu government for becoming the youngest World Chess Champion.

Indian domestic cricket is witnessing a record-breaking season, with players achieving unprecedented feats in white-ball tournaments. The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy saw Baroda set new highs for team totals, run rate, and sixes in a T20 innings. Anmolpreet Singh's blazing 35-ball century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy further highlighted the explosive batting displays.

India's World Test Championship final hopes rest on winning both Tests against Australia. If India splits the series, they need Pakistan to upset South Africa. A Pakistan series win improves India's chances, while a 2-0 Pakistan win guarantees qualification regardless of Sri Lanka's results against Australia.

India's cricket team engaged in lively net practice in Melbourne, marked by playful banter and insightful observations. Rohit Sharma decoded Mohammed Siraj's bouncer strategy, while Jasprit Bumrah's fiery deliveries challenged batters. Rishabh Pant's witty remarks and Virat Kohli's pep talks added to the spirited atmosphere. The team's camaraderie and intensity promise an exciting Boxing Day Test match.

England announce squads for India tour and Champions Trophy. Ben Stokes will miss both. Joe Root and Mark Wood return to the team. Jos Buttler will captain the limited-overs sides. Jacob Bethell earns his spot after a strong New Zealand series. The tour begins January 17. Matches against India start January 22. The Champions Trophy follows.

2024 witnessed several cricketing legends bid farewell to the international arena. Ravichandran Ashwin's surprise retirement, along with stalwarts like David Warner, Shikhar Dhawan, Dinesh Karthik, James Anderson, Tim Southee, and Moeen Ali, marked the end of illustrious careers, leaving a void in the world of cricket.

Australia aim to maintain their strong record at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in the fourth Test against India. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy currently tied 1-1, both teams need a result to boost their World Test Championship final hopes. Australia boasts a 57.75% win rate at the MCG, having won 67 out of 116 matches played there.

India and Australia clash in the crucial Boxing Day Test. Both teams face batting woes in the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy match. India won the first Test but lost the second. The third Test ended in a draw. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's form is under scrutiny. KL Rahul offers a glimmer of hope for India.

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, is set to mary Venkata Datta in Udaipur on Sunday. The wedding festivities began on December 20th. Sindhu, a five-time World Championship medalist and the first Indian woman to win two Olympic medals, recently clinched the Syed Modi India International title.

Team India's practice session at the MCG revealed low-bounce practice pitches, causing challenges for both batters and bowlers. Several batters, including captain Rohit Sharma, were struck by deliveries, highlighting the variable bounce. The pitches, deemed more suitable for white-ball cricket, prompted concerns within the Indian camp about their preparedness for the Test match.

Sameer Rizvi, Delhi Capitals' latest acquisition, recently hammered an unbeaten 201 off 97 balls in an Under-23 match, showcasing his explosive batting prowess honed under MS Dhoni's mentorship during his time at CSK. Rizvi credits Dhoni for improving his power-hitting and mental game. Rizvi acknowledges that he didnt have the best IPL season with CSK, who splurged Rs 8.4 crore on him during the IPL 2024 mini-auction.

Jasprit Bumrah breathes fire in the nets at MCG

Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri advises Rohit Sharma to adopt an aggressive approach at number six, similar to his white-ball strategy. Shastri believes Rohit's attacking mindset will help him regain form and contribute significantly to India's success, despite KL Rahul's impressive performance as opener. Rohit is no stranger to batting at No. 6 in Test cricket, having made his Test debut in 2013 in this position with a century to mark the occasion.

Travis Head's impressive form poses a challenge for India in the crucial Boxing Day Test. Cheteshwar Pujara and Sanjay Bangar suggest focusing on a disciplined line of attack. Bowling middle-off stump and using short balls strategically are key. India aims to restrict Head's scoring and build pressure. The MCG clash is set to be a thrilling contest.

India's U-19 women's cricket team clinched the inaugural Asia Cup title with a 41-run victory over Bangladesh. Gongadi Trisha's crucial half-century (52 runs) anchored India's 117/7, despite Farjana Easmin's four-wicket haul for Bangladesh. Aayushi Shukla's impressive 3/17, along with other bowlers' contributions, restricted Bangladesh to 76 all out. Trisha's performance earned her the Player of the Match award.

Ravindra Jadeja's decision to answer media questions in Hindi during a BCCI press conference in Melbourne sparked controversy with Australian media. Time constraints led to Jadeja's departure before some Australian journalists could pose questions, causing frustration. This incident follows another involving Virat Kohli, who expressed disapproval of his family being filmed at the airport.

Cheteshwar Pujara has highlighted Mitchell Starc as a major threat for India in the upcoming Boxing Day Test. Pujara praised Starc's improved accuracy and effectiveness, particularly with the new ball. He emphasized the need for India's batsmen to negotiate Starc's initial spells carefully, noting his reduced impact against the lower order with the older ball.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated R Ashwin on his international cricket retirement, praising his exceptional 14-year career. Modi's letter highlighted Ashwin's surprise retirement, comparing it to an unexpected carrom ball. The Prime Minister lauded Ashwin's 765 international wickets, numerous Player of the Series awards, and crucial contributions to India's victories, including the 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy.

Aakash Chopra ranked the top T20I pacers of 2024. India's Arshdeep Singh topped the list. Pakistan's Abbas Afridi secured the second position. Matheesha Pathirana, Lockie Ferguson, and Haris Rauf followed. Chopra excluded Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Afridi due to selection criteria. Bumrah played fewer matches, and Afridi's performance against top teams was considered insufficient.

Indian pacer Akash Deep credits Jasprit Bumrah's guidance for his improved performance during his first Australian tour. Despite initial bad luck in the Brisbane Test, Akash Deep persevered, eventually taking key wickets. He reflected on the challenges of bowling with the old ball and the unpredictable nature of luck. Akash Deep, who did not feature in the playing XI for the first two Tests against Australia, was brought in to replace Harshit Rana for the third Test in Brisbane.

India aim to maintain their decade-long unbeaten streak at the Melbourne Cricket Ground against Australia in the Boxing Day Test. Having drawn once and won twice since 2014, India seeks a fourth consecutive positive result at this historic venue. These matches include a significant 2018 victory, breaking a long-standing winless drought, and a 2020 triumph under Rahane's captaincy.

India narrowly escaped a follow-on scare against Australia in the Gabba Test, thanks to a crucial 47-run partnership between Akash Deep and Jasprit Bumrah. Akash Deep's composed 31 runs proved vital, sparking celebrations in the Indian dressing room. With the series tied 1-1, the Melbourne Boxing Day Test promises a thrilling decider.

Jasprit Bumrah's remarkable performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has drawn immense praise, with Dinesh Karthik hailing him as a freak of nature and a Kohinoor diamond. Bumrah's 21 wickets at an astonishing average of 10.90 have been instrumental for India. His record-breaking 53 wickets in Australia further cements his status as one of India's greatest fast bowlers.

Team India, locked in a 1-1 series tie against Australia, aims for a historic third consecutive series victory Down Under. Pacer Akash Deep emphasises maintaining bowling discipline and exploiting perceived weaknesses of Australian batsmen like Travis Head's vulnerability to short balls. India began the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in style with a commanding 295-run win over Australia in Perth but suffered a 10-wicket defeat in the day-night Test in Adelaide. The third Test at the Gabba in Bris

Rohit Sharma hit on knee during nets session at MCG

Akash Deep on his battle with Steve Smith, plans for Travis Head

Ravichandran Ashwin's sudden retirement has marked the end of India's famed spin-bowling duo. Ravindra Jadeja, while acknowledging the unexpected move, emphasized the need to move forward. The pair, dominant at home for a decade, brought different strengths to the table. Jadeja highlighted their on-field communication and mentorship, aspects he'll miss.

During a practice session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday, India captain Rohit Sharma sustained a blow to his left knee while facing throwdowns in the nets. Although Rohit continued to bat briefly after that, he soon sought attention from the physio, who applied an ice pack. While Sharma exhibited discomfort, the injury didn't appear severe.

UAE clinched a thrilling two-run victory over Kuwait in the ILT20 Gulf Cricket Championship (GCC) final. Alishan Sharafu and Tanish Suri provided crucial runs for UAE. Meet Bhavsar's 72 almost led Kuwait to victory. The match went down to the wire. Muhammad Jawadullah held his nerve in the final over. UAE secured their first ILT20 GCC title.

Mohammed Shami, recovering from ankle surgery, impressed fans with his powerful hitting during net practice at the NCA, even without helmet or pads. He recently returned to domestic cricket with strong performances in the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, despite lingering knee swelling.

Teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi continues to shatter records. After becoming the youngest IPL signee last month, the 13-year-old debuted in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Bihar, becoming the youngest Indian in List A cricket history.

Aston Villa triumphed over Manchester City with a 2-1 victory on Saturday, increasing the pressure on City's manager Pep Guardiola. Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers scored for Villa, while Phil Foden netted a late consolation goal for City. This win elevates Villa to fifth place, surpassing City who now sit precariously in sixth.

Whats inside Virat Kohlis kit bag?

Virat Kohli goes bang bang in the nets ahead of Boxing Day Test

Sameer Rizvi, the Delhi Capitals' recent acquisition, smashed a breathtaking 201* off just 97 balls in an Under-23 match against Tripura. His stunning innings, featuring 13 fours and 20 sixes, is the fastest double century in the tournament's history.

Former chief selector Chetan Sharma backs Virat Kohli amid a lean patch, predicting three centuries in the Australia series. Despite recent struggles, Sharma remains confident in Kohli's abilities, highlighting his past contributions and expecting a strong finish in the remaining matches. Kohli's current form has been below par, but Sharma's belief in his resurgence remains unwavering.

Travis Head's dominant batting performances against India, including crucial knocks in the World Test Championship and World Cup finals, have earned him the nickname Travis Head'ache from former India coach Ravi Shastri. Shastri praised Head's improved short-ball technique and aggressive mindset as key factors in his success against India's bowlers, particularly Jasprit Bumrah.

Sam Konstas, recently selected for Australia's Test squad, was dismissed for a duck in a Big Bash League match against the Sydney Sixers. It was the first match for Konstas after being named in Australia's Test squad and he was dismissed by Sixers' Akeal Hosein, chopping on a ball back onto his stumps.

During the 2021 IPL, Ravichandran Ashwin astutely observed Steve Smith recording Delhi Capitals bowlers' techniques with a helmet camera. Recognizing its potential use for analysis in the upcoming T20 World Cup, Ashwin halted his bowling, persuading teammates Axar Patel and Amit Mishra to follow suit, showcasing his sharp cricketing mind.

Nineteen-year-old batting prodigy Sam Konstas has been selected for Australia's Test squad to face India in the final two matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Overwhelmed with joy, Konstas shared the emotional news with his parents. His potential debut in the Boxing Day Test would make him the youngest Australian Test batting debutant in over 70 years.

Virat Kohli is poised to surpass Sachin Tendulkar as India's highest Test run-scorer at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Kohli needs 133 runs to eclipse Tendulkar's 449-run record during the upcoming Boxing Day Test. A strong performance could revive Kohli's form and solidify his legacy at the iconic venue.

Anmolpreet Singh etched his name in Indian cricket history with a breathtaking 35-ball century, the fastest ever by an Indian in List A cricket. During a Vijay Hazare Trophy match, Singh's explosive innings powered Punjab to a resounding nine-wicket victory over Arunachal Pradesh. His remarkable feat ranks third fastest globally, trailing only international stars.

D Gukesh, 18, won the World Chess Championship. He defeated Ding Liren. Gukesh's family made a bold move. They took him out of school early. This allowed him to focus on chess. His mother, Padma Kumari, shared their journey. They faced doubts. Gukesh's dedication reassured them. His victory validated their decision. He is now a champion.

Ravichandran Ashwin's sudden retirement from international cricket during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series has signaled the start of India's transition phase. Aakash Chopra believes Ashwin's decision stemmed from limited overseas opportunities, exacerbated by Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar's presence. Chopra anticipates more retirements may follow, reshaping the team's composition in the coming months.

Australian media created controversy by criticizing Ravindra Jadeja for answering interview questions in Hindi at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The BCCI had arranged the interaction for Indian journalists, but some unaccredited Australian media attended.

Former cricketer Sanjay Bangar has offered advice to struggling Indian captain Rohit Sharma, suggesting a move to the number three batting position for the upcoming Melbourne Test. Bangar believes this shift, combined with focusing on timing a few key shots, could reignite Sharma's confidence and rhythm against the Australian bowlers who have exploited his vulnerability to short balls.