The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 entered its second round on December 23, with top players competing to make a mark in the one-day format. The tournament serves as a crucial platform for Indian cricketers to secure spots in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, which is less than two months away. Established players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, and Mohammed Shami are using the competition to fine-tune their skills ahead of international fixtures.

Top Run-Scorers in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25

Key Highlights:

• Abhishek Porel leads the charts with a stellar knock of 170* at a strike rate of 130.76, demonstrating his dominance at the top of the order.
• Yuvraj Chaudhary follows with 151 runs, showcasing remarkable consistency and technique.
• Shreyas Iyer, batting at a blistering strike rate of 207.27, is using this platform to prepare for international assignments.

Tournament Importance:

With the ICC Champions Trophy approaching, this edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy provides a golden opportunity for players to solidify their spots in the national team. While the core squad appears settled, standout performances in this tournament could be a game-changer for several aspirants. The second round promises more exciting cricket as players push their limits to make a mark.

Star Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya will miss the initial stages of the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2024-25, India’s premier 50-over domestic tournament, which began on December 21. The Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) confirmed that Pandya will only join the team for the knockout rounds, provided Baroda qualifies.

Pandya’s absence and return plans:

• Kiran More, a member of the BCA’s Cricket Improvement Committee, stated, “He will play from the knockouts; he has informed us.”
• Pandya has not played a 50-over match since October 19, 2023, when he suffered an ankle injury during the ODI World Cup against Bangladesh.
• He recently participated in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), scoring 246 runs and taking six wickets, helping Baroda reach the semifinals.

Baroda’s challenges in Group E:

Led by Krunal Pandya, Hardik’s elder brother, Baroda faces stiff competition in Group E, which includes strong teams like Kerala, Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh. Critics believe Hardik’s absence could affect Baroda’s chances of advancing, especially in the challenging group stage.

Baroda squad for VHT 2024-25:

• Shashwat Rawat, Bhanu Pania, Parth Kohli, Jyotsnil Singh, Ninad Ashvinkumar Rathva, Shivalik Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Mahesh Pithiya, Raj Limbani, Atit Sheth, Vishnu Solanki, Babashafi Pathan, Lukman Meriwala, Bhargav Bhatt, Akash Maharaj Singh, Amit Passi, Lakshit Toksiya.

Importance of Pandya’s return to the format:

Pandya’s reentry into the 50-over format could be pivotal for Baroda and the national team, with the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for 2025. Indian selectors are keen on ensuring domestic participation for national players, and Pandya’s performance could reaffirm his place in the squad as a key all-rounder.

Baroda will look to leverage its experienced players and young talents in the group stages as they aim to secure a spot in the knockout rounds where Pandya is expected to bolster their chances.

India emerged victorious in the Women’s U19 T20 Asia Cup final, defeating Bangladesh by 41 runs at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, December 22. This win marks a historic moment as India becomes the inaugural champions of the tournament.

India’s innings:

Bangladesh captain Sumaiya Akter opted to bowl first after winning the toss in the high-pressure final. Gongadi Trisha led India’s batting with a composed 52 off 47 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes, even as wickets fell at regular intervals. Mithila Vinod provided a late boost with a quick 17 off 12 balls, helping India post a competitive total of 117/7 in their 20 overs.

Farjana Easmin was the standout bowler for Bangladesh, taking 4/31 in her four overs. Trisha’s performance not only anchored India’s innings but also made her the tournament’s leading run-scorer.

Bangladesh’s reply:

Bangladesh’s chase got off to a poor start, losing Mosammat Eva in the second over. Despite Fahomida Choya’s efforts to stabilize the innings, key wickets, including captain Sumaiya Akter, fell cheaply.

Wicketkeeper-batter Juairiya Ferdous kept Bangladesh’s hopes alive with a patient 22 off 30 balls. However, her dismissal in the 15th over left Bangladesh at 64/5, needing 54 runs from the final 34 deliveries. The lower order collapsed under pressure, with the last five wickets falling for just 12 runs.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 76 in 18.3 overs, handing India a convincing 41-run win.

Key performers:

• India:
  • Aayushi Shukla: 3/17 in 3.3 overs
  • Sonam Yadav and Parunika Sisodia: 2 wickets each
  • Gongadi Trisha: 52 runs (leading tournament scorer)
• Bangladesh:
  • Farjana Easmin: 4/31 in 4 overs
  • Juairiya Ferdous: 22 runs

India’s comprehensive performance capped a dominant campaign, securing the inaugural Women’s U19 T20 Asia Cup title.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has approved a hybrid model for matches involving India and Pakistan in ICC tournaments between 2024 and 2027, resolving a long-standing hosting impasse. Under this agreement, matches between the two nations during ICC events will take place at neutral venues chosen by the tournament host.

Key highlights of the agreement:

• Neutral venues: India’s matches during the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, to be hosted by Pakistan, will be played at a neutral venue. Similarly, Pakistan’s matches in ICC events hosted by India will also occur at neutral venues.
• Future events: The hybrid arrangement applies to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 (in India), the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (in India and Sri Lanka), and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2028 (in Pakistan).
• Venue proposals: The host country’s cricket board will propose neutral venues, subject to ICC approval.

Champions Trophy 2025:
Set to begin on February 19, the Champions Trophy’s venue details remain undecided as the schedule is yet to be finalized. The arrangement ensures that India and Pakistan’s matches in this eight-team tournament will occur smoothly without geopolitical tensions disrupting the event.

The ICC has also hinted at exploring a triangular or quadrangular T20I series involving India and Pakistan to further foster cricketing ties, possibly including other Asian nations.

This hybrid hosting model is seen as a significant step to ensure the smooth conduct of ICC tournaments while addressing the ongoing geopolitical challenges between the two cricketing giants.

The much-anticipated clash between India and Pakistan during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to take place on February 23, 2025. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has clarified the match details, resolving the earlier impasse between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Key details about the India vs Pakistan match:

• Tournament start date: The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 begins on February 19, 2025.
• Venue: The India vs Pakistan match is expected to be held in Sri Lanka or the UAE, with the UAE being a strong contender to host this game and other India matches.
• Match timing: If hosted in Sri Lanka, the match is likely to start at 1:30 PM IST, while in the UAE, the start time might be 2:30 PM IST.
• TV Broadcast: Star Sports, the official broadcaster of ICC tournaments in India, will telecast the match on channels like Star Sports 1 HD/SD, Star Sports 2 HD/SD, and Star Sports 3 with English commentary.
• Live streaming: Disney+ Hotstar will provide live streaming of the match, offering commentary in multiple languages.

Meanwhile, India is also expected to face Pakistan during the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, likely in Sri Lanka, which will co-host the event with India. Fans eagerly await these marquee matches between the arch-rivals in global tournaments.

The ICC is set to finalize the hybrid model for the Champions Trophy 2025, with the much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash scheduled to be held in Dubai. The tournament is slated to run from February 19 to March 9, 2025, featuring eight teams divided into two groups, with the top two from each group advancing to the semifinals.

Given the political sensitivities, it has been agreed in principle that neither India nor Pakistan will travel to each other’s countries for ICC events. Under the hybrid model, neutral venues like Dubai will host matches between the two nations.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly insisted on this arrangement for all ICC tournaments moving forward. For example:

• The 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup in India will see Pakistan playing at neutral venues.
• During the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, India will travel to Colombo for their marquee match against Pakistan.

BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla reaffirmed India’s stance on player safety, stating, “We prefer a hybrid model… We are looking for a middle ground to sort things out.”

The official schedule for the Champions Trophy is likely to be unveiled today, marking a significant step toward resolving the venue debate while ensuring player safety and fair participation.

Argentina bowler Hernan Fennell etched his name in cricket history after securing a double hat-trick during the Men’s T20 World Cup qualifier match against the Cayman Islands in Buenos Aires on Sunday. Despite his remarkable performance, Argentina fell short, being all out for 94 runs in response to the Cayman Islands’ 116.

Hernan Fennell joins exclusive list

Fennell, aged 36, joins an elite group of bowlers who have claimed a double hat-trick in T20 internationals, including:

• Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
• Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)
• Curtis Campher (Ireland)
• Jason Holder (West Indies)
• Waseem Yaqoob (Lesotho)

Notably, Fennell’s double hat-trick achievement mirrors his previous feat against Panama during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Americas Region Qualifier in 2021, showcasing his consistency in international cricket.

A rare multiple T20I hat-trick milestone

Fennell also joins a small group of cricketers who have taken more than one T20I hat-trick. This elite list includes:

• Waseem Abbas (Malta)
• Pat Cummins (Australia)
• Mark Pavlovic (Serbia)
• Tim Southee (New Zealand)
• Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)

While Fennell’s bowling brilliance limited the Cayman Islands to a modest 116 runs, Argentina’s batting unit struggled to chase the target, managing only 94 runs. This loss highlights Argentina’s ongoing challenges despite individual standout performances.

As we edge closer to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, here is the list of the eight teams that have secured their spots for the tournament:

Key Highlights:

1. Host Nation: Pakistan
   • Pakistan secured qualification as the host nation of the tournament.
2. Top 7 Teams from ICC Cricket World Cup 2023:
   • The top seven teams, excluding the host, qualified based on their final standings in the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
   • These teams include:
     • India
     • Australia
     • England
     • New Zealand
     • South Africa
     • Afghanistan
     • Bangladesh

Will the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Be Held in a Hybrid Model?

The tournament’s venue has been a hot topic, especially with India’s reluctance to travel to Pakistan due to political and security concerns. Reports suggest that the ICC is likely to adopt a hybrid model, splitting matches between Pakistan and the UAE (Dubai).

• Matches involving India, including the group-stage fixtures and key knockouts, are expected to be held in Dubai.
• The decision reflects a compromise between the BCCI and PCB, ensuring India’s participation while maintaining Pakistan as the official host.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 promises to bring exciting cricket action featuring the top teams in the world. The final schedule and venue details are expected to be announced soon, as discussions around the hybrid model continue.

In a landmark decision, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has resolved the prolonged deadlock between the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over hosting arrangements for the Champions Trophy 2025. The ICC has approved a hybrid hosting model, allowing matches to be played in both Pakistan and neutral venues, addressing India’s security concerns. This was reported by Vikrant Gupta over twitter.

BIG CHAMPIONS TROPHY BREAKING: ICC Has approved Champions Trophy Hybird – Pak and Dubai after agreement with PCB and BCCI. Both BCCI and PCB in principle have agreed for T20 World Cup 2026 that Pak won’t travel for the Ind-Pak league game to India and will play that in Colombo.…

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) December 13, 2024

Hybrid Hosting Model

Under the finalized arrangement:

• Pakistan will host a portion of the tournament matches.
• India’s games, including the semi-final and final, will take place at neutral venues.
• Neutral venues like Colombo have been selected for high-stakes matches, including the India-Pakistan group stage clash for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

No Pakistan Tour for India Until 2026

The agreement includes a significant clause: Pakistan will not tour India for any ICC events over the next three years, including the 2026 T20 World Cup. Matches involving Pakistan in these tournaments will also be played at neutral venues.

Background and Resolution

Initially, Pakistan, as the designated host for the Champions Trophy 2025, was set to organize the entire tournament. However, the BCCI opposed sending the Indian team to Pakistan, citing security concerns, and proposed the hybrid hosting model.

The PCB initially rejected the hybrid model, threatening to withdraw from the tournament. After negotiations, Pakistan agreed to the arrangement with specific conditions, which the ICC has now approved.

Tournament Schedule and Logistics

The Champions Trophy 2025 is scheduled to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025. The ICC will now work to finalize the official schedule, ensuring logistical feasibility for the remaining eight teams.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has suspended Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan from bowling in all competitions organized by the ECB. The decision follows an independent assessment of his bowling action conducted at Loughborough University, which found his elbow extension exceeded the permissible 15-degree threshold as per regulations.

Background

Shakib was reported for a suspect bowling action during his one-off appearance for Surrey in a county match against Somerset in September 2024. On-field umpires Steve O’Shaughnessy and David Millns raised concerns after Shakib claimed nine wickets in the game. As a result, he underwent an independent analysis earlier this month.

The ECB confirmed that the suspension took effect from December 10, 2024, when the assessment results were received. The findings align with the ECB’s Regulations for the Review of Bowlers Reported with a Suspected Illegal Bowling Action.

Impact on International Cricket

Although the suspension currently applies only to ECB-organized competitions, ICC regulations could extend the ban to international and domestic cricket across all member boards. According to Section 11.3 of ICC regulations, suspensions imposed by a National Cricket Federation must be respected globally, potentially sidelining Shakib from bowling internationally and in other domestic tournaments.

To resume bowling in ECB competitions, Shakib will need to pass a reassessment of his bowling action.

Career Context

This marks the first time in Shakib’s illustrious 17-year career that his bowling action has come under scrutiny. Over 447 international matches, he has taken 712 wickets, establishing himself as a cornerstone of Bangladesh cricket.

Shakib’s suspension follows a challenging period. He last played international cricket during the Test series against India in September-October. Though he planned to retire from Tests during the home series against South Africa, security concerns kept him away. Shakib has since missed several international assignments but participated in the Abu Dhabi T10 League.

Next Steps

Shakib’s suspension casts uncertainty over his participation in upcoming international fixtures and other leagues. His fans and cricket boards globally will be closely watching as he works toward clearing his action through reassessment.

The race to the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final has intensified, with South Africa overtaking India to claim the top spot in the standings following their 2-0 series victory over Sri Lanka. With four teams—India, Australia, South Africa, and Sri Lanka—in contention, the qualification scenarios have become increasingly competitive.

Current Standings and Context

South Africa’s recent series win at home against Sri Lanka has solidified their position as favorites to qualify for the WTC final. India’s qualification chances have taken a hit due to inconsistent performances, losing four of their last five Test matches. As a result, the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series against Australia has become critical for India’s chances.

India’s Task in the BGT Series

India has won the toss and opted to bowl first in the third Test at The Gabba, Brisbane, on a greenish pitch under overcast conditions. Rohit Sharma’s decision aims to exploit the conditions and gain an early advantage. The remaining three matches in the series are crucial for India’s WTC final qualification hopes.

Team Changes for the 3rd Test:

• India: Ravindra Jadeja and debutant Akash Deep replace Ravichandran Ashwin and Harshit Rana.
• Australia: Josh Hazlewood returns to the lineup, replacing Scott Boland.

Playing XIs:

• India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Rohit Sharma (c), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.
• Australia: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

WTC Qualification Scenarios for India

1. Certainty in Qualification (Two Wins and One Draw):
   • India needs to win two Tests and draw one of the remaining three matches.
   • This would take India’s win percentage to 60.53%, securing at least second place behind South Africa.
   • Even if Australia wins 2-0 in Sri Lanka, their win percentage would only reach 57.02%, leaving India ahead.
2. If India Wins the BGT Series 3-2:
   • India’s win percentage would reach 58.77%, giving them a strong chance to qualify.
   • Australia could still finish below India if they win only 1-0 in Sri Lanka.
3. If India Loses the BGT Series 2-3:
   • India’s win percentage would drop to 53.51%.
   • In this scenario, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Australia could all surpass India.
   • India would need South Africa to lose both their upcoming Tests against Pakistan and Australia to draw or lose their series in Sri Lanka.

Why This Series Matters

With South Africa now firmly ahead, India’s fate largely rests on their performance in the BGT series and the outcomes of other WTC matches. The series has effectively become a knockout contest between India and Australia, making every session critical in determining the finalists for the WTC 2023-25.

Australia’s convincing victory over India in the second Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Adelaide has seen the Pat Cummins-led side reclaim the top spot in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings.

With their ninth win in this cycle, Australia’s Points Percentage (PCT) has risen to 60.71%, overtaking both South Africa and India to reach the summit of the table. This victory comes as a major boost for Australia’s WTC campaign, reinforcing their dominance in the ongoing cycle.

India, on the other hand, suffered its tenth loss in the 2023-25 cycle, which has seen their PCT drop to 57.29%. This has caused India to fall to third place in the standings.

South Africa, currently in a strong position in their ongoing home Test series against Sri Lanka, could rise to the top of the table with a win, further intensifying the competition.

WTC 2023-25 Points Table (Updated till Australia vs India 2nd Test):