The much-anticipated Boxing Day Test between India and Australia is set to kick off on December 26 at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). With the five-match Test series currently tied at 1-1, both teams will be eager to gain a decisive lead.

Virat Kohli, India’s batting maestro, has an impressive record at the MCG in Tests. Over three matches, Kohli has amassed 316 runs at an average of 52.66, including two fifties and one century, with his top score being 169.

Australia is expected to make two key changes to their Playing XI. Teenage prodigy Sam Konstas has received a maiden call-up, while Jhye Richardson joins the squad as a replacement for Josh Hazlewood, who has been ruled out due to injury. The second change involves Usman Khawaja’s opening partner, as Australia seeks to strengthen their lineup.

As the Boxing Day Test approaches, all eyes will be on Kohli and his ability to deliver another iconic performance at one of his favorite venues. The match promises to be a thrilling contest as both teams look to take control of the series.

Actor Varun Dhawan recently opened up about an emotional moment involving cricketer Virat Kohli during India’s loss at the Nottingham Test. In a conversation on Ranveer Allahbadia’s podcast, Varun shared a story revealed to him by Anushka Sharma, Kohli’s wife and his co-star from Sui Dhaaga.

Anushka recalled finding Virat in tears after the Test match, blaming himself for the defeat despite being the highest scorer that day. “She said she didn’t attend that game. When she came back, she found Virat in the room, crying and blaming himself for the loss,” Varun shared.

Varun also spoke about Anushka’s genuine personality and her evolved perspective on life. Describing her as a “real person,” he noted her ability to make an impact on everyone she meets. The duo spent time discussing various topics during their film shoot, with Varun appreciating her honesty and spiritual depth.

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma tied the knot in 2017 and are now parents to two children, daughter Vamika and son Akaay. The couple continues to balance their professional and personal lives while supporting each other through highs and lows.

India staged a remarkable fightback on Day 4 of the third Test against Australia at The Gabba, Brisbane, as Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep combined in a resilient last-wicket stand to help India avoid the follow-on. The pair’s unbroken 39-run partnership ensured India finished the day at 252/9, trailing Australia by 193 runs.

Bumrah-Akash Deep Heroics

India’s last-wicket pair displayed tremendous composure under pressure. Akash Deep played a crucial cameo, scoring a quickfire 27 runs off 31 balls, including two boundaries, while Jasprit Bumrah’s dogged 10 runs off 27 deliveries proved equally vital. The defining moment came when Akash Deep struck a brilliant six off Pat Cummins, followed by a crucial boundary that helped India cross the follow-on mark of 246 runs. The dressing room erupted in celebrations, with Virat Kohli’s animated reaction capturing the significance of the moment.

Jadeja and Rahul Set the Foundation

India’s resistance began earlier in the innings, courtesy of Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul, who laid the groundwork after a shaky start.

• Jadeja played a gritty knock of 77 off 123 balls, combining defense and aggression to keep India in the game.
• KL Rahul, after an early reprieve, fought valiantly to score 84 runs. His partnership with Jadeja was crucial, as they steadied the innings after India was reeling at 74/5.

Despite their efforts, wickets continued to tumble, with Australia looking poised to enforce the follow-on before the late heroics from Akash Deep and Bumrah.

Australia’s Bowling Dominance

Pat Cummins was the pick of the bowlers for Australia, delivering a fiery spell to finish with figures of 4/80 in 20.5 overs. He consistently troubled the Indian batters with pace and precision. Nathan Lyon, Australia’s premier spinner, supported well with figures of 1/54 in 21 overs, maintaining pressure through tight lines. Mitchell Marsh and other seamers also kept the Indian middle-order in check.

Key Turning Point

India’s resilience in the final session, particularly the last-wicket stand, proved pivotal in denying Australia the advantage of enforcing the follow-on. Akash Deep’s fearless six and boundary off Cummins were celebrated not only on the field but also in the dressing room, where Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and others could be seen applauding and cheering passionately.

Summary

• India 252/9 (74.5 overs) | Trail by 193 runs
  • Akash Deep: 27* (31)
  • Jasprit Bumrah: 10* (27)
  • Ravindra Jadeja: 77 (123)
  • KL Rahul: 84 (—)
• Pat Cummins: 4/80
• Nathan Lyon: 1/54

With bad light forcing an early end to play, India will look to build on this momentum as Australia now faces the task of batting again. Avoiding the follow-on gives India a fighting chance to push for a draw on the final day.

Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli etched his name into the record books once again during the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 at The Gabba, Brisbane. Kohli became only the second cricketer in history to play 100 matches against Australia across all formats, joining the legendary Sachin Tendulkar in this elite club.

Virat Kohli’s 100-match tally against Australia includes 28 Tests, 49 ODIs, and 23 T20Is. Before the ongoing Test, Kohli had amassed 5326 runs in 117 innings at an impressive average of 50.24, including 17 centuries and 27 fifties. His contributions also include 504 fours and 58 sixes, along with 68 catches across formats. Kohli has also bowled 23 overs against Australia, although he is yet to claim a wicket.

Sachin Tendulkar remains the only other player to achieve this milestone, having played 110 matches against Australia. Tendulkar scored 6707 runs at an average of 49.68, with 20 centuries and 31 fifties, alongside 31 wickets and 54 catches. Kohli’s impressive consistency has led many to dub Australia his second home ground, given his remarkable performances on Australian soil over the years.

Playing 100 matches against one of cricket’s toughest opponents highlights Kohli’s longevity and dominance. His ability to perform across formats and in various conditions underscores his reputation as one of the modern greats of the game.

Players With Most Matches Against Australia

Delhi has named its 18-member squad for the first two games of the upcoming Ranji Trophy season, with Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant naturally excluded from the list despite being part of the 84-member probable squad. Delhi will face Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu in their opening fixtures, with Kohli and Pant’s exclusion coming as no surprise given their commitments to the Indian team.

No Kohli and Pant for Delhi

Virat Kohli, who is currently a two-format player for India, last represented his state side in the 2012-13 season. With the batter now 35 and coming off a packed international schedule, including an upcoming Test series against New Zealand starting October 16, his rest days have become a priority. Meanwhile, Delhi begins their Ranji Trophy campaign on October 11, leading to Kohli’s exclusion from the squad.

Similarly, Rishabh Pant, having been active in cricket since his IPL 2024 comeback, has been given rest by the BCCI. The wicketkeeper-batter, pivotal to India’s Test team, will sit out the T20Is against Bangladesh.

Simarjeet Singh’s Fitness Under the Scanner

Another key name, CSK pacer Simarjeet Singh, is only included conditionally—dependent on his fitness clearance. He had a stellar performance in the Delhi Premier League T20 2024, taking 18 wickets with a bowling strike rate of 12.00. However, if he is deemed unfit, Divij Mehra will replace him.

Notable Absence of Priyansh Arya

Despite stellar performances in the DPL T20, where he amassed 608 runs with a strike rate of 198.7 and an average of 67.5, Priyansh Arya was left out of the Ranji squad. His six sixes in a single DPL match were eye-catching, but Delhi’s lineup features other batting talents.

Delhi’s Squad for First Two Ranji Games

• Himmat Singh (C), Ayush Badoni, Anuj Rawat (W.K), Sanat Sangwan, Dhruv Kaushik, Yash Dhull, Jonty Sidhu, Mayank Rawat, Kshitiz Sharma, Pranav Rajuvanshi (W.K), Sumit Mathur, Navdeep Saini, Himanshu Chauhan, Simarjeet Singh* / Divij Mehra, Hrithik Shokeen, Harsh Tyagi, Money Grewal, Shivank Vashisth

Note: If Simarjeet Singh is unfit, Divij Mehra will replace him. Any unfit player will not travel or remain with the team until cleared by the Physio.

Drawn in the Elite Group A of the Ranji Trophy, Delhi faces tough competition against teams like Tamil Nadu and Saurashtra as they kick off their campaign.

Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal were among the first Indian batters to begin preparations for the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur. Following a dominant victory in the 1st Test in Chennai, where India won by a massive 280 runs, the team is eager to seal a 2-0 series win. As India gears up for the 2nd Test at Green Park, Kohli, Jaiswal, and Sarfaraz Khan were the first to take the nets on Wednesday.

Kohli, who struggled in the 1st Test with scores of just 6 and 17, will look to bounce back, while Jaiswal, who scored a crucial half-century in the first innings, aims to continue his fine form. The 2nd Test will begin on September 27, with both batters determined to make an impact.

India’s squad for 2nd Test vs Bangladesh: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal.

Virat Kohli, one of India’s finest cricketers, has been in the spotlight as fans eagerly wait for his next century. Kohli’s recent performances in the first Test match against Bangladesh in Chennai have left fans wanting more. He managed just six runs in the first innings and was dismissed for 17 in the second after missing a review opportunity. As the wait for his next hundred continues, let’s take a look at when Kohli last scored a century in various formats of the game.

Virat Kohli’s Last Century Across Formats

• ODI: Kohli’s last ODI century came during the 2023 World Cup on 15th November 2023, where he scored a brilliant 117 against New Zealand in the semi-final in Mumbai. This was a crucial knock that helped India reach the final and marked Kohli’s 50th ODI century.
• Test: In Test cricket, Kohli’s most recent century came on 21st July 2023 against the West Indies in Trinidad. He scored 121 runs, adding to his legacy as a Test cricketer.
• T20I: Kohli’s last and only T20I century was an unbeaten 122 against Afghanistan during the 2022 Asia Cup in Dubai on 8th September 2022.
• IPL: In the IPL, Kohli’s most recent century came on 6th April 2024, when he smashed 113* against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur, showing his prowess in the shortest format.

As Virat Kohli continues to chase his next century, fans are optimistic that the star batter will soon return to his century-scoring form across formats.

Virat Kohli’s return to red-ball cricket in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chennai has not gone as planned. Despite the crowd’s warm reception, Kohli could only manage scores of 6 and 17 in his two innings.

His second dismissal became a talking point, as the star batter was ruled LBW by umpire Richard Kettleborough. Shockingly, Kohli chose not to review the decision, convinced of his dismissal, and walked back to the pavilion.

However, replays later revealed that he had inside-edged the ball before it hit his pad, leaving his teammates and fans puzzled by the decision.

This moment has further highlighted Kohli’s ongoing struggles in 2024. With just one half-century to his name this year, and an average of 18.76 across formats, this has been Kohli’s worst year since making his debut in 2008. The upcoming second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur now carries even more significance for the former Indian skipper as he looks to regain his form.

In a surprising turn of events, India has lost its third wicket, with Virat Kohli departing after falling for the familiar trap of playing outside off. Hasan Mahmud claimed his third wicket of the day, tempting Kohli with a full delivery outside off. Kohli chased it with a cover drive, only to edge it to Litton Das behind the stumps. Kohli managed just 6 runs from 6 balls, leaving India in deep trouble at 20/3.

Earlier in the match, India’s struggles were evident as Shubman Gill was dismissed for a duck in a soft dismissal. Hasan Mahmud, who had already sent captain Rohit Sharma back to the pavilion for 6 runs, bowled a leg-side delivery that Gill attempted to flick, only to edge it to Litton Das. Rohit, too, was dismissed early, caught at second slip after edging a sharp delivery.

India’s return to cricket after a 45-day break has been challenging, with three quick wickets in the first session leaving them reeling.

Teams:

Bangladesh (Playing XI): Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto(c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Das(w), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Nahid Rana India

(Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has confirmed that his decision to retire from T20 internationals is final, dismissing any possibility of a return to the format. After leading India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, Rohit announced that the match against South Africa would be his last in the T20 format.

Speaking on JioCinema, Rohit addressed the growing trend of cricketers reversing their retirement decisions. “Retirement has become a joke these days in world cricket. Players announce retirement but then return to play. It hasn’t happened in India, but I’ve noticed it in other countries,” he said.

Rohit, however, made it clear that his decision to step away from T20Is is firm. “My decision is final, and I am very clear. It was the perfect time to say goodbye to the format I loved. I started my T20 journey with the 2007 World Cup win and now, ending it with another T20 World Cup victory feels like the right time to move on,” he added.

Rohit’s announcement came shortly after teammate Virat Kohli also revealed that he had played his last T20I. Both players are leaving the format on a high, having fulfilled their dreams of lifting the T20 World Cup for India.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir is set to have a candid conversation with captain Rohit Sharma soon. This comes after a free-wheeling chat between Gambhir and Virat Kohli, where the two discussed various topics, including Gambhir’s near century in the 2011 ODI World Cup final and Kohli’s journey as Test captain, which began when he was just 25.

During the light-hearted conversation, Gambhir teased Kohli about what to ask Rohit in their upcoming chat. Kohli humorously suggested asking Rohit if he managed to eat his soaked almonds in the morning. Gambhir added to the banter by jokingly asking if Rohit will show up on time for the interview, turning 11 AM into 11 PM.

This interview with Rohit will come just before the start of the IND vs BAN Test series, Gambhir’s first home assignment as head coach. India’s Test team, including veterans Kohli and Rohit, gathered in Chennai on September 12 for a preparatory camp. With 10 upcoming Test matches and a potential World Test Championship final on the horizon, the team is preparing for an intense season ahead.

India skipper Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli have reached Chennai ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh, which begins on September 19. Rohit, wearing a yellow jersey, was seen leaving the airport on Thursday night under tight security. Virat, meanwhile, arrived early Friday morning, flying in directly from London.

Other key players like Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant had already made their way to Chennai on Thursday. The team is back in action after a much-needed break of over a month and will be aiming to bounce back from the disappointment of losing the recent ODI series to Sri Lanka.

This series marks a new chapter for Team India, as it will be their first Test under the guidance of new coach Gautam Gambhir. Fans are eager to see how Rohit’s men perform under his leadership, especially against a Bangladesh team that recently clinched a 2-0 Test series win over Pakistan.

With important World Test Championship (WTC) points on the line, India will be looking to strengthen their lead on the table. They currently hold the top spot with 68.52 percentage points, while Bangladesh sits in fourth after their recent success against Pakistan.

The second Test of the series is set to take place in Kanpur on September 27, as India begins a busy season of Test cricket that also includes a series against New Zealand and the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar series against Australia later this year.