Debutants Afghanistan will aim to continue their impressive rise in white-ball cricket, while South Africa will once again attempt to shed the ‘chokers’ tag when the two sides kick off their Champions Trophy campaign on Friday (February 21, 2025).

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The inaugural Champions Trophy in 1998, which was called the Knockout Trophy at that time, remains the only ICC men’s senior title South Africa has secured despite having produced some of the world’s greatest cricketers, especially in the limited-overs format.

The Proteas boast of a well-balanced squad with a formidable batting lineup.

While skipper Temba Bavuma, Tony de Zorzi, Rassie van der Dussen, and Aiden Markram will anchor the top order, the big-hitting trio of Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs are well-equipped to provide the final flourish.

South Africa’s biggest challenge heading into the tournament is their depleted bowling attack as key pacers Anrich Nortje, Nandre Burger, and Gerald Coetzee ruled out due to injuries.

Known for his pace, aggression, and the knack of striking at crucial moments, Kagiso Rabada will be the Proteas’ key weapon in both the powerplay and death overs.

Marco Jansen, too, will be expected to step up significantly. His ability to build pressure and deliver impactful spells will be crucial.

Meanwhile, Lungi Ngidi will be looking to rediscover his rhythm and confidence after a below-par showing in the recent tri-series.

In the spin department, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi will have vital roles.

Since the 2023 ODI World Cup, South Africa have won only four of the 14 ODIs they have played. They enter the tournament on the back of a six-match losing streak.

But one cannot overlook the fact that they were not able to field a full strength team in any of these games due to multiple reasons.

Clubbed alongside an off-colour England, injury-plagued Australia and Afghanistan, South Africa have a good chance of advancing to the knockout stage. But the Afghans could prove to be the proverbial banana peel.

The war-torn nation has emerged as strong contenders to make the semifinals.

Their impressive performances in recent ICC events include dominant wins over England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka in the 2023 ODI World Cup and reaching the semifinals of the T20 World Cup last year.

They have proved more than once that they are no longer underdogs but a force to be reckoned with.

The Adghans have won four of their five bilateral series since the ODI World Cup, including one against South Africa in the UAE.

Their biggest strength expectedly remains their spin attack comprising the redoubtable Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and left-armers Noor Ahmad and Nangeyalia Kharote.

They will play all three group matches in Pakistan where spin will be a decisive factor.

Pacer Azmatullah Omarzai has been a key figure in Afghanistan’s ODI success, with his ability to swing the new ball providing them the powerplay edge.

Fazalhaq Farooqi will be another crucial weapon with ability to provide early breakthroughs and effective variations at the death.

In the batting department, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran will once again be expected to provide a solid start.

Their weakness, however, lies in their middle order, which has often struggled to maintain momentum. This inconsistency has been a concern, and addressing it will be crucial for their success in the tournament.

Squads

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch.

Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran.

Match starts 2:30pm IST.

Jasprit Bumrah. File
| Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak

India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy due to a lower back injury, the BCCI said on Tuesday (February 11, 2025), putting to rest all the speculation over his participation in the premier tournament.

The senior men’s team selection committee has named Harshit Rana as Bumrah’s replacement for the mega event starting February 19 in Pakistan. India will open their campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20.

The selectors have also included Varun Chakaravarthy in the team, the mystery spinner replacing batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was named in the provisional squad.

India will play all their matches of the tournament in Dubai under a hybrid model agreement.

Bumrah, who has already undergone lower back surgery in 2022, sustained another stress-related injury while bowling in the final Test against Australia at Sydney, where he pulled out after sending down 10 overs in the first innings.

“Bumrah was asked to off-load for five weeks after which his rehabilitation at NCA happened under strength & conditioning trainer Rajnikanth and physio Thulasi.

“The report sent by NCA head Nitin Patel clearly states that while he has completed his rehabilitation and scan reports seemed to be okay, it couldn’t be concluded that whether he would be bowling fit by the time the tournament starts. Hence the selectors didn’t take any risk,” a top BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

“Nitin left the ball in Ajit’s (chief selector Agarkar) court and hence no one would want to stick their necks out and take the risk of putting an unfit player in the squad. If the medical team doesn’t green-light fully, how can the selection committee take that risk,” the official said.

During a meeting between the chairman of selector Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma in Ahmedabad, it was deliberated whether they would take an unfit Bumrah to the Champions Trophy or go for the inexperienced Rana.

“The stakes are too high and it would have been a complete embarrassment had Bumrah broken down in a match. The NCA led by Nitin Patel had once burnt their hands in 2022 when they pushed Bumrah for the bilateral series against Australia before the T20 World Cup and he had broken down to be out for one year.

“That was Chetan Sharma’s committee and so Agarkar didn’t want to take a chance.”

It is understood that the main bone of contention was that Bumrah is yet to start bowling full tilt and those in the know of things said that it is very difficult to get match-fit in such a short time.

Rather, he can come back for Mumbai Indians in the IPL and then lead India in England as Rohit Sharma is unlikely to be picked for Tests again.

However, the selection committee picked a fifth spinner in the squad in Varun Chakravarthy, who was also added for the England series. The fall guy this time was young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who wouldn’t be finding a place in the playing XI with Rohit and Shubman Gill opening the innings.

Jaiswal is among the non-travelling reserves along with Shivam Dube (like-for-like for Hardik Pandya) and Mohammed Siraj (like-for-like for Mohammed Shami).

Chakravarthy, who has been very successful in T20Is, made his ODI debut in Cuttack based on his T20 form and the KKR bowler is a personal favourite of head coach Gambhir.

Two picks in this Champions Trophy squad are based on Gambhir’s recommendations — Rana and Chakravarthy — both of whom coincidentally are also part of IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders.

Team

Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Jammu and Kashmir players celebrate the wicket Mumbai batter Rohit Sharma during the first day of the Ranji Trophy cricket match between Mumbai and Jammu and Kashmir, in Mumbai, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI

The much-anticipated return to domestic cricket for India captain Rohit Sharma and his opening partner in Tests Yashasvi Jaiswal was a huge disappointment as the duo was dismissed cheaply in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir, here on Thursday.

Rohit and Jaiswal had paired up for the first time for defending champions Mumbai, but it was not a happy return to the domestic grind for the star cricketers who were dismissed for 3 and 4 respectively.

Also Read | I have not retired, I just stood down from this Test because I am not in form: Rohit Sharma

Jaiswal was pinned in front of the wicket by J&K’s right-arm pacer Auqib Nabi, who made the most of the fresh wicket to move the new ball dangerously off the surface here at the BKC Ground.

But it was the manner in which the India captain fell that was disappointing. Looking to force the ball on the on side, Rohit got a leading edge which was caught by J&K skipper Paras Dogra at mid-off.

Interestingly, Dogra took the field wearing the No. 9 jersey that is usually worn by Yudhvir Singh, thus creating some confusion.

The 31-year-old Umar continued to make inroads as he ended Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane’s resistance by cleaning him up for 12.

While the turnout to watch the India cricketing stars at the stadium was low, those in nearby buildings, who were watching the action from their office floors, returned to work soon after the 37-year-old Rohit was dismissed.

Jaiswal was the first to emerge from the dressing room in the morning after Rahane chose to bat, while Rohit came in slightly later.

Australia’s Scott Boland reacts after delivery during day one of the Fifth Men’s Test Match against India at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 03, 2025, in Sydney, Australia.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

Friday dawned to the wet streaks of rain, just about enough to accentuate the green on leaves. When the dampness paused, it was time for cricket’s annual pilgrimage to the Sydney Cricket Ground.

India turned up with Jasprit Bumrah at the helm while Rohit Sharma, according to the former, opted to rest. A change in leadership, however, did not usher in a difference in the manner the visitors batted on a pitch that seemed more Perth and less Sydney.

There was movement and some bounce, and as the fifth Test’s opening day stretched, the template of wilting Indian batters against resurgent Australian pacers, was on view. At close, Australia scored nine for one in reply to India’s first innings score of 185. A fired up Bumrah, after a chat with Sam Konstas, dismissed Usman Khawaja.

Earlier, the Indian stint was punctured by the regular fall of wickets interspersed with few partnerships. In the last session, Rishabh Pant (40), stifled by the host’s attack, tried to strike one over the fence but miscued it off Scott Boland. The relentless speedster made it an encore by scalping Nitish Kumar. And it fell upon Washington Sundar to avert the hat-trick, which he barely managed.

The incisions continued as Mitchell Starc pegged Ravindra Jadeja back and won the lbw appeal. Later, Washington was adjudged caught behind off Cummins even as doubts lingered about the edge. The tail withered while Bumrah swung his bat around.

This batting meltdown was the frayed common thread that linked all the sessions. In the middle one, Virat Kohli tried to ride the bounce that Boland extracted around off-stump. The impetus to play overwhelmed the batter’s late effort at restraint and the edge flew to debutant Beau Webster.

It was left to southpaws Pant and Jadeja to plaster the cracks. The former eschewed his usual charge-and-slam and tumble-and-scoop routines. Pant withstood terrible blows and this was him embracing the spirit of Cheteshwar Pujara. Once he hoisted Webster into the sightscreen.

Meanwhile, Jadeja remained sombre, and enjoyed two slivers of luck as Steve Smith and Lyon dropped him, and India moved to 107 for four at tea.

In the morning, Bumrah won the toss and elected to bat. Yashasvi Jaiswal forced Starc past long-on for four but the speedster found relief when K.L. Rahul flicked straight to Konstas. The soft dismissal ushered in Shubman Gill, who had replaced Rohit in the eleven.

But India struggled as Jaiswal fell to Boland. It would have become worse but when Kohli edged his first ball, Smith, juggled the catch and popped it to Marnus Labuschagne at gully. A catch was claimed but television replays hinted at a probable scraping of the turf.

Kohli and Gill buckled down before the latter gave the charge to Nathan Lyon at the stroke of lunch. The batter sliced the ball to Smith. India 57 for three at the break and the batting horrors continued for a large part of the day.

Scoreboard

India – 1st innings: Yashasvi Jaiswal c Webster b Boland 10 (26b, 1×4), K.L. Rahul c Konstas b Starc 4 (14b), Shubman Gill c Smith b Lyon 20 (64b, 2×4), Virat Kohli c Webster b Boland 17 (69b), Rishabh Pant c Cummins b Boland 40 (98b, 3×4, 1×6), Ravindra Jadeja lbw b Starc 26 (95b, 3×4), Nitish Kumar c Smith b Boland 0 (1b), Washington Sundar c Carey b Cummins 14 (30b, 3×4), Prasidh Krishna c Konstas b Starc 3 (10b), Jasprit Bumrah c Starc b Cummins 22 (17b, 3×4, 1×6), Mohammed Siraj (not out) 3 (16b). Extras (b-11, lb-9, nb-6): 26; Total (all out in 72.2 overs): 185.

Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Rahul, 4.6 overs), 2-17 (Jaiswal, 7.4), 3-57 (Gill, 24.6), 4-72 (Kohli, 31.3), 5-120 (Pant, 56.4), 6-120 (Nitish, 56.5), 7-134 (Jadeja, 62.4), 8-148 (Washington, 65.6), 9-168 (Prasidh, 68.2).

Australia bowling: Starc 18-5-49-3, Cummins 15.2-4-37-2, Boland 20-8-31-4, Webster 13-4-29-0, Lyon 6-2-19-1.

Australia – 1st innings: Sam Konstas (batting) 7 (8b, 1×4), Usman Khwaja c Rahul b Bumrah 2 (10b). Extras: 0; Total (for one wkt., in three overs): 9.

India bowling: Bumrah 2-0-7-1, Siraj 1-0-2-0.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Speculation that India captain Rohit Sharma and batting stalwart Virat Kohli are set to call time on their test careers has snowballed as the veteran pair continue to struggle in the five-test series in Australia.

India, who won their last two test tours in Australia, went 2-1 down in the series after their stunning defeat in Melbourne on Monday (December 30, 2024), with the hosts needing only a draw in Sydney to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).

Opener Rohit has just one fifty and 10 single-digit scores in his last 15 test innings, and even a move down the order failed to pay dividends for the 37-year-old.

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Under his captaincy, India have lost five tests this season, equalling their unwanted record from 1999-2000 under Sachin Tendulkar.

Kohli, one of the greats of the modern game, has not fared much better.

The 36-year-old struck a century in the opening test in Perth but had a wretched season overall with nine single-digit scores in 17 innings this test season.

Both New Zealand and Australia have exploited his vulnerability to left-arm spin and outside the off-stump line, rendering him a walking wicket at times.

“Is it time to take a call on seniors Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli?” the Hindustan Times newspaper asked on its front page after the defeat in Melbourne, where India lost seven wickets after tea on day five.

That sentiment was echoed among fans in the cricket-mad country where Rohit and Kohli are practically worshipped, with the term “happy retirement” trending on Monday.

Both players quit Twenty20 Internationals immediately after guiding India to their second 20-overs World Cup title in June.

“Is the Rohit-Kohli retirement announcement round the corner?” asked the Indian Express.

“The curtain is beginning to slide down from above; will they give themselves one more test at Sydney with BGT still open and out there for the taking or …?”

The Times of India called for an immediate changing of the guard, saying the senior batters were “in danger of being termed as liabilities”.

The Melbourne defeat not only dented India’s chances of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but it effectively ended their hopes of reaching the World Test Championship final for the third time in a row.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar said another failure in Sydney could prompt Rohit to quit test cricket and that India should draft in new faces for their England tour next year.

“The next cycle of the World Test Championship will be the cycle for 2027. You should see new faces for that,” Gavaskar told Sports Tak.

Sachin Tendulkar of India hits out during day one of the First Test match between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 26, 2007 in Melbourne, Australia.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) on Friday (December 27, 2024) said Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar has accepted its invitation to become an honorary member of the prestigious institution.

Founded in 1838, the MCC is one of the oldest sports clubs in Australia and is responsible for the management and development of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), one of the game’s premier venues.

Also Read | ‘Sachin, Sachin’ chants are back at MCG

“An icon honoured. The MCC is pleased to announce that former Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar has accepted an Honorary Cricket Membership, acknowledging his outstanding contribution to the game,” the MCC posted on ‘X’.

The legendary Sachin Tendulkar currently holds the record for most runs at MCG with 449 from five Tests at an average of 44.90 and a strike-rate of 58.69 with a hundred and three fifties.

Earlier in 2012, Tendulkar was awarded the Order of Australia, one of the country’s highest honours.

The MCG is currently hosting the vital fourth and penultimate Test match between India and Australia with the rubber evenly poised at 1-1.

Australia’s Steve Smith raises his bat as he celebrates after scoring his century during play on the second day of the fourth cricket test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Dec. 27, 2024.
| Photo Credit: AP

The long drought and the sudden downpour defines Steve Smith’s forays to the batting crease. While questions lingered about his poor yield, he answered with tons at Brisbane’s Gabba and the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the current Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

Looking back at his return to runs, Smith told the media on Friday: “You got to trust what you are trying to do. I have played the game long enough to know that you can have ups and downs. There’s a difference between being out of form and out of runs. You need a lot of luck on these wickets to get big runs and last week (at the Gabba) I had my fair share.”

Also Read | Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams wear black armbands in memory of Manmohan Singh

Reflecting on the fourth Test, the former Australian captain said: “It was obviously a really good partnership (between Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal) and to break that one, and then get the two more wickets, it was a huge last hour for us. Looked like Jaiswal called yes, ran, and Virat sent him back.”

Smith lauded his skipper Pat Cummins: “I thought Patty played really nicely. Positive intent. We were able to get a nice partnership together and take a bit of the momentum of the game from that point.”

The batter also felt that Kohli looked set for a big knock: “He is a class player. Obviously, he played well in Perth for that 100. And he looked good today, I thought. It was probably the first ball I think he actually played on that fifth, sixth stump line (when he got out). He was really disciplined and I thought we were in for a bit of a masterclass.”

As for Sam Konstas, Smith exclaimed: “He was reverse ramping (Jasprit) Bumrah and I was having a heart attack up in the box!”

Melbourne Cricket Ground. File
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

A couple of false alarms rang through the Indian team nets session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday (December 22, 2024). Rohit Sharma and Akash Deep were both struck on their limbs while countering throwdowns in the outdoor practice arena. While Rohit dealt with a sore left knee and iced it for a while, Akash was hit on his hand but made light of the bruise.

Also Read | K.L. Rahul attended to by physio after getting hit on hand

The skipper spent some time sitting with one leg stretched on a chair. He chatted with bowling coach Morne Morkel for a while before gingerly standing up. Later he ambled along, having a word with the last set of batters busy in the nets.

Earlier, when he walked into bat, a loud cheer emanated from the fans, who had gathered on the mezzanine floor and were gazing at the Indian players.

Akash, meanwhile, flexed his hands a bit, briefly placed an ice bag and later told the media, “The practice pitch is probably meant for white-ball cricket, the ball kept low at times. As for these minor injuries, these things happen at training, and there are no major concerns because of that. I am fine.”

If the climax of the training stint raised these injury worries, the beginning was all about fielding drills inside the MCG. The usual catches in the slips and high ones in the deep were all practised before the players moved to the nets outside. K.L. Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rohit and Rishabh Pant were the first set of batters and all had a long stint even as the blow on the knee forced the Indian captain to seek rest.

Importantly, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj linked up with their fellow seamers and bowled with gusto. The batters were always informed if the ball was new or old, and imaginary field settings were revealed. Gill was muscling his shots, Rohit tried to pull a few and one such endeavour had him missing the line and the ball hit the side of his left knee.

While the visiting captain rested, most of the others in the squad had their stints with the bat, including the tail. And it was Akash’s turn to suffer a niggle but he seemed fine. After a weekend of training, the Indian team will rest on Monday (December 22, 2024) while Pat Cummins and his men will commence their preparation for the fourth Test here from December 26.