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From Jasprit Bumrah To Joe Root, Cricketers Who Dominated The Game In 2024

2024 saw some of the most competitive and captivating cricket being played on the field. While new rivalries developed, the older ones continued to prosper with a new-found intensity. On one side, game s greats retired, a new generation is also slowly taking shape. This year saw India end their 11-year-long ICC title drought and secure the T20 World Cup title win. England, New Zealand and Australia also registered some important wins throughout the year. All this while, some of the world s best cricketers enthralled the crowds, became thorn in the eyes of their rivals and broke several records on the way to victory.

Here are the best cricketers of 2024:

Joe Root (England)

Largely a one-format player nowadays, Root was in monstrous form in Tests this year, leading the run-charts with 1,556 runs at an average of 55.57 and a strike rate of over 63 in 17 matches, with six tons and five fifties in 31 innings and best score of 262.

Root broke two massive Test records this year, becoming England s highest century-maker (36) and Test run-getter (12,972 runs), going past legendary Alastair Cook and touching the 20,000 run mark in international cricket, being the first England player to do so.

Also, he is chasing Sachin Tendulkar s record of highest Test runs (15,921) and is the fifth-highest run-getter this year.

Yashasvi Jaiswal (India)

In 2024, Jaiswal scored 1,478 runs in 15 matches at an average of 54.74, with three centuries (two double tons) and 11 fifties in 29 innings, with the best score of 214. His two double centuries against England in the home series earlier this year, which saw him score 712 runs in five matches was a huge standout. However, his adaptation to Australian conditions is just as stunning, having scored 359 runs in eight innings at an average of 51.50, with a masterclass 161 at Perth and fighting knocks of 82 and 84 at Melbourne being standouts.

Jaiswal s run tally is the highest by an Indian opener during a calendar year and his 36 sixes during this year is also a world record, having beaten legends Virender Sehwag and Brendon McCullum in these aspects respectively. His only low was a mixed IPL 2024 season, with 435 runs at an average of 31 with just one century and fifty in 15 innings.

Including his 293 runs in eight T20Is at an average of 41.85 and two fifties, Jaiswal top-scored for India in international cricket this year and was overall second, with 1,771 runs in 23 matches and 37 innings at an average of 52.08, with three tons and 11 fifties.

Jasprit Bumrah (India)

Mohammed Siraj s post-match interview after T20 WC final saying I only believe on Jassi bhai, game changer player he is in his broken English summarises the country s love affair with the pace spearhead and how important he was to their fortunes. Be it his 19 wickets during England s home series on largely unhelpful surfaces at an average of 16.89 in four matches, his Player of the Tournament winning T20 WC title-capturing performance with 15 crucial scalps at an average of 8.26 or his workhorse, once-in-a-generation run in ongoing BGT with 30 wickets in four matches at an average of 12.83 and three five-wicket hauls, Bumrah is country s newest and rightfully deserving cricketing darling, having captured the minds and hearts of a batting-obsessed nation and making fast bowling, yorkers and swing, cool among masses.

Bumrah is the leading-wicket-taker in international cricket this year, with 86 wickets in 21 matches at an average of 13.76, with four four-wicket hauls and five five-wicket hauls and best figures of 6/45. Also in a disappointing IPL 2024 for five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI), he topped the charts with 20 scalps in 13 matches at an average of 16.80 and one fifer.

Travis Head (India)

Nominated for the ICC Cricketer of the Year award, Head continued his all-format dominance this year. On more than one occasion, he troubled the Indian cricket team and England, displaying a preference for bullying the blue-coloured teams. While they often got the better of him sometimes, he won the larger battle in favour of his team.

He was Australia s top run-getter this year, scoring 1,399 runs in 29 matches and 35 innings at an average of 42.39. He scored four centuries and five fifties, with best score of 154*.

In nine Tests, he made 608 runs in 15 innings at an average of 40.53, with three centuries and a fifty, with best score of 152. His centuries against India at Adelaide and Brisbane stand out the most. In five ODIs, he made 252 runs at an average of 63.00, with a century and best score of 154* against arch-rivals England.

Travis had an incredible year in T20Is, scoring 539 runs in 15 innings at an average of 38.50, with a strike rate of 178.04 and four half-centuries. His best score was 80. He became the top-ranked T20I batter and also emerged as the third-highest run-getter in the T20 WC with 255 runs at an average of 42.50, the strike rate of 158.38, with two half-centuries and the best knock of 76 against India.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) was where Head made a game-changing impact, breaking numerous batting records with opening partner Abhishek Sharma for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). He emerged as the fourth-highest run-getter there with 567 runs in 15 matches at an average of 40.50, with a strike rate of 191.55, a century and four fifties.

Shreyas Iyer (India)

Forced out of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) due to alleged lack of red-ball cricket commitment and dedication, Iyer had a fairytale ending to 2024, winning four trophies, including 42nd Ranji Trophy title, Irani Cup, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with Mumbai and IPL 2024 with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), with latter two as captain.

Not only Iyer thrived as captain, he was also in top form as a batter across all formats, except for a brief dry run with India in England Tests and Sri Lanka ODIs. In 44 matches across all formats, Iyer made 1,841 runs at an average of 43.83, with four centuries and seven fifties and the best score of 233. Also, he secured a deal of Rs 26.75 crores with Punjab Kings (PBKS), becoming the second-most expensive player in the league.

Gus Atkinson (England)

Though Gus Atkinson got some white-ball experience last year last year ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup in India, the young pacer truly arrived this year when he was included in the West Indies series.

The home series against West Indies was the farewell series for legendary James Anderson, who retired after the first Test at Lords bringing his career to full circle. In a passing of touch performance, Atkinson took the baton from the 42-year-old, taking 12 wickets in his debut Test, taking not one, but two five-wicket hauls in a Test innings at Lord s, a ten-wicket match haul. Later, during the Sri Lanka series, he scored an attacking 118 in 115 balls, with 14 fours and four sixes, becoming the part of elite company to take a five-wicket haul, ten-wicket haul and a century at Lord s.

Later, during the New Zealand series away from home, a hat-trick made him the fastest player to secure a five-wicket haul, ten-fer, century and hat-trick in Tests in just 10 Tests.

Now in 11 Tests this year, Atkinson took 52 wickets at an average of 22.15, with best figures of 7/45. He secured three five-wicket hauls and one ten-fer. With the bat, he has made 352 runs in 16 innings, averaging 23.46, with a century to his name. His strike rate is 79.10.

Matt Henry (New Zealand)

The Kiwi pacer was a workhorse this year for his side, taking 48 scalps in nine Tests at an average of 18.58, with four five-wicket hauls and best figures of 7/67 in an innings. He was his side s leading Test wicket-taker and overall fourth. His standout spell was 5/15 against India at Bengaluru to skittle them out for just 46, setting the tone for a landmark series win. His best figures of 7/67 came against the Aussies, though in a losing cause.

In 16 matches this year, including 11 wickets in seven T20Is, Henry took 59 wickets in 16 matches averaging 18.98, with three five-wicket hauls. He was Kiwis highest wicket-taker this year and overall fourth.

Arshdeep Singh (India)

The young left-arm pacer continues to do wonders for India in the T20I format, topping their wicket-charts with 36 scalps in 18 matches at an average of 13.50 and best figures of 4/9. This also included a brilliant performance in India s T20 WC campaign, taking joint-highest wickets with 17 scalps at an average of 12.64 and best figures of 4/9. Including two ODI scalps in two matches, he took 38 scalps in 20 matches at an average of 15.55.

Ravindra Jadeja (India)

Jadeja as an all-rounder can make it to any side as a specialist batter or bowler and he proves this point even in his mid 30s. In 20 international matches this year, he has made 562 runs at an average of 26.76, with a century and three fifties in 23 innings. His best score is 112.

In 20 international matches, he also took 49 wickets at an average of 25.95, with three five-wicket hauls and a 10-wicket haul, with best figures of 5/41.

He also retired from T20Is after capturing the T20 WC with India, scoring 35 runs in five innings and getting just one wicket in eight matches.

Better Than Pandya... : Gavaskar s Huge Praise To Reddy After Maiden Ton

Arguably India s brightest shining light from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 - apart from the sensational Jasprit Bumrah - has been the emergence of Nitish Kumar Reddy. At the age of 21, Reddy was brought into Test cricket amid scepticism, and that too on a daunting tour of Australia. Four Tests later, it seems as if Nitish Reddy will be part of India in whites for years to come. Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar took his hat off to the selectors for trusting Reddy, and even compared him to Hardik Pandya.

When it comes to Indian cricket in recent years, Hardik Pandya has usually been in a league of his own in the category of fast-bowling all-rounders. The likes of Vijay Shankar and Shardul Thakur have had bright moments, but never quite the destructive excellence of Pandya.

But Gavaskar believes that Reddy s current version, at 21, may be better than how Pandya was at the same age.

Ever since the unavailability of Hardik Pandya for Test cricket, India has been looking for an all-rounder who can bowl medium pace and bat as well. Reddy s bowling is still a work in progress, but as a batter, he is definitely better than Pandya was around the same time, Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.

Pandya hasn t played Test cricket since 2018, and India may have finally solved the problem with the uncovering of Nitish Reddy. The latter starred in the fourth Test in Melbourne, smashing an incredible century under immense pressure.

He also gave credit to chief selector Ajit Agarkar for the unconventional selection of Reddy.

It s a credit to Ajit Agarkar and his fellow selectors to have seen enough to pitchfork him into the Test arena. In his debut Test match in Perth itself, it became evident that here was a cricketer who could read situations and play accordingly. With every subsequent Test match, that impression of a good cricketing head on his shoulders began to get stronger and stronger, wrote Gavaskar.

Genius : Michael Clarke Impressed With Young Nitish Kumar Reddy

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke believes India s young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been underrated throughout the BGT series and rooted for his promotion in the batting order. Nitish has introduced himself to the world with swagger in style in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In the first innings of the Boxing Day Test, when India found itself reduced to 191/6, Nitish set the MCG ablaze with a memorable performance. He toyed with Australian bowlers and delivered a swashbuckling performance in Pushpa style to celebrate his fifty. He didn t slow down from there, instead upped the ante to convert it into his maiden Test ton.

With emotions and prayers resonating at the MCG, Nitish chipped the ball away for a four, planted his bat on the ground and celebrated his first century for India in Test colours.

Reddy, this young kid batting at number eight, is a genius. I think he has definitely got to bat seven if not six. He has been India s leading run-scorer, 21 years of age, unbelievable. He has been underrated in the entire series, Clarke said on the Beyond 23 Cricket Podcast.

With a century that lifted the Indian spirits, Nitish s run-tally in the ongoing BGT series surged to 294 runs, making him the second-highest run-getter for India in the series.

There have been talks among fans and former cricketers regarding his batting position. In the current Indian setup, Nitish usually comes out to bat at number eight. However, since Clarke saw Nitish s batting masterclass, he believes the 21-year-old is ready to move up in the order.

He has impressed everyone. He has not feared any Australian bowler. He has been patient when he has needed to be patient. He has batted with the tail extremely well. He has shown his intent. He bats, bowls and fields, Clarke said.

This guy is a very good find for the Indian cricket team. I think he is good enough to bat at number six. So what a great option for India going into the last Test match, he added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

On Head s Bizarre Hole Celebration, Cummins Offers Hilarious Explanation

Australia star Travis Head has not only tormented India with the bat during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, his bowling kickstarted India s downfall on Day 5 of the fourth Test in Melbourne. With Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant well set and the game heading towards a draw, Head got Pant out. However, after taking the wicket, Head reacted with a rather bizarre celebration, putting his finger into his hole-shaped other hand, and drawing criticism from fans. However, Australia captain Pat Cummins has given an explanation behind it.

When asked in a post-match press conference regarding Head s celebration, Cummins, at first, admitted to having not seen it. When he finally learnt the description of the celebration from Australia s team manager, Cummins provided an explanation.

Oh, sorry! Yes, okay! I can explain that. His finger is so hot, that he is going to put it in a cup of ice. Yes, that s what it is, Cummins tried to explain to the media.

That s normally the running joke. Was it at the Gabba or somewhere, where he got a wicket as well and just got straight to the fridge, grabs a bucket of ice, puts his finger in and just walks in front of Lyno (Nathan Lyon). Just like that, thinks its very funny, Cummins added.

So that s what it would have been, nothing else, Cummins concluded.

While the celebration may also have another meaning, Cummins constant smile suggests that his explanation may well have been in jest of the situation.

Head s celebration may have kickstarted India s collapse in the final session, but it was skipper Cummins who was given the Player of the Match award.

Cummins chipped in with six wickets and played two crucial knocks of 49 and 41 in the game.

Australia took a 2-1 lead in the five-Test series, and look good for a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final.

Watch: Starc Aims To Unsettle India With Bail-Switch Act, Jaiswal Does This

The bail-switching antics returned in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the final day of a gripping fourth Test between India and Australia. On Monday morning, it was all happening at the MCG. A battle for survival, wickets falling, and textbook strokes to pick up boundaries took centerstage. However, in the midst of all events, a small exchange of bail took place, but this time, it was a change in faces with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mitchell Starc having a go at it.

In a video shared by cricket.com.au on X, during the 35th over, when signs of the threat posed by Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant became prominent, Starc decided to resort to bail-switching antics.

As he returned to his bowling marker, Starc switched the bails at the non-striker s end. Jaiswal spotted it and restored the bails to their original position. Starc looked back and had a huge smile on his face. After the next delivery, he even said a couple of words to Jaiswal.

The bail-switching antics are back! This time between Mitchell Starc and Yashasvi Jaiswal #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/oK8xkSd4qI

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 30, 2024

Before the recent switching tale, Mohammed Siraj and Marnus Labuschagne were involved in the bail-switching antics. During the third Test, Siraj changed the bails, hoping for a change of luck, but Labuschagne was quick to react and returned them to their original place.

Their banter continued in the ongoing fourth Test. During the 43rd over, Siraj switched the bails and called Marnus to show him his recent craft.

Moments later, Usman Khawaja lost his wicket to Jasprit Bumrah while trying to pull away the ball but failed to get the proper timing and elevation behind his shot.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Thank You... : Rohit s Instagram Post Day After MCG Test Loss Goes Viral

With a poor string of scores since landing in Australia, Rohit Sharma is under fire. In a year where Rohit lifted the T20 World Cup title as India captain, he is coping unprecedented flak too. Rohit s series of scores including a warm-up match is 3, 3, 6, 10, 3, 9. Having already retired from T20I cricket, Rohit is now facing a race against time to conjure a great Test innings to give his critics a worthy answer. In  the midst of this, Rohit Sharma s final social media of 2024 has gone viral. 

For all the ups & downs, and everything in between, Thank you 2024, Rohit wrote on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rohit Sharma (@rohitsharma45)

Former cricketer Irfan Pathan slammed Rohit Sharma s ongoing struggles with form, suggesting his place in the team is secured more by captaincy than his batting performance.
A player who has made about 20,000 runs--yet the way Rohit is struggling now, it seems his form is not supporting him at all, Pathan said on Star Sports.

What s happening now is that he is the captain, so he is playing. If he were not the captain, he might not be playing right now. You would have had a set team. K.L. Rahul would have been playing at the top. Jaiswal would have been there. Shubman Gill would have been there, the former cricketer added.

Pathan s analysis suggests that, based on merit alone, Sharma might not have a place in the playing XI. If we talk about reality, considering how he is struggling with the bat, there might not have been a place for him in the playing XI. But because he is the captain, and you want to win the next match to draw the series, he stays in the team, Pathan added.

The former cricketer s disappointment was palpable as he continued to critique Sharma s ongoing form. ...His form is poor. Even in India, even before coming here, he wasn t scoring runs, and he still hasn t scored runs. This is a very disappointing scene when I see Rohit Sharma batting. Because whenever I see Rohit Sharma batting, I always want to see him bat. Whether it is Test cricket or one-day cricket, he stressed.

With ANI inputs

Never Going To Be As Good As A Top-Order Or Gill : Manjrekar On India Star

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised the Indian cricket team for its selection for the fourth Test vs Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Rohit Sharma and co. had dropped Shubman Gill for the game at MCG to make place for spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar. India went on to suffer a 184-run defeat in the game as the batters failed to even take the game to a draw. Disappointed with the result, Majrekar pointed out that India shouldn t have dropped Gill.

You tried to address the batting uncertainties by getting a bowler who can bat. Nitish Kumar Reddy in the side at the expense of Shubman Gill or maybe Washy (Washinton Sudar at the expense of Gill). So, they left out a proper batter and in hindsight, you d think on a pitch like this, the flattest pitch on all five days so far in the series, Shubman Gill would have been handy, Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo.

While Nitish scored a historic century in India s first innings, Washington scored 55 runs across two innigns while also taking one wicket.

Nitish Kumar Reddy did well and thankfully that help mattered. But it s an approach that never works where Washington Sundar in the end was playing as a batter, and he s never going to be as good as a top-order batter like Shubman Gill, he added.

Jasprit Bumrah outshone everyone with his impeccable bowling skills as he accounted for 9 wickets in the game, but India failed to take advantage of that and eventually suffered a massive defeat.

There is a huge difference between Bumrah and the rest. Siraj, despite him being around and he s a fine bowler, but there s still a big distance between Siraj and Bumrah. Plus, when you look at Mitchell Starc and Siraj, Akash Deep and Scott Boland, overall the (Australian) seam attack is looking a lot better. Nathan Lyon as a spinner in these conditions is better than Washington and Ravindra Jadeja. So India will go into the final Test match knowing that their bowling attack is not adequate, said Manjrekar.

Finger On... : Travis Head Breaks Silence On Controversial Celebration

After being strongly criticized for his controversial gesture during the Boxing Day Test vs India, Australia cricketer Travis Head has given clarification for his act. The incident occurred during the final session of Day 5 when Head got the wicket of Rishabh Pant at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Pant, who had been playing a brisk innings of 30, was dismissed while trying to play a big shot. Following the wicket, Head celebrated by pointing one finger into a circularly shaped hand, a gesture that sparked widespread debate.

Head, while speaking to Triple M Radio about the celebration, said: Finger on the ice. I started in Sri Lanka. I put my finger on the ice and be ready to go for the next one.

I didn t expect to be bowling. I thought Galle would be my next bowling. I ll go put it down in a little cup of ice, be ready to go up there next.

Earlier, former India star Navjot Singh Sidhu had criticised Head for his gesture.

Australia clinched a 184-run victory over India at the Melbourne Test and took a 2-1 lead in the series. With this loss, India s chances of -qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord s fade away.

To make it to the WTC Final now, India need to win the fifth and final Test match of the series and then expect Sri Lanka to prevent an Australian victory in the upcoming two-match Test series between the sides.

Talking about the fourth Test at MCG, Australia gave a target of 340 runs to India at the start of Day 5 of the Melbourne Test. The visitors had the whole day in hand but couldn t make the best out of it. The fiery spells from the Aussie bowling attack bundled out India at 155 in the 80th over.

Pat Cummins was named the Player of the Match following a stupendous performance with both bat and ball.

(With ANI Inputs)

SRH-PBKS Stars Smash 298-Run Partnership, Equal Massive Record

Punjab s opening duo of Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh etched their names in the record books with a monumental partnership during their Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Saurashtra on Tuesday at the Gujarat College Cricket Ground in Ahmedabad. The pair added a scintillating 298 runs for the first wicket, equalling the tournament s second-highest opening partnership set by Bengal s Sudip Gharami and Abhimanyu Easwaran in 2022.

Abhishek and Prabhsimran s partnership, built on an aggressive approach, laid a solid foundation for Punjab s innings. Prabhsimran was the first to reach his century, eventually scoring 125 runs off 95 balls, showcasing his trademark flair with 15 boundaries and three sixes. His partner, Abhishek, was even more dominant, smashing 170 runs off just 96 deliveries. His innings featured 22 fours and eight towering sixes, leaving the Saurashtra bowlers with no answers.

Their electrifying stand propelled Punjab past 300 in the 32nd over, ensuring the team was on course for a massive total.

Riding on the momentum created by the openers, Punjab ended their innings at a colossal 424 for five. This total is now the joint-fifth highest in Vijay Hazare Trophy history, equalling Madhya Pradesh s 424 against Nagaland in 2022.

Punjab also became only the ninth team in the tournament s history to breach the 400-run mark.

The record for the highest total in the competition still belongs to Tamil Nadu, which scored an unprecedented 506/2 against Arunachal Pradesh in 2022.

Abhishek and Prabhsimran s stand joins an elite list of partnerships in Indian domestic cricket. The record for the highest opening partnership in the Vijay Hazare Trophy—and across all List A cricket—remains Tamil Nadu s N. Jagadeesan and B. Sai Sudharsan s 416-run stand, achieved in 2022.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Rs 27 Cr Pant And 43-Year-Old Dhoni To Headline Richest-Ever IPL In 2025

As the year 2024 culminates with ending their cricket season with an embarrassing 184-run defeat to Australia in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday, the New Year promises fans exciting and gripping matches including the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, scheduled to start on March 14 with the final slated on May 25. Before the start of the new edition, the 10 IPL franchises went to the auction table in November to bolster their squads. With a record spending of Rs 639.15 crore, the teams added 182 players to their squads including 62 overseas players.

India wicketkeeper-batter and former Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player in the history of the tournament after being bought by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for an astronomical price of Rs 27 crore while Shreyas Iyer ended as the second-most expensive player with a deal of Rs 26.75 crore from Punjab Kings.

Apart from the star duo, all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer (bought for Rs 23.75 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders), pacer Arshdeep Singh (bought for Rs 18 crore by Punjab Kings), spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (bought for Rs 18 crore by Punjab Kings), England white-ball captain Jos Buttler (bought for Rs 15.75 crore by Gujarat Titans), wicketkeeper-batter K.L. Rahul (bought for Rs 14 crore by Delhi Capitals), pacers Trent Boult, Jofra Archer and Josh Hazlewood (bought for Rs 12.50 crore each by Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, respectively) were the top buys of the two-day bidding extravaganza in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Among the uncapped players, Jammu & Kashmir pacer Rasikh Dar, who previously played for Delhi Capitals, was the most expensive buy with a price tag of Rs 6 crore. He was acquired by Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Punjab s Naman Dhir and Nehal Wadhera were bought by Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings for Rs 5.25 crore and Rs 4.20 crore, respectively.

Among others, the 13-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi of Bihar was signed by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 1.1 crore to become the youngest player in IPL history to get a contract.

Leaving aside the fresh inclusions, the focus will again shift to veterans including MS Dhoni before the start of the IPL 2025 season. The social media users in unison declare it the final season for the 42-year-old veteran while some expect him to play for one another season, the trend that has been going on in the last few years.

However, the five-time champion Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are confident of Dhoni s availability for at least IPL 2025.

Meanwhile, it will also be the first IPL season for senior campaigners - Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja - following their international retirement from the T20Is. The trio retired from the shortest format after India s T20 World Cup 2024 win in Bridgetown, Barbados. Rohit and Kohli s recent form in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series has ignited calls for their retirement from Test cricket. If the star batters hang their boots from the red-ball cricket, their participation will only be limited to ODI cricket and IPL - making it more thrilling for the fans to watch their favourite stars.

However, as of now, it is all speculation, and they will make the final decision after the conclusion of the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney. With all the possible scenarios, the IPL 2025 is surely going to be another entertaining spectacle for billions of viewers around the globe.

All squads for the IPL 2025 season:

Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Matheesha Pathirana, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Devon Conway, Rahul Tripathi, Rachin Ravindra, R. Ashwin, Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Vijay Shankar, Sam Curran, Shaik Rasheed, Anshul Kamboj, Mukesh Choudhary, Deepak Hooda, Gurjapneet Singh, Nathan Ellis, Jamie Overton, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Shreyas Gopal, Vansh Bedi, Andre Siddarth.

Kolkata Knight Riders: Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Harshit Rana, Ramandeep Singh, Venkatesh Iyer, Quinton de Kock, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Anrich Nortje, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Vaibhav Arora, Mayank Markande, Rovman Powell, Manish Pandey, Spencer Johnson, Luvnith Sisodia, Ajinkya Rahane, Anukul Roy, Moeen Ali, Umran Malik.

Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen, Travis Head, Mohammad Shami, Harshal Patel, Ishan Kishan, Rahul Chahar, Adam Zampa, Atharva Taide, Abhinav Manohar, Simarjeet Singh, Zeeshan Ansari, Jaydev Unadkat, Brydon Carse, Kamindu Mendis, Aniket Verma, Eshan Malinga, Sachin Baby.

Punjab Kings: Shashank Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Nehal Wadhera, Harpreet Brar, Vishnu Vinod, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yash Thakur, Marco Jansen, Josh Inglis, Lockie Ferguson, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harnoor Pannu, Kuldeep Sen, Priyansh Arya, Aaron Hardie, Musheer Khan, Suryansh Shedge, Xavier Bartlett, Pyla Avinash, Pravin Dubey.

Delhi Capitals: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, Abishek Porel, Mitchell Starc, KL Rahul, Harry Brook, Jake Fraser-McGurk, T. Natarajan, Karun Nair, Sameer Rizvi, Ashutosh Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Faf du Plessis, Mukesh Kumar, Darshan Nalkande, Vipraj Nigam, Dushmantha Chameera, Donovan Ferreira, Ajay Mandal, Manvanth Kumar, Tripurana Vijay, Madhav Tiwari.

Lucknow Super Giants: Nicholas Pooran, Ravi Bishnoi, Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Ayush Badoni, Rishabh Pant, David Miller, Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Avesh Khan, Abdul Samad, Aryan Juyal, Akash Deep, Himmat Singh, M. Siddharth, Digvesh Singh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Akash Singh, Shamar Joseph, Prince Yadav, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Arshin Kulkarni, Matthew Breetzke.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Yash Dayal, Liam Livingstone, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Josh Hazlewood, Rasikh Dar, Suyash Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Nuwan Thushara, Manoj Bhandage, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Swastik Chhikara, Lungi Ngidi, Abhinandan Singh, Mohit Rathee.

Rajasthan Royals: Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Sandeep Sharma, Jofra Archer, Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, Akash Madhwal, Kumar Kartikeya, Nitish Rana, Tushar Deshpande, Shubham Dubey, Yudhvir Singh, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Kwena Maphaka, Kunal Rathore, Ashok Sharma.

Mumbai Indians: Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, Trent Boult, Naman Dhir, Robin Minz, Karn Sharma, Ryan Rickelton, Deepak Chahar, Allah Ghazanfar, Will Jacks, Ashwani Kumar, Mitchell Santner, Reece Topley, Krishnan Shrijith, Raj Angad Bawa, Satyanarayana Raju, Bevon Jacobs, Arjun Tendulkar, Lizaad Williams, Vignesh Puthur.

Gujarat Titans: Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Jos Buttler, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Nishant Sindhu, Mahipal Lomror, Kumar Kushagra, Anuj Rawat, Manav Suthar, Washington Sundar, Gerald Coetzee, Arshad Khan, Gurnoor Brar, Sherfane Rutherford, Sai Kishore, Ishant Sharma, Jayant Yadav, Glenn Phillips, Karim Janat, Kulwant Khejroliya.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Jaiswal s World Record Broken As 17-Year-Old Scores 181 Off 111 Balls To...

Mumbai s Ayush Mhatre on Tuesday set a new world record for the youngest player to score 150+ in List A cricket during the Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Nagaland here, bettering compatriot Yashasvi Jaiswal s effort. At 17 years and 168 days, Mhatre broke the previous record set by India batter Jaiswal, who was 17 years and 291 days when he achieved the feat while playing for Mumbai against against Jharkhand in 2019. Mhatre, who made his debut for domestic giants Mumbai earlier this season, clobbered 11 sixes and 15 fours to make 181 off only 117 balls while powering his side to an imposing 403 for seven in their 50 overs.

Mhatre, who hails from the Virar suburb in Mumbai, has been a regular fixture for the domestic heavyweights across formats ever since he broke into the squad earlier this season.

He was a part of the Irani Cup-winning Mumbai side which defeated Rest of India to win the trophy after a gap of 27 years in October. On his Ranji Trophy debut, Mhatre scored a fine 71-ball 52 but Mumbai lost the season opener to Baroda in an away game.

With the defending champions looking to bounce back after the loss in the first Ranji game, Mhatre led the charge with a brilliant 176 off 232 balls, which was studded with 22 fours and four sixes against Maharashtra. Mumbai won the game by nine wickets.

He had a couple of quiet outings against Tripura and Odisha but slammed his second first-class ton — 116 off 149 balls with 12 fours and three sixes — against Services and went on to represent India in the U-19 Asia Cup.

The right-handed batter carried his form by scoring fifties (54 and 67 not out) against Japan and UAE, but fell for a single digit score in the tournament s final which India lost to Bangladesh.

Having missed Mumbai s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title triumph, Mhatre returned to the premier domestic 50-overs competition with a 78 in a high-scoring contest against Karnataka.

SCG Test Great Opportunity For Khawaja To Announce Retirement: Clarke

Former Australian captain Michael Clarke said that the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia could be a great opportunity for veteran opener Usman Khawaja to announce his retirement at his home venue. With the series 2-1 in favour of the Aussies, the hosts will be heading for the New Year s Test at Sydney to secure the series and win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since 2014. Khawaja, who has been delivering great returns as a Test opener since his recall in 2022, has not been at his best this year.

After averaging 67.50 and 52.60 during the last two calendar years, Usman is averaging just 25.93 in nine Tests, having made just 415 runs in 18 innings, with two half-centuries and best score of 75. In four Tests during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he has scored just 141 runs in eight innings at an average of 20.14, with one half-century and best score of 57.

Speaking on the Beyond 23 Cricket Podcast, the former Aussie captain said, This is Uzzie s home Test match, the SCG. He has been an amazing player, absolutely amazing player. Come back in, score runs overseas, score runs in Australia. He is 38 years of age, I think it could be a great opportunity for Uzzie to announce his retirement, and Sydney to be his last Test.

While Clarke said that he knows that Khawaja would like to keep playing, the Sri Lanka tour next year is a great chance for a new opener to come in and start his Test career.

I know he would like to keep playing. His form has not been as good as he would like throughout this series. I know we have got a trip to Sri Lanka, and then we have got the Ashes. There is a lot of cricket in between, but I also think that could be a great opportunity for a new player to come in, open the batting, get some Test match cricket under their belt before the first Ashes Test match, Clarke continued.

Since his comeback to the side in 2022, Khawaja has scored 2,705 runs in 33 Tests and 62 innings, averaging 49.18, with seven centuries and 13 fifties and best score of 195*.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Gavaskar Never Walked Away When He Edged : Ex-Star On Jaiswal DRS Row

Former India cricketer Surinder Khanna shared his views on India s disappointing 184 runs loss to Australia in the 4th test of the Border-Gavaskar series on Monday in Melbourne. While Khanna praised Yashasvi Jaiswal s batting, he criticized his dismissal and the overall team effort, drawing comparisons to Sunil Gavaskar s approach to controversial dismissals. Only Jaiswal batted, the rest were just coming and going, Khanna remarked, emphasizing Jaiswal s standout performance amidst the team s struggles.

Khanna delved into the controversial dismissal of Jaiswal, highlighting the use of technology and the role of player s honesty in the game.

Umpire first gave him not out. The fielding side took a referral. In the referral, there is a snickometer, and as per Sunil Gavaskar, there is no deflection in it but if you go by the naked eye, there is a difference of 15 to 17 degrees. After hitting the gloves, the ball became slow, and wicketkeeper Alex Carey had to dive forward to take the catch. The square leg umpire was doubting whether the catch was taken cleanly or not. Technically, in snickometer, there was no deflection, but if you go by me, since I was a keeper, I will say it hit his gloves, he said.

Khanna compared this situation to the behaviour of former cricketers, stating, Earlier, there were players like Gilchrist who used to walk away, but nowadays, youngsters like Jaiswal do not walk away. He is saying he did not edge it, but it was clear that he gloved it. Gavaskar is saying that snickometer is not showing any deflection, then it s not out. He himself never walked away when he used to nick it. I asked him once that I have caught you 15 times behind the stumps, but you were only given out four times. What about the other 11 times? He used to laugh and say when I was not out, umpires did give me out a few times. So, that s why I never walked away. Is this an answer? This is not the right thing.

Khanna expressed concern over the impact of such decisions on the game, particularly for bowlers, If we edged it, then we walked away because we feel sad when a bowler gets you out and the umpire doesn t give it. He goes on to score a century, and the bowler gets kicked out of the team. When you get a batter of Gavaskar s status, he will get 4-5 more wickets. Similarly, if you get Jaiswal out, the rest are already out of form. So, one decision can play a major role but again, if you go by technicality, then Sunny bhai is correct, but what about that huge deflection?

He continued, The next batter who came and got a bat pad, even he did not agree and was saying that the ball is going up. I can see it clearly because I have been a wicketkeeper. The boy knew that the glove hit the ball. He is dishonest.

Khanna also praised the Australian team for their performance, while critiquing India s fielding, Australians played outstanding cricket. We had to bat out a day, about 77 overs or 80-odd overs, but we couldn t. The openers and top orders set the tone. When I started watching, it was the 30th over, and by the 30th over, it was 29 runs.

Reflecting on missed opportunities, he noted, Australians were let off the hook when they were 60/6. They should have been dismissed for 80-85, but the catches that were dropped cost us. Three were dropped by Jaiswal alone. Straightforward chances. You cannot drop such catches, and we paid badly for it.

Surinder Khanna s insights underline the critical moments and decisions that influenced the outcome of the match, highlighting the fine margins that separate victory from defeat in Test cricket.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

No Kohli, Rohit, Bumrah vs Eng? BCCI s Big Call Ahead Of Champions Trophy

The Indian cricket team is at crossroads in every sense of the term. After winning the T20 World Cup, nothing has gone right for the side. It lost an ODI series in Sri Lanka, was clean-sweeped at home by New Zealand in a Test series and is trailing Australia 2-1 in the Border Gavaskar Trophy with one match to go. Its chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship also looks bleak. While Jasprit Bumrah has shone like a bright spot in the campaign Down Under, seniors like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have not been in the best of form. 

Now, a report in Sports Tak said, quoting sources, that the trio may not play in the ODI series against England, starting February 6, due to workload management. India will five T20Is (starting on January 22) and three ODIs against England. The three ODIs will be the last assignment in the format for the Indian cricket team before the Champions Trophy, that starts on February 9. If indeed the trio misses the ODI series, it would be a surprising call. 

With India failing to prevent Australia from winning the Melbourne Test, former India cricketer Surinder Khanna took a dig at Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma over their poor form in recent matches in the longest format of the game. 

What are Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli doing? Remove attention from Rishabh Pant. He used to play like this only from day one. He will continue to make such mistakes. Tell me about Kohli and Rohit, what have they doing since the last 40-45 innings? They should automatically sit outside if selectors are not doing it then they should do it themselves. You and I can t throw them out. The kind of form they are in then even if you will bowl, they will get out. I am saying this by experience. The shot which is their scoring one, why should not they play? David Gower and Gundappa Vishwanath scored so many runs by playing cut shots, Surinder Khanna told ANI.

Mandhana Suffers Shock Drop, Deepti Enters Top 5 In Women s ODI Rankings

31 India off-spinner Deepti Sharma climbed a spot to enter the top 5 in the latest ICC women s ODI ranking for bowlers following her match-winning performances in the recently-concluded series against the West Indies at home. Deepti, who is fifth now, has 665 rating points and is marginally behind fourth-placed South Africa s Marizanne Kapp (677 rating points). The 27-year-old made headlines, taking eight wickets in two matches, including 6/31 in the last game as India completed a clean sweep in the three-match series in Vadodara.

Among batters, Jemimah Rodrigues (537 rating points) is closing in on a top-20 as she has jumped four spots to 22nd thanks to scores of 29 and 52 during the series.

The big-hitting Richa Ghosh (13 not out and 23 not out) has moved seven spots to 41st (448 rating points), with Chinelle Henry s half-century in the third ODI leading to a 21-spot leap to 65th (349 rating points).

However, charismatic India opener Smriti Mandhana (720 rating points), who scored two half-centuries in the series, has dropped one place to third and trails South Africa s Laura Wolvaardt (773) and Chamari Athapaththu (733).

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has dropped three places to 13th.

Hayley Matthews seventh ODI century in Vadodara has helped the West Indies opener climb six places to seventh in the ICC Women s Batting Rankings. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kohli s Discipline Comes Under Question After Mistakes Let India Down

Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan shared his candid views on Virat Kohli s recent performance and discipline at the crease. Pathan did not hold back in his assessment of Kohli, underlining that the veteran batter has repeatedly been dismissed in the same fashion. Both the seniors (Rohit and Virat) did not meet expectations. They did not meet their own expectations at all. They are making mistakes, Pathan said on Star Sports, pointing out the underwhelming performances of Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

Pathan specifically criticized Kohli s persistent struggles with shots outside the off-stump. The shot by Virat Kohli--this is neither the first nor the last time. He is not letting go of the temptation to drive outside the off-stump, he said.

According to Pathan, this flaw has been a long-standing issue in Kohli s game. He has been doing this for many years. Everyone is saying the same thing. Virat Kohli also knows this, he added.

The former all-rounder questioned why Kohli, known for his disciplined approach to fitness and preparation, could not translate that discipline into his batting. We all talk about his discipline--why can t he bring that discipline onto the field? Pathan asked, highlighting a disconnect between Kohli s off-field reputation and his on-field execution.

Kohli scored 36 and 5 in the first and second innings, respectively, in the Melbourne Test.

India endured a heavy 184-run defeat in the Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Monday.

Australia dominated India in all facets of the game, even though the match was defined by fine margins. After being pushed around in the first innings, India responded strongly in the second innings.

With a pace attack led by Jasprit Bumrah, India had Australia on the ropes after reducing the hosts to 91/6. However, a couple of dropped catches and missed chances gave Australia an opportunity to stage a comeback.

Hopes of restricting Australia to a 250-run lead gradually faded, especially after Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland punished a fatigued Indian bowling unit on Day 4. Their 61-run partnership added insult to injury, as Australia set a challenging target of 340 runs for India to chase.

The daunting target played on India s nerves, particularly after the top order faltered. The first session of the final day proved decisive, leaving India with a disappointing result and allowing Australia to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

BCCI Told To Have Kohli Exit Plan Ready As Retirement Chatter Intensifies

Rohit Sharma could be on the cusp of retirement from Test cricket but an exit might not be too far from Virat Kohli too. The duo s performances in Australia have triggered a big debate over their future in the longest format of the game. For Rohit, an end seems to be inevitable after the conclusion of the Australia tour whereas Kohli s case remains touch-and-go. Former India cricketer Atul Wassan has urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to have an exit plan ready amid the talismanic batter s inability to resolve form issues.

Kohli, aged 36, has been struggling to resurrect his career for long. He has already quit T20 internationals and his Test career is hanging by a thread. While Wassan feels Virat s best might just be around the corner, he wants the BCCI to be ready with a successor and an exit plan.

Virat has got runs, but he also knows what s happening. They are very sorted mentally. A player always thinks that my best is around the corner . I ll do it just now. It s such a long spell; it s hurting the team, and there is questioning, saying you should be dropped. A lynch mob comes after you, Wassan told news agency ANI.

They also know what is going on. I think an exit plan, like a succession policy, must be clear, it s not fair on the management, the team, and the cricketing structure, we don t know what s there in your mind, he added.

In Australia, the outside-off delivery has troubled Kohli time and again. Though the batter showed a little bit of discipline in the first innings of the MCG Test, scoring 36 runs, he was dismissed while chasing a 6th or 7th stump delivery in both innings again.

Before the start of the 4th Test, Kohli himself admitted that he has lacked the discipline required to excel on Australian pitches. With just the Sydney Test to go now, another failure with the bat might force Kohli to rethink his future in red-ball cricket, especially considering the way certain youngsters have performed on the tour.

Bumrah Captain, Only 2 Indians Picked As Aussie Media Names Text XI 2024

In a massive honour, Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was named as the captain of the Test XI of 2024 made by cricket.com.au, which also includes one more Indian star. Bumrah, who has led India in two Test matches, secured his first victory as Test captain during the Perth Test, the first of the five Border-Gavaskar Trophy matches. In the match, the pacer led the team from the front with an eight-wicket haul and an all-round Team India crushed Australia by 295 runs to secure a famous win just after a series whitewash loss to New Zealand at home by 0-3, their first Test series loss in 12 years.

Here is cricket.com.au s Test XI of 2024:

-Yashasvi Jaiswal (India)

In 2024, Jaiswal scored 1,478 runs in 15 matches at an average of 54.74, with three centuries (two double tons) and 11 fifties in 29 innings, with the best score of 214. His two double centuries against England in the home series earlier this year, which saw him score 712 runs in five matches was a huge standout. However, his adaptation to Australian conditions is just as stunning, having scored 359 runs in eight innings at an average of 51.50, with a masterclass 161 at Perth and fighting knocks of 82 and 84 at Melbourne being standouts.

Jaiswal s run tally is the highest by an Indian opener during a calendar year and his 36 sixes during this year is also a world record, having beaten legends Virender Sehwag and Brendon McCullum in these aspects respectively, as per cricket.com.au.

What a year from this XI including Jasprit Bumrah who leads the side

Full story: https://t.co/zM0nfiRxz9 pic.twitter.com/cn8Zu7zlxw

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 31, 2024

-Ben Duckett (England)

The England opener, who takes pride in taking a chance to score at every ball, once again delivered consistent numbers in Tests, with his knock of 153 against India at Rajkot as a huge statement about his greatness in tackling subcontinent conditions. He is England s highest run-getter this year and overall third. with 1,149 runs at an average of 37.06 and a strike rate of 87.04. He has scored two centuries and six fifties in 32 innings, with best score of 153. His high strike rate makes him the poster boy of England s Bazball school of cricket.

-Joe Root (England)

Largely a one-format player nowadays, Root was in monstrous form in Tests this year, leading the run-charts with 1,556 runs at an average of 55.57 and a strike rate of over 63 in 17 matches, with six tons and five fifties in 31 innings and best score of 262.

Root broke two massive Test records this year, becoming England s highest century-maker (36) and Test run-getter (12,972 runs), going past legendary Alastair Cook and touching the 20,000 run mark in international cricket, being the first England player to do so.

Also, he is chasing Sachin Tendulkar s record of highest Test runs (15,921) and is the fifth-highest run-getter this year.

-Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)

The Kiwi all-rounder had a brilliant run in Tests this year, scoring 984 runs in 12 matches at an average of 42.78, with two centuries and four fifties in 24 innings and best score of 240. The youngster played a crucial role in the Kiwis first-ever series win against India, scoring an aggressive 134 in the first Test and a crucial 65-run knock in Pune. He had kickstarted the year with a fiery 240 against South Africa.

-Harry Brook

England s next-generation superstar continues to impress, adding plenty to his away exploits. In 12 Tests this year, he made 1,100 runs at an average of 55.00, with four centuries and three fifties in 20 innings, with best score of 317, which came against Pakistan in Multan. Also, he continued his brilliant run in New Zealand with two stunning centuries and getting the Player of the Series award. In 11 Tests away from home, Brook averages 80.00 and has scored seven of his eight Test tons.

-Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka)

The Sri Lankan all-rounder went on a Bradman-like run in Tests, with 1,049 runs in nine matches and 16 innings at an average of 74.92, with five centuries and three fifties. His best score was 182*. He reached 1,000 runs in Tests within 13 innings, same as Aussie legend Don Bradman, becoming the second-fastest to reach this landmark. He also made fifty-plus scores each in eight of his first Tests, becoming the first player to do so.

-Alex Carey (Australia)

The Aussie wicketkeeper-batter was in top form across all formats in international cricket and domestic. In nine Tests, he made 46 dismissals, including 42 catches and four stumpings and also scored 440 runs at an average of 33.84, with three half-centuries in 15 innings. His best score was 98*. During the Christchurch Test against New Zealand, Carey took 10 dismissals, a career-high and played a match-winning knock of 98* during a run chase of 279 runs.

-Matt Henry

The Kiwi pacer was a workhorse this year for his side, taking 48 scalps in nine Tests at an average of 18.58, with four five-wicket hauls and best figures of 7/67 in an innings. He was his side s leading Test wicket-taker and overall fourth. His standout spell was 5/15 against India at Bengaluru to skittle them out for just 46, setting the tone for a landmark series win. His best figures of 7/67 came against the Aussies, though in a losing cause.

-Jasprit Bumrah (captain)

The Indian pace spearhead enjoyed one of the greatest calendar years by a bowler, with 71 scalps in 13 matches at an average of 14.92, with five five-wicket hauls and best figures of 6/45, delivering fantastic spells home and away alike. During the England series at home, he took 19 wickets in four Tests on spin-friendly conditions to win the series for India and also has taken 30 wickets in the ongoing BGT in Australia in four matches at an average of 12.83, with three-five-wicket hauls, emerging as a lone warrior for India.

-Josh Hazlewood (Australia)

A fine year for one-fourth of the great Aussie quartet (of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon) despite fitness issues as he took 35 scalps in 15 matches at an average of 13.60, with best figures of 5/31, two five-wicket hauls to his name. Also, his average of below 14 is the best by an Australia in a calendar year since World War 2.

-Keshav Maharaj (South Africa)

If Proteas have made it to their first-ever World Test Championship final, Maharaj is one of the key reasons as the spinner took 35 wickets in 15 games at an average of 19.20, best figures of 5/59 and two five-wicket hauls. Though he did not bowl a single over during the Newlands Test against India to start the year, he went on to play a crucial role in series wins over West Indies, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Rohit Sharma Told To Drop Himself From 5th Test, Accused Of Being Selfish

Generally considered one of the most selfless cricketers in the game, India captain Rohit Sharma has been accused of putting his interests over the team s during the defeat against Australia in Melbourne. Rohit, together with the team management, decided to drop Shubman Gill from the side and demote KL Rahul to the No. 3 spot. The changes were made in order to help Rohit open for the side once again. However, the said changes backfired, with both Rohit and Rahul failing to perform at MCG.

Coming into the 4th Test against Australia, Rahul was looking like the best batter in the team. But, the changes seemed to have disturbed his rhythm while Rohit himself failed to provide India a fiery start at the top in both innings too. Rohit now faces criticism over his selfish act which was only his self-interest and not the team s.

For the first time in his career, he has taken a call for himself. In the past, calls have been taken for him. MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli took calls for him to move him from middle-order to opener. Dhoni did in ODIs, Virat did in Tests because they wanted Rohit to fire, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube show.

For the first time, captain Rohit took a call and it was totally in his interests. It was not in the team s interests. Let s be very honest. It can t be in the team s interests because Rahul was opening very well. Shubman Gill did well in 2023, he is the second-highest run-scorer. He has played in tough situations also. He was looking good in Adelaide too. But, he had to be dropped from the team, he further said.

A number of former India cricketers including Irfan Pathan and Sunil Gavaskar wanted Rohit not to disturb the KL Rahul-Yashasvi Jaiswal opening combination but the skipper still decided to. The move also left no place for Shubman Gill in the team despite the batter being one of India s top-scorers this year.

All this is because Rohit thought about himself, not in the best interests of the team. For the first time in his captaincy career. It didn t turn out fine. India were not able to draw, Chopra further said.

Chopra has also asked Rohit to consider dropping himself from the playing XI against Australia in Sydney, in order to bring a more balanced XI to the team sheet.

In the team s interest, will he sit out of the Sydney Test? I am not saying retirement, but dropping himself for the Sydney Test, saying I am not able to contribute. Okay, let Rahul open the batting, let Shubman Gill bat at No. 3 and let s play Nitish at No. 6 . It will be a fair call to take. But, will he take it? If he doesn t take it, I will tell you why cricketers don t take such calls. Every cricketer believes the entire life must have taught him/her one thing: we can bounce back. We can turn it around. Maybe Rohit Sharma is thinking like that, he added.

Will the selectors take that call mid-tour? Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar, guys, you are on the spot this time, he added.

Watch: Frustrated By Konstas Chatter, Jaiswal s Aggressive Act Stuns All

India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal had an heated exchange with Australia debutant Sam Konstas on Day 5 of their just-concluded 4th Test in Melbourne on Monday. The incident happened during the post-Lunch session with Rishabh Pant batting alongside Jaiswal. Konstas, who was deployed at silly point, was heard sledging Jaiswal. While it was not clear what Konstas might have said to Jaiswal, the Indian batter was clearly not happy with the teenager. As a result, Jaiswal shouted at Konstas, saying do your job .

However, Konstas didn t stop there, forcing Jaiswal to deploy an unorthodox approach. As Nathan Lyon bowled a full length ball on the very next delivery, Jaiswal hit Konstas with a vicious drive, catching the latter on his body. Before the ball, Steve Smith tried to intervene between the two youngsters, but was stopped from doing so by wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

#YashasviJaiswal didn t just let his bat do the talking!

A cheeky Do your job! to #SamKonstas was all it took to light up the game with some good old-fashioned on-field banter. #AUSvINDOnStar 4th Test, Day 5 LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry pic.twitter.com/cF7tWqLtdM

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 30, 2024

Jaiswal fought a lone battle for India in the second innings, smashing his second half-century of the match. After scoring 82 in the first innings, Jaiswal missed another opportunity to score his century.

Jaiswal scored 84 runs from 208 balls at a strike rate of 40.38. He slammed 8 fours during his time on the crease. His knock went in vain as India lost the match by 184 runs to go 1-2 down in the series.

Chasing a near improbable target of 340, both Rohit (9 off 40 balls) and Kohli (5) failed to battle their technical frailties and mental cobwebs as India lost seven wickets for 34 runs in just 20.4 overs in the final session to be all out for 155 in 79.1 overs.

Australian captain Pat Cummins (3/28 in 18 overs) was superb as usual and Scott Boland was also magnificent (3/39 in 16 overs) in his every spell.

Nathan Lyon (2/37 in 20.1 overs) took advantage of variable bounce while Mitchell Starc (1/25 in 16 overs) got the prized scalp of Kohli.

This was after an 88-run fourth-wicket stand between Jasiwal and Pant.

(With PTI Inputs)