Author: Vaibhav Tripathi

Day two at the SCG turned into a bowler’s paradise, with 15 wickets falling in such fast-paced fashion that it gave the series-deciding fifth Test a lottery-like atmosphere. India put on an impressive display to bowl out Australia for 181 in their first innings, securing a narrow four-run lead. However, their aggressive approach in the second innings backfired as they stumbled to 141/6, managing to extend their lead to 145 runs. Both teams’ batters struggled to navigate a pitch that continued to misbehave. What started as a promising day for the visitors ended in frustration as their batting line-up faltered…

On a green pitch, and under overcast skies, India’s decision to bat didn’t work as they were bundled out for 185. Australia’s disciplined and relentless bowling attack once again highlighted the frailties in India’s batting lineup. In the dim light of the closing minutes, India had a brief 15-minute window to make an impact with the new ball. Jasprit Bumrah delivered in style, removing Usman Khawaja with the final ball of the day in a dramatic last over, leaving Australia at 9/1 at stumps. When Bumrah walked out for the toss as India’s captain, it sent ripples through the cricketing…

In front of a record attendance at the MCG, the Australian bowlers triggered a collapse, taking seven wickets for just 34 runs in the final session, which helped the hosts wrap up a famous win over India by 184 runs as they head to Sydney with a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. After losing three wickets in the final session, India’s approach clearly shifted toward securing a draw. With just 38 overs to bat, seven wickets in hand, and set batters Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant at the crease, the game appeared to be heading for a stalemate. Both…

What could have been an excellent day for India was marred by no-balls, missed fielding opportunities, and valuable lower-order contributions from Australia. The hosts ended the day at 228/9 in their second innings, extending their lead to a commanding 333 runs. India worked tirelessly to claim the final two wickets, but Australia’s tailenders stood resolute. The unbeaten last-wicket stand between Nathan Lyon and Scott Boland, worth 55 runs off 110 deliveries, was particularly frustrating for the visitors. Australia might have been effectively bowled out if not for Jasprit Bumrah overstepping in the final over, which saw Lyon edge a delivery…

Australia seemed poised for a commanding first-innings lead with India struggling at 191/6, but a remarkable partnership between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar turned the tables. The resilient duo put together a brilliant 127-run stand, helping India end Day 3 at 358/9, trailing by 116 runs and denying Australia the significant advantage they had been eyeing. The partnership between Reddy and Sundar will go down as one to remember, reminiscent of the iconic Shardul Thakur-Sundar stand at the Gabba in 2021. Over the course of 285 deliveries, the pair displayed tremendous grit and determination, refusing to cave under…

Another day, another dominating display by Australia with both the bat and ball. Steve Smith’s brilliant innings of 140 helped Australia post a mammoth total of 474. Despite the pitch quickening slightly, batting conditions remained favourable, but India found themselves in trouble, losing half their side, still trailing by 310 runs at stumps. The day began with bright sunshine and a relatively flat surface, ideal for batting. Australia capitalised on their commanding position, with strong support from the lower-middle-order. Alongside captain Pat Cummins, Smith added a vital 112 runs for the seventh wicket and reached a magnificent 34th Test century—his…

A packed MCG crowd was treated to an enthralling day of Test cricket, with 311 runs scored for the loss of six wickets, four of which fell in the final session. For the first time in the series, Australia’s top-order delivered, with debutant Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne registering fifties. However, none of them managed to convert their starts into substantial scores. Steve Smith, unbeaten on 68, will have the opportunity to do so when play resumes tomorrow, alongside skipper Pat Cummins, who is batting on 6. The pitch had a light covering of grass, offering assistance…

The International Cricket Council (ICC) officially announced the schedule for the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 on Tuesday (December 24), following weeks of anticipation. Scheduled from February 19 to March 9, the tournament will take place in Pakistan and the UAE, featuring 15 matches involving eight teams. This marks the competition’s return to the calendar after an eight-year hiatus and sees Pakistan hosting a global cricket event for the first time since 1996, with Dubai being the neutral venue for India matches. The schedule announced by the ICC closely aligns with the one shared by RevSportz a few days earlier.…

When Australia declared at 89/7, setting India a target of 275 runs in a minimum of 54 overs, all three outcomes were possible. With Australia needing 10 wickets and India chasing a challenging target, the match was finely balanced and could have gone either way. Just that, a draw seemed the most likely result. Ultimately, bad light combined with poor weather brought the game to an early conclusion, ending in a draw. Yesterday, India’s last-wicket partnership helped them avoid the follow-on, and from that point, it seemed likely the match would end in a draw, with forecasts of rain and…

Amidst the boos that echoed every time rain interrupted play, the loudest cheer of the day came when Akash Deep struck a boundary through the third man region late in the day. That shot wasn’t just a boundary—it ensured India avoided the follow-on. Although Australia remain firmly in control with a 193-run lead, India’s resilient batting on Day 4 has significantly reduced their chances of losing this Test. With two innings still left and only one day remaining, a draw now seems the most likely outcome. KL Rahul had a stroke of luck at the start of the day when…