Having a left-arm quick of Singh's calibre gives the bowling attack the much-needed heft and variety. It's like having another bow in Team India's quiver, notes Vishal Menon.
Ravichandran, father of veteran off-spinner Ashwin, said he was caught off guard by his son's sudden retirement from international cricket, but stunningly hinted that there could be underlying reasons for it, including him feeling "humiliated".
Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is "frustrated" by the timing of his injury after being ruled out of the remaining two Tests against India due to a right calf strain, sustained during the drawn third match at the Gabba.
India managed to keep the five-Test series level at 1-1 heading into the Boxing day Test in Melbourne, the fragility of their top order remains a major concern for the tourists.
Ravichandran Ashwin's wife Prithi Narayanan penned a heartfelt tribute for her husband following his recent retirement from international cricket, saying "it is time to set the burden of being you down" and embrace life beyond the game.
Out-of-form skipper Rohit Sharma's batting position will be in focus against a dangerous Australia
'Normally, you tend to look at the end of the series. That's it. In the middle, it is not usual.'
The 34-year-old Shami, who last played for India in the ODI World Cup final in November 2023, was forced into the long layoff due to an ankle injury that needed surgery.
Michael Clarke feels the Australian selectors have erred by dropping Nathan McSweeney mid-series against India
With a heavy downpour preventing the resumption of play after the break, the match was abandoned and the series remains locked at 1-1.
Kohli, Kohli.... the chants from 90,000 fervent fans still reverberate in the ear when you step into the fabled MCG, even two years after the former Indian skipper pulled off a stunning heist against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022.
On Tuesday, Hazlewood bowled just one over before walking out of the field before undergoing scans later to ascertain the severity of the injury.
Josh Hazlewood, who was recalled after recovering from a side injury that ruled him out of the second Test, did not start on the ground on day four at the Gabba on Tuesday and bowled only one over before chatting to a team physio during a drinks break.
Just-retired R Ashwin's father Ravichandran kicked up a controversy on Thursday by claiming that "humiliation" could have been a reason for his son's decision to call it quits but the veteran off-spinner made light of the "dad comment", blaming it on lack of media training.
'Maybe he got some indication from the team management that he is no longer in the scheme of things.'
Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has called for an improved performance from India's batting unit in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, saying the lack of runs from the top-order builds pressure on the lower-order.
For Shastri, India's recent successes in Test cricket have often been defined by the stubbornness and resilience of the tail-enders.
2024 saw some of the most competitive and captivating cricket being played on the field.
'Time has come to scrutinise the role of India's batting coach.'
'I do feel there's a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I would like to ... showcase that in club level cricket.'
The 38-year-old played the day-night Test in Adelaide and picked up one wicket.
After Australia were reduced to 75 for 3, Steve Smith steadied the innings, providing much-needed runs, while Head powered his way to a second consecutive Test century, continuing his prolific form against India.
As Team India gears up to bounce back in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, their preparations at The Gabba in Brisbane have taken a creative turn.
Australia's Travis Head and Steve Smith gave India a repeat of their nightmare in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
Travis Head conceded that he was immensely fortunate to survive a fine spell from Jasprit Bumrah on the Day 2 of the third Test in Brisbane on Sunday.
Travis Head has been a thorn in India's side, hitting three centuries and two fifties in his last seven innings against them.
Sunil Gavaskar called out the double standards of the Australian cricket pundits for their criticism of Mohammed Siraj's aggressive send-off to Travis Head.
India's mind games played a pivotal role in the dismissal of Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne.
Cricket Australia was just 10 balls away from potentially saving itself more than Australian 1 million in refunds.
India will have to wait until day two to show their skills and may need early wickets to force a third consecutive result in the series.
'Siraj is now getting flak from the same 'saints' of Australian cricket who once prided themselves on their on-field aggression.'
In response, the visitors were 51/4 on a rain-hit third day with questions being raised about batters' technique and the quality of bowling, save for Bumrah.
Jadeja's return along with Akash Deep replacing Harshit Rana, is seen as a bold move that could either turn the series around or backfire spectacularly.
Jasprit Bumrah revealed that Mohammed Siraj has been bowling with a niggle and praised him for fighting through pain.
An astute reader of the game both on and off the field, Ashwin might have gauged what was in store going forward and that perhaps made it easier for him to take a call.
Shubman Gill says the need to put up a big first innings total has been the talking point among his team's batters
Hazlewood's inclusion is the only change to the home side who will look to take a 2-1 lead in the five-Test series.
In the video shared on X, the most expensive hire in IPL history can be seen playing with a young girl, showcasing his joyous and playful side.
Australia levelled the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy 1-1 with a 10-wicket win in the day-night Test after losing the first Test at Perth by 295 runs.
Images from Day 1 of the third Test between Australia and India in Brisbane on Saturday.
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