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Jasprit Bumrah has been awarded the prestigious ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2024 and the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy after an exceptional performance across formats.

Jasprit Bumrah named ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year 2024, wins Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy

<p>Jasprit Bumrah has been awarded the prestigious ICC Men&rsquo;s Cricketer of the Year 2024 and the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy after an exceptional performance across formats.</p>

<p>Jasprit Bumrah has added another incredible achievement to his already impressive career, being named the ICC Men&rsquo;s Cricketer of the Year for 2024.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Following his win as the ICC Men&rsquo;s Test Cricketer of the Year, Bumrah also claimed the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, solidifying his status as one of the world&rsquo;s best fast bowlers.</p>
<p>Bumrah triumphed over fellow nominees Travis Head, Joe Root, and Harry Brook to secure the award, becoming the fifth Indian player to receive this recognition.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Previous Indian recipients include Rahul Dravid (2004), Sachin Tendulkar (2010), Ravichandran Ashwin (2016), and Virat Kohli (2017, 2018).</p>
<p>The ICC highlighted Bumrah&rsquo;s exceptional performances across formats in 2024, describing his year as a &ldquo;masterclass in skill, precision, and relentless consistency,&rdquo; with the fast bowler continuing to break records and establish himself as the world&rsquo;s premier pacer.</p>
<p>Bumrah had a stellar year in both T20Is and Tests. He played a pivotal role in India&rsquo;s triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024, finishing as the Player of the Tournament with 15 wickets at an extraordinary average of 8.26 and an economy rate of just 4.17.</p>
<p>In Tests, Bumrah took 71 wickets, outpacing England&rsquo;s Gus Atkinson, who claimed 52 wickets in 11 matches. Bumrah's average was a phenomenal 14.92, and his strike rate was just 30.1 for the year.&nbsp;</p>
<p>His 71 wickets made him only the fourth Indian bowler in history to take more than 70 Test wickets in a calendar year, joining the ranks of Ravichandran Ashwin, Anil Kumble, and Kapil Dev.</p>
<p>Bumrah&rsquo;s year began with a stellar performance in the Cape Town Test against South Africa, where he took eight wickets across two innings, helping India to victory. He then dominated England at home, claiming 19 wickets in four Tests as India won 1-4. H</p>
<p>owever, his finest performance came during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) tour of Australia, where he bagged an incredible 32 wickets in five Tests and was named Player of the Series.</p>
<p>Bumrah&rsquo;s remarkable year saw him surpass the milestone of 200 Test wickets, becoming the 12th Indian bowler to achieve this feat. He also became the fastest Indian pacer to reach this mark, with a bowling average of less than 20, the best in history.</p>
<p>Bumrah&rsquo;s dominance was further reflected in his ICC Test Bowling Rankings, where he surpassed 900 rating points, ending the year with an unprecedented 907 points&mdash;setting a new record for the most points by any Indian bowler in history.</p>

Rishabh Pant, sold to Lucknow Super Giants for a record Rs 27 crores in the IPL 2025 auction, has been named captain of the franchise. 

Rishabh Pant named Lucknow Super Giants captain for IPL 2025

<p>Rishabh Pant, sold to Lucknow Super Giants for a record Rs 27 crores in the IPL 2025 auction, has been named captain of the franchise.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rishabh Pant, the trailblazing wicketkeeper, has been appointed as the captain of the Lucknow Super Giants for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, the franchise announced on Monday.</p>
<p>The 27-year-old, who made history during the IPL auction in November by being sold to Lucknow for Rs 27 crores ($3.2 million), joins the team for the upcoming edition of the lucrative T20 tournament.</p>
<p>Pant, known for his flamboyant left-handed batting, returned to captain Delhi Capitals last season after a 14-month hiatus from elite cricket due to a car accident. However, he parted ways with the Capitals after the team finished sixth in the 2024 IPL season standings.</p>
<p>"I see a born leader in Rishabh Pant. From my point of view, he will be probably the best captain IPL has seen," said Sanjiv Goenka, the owner of Lucknow, during a special TV broadcast. "Surely Rishabh Pant will play for at least 14-15 years for us, we hope at least five IPL titles in these years."</p>
<p>Pant has represented India in 150 international matches across all three formats, amassing 5,028 runs, including seven centuries.</p>
<p>The 18th edition of the IPL is set to commence on March 21, with the opening match scheduled to be held in Kolkata, while the final will take place on May 25, according to reports from Indian media.</p>
<p>The IPL continues to be a major revenue generator for Indian cricket, contributing more than $11 billion annually to the economy. It has also played a pivotal role in popularizing T20 cricket globally, inspiring similar events worldwide.</p>

Australia defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs in the first Test, with Matthew Kuhnemann taking career-best figures of 9-149. Sri Lanka’s batting collapse saw them lose their last five wickets for just nine runs, sealing the heavy defeat.

Australia crushes Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs in historic Test victory

<p>Australia defeated Sri Lanka by an innings and 242 runs in the first Test, with Matthew Kuhnemann taking career-best figures of 9-149. Sri Lanka&rsquo;s batting collapse saw them lose their last five wickets for just nine runs, sealing the heavy defeat.</p>

<p>Sri Lanka suffered their heaviest defeat in Test cricket history on Saturday as Australia flexed their muscles to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series with a crushing victory by an innings and 242 runs.</p>
<p>The contest was wrapped up before tea on day four, with rookie left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann's match-winning spell delivering him career-best figures of 9-149 over both innings.</p>
<p>"We were put under pressure," Sri Lanka skipper Dhananjaya de Silva said afterwards. "The batters should have put up a better show."</p>
<p>Kuhnemann underwent surgery only two weeks ago on a broken right thumb sustained during the Big Bash League and battled through the match in pain, requiring constant medical attention.</p>
<p>He was well-supported by the ever-dependable Nathan Lyon, who spun a web around the Sri Lankan batters to finish with seven match wickets.</p>
<p>Sri Lanka's heaviest defeat before Saturday was in Nagpur in 2017, when India hammered them by an innings and 239.</p>
<p>Sri Lanka resumed on 136 for five overnight but their first innings folded for 165, losing their last five wickets for a mere nine runs.</p>
<p>Put straight back in to bat chasing 489, they lost three wickets before lunch and then capitulated in the second session -- a humiliating finish for a team once renowned for its prowess on turning tracks.</p>
<p>Dinesh Chandimal had waged a lonely battle in the first innings to top-score with 72 and, with Angelo Mathews, stitched together one of only two 50-plus partnerships in the second.</p>
<p>However, he was sent back for 31 on the last ball before lunch when he gloved Lyon to Travis Head at short leg.</p>
<p>Oshada Fernando failed to make an impact in his return to the side, undone by a sharp inswinger from Mitchell Starc that trapped him plumb in front for six to go with his first innings seven.</p>
<p>Former skipper Dimuth Karunaratne's horror run with the bat continued after an avoidable dismissal for nought by Todd Murphy.</p>
<p><br><strong>- 'Tough place to play' -</strong></p>
<p>Rain forced an early lunch on day three before washing out the final two sessions.</p>
<p>Australia declared on 654-6 late on the second day after opener Usman Khawaja's career-best 232.</p>
<p>"Galle is a tough place to play cricket and we are very happy with this win," Khawaja said.</p>
<p>"I've played a lot of cricket in Sri Lanka, this being my fifth tour. I've made lot of mistakes before. I guess all that experience came in handy in this game."</p>
<p>Stand-in skipper Steve Smith also had a game to remember, becoming only the fourth Australian to breach the 10,000-run mark in Test cricket on the first ball he faced.</p>
<p>He finished his innings with a masterful 141, while wicketkeeper Josh Inglis hit a century on debut.</p>
<p>Galle will host the second and final match of the series next week before a two-match ODI series in Colombo.</p>

Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli will play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Delhi starting December 24, marking his first appearance in the tournament since 2010, while continuing international ODI duties against South Africa and New Zealand.

Virat Kohli confirms his availability for Vijay Hazare Trophy

<p>Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli will play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Delhi starting December 24, marking his first appearance in the tournament since 2010, while continuing international ODI duties against South Africa and New Zealand.</p>

<p>Indian superstar Virat Kohli on Tuesday confirmed his availability to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy beginning on December 24, DDCA president Rohan Jaitley told PTI.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Kohli, now a one-format player, is currently busy with the ODI series against South Africa. Kohli is returning to the Hazare Trophy for the first time since appearing against Services in February 2010.</p>
<p>The 37-year-old racked up his 52nd ODI hundred in the series opener at Ranchi, showing he remains sharp as ever despite playing just one version of the game. Kohli retired from Tests earlier this year, while his last T20 International coincided with India's triumph in the 2024 World Cup in Barbados.</p>
<p>"He has confirmed his availability to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. How many games he will feature in, that is not clear yet. Obviously, him being around will be a massive boost to the Delhi dressing room," Jaitley told PTI.</p>
<p>Delhi open their Vijay Hazare campaign against Andhra in Bengaluru on December 24. In total, they will play six games. Delhi are placed in Group D along with Andhra, Gujarat, Saurashtra, Odisha, Services, Railways and Haryana.</p>
<p>The league matches are currently scheduled to be played at Alur, a venue on the outskirts of Bengaluru, M Chinnaswamy Stadium and the BCCI Centre of Excellence grounds, close to the airport. Though the Chinnaswamy Stadium is listed, it&rsquo;s not clear whether any matches will be held there because top-level cricket has not returned to the venue after the June 4 stampede in which 11 fans were killed as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru celebrations went awry.</p>
<p>The knockout matches, including the final, are scheduled to be played in the BCCI CoE grounds. However, Kohli will not be part of the knockouts should Delhi reach that far as he is set to play in India&rsquo;s three-match ODI series against New Zealand between January 11 and 18, 2026. Fans are expected to turn up in numbers to watch the action at the ground when Kohli is around.</p>
<p>Earlier this year, Kohli made a grand spectacle of an otherwise drab Ranji Trophy game when he played his first first-class match in more than 12 years. More than 12000 people came to watch Kohli play, numbers unheard of for a domestic fixture in a long while. He returned to Ranji Trophy as part of preparation for international duty but in a surprise decision, he announced his retirement from Test cricket ahead of the England tour.</p>
<p>BCCI has made playing domestic cricket mandatory for contracted cricketers unless they are injured or on national duty. Rohit Sharma, who too retired from Tests ahead of the England tour, is expected to play for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.</p>
<p>Both Kohli and Rohit were amongst the runs in the series opener against Proteas in Ranchi. They played their first international game in months during the tour of Australia last month.</p>
<p>After failing to score a run in the first two games Down Under, Kohli got into the groove with a half-century in the third and final ODI. Rohit had smashed a hundred in the same game held in Sydney.</p>

India will rely on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to clinch the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur, after a 17-run win at Ranchi. Team combinations, unfamiliar pitch, and South Africa’s comeback potential remain key talking points.

India rely on Kohli-Rohit pair to seal ODI series victory against doughty South Africa

<p data-start="77" data-end="339">India will rely on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to clinch the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur, after a 17-run win at Ranchi. Team combinations, unfamiliar pitch, and South Africa&rsquo;s comeback potential remain key talking points.</p>

<p>The chatter around the volatile dressing room environment notwithstanding, India will rely on Virat Kohli's imperious form and Rohit Sharma's indomitable presence to seal a series victory over a doughty South Africa in the second ODI, in Raipur on Wednesday.</p>
<p>A record-extending 52nd ODI century by Kohli and a rapid 57 from Rohit paved the way for India's 17-run win in the series-opener at Ranchi, where the home bowlers endured a spirited fightback from the Proteas before managing to stop them.</p>
<p>With the 2027 ODI World Cup two years away, Kohli and Rohit are not only auditioning every match to prove their fitness and form but are also reportedly managing growing differences with head coach Gautam Gambhir. The issue has dominated the off-field talk and is expected to have the BCCI stepping in at some point.</p>
<p>Having set up two consecutive victories for India in last as many ODIs -- including a nine-wicket hammering of Australia at Sydney in October -- Kohli and Rohit have shown they will everything possible to be on that flight to the World Cup in South Africa.</p>
<p>Both the chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and Gambhir have remained non-committal about their participation in the World Cup and that has probably been at the centre of the simmering tensions between the two sides.</p>
<p>However, India have a lot more to worry about despite the opening win. For starters, the combination does not seem perfectly aligned. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has built an impressive record in List A cricket, was pushed from opening to No 4. He did not look completely conditioned for the role, with stand-in captain KL Rahul staunchly defending his position at No 6.</p>
<p>Washington Sundar is not new to such experiments as the Tamil Nadu all-rounder, who batted at No 3 in Kolkata Test against the Proteas, has seen plenty of changes in his batting positions. But in the first ODI at No 5, he too was among the batters dismissed in a phase where India slowed down. And again for an all-rounder, Washington also had another light day in terms of bowling as he sent down only three overs for 18 runs.</p>
<p>To his credit, Harshit Rana did a lot of good to his reputation with two wickets upfront with the new ball but his knack of giving away runs later on will require the all-rounder to bring in more control, especially when only one ball is allowed to play with after the 34th over.</p>
<p>In their bid to restore balance between bat and ball, the ICC's new rule allows only one ball from the existing two to be continued with from 34-50 overs. Kuldeep Yadav snaffled key wickets for a match haul of 4/68 and even though he was a shade expensive, his variation proved to be the difference as South Africa fell short but then, not by a big margin.</p>
<p>South Africa will indeed take a lot of heart in their inspired comeback after being reduced to 11/3 at one stage. On a flat deck, Marco Jansen tore into the Indian bowlers once again for a minute-a-mile half-century (off 26 balls), scoring a strokeful 70 off 39 balls.</p>
<p>Matthew Breetzke notched up a fine 72 in his first ODI against India to lead a comeback for South Africa while their long tail, which includes the dangerous Corbin Bosch, threatened to take the game away from India.</p>
<p>South Africa played in the first ODI without their regular skipper Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj, who both were rested after their historic Test series win. But the Proteas are expected to bolster their squad with their return.</p>
<p>Like Guwahati where the hosts were not too accustomed with the pitch and conditions, the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium in the Chhattisgarh capital is also relatively unfamiliar.</p>
<p>In the only ODI played here at this venue, India made light work of New Zealand in January 2023 when Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj exploited sharp seam movement off the pitch to bowl the Kiwis out for a mere 108. The hosts completed an eight-wicket win with nearly 30 overs to spare.</p>
<p>Even the only T20I played here in December 2023, against Australia, was also not a high-scoring affair which India won by 20 runs after putting on 174/9.<br><br></p>
<p><strong>Teams (from):</strong><br><br><strong>India: </strong>KL Rahul (c&amp;wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Rohit Sharma, Tilak Varma, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.</p>
<p><strong>South Africa: </strong>Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann (wk), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Prenelan Subrayen, Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi.</p>
<p><strong>Match starts at 1:30pm IST.</strong></p>

Veteran Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell has withdrawn from the IPL 2026 mini-auction, citing gratitude for his decade-long career while acknowledging a decline in form that has impacted his auction value.

Unlikely to get bidders, Glenn Maxwell pulls out of IPL auction

<p data-start="68" data-end="301">Veteran Australian cricketer Glenn Maxwell has withdrawn from the IPL 2026 mini-auction, citing gratitude for his decade-long career while acknowledging a decline in form that has impacted his auction value.</p>

<p>Glenn Maxwell, whose IPL career over the last decade has largely been underwhelming, decided to pull out of the upcoming mini auctions scheduled in Abu Dhabi on December 16.</p>
<p>The 37-year-old, popularly known as "Big Show" for being a phenomenal talent in his younger days, has played every IPL season since 2012, barring one in 2019. He has managed only 2819 runs in 141 games at a strike rate of 155 plus and an average of less than 24, which doesn't justify the kind of prices that he has been consistently fetching in auctions over the years. He also picked 41 wickets with his off-breaks at an economy rate of 8.30.</p>
<p>"After many unforgettable seasons in the IPL, I 've decided not to put my name into auctions this year. It's a big call and one I make with a lot of gratitude for everything this league has given me," Maxwell wrote on his Instagram page.&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>"The IPL has shaped me as a cricketer and as a person. I have been lucky to play with world class teammates, incredible franchises, and perform in-front of fans whose passion is unmatched. The memories, challenges and the energy of India will stay with me forever."</p>
<p>While Maxwell didn&rsquo;t specify a reason, it is evident that most major franchises have grown weary of waiting for him to deliver a good season, something that has been rare. His multi-million dollar bids at auction often defied logic with franchise owners attributing it to market forces. But with increased use of data analytics, it has become clear that Maxwell was being paid way more than he ever deserved.</p>
<p>Out of 13 seasons that he has played, only once in 2021 did he cross 500 runs -- 513 with six fifties and a strike rate of 144 plus. That he is no longer an attractive commodity in the IPL market was evident across last two seasons (2024 and 2025) where he totalled a lowly 100 runs in 17 games with aggregate of 52 and 48 runs respectively.</p>
<p>During the last season, he had left after playing seven games and didn't come back when IPL resumed post Operation Sindoor.</p>

The IPL 2026 auction longlist of 1,355 players has been shared with franchises, featuring top-tier names like Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone, Venkatesh Iyer, and Ravi Bishnoi. 

IPL 2026 auction: 1,355 players up for grabs, Cameron Green and Venkatesh Iyer in Rs 2 crore base price

<p>The IPL 2026 auction longlist of 1,355 players has been shared with franchises, featuring top-tier names like Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone, Venkatesh Iyer, and Ravi Bishnoi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The longlist for the IPL 2026 auction, featuring 1,355 registered players, has been released and shared with franchises after the registration window closed on November 30, reports suggest.&nbsp;</p>
<p>At the top tier, 45 players have entered the highest reserve price of Rs. 2 crore, including names such as Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone, Matheesha Pathirana, and Wanindu Hasaranga, while Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi are the only Indians in this elite group.</p>
<p>With only 77 slots available across 10 franchises, including 31 spots for overseas players, teams are set to submit their shortlists by December 5, after which the final auction pool will be confirmed. The auction in Abu Dhabi on December 16 will be a major event as franchises aim to strengthen their squads ahead of the 2026 season.</p>
<p>Australia&rsquo;s Cameron Green is expected to be a key attraction. Having missed the 2025 mega-auction due to a back injury, the versatile allrounder &mdash; known for his batting, bowling, and fielding skills &mdash; is likely to draw intense bidding.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Among franchises, Kolkata Knight Riders, with a purse of Rs. 64.3 crore, and Chennai Super Kings, with Rs. 43.4 crore, are viewed as the frontrunners, particularly with open overseas slots. KKR is likely to be aggressive after Andre Russell&rsquo;s recent IPL retirement.</p>
<p>Several recently released players have also joined the top price bracket. Pathirana, released by CSK despite being a key death bowler, and Livingstone, let go by RCB after a difficult season, are notable inclusions.&nbsp;</p>
<p>For India, Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi, previously retained for significant sums, have now opted for the highest reserve category following their release.</p>
<p><strong>No Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis Returns</strong></p>
<p>The longlist excludes Glenn Maxwell, who fractured his finger in the 2025 season, raising uncertainty about his IPL future. On the other hand, Josh Inglis, a vital part of Punjab Kings&rsquo; run to the 2025 final, has re-entered the auction pool again despite reportedly being available for only 25 per cent of the season due to personal commitments.</p>
<p>The auction has also attracted international talent from 14 countries, ranging from established names like Steve Smith, Mustafizur Rahman, Rachin Ravindra, and Gerald Coetzee, to emerging stars such as Jake Fraser-McGurk and Jamie Smith. Veteran Shakib Al Hasan, who has featured in 71 IPL matches across nine seasons, has set his base price at Rs. 1 crore.</p>
<p>Alongside overseas stars, 16 prominent Indian players, including Mayank Agarwal, KS Bharat, Rahul Chahar, Prithvi Shaw, and Navdeep Saini, have registered for the auction. Adding a unique entry, India-born Malaysian allrounder Virandeep Singh has listed himself at a base price of Rs. 30 lakh.</p>
<p>With franchises collectively holding Rs. 237.55 crore and numerous high-profile vacancies, the IPL 2026 auction is shaping up to be a high-stakes battle for talent, strategy, and squad composition.</p>
<p><strong>Players With Rs. 2 Crore Base Price</strong></p>
<p>Ravi Bishnoi, Venkatesh Iyer, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Naveen ul Haq, Sean Abott, Ashton Agar, Cooper Connolly, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Steve Smith, Mustafizur Rahman, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Liam Livingstone, Tymal Mills, Jamie Smith, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryll Mitchell, Will O&rsquo;Rourke, Rachin Ravindra, Gerald Coetzee, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Rilee Roussouw, Tabraiz Shamsi, David Wiese, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mateesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph</p>

Virat Kohli’s superb 135 powered India to a 17-run win over South Africa in the Ranchi ODI, supported by crucial spells from Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, and Arshdeep Singh as India claimed a 1-0 series lead.

Vintage Kohli reasserts ODI class; India nose ahead in series with win in Ranchi

<p>Virat Kohli&rsquo;s superb 135 powered India to a 17-run win over South Africa in the Ranchi ODI, supported by crucial spells from Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, and Arshdeep Singh as India claimed a 1-0 series lead.</p>

<p>Virat Kohli reaffirmed his enduring value to India's ODI setup with a perfectly paced century that shaped his team's 17-run victory over South Africa in the series-opener, in Ranchi on Sunday.</p>
<p>On a flat JSCA surface, Kohli (135 off 120 balls) controlled the tempo of the innings from the moment he walked in, anchoring India's imposing 349 for eight with an effort that blended classical stroke-play with calculated acceleration.</p>
<p>The value of Kohli's 52nd ODI ton became even clearer during South Africa&rsquo;s chase, which disintegrated at the beginning under sustained Indian pressure.</p>
<p>With Harshit Rana's (3/54) triple strike and support from pacer Arshdeep Singh (2/64) and left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav (4/68), India always got wickets whenever Proteas threatened to get away and finally ended on 332.</p>
<p>Courtesy Marco Jansen's counter-attacking 70 and Matthew Breetzke's composed 72, South Africa kept their fans interested but India had no trouble whatsoever in wrapping up the contest for a 1-0 lead in three-match series.</p>
<p>Kuldeep's twin strike in the 34th over actually became decisive after a breezy 97-run stand between Breetzke and Jansen as the wily left-arm wrist spinner removed both within a space of three deliveries.</p>
<p>Dew was also a factor in South Africa getting some easy runs as Indian bowlers struggled to grip the ball under lights.</p>
<p>Nine down, South Africa needed 18 off the last over and Prasidh Krishna ensured the hosts do not suffer a heartbreak after all the hard work by dismissing Corbin Bosch (67) with the second delivery.</p>
<p>Earlier Kohli's commanding knock came off 120 balls with seven sixes and 11 fours.</p>
<p>His 136-run stand with Rohit Sharma (57 off 51) for the second wicket set up India's big total on a JSCA shirtfront.</p>
<p>With Kohli no longer part of T20Is, and no ODIs scheduled for India after New Zealand series in January, every outing in the format now comes with significance.</p>
<p>The 36-year-old responded with trademark authority, reminding the selectors and team management that he remains India's most bankable batter in the format.</p>
<p>Rohit too had a great platform to assert himself after being dropped at 1 but he could make only 57 before being trapped by Jansen.</p>
<p>Still, their 136-run partnership -- during a much-anticipated 'Ro-Ko' show -- would give confidence not to the two stalwarts but also the team management that they still belong to big stage and can serve India a bit more.</p>
<p>South Africa's top order crumbled under sustained Indian pressure as Rana's incisive new-ball burst left the visitors reeling in their chase.</p>
<p>Rana dismissed both Ryan Rickelton (0) and Quinton de Kock (0) in the space of three balls.</p>
<p>Captain Aiden Markram&rsquo;s brief resistance ended on 7 when he edged Arshdeep, leaving the Proteas tottering at 11 for 3 in the fifth over.</p>
<p>Breetzke and Tony de Zorzi (39 off 35) attempted to rebuild with a 66-run stand, but Kuldeep broke the partnership just as de Zorzi looked set, trapping him lbw to make it 77 for 4.</p>
<p>Dewald Brevis (37 off 28) injected some momentum with three sixes, but Rana returned to claim his third wicket, ending the youngster&rsquo;s charge at 130 for 5 in the 22nd over, effectively snuffing out any realistic hopes of a contest.</p>
<p><strong>The RoKo show</strong></p>
<p>It was a flat deck but the Proteas bowlers were also guilty of not bowling a probing line and length.</p>
<p>Kohli walked in early after Yashasvi Jaiswal's 18 ended via a faint edge off Nandre Burger, and the Ranchi crowd immediately anticipated a reunion worth waiting for.</p>
<p>Rohit survived a sitter, spilled by Tony de Zorzi at mid-wicket, and used the reprieve to settle before opening up with a string of boundaries against Jansen and Corbin Bosch.</p>
<p>He hit Jansen for two boundaries in a space of five balls and Bosch was also taken to task: his incoming deliveries were flicked with ease and the short ones were pulled with authority.</p>
<p>Kohli, meanwhile, was in vintage touch -- a six over mid-off off Burger showing the full bat face, signalled his intent as well as touch. It was followed by a silken cover drive.</p>
<p>With South Africa's pacers erring in both line and length, the pair motored along, forcing stand-in captain Aiden Markram to introduce off-spinner Pranelan Subrayen, but the runs kept flowing.</p>
<p>Kohli raised his half-century with a six off Bosch, while Rohit reached his fifty with a single as India crossed the 100-run mark in quick time.</p>
<p>Jansen finally struck back by trapping Rohit leg before.</p>
<p>The dismissal briefly stalled India's scoring as Kohli went through a phase of limited strike.</p>
<p>Ruturaj Gaikwad (8) and Washington Sundar, promoted to No. 5, fell in quick succession to Ottneil Baartman, arresting the early charge.</p>
<p>But Kohli held firm.</p>
<p>Rotating strike smartly and putting away the loose balls, he ensured India did not drift.</p>
<p>Soon after he completed his hundred, a manic fan breached security, knelt before his 'King', touched his feet before being whisked away by security officers.</p>
<p>What was remarkable was Kohli's ability to change the gears even when the ball had gone soft.</p>
<p>Now only one ball of the two can be used after 34 overs, making the stroke-making challenging.</p>
<p>When skipper KL Rahul (60) was struggling to go hard at spinner Subrayen, Kohli creamed him off for 21 runs with consummate ease with two sixes and a four.</p>
<p>The 2027 World Cup is still some time away but Kohli reminded one and all that his touch is intact and hunger insatiable as ever.</p>

Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill have returned to India’s T20I squad for the five-match series against South Africa, beginning December 9, after recovering from injuries.

Fit-again Gill, Pandya picked for T20I series against South Africa

<p>Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill have returned to India&rsquo;s T20I squad for the five-match series against South Africa, beginning December 9, after recovering from injuries.</p>

<p>Flamboyant all-rounder Hardik Pandya and star batter Shubman Gill on Wednesday returned to the Indian T20I squad for the upcoming five-match series against South Africa after recovering from their respective injuries.</p>
<p>Gill, who missed a major part of the Test series and the ODIs against South Africa due to a neck injury, has been picked for the T20 games as vice-captain after recovering from his condition. Gill's participation, however, is subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence, the board said in a statement.</p>
<p>Pandya, who missed the Asia Cup 2025 final and the five-match series in Australia, also made a comeback in India's setup after proving his fitness on Tuesday during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match against Punjab in Hyderabad.</p>
<p>Gill, who is India's Test and ODI skipper, sustained the injury during the opening Test against the Proteas in Kolkata. He was subsequently ruled out of the second Test in Guwahati and the ODI series that followed.</p>
<p>The selection committee meeting to pick the T20 squad took place here on Wednesday. The five-match series begins December 9 in Cuttack. The other matches are scheduled in Chandigarh (December 11), Dharamsala (December 14), Lucknow (December 17) and Ahmedabad (December 19). Suryakumar Yadav is the regular T20I skipper for India.</p>
<p><strong>India squad:</strong> Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC)*, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar.</p>

Cricket

The Indian team jersey for the 2026 T20 World Cup was revealed during the second ODI against South Africa, with Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma unveiling the kit ahead of India’s campaign starting February 7.

India's jersey for 2026 T20 World Cup revealed

<p>The Indian team jersey for the 2026 T20 World Cup was revealed during the second ODI against South Africa, with Rohit Sharma and Tilak Varma unveiling the kit ahead of India&rsquo;s campaign starting February 7.</p>

<p>The Indian team jersey for the 2026 T20 World Cup was revealed during the second ODI against South Africa here on Wednesday.</p>
<p>The 10th edition of the T20 World Cup will be held from February 7 to March 8 across eight venues in India and Sri Lanka.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>India are placed in Group A along with arch rivals Pakistan, USA, Netherlands and Namibia. India will take on the USA in their tournament opener in Mumbai on February 7.</p>
<p>The jersey was unveiled by former India captain Rohit Sharma who is also the brand ambassador of the tournament, and member of the Indian T20 side Tilak Varma.</p>

Virat Kohli’s 53rd ODI century and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s maiden ton went in vain as South Africa sealed a four-wicket win in Raipur, chasing 359 to level the series 1-1.

Kohli, Gaikwad hundreds in vain as South Africa chase 359 to level ODI series

<p data-start="133" data-end="321">Virat Kohli&rsquo;s 53rd ODI century and Ruturaj Gaikwad&rsquo;s maiden ton went in vain as South Africa sealed a four-wicket win in Raipur, chasing 359 to level the series 1-1.</p>

<p>Virat Kohli&rsquo;s 53rd ODI ton and Ruturaj Gaikwad&rsquo;s maiden century were eclipsed by a collective effort from South Africa in a steep run chase, giving the visitors a series levelling four wicket-win in the second ODI against India in Raipur on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Chasing 359, South Africa rode on a brilliant century from Aiden Markram (110), a brutal 34-ball 54 (1x4s, 5x6s) from Dewald Brevis and Matthew Breetzke's 68 to get over the line in another resilient effort with the bat.</p>
<p>The series-deciding third and final ODI will be played in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.</p>
<p>India&rsquo;s job was far from done even after putting a daunting total on board as heavy dew in the second half not only made spinners&rsquo; job tougher, but poor returns from Prasidh Krishna (2/79) did not help their cause.</p>
<p>Prasidh, who had broken a second-wicket century partnership earlier by dismissing Temba Bavuma (46), got it right finally to pin Breetzke leg-before late in the game, and soon after, Arshdeep Singh (2/54) removed the dangerous Marco Jansen (2), but Corbin Bosch (29 not out off 15) and Keshav Maharaj (10 not out off 14) took the Proteas over the line with four balls to spare.</p>
<p>Markram was in his elements utilising a flat deck under lights to notch up his maiden century against India and providing South Africa a heavy contribution from the top to push on.</p>
<p>He took the initiative in the opening partnership and even though he lost Quinton de Kock (8) early with Arshdeep drawing first blood, Markram found a stable partner in Bavuma to put on 101 for the second wicket.</p>
<p>Markram had to remain the aggressor as Bavuma farmed the strike from the other end. Markram pierced gaps at will with brute force as well as some artistry.</p>
<p>He also hit through the line and over the bowlers&rsquo; head to clear the ropes while using the feet well against Indian spinners, with heavy dew making their job even more difficult as the innings progressed.</p>
<p>But the opener also had luck favouring him when a powerful hit off Kuldeep Yadav towards long on saw the ball going through Yashasvi Jaiswal&rsquo;s hands for a six.</p>
<p>Had the catch been taken, Markram&rsquo;s charge would&rsquo;ve ended on 53.</p>
<p>Markram eventually fell off a short off-cutter from Harshit Rana (1/70) but his dismissal had Brevis and Breetzke teaming up, who waltzed to 92 off the next 64 balls to put South Africa in complete control.</p>
<p>While Brevis fell after his quick fifty which featured some massive sixes , Breetzke made a composed 68 for a second consecutive half-century.</p>
<p>Incidentally, it was only the second occasion where India lost an ODI despite scoring in excess of 350, with the first instance being against Australia in March 2019 when they lost by a similar margin of four wickets despite making 358/9 at Mohali.</p>
<p>Earlier, Kohli&rsquo;s successive hundred, maiden century from Gaikwad (105) and KL Rahul&rsquo;s quickfire 66 not out propelled India to a formidable 358 for five.</p>
<p>Kohli (102 off 93 balls, 7x4s, 2x6s) and Gaikwad (105 off 83 balls, 12x4s, 2x6s) reset the record for highest third-wicket stand for India in ODIs against South Africa as their 195-run association built the platform for the hosts to launch themselves into a big score.</p>
<p>And Rahul&rsquo;s (66 not out off 43 balls, 6x4s, 2x6s) second fifty in a row ensured that, even as India continued to tinker with their batting line-up with the stand-in skipper coming in at No 5 ahead of Washington Sundar, who endured another failure.</p>
<p>Unlike at Ranchi where he did not look accustomed to batting in the middle order, Gaikwad emerged a perfect foil for Kohli as the two began racking up runs with ease.</p>
<p>With Ajinkya Rahane in tow, Kohli had put on 189 at Durban in February 2018 but perhaps on some counts, this partnership with Gaikwad was the one he may have enjoyed a little more as the Maharashtra batter matched his style of play.</p>
<p>The rotation of strike was deft, the singles were seamlessly converted into doubles and at times it was difficult for one to distinguish who had pierced the gap for those runs &mdash; not necessarily boundaries &mdash; as Gaikwad even appeared to be matching Kohli in terms of stroke-play.</p>
<p>If he was roughed up at the start, Gaikwad grew in confidence to post a fine half-century. Once past the milestone, he picked up pace.</p>
<p>Off the blocks with a perfect pull shot which sent the ball sailing over the ropes, it was yet another day in the office for Kohli who did not put a foot wrong on way to a record extending 53rd ODI ton.</p>

Virat Kohli climbed to No. 4 in the ICC ODI rankings following his match-winning hundred against South Africa, while shifts were also seen in Test and T20I rankings for several Indian players.

Virat Kohli Climbs to No. 4 in Latest ICC ODI Rankings

Virat Kohli Rises in ICC ODI Rankings to No. 4

<p data-start="92" data-end="308">Virat Kohli climbed to No. 4 in the ICC ODI rankings following his match-winning hundred against South Africa, while shifts were also seen in Test and T20I rankings for several Indian players.</p>

<p>Star Indian batter Virat Kohli on Wednesday moved up to No. 4 in the latest ICC rankings with a match-winning hundred against South Africa in the first ODI at Ranchi boosting his ascend.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Kohli made his 52nd hundred in the 50-over format, a 120-ball 135 that propelled India to a 17-run win over the Proteas on Sunday.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The 37-year-old now has 751 ranking points, and trails former India skipper Rohit Sharma (783), who retained his top spot, New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell (766) and Afghanistan's Ibrahim Zadran (764).&nbsp;</p>
<p>Kohli overtook India ODI captain Shubman Gill, who moved down to No. 5 after missing the ongoing three-match series against South Africa with a neck injury.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Shreyas Iyer, who is also recovering from an injury that he sustained during India's recent white ball tour to Australia, stood firm on 9th position.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Meanwhile, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav gained one place to move to sixth after picking up four wickets in the first match against the Proteas.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the Test batter's list, India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal continued to station at No. 9, while Gill slid one place down to 12.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Wicketkeeper batter Rishabh Pant was also on a downward spiral, moving down from 12th to 14th.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the rankings for Test bowlers, India's premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah remained on top of the pile with 879 points, well clear of New Zealand pacer Matt Henry (846).&nbsp;</p>
<p>However, modest outings in the two-match series against SA recently affected the rankings of pacer Mohammed Siraj (from 11th to 13th) and Kuldeep (from 13th to 15th). In the T20I list, Indians dominated the top slot with Abhishek Sharma and Varun Chakravarthy keeping their numero uno positions.&nbsp;</p>

India pacer Harshit Rana received an official reprimand and one demerit point from the ICC for an aggressive gesture after dismissing Dewald Brevis during the first ODI in Ranchi.

Harshit Rana Reprimanded by ICC for Aggressive Conduct in Ranchi ODI

Harshit Rana Penalized by ICC for ODI Conduct

<p>India pacer Harshit Rana received an official reprimand and one demerit point from the ICC for an aggressive gesture after dismissing Dewald Brevis during the first ODI in Ranchi.</p>

<p>India pace bowler Harshit Rana was on Wednesday reprimanded and handed out one demerit point by the ICC for his aggressive behaviour after dismissing South African batter Dewald Brevis during the first ODI in Ranchi.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"Rana was found guilty of breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct," said ICC in a statement.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The incident occurred in the 22nd over of South Africa's innings on Sunday, when the India pacer, after dismissing Brevis, gestured in the direction of the dressing room, which "could have provoked an aggressive response from the batter".&nbsp;</p>
<p>Rana was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to 'using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Rana's disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period," added ICC statement Rana returned figures of 3 for 65 in the match, which India won by 17 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.&nbsp;</p>
<p>A Level 1 breaches carries a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player's match fee, and one or two demerit points.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In the event of a player reaching four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they get converted into suspension points.</p>
<p>Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player. The demerit points remain on a player's record for 24 months from their imposition.</p>

The 2025 Ashes series between Australia and England promises high drama, historic rivalries, and key battles featuring stars like Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Steven Smith, and Mitchell Starc, across five Tests starting in Perth.

The Ashes: What to know about cricket's most storied rivalry

<p>The 2025 Ashes series between Australia and England promises high drama, historic rivalries, and key battles featuring stars like Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Steven Smith, and Mitchell Starc, across five Tests starting in Perth.</p>

<p>Few sporting contests carry the history, drama, and aura of the Ashes.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Born from a mock newspaper obituary in 1882 and symbolized by a tiny urn, the rivalry between Australia and England has shaped more than a century of Test cricket.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Ahead of one of the biggest contests on the cricket calendar, here's what to know about the upcoming five-match series.</p>
<h3><br><strong>The Origins</strong></h3>
<p>The Ashes is one of the oldest and most iconic rivalries in international sport, featuring Test cricket contests between Australia and England. Cricket tests between English and Australian teams started in 1877.</p>
<p>According to the Marylebone Cricket Club, the Lord's-based custodian of the laws of the game, the term &ldquo;Ashes&rdquo; was first used in August 1882 in a satirical obituary for English cricket printed in The Sporting Times after the representative team lost on home soil to Australia for the first time.</p>
<p>The obituary reported that the body of English cricket would be cremated and the Ashes taken to Australia.</p>
<p>English captain Ivo Bligh led a team to Australia later that year with a vow to reclaim &ldquo;the ashes.&rdquo;</p>
<p>A fan presented Bligh with a small terracotta urn as a symbol of the Ashes after an England victory &mdash; and that's how the Ashes and the urn became intrinsically connected.</p>
<p><img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/691c03853da10_1763443589.jpg" width="576" height="523"></p>
<p>Bligh met his future wife on that day. The couple moved to England and took the urn with them, keeping it in the family until after Bligh died, when it was bequeathed to the MCC.</p>
<p>The Ashes series has evolved into a regular event, held approximately every two years and alternating between the two countries.</p>
<h3><br><strong>Some Classic Moments</strong></h3>
<p><strong>1932&ndash;33 &ldquo;Bodyline&rdquo; Series:</strong> England used hostile &ldquo;fast leg theory&rdquo; bowling tactics to intimidate Australian batters, especially Don Bradman. England reclaimed the Ashes, but the rules were later modified to restrict similar tactics.</p>
<p><img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/691c04265d4fe_1763443750.png" width="575" height="320"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Shane Warne&rsquo;s &ldquo;Ball of the Century&rdquo; (1993): </strong>At Old Trafford, Warne&rsquo;s first Ashes delivery for Australia drifted and spun almost incomprehensibly to bowl Mike Gatting, announcing Warne as a generational star.</p>
<p><img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/691c04922a6e8_1763443858.png" width="570" height="317"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Ben Stokes&rsquo; Headingley Innings (2019):</strong> His unbeaten 135, mixing supreme composure with fearless hitting, dragged England to an improbable one-wicket victory and etched a new legend into Ashes folklore.</p>
<p><img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/691c057bbba75_1763444091.jpg" width="565" height="315"></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Jonny Bairstow Controversy (2023):</strong> England&rsquo;s Jonny Bairstow was controversially stumped at Lord's after wandering out of his crease, believing the ball to be out of play.</p>
<p><img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/691c0605be560_1763444229.jpg" width="567" height="316"></p>
<p>While entirely within the laws, the incident sparked fierce debate over the spirit of cricket, igniting a storm across the cricketing world.</p>
<h3><br><strong>Recent History</strong></h3>
<p>Australia has held the Ashes since 2017, retaining the urn with series wins at home and drawn series in England, including a 2-2 result in a highly charged tour two years ago.</p>
<p><img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/691c06e08fe61_1763444448.jpg" width="562" height="313"></p>
<p>England has not won an Ashes Test in Australia since 2011 &mdash; also the last time it won a series in Australia. That span includes a 5-0 loss in 2013-14, and 4-0 defeats in 2017-18 and 2021-22.</p>
<p>The 3-1 series loss to England in 2010-11 was Australia&rsquo;s only Ashes series loss at home since it reclaimed the urn in England in 1989.</p>
<h3><br><strong>England Players to Watch</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Joe Root: </strong>No. 1-ranked batter and second-highest scorer in Test cricket, but he has never scored an Ashes century in Australia. His average of 35.68 in 14 Tests here lags far behind his career mark of 51.29.</p>
<p><strong>Ben Stokes:</strong> England&rsquo;s talismanic captain and &ldquo;Bazball&rdquo; figurehead. Stokes can win matches almost single-handedly. Despite being Test cricket's leading six-hitter, he averages just 28.61 with the bat and 41 with the ball in Australia.</p>
<p><strong>Jofra Archer: </strong>Playing his first Ashes in Australia but already famous for his express pace, including the 2019 blows to Smith and Labuschagne. Injuries have stalled his career since his 22-wicket breakout series, and England will hope he stays fit.</p>
<h3><br><strong>Australia Players to Watch</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Steven Smith: </strong>Australia&rsquo;s premier batter for more than a decade and anchor of an unsettled lineup. With 10,447 runs, 36 centuries, and an average of 56.02, he sits just behind Bradman among Australia&rsquo;s Test greats. Smith has 12 Ashes hundreds, including a best of 239 at Perth.</p>
<p><strong>Mitchell Starc: </strong>The last fit member of Australia&rsquo;s first-choice pace trio, with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood sidelined due to injuries. Starc has 402 wickets in 100 Tests, placing him fourth on Australia&rsquo;s all-time list.</p>
<p><strong>Scott Boland: </strong>A cult hero since his remarkable 6-7 on debut at the MCG in 2021. His 62 wickets at 16.53 in 14 Tests would make him an automatic pick, though the 36-year-old has often been squeezed out behind Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood.</p>
<h3><br><strong>The Schedule</strong></h3>
<p>The five-Test series starts Friday in Perth, Western Australia.</p>
<p>Second Test: Day-nighter at the Gabba in Brisbane, starting Dec. 4.</p>
<p>Third Test: Adelaide Oval, Dec. 17&ndash;21.</p>
<p>Fourth Test: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Boxing Day Test, starting Dec. 26.</p>
<p>Fifth Test: Sydney, starting Jan. 4.</p>

Virat Kohli's much-anticipated return to the Ranji Trophy ended early with a dismissal for just six runs. Himanshu Sangwan claimed the prized wicket as Kohli's brief stay at the crease left Delhi trailing Railways.

Virat Kohli dismissed for six runs in Ranji Trophy return leaving fans disappointed

<p>Virat Kohli's much-anticipated return to the Ranji Trophy ended early with a dismissal for just six runs. Himanshu Sangwan claimed the prized wicket as Kohli's brief stay at the crease left Delhi trailing Railways.</p>

<p>Virat Kohli's return to the Ranji Trophy was cut short as he was dismissed for just six runs on Friday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Kohli's brief innings was ended by Himanshu Sangwan, who claimed the prized wicket after Kohli had faced only 15 deliveries.</p>
<p>Kohli displayed a brief moment of brilliance, playing a beautiful straight drive off Sangwan, but the very next delivery proved his downfall.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The ball, angled in on a fullish length just outside off, seamed in sharply as Kohli attempted another drive but missed, leaving a gap between his bat and pad. The ball clipped the off-stump, sending the bails flying.</p>
<p>The dismissal was a significant moment for Sangwan, whose wicket of Kohli seemed to deflate the stadium, as thousands of fans who had gathered to witness a Kohli masterclass were left disappointed. Following Kohli's exit, Delhi was at 87/3, still trailing Railways by 140 runs.</p>
<p>However, there may still be a chance for redemption. If Delhi gets a second innings, Kohli will have another opportunity to shine.&nbsp;</p>
<p>On Day 1 of the match, the stadium was buzzing with excitement as fans turned out in large numbers to support their cricketing icon, whose recent performances have been below expectations.</p>
<p>Over 15,000 fans attended the match, with additional gates opened and increased security. In a dramatic turn, a fan managed to breach security, rushing onto the field to meet Kohli.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The fan touched Kohli&rsquo;s feet before being escorted off by security personnel. Kohli, displaying his characteristic calm, requested security to handle the fan gently and avoid any harsh treatment.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Delhi's opening bowlers, Navdeep Saini and Siddhant Sharma, had put Railways in trouble at 21/3, showing promise for the remainder of the match.</p>