Match abandoned! A shame for the fans in Lahore, but the rain claims another fixture in this Champions Trophy. A point each means Australia are through to the semi-finals! They move to four points while Afghanistan, now on three, need to wait until tomorrow to see if they have snuck through.

The rain halts the game. Australia are 109/1 after 12.5 overs. 

They are winning as per the DLS at the moment. 

Current situation! #AUSvsAFG #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/0USIWpp8VY

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) February 28, 2025

The Aussies are going for a big win here and they are not letting the foot off the gas. 

They cross 100 in 12 overs. 

Head 55* and Smith 16*.

In just 34 balls, the opener completes his 17th ODI fifty and surely, he would love to take the game away from the Afghans. 

Australia 96/1. 

Head throws his hands at the ball and the edge goes flying past the keeper. 

He moves to 45 from 28 balls after hat-trick of fours against Azmat.

Farooqi has been poor here. He has bowled a half-volley, a short ball and given room Head all in one over. 

Head has hit him for boundaries in every occasion. 

Azmatullah Omarzai is now the highest wicket-taker of the Champions Trophy 2025. #AUSvAFG #ChampionsTrophy pic.twitter.com/EimoKi0tQA

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) February 28, 2025

Steve Smith comes to the crease and hits two back-to-back boundaries as they reach 50 in five overs. 

After another dropped catch, finally Afghanistan holds on to a catch. 

Gulbadin Naib takes a good catch running back at mid-on and Azmatullah Omarzai gets the big wicket of Short!

Australia 44/1

Massive point of the match. Rashid Khan at mid-on drops Travis Head on 6. 

Head tried to go over the circle against Fazalhaq Farooqi and could not get the connection. 

Solid, fast start for Australia with the bat. Travis Head and Matthew Short have given Australia the start they were looking for. 

Australia 30/0 after 3.

Noor got a top edge on that and given out.

swings and misses outside off, but steals a bye. Noor to face the final ball. He misses the pull, caught behind appeal, and another bye taken.

Australia takes the review to check whether there was any bat on it. 

Caught at deep cover and Azmatullah brilliant knock finally comes to an end. 

Fazalhaq Farooqi the last man in. 

Thundered down the ground by Azmatullah for a one-bounce four. Smashed to deep midwicket and Azmatullah prefers not to run again. 

Dot ball to start with as Azmatullah doesn’t want to take the single. 

A couple of dot balls to follow - a slower one and then a yorker from Ellis.

SIX! Slow and shortish outside off, and Azmatullah throws his hands at it and clears wide long-off for another maximum.

A single to end the over and Azmatullah will keep strike. 

Ellis bowls out. Noor takes a single first ball. SIX! Azmatullah takes this from outside off-stump and launches the ball over deep midwicket for a colossal six. 

Fifty up for Azmatullah, off just 54 balls, and this has been an excellent knock so far. 

A wide and a single to end the over, and six runs from the 48th. 

AFG 254/8 after 48 overs.

Dwarshuis starts off with a wide outside off-stump. 250 up for Afghanistan with a single off the second ball of the over. 

Single first ball for Noor. SIX! Shot! An incredible hit down the ground by Azmatullah. 

It was a length ball on middle stump and thumped for a straight six. That was 103 metres! Launched over extra cover next ball by Azmatullah, and the ball falls safely in the deep for a couple more.

A couple of slower deliveries in a row and Azmatullah can’t put them away, resulting in two crucial dot balls. A single at deep midwicket for Azmatullah to end the over. 

Noor Ahmad is the next man in. 

Carved behind point by Rashid to the boundary first ball as Dwarshuis continues. And Rashid is gone next ball. 

Short again, Rashid looked to heave this down the ground but he gets a top edge on it and Maxwell settles under this skier at long-on. 

Pulled away to deep midwicket by Azmatullah and brilliant stop in the deep by Maxwell to keep it down to a couple.

Short, Rashid steps out to flat-bat this on the off-side but the ball runs away to the third-man boundary off the toe end of the bat. 

A couple of dot balls to start the over. 

Four runs off the first three balls. Misfield at point and a couple more for Rashid off the fourth ball of the over.

He looks to guide this angled delivery to third man with soft hands, but misses. 

Beaten outside off again off the last ball. 

AFG 223/7 after 44 overs.

A couple of twos for Rashid, who first steps out to clear the infield on the off-side and then sweeps one to deep square-leg.

Twelve runs from the over and Afghanistan won’t mind that. 

Massive maximum for Azmatullah. He backs away outside leg-stump and slog sweeps this over midwicket for half a dozen. 

Ellis continues. Excellent stuff from Ellis, as just four singles come from the over. 

Zampa comes back. 200 up for Afghanistan in 40.3 overs as Azmatullah takes a single.

Rashid off the mark with a single through square-leg as he flicks the ball off the back foot. 

AFG 201/7 after 41 overs.

Gulbadin is gone.

He was looking to clear the leg-side boundary, but ended up skying this very high in the air and Inglis does well to settle under it. 

AFG 199/7 after 40 overs.

Short ball, pulled by Naib, and Short throws himself at midwicket to hold on to what would have been a stunning catch, but the ball just slips out of his grip.

Azmatullah slashes hard outside off as Johnson angles the ball away, and the batter gets a thick outside edge to deep third for a single. 

Over the wicket to Naib. FOUR! Short, good bouncer, but Naib gets a top edge on the pull and the ball runs away to the boundary behind the keeper.

That seems to have gone off the helmet, so given four leg-byes. 

Ellis with the ball. Loud appeal for caught behind but the umpire doesn’t move.

Smith reviews and there is daylight between bat and ball as Azmatullah can’t connect.

Guided behind point by Azmatullah for a couple to end the over. 

AFG 190/6 after 38 overs.

That was a short ball down leg-side, which the keeper couldn’t collect cleanly. He throws the ball at the stumps, however, and Johnson shows good presence of mind to back up and break the stumps. 

Johnson again. Full outside off and driven through extra-cover by Azmatullah for a couple. OUT! Nabi is caught outside his crease the striker’s end and that’s an unfortunate dismissal. 

Zampa is back. A lot of width outside off and cut away for a single by Azmatullah to deep cover. OUT! Hashmatullah is gone. 

Short into his seventh over. SIX! Azmatullah decides to get a move on.

He goes for the slog-sweep and clears midwicket with ease.

Just three singles and leg-bye from the over. Hashmatullah drags his score to 19 off 46 balls by the end of the over. 

AFG 166/4 after 34 overs.

Azmatullah Omarzai is the next man in. He is off the mark with a single at deep fine. 

AFG 161/4 after 32 overs.

Johnson comes back replacing Zampa. The bowling change makes the difference as he takes Atal's wicket.

Driven straight to the cover fielder by Atal, and Smith holds on to a low catch. 

Just three runs from the over.

Pressure building on Hashmat, while Atal nears a brilliant ton. 

AFG 159/3 after 31 overs.

Hashmat is sent back from halfway down the pitch by Atal after the captain chops the ball to mid-off.

There is some disagreement between the batters but the captain survives. A couple at deep cover for Hashmat to end the over. 

AFG 156/3 after 30 overs.

Hammered over long-on by Atal for a maximum as Zampa continues.

That’s 150 up in 29.1 overs.

Ellis is convinced it is gone, but not given by the umpire and Smith won’t review either.

A single to end the over as Atal keeps strike. 

AFG 145/3 after 29 overs.

Ellis comes around the wicket. Banged in short and swatted away by Hashmatullah to deep point for a single. 

A bit of width and driven square of the wicket by Atal for a boundary. 

That’s 50 runs for the partnership off 64 balls. 

Two dots in a row for Hashmatullah and the pressure is building on the skipper now. 11 runs off 33 balls for him. 

A single for Hashmatulla at cover, where Short misfields but doesn’t allow a second. 

Zampa is greeted back into the attack with a maximum by Atal.

He steps out, doesn’t really middle it but the ball still just sails over the boundary at long-off. 

Keeps hitting the deck hard, and just two singles from the over. 

AFG 131/3 after 27 overs.

Just three singles from the over. 

AFG 129/3 after 26 overs.

Atal continues to find boundaries. Pulls the ball straight to midwicket for four. 

10 runs came in that over. 

AFG 126/3 after 25 overs.

Atal comes down the track and goes over long on. That’s fifty for him as well.

Shahidi too comes down the track and gets an inside edge past keeper for a lucky four. 

AFG 113/3 after 23 overs.

Just a single came in that over. 

AFG 94/3 after 20 overs.

Six runs off the over. 

AFG 93/3 after 19 overs.

Maxwell comes into the attack and takes Rahmat's wicket.

Outside edge straight to keeper. Sharp catch. 

A full toss by Zampa and Atal hits it over mid off for four. 

Atal has been working the ball around the ground but the boundaries have dried up.

An interesting phase of play this after the introduction of spinners. 

Spinners have once again controlled the scoring rate ever since they have come into the attack. Four runs in the last 12 balls. 

AFG 75/2 after 16 overs.

AFG 71/2 after 15 overs.

Rahmat Shah is off the mark with a single. 

AFG 71/2 after 14 overs.

Adam Zampa takes Zadran's wicket.

Wide ball outside off, Zadran chases it but cuts it straight to backward point. He falls for 22. 

Maxwell is getting the ball turn. Seven runs have come in the last 12 balls. 

AFG 70/1 after 13 overs.

Just five runs from the over 

Afghanistan’s scoring rate has been pretty good and the singles are coming regularly as well. 

AFG 63/1 after 11 overs.

On the pads and Atal tucks it away towards fine leg for four.

AFG 54/1 after first powerplay of the game.

Change in bowling, Nathan Ellis into the attack. Starts with a down the leg wide. Lose delivery, half-tracker outside off and Zadran punishes it towards cover for four. 

Seven runs came in that over. 

Atal continues to look for boundaries. Four! On the pads and Atal tickles it away fine. 

Now Atal drives past point and gets two runs more. 

Eight runs from the over.

Now Zadran gets his first boundary as he drives towards cover point, opening the face of the bat. 

Another push to the cover region and Atal gets three more runs. 

Nine runs from the over. 

AFG 33/1 after 7 overs.

Atal connects the ball well and drives the ball through the cover for four! A very good looking shot. 

Atal has been trying really hard to counter-attack but the swing has made it difficult for him to score.

He gets an outside edge but falls just short of the first slip! 

AFG 24/1 after 6 overs.

It has been a bit tough for the batters but the extras have helped the Afghans get some runs on the board. 

Despite plays and misses, they are now 23/1 after 5 overs. 

Unpredictable from Spencer Johnson. 

In his second over, he first nipped one back in which missed the stumps by inches and went for four byes. 

Then, he sent one down the leg side for another four byes. The next ball he was right on the money and missed the edge of Sediq narrowly. 

Afghanistan 18/1 after 3. 

Spencer Johnson with an inswinging yorker gets Rahmanullah Gurbaz on duck. 

It was a bit like Mitchell Starc and he was able to go under the bat of Gurbaz. 

The ball had hit Gurbaz's toe and went on to hit the stumps.

Afghanistan 3/1

Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson. 

Matthew Short, Travis Head, Steven Smith (c), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson. 

Both captains are in the middle - Hashmatullah Shahidi and Steve Smith. 

Afghanistan wins the toss and elects to bat.

Afghanistan Recent Matches Overview

1. February 26, 2025 – 8th Match, Group B vs England: Afghanistan won by 8 runs
2. February 21, 2025 – 3rd Match, Group B vs South Africa: South Africa won by 107 runs
3. December 21, 2024 – 3rd ODI vs Zimbabwe: Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining)
4. December 19, 2024 – 2nd ODI vs Zimbabwe: Afghanistan won by 232 runs
5. December 17, 2024 – 1st ODI vs Zimbabwe: No result

Afghanistan has won 3 of its last 5 matches, including a crucial victory against England. 

Australia Recent Matches Overview

1. February 25, 2025 – 7th Match, Group B vs South Africa: Match abandoned without a ball bowled
2. February 22, 2025 – 4th Match, Group B vs England: Australia won by 5 wickets (with 15 balls remaining)
3. February 14, 2025 – 2nd ODI vs Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka won by 174 runs
4. February 12, 2025 – 1st ODI vs Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka won by 49 runs
5. November 10, 2024 – 3rd ODI vs Pakistan: Pakistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining)

Australia has won only 1 of its last 5 matches, with losses to Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Afghanistan have never beaten Australia in ODI format. In the four matches they have played against each other in the format, Australia have won all of them. 

Fans from India can watch the Afghanistan vs Australia match LIVE on Star Sports TV Channel and also on Jio Hotstar Channel with a paid subscription. 

Match: Afghanistan vs Australia

Tournament: ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Group B

Date: 28 February 2025

Time: 2.30 pm IST

Venue: Lahore

Australia were the better team throughout the series except for the Perth Test. Indian batters struggled to win the early battle and as a whole team failed to win the minor battles in crunch situations. Be it letting Lyon and Boland play nearly 100 balls for 11th wicket in MCG or those rash shots from middle order batters throughout the series, Indian team failed in important times.

Rohit Sharma as a leader failed as well, both with the bat and with game plan as well. Meantime, Pat Cummins was just on point every time and with the backing of bowlers like Starc, and Boland, had had the options to play around.

Jasprit Bumrah was the lone hero and needed support from another end, which he did not get most of the times. India, did try to fight back many times, but Australia deserved to reach the World Test Championship Final. They will face South Africa in the final on June 11 at Lord's. 

Heartbreak for Team India as they suffer back-to-back Test series losses for the first time in 10 years 🇮🇳🥲

A tough phase, but every setback is a setup for a stronger comeback! 💪#TeamIndia #TestCricket #Cricket #rohitsharma #rohitsharma #GautamGambhir #jaspritbumrah #BGT2024 pic.twitter.com/ETdlTBLzP0

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) January 5, 2025

Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir opens up about the future of senior players in Test cricket 🇮🇳🗣️.#IndianCricket #GautamGambhir #TestCricket #TeamIndia #BGT2024 #RohitSharma𓃵 pic.twitter.com/fDxhb6w0HQ

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) January 5, 2025

32 wickets in the series at an outstanding average of 13.06 and a wicket in every 28.37 ball, Jasprit Bumrah rightfully won the Player of the Series Award. 

He has now became the first Asian player to win the Player of the Series award in Tests across three different SENA countries. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Scott Boland, who claimed his first-ever 10-wicket haul in test matches, was awarded the Player of the Match award. He took 31/4 and 45/6 in the test match.

India could only add 15 runs to their overnight total. Pat Cummins removed Washington Sundar's (12) stumps while Siraj (4) and Bumrah (0) were cleaned up in two balls gap. Scott Boland returned with 45/6. 

Though Jasprit Bumrah came out to bat, he did not come out to bowl with a back injury and with the ICC Champions Trophy coming in a few months time, this was probably the correct decision. 

With only 162 needed to win and reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Sam Konstas gave Australia a flying start. Konstas went back to dressing room after a quick 22 from17 balls. Australia till then had already added 39 runs in 3.5 overs.

Prasidh Krishna then followed up with two quick wickets. He first removed Marnus Labuschagne on 6 from 20 balls. A short of a length and Labuschagne could not ride on the bounce as he tried to play it towards the point. Jaiswal took a sharp catch to remove him.

Smith then on 9999 test runs, faced a vicious short ball from Krishna. Around off-stump and at the chest area, Smith could not control the ball and got and edge. Jaiswal took a diving catch at gully to make things interesting. Australia 58/3 and things were getting interesting. 

But, the 46 runs partnership between Travis Head and Usman Khawaja threw India out of the contest. Khawaja, on 41 from 45 balls, tried to pull a short of a length ball from Siraj. But, he could only manage an inside edge straight to Pant. They still needed 58 runs to win.

Post that, it was all about the debutant Beau Webster and Travis Head. Both played at nearly a run-a-ball strike rate and Indian bowlers could not find a solution to get him out. Stand-in captain Virat Kohli kept on bowling Siraj and Krishna but eventually it was an easy win for the Aussies.

They won the test match by 6 wickets and reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after 10 years. 

Day 3 of the test match starts and this can be the final day of the test match as well 

Another great day of test cricket comes to an end. India produced another fight with the ball. Though the openers tried their best, Scott Boland's four wickets helped Australia come back in the match.

Rishabh Pant tried his best with a 33-ball from 61 runs and India now lead by 145 runs. Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja are at the crease for India now. 

Round the wicket from Beau Webster. He hits the right area and produces the edge from Jadeja. The catch was going straight to Usman at first slip. But. Steve Smth from the second slip dived to his right to take the catch and missed it. 

Jadeja gets a life. Can he take advantage of that?

India 138/6. 

No strike rotation, no boundaries and we knew a shot would come. From nowhere, Nitish Kumar Reddy (4) looked to go over mid-off and only managed to get the toe of the bat. Cummins at mid-off takes a good catch. 

India are 129/6 and lead by 133 runs. 

• 28 Rishabh Pant vs SL Bengaluru 2022
• 29 Rishabh Pant vs Aus Sydney 2025 *
• 30 Kapil Dev vs Pak Karachi 1982
• 31 Shardul Thakur vs Eng The Oval 2021
• 31 Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Ban Kanpur 2024

The Aussie captain brought him into action and got the big fish.

Short, outside off stump and it was leaving Pant. Pant went for a big cut shot and the bounce got the better of him. Carey with the catch and Pant goes after 61 from 31 balls. He gave the injection the Indian team were looking for.

India 124/5, lead by 128. 

Rishabh Pant nearly broke his own record of fastest fifty in test cricket by an Indian. He gets this in 29 balls and the previous record was 28 balls. 

He smashed Boland and Beau Webster for fun from the first ball and now took the game against Mitchell Starc. Two huge sixes over mid-wicket and he was everyone on their feet. Do not know who had stopped him from not playing his natural game. 

India 124/4.

It was quite evident with the amount of help seamers were getting, that the Indian top order would struggle against the Aussie pacers. However, Rahul and Jaiswal gave India a good start with a 42-run opening partnership. Rahul, batting on 13, wanted to play the inswinger from Boland towards mid-wicket. But, he could not touch the ball. 

Five runs later, Boland cleaned up Jaiswal's stumps with a peach of a delivery. From round the wicket, the ball pitched on the middle and off-stump and left Jaiswal just enough to clip his pad and then hit the off-stump. There is nothing Jaiswal could have done with that. He went after a good-looking 22 from 35 balls.

Post Jaiswal's wicket, Virat Kohli came in running and looked positive from the first ball. An aggressive pull shot went for four and looked better defending the ball as well. But, it was Boland again who had the better of him. Around the off-stump, and Kohli (6) pushed at it again. Smith took a good catch to dismiss him as well. Kohli was livid with himself. 

Pant then came down the crease and hit Boland for a six, over long-on to clear his intentions. The southpaw batter did not hold himself up and wanted to disturb Boland's length. But, it was the slow medium pace of Beau Webster that enticed Shubman Gill to do a Pant. However, he only managed to get an inside edge and Carey took a brilliant catch to remove him.  

India struggling at 78/4 and lead by 82. 

Bumrah left the stadium in his training kit and probably went for a scan. He had bowled more than he thought he would have to throughout the series. And, if he has pulled up something, India will struggle in the second inning. 

Jasprit Bumrah has left the SCG: https://t.co/0nmjl6Qp2a pic.twitter.com/oQaygWRMyc

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 4, 2025

India were at best from the word go on Day 2. Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian captain started the fight for India as he nicked behind Marnus Labuschagne. Marnus was squared up and the snicko said he had touched the ball. DRS worked for India and Australia were 15/2.

Full and on the money. A perfect enticing outswinger from Mohammed Siraj and he had Sam Konstas caught out at gully. Jaiswal held on to the catch and Australia lost their third for 35.

Siraj was on a roll as he dismissed Travis Head early in his inning. Siraj cramped Head up with an inswinger and just wanted to on the on side of the ball. However, he just managed to produce a nick and Rahul took a good catch at second slip. Australia 39/4. 

Prasidh Krishna then joined the party as he broke the partnership between Steven Smith and Beau Webster. Around off-stump and a bit fuller from Krishna and the ball just moved enough to get the edge as Smith wanted to drive the ball. Rahul with another catch at second slip. Australia 96/5.

Krishna then cleared Alex Carey's stumps post lunch with an inswinger and the gap between Carey's bat and ball helped Krishna to use that inswinger well. Second wicket for him. Australia lost their sixth for 137.

The debutant Beau Webster then completed his fifty and he kept on fighting a lone battle for the home side. A fifty of 92 balls for the youngster. But soon, he lost his other partner Pat Cummins. This time it was Nitish Kumar Reddy who pitched a bit short around off-stump and Cummins just pushed at it to get the edge. Australia 162/7. 

Reddy struck again in his next over. A short ball from around the wicket and Starc threw his hands at the ball. A good diving catch from KL Rahul and it is at this time it looked like India will get the lead. 

Krishna then got the better of the debutant. A bit shorter in length and Beau Webster did not expect the ball to bounce that much. He only managed to produce the nick for Jaiswal to latch on at gully. 

Boland again added 9 runs batting at No. 11, while Australia added 15 for the last wicket. Siraj created an angle from over the wicket and Boland could not judge the inswinger. It went straight through him and India earned a lead of 4 runs. 

Siraj returned with 4 wickets for 51/3 while Krishna took three for 42. Burmah and Reddy took two wickets each for India. 

Here we go! Day 2 starts! 

Sam Konstas, playing only his second match, wanted to slow down the game from the bowler's end as India wanted to have an extra over at the end of the day. Konstas' behaviour made angry someone like Jasprit Bumrah, who is mostly cool with his actions. 

Bumrah returned the treatment with a wicket in the last ball of Day 1.

Round the wicket, Bumrah pitched the ball a bit up and made Usman Khawaja play the ball. The ball took the outside edge and KL Rahul took a low catch to give the momentum India needed at the end of the day. 

Australia 9/1. Konstats 7* (8), Khawaja 2 (10).

Rishabh Pant's dismissal made sure India will have another collapse in the middle. Pant, who was looking good on 40, went for a big pull shot against Boland but only managed to get a top edge. Cummins did the rest to grab the catch. India at that time were 120/5. 

Boland got rid of Nitish Kumar Reddy, the centurion from the last match in the next ball. On and around the off-stump, from a length the ball bounced a bit high and Nitish tried to follow the the ball and got the edge. India 120/6 and in trouble.

A few overs later, Ravindra Jadeja (26) also fell prey to an inswinger from Mitchell Starc. It was full and coming in and Jadeja wanted to play around his front pad. He had his head falling already and could not manage to get a touch to the ball. Jadeja went for the review but the ball was hitting the middle of the middle stump. India were 134/7 after that.

After that, a terrific DRS from Pat Cummins off his own bowling dismissed Washington Sundar on 14. A short ball from the Australian captain and Sundar wanted to hook the ball and got a faint edge while doing that. On-filed decision was not out but Australia went upstairs and got the wicket.

Bumrah then added a valuable 22 from 17 balls to take India to something honourable. For the last two wickets, India added 37 runs, which helped India to get to 185. Prasidh Krishna and Siraj added 3 each. 

For Australia, Boland was the pick of the bowlers, returning with 31/4. Starc took three wickets for 49.

Wait, what? 

Steve Smith, who is just three short of Ricky Ponting's record for most catches as a non-wicket-keeper, drops a straight one. 

Boland, round the wicket, bowled a bit fuller and Jadeja wanted to play towards the midwicket and got a thick edge. But, Smith could not judge the ball and missed it completely. 

Jadeja gets a life. 

India 76/4. 

Scott Boland gets the big fish. Pant had denied a single in the last ball and Kohli now poked one to the third slip. 

After showing a lot of discipline, Kohli now goes for the ball and gets a big edge. The debutant Webster moved to his left sharply to take a good catch. Kohli is back in the dressing room after a defensive 17 from 69 balls.

India 72/4. Can Pant and Jadeja rescue India?

Virat Kohli's stance in MCG vs SCG

Notes: In MCG, Kohli had an extensive open stance. The front foot is nearly the fifth stump down the leg side. That stance did not allow him to cover the off-stump, going across the stump.

1/2 pic.twitter.com/NKLDcmQ2eG

— Koushik Biswas (@kbofficial25) January 3, 2025

India started the inining just like the most of the test matches, losing the openers early.

KL Rahul was dimissed on 4 off 14 balls while trying to flick a half-volley. A soft dismissal and Sam Konstas with the catch. Mitchell Starc struck early. 

Post Rahul's dismissal, Yashasvi Jaiswal recieveda peach of a delivery from Scott Boland. Just around the off-stump, leaving him, and he edged that to the debutant Beau Webster. Jaiswal went for 10 from 26 balls. 

Virat Kohli was nearly gone on duck. But, Steve Smith despite making a great effort, could not hold on to the catch in slips. Post that, Kohli showed discipline, leaving the ball and playing odd shots against half-volleys. Shubman Gill on the other end also looked solid, except for one time when he nicked an inswinger from Pat Cummins. 

But, against the run-of-play, he tried to come out against Nathan Lyon and only managed to nick the ball to first slip at the stroke of lunch. Gill went after another good looking 20 from 64 balls. India 57/3 at lunch. 

India win the toss and decided to bat first.

In a shocking report, Sportz Point got to know that, Rishabh Pant might have to leave his place to young Dhurv Jurel who played in the first test at Perth, which India won. 

Gautam Gambhir and management were not happy with the way Pant got dismissed in the last two test matches, especially in the MCG test and he might lose his place despite being one of the best batters for India in the last two seasons. 

Shubman Gill will come back to the team. Gill was the first batter to enter the nets while Jurel was the last one to leave. 

Mitchell Marsh, who has not got going with bat and ball, will be replaced by Tasmanian Beau Webster. 

From many reports, we can hear that Indian captain Rohit Sharma has "opted out" from the Sydney test match and Jasprit Bumrah will lead the team. 

However, India's head coach Gautam Gambhir, who attended the press conference today, said that India will decide their playing XI after watching the pitch.

As is a tradition at the SCG, the away changeroom features the original calico rolls from the SCG scoreboard that stood at the back of the hill from 1924 to 1984.

Bedi and Yadav are the two names on display in the Indian dressing room for the New Year’s Test 🏏 pic.twitter.com/HucIujDcpn

— Sydney Cricket Ground (@scg) January 2, 2025

#PinkTest... officially launched 💗

It's the 17th Pink Test at the SCG, and it's made even more special this year with the news that the @McGrathFdn is taking their care to all cancers.

Buy a Virtual Pink Seat today: https://t.co/lly8d1fSOp pic.twitter.com/rSrfhEfGhy

— Sydney Cricket Ground (@scg) January 1, 2025

India have only won a lone test match at Sydney Cricket Ground. Bishan Singh Bedi was the captain of the India team as India managed a victory by an innings and 2 runs in 1978. 

Erapalli Prasanna took eight wickets in that match for India.

The Sydney Cricket Ground, which now hosts Cricket and Rugby. was established in 1851. One of the most iconic stadiums in cricketing history, SCG is known for its history and atmosphere. The ground now has a capacity of 48,000 people. 

Every year, this ground hosts the Pink-Test to create awareness about Brest Cancer, supported by the McGrath foundation. 

Fans from India can watch the match LIVE on Sony Sports Network Channel. Moreover, they can also stream the match LIVE on Disney+Hotstar with a paid subscription. 

Match: Australia vs India, 5th Test, India tour of Australia 2024-24

Date: 3rd January 2025- 7th January 2025

Time: 10.30 start, Lunch 12.30-13.10, Tea 15.10-15.30, Close 17.30 (Local time)

Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia