Indian ODI vice-captain Shubman Gill took one of the unforgettable catches in the Cuttack ODI to take a crucial wicket of the set batter Harry Brook.

After the English captain Jos Buttler chose to bat first in the Cuttack ODI, openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett provided a strong start with an 81-run partnership for the first wicket. While Salt scored 26 runs, Duckett scored 65 off 56 balls after hitting ten fours. 

Joe Root and Harry Brook handled the post-powerplay situation very well as they had a crucial 66-run partnership off 85 balls for the third wicket. While Root was in full control of time progress, Brook was trying hard to find his form by putting his disappointing performances this tour behind him.

With the help of three fours and one six, Brook scored 31 off 51 balls before he was dismissed. The right-arm fast bowler Harshit Rana just returned to a new spell in his previous over, and the skipper Rohit Sharma’s plan proved successful in Rana’s next over. 

It was an off-cutter from Rana, which he set up for Brook. The English batter fell into that as his mistiming shot created a chance. It was a very tough chance for Shubman Gill as he was running back to grab that. Gill never lost his sight as he always kept his eye on the flying ball from mid-off and successfully grabbed that brilliant catch. 

#HarshitRana dismisses #HarryBrook with a brilliant catch by #ShubmanGill, giving India its 3rd wicket of this match! 👏🏻

📺 Start watching FREE on Disney+ Hotstar ➡https://t.co/1Z9DlYa3MT#INDvENGOnJioStar 2nd ODI 👉 LIVE NOW on Disney+ Hotstar & Sports 18 pic.twitter.com/4fa5IDqI2k

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) February 9, 2025

Fearless India secured the home T20I series before the last game of the T20I series, as they beat England in the Pune T20I on Friday night and have taken a 3-1 lead in the five-match series.

After England captain Jos Buttler chose to field first at Pune, India scored 181/9 in 20 overs. In reply, England were all out for 166 runs in 19.4 overs, as India won the match by 15 runs.

Saqib Mahmood brought early blows

England got a great start as Saqib Mahmood was playing his first game and took three wickets in his first over as India were down to 12/3. After scoring 12 runs in the first over of Jofra Archer, Sanju Samson (1) and Tilak Varma (0) were dismissed in the first two deliveries of the second over of the innings, and skipper Suryakumar Yadav (0) lost his wicket on the last ball of the over as Mahmood finished the over with a maiden and three wickets. 

In the tough moment, opener Abhishek Sharma and middle-order batter Rinku Singh handled the situation strongly. However, both lost their wickets at crucial moments, as Sharma scored 29 and Singh scored 30 runs. 

While India were struggling at 79/5, Shivam Dube made a great comeback in the T20I side and Hardik Pandya set up a strong partnership. They had an 87-run partnership for the sixth wicket, the largest ever T20I partnership for the fifth or lower wickets against England. 

See Also: Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya set a record-breaking T20I partnership against England

Hardik and Dube scored 50s

After a cautious start, Hardik completed his fifty in 27 balls. The right-handed batter scored 53 off 30 balls with the help of four fours and four sixes before Jamie Overton dismissed him. Meanwhile, Dube took 31 balls to complete his half-century. Before he was run out on the final ball of the innings, the left-handed batter scored 53 off 35 balls with the help of seven fours and two sixes. While Dube got a hit on his helmet in the final over of the innings, India used a concussion substitute as Harshit Rana replaced the all-rounder, which has triggered a new controversy. It was Rana's T20I debut, which happened in a dramatic way.

Among the English bowlers, Saqib Mahmood took three wickets (3/35) and Jamie Overton bagged two wickets (2/32).

England were 62/1

In chasing, England got a great start as Phil Salt and Ben Duckett dominated the Indian bowlers. Indian bowlers seemed clueless to restrict Duckett, but on the final ball of the powerplay, Ravi Bishnoi dismissed the left-handed batter for 39 off 19 balls (seven fours and one six), as England scored 62/1. 

Opener Salt (23) and captain Jos Buttler (2) were dismissed quickly as Axar Patel and Bishnoi took the wickets, respectively, and the visitors were battling at 67/3.

Harry Brook's 50 went in vain

England were losing the wickets at regular intervals, while Harry Brook finally found his form despite not getting enough support from the other end. 

Firing Brook (51 off 26 balls; five fours and two sixes) completed his half-century in 25 balls but he threw his wicket on the next ball as Varun Chakravarthy once again won the battle against him.

In the last moment, Jamie Overton battled hard with his big shots. But his questionable no single theory, which was instructed by Adil Rashid, ended England’s last hope. 

Among the Indian bowlers, Ravi Bishnoi (3/28) and concussion-sub Harshit Rana (3/33) bagged three wickets each, and Varun Chakravarthy (2/28) got two wickets. 

While Mumbai will host the last game of the T20I series on Sunday (February 2), India have already secured the T20I series with a lead of 3-1.

During the Chennai T20I, Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy once again provided control for the hosts against England. While Harry Brook was once again foxed by Chakravarthy, former Indian cricketers and present commentators, Ravi Shastri and Sunil Gavaskar, teased him by mentioning the smog-free Chennai T20I.

Harry Brook blamed smog for their Kolkata T20I batting failure

Eden Gardens in Kolkata hosted the five-match T20I series opener between the hosts India and the visitors England last Wednesday night. After India sent the visitors to bat first, England scored 132 all out in 20 overs, and India chased down the target in 12.5 overs after losing three wickets. Apart from the English skipper Jos Buttler (68), none of the other English batters managed to reach the 20-run mark in that innings.

Talking about their poor batting performances, especially against the Indian spinners, Harry Brook blamed the smog condition in Kolkata.

See Also: Jos Buttler becomes 1st English batter to hit 150 T20I sixes

Brook once again fell early in Chennai T20I

Meanwhile, MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk, Chennai) is hosting the second game of the T20I series on Saturday. Although the vision is clearer in Chennai than in Kolkata, England batters once again disappointed despite their skipper Jos Buttler once again providing a powerful start. 

It was the seventh over of the first innings of the Chennai T20I when the Kolkata T20I hero Varun Chakravarthy bowled Harry Brook for 13 runs. Brook seemed clueless in that dismissal while the Indian commentators started teasing his dismissal by mentioning the smog. 

Ravi Shastri - you don't need the smog tonight. It sneaked through. 😂

Sunil Gavaskar - Chakravarthy might be asking if there's any smog? pic.twitter.com/MDWpwaNGks

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 25, 2025

Former Indian cricketer and head coach, Ravi Shastri said, “That’s through it. Once again, it’s Varun Chakravarthy. You don’t need the smog. This is sneaked through, and it's crushed into the stumps.”

Meanwhile, the legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar added, “You said it, you said it. The light is clearer here, and there were some smog in Eden Gardens, Kolkata, no smog here.”

England Blame Indian Smog for Spin Troubles

Harry Brook(Vice captian), said his team had trouble because of how smoky the air was when they played cricket against India in Kolkata. They were trying to strike the ball , but they only got 132 runs and they lost all wickets. Brook got out because he couldn't see the ball moves that India's spin bowlers, such as Varun Chakravarthy, were doing.

These Spin tricks were very important because they made England's players sent back to the pavilion. After the game, he said, I didn't play against Bishnoi, but it's literally hard or difficult to know what Chakravarthy is going to do with the ball. The spinning of the ball were  excellent and made it tough for England.

ALSO READ: literallyMs Dhoni using mobile during his practice session sparks curiosity 

Harry Brook said, "it was harder to pick the ball due to the smog in Kolkata. Hopefully, the air is a bit clearer in Chennai and we can see the ball a bit easier". (Telegraph). pic.twitter.com/7IozT0UcAJ

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 24, 2025

It was as though the smoky air was there, but directed inward, yet externally applied which means it felt like it got all inside England's heads, but it was actually the air all around them, making things hard. Since they lost, England's coaches said, we need to change our plan of action, and are making the team a bit different ahead of the next game in Chennai, where they try to move the ball using sticks in Chennai.

They're bringing in Brydon Carse to help them understand the other team out. England's team is trying very hard to win the next match . Now, they have to get used to the manner the ball spins a lot in India and we know  that chennai is famous about spin pitches. And finally Englang is Preparing hard to win the match in Chennai.

The ICC Champions Trophy makes a comeback after a long haul of eight years, with the defending champions, Pakistan, being the tournament's hosts. In addition, the UAE will act as the second host country, specifically for India matches.

Fanatics are already talking about which players may light up the event. Several cricketers are primed to become the edition's defining characters, from rising talents to seasoned veterans. That being said, here are the top three players to watch out for in the forthcoming Champions Trophy edition that may impact their respective arsenals. 

Future Cricket Stars: The Next Fab Four Revealed by Former England Captain

Former England Players , named Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton, think that Yashasvi Jaiswal from India is very good at cricket. They both picked him and Harry Brook from England to be part of the new 'Fab Four.' The 'Fab Four' is a name that was first used by someone named Martin Crowe in 2013. Mister Crowe used it to note the four amazing cricket players: Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson.

They were the best in all kinds of cricket games. But now, cricket is changing, and Hussain and Atherton chose different players they believe will be the new stars. Hussain and Atherton made sure it was safe by each putting a helmet on each head when they chose Jaiswal to be in charge of the game later. Hussain thinks Saim Ayub from Pakistan might be a very good hitter at the beginning of the game. He picked him because he believes Saim can play well in any kind of cricket match, whether it's a quick match or a long match. Even though Saim was injured and people weren't sure if he could play in the important trophy game, Hussain is still sure he can do well.

Nasser Hussain picks Saim Ayub, Harry Brook, Travis Head, and Yashasvi Jaiswal as the next 'Fab Four' of cricket 🌟 pic.twitter.com/q06Cf2SKTO

— CricWick (@CricWick) January 17, 2025

Nasser Hussain's Fab Four:

      1.Yashasvi Jaiswal (India)

      2.Harry Brook (England)

      3.Travis Head (Australia)

      4.Saim Ayub (Pakistan)

ALSO READ: Ashwin lauds Gill's vice-captaincy appointment ahead of CT 2025

Michael Atherton's Fab Four:

     1.Yashasvi Jaiswal (India)

     2.Harry Brook (England)

     3.Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka)

     4.Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand)

Atherton, on the other hand, leaned towards consistency and versatility, selecting Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis and New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra. Ravindra, in particular, stood out after leading New Zealand to an improbable Test series win in India in late 2024 and amassing 1,079 runs in the calendar year. The six players identified by Hussain and Atherton delivered exceptional performances in 2024, finishing among the top run scorers across formats.The selections by Hussain and Atherton offer an exciting glimpse into cricket's future, highlighting the next generation of global stars. Whether it be Jaiswal's consistency, Brook's explosive batting, or the emerging talents of Ayub, Mendis, Head, and Ravindra, the future of cricket looks promising with these young players at the forefront.

Former Australian captain and Indian head coach Greg Chappell recently praised an in-form English cricketer and compared him with the legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.

He might even have outpaced the Indian maestro: Greg Chappell

Recently, the legendary Australian all-rounder Greg Chappell wrote a column for the Sydney Morning Herald, where he highly praised the 25-year-old English cricketer Harry Brook. Comparing him with the legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, with whom Chappell worked as a head coach of the Indian national cricket team, the former Aussie cricketer felt that Brook might have outpaced Tendulkar at a similar stage.

Chappell claimed, “Harry Brook, a batting sensation whose performances and approach I compare to the great Sachin Tendulkar. Remarkably, Brook’s early career stats suggest he might even have outpaced the Indian maestro in terms of impact at the same stage.”

Chappel is impressed with Brook’s effective batting method, who is confident and strong in the crease.

The former Australia star added, “At just 25, Brook has rapidly become one of the most talked-about cricketers in the world. He boasts a simple but devastatingly effective batting method. Much like Tendulkar in his early years, Brook doesn’t move excessively in the crease before the ball is delivered.”

After making his international cricket debut in January 2022, Brook has scored 2281 runs in 24 Test matches, 719 runs in 20 ODIs, and 707 runs in 39 T20Is. The right-handed batter has a Test batting average of 58.48, including eight centuries and 10 half-centuries. Last October, during the Multan Test against the hosts Pakistan, Brook recorded a triple century (317), which was the first Test triple century by an English cricketer in the 21st century. 

See Also: Former Proteas all-rounder calls for more relaxation of the wide rule

Why is Harry Brook a nightmare for bowlers?

Talking about why the English batter looked dangerous, Chappell claimed, “Brook’s ability to combine aggression with consistency makes him a nightmare for bowlers because, much like Tendulkar, he’s incredibly hard to contain.”

Chappell also clarified why Brook read the bowlers better than the other batters. He wrote, “Brook’s stability and minimalistic technique allow him to read the angles of the bowler and adjust his strokes with precision. The result? An extraordinary ability to score from most deliveries, whether they’re pitched full, short, or on an awkward length.”

Last year, Brook finished as the fourth-leading run-scorer in Test and international cricket with 1100 and 1575 runs, respectively.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the final shortlists for the ICC Awards 2024, celebrating the exceptional performances of cricketers in various categories. These include the Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year, the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year, and the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year.

Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy: ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year

The nominees for this prestigious accolade feature some of the finest names in cricket.

• Harry Brook (England): Brook lit up the cricketing world with his explosive performances across all formats. He maintained an incredible average of over 50 in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, showcasing his versatility and power hitting.
• Joe Root (England): Root had a phenomenal year in Tests, scoring more runs (1,556) and centuries (six) than any other batter. His form in the longest format has been nothing short of remarkable.
• Jasprit Bumrah (India): Bumrah shone as India’s pace spearhead, excelling in World Test Championship duels and leading India to victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. He was named Player of the Tournament, claiming 15 wickets at a staggering average of 8.24.
• Travis Head (Australia): Known for his flair, Head scored nearly 1,400 runs across all formats in 2024. As the top-ranked Men’s T20I batter, he aims to better his nomination from last year.

ALSO READ:Rohit Sharma on Rishabh Pant: Balancing Flair with Responsibility

Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy: ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year

This category honors the most outstanding women cricketers, with four deserving nominees.

• Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka): Athapaththu led from the front for Sri Lanka, amassing over 1,100 runs and taking 30 wickets across formats. She also guided Sri Lanka to their first Asia Cup victory in front of a jubilant home crowd.
• Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa): Wolvaardt had a sublime year, scoring over 1,500 runs and leading South Africa to their second consecutive Women’s T20 World Cup final.
• Amelia Kerr (New Zealand): Kerr excelled as an all-rounder, scoring 651 runs and taking 43 wickets. She was the Player of the Tournament at the Women’s T20 World Cup, where her performances were pivotal to her team’s success.
• Annabel Sutherland (Australia): The young star had a breakthrough year, smashing the fastest double-century in women’s Test history and contributing significantly with both bat and ball.

ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year

This category recognizes the best performers in the longest format of the game.

• Harry Brook (England): Brook scored 1,100 Test runs at an average of 55, including four centuries and a memorable triple-hundred in Multan.
• Joe Root (England): Root continued to dominate Test cricket, becoming England’s all-time highest run-scorer and reclaiming the top spot in the ICC Men’s Test Batter Rankings.
• Jasprit Bumrah (India): With 71 wickets at an average of 14.92, Bumrah was the leading wicket-taker in Tests. His fiery spells were key to India’s success against top teams like South Africa, England, and Australia.
• Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka): Mendis had a record-breaking year, scoring 1,049 runs at an average of 74.92. He became the first batter in history to hit a half-century in each of his first eight Tests and the fastest in 75 years to reach 1,000 Test runs.

These nominations showcase the remarkable talent and dedication of the players, highlighting their impact on international cricket. The winners, decided through votes from cricket experts and fans, will be announced in early 2025.

🚨 THE COMPLETE LIST OF NOMINEES FOR ICC AWARDS 2024. 🚨 pic.twitter.com/NZRvQhT9lO

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 30, 2024

Runs galore in the first Test at Christchurch as England dominated the Black Caps and registered a thumping victory on the back of a breathtaking knock from Harry Brook. Brook's counter-attacking 171 set the foundation for an emphatic eight-wicket win in the second innings as England managed to chase down 104 in just under 15 overs.

After playing that match-winning innings, the 25-year-old Englishman has moved up by two spots to no.2 position in the ICC Test Batting rankings. And by doing so, the dazzling top-order English batsman has bridged the gap between him and Joe Root who is currently at the top of the table with a rating of 895. Moreover, after bettering his rating to 854, the difference between him and Root is now down to just 41.

See also: New Zealand receive another huge blow in WTC points table

Yashasvi Jaiswal loses his no.2 position to Harry Brook

Brook has emerged as someone who can go close to challenging Joe Root's dominance at the top. Jaiswal's heroics at Perth in the second innings (161) propelled the dashing opener to the second position. However, the considerable gap between the first and the second Test opened a window of opportunity for Brook to make some rapid gains.

Following Brook's blistering batting show in Hagley Oval, Jaiswal was displaced from the no.2 position and slipped two more spots down the rankings at no.4. The start Kiwi batter Kane Williamson managed to hold on to the third position by scoring an impressive 93 & 61 upon his comeback. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Gains for the other batters

Apart from the ongoing BGT 2024-25 & England-New Zealand Test series, the recently concluded first Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Durban also produced some extraordinary batting performances. 

The Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma led his side from the front by playing a gutsy innings of 70 on a difficult seaming wicket followed by a sensational ton in the second innings which virtually decided the match in his side's favor. On the back of that performance, Bavuma managed to break into the top 10 of the ICC Men's Test batting rankings.

Tristan Stubbs' brilliant 122 in the second innings catapulted him by 29 spots to no.42 position in the batting table. On the other hand, Dinesh Chandimal of Sri Lanka rose by two places to the 17th spot as a result of his resilient second-innings 83.

During the Multan Test between Pakistan and England, England cricketers Joe Root and Harry Brook set up a record fourth-wicket partnership in Test cricket history. 

After Pakistan chose to bat first in the three-match Test series opener, three centuries helped the hosts to score 556 runs. In reply, Joe Root and Harry Brook’s powerful batting led the visitors to score a mammoth total of 823/7 before the declaration with a lead of 267 runs. It was the fourth-highest total in Test cricket history. 

Root scored 262 runs off 375 balls and Brook scored 317 runs off 322 balls. They had a giant fourth-wicket partnership of 454 runs. 

SEE ALSO: Harry Brook records second fastest triple century in Test

Here are some records of the 454-run fourth-wicket partnership between Root and Brook. 

Broke a 90-year record

It was the highest partnership for any wicket by the visiting batters in Test cricket history. The previous record was a 451-run partnership for the second wicket between the Australian cricketers Don Bradman and Bill Ponsford against England at The Oval in 1934. 

Broke a 67-year record

It was the highest Test partnership for any wicket by the England batters. The previous record was a 411-run fourth-wicket partnership between Colin Cowdrey and Peter May against West Indies during the 1957 Birmingham Test.

Broke an almost nine-year record

It was the highest fourth-wicket partnership in Test cricket history. The previous record was the 449-run partnership by the Australian cricketers Shaun Marsh and Adam Voges against West Indies during the 2015 Hobart Test match.

First in the ICC World Test Championship history

It was the first 400+ partnership in the ICC World Test Championship history. The previous record partnership in this competition was a 369-run partnership for the fourth wicket between the New Zealand cricketers Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls against Pakistan in the 2021 Christchurch Test match. 

Fourth highest Test partnership

It was the fourth-highest partnership for any wicket in Test cricket history. 

Highest partnership for any wicket in Test cricket history