As the dust settled on the enthralling five-match Border Gavaskar Test series (2024-25), the ICC conducted an in-depth assessment of the pitches used in the series. Their pitch ratings were made public by the ICC on Wednesday with Optus Stadium, Adelaide Oval, Gabba, and the MCG, receiving a "very good" rating. The SCG on the other hand, was given the second-best category rating of "satisfactory". 

ICC's pitch rating model underwent a slight overhaul in 2023 and the number of ratings was slashed from six to four — very good, satisfactory, unsatisfactory, and unfit. Test venues around the world are issued demerit points if they are deemed unsatisfactory or unfit ratings.

See also: Rohit and Kohli to play England Test series despite a horrid show in BGT: Reports

Peter Roach pleased with the quality of the pitches that were produced in the series

CA Head of Cricket Operations and Scheduling Peter Roach was extremely delighted with the fact that the curators worked tirelessly to produce one of the best decks in world cricket. He expressed his gratitude and lauded them for not compromising on quality. At Cricket Australia, Roach strives to ensure that the pitches have the unique properties to make them stand out from the rest of the venues in the country.   

“We are delighted by the quality of pitches produced for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series and grateful for all the hard work of the curators and venues across the country. We encourage pitches that bring out the unique characteristics of that venue and this has long been a feature of Australian cricket. We strongly believe that this is one of the reasons that Test cricket is so popular in Australia."

Furthermore, he also adds that the pitch is prepared in such a way as to ensure a balanced battle between the bat and the ball. Unlike the case with India, Pakistan, or any other subcontinent team, CA does not prioritize facilitating home advantage and have some of the most skillful curators with them who can operate in harsh weather conditions.    

“We don’t look to prepare wickets that favor the home side or suit our situation in a series. What we seek is a good contest between bat and ball and pitches that are likely to produce a result. Weather obviously plays a significant part in preparation and we know that even our most skilled curators are challenged at times by adverse weather.” 

SCG gets a "satisfactory" rating from the ICC

The SCG Test was the deciding Test of the series and the game ended in a little over three days with Australia winning triumphantly by six wickets. The pitch had an unusually high amount of grass covering which baffled several cricketing gurus which also included the likes of Allan Border and Sunny Gavaskar. Additionally, the pitch also offered a lot of variable bounce which made batting quite tricky at times. 

Nevertheless, the venue got away with a healthy "satisfactory" rating and Roach was once again pleased with what the venue had to offers in terms of pace and bounce.

“The SCG has been striving to bring out their unique characteristics of early pace and bounce before the pitch wears and spins. This year was a step in the right direction to achieving this which provided an exciting finish to the Border Gavaskar Trophy series and bodes well for the Ashes summer in 2025-26.” 

The young 19-year-old Sam Konstas announced his arrival in international cricket with a blazing fifty in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne which shook the Indian bowling attack to its core. This Test will also be famously remembered for the in-famous shoulder barge incident that took place between Konstas and Kohli. 

In a show of defiance, the Indian batting legend altered his course while walking to the other end and deliberately bumped his shoulder with Konstas in the heat of the moment. Soon after, the incident drew widespread condemnation from the Australian supporters and Kohli was subsequently reprimanded by the match referee and fined 20% of his match fee along with one demerit point to his name.

See also: Watch: Kohli registers major milestone in BGT; Smashing six hits guard

Konstas visualises Kohli as his "idol"

Following the conclusion of the fourth Test, both Konstas and Kohli buried the hatchet. During his conversation with CODE Sports, the 19-year-old admitted that he sees Kohli as an idol and looks up to him as a source of inspiration. In return, Kohli also wished him well for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour which is scheduled to start later this month.

"Virat Kohli was very down to earth. A lovely person and I had a little chat after the game, telling him that I idolize him - wishing me all the best saying hopefully I go well on the tour of Sri Lanka he said if I’m in."

Konstas further adds that he is not the only one who is a big fan of Kohli. Being a living legend of the game, his entire family has been idolizing Kohli from a very young age. 

“My whole family loves Virat. I’ve idolized him from a young age and he’s a legend of the game.”   

Konstas's next assignment in international cricket

As the dust settles on the high-octane BGT Test series, Konstas will now participate in a few BBL games and play for Sydney Thunder under the leadership of David Warner before heading to the UAE for preparatory camp work. The 19-year-old justified his selection over an out-of-form McSweeney in that series and it is highly probable that we could see him feature in his first international assignment in the subcontinent against Sri Lanka from January 29 onwards.

Isha Guha, the former England cricketer turned commentator, has always been a popular voice in the cricketing world. However, during the Boxing Day Test 2024, her commentary made headlines for a completely unexpected reason—her voice. Described by fans on social media as “seductive” and “refreshingly different,” Guha’s distinctive tone not only added charm to the broadcast but also sparked a wave of reactions from netizens.

Boxing Day Test 2024: The Voice That Captivated Fans

While most cricket commentary goes unnoticed beyond hardcore fans, Guha’s unique voice became the talking point during the iconic Boxing Day Test. Many viewers took to Twitter to express their admiration for her delivery style, with some even dubbing her commentary the highlight of the match. The viral buzz demonstrated her ability to connect with fans in a way few commentators manage. 

This seductive voice of Isha Guha and they made her to apologize .. Bumrah didn't even notice her comment 🤦🤦

pic.twitter.com/mevQEKC6wU

— ROFL.Ai (@ROFL_India) December 29, 2024

What Did Isha Guha Say? Fans Curious About the Viral Commentary Moment

During the Boxing Day Test 2024, Isha Guha’s commentary caught fans’ attention not for her words, but for her unique tone. The exact sentence she said remains unclear to some, but it was her soft, drawn-out inflection at the end of a statement that sparked intrigue. Many netizens described the moment as sounding like a subtle moan, leading to the “seductive voice” discussion online. Fans have clarified that it wasn’t the content of her words, but the natural charm of her voice that made this moment go viral.

Kerry : Good Afternoon

Isha Guha : good afternoon to you Kerry

i love that intro from Howie

yeah for you

Mmhhhmmm hmmmm ahan 

Kerry : it's a bit exaggerated ahhan

Viral Commentary Moments in Her Career

This isn’t the first time Isha Guha has gone viral. Known for her wit, charm, and professionalism, she has had other memorable moments:

1. The ‘Carrom Ball’ Query
   During a Big Bash League match, Guha’s innocent yet hilariously timed question, “How big is yours?” while discussing the technique behind the carrom ball, left the commentary box in stitches and fans amused. The clip quickly made rounds on social media. 

2. The Controversial ‘Primate’ Comment
   While praising Jasprit Bumrah during a Test match, Guha referred to him as the “MVP - Most Valuable Primate.” Although intended as a compliment, the phrase caused controversy due to its racial connotations. Guha’s immediate and heartfelt apology showcased her professionalism, and the incident became a learning moment for commentators worldwide.

Isa Guha apologises on TV for calling Jasprit Bumrah a "primate" during commentary yesterday 🇮🇳🤯🤯 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/K5vaiB7wZi

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) December 16, 2024

      3. The 'Do You Want a Climax' Moment

           In a memorable commentary session, Isha Guha, alongside Kerry O'Keeffe, shared a playful exchange that left viewers in stitches. During their conversation, Guha humorously asked, "Do you want a climax?" The light-hearted banter      between the duo showcased their chemistry and ability to keep the atmosphere lively in the commentary box.

           This moment quickly gained attention, adding to Guha's repertoire of viral clips that highlight her charm and wit. Such interactions underline her legendary status as a commentator who effortlessly balances insightful analysis with humour, especially when paired with dynamic personalities like O'Keeffe.

"Do you want a climax"🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Isha guha is a legend in the com box especially when she's with Kerry O'Keeffe (skull).#INDvAUS #AUSvINDIA#AUSvIND #INDvAUSpic.twitter.com/o26Y3TQ17n

— trna (@Tryptophan_7) December 30, 2024

The Human Side of Commentary

Guha’s ability to captivate audiences goes beyond her voice. Her quick wit, deep understanding of the game, and willingness to address mistakes with grace have solidified her position as one of cricket’s most beloved commentators. Moments like these highlight the evolving role of sports broadcasting, where personalities play a significant part in engaging viewers.

Fans’ Reactions: A hilarious Mix of Admiration and Humor 

The online cricketing community didn’t hold back in sharing their thoughts. Tweets ranged from light-hearted praise to outright admiration:

• “Never thought I’d say this, but Isha Guha’s voice is the MVP of this Test match.”
• “Is it just me, or does Isha Guha’s commentary have a calming, yet seductive vibe?”
• “Cricket never sounded this good! Thank you, Isha Guha, for redefining commentary.”

While the majority of responses were positive, some fans humorously debated whether her voice was “too engaging” for a high-stakes cricket match.

Isa Guha on commentary-
"Too much happening at the G" 🥵 pic.twitter.com/YkCVAuogP7

— Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) December 30, 2024

don’t know why but isha guha’s commentary turns me on 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

— Pr𝕏tham (@Prxtham_18) December 29, 2024

Isha Guha in commentary box: #KKRvRCB pic.twitter.com/lfA6OyiHtQ

— जॉन स्नो - 🚩 zone wale (@DefucktiveGuy) April 19, 2019

Isa Guha's commentary 🥰🥰🥰🥺✊✊✊💦💦💦💦✊✊✊✊💦💦💦💦

— jataayu (@WoKyaHotaHai) December 30, 2024

Isha Guha is just English version of her. Her voice is 🤤#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/En5idJvtah

— Cricket Police (@PoliceCricket) December 30, 2024

ahh the orgasm🥵🥵

— Shivam (@Shivam1931323) December 29, 2024

Why it's sounded like a foreplay session 😭

— 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗝𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗼 (@ShadowMonarkV) December 29, 2024

Conclusion

From her “seductive” voice stealing the show during the Boxing Day Test to her light-hearted and controversial viral moments, Isha Guha continues to leave a lasting impact on cricket fans. Whether through humour, insight, or introspection, her commentary elevates the sport and connects with audiences on a deeper level. As netizens keep buzzing, one thing is certain: Isha Guha is more than just a commentator; she’s a voice that resonates in the cricketing world.

Yashasvi Jaiswal's Fighting 50 Keeps India in the Hunt at MCG

Yashasvi Jaiswal did an amazing job taking care of things against Australia in their Test series, hitting his second 50 in a row at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Despite usually playing very intensely in the game, now he paused a bit, taking 127 balls to reach his 50. Jaiswal really stayed with patience and kept going through the tough times, which isn't what you'd expect from him since he's characterized by that aggressive batting. By hitting 7 great boundaries, he made the Australian bowlers very upset. Jaiswal's intelligent and informed play could mean India still has a chance to win the game, which was looking pretty intense.

Jaiswal somehow managed to stay calm against the tough Australian bowlers, especially with Mitchell Starc approaching toward him hard. Even though he had to dodge and miss clearly 17 times, it showed how intense the pressure was--but he got lucky too, especially when an lbw call that could have made him leave the field wasn't given.

Back-to-back half-centuries for Yashasvi Jaiswal!#AUSvIND | #MilestoneMoment | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/Vqr1VqMp2C

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 30, 2024

Because of that, he remained and scored 50 more runs. This half-century was his slowest yet, even slower than the one where he took 123 balls in Perth. That just goes to show: even when things are utterly tough and difficult, and it appears as if everything's against you, a little bit of luck and not giving up can make a major difference.

Jaiswal hit over 50 runs in the second innings, which was of significant consequence not simply for him but it also greatly aided India in their series. By doing this, he took the spot as India's top run-getter in the current test series against Australia, achieving up 321 runs across four games. This means he's scoring runs at an average of 53 per match. He even achieved a remarkable 161 runs in just his second time at bat in Perth. Throughout the series, his steady performance while batting has been vitally important for India.

Earlier in the first innings at the MCG, Jaiswal had scored a classy 82 runs before being run out following a mix-up with Virat Kohli. Despite the unfortunate dismissal, his solid contribution added to his growing reputation as one of India's promising young talents in international cricket.

Yashasvi Jaiswal's Impressive Career Statistics

Yashasvi Jaiswal is really proficient at batting in the middle-order and he's proved that even though he's just started his career. Mr. Jaiswal's knocked out 1,734 runs in just 18 test matches, with an average almost hitting 56, and has already sent the ball to the edge of the field for 10 half-centuries and four centuries. His largest score ever is a solid 214 runs, proving he's got what it takes to remain for those long innings.

Jaiswal's record against Australia in this series is noteworthy. In four matches, he has scored 321 runs at an average of 53, underscoring his ability to handle pressure in challenging conditions. With one Test remaining in Sydney a venue known for its batting-friendly conditions—Jaiswal will be looking to further improve his record and add more runs to his tally.

Looking Ahead: The Final Test in Sydney

Jaiswal is really hoping to achieve a lot as the series wraps up with the final test in Sydney; the ground in Sydney is really good for batting, and it will be a great chance for him to keep up his scoring streak. India needs to do well in the series, and a lot depends on how Jaiswal does.With his calm approach, technical proficiency, and the ability to handle pressure, Jaiswal has quickly become one of the most exciting young talents in world cricket. His performances in the current series will only add to his growing stature as one of India's future stars.

Day four of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG between India and Australia turned intense when Pat Cummins, the Australian captain, questioned a third umpire’s decision. The incident occurred during India’s innings when Australian bowler Cummins delivered a full-length ball to Mohad Siraj. Siraj edged the ball, and Steve Smith took a catch at second slip, leading the Australians to celebrate, believing they had claimed the final wicket.

However, on-field umpire Michael Gough wasn’t sure and referred the decision to the third umpire, Sharfuddoula Saikat, to review whether the ball had touched the ground before being caught. After reviewing the footage, the third umpire confirmed that the ball had indeed bounced before Smith took the catch, and Siraj was ruled not out.

pic.twitter.com/hMEAEzFtc7

— Sunil Gavaskar (@gavaskar_theman) December 28, 2024

Despite the clear footage and the third umpire’s verdict, Cummins approached the umpires and insisted on a review of the third umpire’s decision. The umpires explained that the review process was already complete, and another review wasn’t permitted, as the footage showed the ball clearly hitting the ground. Cummins, visibly upset, did not accept the ruling and continued to argue.

Read Also:Nitish Kumar Reddy Reunites with Parents After Maiden Century

Experts and Fans React

This moment of frustration sparked surprise among cricket experts. Ravi Shastri, one of the commentators, remarked, “It was a very fast call, just two replays. I’ve never seen a player asking to review a third umpire’s decision. It’s an unusual situation.” Adam Gilchrist, another former cricketer, also found Cummins’ reaction surprising. He said, “The footage was clear, and yet Cummins didn’t let it go. It’s a strange scenario.”

On social media, fans reacted strongly to the incident. Many Indian fans criticized Cummins for not accepting the umpire’s decision gracefully. Some even compared his behavior to Ricky Ponting’s controversial moments in the 2008 series in India. One fan wrote, “This isn’t 2008, Cummins. Why are you still arguing with the umpires?”

While some defended Cummins, claiming his reaction showed passion for the game, many felt his actions undermined the spirit of cricket. The incident created a divide in opinions among cricket enthusiasts, with some questioning the third umpire’s process and others discussing how captains should manage such situations.

Sharfuddoula has had a mare there.

— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) December 28, 2024

All that this bit of farcical officiating has done is deny Reddy a red-inker. Shame really as the tech’s there; use it properly non? #AUSvIND

— Isabelle Westbury (@izzywestbury) December 28, 2024

Despite the drama, the match continued without major disruption. Nathan Lyon dismissed Nitish Kumar Reddy for 114 runs in the very next over, and India’s innings ended at 369, trailing Australia by 105 runs.

The argument between Cummins and the umpires remained a key talking point, adding drama to an already tense and competitive Test match.

Rishabh Pant's Bizarre Dismissal at MCG Sparks Sunil Gavaskar's Furious Reaction

Cricket fans and experts were shocked when Rishabh Pant went out at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Even the famous cricket player, Sunil Gavaskar couldn't hide how annoyed he was. Pant, who usually plays bold, made a mistake that people think he could've and should've avoided.

The Dismissal

Pant took a risky shot when the match was vitally important and everyone was counting on him. His choice shocked everyone because it was so risky. He hit the ball high into the sky-but unfortunately, a fielder caught it easily. This left everyone supporting India very sad.

ALSO READ:Rohit Sharma set to retire from Test cricket if India doesn't qualify for the WTC Final 2025

Gavaskar's Reaction

During the discussion, Sunil Gavaskar was not shy regarding pointing out mistakes. Gavaskar was quite upset and kept calling Pant's manner of getting out silly over and over again. Gavaskar's famous for not beating around the bush when he's commenting, and now, looking at what the young wicketkeeper did, he just couldn't hide his annoyance.  Gavaskar must have said silly many times.

Gavaskar pointed out that you must act a lot smarter when games become extremely tight. He said it's not simply a casual backyard cricket match where you can move your bat around a lot, hoping things turn out great. Players really need to understand what's happening and make their moves based on that.

Sunil Gavaskar's reaction on Rishabh Pant's dismissal. pic.twitter.com/Dpb2BwYbfH

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 28, 2024

A Pattern of Recklessness?

People are speaking again regarding how Pant plays after he got out. He's extremely bold when he bats, which has helped India win before but sometimes he is out with little effort, and that gets him a lot of criticism. People are saying Pant should think through how to mix hitting very strongly with playing it safe, especially when the team really needs him to do well.

The Broader Impact

Losing a vitally important player at a very bad time made things really hard and difficult for the other players on India's team; the mistake Pant made ended up being a major issue when we saw how the team did in the end. Even though Pant's very good and can change how a game's going, moments like this show he must become more mature in how he plays.

Moving Forward

As one of India's top upcoming players, a lot is expected from Rishabh Pant. His style of playing is characterized by risk-taking but he needs to think through when it's spectacular to do so and when it's not. Leaving now likely helped him learn something important. For his cricket journey to really take off, knowing how to control his natural game will be key.

Pant is definitely going to try to improve his skills but he needs to combine some responsibility with his natural talent. Legends of the sport, such as Sunil Gavaskar, were very good at this. Gavaskar's tough criticism shows the high expectations in top-tier cricket.

As the countdown to the much-awaited Box Day Test draws to a close, India are all in readiness to make some surprising changes to their lineup in a bid to outclass Australia in the ongoing edition of the Border Gavaskar Trophy Test series. As per reports, it has been widely speculated that the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma may return to the top to open the batting with the swashbuckling batter Yashasvi Jaiswal in Melbourne. This claim has been placed by a journalist from the Times of India.

Such a reshuffling at the top of the order would see the in-form Kl Rahul go down and drop all the way to number three as claimed by Rohit Juglan, a RevSportz journalist on Twitter.

Breaking - Rohit Sharma to open - KL to play at 3 in MCG

— रोहित जुगलान Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) December 25, 2024

See also: Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024: AUS vs IND 4th Test, Match Prediction- Who Will Win Today?

Washington Sundar likely to team up with Jadeja as the second spinner at the MCG

Following the alteration of the Indian top order, the management is also mulling to bolster their spin department which has had very little role to play thus far in the series. As far as their expectations are concerned, the Indian team is of the opinion that the track in the MCG will suit the spinners during the latter stages of the Test match. 

Unsurprisingly, Ravindra Jadeja has emerged as the hot pick for the MCG showdown given his vast experience in the longest format, both with the bat and the ball. Furthermore, it is also believed that the management is leaning more towards securing the services of off-spin bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar and expects him to play a decisive role in the do-or-die fourth Test. If that were to happen, Nitish Kumar Reddy would have to drop out and make way for the spin-bowling all-rounder.

Rohit Sharma very likely to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul at No.3. Team considering two spinners - Washington Sundar could play in place of Nitish Reddy. But Rohit very likely to open tomorrow at MCG @toisports

— Sahil Malhotra (@Sahil_Malhotra1) December 25, 2024

Was it right to sideline Nitish?  

A handful of experts suggest that the young seam-bowling all-rounder may have been hard done-by the management. Reddy presently ranks as the fourth-highest run scorer in the ongoing BGT 2024-25, having accumulated 179 runs across five innings, with an average exceeding 44 and a strike rate of 72. Additionally, he has proven to be a valuable pace bowler for the Indian cricket team, claiming three wickets in 27 overs during the current tour of Australia.

However, the management's desire to push for more experience seems very justified at this stage. Sundar was previously a part of the Indian squad in the earlier BGT edition in 2020-21 where he performed splendidly well, both with the bat and the ball, and bailed India out of danger on a number of occasions. 

Cricket Australia has confirmed that the young Sam Konstas will make his head in the Boxing Day Test starting in Melbourne on December 26. At 19 years and 45 days old, Konstas will become the fourth youngest Australian player to debut in Test cricket. Only Ian Craig, current Australian captain Pat Cummins, and Tom Garrett made their debuts at an age younger than his. The good news was conveyed to Konstas by Australia's selector on duty Tony Dodemaide on Tuesday morning but advised him to wait till Christmas Day for an official announcement of the rest of the XI after the closure of Cummins' pre-match press conference.

See also: Tanush Kotian added to India's squad for Border Gavaskar Trophy

Australian head coach Andrew McDonald excited to see him in action

Konstas' MCG debut was officially confirmed in a press conference attended by Australian head coach Andrew McDonald post-training on Tuesday. McDonald heaped countless praise on the youngster and believes that he has a wide range of shots in his armory to tackle the impending threat from a quality Indian pace attack. 

"We said from the get go, when leading into the summer, that we wouldn't shy away, and age was no barrier. And what he's shown is an array of shots, the ability to put pressure back on to opponents and he gets his opportunity. We're really excited for him."

Furthermore, McDonald stated that age was never seen as a consideration and indicated that his selection was purely based on merit. The NSW-born Konstas offered promising glimpses of his true batting exploits when he slammed a defiant 107 off 97 in a two-day practice game against India in Canberra. 

Worrying signs for Head and Australia ahead of the MCG Test 

Things haven't been progressing all that well for the star Australian batter Travis Head since his minor quad strain while batting in Australia's second innings in Brisbane. Very recently, Head was seen in action on Tuesday when he took part in some running and fielding drills and also practiced his batting in the nets. 

The Australian head coach confirms that there is some worry surrounding Head's fitness but remains confident of his recovery before the Boxing Day Test. 

"Has he got some things to work through? Yeah, he has, so that's what you would have seen. There's no concern at the moment. Has he been officially ticked off? I'm not sure. I didn't see the sort of back-end of his training session there, but I'm pretty confident he'll play. I think he looked good with the bat in hand so obviously skills are in good order. It'll just be basically what risk is associated with that. He had a small strain on the quad. But no concerns from my end. He's been able to be running, so I think he'll be fully functional come the game time."

Later after the end of his grueling training session on Tuesday, Head engaged in a lengthy debate with McDonald and Australia's physio Nick Jones with the latter reportedly rubbishing concerns surrounding his quad strain injury. In addition, McDonald also confirmed two more changes leading into the fourth Test with Konstas replacing Nathan McSweeney and Scott Boland replacing the injured Josh Hazlewood.

The youngest member of the Indian contingent Dhruv Jurel hogged the spotlight during a practice session which threw light on his promising leadership skills. The youngster went as far as even defeating the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The Indian team management devised an incentive-based fielding game comprising three groups - Group A, Group B, and Group C. 

Jurel captained Group C which came on top brushing aside Sarfraz Khan-led Group A & Siraj-led Group B, earning a reward of $300 for their efforts.

See also: PCB confirms neutral venue for Indo-Pak clash

Jurel & Co. throw themselves around to win 300 dollar reward

The fielding competition was conducted as a part of the preparation process for the fourth Test starting in Melbourne on December 26. All three groups were led by young brigades who were all entangled in a fierce battle. Group A was led by Sarfaraz Khan which included some prominent figures like Kohli, Jaiswal, and Rana. 

Target hitting with points system 🎯

3 groups led by young captains 🧢

Cash reward on the line 💰

Fun, energy and intensity - #TeamIndia gears up for the Melbourne Test with a lively fielding drill with Fielding coach T Dilip 💥#AUSvIND

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 23, 2024

Group B was marshaled by Siraj who had high-profile players at his helm such as Kohli, Pant, and Rahul. However, Jurel's Group C emerged triumphant which included the likes of gun players such as Bumrah, Gill, and Jadeja. The defeat of Virat and Rohit's teams at the hands of a youngster serves as a positive indication that the future of Indian cricket is in safe hands. 

Preparations for the Boxing Day Test

Preparations for the upcoming Boxing Day test on December 26 are underway in full swing. With the series evenly balanced at 1-1, both teams have everything to play for in the upcoming Test. Moreover, with the WTC around the corner, both teams realize what's at stake and will look to brace themselves for a high-octane showdown in Melbourne to get themselves ahead. 

Former India cricketer turned commentator Parthiv Patel has devised a solution for India's underperforming batting unit down under. The Indian batting unit has come under fire following their dismal show against the Black Caps at home. Similar batting woes have resurfaced in the ongoing BGT tour with the majority of the top order not being amongst the runs.  

Time and again, India's batting has experienced collapses which ultimately resulted in a heavy defeat in the Adelaide pink-ball Test. By looking at all of this, Parthiv has come up with a word of advice for the team on how to overcome the challenge while at the same time highlighting the team's major problem while facing spin. 

See also: Australian Media’s Mind Games: Targeting Kohli, Jadeja, and Now Akash Deep Before Boxing Day Test

Parthiv has his say on India's catastrophic batting collapses

While acknowledging the obvious problem, the former Indian cricketer feels that the downfall may not be solely attributed to just brute aggression but urges the entire batting unit to bat sensibly and apply themselves to different conditions with maturity. 

"There is no doubt that collapses have occurred, especially in home series. We have seen collapses on rank-turner pitches against New Zealand. When we toured Australia, the collapses continued there."

"I do not believe this has happened due to extreme aggression. If we respect the traditional style of Test cricket and bat with discipline, these are the same batters who have previously performed well. Indian batters need to apply themselves more because they have the ability. If they bat with discipline, they can succeed anywhere." 

A view of India's batting struggles in recent past

In October, India's batting stooped to an all-time low when they were bowled out for a record-low of 46 against New Zealand in testing seaming conditions. The Indian batting lineup has faltered under both spinning and swinging conditions in recent months. They were unable to counter the challenges posed by Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner during the home series against New Zealand.

Presently, in the ongoing BGT Test series, the Indian batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been severely short of runs. While Kohli managed to get a few runs under his belt, the Indian skipper has only managed to score 19 runs in the space of four Test innings.