Sunday, November 24
European giants Real Madrid and Manchester City were handed shocking defeats in the Champions League, with Madrid falling 3-1 to AC Milan and City succumbing 4-1 to Sporting Lisbon. Liverpool soared to the top of their group after a commanding 4-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen, fueled by Luis Diaz's hat trick.
Six years after the 'Sandpaper-gate' controversy, David Warner is back as captain of the Sydney Thunder. Warner, who recently retired from international cricket, expressed his excitement to lead and mentor young talent in the Big Bash League.
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has defended Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's recent Test form, urging fans to be patient. However, Basit acknowledged the need for match practice for the star duo. He cautioned against writing off experienced players, emphasizing their potential to bounce back. India's next Test tour will be for the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.
Legendary spinner Anil Kumble voices concerns over Sanju Samson's consistency as Team India gears up for the T20I series against South Africa. While acknowledging Samson's talent and recent century, Kumble emphasizes the need for consistent performance. He suggests a top-order batting position for Samson to maximize his potential in the upcoming series.
Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali has criticized India's coaching staff for their role in the team's Test series whitewash against New Zealand. Ali questioned the guidance given to young batsmen, particularly regarding their aggressive approach against spin bowling on turning pitches. He also criticized the decision to prepare rank turners.
KL Rahul's return to form will be under scrutiny as he joins India A against Australia A at the MCG, a crucial audition before the Boxing Day Test. His placement in the middle order for India A hints at his potential role in the Test series. Rahul's experience against pace makes him a strong contender compared to Sarfaraz Khan.
Rishabh Pant, fresh off a strong series against New Zealand, received his mother's blessing before heading to Australia for the crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Pant's performance will be vital for India's chances of reaching the World Test Championship final, as they need to win at least four of the five Test matches to stay in contention.
Indian batsman Shreyas Iyer boosted his hopes of a national team return, smashing back-to-back centuries for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy. His second consecutive century proved crucial for Mumbai's knockout stage aspirations. Meanwhile, Kerala's Jalaj Saxena etched his name in Ranji Trophy history, becoming the first player to achieve the rare double of 6000 runs and 400 wickets.
