AUS v IND: India’s Tour Of Australia Dissected
Team India has had a disastrous Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The men in blue were expected to do much better by their fans. However, let’s understand what went wrong with the Indian Cricket Team during their tour of Australia. Team India’s Early Concerns India’s tour of Australia started with a question mark over Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness, many wondering what the team would do if he wasn’t available. However, Bumrah not only played but also produced a series of scintillating performances, almost single-handedly keeping India in the hunt. His leadership and bowling inspired the rest of the attack. However, despite his heroics, India’s chances of success ultimately crumbled without him in the final stages of the series. Team India’s Batting And Leadership Struggles The most notable subplot of the series was the disappointing batting. While Rohit Sharma led by example, his own batting form let him down, whereas Virat Kohli, even at his best attempt to rally his team, made only an indelible mark in the second innings of the Perth test with a crucial century but couldn’t convert stars into substantial innings. Virat and Rohit, who form the spine of Indian batting were not well supported by the rest of the batters. KL Rahul, starting quite sensibly, again became invisible in important moments of the game, something like his ill-judged shot against Scott Boland at the SCG. Team India’s Haphazard Selections And Missed Chances What was concerning at the selection end too. Introducing Harshit Rana at Perth when things were already down and not sending Washington Sundar to bat before the overcast SCG is a dubious policy. Further changes in opening combo, like asking Rohit Sharma to bide time to bat below five, haven’t helped. Among these selection mistakes, all through the series it was such strategic blunders also that provided flavor to chaos this tour epitomized. Australia’s Consistent Performances With chaos all around, India’s bowling remains a strength still led by Jasprit Bumrah. Nevertheless, without appropriate support from their batting lineup, the bowlers did not win any of the moments where they needed them to win this series. It was a case of a very balanced performance by Australia. For Pat Cummins, his tie-up with Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland as well as great contributions from the bat of Steven Smith and Travis Head kept his team ahead. Gambhir’s Tough Decisions In the end, team India’s failure to bring their best games through key individuals in addition to few tough selections they made in a series resulted to be very pricey. Now the series ends losing the BGT, the head coach Gautam Gambhir needs to take many tough calls on players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Ahead team India will have to find a gap and rebuild again for challenges it will face again in the upcoming WTC cycle. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: Australia Beat India, Take Home The BGT And WTC 2025 Final Berth
And the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is coming to Border’s land. Australia have beaten India 3-1 and have taken home the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia Take The Border-Gavaskar Trophy And WTC Final Berth Australia has won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1 against India to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 Final. The win came on Sunday when Australia defeated India by six wickets. Australia will now take on South Africa in the WTC 2025 final, which is scheduled for June 11, 2025, assuming they do not lose any points for slow over-rates in their remaining games. Australia stand second in the WTC chart, have a win percentage unassailable by the third-placed team even if they are beaten 2-0 by Sri Lanka in the series that’s about to commence. India’s WTC 2025 Final Hopes Dashed By Australia India has been out of contention for the WTC 2025 final. Having lost 3-0 to New Zealand, India had to beat the Australia or draw the five-match test series to remain in contention. The outcome of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy proved India’s exit, though. Bumrah’s Injury Worries Jasprit Bumrah, despite suffering from back spasms during the Sydney test, was named Player of the Series for his outstanding performance. He claimed 32 wickets in the series, though his absence from the field in the fourth innings, where India had to defend 162 runs, left them a bowler short. Bumrah, who bowled only 10 overs before leaving the field, was candid in expressing frustration but at the same time listened to his body and said, “You have to respect your body. You have to accept what it is and move forward.” Webster’s Impressive Test Match Debut For Australia Beau Webster, on test match debut, played a crucial role in Australia’s victory. Chasing down the target, Webster remained unbeaten on 39, including a boundary off Washington Sundar to seal the win. His composed performance helped Australia complete the chase, marking a memorable start to his test career. Steve Smith’s Near Miss On 10,000 Test Runs Apart from that, Steve Smith was looking forward to achieving a milestone. Unfortunately, with just four runs, Smith was dismissed and stranded on 9999 test match runs for Australia. A short ball by Prasidh Krishna got the better of him. Australia was at 58/3 at that point. Usman Khawaja (41), Travis Head and Webster helped stabilize the game and take Australia to a comfortable victory to clinch the series and book their spot in the WTC 2025 final. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: Rohit Sharma Opts To ‘Rest’ At Sydney
How many times have you ever seen a Captain of a side himself getting dropped out of the side due to a reason? Was It Rohit Sharma’s Decision To Rest? Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has left everyone stunned when it was declared that he won’t be in the playing eleven for the fifth and final test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. This has raised an all-round furore as people are now left wondering whether it was Rohit Sharma who took the decision to rest or it was the team management who is sugarcoating things? Stand-In Skipper, Bumrah Confesses The Reason Rohit Sharma is indeed one of the master architects who have been successful in India’s success story for recent times as well as to the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. He was not found in the playing eleven for the series decider against Australia. It was official communication from the Indian stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah right at the toss that he has been ‘rested’ for the Sydney test. Since the official declaration was to come from Bumrah, a bundle of speculations about the reasons for dropping Rohit Sharma took place; in this way, some ambiguity and vagueness behind the event was created. Is Rohit Sharma The First Indian Captain To Be Dropped? This is the first time in a while that an Indian captain has been left out of the playing 11 in the mid-series. Historically, Polly Umrigar was dropped from the Indian test side against the West Indies. The second incident was when Sourav Ganguly was left out after a string of poor scores and a strained relationship with coach Greg Chapell. Rohit Sharma’s Test Career The exclusion of Rohit Sharma has raised numerous questions due to his test career. Since his test match debut in 2013, Rohit has scored more than 4300 runs in 67 Tests with 12 centuries at an average of 40.57 runs. Rohit Sharma’s Last Chance In Limited-Overs Cricket Just when his international future hangs in the balance, February’s 2025 ICC Champions Trophy might just become Rohit Sharma’s last crack at delivering on the international platform. India is all set to fight it out against other teams that are competing at the cricketing event that begins on February 19, 2025 and would end on March 9, 2025 across Pakistan and the UAE. It could very well be the swansong for one-day and limited-overs cricket careers of the experienced campaigner in Rohit Sharma, who would be looking at one final hurrah on the international field. As the Indian Cricket Team sets off to Sydney without the skipper, everyone is thinking, has this finally been the last word on Rohit Sharma’s test match career or one last go at redemption? Only time will tell. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: Who Is Beau Webster?
Beau Webster, aged 31, is Australia’s new test debutant and a replacement for Mitch Marsh in the fifth test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Beau Webster’s Journey To INT Cricket Beau Webster’s journey to the national squad is the story of an individual reinvention of his role and playing style. Four years ago, at the height of the Covid-19 lockdowns, Beau Webster did something bold, ditching his “dirty offies” and embracing the art of seam bowling. That was a move initially targeted at adding depth to his game and providing more bowling options for Tasmania and now it’s led to a maiden test call-up, which seemed improbable then. From Part-Time Spinner To Leading All-Rounder Beau Webster started his professional cricket career with Tasmania in 2014, where he initially made his mark as a versatile batter, often floating up and down the order. However, it was his transition into a more rounded cricketer that truly set him apart. Although he had contributed occasional finger spin, Webster’s decision to focus on fast bowling in 2020 proved pivotal. The all-rounder was 200cm tall. It was the all-rounder’s combination of power and technique that allowed him to become a regular first-change bowler for Tasmania, consistently taking crucial wickets across formats. Since the beginning of the 2022/23 season, Beau Webster had been in scintillating form, scoring 1837 runs at an average of 51.01, the second-highest tally in the competition, behind only Cameron Bancroft. As an all-rounder, he chipped in with 39 wickets at 37.44, making him one of Tasmania’s most valuable players, helping the team into the Sheffield Shield final last summer. What Makes Webster A Versatile All-Rounder? Though he is widely known for the recent success that he has earned as a seam bowler, one of the virtues of Webster lies in his versatile nature. From being an opener to No. 7 at times and changing his style of bowling with the conditions or the requirements of the team, he has proven himself to be a great batting all-rounder. In the absence of Mitchell Marsh, he has been named as a like-for-like replacement in the Australian test squad, however, his adaptability means he could fit into different roles, whether as a bowler or a batter. All Praises For Webster Webster came in for particular praise while playing for Australia A in their series against India last month. He was good with both bat and ball, scoring 145 runs at 72.50 and taking seven wickets at an average of 19.57. These performances prove how his stature is growing on and out him to be suitable for bigger honours. Webster – The Sheffield Shield Player Of the Year More recent accolades by Beau Webster further indicate his rise within Australian cricket. The Sheffield Shield Player of the Season award was also well-deserved, considering that he has produced outstanding performances on both batting and bowling fronts. Consistency in the big games has made him one of the most dependable cricketers in domestic cricket and his inclusion now into the Australian Test squad speaks for itself about the faith selectors have in his abilities. Valuable Backup For Marsh And Green With Mitchell Marsh out of the side, Beau Webster will give Australia a decent backup all-rounder for the fifth test against India. In fact, he might even play with Marsh if selectors decide to strengthen the bowling unit in the absence of injured all-rounder Cameron Green. Mitchell Marsh has been struggling with fitness issues and was given the task of bowling a huge 17 overs in the recently played Perth Test, which further raised questions about his ability to be Australia’s fifth bowler. Webster’s seam bowling skills may be the key to this situation as Australia looks for a reliable batting and bowling option. Beau Webster Expected To Shine Bright In fact, the call-up into the Australian test squad is a reward for Beau Webster’s hard work and versatility. From a part-time spinner to Sheffield Shield star and now a test debutant for Australia, his story revolves around constant evolution. Webster’s journey is only just beginning for the series against India that is set to unfold at the SCG, with Australian cricket fans eager to see how he can contribute for the Australian Cricket Team. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: Why Is Mitchell Marsh Out For Sydney Test?
Australia has dropped all-rounder Mitchell Marsh for the fifth and the final test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, in Sydney and it is confirmed by captain Pat Cummins that Beau Webster will make his test debut. Mitchell Marsh’s Struggles In The BGT Mitchell Marsh’s exclusion comes after a tough series in which he struggled with both bat and ball. In the first four test matches, Mitchell Marsh scored only 73 runs at an average of 10.42, with 47 of those runs coming in the second innings of the Perth Test, when the result was already decided. With the ball, Marsh bowled only 33 overs across seven innings (excluding a brief second innings in Brisbane) and since taking 2 for 12 in the series’ opening innings, his figures have been not up to the standards he has set—1 for 127 from his last 28 overs. Webster’s Impressive Domestic Form Beau Webster, on the other hand, has been in outstanding form in domestic cricket. He was the highest run-scorer in last season’s Sheffield Shield, scoring 938 runs at 58.62 and taking 30 wickets at 29.30. Only Sir Garfield Sobers has previously matched this remarkable achievement in Shield history. This season, Webster has continued his strong form, scoring 303 runs at 50.50, including a century and a half-century and taking nine wickets at 37.88 in four games. He has also impressed with a six-wicket haul in a 50-over game and with a solid show for Australia A against India A, making crucial contributions with bat and ball alike. Decision Based On All-Round Capabilities Mitchell Marsh’s exclusion, although the cricketer was extremely popular with the team and enjoyed a very close relationship with Pat Cummins did not take much to be decided. He also said that Marsh received all this without being shocked. He further added that his bowling skills weighed in this decision but certainly the batting form was the priority matter and Webster could bowl more number of overs more than anyone else. Cummins Enthusiastic Over Webster’s Performances According to Pat Cummins, Beau Webster had hardly worked with him before his time in the side however, was effusive in praising his performances both for Tasmania and Australia A. Captain Cummins cited that Webster did quite well and he was an excellent allrounder who suited this kind of pressure of international cricket. Will adding Beau Webster in place of Mitchell Marsh have a more positive impact on the results at Sydney? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Is Rohit Sharma Stepping Down From Captaincy Really The Solution?
The defeat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) was a bitter pill to swallow for Indian cricket fans. Australia’s win by 184 runs was something that the Indians would rather forget and while Pat Cummins was rightly the Player of the Match, the focus was on the Indian captain, Rohit Sharma and his leadership. It hurts to see our leader battle through a lean patch and more heart-wrenching is the sound of voices clamoring for his retirement. Is this how we must treat a man who has given Indian cricket so much? Rohit Sharma Deserves Our Support Of course, Rohit Sharma’s recent numbers are not upto the mark. At an average of 6.2 runs in five innings in the present series, he managed just 31 runs. Since September he has had 164 runs in 15 innings-a far cry from the powerful hitter we know and love to watch. However, before judging Rohit, let us take one step back and think on this issue. Rohit Sharma is also a human and like any great cricketer there have been moments in his career as well, where he did struggle. Those overs without a single run scored during those crucial minutes at the crease are nothing but moments. It would be tragic to judge a man who has carried the Indian batting lineup for more than a decade on the basis of a few difficult weeks. Rohit Sharma’s Legacy Of Glory Let’s not forget the heroics Rohit Sharma has delivered over the years. Double hundred in test match cricket against South Africa, game saving knocks over the years against teams like England, New Zealand and some truly epic leadership performances when India wins. This man has provided the base for Indian Cricket Team’s success not merely with the bat but also under his tranquil leadership. His current struggles at the bat do not and should not, overshadow everything he has achieved. Rohit is a player of rare elegance, a batsman whose presence at the crease inspires the crowd to play fearless cricket. His ability to rise to the occasion, when it matters most, is one of the reasons we place our trust in him as captain. And now, in his time of need, it is our turn to show the same trust and patience. A Leader Beyond The Runs The value of a captain far outweighs the runs he scores. It’s about leadership, about motivating your team when the chips are down, about staying composed when the pressure is suffocating. Rohit Sharma embodies all these qualities. His leadership has sent India to the summit of test cricket, his judgment calls many times have proven right and his ability to stay afloat in extremely testing times is what makes him the backbone of this side. A captain’s worth is not solely determined by his personal performance. It is defined by his ability to inspire his team, to lead them with courage and conviction. In these trying times, when his bat has remained silent, Rohit Sharma has stood tall as a leader India needs. His composure, his confidence and his belief in his team have not wavered at all. It is in such moments that a true leader shines-not in the easy victories but in the tough times when the team looks up to him for guidance. Rohit Sharma Needs Support, Not Criticism As fans, as supporters of Indian cricket, we have a responsibility to lift our captain when he is down. Rohit Sharma has given us moments of sheer joy, moments we will never forget. To ask him to retire based on a rough patch is to disregard everything he has contributed to the game and to the team. No player should be judged by their worst moments and no captain should be deserted by the very fans who cheered for him when he did well. True loyalty will be shown in standing up for a man when he most needs us to stand. Rohit has given us everything – his passion, his dedication, his heart. He has shown up for us when we needed him and now it’s time we show up for him. Let’s not forget that a true champion always finds a way back. The best players rise from their struggles and Rohit Sharma is no exception. Rohit Sharma Is A Hero Who Deserves Our Faith For us, Rohit Sharma is more than just a cricketer. He is the epitome of leadership and consistency. His journey from Mumbai to Melbourne has been to what it means to play for the love of the game, for the pride of the country and for the millions who look up to him. His current form does not define him. It is just a chapter in an illustrious career. We also have to note that champions are not made from victories but from how they rise above adversity. We should stand by our captain and give him all the support he needs and remind him that he is still our leader. Let’s not rush to replace a man who has given us everything. Let’s rally behind him and show the world that we believe in Rohit Sharma. The road to redemption might be long. However, if there is one player capable of coming through, it’s Rohit Sharma. The best is yet to come and we, as his loyal supporters, will be there every step of the way. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: How Can India Still Qualify For The WTC 2025 Final?
India’s chances of qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final suffered a huge setback after being defeated by 184 runs against Australia in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. With Australia now holding an unassailable 2-1 lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), India’s chances of qualifying for the WTC 2025 final now depend on a series of scenarios. India is yet not completely out of the race at all and their hopes of qualification still rest on how they perform in the remaining matches and some unlikely results in other series. India’s Short-Term Task For WTC 2025 Qualification First, India needs to secure the fifth and final test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The match is slated to start on January 3, 2025, at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Winning in Sydney will bring the series to a 2-2 level and thereby keep alive their hopes for qualifying for the WTC 2025 final. The qualification path, however, lies beyond their control. India’s fate will also be determined by how Sri Lanka does in their two-match test series against Australia, which begins on January 29, 2025, in Galle. Will Sri Lanka A Role In India’s WTC 2025 Qualification? India will qualify for the WTC 2025 final only if they beat Australia in Sydney and then pray for Sri Lanka to whitewash Australia in their series. If Sri Lanka wins 2-0 over Australia, India can conclude the WTC 2025 cycle with a percentage of 55.26% and thereby surpass Australia’s projected 51.75% and Sri Lanka’s expected 53.85%. This will ensure India qualify for the final, scheduled to be held at Lord’s. However, if India loses or draws the Sydney test, their chances of qualifying for the WTC 2025 final will be effectively over, irrespective of the result in the Sri Lanka-Australia series. What Present WTC 2025 Standings Mean For India? Presently, India is at the third position in the WTC 2025 standings with a percentage of 52.78%. Since it qualified into the final after winning a contest against Pakistan, Australia finds a share percentage of 51.75%, while Sri Lanka placed fourth with a share of 53.85%. If India loses in Sydney, Sri Lanka’s 2-0 win over Australia would not help India into the final, since that would not enhance India’s percentage enough to get it above both Australia and Sri Lanka. What India Probably Could Do At Sydney? For India, the way to the WTC 2025 final is well-laid but not easy. They need to start by performing well in Sydney, where they can’t afford to drop any more matches. Top-order issues have been an issue for the team in the Boxing Day Test and the big names such as Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli have not performed upto the mark, so they’ll be looking to do the job in the final test at Sydney. Some other players who had shown lot of grit and resilience in that last game would play a major role if India have to win over Sydney. Can India Make It To The WTC 2025 Final? India can still reach the WTC 2025 final, however, that will only happen if they win in Sydney and Sri Lanka beats Australia 2-0. Their fate will be determined by how both teams perform in the next few weeks. For now, India needs to focus on winning the fifth and the final test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Sydney and hoping that other results will fall in their favor, keeping their dreams of qualifying for the WTC 2025 final alive. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: The MCG Rises To Nitish Kumar Reddy
Cricketing tales of sacrifice are often the pillars of success. For a youngster like Nitish Kumar Reddy, the dream of representing India in test match cricket and standing on top of the game happened in the most remarkable of ways-at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on Day 3 of the 4th test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Nitish Kumar Reddy Scripts History At The MCG At the age of 21, Nitish Kumar Reddy achieved a feat that no Indian had done before him. Entering at number eight, Reddy became the first ever Indian to score a century in Australia while coming in at number eight. He scored a rather patient 100 runs made off 171 balls inclusive of nine boundaries and a six while playing in front of the daunting crowd at the MCG. While the crowd erupted in applause, the young Reddy stood tall, a wave of relief washing over him, as his century symbolized not just his personal achievement, but the culmination of years of hard work and sacrifice. Reddy’s Father’s Sacrifice Nitish Kumar Reddy’s journey to this moment has not been an easy one. Indeed, it was paved with immense challenges not only for Reddy but also for his family, particularly his father. While many would have doubted the boy’s pursuit of a cricketing career, Reddy’s father remained steady in his support. He had given up a stable job, believing in his son’s potential despite the doubts and criticisms that often came their way. For years, his father had borne the dual load of financial strain and the emotional cost, all that time urging his son on, encouraging him to pursue this dream of the game. Reddy’s Awakening: Cost Of Sacrifice For the young cricket enthusiast, cricket was, after all, just something one enjoyed without fully being conscious of the sacrifices he had to make for him to pursue his dream. However, the time the sacrifice really weighed up: on finances perhaps but it weighed up something bigger-those sacrifices placed enormous weight. In that minute Reddy’s attitude in front of the game went over the wall. He did all his own eyes saw as pain reflected through his father, in those tears Reddy took the vow for a reason. He knew that for the sacrifices his dad made, he had to give everything to his dream. Reddy’s Commitment Towards The Game It was followed by an extreme dedication for a year of that time. Each practice and each match was the ability to prove to himself that to the man who stood by his side for all those years these sacrifices were not wasted on him. He developed really very fast as a person and the changes went not only for skills each day but also as mental strength that would produce performances nobody would doubt again for his talent. Reddy Rises To The Occasion At The MCG It was an emotional moment at the MCG on Saturday, December 28, 2024, after all those years of struggle and a sense that all his sweat had just paid off when he was raising his bat to a crowd as an acknowledgement and a tribute, for a century wasn’t just just a milestone but also gratitude to the man who has made it all possible, his father. Reddy’s century came in front of his father. Nitish Kumar Reddy surely is living all the boys’ dream. The True Measure Of Reddy’s Success In that moment, it would be clear that success did not just lie in the runs scored on the field, but in the strength and determination and support that had shaped Nitish Kumar Reddy to become the player he became. Reddy’s journey was the story of one man’s ambition, a father’s sacrifices, a son’s commitment and the power of self-belief that transforms a dream into reality. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: Should Virat Kohli Have Treated Sam Konstas Better?
The Boxing Day test at the MCG witnessed the 19-year-old Sam Konstas make his international debut in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The Australian rookie immediately made his mark with an audacious batting display, reverse-scooping India’s pace bowling spearhead, Jasprit Bumrah, for a stunning six. This indeed has to be said about the way Konstas approached the game with no fear. Sam Konstas slammed a brisk 60 off 65 balls. Still, what stole all that was happening was an unfortunate fireworks incident when Virat Kohli seemed to deliberately bump his shoulder to Konstas. Did Kohli Bump Konstas Intentionally? Virat Kohli, at one time after an over went up to Sam Konstas and shoulder-shovelled the young Aussie. A seemingly unprovoked body check had people wondering about Kohli’s motives. Was it that he was frustrated with the audacity of the younger bloke or something more? Whatever was there, it made Virat Kohli look aggressive, especially coming out against a debutant who in person is also very young in age. Later in the evening, Virat Kohli was sanctioned 20% of his match fees and given one demerit point by the ICC for his on-field behaviour. Was That Really Needed From Kohli? While emotions often run high in the heat of competition, this incident set questions about the conduct of a player of Kohli’s stature. His actions could be seen as needing to be unnecessarily hostile towards a youngster making the mark on the biggest of stages. Kohli, as one of the most experienced players in world cricket, carries the responsibility of setting a good example for the younger generation. Did Spirit Of Cricket Go For A Toss? Konstas, who had once revealed how much he adored Kohli in the media, seemed to be put between the devil and the deep blue sea. Here was a young cricketer, full of big dreams and with a thirst to prove himself, receiving an unexpected shoulder charge from one of his idols. The confrontation stood starkly against the mutual respect that often defines cricket’s values, where even fiercest rivalries are conducted with a sense of sportsmanship. Should Kohli Have Been A Mentor? This incident raises questions over how senior players treat their junior colleagues, especially on debut. Debut is the time to encourage them, make them feel welcomed and give them all positive vibes. Instead, “welcome to international cricket” would have been in much better taste than this shoulder-bumping gesture which came with an air of irritation for the young man’s uncanny ways of playing. In fact, it was not just about Sam Konstas to prove his worth, but Virat Kohli also had something to show the world – that he was the first one in a competitive atmosphere to have respect for the game as well as respect for one’s fellow players. Senior Players’ Influence On Youngsters It is important to understand that sports are more than just individual performances. It is a team effort and harmony in the dressing room is essential. A leader both on and off the field, Virat Kohli should have realized that his actions could set the wrong tone for the younger generation watching. Sam Konstas may have been a rookie, however, Kohli’s experience should have guided him to a more respectful interaction, one that fostered an environment where new talent could thrive. A Race Between Passion And Sportsmanship For Kohli At the end of it all, when Virat Kohli is most brilliant on the field, it was his passion and intensity that played against him in this instance. Perhaps, he needed more temperance, especially with such young, impressionable players around. Cricket is a game of respect and veterans like Virat Kohli are expected to set a good example, not only in their skills but also in their character. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
AUS v IND: Ravichandran Ashwin Retires From Int. Cricket
The day 5 of the third test at the GABBA, Brisbane marked the end of an era for one of India’s most celebrated cricketers as Ravichandran Ashwin bid adieu to international cricket after India’s draw with Australia. It came after a heartwarming moment with former captain Virat Kohli when the two were seen embracing each other during a rain break on day 5 of the test match. Ravichandran Ashwin Announces His Retirement Ravichandran Ashwin, 37, did so in the post-match press conference with current India captain Rohit Sharma. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is now locked at 1-1 and the timing was after Ashwin’s test match participation in Adelaide, a fitting end to his 14-year career at the top-level of cricket. Ashwin’s Test Career In Pictures The Tamil Nadu spinner leaves India as one of its great cricketers, the country’s second-highest test match wicket-taker with 537 wickets in 106 test matches. Ashwin’s outstanding haul includes 37 five-wicket hauls that only Muttiah Muralidaran has beaten, with 67. Ashwin’s Impact Beyond Test Match Cricket Ravichandran Ashwin’s success is not limited to test match cricket alone. He was a central figure in India’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup winning campaign in 2011 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2013. Ravichandran Ashwin has featured for the Indian Cricket Team 287 times across all the formats since his international debut in 2010. Ashwin has taken 765 wickets in his career overall, the second-highest-ever for an Indian cricketer, behind only Anil Kumble, who tops the charts with 956 wickets. Ashwin Reigns In World Test Championship Ravichandran Ashwin is the most dominant in the WTC, where no one has outdone him. He became the first bowler to reach 100 WTC wickets and is now the highest wicket-taker in the competition, with 195 wickets from 41 matches. Ahswin’s record remains unmatched and Australia’s Nathan Lyon, who has taken 190 wickets, is in a close second. Ashwin’s Future In Franchise Cricket Despite retiring from international cricket, Ravichandran Ashwin is expected to remain active in franchise cricket. Ashwin recently made a big splash in the Indian Premier League (IPL) by securing a lucrative Rs 9.75 crore deal with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, marking a return to the franchise where he kickstarted his IPL career. Ashwin’s Legacy Ravichandran Ashwin’s retirement from international cricket marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in Indian cricket. Ashwin will be remembered for his sharp cricketing intellect, tactical acumen and relentless dedication. Ashwin’s legacy will inspire generations to come and his contribution to Indian cricket, particularly in the spin department, remains monumental. Ashwin’s name will be etched in the annals of the game’s history. As Ravichandran Ashwin retires, do you think he was the greatest spin-bowling all-rounder Indian ever had? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
