Halep to skip Australian Open and delay start of season due to injury
Simona Halep will delay her start to the 2025 season and skip the Australian Open due to pain in her knee and shoulder, the former world number one said on Thursday.
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Simona Halep will delay her start to the 2025 season and skip the Australian Open due to pain in her knee and shoulder, the former world number one said on Thursday.
Several former players disapproved of Virat Kohli's avoidable tiff with young Sam Konstas on Thursday while Australia opener Usman Khawaja said he stepped in to diffuse the tension because he did not want the situation to go out of hands. Khawaja was at the crease when the incident took place in the 10th over of the Australian innings on the opening day of the fourth Test in Melbourne. While crossing over, Kohli and Konstas bumped shoulders and quickly turned around to glance at each other, engaging in a heated exchange of words.
India's assistant coach Abhishek Nayar on Thursday defended axing Shubman Gill from the Boxing Day Test, saying it was in team's best interest to not only have Rohit Sharma back to his usual opening slot but also add some sting to the attack by drafting in spin all-rounder Washington Sundar. Gill, who missed the first Test due to a finger injury, scored 31 and 28 in the Pink Ball Test and looked the most assured among Indian batters. He, however, got out for a duck in Brisbane. With Rohit Sharma opening the innings and KL Rahul coming at No. 3, Gill had to make way for a third specialist all-rounder in Washington.
Virat Kohli and Australian youngster Sam Konstas were on Thursday involved in a physical altercation because of which the Indian superstar was fined 20 per cent of his match fee and handed a demerit point even though it was played down as an accidental bump by the 19-year-old debutant. The brief showdown took place after the 10th over of the Australian innings on the opening day of the fourth Test here when the players were crossing over. Kohli and Konstas bumped shoulders while moving across the pitch in the face off that was initiated by the travelling star.
The most heated moment of Day 1 of the fourth Test came when India stalwart Virat Kohli and Australia debutant Sam Konstas clashed shoulders. The incident prompted a stern glare from Virat towards Konstas, before the two exchanged a few words. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has seemingly decided that Kohli is to blame for the altercation, fining him 20 per cent of his match fees, sources told NDTV. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has been outspoken regarding the matter, putting the entire blame solely on Kohli.
Australia's 19-year-old opener Sam Konstas made a terrific first impression as he slammed a phenomenal half-century on Test debut against Jasprit Bumrah and co. during the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25. Konstas showed fearlessness, taking the attack to the opposition and even hitting Bumrah for two sixes. Konstas ultimately finished on 60 off 65 balls, helping him become the first-ever player to achieve something unique. He also joined an elite list of the youngest-ever Australians to score a Test fifty.
A record 87,242 spectators filled the stands at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test between India and Australia, setting a new mark for the highest single-day attendance in a five-day match between the two teams. The tickets for the opening day of the fourth Test had been sold out over two weeks ahead of the clash. The audience witnessed a thrilling day of cricket as debutant Sam Konstas took on Jasprit Bumrah in the first session before the Indian pacer swung the momentum in his team's favour in the final session.
The first day of the India vs Australia 4th Test in Melbourne on Thursday saw the hosts' batters dominating the show before the Indian bowlers struck back. Sam Konstas (60), Usman Khawaja (57), Marnus Labuschagne (72), Steve Smith (68) scored half-centuries but Jasprit Bumrah yet again turned out to be India's saviour with a three-wicket haul. Debutant Konstas was particularly impressive as he showed zero nerves and tackled the Indian bowling attack with ease.