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CAPE TOWN : South Africa have already sealed their place in this year’s World Test Championship (WTC) final ahead of the second and final test against Pakistan at Newlands on Friday but will want to keep their momentum going in the longest format.
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has ripped into India captain Rohit Sharma for their defeat to Australia in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 in Melbourne. Rohit Sharma was slammed by Ali for not only ruining the confidence of KL Rahul by demoting him and promoting himself, but also criticised for his mentality. Basit Ali also reserved criticism for Gautam Gambhir, criticising some of the decisions taken during the game, and also suggested a captaincy change for Team India.
With just one Test to go and the series on the line, Team India could spring a few surprises in team selection in the final match of the series against Australia. Skipper Rohit Sharma's batting position has already been altered once, but former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has asked the team management to demote Virat Kohli too. Kohli, who has batted at the No. 4 spot in all 4 matches so far, has been suggested to play at the No. 5 spot in the last match at Sydney Cricket Ground.
Cricket lovers rejoiced when legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan asked a question on the Gentlemen's Game during the latest episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati. Putting forward a question for INR 6.40 lakh, Amitabh asked the contestant a tricky question on Test cricket. Over the last few years, the longest format of the game has undergone a big reform, with huge totals being put on the board while most matches are ending in results. Mr. Bachchan asked a question from the year 2022 when a certain team scored over 500 runs on Day 1 of a Test match, becoming the first to do so.
The 184-run victory over India at the Melbourne Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has improved the chances of the Pat Cummins-led Australian side of making it to the World Test Championship 2025 final, with the side now needing just one more Test win away from making it to Lord's next year, according to ICC. While Australia are out in front as claimants to the second spot, Rohit Sharma-led India still has an outside chance. Sri Lanka's chances are also alive, but both will need a string of favourable results to keep their hopes alive.
Following his side's qualification to the ICC World Test Championship final for the first time, South African skipper Temba Bavuma called it an "emotional moment" for him and hilariously remarked that he was "in the toilet" during the match-winning partnership between Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen towards the end. South Africa continued their brilliant run in ICC tournaments as after the final of ICC T20 World Cup this year, they have booked for themselves a spot in the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord's next year.
India may have lost the crucial Boxing Day contest by 184 runs but all is not lost as far as their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final are concerned. To qualify for the final, India must win the last Test of the series against Australia at Sydney, and then hope for a positive result for Sri Lanka (or a 0-0 draw) when Australia tour the island national early next year. Post the loss, India's point percentage (PCT) has dropped to 52.78 from 55.89. Australia, on the other hand boosted their PCT as they now have 61.46.
India's hopes of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) Final dealt a massive blow as the Rohit Sharma-led side slumped to a 184-run loss in the fourth Test encounter in Melbourne on Monday. Thanks to the victory, Australia took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series with only one game remaining which will be played in Sydney. The defeat means that India are third with a PCT of 55.89 while Australia are second with 58.89.