The South African team struggled on a slow pitch, bowled out for a mere 82 runs. India’s bowlers, particularly the spinners, took full advantage of the conditions, with Trisha Gongadi leading the way, claiming three wickets for just 15 runs. Parunika Sisodia also shone, picking up two wickets for six runs. The Indian bowlers applied consistent pressure, supported by some sharp fielding, to dismantle the South African batting line-up.

When India came to bat, Trisha Gongadi starred with the bat, following up her excellent bowling performance with an unbeaten 44 off 33 balls. Alongside her, Sanika Chalke supported well, contributing 26* from 22 balls, as India chased down the modest target of 83 in just 11.2 overs. The duo exhibited solid technique, rotating strike efficiently, and punishing the loose deliveries to ensure India remained firmly in control throughout the chase.

From the outset, India’s top order looked in complete command, with Trisha hitting boundaries with ease, particularly off leg-spinner Seshnie Naidu. India’s early progress was swift, reaching 36 for no loss in just four overs. Though G Kamalini fell after a brief cameo, Sanika and Trisha maintained composure, bringing India closer to victory with every over.

The final moments saw Sanika’s confident shot to the boundary to bring India within striking distance, followed by Trisha’s well-timed four to seal the victory, as India lifted the trophy once again.

This victory also highlighted the remarkable consistency of the Indian team, as they became the first side to win the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup without losing a single game throughout the tournament. Their comprehensive win underlined the strength and depth of Indian cricket at the grassroots level, with the team looking poised for future success in the women’s game.

Brief Scores:

• South Africa: 82 all out (Mieke van Voorst 23, Fay Cowling 15; Trisha Gongadi 3-15, Parunika Sisodia 2-6)
• India: 84/1 in 11.2 overs (Trisha Gongadi 44*; Sanika Chalke 26*; Kayla Reyneke 1-14)

India’s title win reinforces their position as a cricketing powerhouse at the youth level, and with performances like this, they will continue to be a force to reckon with on the global stage.

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Tilak’s composed and calculated innings, which included four boundaries, was the anchor in India’s chase of 166 runs. After a flurry of quick wickets left India in a precarious position at 78/5, Tilak steadied the ship with his unflappable presence, guiding India to a two-wicket win with four balls to spare. His partnership with Washington Sundar, who contributed a vital 26, helped India recover from a tough spot. The lower-order resistance from Arshdeep Singh and Ravi Bishnoi further ensured India crossed the finish line.

What made Tilak’s innings even more remarkable was the fact that it helped him achieve a new world record in T20Is. Since his last dismissal on November 10, 2024, against South Africa, Tilak has scored an incredible 318 runs across four innings without getting out—breaking the previous record of 271 runs set by New Zealand’s Mark Chapman in 2023. His run of unbeaten knocks includes an explosive 107*, a masterful 120*, a steady 19*, and now this match-winning 72*, showcasing his consistency and remarkable ability to perform under pressure.

Tilak’s recent form has been nothing short of sensational, with 371 runs in his last six innings at an astonishing average of 185.5, including two centuries and a fifty. His T20I stats now stand at 707 runs from 22 matches and 21 innings, with an average of 58.91 and a strike rate of 156.07, underlining his status as one of the most exciting young talents in world cricket.

The game itself saw England struggle against India’s spin attack, as Axar Patel (2/32) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/38) were the standouts with the ball, restricting the visitors to 165/9 in their 20 overs. England’s top order faltered, with only Jos Buttler (45 off 30 balls) providing resistance. Despite some late fireworks from Brydon Carse (31 off 17 balls) and Jamie Smith (22 off 12 balls), England’s total was not enough to stave off India’s chase.

India’s victory puts them 2-0 up in the five-match series, with Tilak Varma continuing to rise as one of the most dynamic players in the format. As the series progresses, it’s clear that India has found a dependable match-winner in Tilak, who has quickly become a pivotal figure in their T20I plans.

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The BCCI stated that the Men’s Selection Committee will finalize the squad for both the IDFC First Bank ODI series against England and the prestigious ICC Champions Trophy. Fans and experts alike are eagerly anticipating the composition of the squad, especially with the Champions Trophy just around the corner.

India’s Upcoming Fixtures

Before the ODI series, India will first take on England in a five-match T20I series starting January 22. The series will kick off in Kolkata, followed by matches in Chennai on January 25, Rajkot on January 28, Pune on January 31, and concluding in Mumbai on February 2.

The ODI series will follow the T20Is, with the first match scheduled for February 6. This series serves as important preparation for the Indian team ahead of their next major international assignment – the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be held from February 19 to March 9, with a unique hybrid model in which some matches will be hosted in Pakistan and others in the UAE. India is set to play all its matches in the UAE. The tournament will feature eight teams and a total of 15 matches, all played in the 50-over format.

India will begin their Champions Trophy campaign on February 20, when they face Bangladesh in their opening match. This will be followed by a much-anticipated encounter against Pakistan on February 23 in Dubai. India’s final league match is scheduled for March 2, where they will square off against New Zealand.

Tournament Structure

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be divided into two groups. Group A consists of hosts Pakistan, India, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, while Group B includes the 2023 Cricket World Cup champions Australia, along with Afghanistan, England, and South Africa.

India’s fixtures in Group A promise to be highly competitive, with their matches against Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand likely to be among the most watched of the tournament.

Conclusion

With the ODI series against England and the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 approaching, India’s squad selection will be under intense scrutiny. As the tournament draws nearer, the Indian cricket team will be looking to build on their recent successes and prepare for a challenging yet exciting few weeks of international cricket. Fans across the world will be watching closely as the squad announcement unfolds this Saturday.

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India enters the final match of the series on the back of an 184-run loss to Australia in the Melbourne Test, which gave the hosts a 2-1 lead. This defeat also dashed India’s hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord’s early next year. Despite the setback, Gambhir remains unwavering in his belief that the Indian side has what it takes to prevail in Sydney.

During a pre-match press conference, Gambhir emphasized that the team has the right skill set and individual talent to clinch victory in the fifth and final match of the series. He highlighted the potential for even greater achievements in the future with the current squad.

“Extremely, extremely confident. You know, we’ve got the skill set, we’ve got the individuals, we’ve got everything in the dressing room that can win a test match here. Not only here, but probably go on to do some unbelievable things in the future as well. So, extremely confident,” Gambhir said.

However, India will need to adjust to a forced change in their lineup. Gambhir confirmed that pacer Akash Deep would be absent from the Sydney Test due to a back injury. The 28-year-old will not feature in the playing eleven, leaving the team to manage without him in the final match of the series.

“As of now, Akash Deep is out (for the fifth test) due to a back injury,” Gambhir stated.

India’s squad for the final match includes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Sarfaraz Khan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Prasidh Krishna, Shubman Gill, Devdutt Padikkal, Tanush Kotian, Dhruv Jurel, and Harshit Rana.

The final Test will be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground, starting January 3, with both teams gearing up for a thrilling conclusion to the series.

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On Day 2 of the third Test against Australia in Brisbane, Bumrah was the standout performer for India. Despite Steve Smith and Travis Head’s relentless scoring, Bumrah kept picking up wickets. He dismissed both centurions and finished the day with impressive figures of 5/72 in 25 overs, maintaining a solid economy rate of 2.90. Bumrah’s scalps included Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Mitchell Marsh, as well as the two set batsmen, Smith and Head.

This five-wicket haul marks Bumrah’s 10th outside Asia, surpassing Kapil Dev’s tally of nine five-wicket hauls in overseas conditions. Bumrah now has three five-wicket hauls in Australia, three in South Africa, and two each in the West Indies and England. Kapil, by comparison, claimed five fifers in Australia and two each in England and the West Indies.

Bumrah also outdid Kapil in another key statistic: he now has eight five-wicket hauls in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) conditions, surpassing Kapil’s seven in these countries.

Additionally, Bumrah’s remarkable performance has placed him third on the list for the most five-wicket hauls in the history of the ICC World Test Championship, tying with Australian captain Pat Cummins, who also has nine. Only Nathan Lyon (10) of Australia and India’s spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin (11) have more five-wicket hauls in the competition.

Bumrah’s sensational form in 2024 has seen him become the leading wicket-taker in international cricket this year, with 73 wickets in just 20 matches at an average of 13.78 and best figures of 6/45. He has claimed four five-wicket hauls, with all four coming in Test matches. In 12 Tests, Bumrah has taken 58 wickets, the most by any bowler this year, at an average of 15.20.

As for the match, India won the toss and chose to bowl first. After a wicketless start on Day 1, which lasted around 13 overs, India returned on Day 2 refreshed and quickly dismissed Usman Khawaja (21 off 54 balls), Nathan McSweeney (9), and Marnus Labuschagne (12), reducing Australia to 75/3.

However, a brilliant 241-run partnership between Steve Smith (101 off 190 balls, with 12 fours) and Travis Head (152 off 160 balls, with 18 fours) gave Australia significant control. Bumrah broke the partnership, but Australia ended the day strongly at 405/7, with Alex Carey (45*) and Mitchell Starc (7*) remaining unbeaten.

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This warm-up match was meant to provide India an opportunity to fine-tune their game before the upcoming Test series against Australia. The match, which is set to be a day-night affair, is crucial for the visitors to adapt to local conditions and sharpen their skills, particularly after a dramatic turnaround in their recent series against New Zealand at home.

India’s comeback in that series was nothing short of impressive, with a commanding 295-run victory over Australia in Perth, despite facing early setbacks. The first innings of that Test saw India being bowled out for just 150 runs. However, Nitish Kumar Reddy (41 runs off 59 balls) and Rishabh Pant (37 off 78 balls) played key roles, putting together a vital 48-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Australian bowlers Josh Hazlewood (4/29) and Mitchell Starc, along with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Marsh, had India on the back foot early on.

In response, Australia’s batting faltered as they were reduced to 79/9, with Jasprit Bumrah claiming five wickets for India. Despite a late rally from Mitchell Starc and Alex Carey, who added 25 runs to the total, Australia could only manage 104 runs in their first innings, handing India a slender 46-run lead.

India’s second innings saw a brilliant display of batting from KL Rahul (77 runs off 176 balls) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (161 runs off 297 balls), whose 201-run partnership set the stage for a dominant total of 487/6 declared. Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 100 (143 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes) further pushed India’s lead, setting Australia a daunting target of 534 runs.

Australia’s response on Day 3 saw them slip to 12/3, with Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj dominating the proceedings. Despite valiant knocks from Travis Head (89 runs off 101 balls) and Mitchell Marsh (47 runs off 67 balls), Australia was bowled out for 238 on Day 4. India triumphed with a commanding 295-run victory, with Bumrah (3/42) and Siraj (3/51) finishing as the standout bowlers in the second innings.

As India prepares for their upcoming Test series against Australia, this warm-up match will be a vital opportunity for them to continue their momentum. The Indian squad for the match includes some of their top performers from recent tours, such as Rohit Sharma (captain), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Jasprit Bumrah, along with emerging talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Harshit Rana.

The Prime Minister’s XI team, captained by Jack Edwards, also features several promising players, including Matt Renshaw, Jack Clayton, and Scott Boland, who will be looking to challenge India and gain valuable experience ahead of the new season.

With the rain continuing to impact the schedule, both teams will be eager for the weather to clear so they can begin their preparations for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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Despite the leadership change, all eyes are on Indian batting star Virat Kohli, who continues to command attention with his exceptional form and relentless intensity. Kohli, known for his aggressive style of play and ability to rise to the occasion, remains a key figure in India’s campaign.

India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, praised Kohli for his leadership and influence on the team, highlighting the batter’s professionalism and commitment. “The intensity and professionalism he brings is top-notch, always putting himself under pressure in the nets,” Morkel said during a pre-match press conference. He added that Kohli’s work ethic sets a high standard for the entire team, particularly the young players. “For youngsters to witness that, it’ll take their game to a different level,” Morkel remarked, emphasizing Kohli’s invaluable influence on the next generation of Indian cricketers.

With Kohli in prime form and Bumrah leading the side, India is looking to make a strong start in the series, which is expected to be fiercely contested. India’s formidable bowling attack, led by the experienced Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammad Shami, will play a crucial role in countering Australia’s powerful batting lineup.

The first Test will take place in Perth on November 22, with India eager to kick off the series with a win. The second Test, featuring the day-night format, will be held at the Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. Following that, the action shifts to Brisbane for the third Test at The Gabba from December 14 to 18. The Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground will be held from December 26 to 30, and the final Test will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7, promising a thrilling conclusion to the series.

India’s Squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy:
Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar.

Australia’s Squad for the First Test:
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.

With both teams ready to clash in this historic series, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is expected to deliver intense and thrilling cricket, captivating fans worldwide.

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