Instead, Beau Webster will step into the playing XI, becoming the 469th Test cricketer for Australia. This marks the second consecutive debut for the team after Sam Konstas’ impressive first outing in Melbourne.

Captain Pat Cummins clarified that Marsh’s exclusion was not due to fitness issues, despite the all-rounder experiencing minor back concerns earlier in the series. Rather, his underwhelming batting performance—averaging just 10.42—and lack of effectiveness with the ball played a role in the decision.

Webster’s selection stems from his strong recent form in first-class cricket. Across his last three matches, he has taken 12 wickets, including six in the most recent Australia A vs. India A game in Melbourne, where he also contributed an unbeaten 46*.

Mitchell Starc, who sustained rib soreness during the Melbourne Test, has been declared fit and retains his place in the side.

Australia XI for Sydney Test:

1. Sam Konstas
2. Usman Khawaja
3. Marnus Labuschagne
4. Steve Smith
5. Travis Head (VC)
6. Beau Webster
7. Alex Carey (WK)
8. Pat Cummins (C)
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Scott Boland

India Squad for the Series Finale:

Playing XI:

1. Rohit Sharma (C)
2. Jasprit Bumrah (VC)
3. Yashasvi Jaiswal
4. KL Rahul
5. Abhimanyu Easwaran
6. Devdutt Padikkal
7. Shubman Gill
8. Virat Kohli
9. Rishabh Pant
10. Sarfaraz Khan
11. Dhruv Jurel

Reserves:

1. Mukesh Kumar
2. Navdeep Saini
3. Khaleel Ahmed
4. Yash Dayal

India’s squad includes a mix of youth and experience, with stars like Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Ravichandran Ashwin joined by emerging talents such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal.

With both teams eager to end the series on a high note, the Sydney Test promises to deliver high-octane cricket as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy reaches its crescendo.

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Bumrah’s stellar performance in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series has been instrumental in this accomplishment. His nine-wicket haul during the MCG Test against Australia has further solidified his position as the No. 1 Test bowler in the ICC rankings. This consistent excellence has seen him maintain his dominance at the top.

Other Movers in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings

Australia’s skipper Pat Cummins also made significant strides, gaining 15 rating points after his six-wicket haul in the Boxing Day Test. This performance elevated him to third place in the bowling rankings. Additionally, Cummins’ contributions with the bat—scoring 90 vital runs—secured him the third spot in the ICC Test All-Rounder Rankings.

South Africa’s Marco Jansen also saw remarkable progress. His seven-wicket performance in the Centurion Boxing Day Test against Pakistan catapulted him six places to the fifth position in the bowling rankings, marking his first entry beyond 800 rating points.

Test Batting Rankings See Shifts

Several batters made notable gains in the ICC Test Batting Rankings. South Africa’s Aiden Markram returned to the top 20 after his gritty knocks of 89 and 37 against Pakistan, which also secured South Africa’s spot in the ICC Test Championship final. Meanwhile, India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal climbed to a career-best fourth place, reflecting his consistent performance. Australia’s Steve Smith and Pakistan’s Saud Shakeel also advanced, moving up to seventh and sixth positions, respectively. India’s Nitish Kumar Reddy made a significant leap, climbing 20 places to rank 53rd.

Records and Resurgence in Zimbabwe-Afghanistan Test

The Zimbabwe-Afghanistan Boxing Day Test witnessed a flurry of batting milestones, with six centuries being scored. Afghanistan’s Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi made history by recording the highest-ever Test scores for their nation. Their remarkable performances elevated them to 52nd and 57th positions in the rankings, respectively. For Zimbabwe, Sean Williams broke into the top 20 with 653 rating points—the best for a Zimbabwean batter since Brendan Taylor in 2014. Craig Ervine and Brian Bennett also made gains, with Bennett entering the top 100 bowlers after securing his maiden five-wicket haul.

T20I Rankings Update

Performers in the ongoing T20I series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka have also seen upward movements. Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka edged closer to the top five batters, while New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner broke into the top 10 bowlers with his consistent performances.

This latest update to the ICC rankings reflects the dynamic nature of international cricket, highlighting the exceptional talents making their mark across formats and series worldwide.

The post Jasprit Bumrah Achieves Historic Feat as India’s Highest-Ranked Test Bowler in ICC Rankings appeared first on FolksTimes.

During the post-day press conference, Sundar expressed his admiration for the team’s fighting spirit, crediting the influence of key figures like Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir, who have consistently emphasized the importance of battling through challenging situations. “One thing, especially with Rohit Bhai and Gauti Bhai, and all the support staff, they keep telling us to fight no matter what. That’s something that’s been instilled in us – we’ll fight no matter what, no matter the situation,” Sundar said. “Playing for India, especially in a ground like MCG, during a big occasion like the Boxing Day Test against Australia, we’ll do whatever it takes to be in a good position. I think today was definitely a good day, and I’m very happy for Nitish, who scored an unbelievable 100. I’m sure it will be remembered forever.”

Sundar, who scored a gritty half-century off 162 balls, was eventually dismissed by Nathan Lyon, but his performance, alongside Reddy, played a pivotal role in India’s fightback. Sundar’s comments highlighted the determination and commitment of the team, as they continue to persevere despite difficult circumstances.

By the end of the day, India had reached 358/9, still trailing by 116 runs. Sundar and Reddy’s partnership ensured that India remained in contention, setting the stage for a gripping conclusion to the match. Reddy’s remarkable innings of 105 not out from 176 balls, which included 10 fours and one six, showcased his composure under pressure. With a strike rate of 59.66, Reddy’s knock was instrumental in keeping India’s hopes alive.

Reddy’s century was particularly notable, as he became the third youngest Indian to score a maiden Test century in Australia, following in the footsteps of legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Rishabh Pant. At 21 years and 216 days, Reddy joined this exclusive club, a testament to his maturity and talent. Tendulkar had scored his first century at 18 years and 256 days in 1992, while Pant reached his at 21 years and 92 days in 2019.

Pat Cummins and Scott Boland were the standout bowlers for Australia, each claiming three wickets, while Nathan Lyon took two. Due to adverse weather conditions, including bad light and rain, early stumps were called. India will resume their innings on Sunday, with Reddy and Mohammed Siraj (2*) at the crease, looking to continue their fightback.

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