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Pink-ball Test opposite of normal red-ball Test match: Virat Kohli
The right-handed batsman, who has six centuries in 12 Tests in Australia, hinted that KL Rahul, who has opened in the past, can play at any position and also confirmed that Rohit Sharma will open once he re-joins the team in the later part of the series.
SWOT check | Can India beat Aussies in Test series for 2nd time in a row?
Most of the players, especially Indian bowlers, looked rusty in the ODIs. Though the Australian players had a forgettable IPL season, they managed to bounce back and deliver good performances for their country. However, it should be noted that team India had shown a rather poor form during their last overseas tour to New Zealand and after 8 months of cricketing inactivity owing to Covid-19 pandemic, rustiness was more or less expected.
India vs Australia: Steve Smith's stiff back doesn't mean we change bowling plans, says Virat Kohli
The Australian media have been expecting Indians to use the short ball against Smith after the Aussie batsman failed against the variety against New Zealand last season. The India captain admitted that starting with the pink-ball Test will be a challenge and the previous series win in Australia -- in 2018-19 -- does not mean anything other than helping them inspire.
Rahane will lead India well in my absence as template is set: Kohli
Kohli will return to India after the end of the first Test that begins Thursday to attend the birth of his child. Vice-captain Rahane will step in to lead the side in the last three Tests. The Mumbai batsman led the team in the two warm-up games against Australia A. Kohli, who called leading the team a collective effort and not just him strategising in front of people, added that both he and Rahane have a mutual understanding which is based on trust.
Tokyo Olympic torch relay to start in 100 days
The relay's start point will still be the J-Village National Training Centre in Fukushima, which was hit hard by an earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, reports Xinhua news agency. The flame, lit in Olympia of Greece in March, will travel 121 days through 859 municipalities across all 47 prefectures before it arrives at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on July 23 when the Games opens. About 10,000 torchbearers will take part in the event.
Ishant's absence throws a problem for India, experienced Umesh likely
The right-arm pace bowler, who was a part of India's fast bowling trio that picked over 68 per cent of Australia's wickets on the last tour, was ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in October with an abdominal muscle tear.
If India bowl short at Smith, they'll play into his hands says Chappel
There has been speculation about India planning to bowl short to Smith in the series after the Aussie batsman had struggled with it during the previous summer against New Zealand's Neil Wagner. Smith had earlier said that no other bowler can bowl short deliveries as well as Wagner does and he is not worried at all.
Azhar calls for 5 bowlers in 1st Test; expected Pandya in squad
The 57-year-old said that India will miss Kohli once he returns after the first Test and felt Rohit Sharma should replace him in the playing eleven for the last two Tests. India will have to play the second Test without either of the two as Rohit will be in quarantine.
Aashi Hanspal grabs 2 podium finishes in Dubai Endurance Karting Championship
Aashi became the only Indian girl to compete in the World Series event held over the weekend in Dubai's Motorcity. The all-Indian team, featuring Arjun Manjunath (Bangalore), Rachit Singhal (Delhi), Jamie (Mumbai), Aditya Swaminathan (Bangalore) and Aashi, grabbed the second position in the overall championship as well as the first position in the Nations Cup.
Kohli moves to No. 2, Rahane enters top 10 in ICC Test rankings
Kohli has displaced New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson at the second spot in the latest ICC Test rankings for batsmen. India's Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane has also entered the top 10 list. Cheteshwar Pujara has maintained his seventh spot in the list currently led by Australia's Steve Smith.
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