The ODI series saw senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to form with a string of centuries and half-centuries, underlining India’s continued dominance in the format. Bavuma pointed out the stark difference in India’s strength when those senior players were unavailable in Tests.
The decision means experienced opener Usman Khawaja remains on the sidelines as he continues his recovery from a back concern, while back-up batter Josh Inglis retains his place in the side and will bat at No. 7.
Despite speculation over whether Jurel would retain his spot following Pant’s return from a fractured right foot, his consistency with the bat has ensured his place in the side.
The 28-year-old stumper had missed India's previous Test series against West Indies as he was recovering from the foot fracture he suffered during the fourth Test against England in Manchester in July.
Even as they were preparing for their two-match Test series against Bangladesh, which will kick off the new cycle of the World Test Championship, Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva was keenly following the WTC 2023/25 final between Australia and South Africa at the Lord's in London.
Doing away with the tradition of warming up for red-ball tours DownUnder with a couple of practice games, India will straightway head to Perth for the first Test against Australia without any significant game-time, as the BCCI has scrapped the sole three-day intra-squad game at the WACA.
India have so far won two and drawn one of their five Tests in the 2023-25 WTC cycle, while losing once each to South Africa and England.
Former India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who is set for a comeback from injury after nearly a year away from…
Champions have a way of rubbing their detractors’ noses in the dust, and ace Indian offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin did just that in the first Test against West Indies at Roseau, Dominica.
It was a time overshadowed by the Indian Premier League, when all our geese were swans preening and turning heads, out there in the middle or on the dance floor after the hurly-burly was done.
