What a great day of cricket December 17 was! Test, ODI, and T20I—every format was played, and that too in different genders. Of course, the limelight was taken by India’s men’s cricket team. Cheteshwar Pujara gave some insight into why Rohit Sharma might be struggling as he registered another low score. But, before that, rain along with KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Josh Hazlewood’s injury saved Team India. In domestic cricket, the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) election results came in, and Prithvi Shaw wasn’t included in Mumbai’s squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT).
Bumrah the batter, not bowler saves India
Jasprit Bumrah has made a habit of saving Team India from trouble time and again with the ball. With the batters failing, he thought he’d do some saving with the bat as well. Australia needed just 1 wicket to enforce the follow-on and India required 33 runs to save it. Vice-captain Bumrah along with Akash Deep ensured KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal didn’t bat again as the whole team jumped in joy in the dressing room.
India’s WTC Final qualification chances improve
Team India’s chances of qualifying for the WTC Final 2025 have improved after just 57.5 overs were bowled on Day 4 of the India vs Australia 3rd Test. If India loses the match, their chances of making it to Lord’s next year will take a massive hit. But with rain on the fourth day and precipitation expected on the last day as well, the match would likely end in a draw, which would keep India in the race.
Shreyas Iyer vs Prithvi Shaw?
Prithvi Shaw hasn’t been included in Mumbai’s squad for the VHT 2024-25. The opener, who scored 49 runs in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final against Madhya Pradesh and helped Mumbai lift the title, was snubbed. This comes just two days after captain Shreyas Iyer questioned Shaw’s work ethic. Just a couple of hours after the squad was announced, the opener took to social media to express his displeasure about his non-selection.
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Pujara’s mental analysis of Rohit Sharma
Cheteshwar Pujara feels that Rohit Sharma’s batting at number six isn’t helping his game. As someone who batted in the top three for the majority of his career, Pujara feels that Rohit, who hasn’t been in great touch, might not be entering the pitch with the right mindset. Instead of scoring runs, at this moment, it looks like Rohit is just looking to stay in.
Josh Hazlewood out of BGT?
Josh Hazlewood is out of the Gabba Test. But, from the looks of it, he might be ruled out of the India vs Australia 3rd Test. Coming from a side strain, it looks like Hazlewood, who bowled just six overs in the match, has now suffered a right-sided calf strain. Australia’s chances of winning the series might have taken a big hit.
Rohan Jaitley re-elected as DDCA President
Rohan Jaitley will continue as the DDCA President. Standing for the position for a third consecutive term, the administrator who was once piped to be the next BCCI Secretary has beaten 1983 World Cup winner Kirti Azad to continue his tenure. Jaitley has been the DDCA supremo since October 2020.
