Take a bow, Rishabh Pant! Despite receiving flak for his mode of dismissals in the previous Boxing Day Test match, the attacking southpaw hit one of his most crucial Test fifties at the SCG. Pant was even lauded for being the best Test keeper-batter (better than MS Dhoni). Now, it would be up to the lower-order to take the team forward amidst the dark clouds over Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness. He has back spasms, as revealed by Prasidh Krishna. But this was a long time coming, considering the fact that he has bowled almost equivalent to 3 IPL seasons in this BGT. In other news, Harbhajan Singh was embroiled in an argument on social media where he backed Rohit Sharma to the tilt but fans said that he went against Virat Kohli. On that note, here are all the major stories from January 4 (Saturday).
Rishabh Pant > MS Dhoni?
It’s clear that Rishabh Pant is a force to be reckoned with in Test cricket! Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal recently praised Pant, calling him the greatest Indian keeper-batter in Test history. And it’s hard to argue with that assessment after Pant’s incredible 29-ball fifty in the 5th Test against Australia. Not only was it the second-fastest half-century by an Indian in Tests, but it also kept India in the game against the mighty Aussies. Some might even say that Pant’s impressive Test record makes him a better Test batter than the legendary MS Dhoni, something that DC co-owner admits.
Jasprit Bumrah: 1 BGT = 3 IPLs?
Jasprit Bumrah’s incredible workload has taken a toll on his body. He has bowled an astonishing 2202 deliveries in Test cricket since 2024, the most by any pacer. In the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he has sent down 908 balls, equivalent to almost three full seasons of bowling in the IPL. This workload has led to a back injury, but Bumrah’s unreal importance to the team means he cannot be rested. His stats in the series are unprecedented, with 32 wickets at an average of 13.06.
Harbhajan with Rohit, but vs Kohli?
Harbhajan Singh came to Rohit Sharma’s defence on Twitter, lashing out at a user who accused Rohit of leaking dressing room secrets. Harbhajan suggested that the user was being paid to spread misinformation. Some fans interpreted Harbhajan’s response as a veiled attack on Virat Kohli, with several users commenting “owned Virat Kohli” under Harbhajan’s tweet. However, Harbhajan did not explicitly mention Kohli’s name.
Delhi Capitals in BBL?
The GMR Group, owners of Delhi Capitals, is expanding its cricket empire by pursuing a presence in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL). After acquiring stakes in England’s The Hundred and other global leagues, the group is now in talks with Cricket New South Wales (CNSW) for a potential collaboration. Discussions are expected during the India-Australia Test at SCG, with GMR’s Kiran Kumar Grandhi set to advance negotiations. After Southern Braves’ probable acquisition, we might see “Sydney Capitals” soon!
Rohit-Kohli in County instead of IPL?
Sanjay Manjrekar recently suggested that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should skip IPL 2025 to play County cricket before the crucial England Test series starting June 20. He believes exposure to English conditions will help the struggling duo regain form after a poor BGT 2024/25. However, the County season begins on April 7, while the IPL runs from March 14 to May 25. With just one County match possible between May 25 and June 20, skipping IPL seems impractical.
Rohit Sharma is not retired yet!
Not retied but Rohit Sharma has clarified that he voluntarily “stood down” from the India vs Australia 5th Test, citing his poor form and the team’s need for in-form players. He had a chat with coach Gautam Gambhir and selector Ajit Agarkar, who backed his decision. Amid his poor form and some of the other batters, he knew the team couldn’t carry so many out-of-form players in what was a must-win match in Sydney. Therefore, he had to make the tough call.
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