Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Kohli ready to lead India to historic series win in Australia

The New Year's test has more often than not been a sun-drenched celebration of Australian cricketing domination but this year it looms as a desperate scrap to prevent India from finally exerting their superiority Down Under.

The last time a touring party turned up at the Sydney Cricket Ground with a test series still up for grabs was in the 2010-2011 Ashes and, eight years on, there was a similar "fin de siecle" feeling about the place on Wednesday.


Then, Australia had already relinquished the Ashes on home soil for the first time in a quarter of a century and their hopes of a series-levelling win were shattered by England's rampant bowling attack in an innings and 83-run defeat.

On Thursday, India will embark on a bid to end 70 long years of fruitless attempts to win a test series in Australia from a similar position of strength, 2-1 up with one to play after a crushing victory in Melbourne.

India's fortunes have also been built on the back of disciplined pace bowling against fragile home batting and they take their advantage to the one ground in Australia which has traditionally favoured their strongest suit - spin bowling.

The "Will he? Won't he?" saga around whether Ravichandran Ashwin might return for the decisive test aside, the tourists, as England in 2011, looked in confident mood as they trained under bright blue Sydney skies.

Virat Kohli rarely betrays anything but the greatest confidence and Wednesday's traditional captain's press conference was no exception.

Kohli, whose single century in the series alone betters the entire Australia effort, took questions about where a series triumph would rank in his own glory-filled career as well as in the annals of his country's cricketing history.

This was not about making history, he said, more about proving that a team already ranked number one in the world in tests could do the business on the rock hard wickets of Australia as well as the slow, brown pitches of home.

"The reason why we want to win this test is because we understand as cricketers how difficult it is to come here and play," he said.

"Every team that comes here wants to win, obviously. I'm sure that they would have had the same intention, but the motivation has never been to change history.

"(It's) not necessarily proving something to someone or changing history, just crossing a hurdle and making yourself believe that you are good enough to be at this level and beat any team anywhere in the world."

Which 11 players will take up that challenge will not be known until Thursday's toss but what is certain is that batsman Rohit Sharma, who has returned home for the birth of his first child, and injured quick Ishant Sharma will not be among them.

MUST WIN TEST

Australia also decided against naming a team on Wednesday as they searched for the perfect "balance" to their side for a fourth and final test they must win on a wicket they believe will offer some turn.

His bowlers pick themselves so captain Tim Paine fielded questions about batting permutations should, as has been reported, opener Aaron Finch and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh be dumped for Marnus Labuschagne and Peter Handscomb.

Senior batsman Usman Khawaja, whose 37 on debut in that 2011 Ashes test was one of the only highlights of a miserable five days for the hosts, would open if Finch was dropped, Paine said, with the other batsmen shuffling up one in the order.

Many of the remainder of the questions Paine faced revolved around how Australia, who travel to England for an Ashes series later this year, could get better.

"We're a work in progress," he conceded. "It's about keeping perspective and reality about where we're at and I think the main thing for us is that we're improving. I think we're showing signs of getting better.

"The silver lining is that in a few months we're going to have some world class guys returning and we're going to have some younger guys with eight to 10 tests under their belts."

Ah yes, the asterisk that some Australians are likely to append to this series forever -- Paine is captain because Steve Smith and David Warner were banned for their part in the ball tampering scandal and will not return until the end of March.

That will, of course, be far too late to play any part in this series and Australia's home record against India may end up being another line to add to the long list of damage done to the game by that catastrophic misjudgement at Newlands.

More For You

Uganda-high-commission-event

The event also focused on Uganda’s role in cultural diplomacy and sustainable development.

Uganda high commission hosts heritage event in London

THE UGANDA high commission in London hosted an event highlighting Uganda’s cultural heritage and investment opportunities at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Building. The event featured a performance by the Watoto Children’s Choir.

Uganda’s high commissioner to the UK, Nimisha J Madhvani, addressed the gathering, welcoming guests and speaking about the country’s cultural diversity.

Keep ReadingShow less
Shein-Reuters

Shein had aimed to go public in London in the first half of this year, subject to regulatory approvals in the UK and China. (Photo: Reuters)

Shein cuts valuation to £40 billion for London listing

SHEIN is preparing to lower its valuation to around £40 billion for a potential initial public offering (IPO) in London, according to three Reuters sources familiar with the matter.

This is nearly 25 per cent lower than the company's 2023 fundraising valuation as it faces increasing challenges.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dr Punam Krishan: ‘My book inspires children to appreciate their bodies’

Dr Punam Krishan

Dr Punam Krishan: ‘My book inspires children to appreciate their bodies’

AN ASIAN doctor said she wants children to feel excited and empowered about their bodies when they read her new book.

Published last month, Dr Punam Krishan’s You & Your Body helps children and families understand the human body and make positive choices about well-being, the author said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Maha-kumbh-pilgrims-reuters

Devotees arrive at the river bank to take a holy dip at Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India on January 28, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

India says 420 million pilgrims have visited Maha Kumbh

INDIA’s government announced on Friday that more than 420 million pilgrims have taken part in ritual bathing at the Maha Kumbh, a Hindu religious festival.

Organisers say the estimate is based on artificial intelligence and surveillance cameras used to track attendance.

Keep ReadingShow less
Eye Spy: Top stories from the world of entertainment

Vicky Kaushal in 'Chhaava'

Chhaava

Eye Spy: Top stories from the world of entertainment

UK SHOW IS A SHOCKER

THE recent Rewind Queens tour was an absolute shocker. The concerts had already been postponed from 2024 due to Alka Yagnik’s severe illness, yet organisers likely knew she wouldn’t be able to perform in the January shows in London and Birmingham – but only announced her absence days before.

Keep ReadingShow less