Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Rohit Sharma considers playing second spinner in Melbourne

"Whatever we have to do to make the best possible XI in these conditions, we will do that -- whether that is playing an extra spinner or not," Rohit said during a media interaction.

Rohit-Gambhir-Getty

The pitch is predicted to favour fast bowlers, according to the curator earlier this week, but Rohit hinted at the possibility of a change in strategy. (Photo: Getty Images)

INDIA captain Rohit Sharma remained non-committal about his team’s lineup for the Boxing Day Test against Australia, indicating that a second spinner could be included.

The match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is expected to see temperatures soar to 40 degrees Celsius on Thursday. The pitch is predicted to favour fast bowlers, according to the curator earlier this week, but Rohit hinted at the possibility of a change in strategy.


"Whatever we have to do to make the best possible XI in these conditions, we will do that -- whether that is playing an extra spinner or not," Rohit said during a media interaction.

With off-spinning allrounder Ravichandran Ashwin retiring from international cricket after the Brisbane Test, Ravindra Jadeja is likely to retain his spot in the playing XI. Washington Sundar is another spin option being considered.

India’s pace attack has largely been carried by Jasprit Bumrah, who has performed strongly throughout the series.

However, the other fast bowlers have struggled to provide consistent support. Speedster Akash Deep replaced Harshit Rana after the latter’s poor performance in Brisbane and is expected to play alongside Mohammed Siraj and Nitish Kumar Reddy, should India stick with three pacers.

Despite the mixed performance from the pace attack, Rohit expressed confidence in his bowlers. “When you talk about our bowling unit, I have enough faith in all our bowlers to get the job done,” he said. “Anyone can have tough games or series. It doesn’t mean they are not good enough to perform at this level.”

Rohit himself has been under scrutiny, having missed the first Test in Perth for personal reasons. In the subsequent games in Adelaide and Brisbane, he batted at number six instead of opening, allowing Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul to stay at the top of the order.

There is speculation that Rohit may open in Melbourne, but he deflected questions on the topic. “Let’s not worry about that,” he said. “I think who bats where is something that we need to figure out within ourselves. Whatever it takes for our team to look good or gives us the best chance to succeed, we’ll try and do that.”

The series is currently tied at 1-1. India secured a dominant 295-run victory in Perth but suffered a 10-wicket defeat in Adelaide. The third Test in Brisbane ended in a draw due to persistent rain.

(With inputs from AFP)

More For You

Yashasvi Jaiswal

India's Yashasvi Jaiswal plays a shot on the opening day of the first cricket test match between England and India at Headingley cricket ground in Leeds on June 20, 2025.

Getty Images

England opt to bowl in first Test as India's Sudharsan makes debut

ENGLAND captain Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to bowl first against India in the opening Test at Headingley on Friday.

The match began under clear skies and with a pitch showing only a slight green tinge, suggesting decent conditions for batting in the first game of the five-Test series.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kohli Rohit Test

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have recently announced their retirements from Test cricket. (Photo: Getty Images)

Geoffrey Boycott says India will miss Kohli more than Rohit

INDIA will miss Virat Kohli more than Rohit Sharma in the upcoming Test series against England, according to former England captain Geoffrey Boycott. Kohli and Rohit’s recent retirement from the format will affect India’s chances in the five-match series starting Friday, he said.

The two teams begin their new World Test Championship (WTC) cycle with this series, which will be played over six weeks.

Keep ReadingShow less
WTC winner

Temba Bavuma of South Africa lifts the ICC World Test Championship Mace with teammates following his team's victory on Day Four of the WTC final against Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground on June 14. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Markram century powers South Africa to WTC title at Lord’s

AIDEN MARKRAM's century helped South Africa secure a five-wicket win over Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s on Saturday. With this result, South Africa claimed their first major global title in men’s cricket.

Set 282 to win, South Africa reached the target before lunch on the fourth day, finishing on 282-5. Markram was dismissed for 136 after bringing his team to within six runs of victory.

Keep ReadingShow less
Diageo eyes £1.6bn sale of Royal Challengers Bengaluru: report

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli (C), along with his teammates, celebrates with the trophy after winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 final cricket match against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 4, 2025. (Photo by ARUN SANKAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Diageo eyes £1.6bn sale of Royal Challengers Bengaluru: report

BRITISH giant Diageo is exploring the sale of its controlling stake in India's Royal Challengers Bengaluru cricket team, potentially valuing the newly-crowned champions at up to £1.6 billion ($2bn).

The maker of Guinness and Johnnie Walker whisky is weighing its options for the Indian Premier League franchise, including selling part or all of its ownership through United Spirits, its Indian subsidiary where it holds a 55.9 per cent controlling interest, reported the Bloomberg.

Keep ReadingShow less
WTC-final-AUS-SA

Kagiso Rabada celebrates with teammate Kyle Verreynne after taking the wicket of Alex Carey during day two of the WTC Final 2025 between South Africa and Australia at Lord's on June 12, 2025. (Photo: Getty Images)

WTC final: South Africa confident despite big target at Lord’s

SOUTH AFRICA remain confident about chasing down a big target in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, despite the match being dominated by the bowlers so far.

David Bedingham, who top scored with 45 in South Africa’s first innings total of 138, said the team believed they could chase whatever target Australia set.

Keep ReadingShow less