India vs Australia Archives

Multiple records shattered in India’s semi-final win over Australia

NAVI MUMBAI: Jemimah Rodrigues anchored an epic chase that shattered multiple records as India defeated defending champions Australia in the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-final on Thursday.

Phoebe Litchfield struck a brilliant hundred to power Australia to 338, setting a daunting target of 339 runs for the hosts.

However, India scripted history by pulling off the highest successful chase in Women’s ODI history, surpassing Australia’s 331 against India in Visakhapatnam earlier this month.

In doing so, India also became the first team ever to chase down a 300-plus target in a World Cup knockout, men’s or women’s.

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The run-fest produced 679 runs in total, the second-highest aggregate ever recorded in Women’s ODIs.

Fourteen sixes were smashed in the game, the most ever in a Women’s World Cup match, pushing the ongoing edition’s tally of maximums to a record 124, eclipsing the 111 hit in 2017.

Jemimah Rodrigues played a crucial role in India’s remarkable victory, scoring an unbeaten 127 runs off 134 balls, with 14 fours.

This innings now holds the record for the highest score by an Indian in an ODI run chase, surpassing Smriti Mandhana’s 125 runs against Australia last month.

Additionally, she has joined Nat Sciver-Brunt as only the second player in history to score a century while chasing in a World Cup knockout match.

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The 167-run stand between Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur was another record in itself, the highest partnership for India against Australia in Women’s World Cups, surpassing the Mithali Raj–Punam Raut effort of 157 in 2017.

It was also the sixth 150-plus stand in a World Cup knockout, and the first not involving Australian batters.

Australia’s Litchfield, at just 22 years old, became the youngest player to score a century in a Women’s World Cup knockout match.

Additionally, the Australian team set a new record by achieving six hundreds in this edition of the tournament, the most ever in a single World Cup campaign.

READ: India-Pakistan clash confirmed as Asia Cup Rising Stars Championship schedule revealed

Rohit, Kohli masterclass powers India to victory over Australia

SYDNEY: Veteran duo Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rolled back the years with a vintage partnership as India cruised to a comprehensive victory over Australia in the third ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.

Chasing a modest target of 237, the visitors made light work of the pursuit, reaching 238-1 with 69 balls to spare in front of a packed SCG crowd.

Notably, Australia won the series 2-1, having won the first two games of the three-match series at Adelaide and Perth.

Rohit struck a magnificent unbeaten 121 off 125 balls, laced with 13 boundaries and three sixes, while Kohli provided steady support with a fluent 74 not out off 81 deliveries.

India got off to a strong start as Rohit and skipper Shubman Gill added 69 runs for the opening wicket before Josh Hazlewood dismissed Gill for 24.

From there, it was all about India’s two modern-day greats, who batted with authority and ease against an Australian attack that struggled for answers.

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Rohit reached his 33rd ODI century, timing the ball beautifully and barely offering a chance, while Kohli’s elegant strokeplay ensured there were no further hiccups as India wrapped up the win comfortably.

Earlier, Australia’s innings imploded after a steady start. From a promising 183/3, the hosts collapsed to 236 all out, losing their final seven wickets for just 53 runs.

Harshit Rana was the chief destroyer with 4-39, while Matt Renshaw top-scored with a patient 56.

Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh had earlier given Australia a brisk start before the Indian spinners applied the brakes. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar claimed two wickets apiece, triggering the middle-order collapse.

Renshaw fought hard to register his maiden ODI fifty but ran out of partners as India turned the screws. Cooper Connolly chipped in with 23 late on, but it was too little too late.

READ: Pakistan stars cleared to feature in BBL 15: Cricket Australia chief

How can India qualify for WTC final after Melbourne Test defeat against Australia?

MELBOURNE: India suffered a major blow to their chances of qualifying for the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) after suffering a thumping defeat in the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia here on Monday.

India bundled for 155 with just 12.5 overs left in the match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) as Australia claimed a thrilling 184-run victory to go 2-1 up in the five-match series.

Despite the heavy defeat, India are still in contention for a spot in the WTC final next year at Lord’s. Currently ranked No. 3 on the points table, India holds a Percentage of Points (PCT%) of 52.78, leaving them with a glimmer of hope.

To secure their qualification, India must triumph over Australia in the crucial fifth Test match, which is set to commence on January 3, 2025, at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

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However, India will also need Sri Lanka to achieve victory over Australia in their two-match Test series, scheduled to begin on January 29, 2025, in Galle. A series win for Sri Lanka by either 2-0 or 1-0 would be essential for India’s chances.

If everything falls into place, India could conclude the WTC 2023-25 cycle with a PCT% of 55.26. In this scenario, Australia’s maximum PCT% could rise to 53.51, while Sri Lanka could finish with a maximum of 53.85 PCT%.

However, if India fails to secure a win in the fifth Test against Australia, they would be out of the race for the WTC final, even in case of a draw.

Furthermore, if India manages to overcome Australia in Sydney yet Australia still manages to win at least one Test in their series against Sri Lanka, India would still fall short of qualification.

Meanwhile, South Africa have made history on Sunday by clinching their first-ever place in the WTC final. This achievement came after a thrilling victory over Pakistan by two wickets in the first Test of their two-match series in Centurion.

READ: Mohammad Abbas achieves historic feat after heroics in first South Africa Test

Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Melbourne Test sets new attendance record

MELBOURNE: The blockbuster fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India on Monday became the best attended Test in the country’s history as fans flocked to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for the final day.

Day five of the fourth Test attracted a bumper crowd of 74,362, swelling the total number of spectators since the start of the match on Boxing Day to 373,691.

That beat the previous record of 350,534 at the same ground during the 1936-37 Ashes series against England, when Donald Bradman ruled the sport and Tests were played over six days.

“Thank you, Melbourne. An Australian cricketing record, an MCG record and history made,” Cricket Australia tweeted.

In terms of Boxing Day Tests, the previous record was 271,865 during the 2013-14 Ashes.

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“I think what’s been particularly special about this series is the number of India fans, from not just India but all around the world,” Cricket Australia chief Nick Hockley told reporters during the Test.

“I have met fans from the UK, from Canada, from the US.

“Obviously it is a fantastic time of year but it talks to the MCG has almost got this spiritual place in cricketing folklore.”

It’s worth noting that Australia ripped out seven wickets in the final session of the fourth Test to win a thriller by 184 runs and go 2-1 up in the five-match series.

India crumbled to 155 all out with just 12.5 overs left in the match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and will need to win the final Test starting in Sydney on Friday to level the series and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

READ: Australia win Test thriller to lead series after late India collapse

India lose five after Steve Smith put Australia in charge of Melbourne Test

Pace bowlers wreaked havoc on Friday to keep Australia in the driving seat of the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India after Steve Smith set up a daunting first-innings total on the back of his 34th Test hundred.

The visitors were 164-5 at the close on day two at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), with Rishabh Pant (6*) and Ravindra Jadeja (4*) on the crease.

India are trailing by 310 runs after Australia were bowled out for 474 soon after lunch, buoyed by Smith’s stylish 140.

Australian bowlers picked up three wickets in the final half-hour to halt India’s momentum after they were 153-2.

Scott Boland and skipper Pat Cummins grabbed two wickets each.

Skipper Rohit Sharma reverted to his usual role as opener after dropping to six in the past two Tests.

But it did nothing to help his woeful recent form and he was out for three, spooning an attempted pull shot off Cummins to Boland at mid-on for a simple catch.

Cummins pounced again to remove the in-form KL Rahul with the last ball before tea, bowling him for 24.

But opener Yashasvi Jaiswal stood firm with a high-quality innings, crunching a series of stylish boundaries in his 82.

The 22-year-old, who scored 161 in the first Test at Perth, looked destined for another century but threw his wicket away in a comical mix-up with Virat Kohli.

Jaiswal set off for a quick single off Boland but his teammate said no, leaving the youngster stranded, ending a dangerous 102-run stand.

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Kohli was caught behind by Alex Carey for 36 off Boland, who then removed nightwatchman Akash Deep without scoring.

The hosts resumed on 311-6 after a dominant opening day and plundered another 163 runs, with the composed Smith slamming 13 fours and three sixes.

Steve Smith padded up again on 68, with Cummins alongside him on eight. They took 15 off one Deep over before Smith hooked Jasprit Bumrah for six to rub salt in the wounds, with India’s body language showing their frustration.

Smith reached his 34th Test century with a boundary off Nitish Kumar Reddy, which came on the back of a return to form in the last Test in Brisbane where he made 101.

It was a patient innings from the 35-year-old and moved him alongside four other players on the all-time list of century-makers, including Sunil Gavaskar and Brian Lara.

Only six men have scored more, led by Sachin Tendulkar’s 51.

With the landmark out of the way, both men began swinging the bat and Cummins paid the price, caught for a fine 49 by Reddy in the deep off Jadeja to end a 112-run stand.

Starc was bowled by Jadeja for 15 in the first over after lunch, with Smith following in bizarre fashion.

Facing Deep, he danced down the wicket looking to drive but got an inside edge, with the ball bouncing off his pads and trickling onto the leg stump.

Nathan Lyon (13) was the final wicket to fall, lbw to Bumrah who ended with 4-99.

The five-match series is locked at 1-1 after India won by 295 runs in Perth before Australia bounced back to win the second Test by 10 wickets in Adelaide. The rain-affected third Test in Brisbane was drawn.

READ: Babar Azam joins Virat Kohli in elusive club during Boxing Day Test

India face major blow as key pacer ruled out of Australia Tests

India suffered a blow on Monday when pacer Mohammed Shami was ruled out of the final two Test matches of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.

Shami has missed the first three matches of the series but was expected to join the Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for the Boxing Day Test.

The right-arm pacer has been on the road to recovery and has played a few domestic matches since his right heel surgery, which kept him away from international cricket for months.

“However, his left knee has exhibited minor swelling due to increased joint loading from his bowling workload,” Devajit Saikia of the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a statement on Monday.

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The fans of Team India expected Mohammed Shami to join Bumrah, rated as one of the best fast bowlers of this generation, for the final two games against Australia, but their hopes were dashed on Monday.

Bumrah has stood out for his match-turning performances in Australia but critics have argued that he has lacked support from the other end in Shami’s absence.

“Based on the current medical assessment, the BCCI Medical Team has determined that his (Shami’s) knee requires more time for controlled exposure to bowling loads,” Saikia added.

“Consequently, he has not been deemed fit for consideration for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.”

READ: PCB reveals schedule of West Indies’ tour of Pakistan

Rohit Sharma provides update on Mohammed Shami’s inclusion in remaining Australia Tests

India captain Rohit Sharma has discussed the possibility of calling up pace bowler Mohammed Shami for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.

Shami was not selected for the tour of Australia because of an ankle surgery that sidelined him for nearly a year.

He underwent the surgery in February and was on track to return to the national team. However, he aggravated a knee issue during his rehabilitation, which further delayed his comeback.

The right-handed pacer achieved match fitness last month and returned to action for his domestic team Bengal, under the monitoring of the National Cricket Academy (NCA).

During the post-match press conference after the drawn third Test, Rohit Sharma was asked if Shami could make a comeback in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

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However, the Indian captain emphasized that the team management would consider Mohammed Shami only after receiving full assurance from the NCA.

“About Shami, I think it’s high time somebody from NCA talks about him, where he is rehabbing,” Rohit said. “Those guys are the ones who need to come up and give us some kind of update.”

“I understand he’s playing a lot of cricket back home, but there have been some complaints about his knee as well.

“So, look, the last thing you want is the player coming here and then pulling out in the middle of the game. You know what happens when that kind of thing happens.

“So, there is no way we want to take that chance unless we are like, not 100%, 200% sure, we’re not going to take any risk.

“But yeah, as I said in the last press conference, the door is open if those guys at the NCA feel that he is okay to go and recover and play, we’ll be happy to have him.”

READ: South Africa name two uncapped players in squad for Pakistan Tests

Ravichandran Ashwin announces retirement from international cricket

Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from international cricket effective immediately after the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in Brisbane.

He announced his decision during the post-match press conference after the rain-affected third Test concluded in a draw, expressing gratitude for his journey with the Indian cricket team.

“This will be my last day as an Indian cricketer in all formats at the international level,” Ashwin said.

“I do feel there’s a bit of punch left in me as a cricketer, but I would like to express that and probably showcase that in club-level cricket, but this will be the last day [for India].

“I’ve had a lot of fun. I must say I have created a lot of memories alongside Rohit [Sharma] and several of my other teammates, even though I have lost some of them [to retirements] over the last few years.

“We’re the last bunch of OGs if we can say that, left out in the dressing room, and. I will be marking this as my date of having played at this level.

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“Obviously there are a lot of people to thank, but I would be failing in my duties if I didn’t thank the BCCI and my fellow team-mates. Several of them.

“I want to name a few of them. All the coaches who have been part of the journey. Most importantly, Rohit, Virat [Kohli], Ajinkya [Rahane], [Cheteshwar] Pujara, who have taken those splendid catches around the bat to give me the number of wickets I’ve managed to get over the years.”

Ravichandran Ashwin will go down in history as one of the greatest bowlers to play for India, having represented the country in 106 Test matches and taking 537 wickets at an average of 24.

He is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, only behind legendary Anil Kumble, who finished with 619 wickets from 132 Tests.

Moreover, Ashwin has also scored 3503 runs with six centuries and 14 half-centuries in Test cricket. He is one of 11 all-rounders with more than 3000 runs and 300 wickets.

During his 14-year-long international career, he has also played 116 ODIs and 65 T20Is, taking 156 and 72 wickets in the two formats respectively.

READ: Another Pakistan cricketer announces retirement after Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim

Mohammed Siraj, Travis Head penalised for on-field incident in Adelaide Test

DUBAI: India pacer Mohammed Siraj and Australia batter Travis Head have been penalised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday for breaching the Code of Conduct during the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Australia crushed India by ten wickets in the second Test to level the series on the back of their dominant bowling effort and Travis Head’s 140-run knock.

Notably, the incident unfolded in the 82nd over when Siraj bowled Head. As the bails flew off the stumps, Siraj couldn’t help but express his excitement, coming within close proximity to the departing batsman.

Siraj pointed toward the Australian dressing room, seemingly to emphasize the significance of the wicket.

However, this send-off did not go unnoticed by the match officials. As a result, Siraj faced a penalty, being fined 20% of his match fee for violating Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct.

“Siraj has been fined 20 per cent of his match fee after being found to have breached article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel,” the ICC stated in a press release.

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“[this article] relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal.”

Meanwhile, Head also found himself facing disciplinary action under Article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct.

“Head was reprimanded after he was found to have breached Article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel,” the ICC added.

Both Mohammed Siraj and Travis Head accepted the charges brought against them, along with the penalties suggested by the Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle.

Moreover, one demerit point was added to both of their disciplinary records, marking their first offence within the past 24 months.

READ: Can Sri Lanka still qualify for WTC final after South Africa series defeat?

Pat Cummins admits Test defeat ‘hurts’ but aims to bounce back

Australia skipper Pat Cummins admitted that the crushing first Test loss to India “hurt”, but said his team is experienced enough to learn from it and will bounce back in the remaining matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The Indian side arrived in Australia on the back of a humiliating 3-0 home series defeat to New Zealand.

Moreover, their captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Shubman Gill were not available for the first Test. In their absence, India were bundled for a meagre 150 runs in the first innings.

However, Bumrah led the team’s remarkable comeback as they booked Australia to 104 to take a 46-run lead.

India declared their second innings after posting a massive 487-6, setting Australia a mountainous 534-run target. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli struck dominant centuries to set up the mammoth total.

In response, Australia crumbled to 238 all out in the final session on day four against an inspired attack led by the irrepressible Jasprit Bumrah, who took 3-42 to claim eight wickets in the match.

“Look, I think you kind of sit in the change room after a loss like that and it hurts,” said Pat Cummins after the match. “When a team declares on you, it’s never an amazing feeling. We’ve all been in these situations before.”

“The biggest challenge and the most important thing is how do you bounce back, what’s your next move?

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“So that’s what we’ve got to do this week. Clearly, we were well off the mark, there’s a lot to work on.

“The most important thing is there’s four Test matches to come and how do we make sure that we don’t be in this position again.”

The next Test is in Adelaide next week under lights with a pink ball, a format Australia has excelled at.

Cummins said they would likely arrive in the city earlier than first thought to work on ironing out the batting and bowling issues that cost them in Perth.

But despite allrounder Mitchell Marsh carrying some niggles and Marnus Labuschagne being badly out of form, he does not expect many, if any, changes.

“I think after every Test you always kind of look at what you think your best match-up is,” he said. “Four or five days ago, we thought this was our best 11 so I dare say there won’t be many changes going into Adelaide, but I’m not a selector.”

“I’m sure they’ll get together after the game, but yeah, not to be today and we’ve got a bit of work to do over the next 10 days.”

READ: “Didn’t see him out of form”: Jasprit Bumrah hails Virat Kohli