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Team India players praised Virat Kohli after his century helped India secure a 17-run win over South Africa in the first ODI in Ranchi. Kohli scored 135 off 120 balls, his 52nd ODI hundred, giving India a strong start to the series. Several teammates described what it meant to watch another major innings from the former captain.Tilak Varma said it felt special to see Kohli reach a hundred from close range.“We have seen one of the best knocks again. I am very happy that I have seen 100 of Virat bhai live,” Tilak said in a video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).“He has always been electrifying in the field, the batting, fielding, everything. He is absolutely top. I have learnt a lot, and it’s a pleasure to watch him live. I will keep talking to him and learn as much as I can. If I get an opportunity in the coming games, I can implement it in those games as well,” he said.Kuldeep Yadav, who began his career when Kohli was captain, said the innings reminded him of Kohli’s strong years.“My career started with Virat bhai when he was the captain. The way he batted, I felt I had gone back 8-9 years, the way he was batting in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2016,” Kuldeep said.“It was a very good innings, and he looked very confident. Whatever his shot selection was, the ball was coming nicely off the bat. It feels good to be with him. You get to learn a lot. Even in bowling, you get inputs as to what you can do. It feels good to be with the seniors. There is energy and intensity in the team. As you have seen in the field, we are very lucky with it,” he said.Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said India wanted a strong first-innings total on a pitch expected to become easier later.“Nice to get back to winning ways. It was very pleasing as the guys identified that we needed a premium score on that wicket,” he said.“We knew the dew was going to come in, and the way the batters went about it and obviously Virat, a big 100 in a row. Getting us out of the blocks, finishing off to get us a score that was above what you normally need in a wicket like this was good,” he said.Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said discussions about Kohli’s ODI future were unnecessary.“I really don’t know why actually we need to look at all this,” Kotak said after India’s 17-run win.“He’s batting so well. Why do we need to talk about his future? The way he’s performing, the way his fitness is — there are no questions about anything,” Kotak said.In the match, South Africa sent India in to bat. Yashasvi Jaiswal made 18 before getting out. Rohit Sharma (57 off 51) and Kohli added 136 for the second wicket. India lost Rohit, Ruturaj Gaikwad (8) and Washington Sundar (13) quickly, reaching 200/4, but further stands kept the innings going. KL Rahul made 60, sharing a 76-run stand with Kohli and later adding 65 with Ravindra Jadeja (32 off 20). India finished with 349/8.In the chase, South Africa slipped to 11/3 after early wickets by Indian fast bowlers. Tony de Zorzi (39 off 37) and Matthew Breetzke added 66, and Dewald Brevis scored 37 off 28, but South Africa were still five down at 130. Breetzke (72 off 80) and Marco Jansen (80 off 39) then put on 97 and kept the contest alive before Kuldeep dismissed both. South Africa were 227/8 and later pushed again through Corbin Bosch, who made 67 off 51, but fell short by 17 runs. Harshit Rana finished with 3/65.India now lead the three-match ODI series 1-0.

TL;DR: Driving the newsGlobal arms revenues surged to an all-time high of $679 billion in 2024, up 5.9% in real terms, according to the latest SIPRI Top 100 ranking. While Europe and the US drove most of the increase, Asia and Oceania stood out as the only region to post a decline—largely due to a dramatic drop in Chinese arms company revenues, the SIPRI report said. Zoom inIndia, though still far from being a global arms giant, posted a quiet but steady 8.2% increase in combined revenues across its three Top 100 companies. In sharp contrast, Chinese arms revenues fell 10%, a setback tied to a wave of high-profile corruption scandals and major contract delays that rattled Beijing’s defense establishment.India’s steady climbIndia’s three Top 100 firms-Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders-together pulled in $7.5 billion in arms revenue in 2024, up from $6.9 billion in 2023.BEL led the growth with a 24% revenue jump, hitting $2.47 billion. The boost came from domestic orders, particularly in radar systems and electronic warfare equipment, both prioritized in India’s military modernization drive.HAL, India’s top-ranked defense firm at rank 44 globally, earned $3.81 billion, a marginal 0.3% decrease from the previous year. The company faced delivery lags, but remained a cornerstone supplier to the Indian Air Force and Navy.Mazagon Dock, focused on naval shipbuilding, recorded $1.23 billion in arms revenue, with a 9.8% year-on-year increase, thanks to continued submarine and destroyer production.Why it mattersIndia is pressing ahead with its “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) campaign in defense production. While not grabbing global headlines, its incremental gains highlight an emerging industrial base that could challenge traditional suppliers over time.“The combined arms revenues of the three Indian companies in the Top 100 increased by 8.2 per cent to $7.5 billion on the back of domestic orders,” the SIPRI report said.China’s disrupted marchXi’s purge tableThe picture in China couldn’t be more different. For the first time in years, China’s eight arms producers in the SIPRI Top 100-previously hailed as key enablers of President Xi Jinping’s military modernization push-lost major ground.

Combined revenues fell by 10% to $88.3 billionThe steepest fall came from NORINCO, China’s primary land systems manufacturer, which saw its revenue plunge 31% due to corruption scandals and leadership upheaval.CASC, China’s aerospace and missile systems leader, dropped 16% following delays in military satellite programs and the removal of its president amid graft allegations.Even AVIC, the country’s biggest defense company, slipped 1.3%, hampered by delays in aircraft deliveries.“A host of corruption allegations in Chinese arms procurement led to major arms contracts being postponed or cancelled in 2024,” said Nan Tian, director of the SIPRI military expenditure and arms production programme.Between the linesChina’s top-down, state-controlled defense sector may be big-but its opacity leaves it vulnerable to internal shocks. Political purges tied to Xi’s sweeping anti-corruption campaign disrupted procurement and leadership pipelines across several top defense firms.Only two of China’s eight arms producers recorded revenue growth-CSSC, the shipbuilding powerhouse, was one, rising 8.7%, aligned with China’s naval buildup in the South China Sea. India’s slow, state-driven growth might lack flash, but it also avoids the internal disarray seen in Beijing. Its procurement is transparent, aligned to strategic plans, and largely free of major political scandal.China, meanwhile, is still far ahead in sheer scale but vulnerable to top-level instability.The big picture: Asia’s arms balance shiftsWhile China dragged down the region’s total, other Asian powers picked up slack:South Korean arms producers rose 31% to $14.1 billion, driven by booming exports.Japan posted the largest jump in Asia: a 40% increase in arms revenues across five firms, reaching $13.3 billion, reflecting Tokyo’s shift toward proactive defense spending amid regional tensions. Global context: Arms race acceleratingUS firms remain the backbone of the global arms industry. The 39 American companies in the Top 100 generated $334 billion in arms revenues in 2024, a 3.8 per cent increase that leaves them with just under half of global Top 100 sales. Lockheed Martin alone booked $64.7 billion, while RTX, Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics each sat comfortably above $30 billion.Yet the American giant is struggling to turn money into timely capability. Programmes such as the F-35 fighter, the Columbia-class nuclear submarine and the Sentinel ICBM are all running late and over budget. Lockheed’s F-35 deliveries in 2024 were delayed by an average of 238 days per aircraft, and the programme’s projected sustainment costs have ballooned towards $1.6 trillion over its life. Northrop’s Sentinel programme has breached US cost-growth thresholds by around 80 per cent versus its original estimate. SIPRI’s Xiao Liang warns that “The delays and rising costs will inevitably impact US military planning and military spending… This could have knock-on effects on the US government’s efforts to cut excessive military spending and improve budget efficiency.” In plain terms, even as the US spends more, it risks getting less capability per dollar.European producers surged by 13%, reaching $151 billion, as countries rearm in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine.Russia and the Middle East: War economies and new hubsRussia’s corporate footprint in the SIPRI Top 100 remains surprisingly small—just two entities, Rostec and United Shipbuilding Corporation—but their combined arms revenues jumped 23 per cent in 2024 to an estimated $31.2 billion. Domestic demand linked to the Ukraine war more than offset shrinking exports. Russian plants have ramped up output of artillery shells, missiles and armoured vehicles; SIPRI cites reports of 1.3 million 152-mm shells produced in 2024, a more than fivefold increase over 2022.Where Russia is constrained, the Middle East is expanding. For the first time, nine companies from the region appear in the Top 100, with combined arms revenues of $31.0 billion, up 14 per cent where comparable data exist. Israeli firms alone generated $16.2 billion, a 16 per cent increase, fuelled both by the Gaza war and strong demand for uncrewed systems and missile defence worldwide.What’s next For India:Expect a continued push for domestic procurement and local manufacturing under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP).India may look to expand exports, especially to Africa and Southeast Asia, but lacks the global competitiveness of Korean or Israeli systems.For China:Beijing still accounts for around 13 per cent of total Top 100 arms revenues, and its shipyards and missile producers have been central to the rapid expansion of the PLA Navy and rocket forces over the past decade.But the 2024 rankings hint at a temporary pause or re-ordering in its modernisation drive just as tensions over Taiwan and in the South China Sea remain high.Recovery will depend on restoring procurement integrity, managing talent loss, and containing political fallout.For Asia:The regional arms race is far from over.The pivot from importing to building continues—but success will depend on supply chain resilience, governance, and geopolitical alignment.The bottom lineIndia is climbing slowly, but surely-fueled by trust in institutions, steady demand, and political will.China, long considered an unstoppable defense juggernaut, now faces turbulence not from outside threats, but from within.In the evolving landscape of Asian defense, discipline may matter more than dominance. And for now, India is playing the long game.

Mumbai: The Economic Intelligence Unit of the police Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is investigating a cheating case where more than 8,500 investors were assured monthly returns of 7%-8%. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Surat, seized cash, foreign currency, and digital evidence while inquiring about the investment scheme. The city police, on its X handle, posted a message about the alleged fraud. The post read, “A widespread fraudulent network involving Ojasvi Foundation, Ojasvi AI, WinsorFX, and Nature Elements has been exposed for operating unauthorised forex trading and fake ‘AI return’ schemes, misleading more than 8,500 investors.”The Nov 29 post on X further stated, “Avoid unregulated platforms offering unrealistic returns and always verify investments with RBI/SEBI.”An EOW officer said that Pradeep Parihar, a Khar resident, lodged an FIR with the police in Oct. “Around 150 investors in and around Mumbai who invested a total of Rs 14 crore in the fake forex cheating case have approached us. The trustees of the Ojasvi Foundation charitable trust ran schemes under the names Ojasvi AI, Nature Elements, FX Gurukul, Ojasvi Paradise, Bliss New, and Al Chemist,” said the officer. “Seven trustees of the Ojasvi Foundation are accused in the case,” said the police.The investors were contacted through word of mouth and were asked to download the company’s app. “They could see their investment, profit, and other records in the app. The accused claimed that they were investing the investors’ money into the share market and foreign exchange. The investors were given different bank accounts to deposit money. They were mule and personal accounts of individuals,” said the officer.Police said that the accused conducted seminars for the investors about their schemes in Mira Road.The EOW is probing the case under various sections of the BNSS and Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes (BUDS) Act against Ojasvi Foundation and its affiliated entities, including Ojasvi AI, WinsorFX (a Dubai-based trading platform), and Nature Elements.The police’s X post further added, “Search operations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) Surat have uncovered cash seizure worth Rs 1.33 crore, illegal foreign currency worth Rs 3 lakh, evidence of illegal forex (hawala) transactions exceeding 18 lakh USDT (a digital dollar-pegged currency) valued at approximately Rs 6-7 crore, and digital records related to illegal forex transactions.”The EOW has written to the ED seeking details about the raid and the records of investors and the bank accounts which were used in the crime.

India’s initial public offering (IPO) segment remains active, with roughly two dozen firms, including ICICI Prudential AMC, Meesho, and Juniper Green Energy, preparing to launch their public issues over the next two months. Collectively, these offerings could raise close to Rs 40,000 crore, according to merchant bankers.The upcoming slate also features prominent companies such as AI-focused Fractal Analytics, home and sleep solutions brand Wakefit Innovations, technology-driven security firm Innovatiview India, and hospital chain Park Medi World. This strong pipeline reflects both the confidence of the issuers and investors’ eagerness to capture early gains or back businesses with long-term growth prospects, reported ET.Firms across all market capitalisations—large, mid, and small caps—are gearing up to enter the IPO route in the coming weeks. Analysts attribute the surge to growing retail participation and steady domestic inflows, which have helped maintain fundraising momentum.This year alone, 96 companies have debuted on stock exchanges, raising a total of Rs 1.6 lakh crore. Over 40 of these listings were completed in the last three months, underscoring the heightened activity in the primary market. In comparison, 91 IPOs collectively mobilised Rs 1.6 lakh crore in 2024, aided by healthy retail participation, strong private capital expenditure, and a buoyant economic environment.Thomas Stephen, Head – Preferred at Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers, said, “With several IPOs scheduled for December, the total fundraising in 2025 could touch Rs 2 lakh crore, setting a new record for India’s primary markets. This is remarkable given the global volatility and a muted secondary market. Strong domestic liquidity has supported high valuations, and mutual funds, earlier cautious on pre-IPO deals, are now meaningfully increasing allocations.”Stephen also noted that India’s strong consumption story, bolstered by GST and income-tax rationalisation, has encouraged many consumer-oriented businesses to consider public listings. Supporting this view, Shantanu Awasthi, Co-founder & CEO of Mavenark, said, “Companies previously hesitant about tapping the public markets now recognise that sustained growth will require substantial capital infusion.”The funds raised through these IPOs are expected to help companies expand operations, invest in capital projects, repay debt, and meet other corporate objectives. ICICI Prudential AMC plans to raise Rs 10,000 crore in the second half of December through an offer for sale (OFS) of 1.76 crore shares by its UK-based promoter Prudential Corporation Holdings.SoftBank-backed Meesho is targeting Rs 5,421 crore through an IPO opening for public from December 3, comprising a fresh issue of Rs 4,250 crore and an OFS of 10.55 crore shares valued at Rs 1,171 crore. Other significant upcoming offerings include Aequs (Rs 922 crore), Vidya Wires (Rs 300 crore), Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions (Rs 5,200 crore), Fractal Analytics (Rs 4,900 crore), and Juniper Green Energy (Rs 3,000 crore).Additional firms preparing to enter the market between December and January include Manipal Payment, Kanodia Cement, Corona Remedies, Milky Mist, Amagi Media Labs, Nephrocare Health Services, Veeda Clinical, LCC Projects, Waterways Leisure, KSH International, Skyways Air Services, Ardee Engineering, PNGS Reva Diamond, and CIEL HR Services. Combined, these companies are expected to raise Rs 40,000 crore, merchant bankers said, as reported by ET.Among major main-board listings this year, Tata Capital led with Rs 15,512 crore, followed by LG Electronics (Rs 11,607 crore), Lenskart Solutions (Rs 7,278 crore), and Billionbrains Garage Ventures, the parent of Groww, which raised Rs 6,632 crore.Mavenark’s Awasthi advised investors to exercise caution, saying, “Investors should remain mindful of valuations and the underlying business narratives before investing.”

Shehbaz Sharif (left), Asim Munir (ANI)

Author and National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) member Tilak Devasher claimed that Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is “intentionally” staying out of the country to avoid being present when the notification would be issued for the appointment of the first-ever Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). Created through the 27th amendment to Pakistan’s constitution, the post is set to be assumed by Field Marshal Asim Munir, potentially making him the most powerful army chief in the country’s history.Also Read | ‘Reflects political bias, misinformation’: Pak brazens it out; criticises UN top official for remarks on 27th constitutional amendmentSpeaking to ANI, Devasher highlighted that Sharif left for Bahrain and then London, leading to speculation that he’s “deliberately” staying away to avoid issuing the notification.“Very smartly, the Pakistan PM went to Bahrain and then to London. He clearly does not want to issue the notification giving Asim Munir five years as army chief and as Chief of Defence Forces. He seems to believe that by staying away and avoiding signing the notification, he can escape the consequences,” said Devasher, author of four books on Pakistan.The comment comes after Sharif’s government failed to issue the required notification appointing Munir as the first-ever CDF by the November 29 deadline—the day his original three-year term as army chief ended. With the creation of the CDF post, the office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee has formally been abolished.Devasher added that Pakistan is currently navigating a “very messy” situation.“If it turns out that he (Asim Munir) is no longer the army chief, then Pakistan finds itself without an army chief, and even the nuclear command authority—meant to fall under the new Strategic Forces Command—is effectively leaderless. It’s an extremely strange situation,” he remarked.Legal experts remain divided over whether the notification is necessary. Under the amended Constitution, the Chief of Army Staff’s term is meant to run concurrently with the CDF, lasting five years.Some analysts, however, argue that the issue may already be addressed by the Pakistan Army Act’s 2024 amendment, which extended the tenure of service chiefs to five years, according to Dawn. The amendment includes a “deeming” clause stating it “shall always be deemed to have been part of the Pakistan Army Act,” implying that Munir’s current term could automatically extend from three to five years without any additional notification.Devasher, however, called this interpretation “controversial,” questioning the view that a notification may not be required.“Some people argue that the Army Act was amended in 2004, setting the army chief’s tenure at five years. Since he has already served three, he supposedly has another two years remaining. From this perspective, no new notification would be required. This is controversial, and it’s unclear how the judiciary or the government will view it. But the fact remains that it makes his position very tenuous,” Devasher said.He also pointed to what he described as political manoeuvring within the military. “There are reports that other generals are now jostling for the position of army chief or for the two newly created four-star posts,” he stated.Devasher added that Prime Minister Sharif’s absence is only deepening the uncertainty. “But this situation cannot continue,” he warned. “A nuclear-armed country cannot function without a Chief of the Army Staff or someone in charge of the nuclear command authority.”

NEW DELHI: After enduring a series of low scores on his comeback to the domestic T20 tournament – Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy – as Punjab’s captain, young India opener Abhishek Sharma produced a breathtaking counterattack on Sunday morning, hammering a record-breaking century against a seasoned Bengal bowling attack at the Gymkhana Ground in Hyderabad.A 12-ball fifty with 50 runs in boundaries Came out to open the innings after Punjab opted to bat first, Abhishek found his rhythm immediately. He blasted his way to a half-century in just 12 deliveries, launching into his former Sunrisers Hyderabad teammate and senior India pacer Mohammed Shami for 23 runs in a single over.

The scale of the assault by the Punjab batter was astonishing. By the time he reached his fifty, the left-handed sensation had scored 50 of his first 51 runs in boundaries only, smashing five sixes and five fours to leave Bengal stunned.Alongside him, Prabhsimran Singh also fired up early, helping Punjab surge past 120 inside eight overs. Abhishek continued to muscle sixes straight down the ground, repeatedly targeting the V region with brutal precision.Equals Rohit Sharma; only Virat Kohli ahead The carnage didn’t stop. Abhishek stormed to a century in 32 balls, finishing with 11 sixes and seven fours before reaching triple figures. This knock marked his eighth T20 hundred in 157 innings, bringing him level with Rohit Sharma. Among Indian batters, only Virat Kohli (nine) has more T20 centuries. Just last season, Abhishek smashed a 28-ball hundred against Meghalaya, the joint-fastest by any Indian in T20 cricket. He also struck 87 sixes in T20s in 2024, the most by an Indian man in a single year.Breaks his own six-hitting record With 16 sixes in this innings alone, Abhishek went past his 2024 tally, becoming the first Indian to cross 90 T20 sixes in a calendar year.Most T20 sixes by an Indian in a calendar year

Punjab cross the 300-run mark Abhishek eventually departed for a spectacular 148 off 52 balls, with 16 sixes and eight fours, but not before powering Punjab to a score beyond 300. They have now become only the second Indian T20 side, after Baroda against Sikkim in 2024, to breach the 300-run barrier.

Virat Kohli delivered a masterful performance in Ranchi, smashing his record-extending 52nd ODI century with 135 runs off 120 balls, featuring 11 fours and seven sixes, to propel India to 349/8 against South Africa in the series opener. The 37-year-old’s knock, his finest since the 2025 Champions Trophy, silenced doubters amid retirement talks and propelled India to a thrilling 17-run victory, taking a 1-0 lead. Coming in after Yashasvi Jaiswal‘s early exit, Kohli forged a crucial 136-run second-wicket stand with Rohit Sharma (57 off 51), blending solid defense with explosive strokeplay on a batting-friendly pitch.​

Gautam Gambhir stands up in awe of Virat Kohli’s record braking ton

South Africa captain Aiden Markram opted to bowl first, but India’s batting firepower overwhelmed their attack, with KL Rahul adding 60 off 56 to set a daunting target. Kohli eyed a double ton before falling to Nandre Burger, raising his bat to a roaring JSCA Stadium crowd. Cameras captured head coach Gautam Gambhir leading a standing ovation from the dressing room, joined by support staff like Sitanshu Kotak and Morne Morkel, before sharing a warm side hug with Kohli upon his return. This gesture underscored team unity, especially as Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar‘s marks for most ODI tons overall and against South Africa.​

GAUTAM Gambhir appreciate Virat Kohli inning ..

Great gesture by Coach .#INDvsSA #ViratKohli #GautamGambhir #RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/ypDnsC0iZV

— Manvendra Sharma (@Manvendra__17) November 30, 2025

Also READ: “I’d be lying if…”: KL Rahul on India’s nervy win over South Africa in Ranchi ODI

Kohli and Gambhir harmony amid speculation

Gambhir’s public acclaim put to rest whispers of tension with Kohli, absent visible interactions during recent nets post-Australia ODIs. Reports suggest BCCI officials, Gambhir, and selector Ajit Agarkar may convene in Ahmedabad to chart futures for Kohli and Rohit, possibly mandating Vijay Hazare participation for match readiness toward the 2027 World Cup. Gambhir had previously affirmed a strong personal bond with Kohli, emphasizing maturity beyond on-field rivalries like their IPL clashes.​

Kuldeep Yadav‘s four wickets, including Matthew Breetzke (72) and Marco Jansen (70), sealed the win despite a late Proteas surge to 332 all out. Kohli’s post-match resolve—”If I’m arriving somewhere, I’ll arrive at 120%“—highlights his focus on ODIs alone after Test and T20I retirements. This Ranchi masterclass reaffirms his legacy, boosting India’s campaign with Gambhir’s backing evident in every applaud.

Also READ: IND vs SA: Virat Kohli shuts down Test retirement U-turn talk with clear statement

Travis Head in Brisbane, Australia. (Getty Images)

Travis Head has never been one to obsess over cricket’s conventions, and on Sunday in Brisbane, Australia’s free-flowing left-hander summed up his approach with a line that instantly captured the mood of a team ready to challenge long-held Test traditions.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“Pink ball, white ball, red ball – I won’t use the next word… who really cares?” Head said with a grin. It was classic Head — carefree, blunt, and perfectly timed as Australia weigh up how far they are willing to push the boundaries in day-night Ashes cricket.The 31-year-old’s remark arrives as Australia seriously consider loosening, if not abandoning, the rigidity of traditional batting orders ahead of the second Test at the Gabba. Head, whose fearless 83-ball 123 in Perth reignited debate about his optimal position, is at the centre of this rethink.

Captain Pat Cummins earlier called batting orders “overrated”, and coach Andrew McDonald revealed that the decision to send Head out as a makeshift opener in the Perth run chase was the result of years of internal tactical debate about flexibility. Head fully agrees.“I think you could use this order and these players in a range of different ways… whatever way that is needed to win games of cricket,” he said. “We’ve seen it with the pink ball — double nightwatchmen, different ways to use players. The traditionalists will say that’s how it’s got to be, but this is where the game’s going.”Head believes the team has spent years preparing for this mindset shift. “We’ve thrown out scenarios over the last few years — how do you get there, what personnel you need, the personalities in the line-up. I feel like I can play any role, so I’m open to opening. All options are on the table.”

Head spent Sunday night reacquainting himself with the pink ball under lights as uncertainty lingers over Usman Khawaja‘s back spasms. The Gabba, where Head has produced both brilliance and baffling collapses, could again define his role.Whether he opens or slots back into the middle order, one thing is clear: Travis Head is fully committed to a future where Australian batting strategy is as fluid, adaptable and irreverent as the attitude he summed up with one unforgettable line.