The Brisbane Heat return to the Gabba on December 27 for a Saturday night showdown against the Adelaide Strikers. Both teams find themselves in the bottom half of the table early in BBL|15, making this a pivotal “momentum” game. The Heat are coming off a disappointing loss to the Sydney Thunder, while the Strikers are looking to bounce back after being outclassed by the Melbourne Stars.

The biggest subplot of the evening is Chris Lynn‘s return to the Gabba. The former Heat superstar and all-time BBL leading run-scorer now spearheads the Strikers’ top order. The Brisbane faithful will be hoping their new-look attack, led by the fiery Shaheen Afridi, can silence the local legend early.

Brisbane is also dealing with a leadership change; with regular captain Nathan McSweeney sidelined by an ankle injury, Xavier Bartlett continues as stand-in captain. He will be leaning heavily on the experience of Colin Munro and the red-hot form of Matt Renshaw, who has been striking the ball at nearly 200 this season.

BH vs AS, BBL|15: Match details

• Date and Time: December 27; 1:45 pm IST / 8:15 am GMT / 6:15 pm Local
• Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane

Head-to-Head Record in BBL

Matches played: 21 | Brisbane Heat won: 11 | Adelaide Strikers won: 10 | No result/Tied: 0

Gabba Pitch Report

The Gabba is traditionally one of the fastest and bounciest surfaces in Australia. Fast bowlers will find plenty of joy early on. The ball carries through to the keeper at a good height, rewarding those who hit the deck hard. While the new ball zips, the Gabba is known for being a high-scoring ground once the initial movement subsides. Spinners generally struggle for wickets here, averaging over 33 compared to the quicks’ 23.

Also WATCH: Tom Curran knocks over Jason Sangha’s stumps with an absolute ripper in BBL|15

Squads:

Brisbane Heat: Colin Munro, Jack Wildermuth, Matt Renshaw, Hugh Weibgen, Tom Alsop, Max Bryant, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Xavier Bartlett (c), Shaheen Afridi, Liam Haskett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Thomas Balkin, Lachlan Hearne, Ollie Patterson

Adelaide Strikers: Matthew Short (c), Chris Lynn, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Jamie Overton, Harry Nielsen (wk), Jerrssis Wadia, Luke Wood, Henry Thornton, Hasan Ali, Lloyd Pope, Mackenzie Harvey, Harry Manenti

BH vs AS, BBL|15: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Brisbane Heat wins the toss and bowls first
• Adelaide Strikers’ powerplay score: 40-50 (6 overs)
• Adelaide Strikers’ total score: 150-160

Case 2:

• Adelaide Strikers wins the toss and bowls first
• Brisbane Heat’ powerplay score: 55-65 (6 overs)
• Brisbane Heat’ total score: 170-180

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest

Also READ: Sam Harper’s explosive ton powers Melbourne Stars to a dominant win over Sydney Sixers in BBL|15

As 2025 draws to a close, former Indian cricketer and commentator Abhinav Mukund has revealed his ‘Best Test XI’ for the year. Mukund’s selection highlights the standout performers from major series like the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy and the ongoing Ashes, while making the bold choice of South African skipper Temba Bavuma to lead the side.

Abhinav Mukund’s Test XI of 2025

Stylish top order

Mukund opted for a right-left opening combination, pairing India’s KL Rahul with England’s Ben Duckett. Rahul was the top Test run-scorer among openers and a Champions Trophy winner, while Duckett made significant contributions with big centuries in both Test and ODI formats. Rahul had a stellar year across formats, notably becoming the opener with the most runs in Test cricket in 2025, scoring 625 runs by October. He also played a pivotal role in India’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 title win.

Duckett was a key player for England across all formats. He set a record for the highest individual score in the ICC Champions Trophy history with 165 runs against Australia in February 2025, a record later broken. In the Test series against India, he scored a brilliant 149 in the first Test win at Headingley.

At number three, Mukund named his captain, Bavuma. Bavuma had an exceptional year as both a batter and captain, most notably leading South Africa to a historic victory in the 2025 ICC World Test Championship final against Australia. As a batter, he maintained an outstanding Test average of 60.50 for the year and played crucial innings in South Africa’s first Test series win in India in 25 years.

Middle order dominance

The middle order features the year’s most consistent run-scorers. England’s Joe Root, India’s Shubman Gill and Australia’s Alex Carey. The Indian star concluded the year as the highest international run-scorer across all formats, while Root ended as the top ODI run-scorer and second-highest Test run-scorer of all time.

Gill amassed 1,764 runs across 35 international matches in 2025, with an average of 49.00 including seven hundreds and three half-centuries. He had an outstanding Test series against England, scoring 754 runs with four centuries, including a highest score of 269, to be named joint Player of the Series. Despite his red-ball and 50-over success, he was dropped from the T20I squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup due to poor T20I form.

Also READ: South Africa legend Hashim Amla reveals his all time best Test XI; no place for Virat Kohli and Joe Root

Root finished the year as the leading ODI run-scorer with 808 runs at an average of 57.71. In Test cricket, he surpassed Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer of all time. Root scored 1,598 international runs at an average of 57.07 across all formats in 2025.

Carey enjoyed a “red-hot” year in Test cricket, finishing as Australia’s highest run-scorer in the format with an average over 51.61. He scored two Test centuries, including a maiden Ashes ton at his home ground in Adelaide. His work behind the stumps, particularly in the second Ashes Test at the Gabba, earned widespread acclaim, with some hailing him as the best wicketkeeper in the world.

Dynamic bowling attack

The bowling attack is spearheaded by Australia’s Mitchell Starc, who etched his name into the record books in 2025. Starc became the first bowler since 1993 to take over 50 wickets in a year with a strike rate under 30 (28.7).The spin department is led by the relentless Ravindra Jadeja, who acted as the side’s premier all-rounder, and South Africa’s Simon Harmer, whose 30 wickets in just four Tests made him an undeniable selection for Mukund. The pace battery is completed by India’s Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, who combined for nearly 80 wickets during the calendar year.

Abhinav Mukund’s best playing XI of Tests for 2025: KL Rahul, Ben Duckett, Temba Bavuma (c), Joe Root, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Alex Carey (wk), Simon Harmer, Mitchell Starc, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah

Also READ: Virat Kohli, Steve Smith or Joe Root? Dinesh Karthik picks the best Test batter

As the Big Bash League (BBL|15) season gains momentum, cricket legend Michael Hussey has sparked debate among fans with his latest predictions for the tournament’s top four. His insights come at a pivotal moment when the standings are beginning to take a definitive shape, revealing which squads possess the depth required for a deep run in the playoffs.

Big Bash League: Michael Hussey’s BBL|15 playoff predictions

Hussey has identified a clear favorite in the Hobart Hurricanes while describing the battle for the remaining spots as a competitive raffle. His analysis emphasizes the importance of established experience and the potential for explosive batting lineups to dominate the back end of the season.

“How about Hurricanes number one? They stand out to me as the best team in the competition. At this stage, things can change, but I think they look strong. They’ve got all the bases covered. As for the other three teams. I think you can. It’s a bit of a raffle. I think the stars with Maxwell and Status, they’re gonna settled back in there that line up there as well. They’ve got a lot of experience there. Thunder of only won one game, but I actually think they’re not a bad team, okay, so I’m gonna squeeze them in there. And then the Scorchers, they’re batting that top seven, they’re going to be unstoppable. That 300 they could. I thought they were on. I think with that, the strength in their batting, they’re gonna win some games. You know, they’ve just got to get a bit. Their bowling sort out, but I still see them in the top four.”

Also READ: BBL 2025-26: Broadcast, Live Streaming details – When and where to watch the Big Bash League in Australia, India, USA, UK & other countries

BBL|15: Performance analysis of the Hussey’s top four

The Melbourne Stars have emerged as the team to beat in the early stages of BBL|15, sitting comfortably at the top of the table with a perfect start. Under the leadership of Marcus Stoinis, who remains undismissed this season with 94 runs, the Stars have combined tactical efficiency with a lethal bowling attack led by Haris Rauf.

Following closely are the Hurricanes, who Hussey labeled as the most complete side. Despite a narrow loss to the Stars at the MCG, the Hurricanes have displayed formidable strength through Ben McDermott’s consistent run-scoring and the aggressive powerplay hitting of Mitchell Owen and Nikhil Chaudhary. Their balance across all departments makes them a genuine threat to every other franchise in the league.

Meanwhile, the Perth Scorchers and Sydney Thunder represent the high-ceiling picks in Hussey’s four. The Scorchers recently made headlines after posting a gargantuan 6/257 against the Brisbane Heat, proving Hussey’s claim that their top seven is unstoppable, with Cooper Connolly and Finn Allen scoring heavily via boundaries.

Although their bowling has struggled for consistency, evidenced by the Heat chasing down that record total, their batting firepower alone is enough to intimidate any opponent. The Thunder, though sitting lower in the standings with only one win from three games, showed signs of life in their recent 43-run victory over the Heat. With Sam Billings finding form and Shadab Khan leading their wicket-takers, the Thunder possess the veteran core that Hussey believes will eventually squeeze them into the finals race.

Also READ: Big Bash League 2025-26: Complete squads of all 8 teams in the BBL|15

India’s explosive wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has always been a batter who refuses to follow the rule book, and that fearless style continues to trouble even the most disciplined bowlers in Tests. Rishabh Pant’s ability to surprise opponents with unexpected shots makes setting a plan against him extremely difficult, and Australian fast bowler Scott Boland knows this better than most.

Unpredictable and Fearless: Why Rishabh Pant Is a Nightmare for Scott Boland

Recently, Scott Boland has delivered a significant verdict on the most challenging opponent of his Test career. Despite bowling to several modern greats, Boland singled out Rishabh Pant, as the toughest batter he has ever faced because of his unpredictable nature at the crease.

Read Also: ‘Pagal Ho Gaya’: Fan in Awe as Virat Kohli Slams 29-Ball Fifty in Vijay Hazare Trophy vs Gujarat

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This admission highlights the unique and disruptive impact Pant has, even on the world’s most disciplined bowlers. Pant and Boland faced each other for the first time in Test cricket during India’s tour of Australia in 2024-25. The Australian pacer dismissed the left-handed batter twice, playing a key role in Australia reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year.

Even though Boland featured in only three of the five tests, his impact was outstanding against India. He finished as the third-highest wicket-taker with 21 wickets at an impressive average of 13.19, showing how lethal he can be in home conditions.

The ‘Pant Problem’: Unpredictability Personified

During a recent rapid-fire interaction organized by Grassroot Cricket, Boland was asked by a young female cricketer about the most difficult batter he has ever bowled to, and he was quick to name the Indian wicketkeeper-batter. He said that it is the constant uncertainty that makes Pant so difficult.

The Aussie star explained that a delivery that looks perfect one moment can disappear into the stands the next, and the very same ball can then be defended calmly on the following delivery. He noted that this mix of aggression and control makes it hard for bowlers to settle into a rhythm or stick to one clear plan against the Indian wicketkeeper-batter.

Scott Boland said on Grassroot Cricket: “Rishabh Pant from India. He’s someone who’s very unpredictable. So, I feel like sometimes he slogs you for six, and you bowl the same ball, and he blocks it. So, he is very hard to bowl to.”

Read Also: Rishabh Pant sends strong message to selector Ajit Agarkar with magnificent half-century in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Scott Boland names the most special wicket of his career

In the same rapid-fire interaction, Boland also revealed that dismissing Virat Kohli in the second innings of the Sydney Test remains the most special wicket of his career so far. It was a moment that strengthened his growing reputation as a big-match bowler in the Tests.

A Duel of Respect: Context from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Well, the respect between Pant and Boland has been mutual. Earlier this year during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Pant acknowledged Boland’s skill, accuracy, and control, especially his ability to hit the right areas consistently in the longest format of the game.

Pant had stated on the Australia tour, “I think he’s been an amazing bowler. The way he bowls line and lengths, especially in Test cricket, is quite difficult because he’s so used to playing in the condition, and you don’t feel like he’s playing his first initial matches. It feels like he’s been there for a long period of time, and that’s the kind of experience.”

Josh Tongue announced himself on the world stage in spectacular fashion, becoming the first England bowler of this century to claim a five-wicket haul in a men’s Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on Friday (December 26).

Josh Tongue Takes Stunning Five-Wicket Haul To Script History at MCG

England finally had a moment to celebrate at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), and it came through a stunning effort from Josh Tongue on a day full of drama in the ongoing Boxing Day Test of the Ashes 2025-26 against Australia.

Read Also: Josh Tongue extends incredible streak against Steve Smith as he cleans him up with a beauty

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With the Ashes series already slipping away at 3-0, England badly needed something special, and Tongue delivered exactly that. The fast bowler ran through Australia’s batting order and finished with excellent figures of 5/45, and helped England bowl Australia out for just 152 in their first innings in the ongoing fourth Ashes Test at the MCG.

Breaking the Drought: The Historical Significance of 5/45

In doing so, Tongue achieved something no England bowler has managed at the MCG in men’s Test cricket in this century. It was a rare achievement for England at this famous venue. Tongue’s heroics ended a 27-year wait for an English five-wicket haul at the iconic MCG.

The last to achieve the feat were Darren Gough (5/96) and Dean Headley (6/60) during England’s famous 12-run win in 1998. Nearly three decades later, Tongue joined the rare club on Friday.

This performance also marked the best spell of Josh Tongue’s Test career. He surpassed his previous best of 5/66 against Ireland at Lord’s earlier in 2023 and showed great control throughout the day.

A Debut Spell for the Ages: Reliving Josh Tongue’s Five-Wicket Haul

The 25-year-old Worcestershire seamer produced a blistering spell of fast bowling, exploiting the MCG conditions with precision and pace. His landmark moment came when he dismissed Scott Boland after clean-bowling Michael Neser, as the Englishman completed his third Test five-for and etched his name alongside English greats.

Read Also: Jacob Bethell left embarrassed after massive on-field goof up during Ashes match at the MCG

Australia never looked comfortable after choosing to bat first, as Tongue’s impact was immediate. The Englishman removed three of Australia’s top three batters, including Jake Weatherald (10), Marnus Labuschagne (6), and Steve Smith (9), in a devastating morning session.

After lunch, Usman Khawaja was sent back following a successful review. Alex Carey tried to fight back but was caught at leg slip, while Cameron Green’s innings ended in disappointment when he was run out just as batting conditions started to ease. Then, the Englishman returned to wrap up the tail with clinical efficiency and complete his five-wicket haul.

England’s Ashes Woes in Australia Worsen

Despite Tongue’s heroics, England failed to build on the advantage with the bat. Their lineup collapsed quickly, and they were bowled out for just 110, allowing Australia to take a crucial 42-run lead. Harry Brook was the only batter who looked comfortable and was the top scorer with 41 runs, while number nine Gus Atkinson chipped in with 28 in the ongoing fourth Ashes Test.

England’s batting collapse has added another unwanted chapter to their Ashes history away from home. This collapse now goes down as England’s third lowest all-out total in an away Ashes Test since 2000. Only two innings have been worse in that period.

Back in 2021, England were bundled out for a miserable 68 at the same Melbourne ground, and in 2002, they could only manage 79 at the Gabba.

Dhruv Shorey played for Vidarbha in the match against Hyderabad and scored an unbeaten century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. This was the fifth century for Dhruv Shorey, which equalled his record for most consecutive centuries in List A cricket.

Currently, several Indian international as well as domestic players are busy playing in the one-day tournament, the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The focus has been on many players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant.

However, alongside these players, Rinku Singh, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Ishan Kishan and many more batters also gained the spotlight with their splendid innings. Dhurv Shorey, the Vidarbha middle-order batter, also continued his spectacular form.

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Dhruv Shorey equalled the List A record for most centuries

Dhurv Shorey continued his stellar run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Coming into play in the 2025-26 VHT season, Shorey played for Vidarbha and scored a hundred in the very first game against Bengal. However, the Bengal batters took away the credit as they chased a massive target.

Dhruv Shorey has equalled the batting record of Tamil Nadu opener Narayan Jagadeesan. Shorey scored his fifth century with a second consecutive hundred in the game against Hyderabad. Coming in at no. 3, he smashed 109 runs off just 77 balls.

Shorey’s run of five hundreds stretches back to the 2024-25 knockouts, where he made a century each in the quarter-final, semi-final and final as well. He was a key batter for Vidarbha and managed to aggregate 494 runs in 8 innings at an average of 70.47.

He has equalled the record alongside Narayan Jagadeesan, who too had scored five consecutive hundreds during the 2022-23 Vijay Hazare Trophy. That also included a massive 277-run innings, which broke the record for the highest individual score in List A cricket.

Shorey’s second VHT hundred this season guides them to a massive total

Dhruv Shorey’s VHT innings began with a 125-ball 136 against Bengal in the opening game of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He was flustered in the innings against Hyderabad as well. Coming in to bat in the top order, Shorey contributed to massive partnerships.

After a massive opening partnership between Aman Mokhade and Yash Rathod, Shorey added more runs this time at a quicker rate to take the Vidarbha total to a massive 365 in their 50 overs. He remained unbeaten on 109 off just 77 balls with a strike rate of 141.55.

Hyderabad, on the other hand, was bowled out for just 276 runs, as a result of which Vidarbha earned its first victory by a massive margin of 89 runs.

Consecutive List A hundred record features two Vidarbha batters

Alongside the Indian domestic maestros Narayan Jagadeesan and Dhruv Shorey, many other players have also extended a massive record in List A cricket. The likes of Karun Nair, Devdutt Padikkal, Kumar Sangakkara and Alviro Petersen all had the record of four consecutive List A centuries.

Karun Nair also scored four consecutive hundreds for Vidarbha in the previous Vijay Hazare Trophy season. Kumar Sangakkara, on the other hand, is the only player to have scored four consecutive centuries in One-day international cricket.

ALSO READ: Shreyas Iyer eyes New Zealand series return as BCCI monitors fitness at CoE Bengaluru

Former Team India leg-spinner Anil Kumble stated that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are unlikely to include Venkatesh Iyer in their playing XI at the start of the next IPL season. The former India captain said that the defending champions want to stick with their title-winning side rather than make early changes.

Venkatesh Iyer was signed by the Bengaluru team for ₹7 crore at the mini auction. Notably, Kolkata Knight Riders spent ₹23.75 crore on him last season. After representing KKR since his IPL debut in 2021, this will be the first time Iyer will play for another franchise. He was part of their 2024 title-winning campaign.

Venkatesh Iyer Will Not Be in the Playing XI – Anil Kumble

Speaking on TATA IPL Auction Review as a JioStar expert, Anil Kumble said that Royal Challengers Bengaluru will not bring Venkatesh Iyer straight into the playing XI, as they want to avoid unsettling a side that has already found success.

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“Venkatesh Iyer will not be in the playing eleven at the start. You do not want to create doubt in a winning team,” Kumble said.

Kumble added that the same thinking shaped RCB’s auction decisions. He stated that the team signalled its faith in Suyash Sharma by not pushing hard for Ravi Bishnoi, ensuring younger players already in the squad feel backed.

“They did not go after a Ravi Bishnoi so that Suyash Sharma does not feel threatened by a senior India spinner,” he added.

There Is Some Doubt – Sanjay Bangar on Venkatesh Iyer

Sanjay Bangar said that Venkatesh Iyer may not start in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s playing XI. Bangar explained that while Iyer is seen as a strong long-term option by RCB’s coaches and scouts, his role at the start of the season remains unclear.

Bangar pointed out that Krunal Pandya performed well for the side last season and that Suyash Sharma also had a strong campaign.

“He has been consistent, and you can see his confidence. Will he be in the playing eleven right away? There is some doubt, as this is a settled team,” Bangar said.

“Krunal played well, so the lack of a top spinner was not felt. Suyash Sharma had a good season,” he added.

RCB Sign Venkatesh Iyer With No. 3 Role in Mind

Royal Challengers Bengaluru signed Venkatesh Iyer with a clear role in mind at the top of the order, particularly the No. 3 position. Devdutt Padikkal played well during RCB’s title-winning 2025 campaign before suffering an injury, with Mayank Agarwal filling in for the rest of the season.

Iyer attracted interest at the auction after entering with a ₹2 crore base price, with multiple franchises joining the bidding before RCB secured him. He has scored 1,468 runs from 56 innings at an average of 29.12 and a strike rate of 137, with one century and 12 half-centuries.

RCB also signed left-arm pacer Mangesh Yadav, England wicketkeeper-batter Jordan Cox, young prospects Satvik Deswal, Vihaan Malhotra and Kanishk Chauhan, and New Zealand quick Jacob Duffy.

Also read: Shreyas Iyer eyes New Zealand series return as BCCI monitors fitness at CoE Bengaluru

Team India ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer has reached the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru to check his fitness after a serious spleen injury. The middle-order batter is expected to return for the upcoming New Zealand ODIs, but the final call will depend on his fitness test results over the next few days.

Iyer has been out of action since October after suffering an abdominal injury during the ODI series against Australia. He missed the entire Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as well as the following ODI series against South Africa. Ruturaj Gaikwad batted at number four in the recent ODI series against South Africa.

Shreyas Iyer Undergoes Fitness Assessment Ahead of New Zealand ODI Series

Shreyas Iyer is working towards a return for India’s upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, but his comeback will depend on final fitness clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The middle-order batter is currently undergoing a detailed assessment to determine his readiness.

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Iyer has already completed light batting sessions in Mumbai without any discomfort, and recent scans and medical tests have shown no issues. The medical team is satisfied with his recovery so far, and his rehabilitation has progressed smoothly.

Over the next few days, Iyer will undergo further evaluations, including fitness drills, endurance tests, additional imaging, and monitored batting sessions. He is expected to spend four to six days at the centre, which should provide clarity on his return timeline.

Shreyas Iyer’s New Zealand ODI Selection Hinges on Fitness Assessment

While Shreyas Iyer is keen to feature in the three-match ODI series, his selection remains uncertain. With the squad likely to be announced in early January, a comeback is still possible, but it will hinge on the final assessment results.

Iyer is set to stay in Bengaluru for several days as the medical and support teams closely track his fitness and workload. The monitoring period will help determine when he can safely return to full-intensity cricket and resume competitive action.

Ruturaj Gaikwad scored his maiden ODI century and has since continued to bat in the middle order for Maharashtra in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He is expected to keep his place in the squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand.

Shreyas Iyer’s Return Remains Uncertain as Team Management Takes Cautious Approach

According to RevSportz, the team management is taking a cautious approach regarding Shreyas Iyer’s return. Iyer has recovered better than expected and is moving well so far. However, his availability for the New Zealand ODI series is being seen as a 50-50 call.

“Shreyas is looking really good. His recovery has been better than what was initially expected. He will have to undergo a few mandatory checks in the next few days which includes batting at nets and simulation sessions,” a source in the know told RevSportz on condition of anonymity.

“We can’t really put a date on his return as of now but a call on whether he will be available for the New Zealand series will be determined as we complete the necessary checks. At this moment, it is 50-50 but as I said, we shall have a clarity on that in the next few days. If he is doing everything without any discomfort, then there’s no reason he can’t play in that series.”

Also read: Who is Devendra Bora? Uttarakhand pacer who dismissed Rohit Sharma for a golden duck

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce India’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand in the first week of January, with a selection committee meeting scheduled for January 3, 2026.

Following a dominant performance in the recent T20I series against South Africa at home, the focus shifts to the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting on January 11. Notably, the selectors have already named the squad for the T20I series against the Black Caps.

When Will The BCCI Announce The India ODI Squad?

BCCI’s selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, is expected to hold an online meeting on Wednesday, January 3, to finalize the squad for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand.

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Read Also: WATCH: Angkrish Raghuvanshi Suffers Scary Head & Neck Injury in Vijay Hazare Trophy, Rushed to Hospital in Jaipur

They will also play a five-match Test series, for which the BCCI already announced the team—the same team for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka in February and March.

Now, a One Cricket report suggested that the national selectors will meet the first week of January to confirm the ODI squad for the New Zealand series, and an official announcement from the BCCI is likely by the evening of January 3 or January 4, 2026.

The Big Comeback: Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli’s ODI Return

All eyes are on the return of senior stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to the 50-over setup. The Indian batting icons have been in scintillating form in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 after dominating the recent ODI series against South Africa at home.

Kohli and Rohit’s inclusion would significantly bolster India’s top order for the big series, as New Zealand has already named a second-string squad for the ODI leg to rest their key players for the T20I leg of the India tour, keeping in mind the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Key Selection Headaches & Players in Focus

The BCCI selectors face a pleasant yet tough challenge with multiple players vying for limited spots in the ODI squad for the upcoming home series.

Read Also: Watch: Rohit Sharma takes a sharp catch against Uttarakhand; Musheer Khan’s reaction steals the show

– Middle-Order Conundrum: With KL Rahul’s recent ODI outings under scrutiny, performers like Ishan Kishan, who has been on fire and recently hit a stunning century in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, are pressing hard for a recall.

And then Shreyas Iyer is also in line for a comeback.

– The Shubman Gill Question: India’s Test and ODI captain is under the radar after being left out of the T20 World Cup squad. However, Gill is now fully fit from a neck injury, but his form is still a major concern for the selectors. He managed only 80 runs across three innings at home.

India Squad for T20I Series Against New Zealand:

India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel.

Former Team India skipper Rohit Sharma made an impact in the field despite a disappointing outing with the bat during Mumbai’s Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Uttarakhand. After being dismissed for a golden duck, he took a sharp catch at first slip at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on December 26.

Fans who packed the stadium hoping to watch Rohit bat were left disappointed. Rohit perished for a golden duck against Uttarakhand on Friday. He went for his trademark pull shot but failed to connect. The 25-year-old fast bowler dismissed the star Indian batter in the opening over, silencing the Jaipur crowd.

Musheer Khan Urges Jaipur Crowd to Cheer After Rohit Sharma’s Slip Catch

While defending a big total, Mumbai needed an early breakthrough, and Rohit Sharma delivered it at the slip cordon. In the third over of the run chase, Shardul Thakur found the outside edge of opener Kamal Singh’s bat.

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The ball flew to first slip, where Rohit reacted quickly. He fumbled the catch at first but managed to hold on by pulling it close to his body. As soon as the catch was completed, the stadium erupted.

Rohit celebrated with a big jump and threw the ball in the air, clearly enjoying the moment. His teammates rushed in to congratulate him. Musheer Khan added to the excitement by gesturing to the crowd to make more noise. The Jaipur crowd responded loudly, turning the dismissal into a lively moment.

The way Mushir Khan is asking the crowd to clap and cheer for Rohit Sharma’s catch.🥹❤️

Khan brothers truly loves Rohit Sharma.🐐 pic.twitter.com/NFAx9Ik1Pl

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) December 26, 2025

Mumbai Recover After Rohit Sharma’s Early Exit

Rohit Sharma’s early dismissal changed the mood inside the stadium. As soon as he was caught at deep square leg, the noise dropped and many fans began walking out. Some supporters even shouted for a no-ball.

After losing Rohit and Angkrish Raghuvanshi early, Sarfaraz Khan and Musheer Khan steadied the side with a strong partnership. Both batters scored half-centuries to rebuild after the early setbacks.

Hardik Tamore then played a key role with the bat. He remained unbeaten on 93 and pushed Mumbai past the 330-run mark. Those late runs gave the team a big total to defend. Devendra Singh Bora took three wickets, but Mumbai finished on 331 for 7.

Rohit Sharma’s 155-Run Knock Vijay Hazare Trophy Return

Just days earlier, Rohit Sharma made his return to List A cricket with a dominant performance in Mumbai’s Vijay Hazare Trophy opener against Sikkim. He scored 155 from just 94 balls, including 18 fours and nine sixes, as Mumbai secured an eight-wicket win while chasing 237 in a little over 30 overs.

In front of nearly 20,000 fans on Christmas Eve, Rohit punished an inexperienced bowling attack with ease, mixing powerful pulls, clean sweeps, and clever late cuts. Sikkim’s pacers struggled for pace and control, while the spinners failed to contain him once he settled in.

Despite being dropped twice, Rohit never lost momentum. He consistently found gaps and cleared the boundary. The right-handed batter also equalled David Warner’s record for the most 150-plus scores in the format.

Also read: “Got out early for the students” – Rohit Sharma brutally trolled after being dismissed for golden duck in Vijay Hazare Trophy