The first day of the fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) saw fast bowlers dominate as 20 wickets fell in a thrilling contest. England’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss paid off handsomely, with Josh Tongue leading the way by claiming five wickets and dismantling Australia’s top order. Despite brief resistance from Michael Neser and Cameron Green, Australia were bundled out for 152 runs in just 45.2 overs. England’s response was equally disastrous as Mitchell Starc and Michael Neser ripped through their batting lineup, reducing the visitors to 110 all out in 29.5 overs. At the end of the day, Australia led by 46 runs with 4/0 in their second innings.

Australia’s struggles as top order collapses against Josh Tongue

Australia’s batting on Day 1 was a tale of frustration, as the hosts struggled to cope with the pace and movement offered by the England bowlers. After being put in to bat, Australia lost wickets at regular intervals, starting with Travis Head, who was dismissed for just 12 by Gus Atkinson. The middle order failed to build any partnerships, with Jake Weatherald (10), Marnus Labuschagne (6) and Steve Smith (9) all departing cheaply.

Smith’s dismissal was particularly painful, as Josh Tongue cleaned him up with a perfect delivery that nipped back and shattered the stumps. Usman Khawaja (29) and Alex Carey (20) were the only other notable contributors, while Michael Neser top-scored with 35. Australia were bowled out for 152 in 45.2 overs, with Tongue finishing with impressive figures of 5/45, as England’s bowlers enjoyed excellent conditions throughout the day.

Also WATCH: Ashes 2025-26: Josh Tongue stuns Steve Smith with unplayable delivery on Day 1 of Boxing Day Test | AUS vs ENG

England’s response: Collapse to Mitchell Starc and Michael Neser’s prowess

England’s chase of 153 was always going to be a challenging task, and they were quickly brought to their knees by Australia’s seam attack. Zak Crawley (5) and Ben Duckett (2) were dismissed early by Mitchell Starc, with the latter caught by Neser at second slip. The key wicket of Joe Root for a duck further derailed England’s hopes as they found themselves struggling at 8/3. Harry Brook (41) tried to fight back with a rapid innings, hitting two boundaries and two sixes, but the pressure was relentless. Ben Stokes (16) also failed to make a significant impact, and after Brook was dismissed, England’s batting crumbled further. Neser took 4 wickets, while Scott Boland and Jhye Richardson each chipped in with a wicket. England were dismissed for 110 in just 29.5 overs, handing Australia a vital 46-run lead at the close of play on Day 1.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Jofra Archer has never got Steve Smith out. But Josh Tongue has dismissed him three times, ie every time he’s bowled to him in first-class cricket

— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) December 26, 2025

I meant in yesterdays tweet, that Australia as a team, should try get 200 and England should try get to 100! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) December 26, 2025

Josh Tongue has dismissed Steve Smith in every first-class game he’s bowled to him. Dismissed him in The Hundred as well earlier this year.

— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) December 26, 2025

Josh Tongue! Whistle.

Five-for. Well done, man.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) December 26, 2025

A tough tour can break you down and England have just seen that. You bowl Australia out for a mere 152 and then get all out for 110 – that’s suicidal.
And, all in a day’s play, in front of the largest recorded crowd for a Test at the MCG for a long long time. #Ashes #AUSvENG…

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) December 26, 2025

Will Jacks steps out first ball to Scott Boland and tries to smack it down the ground!!

Broadcaster zooms in tight on Ben Stokes at the non strikers end.😂😂

Australia is a tough place to tour, especially if you are 0-3 down. #Ashes

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 26, 2025

Another two-day Ashes Test beckoning. England are going to have to buy a lot of beer to offset the MCG’s lost day 3 revenues.

— Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) December 26, 2025

When Australia batted…. English commentators were saying “ great from the England bowlers “

When England batted, “ this pitch is doing too much “#Ashes2025

— Lewis Yates .com (@LewisYatesOfcl) December 26, 2025

Bonkers. https://t.co/nixK4k6ZWr

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 26, 2025

Australia holds a 46-run lead at stumps on day 1 in the 4th Ashes Test 🌟#Ashes2025 #AUSvsENG pic.twitter.com/nmA3Hit49W

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) December 26, 2025

Also WATCH: Ashes 2025-26: Brydon Carse’ breathtaking run out of Cameron Green steals the show on Day 1 of Boxing Day Test match | AUS vs ENG

England struck a decisive early blow on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test as Josh Tongue produced a moment of magic to dismiss Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith at the MCG. After winning the toss and opting to bowl, Ben Stokes’ decision paid instant dividends with England’s pace attack exploiting helpful conditions. Australia struggled to settle at the crease as wickets fell regularly in the opening session. Among those dismissals, Smith’s wicket stood out as the defining moment before Tea on Day 1.

Ashes 2025-26: Josh Tongue castles Steve Smith at the MCG with a absolute jaffa

Tongue produced a moment of high-class fast bowling to remove Smith in Australia’s first innings of the fourth Ashes Test. Bowling full and on a probing length, Tongue got the ball to nip back sharply off the surface, targeting the stumps. Smith, looking to break the shackles, committed early to a booming drive, but the movement defeated him completely.

The ball zipped past the inside edge, leaving Smith rooted to the crease as it crashed into middle stump. It was a combination of a loose shot and an outstanding delivery, with Tongue exploiting both swing and seam at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Smith’s dismissal for 9 off 31 balls underlined Australia’s struggles against England’s pace attack, and it handed Tongue his third wicket of the innings, further tightening England’s grip on the opening day.

The dismissal summed up Australia’s difficult morning, with Tongue and Gus Atkinson extracting consistent movement off the pitch. Smith departed for just 9 off 31 balls, unable to steady an innings that kept losing momentum. By lunch, Australia had slumped to 72 for 4, with England firmly on top. The pressure only intensified after the break as Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey and Cameron Green followed Smith back to the pavilion. Michael Neser’s 35 offered brief resistance, but Tongue’s five-wicket haul ensured Australia were bundled out for just 152.

Here’s the video:

Also WATCH: Ashes 2025-26: Brydon Carse’ breathtaking run out of Cameron Green steals the show on Day 1 of Boxing Day Test match | AUS vs ENG

Bowlers dominance in the Fourth Ashes Test at MCG between Australia and England

After winning the toss and electing to field, England’s bowlers wasted no time in exploiting the conditions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia found themselves on the back foot early, losing key wickets in rapid succession. Travis Head and Jake Weatherald were dismissed cheaply, followed by Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja. Despite a brief resistance from Alex Carey and Michael Neser, Australia collapsed to a mere 152 all out. Josh Tongue emerged as the star bowler, claiming 5 wickets, while Gus Atkinson and Ben Stokes also contributed with crucial breakthroughs. The hosts struggled to counter England’s pace attack, and their innings ended in just 45.2 overs.

England’s chase began with early setbacks, as Mitchell Starc and Michael Neser found form, dismissing three of England’s top order within the first four overs. Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell fell for single-digit scores. Despite a spirited knock from Harry Brook, who scored 41 off 34 balls, England continued to falter, losing wickets at regular intervals. By the 21st over, they were 83/8, still trailing by 69 runs. Scott Boland and Michael Neser claimed key wickets, with Ben Stokes being dismissed by Neser. England’s batting crumbled under pressure, and with just two players left to bat, the visitors face an uphill battle in their response.

Also READ: Ricky Ponting takes swipe at ₹25.20 crore IPL signing of Cameron Green

Perth Scorchers and Hobart Hurricanes square off in Match 12 of the Big Bash League 2025-26 at Perth Stadium on Boxing Day evening, with both sides looking to consolidate their early-season positions near the top half of the table. The Hurricanes have started slightly better with two wins from three, while the Scorchers sit mid-table after one win and one defeat from their opening fixtures.​

Perth come into this clash with a 1–1 record, having bounced back from a high-scoring defeat with a convincing win at home, leaving them fourth on the standings with two points.​ Hobart sit second with four points after two wins and one loss, including a strong chase against Melbourne Renegades that underlined their batting depth.​

Historically, the Scorchers have been one of the BBL’s most successful outfits, but the Hurricanes are defending champions this season and are targeting another statement result away from Tasmania.

PS vs HH, BBL|15: Match details

• Date and Time: December 26 (Friday); 3:45 pm IST / 10:15 am GMT / 6:15 pm Local
• Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
• Head-to-Head Record in BBL: Matches played: 21 | Perth Scorchers won: 13 | Hobart Hurricanes won: 8 | No result/Tied: 0

Optus Stadium Pitch Report

Perth Stadium (Optus) is one of the quickest surfaces in Australia, offering steep bounce and good carry for fast bowlers, especially under lights. T20 numbers at the venue show an average first-innings total around 140–145, with teams chasing winning more often (five wins in eight matches), suggesting captains may prefer to bowl first if conditions remain dry.​

The outfield is fast and square boundaries are inviting, so batters who handle pace and bounce can score rapidly once set, but totals above 160 usually require at least one substantial top-order contribution. With this being a night game starting at 6:15 PM local, a hint of dew could marginally aid chasing sides later on.

Squads

Hobart Hurricanes: Mitchell Owen, Tim Ward, Nikhil Chaudhary, Tim David, Ben McDermott, Rehan Ahmed, Matthew Wade (wk), Chris Jordan, Nathan Ellis (c), Rishad Hossain, Riley Meredith, Billy Stanlake, Jackson Bird, Will Prestwidge

Perth Scorchers: Mitchell Marsh, Finn Allen (wk), Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Turner (c), Laurie Evans, Nick Hobson, Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, Joel Paris, Brody Couch, Mahli Beardman, Sam Fanning, Joel Curtis, Bryce Jackson, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kelly, David Payne

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

PS vs SS, BBL|15: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Perth Scorchers wins the toss and bowls first
• Hobart Hurricanes’ powerplay score: 45-55 (6 overs)
• Hobart Hurricanes’ total score: 155-175

Case 2:

• Hobart Hurricanes wins the toss and bowls first
• Perth Scorchers’ powerplay score: 55-65 (6 overs)
• Perth Scorchers’ total score: 170-190

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest

Also READ: Tom Curran’s fiery three-wicket haul propels Melbourne Stars to an emphatic victory over Adelaide Strikers in BBL|15

The Bangladesh Premier League (BPL T20) 2025-26 is set to get underway on December 26, marking the return of Bangladesh’s flagship T20 competition. The tournament will run until January 23 featuring six franchises competing across 34 matches in a tightly structured season that promises high-intensity cricket and strong fan engagement.

The opening phase of the league will be hosted in Sylhet, before the action moves to Dhaka for the playoffs and the final, ensuring a climactic finish in front of packed crowds at the country’s premier cricket venue.

BPL 2025-26: Tournament Format 

The Bangladesh Premier League 2025-26 will follow a double round-robin format, with each of the six teams playing every other side twice during the league stage. This structure ensures competitive balance and gives teams ample opportunity to recover from early setbacks.

After the league phase, the top four teams will qualify for the playoffs, which will include an Eliminator, Qualifier 1, Qualifier 2 and the final. This system rewards consistency while keeping the door open for late surges, a format that has produced dramatic finishes in previous BPL seasons.

Teams competing in Bangladesh Premier League 2025-26

The six teams set to compete in the upcoming season are:

• Rangpur Riders
• Chattogram Royals
• Rajshahi Warriors
• Sylhet Titans
• Dhaka Capitals
• Noakhali Express

Each franchise has assembled a mix of local stars and overseas players, with team combinations expected to play a major role in navigating the fast-paced schedule.

Venues for BPL 2025-26 season

The tournament will be staged across three venues:

• Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
• MA Aziz Stadium
• Shere Bangla National Stadium

The early matches will be played in Sylhet, giving fans in the northeast region a strong opening run of fixtures. The league will then travel to Chattogram, before shifting to Dhaka for the crucial playoff stage and final. The Shere Bangla National Stadium will once again serve as the focal point of the season’s business end.

BPL T20 2025-26: Fixtures & Match Timings (local time)

• Dec 26: Sylhet Titans vs Rajshahi Warriors, Sylhet, 3pm
• Dec 26: Noakhali Express vs Chattogram Royals, Sylhet, 7.45pm
• Dec 27: Dhaka Capitals vs Rajshahi Warriors, Sylhet, 1pm
• Dec 27: Sylhet Titans vs Noakhali Express, Sylhet, 6pm
• Dec 29: Rangpur Riders vs Chattogram Royals, Sylhet, 1pm
• Dec 29: Rajshahi Warriors vs Noakhali Express, Sylhet, 6pm
• Dec 30: Sylhet Titans vs Chattogram Royals, Sylhet, 1pm
• Dec 30: Dhaka Capitals vs Rangpur Riders, Sylhet, 6pm
• Jan 1: Sylhet Titans vs Dhaka Capitals, Sylhet , 1pm
• Jan 1: Rangpur Riders vs Rajshahi Warriors, Sylhet, 6pm
• Jan 2: Dhaka Capitals vs Chattogram Royals, Sylhet, 2pm
• Jan 2: Sylhet Titans vs Rangpur Riders, Sylhet, 7pm
• Jan 5: Rangpur Riders vs Dhaka Capitals, Chattogram, 1pm
• Jan 5: Chattogram Royals vs Rajshahi Warriors, Chattogram, 6pm
• Jan 6: Noakhali Express vs Sylhet Titans, Chattogram, 1pm
• Jan 6: Chattogram Royals vs Rangpur Riders, Chattogram, 6pm
• Jan 8: Sylhet Titans vs Rangpur Riders, Chattogram, 1pm
• Jan 8: Rajshahi Warriors vs Dhaka Capitals, Chattogram, 6pm
• Jan 9: Chattogram Royals vs Noakhali Express, Chattogram, 2pm
• Jan 9: Rajshahi Warriors vs Sylhet Titans, Chattogram, 7pm
• Jan 11: Rangpur Riders vs Noakhali Express, Chattogram, 1pm
• Jan 11: Chattogram Royals vs Dhaka Capitals, Chattogram, 6pm
• Jan 12: Rajshahi Warriors vs Rangpur Riders, Chattogram, 1pm
• Jan 12: Noakhali Express vs Dhaka Capitals, Chattogram, 6pm
• Jan 15: Dhaka Capitals vs Noakhali Express, Dhaka , 1pm
• Jan 15: Chattogram Royals vs Sylhet Titans, Dhaka , 6pm
• Jan 16: Noakhali Express vs Rajshahi Warriors, Dhaka, 2pm
• Jan 16: Dhaka Capitals vs Sylhet Titans, Dhaka, 7pm
• Jan 17: Rajshahi Warriors vs Chattogram Royals, Dhaka, 1pm
• Jan 17: Noakhali Express vs Rangpur Riders, Dhaka, 6pm
• Jan 19: Eliminator: Rank 3 vs Rank 4, Dhaka, 1pm
• Jan 19: Qualifier 1: Rank 1 vs Rank 2, Dhaka, 6pm
• Jan 21: Qualifier 2: Loser Q1 vs Winner Eliminator, Dhaka, 6pm
• Jan 23: Final: Winner Q1 vs Winner Q2 , Dhaka, 6pm

Local time= IST – 1/2 hr = GMT + 5 hr

Also READ: Top 5 contenders for ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2025

BPL T20 2025-26: Broadcast and Live Streaming

• Bangladesh: T Sports, GTV; Tapmad, Akash GO
• Pakistan: A Sports HD; ARY ZAP, MyCo, Tamasha, Tapmad
• Sri Lanka: Dialog, PEOTV
• India: FanCode
• Nepal: DishHome
• Afghanistan: Shamshad TV
• USA, Canada & Maxico: Sling TV – Willow TV (sign up here); Willow DRM
• Caribbean: Rush Sports
• Middle East, North Africa & Rest of the World: T Sports YouTube Channel

Also READ: Super Smash 2025-26 Schedule – Broadcast, Live Streaming details | When and where to watch in India, New Zealand & other countries

There are few traditions in Australian sport as cherished as Boxing Day cricket, and this Friday, the SCG plays host to a blockbuster BBL|15 showdown between the Sydney Sixers and the Melbourne Stars. It is a battle of contrasting momentum: the Stars are flying high at the top of the table, aiming for a third consecutive win, while the Sixers are fighting to prove their recent resurgence wasn’t a fluke.

The Sixers enter this Match 11 clash with renewed confidence. After a shaky start against the Scorchers and Strikers, they emphatically turned a corner in the Sydney Derby. Their 47-run demolition of the Thunder was built on a batting masterclass from Josh Philippe and Babar Azam, who powered them to an imposing 198. However, it was Jack Edwards who truly stole the show, ripping through the Thunder lineup with a stunning fifer to prove the Sixers are back in business.

Standing in their way is a Stars outfit in formidable touch. They have been clinical so far, underscored by their recent six-wicket dismantling of the Strikers. Their bowling attack, led by the raw pace of Haris Rauf and the smarts of Tom Curran, restricted Adelaide to a sub-par 155. The chase was handled with ease, as Marcus Stoinis and Sam Harper guided the side home with six wickets in hand.

With the Sixers finding their groove and the Stars looking invincible, the SCG is set for a classic encounter.

SS vs MS, BBL|15: Match details

• Date and Time: December 26; 12:35 pm IST / 7:05 am GMT / 6:05 pm Local
• Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground

SS vs MS, Head-to-Head Record in BBL

Matches played: 24 | Sydney Sixers won: 15 | Melbourne Stars won: 08 | No result/Tied: 01

Sydney Cricket Ground Pitch Report

The SCG rarely disappoints, typically serving up a genuine contest between bat and ball rather than leaning too heavily one way. For the fast bowlers, there is usually some life in the pitch early on; expect the quicks to dictate terms with the new ball if they can find that early movement.

However, batters who respect that opening spell will find the surface settles down nicely. Once players get their eye in, the ball comes onto the bat well, and the lightning-fast outfield ensures full value for shots. As the ball softens in the middle overs, spinners often come into the game to control the tempo. With an average first-innings score hovering around 160, history suggests the pitch plays best early, making ‘bat first’ the likely strategy for the captain winning the toss.

Squads

Melbourne Stars: Joe Clarke, Sam Harper (wk), Campbell Kellaway, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis(c), Hilton Cartwright, Thomas Fraser Rogers, Tom Curran, Mitchell Swepson, Haris Rauf, Peter Siddle, Liam Hatcher, Hamish McKenzie, Jonathan Merlo

Sydney Sixers: Daniel Hughes, Babar Azam, Josh Philippe (wk), Moises Henriques (c), Jack Edwards, Joel Davies, Jordan Silk, Ben Dwarshuis, Kane Richardson, Sean Abbott, Jafer Chohan, Ben Manenti, Lachlan Shaw, Jake Scott

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

SS vs MS, BBL|15: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Sydney Sixers wins the toss and bats first
• Sydney Sixers’ powerplay score: 50-55 (6 overs)
• Sydney Sixers’ total score: 170-180

Case 2:

• Melbourne Stars wins the toss and bats first
• Melbourne Stars’ powerplay score: 45-50 (6 overs)
• Melbourne Stars’ total score: 160-170

Match result: Team batting first to win the contest.

Also READ: Ricky Ponting takes swipe at ₹25.20 crore IPL signing of Cameron Green

England opener Ben Duckett‘s viral footage of being drunk sent waves of insecurity through the English dressing room. However, a former England captain, Michael Vaughan, has asked the ECB to prioritize broader concepts that are actually affecting England’s on-field performance rather than focusing on such minor incidents.

England have already lost the Ashes series, and the ECB and England management have been held responsible for the reckless attitude of the cricketers on show. On several occasions, the Noosa vacation of the English team has been blamed for the circumstances.

The England head coach Brendon McCullum and the skipper Ben Stokes have repeatedly explained that the Noosa vacation was always in plan and with such a huge break between the matches, the players needed to shift their focus away from the game and return afresh.

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Ben Duckett is feeling the pressure of the ECB’s fact-finding exercise

England’s rocky Ashes campaign continued to turn further uneven as Ben Duckett was seen heavily drunk in one of the viral videos from England’s Noosa vacation. Reports also claimed that many England players drank heavily during the break.

With the Boxing Day Test just around the corner, this was a very bad time for the video to come out in public. The England managing director, Rob Key, promised to look into the accusations, and Ben Duckett could probably be feeling the heat of the incident at this moment.

The England opener has also lacked form during this entire Australian tour. While Zak Crawley has shown sheer form at times, Duckett has failed to put on a single dominant innings.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has come in support of Duckett and the English players with a tricky remark. He has turned the outrage towards something he considers the main reason for concern, that any player is sipping alcohol.

“I am not going to criticise England for what they got up to in Noosa. I criticise what they do on the cricket field, the way they play, and the way they prepare to play cricket.”

“I am not going to point the finger at a group of young people who have had a few beers on a couple of days off. I did exactly the same as them when I played for England, although I did at least know when it was time to go home, and that is probably what Ben Duckett needs to learn,” said Michael Vaughan in a column for the Telegraph.

“The game of cricket has created this drinking culture” – Ben Duckett

The former England skipper also claimed that singling out a single player misses the bigger point, because such behaviour of relaxation has been normalised over decades in the game of cricket.

“Duckett should not be reprimanded at all on the evidence we have seen, and neither should the other players, because it is a wider issue: the game of cricket has created this drinking culture.”

“England, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa all have the same culture. You give a group of young people three or four days off to relax, and they’re going to something like this,” he concluded.

ALSO READ: Ben Stokes issues official statement on Ben Duckett drunk video as ECB disciplinary action looms

Rohit Sharma made his recent comeback to domestic Indian cricket with the Vijay Hazare Trophy game against Sikkim. The Indian great demolished the inexperienced Sikkim bowling attack with a terrific 155 off just 94 balls.

The BCCI selectors asked every Indian player to be available for the domestic tournaments in India when they are not on international duty. The series has not spared the likes of greats like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, even though they have retired from Tests and T20s.

Recently having made their international comeback with the ODI series against Australia and South Africa, Rohit and Virat have been India’s standout performers with the most runs scored. Rohit was named the player of the series against Australia, while Virat clinched the title against South Africa.

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Rohit Sharma wins hearts with an adorable gesture for a young fan

After the match between Mumbai and Sikkim ended with the dominant franchise having crushed the Sikkim side and Rohit Sharma having played a pivotal role in the chase with a stupendous century, the former Indian captain won hearts with a lovely gesture.

Rohit walked alongside the team, and a young fan rushed in from the sidelines to shake hands with the Mumbai star. The child bent down to touch Rohit’s feet; however, the great Indian stopped him and instead gave him a cheerful hug.

The young child, a local Mumbaikar, wore a Virat Kohli t-shirt with 18 on his back, and the Indian captain’s radiant love toward him truly won hearts.

The way Rohit Sharma stopped a little Virat Kohli fan from touching the fit and then hugged him instead.🥹🤌🏻

pic.twitter.com/kxVC2t15nv

— Rohan💫 (@rohann__45) December 25, 2025

Rohit and Virat made promising VHT comebacks

Playing for Mumbai for the first time since 2018, Rohit opened the innings alongside young Angkrish Raghuvanshi. The two batters gave Mumbai a solid start against the minnows, and Rohit Sharma went past his first fifty of the innings in no time.

Despite Raghuvanshi’s fall, he continued his onslaught single-handedly as Musheer Khan just handed him the strike from the other end. Sharma finished on a promising 155 off just 94 balls at a strike rate of 164.89 and 27 boundaries in the innings.

Alongside him, Virat Kohli, who made his return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy following a 15-year break, also scored a century on return. Kohli seemed to have carried his prime form from the South Africa series, as he finished on 131 to help Delhi chase a 299-run target.

Rohit has almost finalised a World Cup spot with

Virat Kohli playing in the World Cup was never a huge doubt since he is known for having remarkable fitness and great form, and is chasing the great Sachin Tendulkar‘s records despite playing just one format. With the latest kind of form he has shown, Kohli’s spot seems finalised.

However, playing for Mumbai, Rohit also continued his dominating form. Rohit Sharma came up with two half-centuries during the South Africa series and hence, earned himself a fixed spot in the ODI team. However, with him continuing his form with such dominance and with Rohit regaining his flexibility, it seems certain for the Indian veteran to feature in the 2027 World Cup.

Moreover, with the World Cup scheduled to be held in South Africa, the two experienced Indian players would be monumental from their point of view.

ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma slaps Gambhir, Agarkar with daddy hundred on Vijay Hazare Trophy return

MI Cape Town will be up against the Durban Super Giants in the first match of the SA20. This article will provide you with MICT vs DSG Match Prediction, Toss Prediction, Score Prediction, Best Batter Prediction, and Best Bowler Prediction for the first match.

MICT vs DSG Match Prediction: Who Will Win Match 1? SA20 2025-26:

Match Details

Match: MI Cape Town vs Durban Super Giants Match 1

Date: December 26, 2025

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Time: 9:00 PM IST

Venue: Newland, Cape Town

Live streaming: Jio Hotstar

Live broadcast: Star Sports Network

MICT vs DSG Match Prediction—Head-to-Head Record

The MICT vs DSG rivalry in the SA20 league, which is entering its fourth season, does not have a long history and happens to be just five matches old.

If we talk about the number of matches won by each team out of the total number of games that this rivalry has witnessed in the previous three season, it is tilted in favour of the Durban Super Giants.

DSG has won three games against the MI Cape Town, while MICT has succeeded in winning one game so far, with one game ending in a no result.

Total Matches Played: 05

MICT won: 01

DSG Won: 03

No Result: 01

Pitch Report & Conditions

The pitch at Newlands for the season opener between MI Cape Town and Durban Super Giants is expected to be good for batting, which has been the case with the majority of the venues in the three seasons that SA20 has had till now.

MICT vs DSG Weather Report

There is no chance of rain during the match. The temperature is expected to be a high of 25 degrees and a low of 19 degrees.

MICT vs DSG Match Prediction- Probable XIs

MI Cape Town Playing 11:

Ryan Rickelton, Reeza Hendricks, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Rassie van der Dussen, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Dwaine Pretorius, Rashid Khan (c), Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult

Durban Super Giants Playing 11:

Aiden Markram (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Heinrich Klaasen, David Bedingham, Wiaan Mulder, David Wiese, Sunil Narine, Gerald Coetzee, Kwena Maphaka, Andile Simelane

Form and Fitness

There are no form and fitness concerns in the MICT vs DSG match.

Score Prediction

210-220 is the score that the team batting first in the MICT vs DSG game should look to post on the board.

Players to Perform Prediction

MICT– Nicholas Pooran, Ryan Rickelton, Reeza Hendricks, Trent Boult, Rashid Khan

DSG– Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, Jos Buttler, Kwena Maphaka, Sunil Narine

Best Batsman Prediction

Who will score the most runs for MICT in the match: Ryan Rickelton or Nicholas Pooran

Who will score the most runs for DSG in the match: Aiden Markram or Heinrich Klaasen

Best Bowler Prediction

Who will pick the most wickets for MICT in the match: Trent Boult or Rashid Khan

Who will pick the most wickets for DSG in the match: Sunil Narine or Kwena Maphaka

Conclusion: Who will win the match?

Both MICT and DSG will look to get off to a winning start in the upcoming edition of the SA20 and build momentum for the matches to come. Having said that, MI Cape Town will start the match as the favourite, being the home team.