Former Team India skipper Virat Kohli smashed a century on his domestic return during the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 match against Andhra in Bengaluru on Wednesday, December 24. The right-handed batter, who returned to the 50-over tournament after nearly 15 years, once again showed his consistency with the bat.

Delhi opted to bowl after winning the toss at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. They restricted Andhra Pradesh to 298 for 8 wickets. Ricky Bhui anchored the innings with 122 off 105 balls, while Shaik Rasheed added 31. Simarjeet Singh was the pick of the bowlers for Delhi, finishing with figures of 5 for 54.

Virat Kohli Shines on Domestic Return With Vijay Hazare Trophy Century

Chasing a target of 299 against Andhra Pradesh, Virat Kohli walked in to bat in the very first over. He started positively, hitting two boundaries early and moving to 10 runs off just 5 balls. Kohli looked comfortable at the crease, mixing control with intent.

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Kohli then built a 113-run partnership with Priyansh Arya for the second wicket. Arya played the aggressive role, scoring 74 runs off 44 balls, including seven fours and five sixes.

After Arya was dismissed, Kohli continued batting with composure and went on to score a brisk century. The hundred was his 58th in List A cricket, marking a memorable comeback in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Virat Kohli Reaches 58th List A Century on Vijay Hazare Trophy Return

According to ESPNcricinfo, Virat Kohli scored his 58th century in List A cricket. He now has the second-most List A centuries in history, behind Sachin Tendulkar, who has 60. Notably, 53 of Kohli’s 58 List A centuries have come in international cricket.

The right-handed batter has played only 18 matches for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Before this game, his last appearance in the tournament came 15 years ago, on February 18, 2010. He captained Delhi against Services in Gurgaon and scored 16 runs in a 113-run win.

During his innings in Bengaluru, Kohli also reached another milestone by completing 1,000 runs for Delhi in List A cricket. The 37-year-old is set to play one more match in the tournament before the three-match ODI series against New Zealand.

Kohli also became the fastest player to score 16,000 runs in List A cricket. He achieved the landmark in just 330 innings, breaking the previous record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who had taken 391 innings to reach the mark. Kohli became only the second Indian to cross 16,000 List A runs.

Most List A Hundreds in a Career:

Also read: Virat Kohli breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s massive record in Vijay Hazare Trophy return for Delhi

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald opened up about veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon’s injury ahead of the Boxing Day Test against England during the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 series. McDonald stated that Lyon is determined to return to the Australian cricket team after undergoing surgery for a torn hamstring.

Lyon suffered a hamstring injury late on the final day of the Adelaide Ashes Test against England. The veteran spinner hurt himself while stretching near the boundary at fine leg to stop a four. After receiving medical attention, Lyon left the field clutching his hamstring and was ruled out of the remainder of the series.

He’s Pretty Shattered – Andrew McDonald on Nathan Lyon

Nathan Lyon remains an important part of Australia’s plans despite concerns about his future. Andrew McDonald said that the spinner is deeply disappointed but eager to bounce back.

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After undergoing surgery, Lyon is still expected to remain with the Australia squad during the fourth Ashes Test, which is set to begin on Friday, December 26, in Melbourne. Lyon had suffered a calf problem that ruled him out of the 2023 Ashes in England.

“He’s pretty shattered,” McDonald told cricket.com.au late Tuesday. “He’s a huge part of what we do. “He’s facing a long recovery timeframe. That type of injury, it’s going to be a hard period for him to get back to where he was. “But he still wants to do it and that’s the main thing.”

India’s On the Horizon, He’ll Be A Key Part of It – Andrew McDonald

Australia’s Test schedule gives Nathan Lyon time to recover without rushing his return. After the final Ashes Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia will not play another series until mid-2026, when they will travel to Bangladesh.

Australia are set to face New Zealand and South Africa before a demanding five-Test tour of India in early 2027, followed by the 150th anniversary Test against England. McDonald said the focus is on Lyon completing his rehabilitation and being ready for those key assignments.

“India’s on the horizon, he’ll be a key part of that,” McDonald said of Lyon. “We’ve got New Zealand (and) South Africa before that. So, get through this rehab and then (we’ll) look forward.”

Nathan Lyon Replaced by Todd Murphy for Final Two Tests

Nathan Lyon has been a key part of Australia’s Test team for many years. He has played 141 Tests, including 100 consecutive matches between 2013 and 2023. Australia used two spinners in some matches in the subcontinent, but Lyon remained the first-choice spinner at home.

Lyon has also spoken about his future plans. He has said many times that he wants to tour India and England with Australia in 2027. By then, he will be close to 40 years old, but is still keen to keep playing.

With Lyon ruled out, Australia have picked Todd Murphy as the main spin option for the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne. The 25-year-old was preferred over Matthew Kuhnemann, Corey Rocchiccioli, and Mitchell Swepson.

Also read: “We have always received…” – Usman Khawaja’s wife reveals online abuse of daughters after Bondi attack

South Africa National Cricket Team captain Temba Bavuma has finally addressed the controversial Eden Gardens episode that overshadowed an otherwise historic Test match last month. The opening Test between India and South Africa ended dramatically inside three days, with the Proteas sealing their first Test victory in India after 14 years.

However, the first Test between India and South Africa will be remembered for the controversial episode involving Temba Bavuma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant. During the game, stump mic audio picked up comments from Bumrah and Pant that were widely criticized for mocking Bavuma’s height.

What Did Temba Bavuma Say About the Eden Gardens Row?

They called the Proteas captain “Bauna (dwarf),” and that remark sparked massive backlash, and later the head coach, Shukri Conrad, justified his “grovel” remark on India while citing Pant and Bumrah’s remark on Bavuma following their historic 2-0 whitewash in Guwahati.

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Read Also: Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26; BCCI prioritizes T20 World Cup fitness

Now, Temba Bavuma explained that series against India are always intense, and emotions can spill over when the competition heats up. The skipper has stressed that aggression and passion are part of the contest, as long as basic respect between players remains.

Temba Bavuma wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo: “A series against India is always going to be intense, and when it’s heated, it makes it even more of a spectacle and motivates the players further. As long as the respect is still intact between players, it’s all good with whatever happens on the field.”

Temba Bavuma opens up about the apology from Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah

The South African captain revealed that both Bumrah and Pant later approached him and apologized. Bavuma made it clear that while words spoken on the field are not forgotten, they are not carried as grudges either, and there is no bad blood between them.

Bavuma further recalled, “I know from my side there was an incident where they said something in their language about me. At the end of the day two senior players, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah, came and apologized. When the apology was made, I was in the dark about what it was about; I hadn’t heard it at the time, and I needed to check in with our media manager about it.”

The Proteas captain signed off by saying, “What happens on the field stays on the field, but you don’t forget what is said. You use it as fuel and motivation, but there are no grudges per se.”

Read Also: Virat Kohli breaks Sachin Tendulkar’s massive record in Vijay Hazare Trophy return for Delhi

Why Test Series 2-0 Win is a “Massive Moment” for South Africa?

On the other hand, Bavuma described South Africa’s 2-0 Test series win in India as a massive moment for the South Africa team. He highlighted how rare the achievement was, pointing out that their last series victory in India came way back in 2000.

South Africa’s 2-0 victory in the recent Test series after more than two decades showed how far the team has come and underlined their growth as a strong Test side, said Bavuma.

Looking back, Bavuma recalled tough memories from his earlier tours of India. In 2015, South Africa lost the series 3-0, and he featured only in the final Test in Delhi. The 2019 tour was even harder, with India winning all three tests against the Proteas side.

Australia will be up against England in the fourth match of The Ashes. This article provides details about Australia’s Playing 11 vs England for the fourth match of the series.

Australia Playing XI vs England- 4th Test, The Ashes 2025:

Openers: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald

Australia will look to continue the momentum that they have gained courtesy of a win in the first three matches of The Ashes when they take on England in the fourth game of the series.

The home team, however, will have to make at least three changes to the squad, with the vice captain of the team expected to return for this particular game as the captain in the absence of Pat Cummins, who has been rested for the last two matches.

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Along with Smith, Jhye Richardson, in all likelihood, will be a part of the playing XI in place of Cummins, with Todd Murphy replacing Nathan Lyon, who suffered an injury on the final day of the Adelaide Test.

Smith’s return would mean a rejig in the middle order with Usman Khawaja, who was a last-minute entry into the playing XI in the last Test, expected to bat at number five, meaning Josh Inglis might miss out in Melbourne.

The rest of the batting lineup should remain the same, with Travis Head, who scored his second century in the ongoing series, opening the batting with Jack Weatherald.

Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (c), Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk),

The middle order of Australia will comprise Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, and centurion from the first innings of the previous match, Alex Carey.

Australia would want the middle-order batters to put on a similar performance in the upcoming match as they did in Adelaide when the team lost early wickets.

The pair of Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey formed a vital partnership for the fifth wicket and helped the team get to safety, and were supported by lower middle order batter like Mitchel Starc, who also scored a half century.

The onus will be on the top five batters to score the bulk of the runs for the team and not depend on the lower-order batters to bail them out of trouble.

Bowlers: Mitchell Starc, Todd Murphy, Scott Boland, Jhye Richardson

Unlike the batting, which won’t experience a lot of changes, Australia’s bowling lineup will be without the services of regular captain Pat Cummins and experienced spinner Nathan Lyon, as mentioned above.

The pair will be replaced by Jhye Richardson and Todd Murphy, respectively, both of whom have been picked in the squad for this particular game.

The team would back the duo to have a good outing and keep up the good work done by other bowlers in the first three matches.

Other than Richardson and Murphy, the bowling attack will include Scott Boland, who will have happy memories of playing at this venue against England in 2021 and would want to replicate the same effort in the next game.

Boland will get the company of Mitchell Starc, who is having an Ashes to remember with both bat and ball, and fast bowling all-rounder Cameron Green.

The Royal Challengers Bangaluru (RCB) fast bowler Yash Dayal has suffered a major setback after a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court in Jaipur rejected his request for anticipatory bail in a case involving allegations of sexual assault of a minor.

The decision of the POCSO Court has put Yash Dayal in serious trouble, as it found enough evidence and the seriousness of the allegations to let the investigation continue without granting the Indian bowler protection from arrest.

Why Did The Jaipur POCSO Court Reject Anticipatory Bail to Yash Dayal In Minor Rape Case

This order was passed by Judge Alka Bansal of Jaipur Metropolitan Court (POCSO Court-3). In a major setback, the court stated that Dayal has not been wrongly framed by the victim, considering the materials they have assessed.

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Read Also: Ex-RCB star EXPOSES Dinesh Karthik’s lack of faith in Venkatesh Iyer

The court further noted that the investigation points towards the RCB bowler’s possible involvement, so the judge decided against providing anticipatory bail to him.

The POCSO Court’s decision has put Yash Dayal’s career in serious jeopardy. The fast bowler was retained by the RCB for the upcoming IPL 2026, and this Jaipur case is threatening his career. Now, the defending champions might consider looking for his replacement after his bail was rejected by the court.

However, Dayal’s legal team argued that he only met the girl in public places and claimed she is playing victim. The defense also said that a similar case filed in Ghaziabad is part of an alleged extortion plot, but the Jaipur court still refused to give Yash Dayal anticipatory bail.

Details of Allegations, Evidences and Minor’s Claims Against RCB Bowler and It’s Impact

Its impact can be huge, as Yash Dayal will not only lose his IPL contract with the RCB, but also the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), and the BCCI might ban the cricket if he proves guilty.

Earlier this year, a minor had registered an FIR against Dayal at the Sanganer Sadar police station in Jaipur. The minor alleged that the UP bowler emotionally blackmailed her and raped her multiple times over about two-and-a-half years, including at hotels in Jaipur and Kanpur.

Police have reportedly recovered chats, photos, videos, call records, and hotel booking details, and these items are being treated as crucial evidence under the POCSO Act.

Read Also: Temba Bavuma breaks silence on Jasprit Bumrah-Rishabh Pant ‘Bauna’ controversy at Eden Gardens

POCSO Act and It’s Gravity

The POCSO Act, which was introduced in 2012, is a tough law designed to protect children below the age of 18 from sexual abuse, harassment, and exploitation.

The punishment under this law depends on how serious the offense is. In the most severe cases, including aggravated penetrative sexual assault, the accused can face at least 20 years in jail. In extreme cases, the accused can face life imprisonment and even the death penalty. Penetrative sexual assault carries a minimum punishment of 10 years in prison, which can also extend to life.

For aggravated sexual assault, the accused can be jailed for 5 to 7 years along with a fine. Sexual assault can lead to 3 to 5 years in prison, while sexual harassment is punishable with up to 3 years in jail and a fine. Importantly, POCSO cases cannot be settled or compromised by both parties.

Indian domestic cricket witnessed an extraordinary chapter on Wednesday as explosive batting displays across venues turned the opening round of the 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy into a record-shattering spectacle. Headlining the day was Ishan Kishan, who hammered one of the fastest centuries ever by an Indian in men’s List A cricket, underlining his destructive prowess in the 50-over format.

The day will be remembered not just for Kishan’s fireworks, but for an unprecedented sequence of milestones, with three of the four fastest List A centuries by Indian batters being recorded within hours, at two different venues — Ahmedabad and Ranchi.

Ishan Kishan hits second-fastest List A hundreds amongst Indians

The record books were first rewritten in Ranchi when Sakibul Gani raced to a stunning hundred off just 32 balls while representing Bihar in a Plate League fixture against Arunachal Pradesh. Moments later in Ahmedabad, Kishan went one step behind, reaching his century in 33 deliveries, slotting into second place among the fastest Indian List A hundreds.

Only two batters in the history of List A cricket have scored quicker centuries — Jake Fraser-McGurk and AB de Villiers — placing Wednesday’s achievements in elite global company.

Fastest centuries in men’s List A cricket

• 29 balls – Jake Fraser-McGurk
• 31 balls – AB de Villiers
• 32 balls – Sakibul Gani
• 33 balls – Ishan Kishan

Kishan’s carnage lights up Ahmedabad

Turning out for Jharkhand against Karnataka, Kishan produced a breathtaking late assault after walking in at No. 6. He arrived at the crease in the 38th over following the dismissal of Kumar Kushagra and immediately shifted the momentum with fearless strokeplay.

Kishan reached his half-century off just 20 balls before unleashing a relentless six-hitting spree. He brought up his century by smashing seven sixes and two fours in a 13-ball burst, leaving the Karnataka bowlers shell-shocked. The left-hander eventually finished with a blistering 125 off just 39 deliveries, striking seven fours and 14 towering sixes. Jharkhand piled up a mammoth 412 for 8 after being asked to bat first, with Kishan’s knock completely tilting the contest.

Also READ: Shubman Gill dropped, Ishan Kishan & Rinku Singh return as India unveil squad for T20 World Cup 2026

In a thrilling Elite Group C clash of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Mumbai faced Sikkim on December 24, 2025. Sikkim, electing to bat first after winning the toss, posted 236/7 in 50 overs, powered by Ashish Thapa‘s gritty 79 off 87 balls. Mumbai responded with fire, chasing down the target emphatically behind their star batter’s brilliance.​

Rohit Sharma’s blistering ton steals the show in VHT 2025-26

Rohit Sharma produced a vintage masterclass, smashing an unbeaten 109 off just 67 balls, laced with 10 fours and 8 sixes at a staggering strike rate of 162.69. This marked his second List A hundred for Mumbai in 17 years, achieved in a brisk 62 balls during the knock, underscoring his enduring ODI prowess on domestic turf.

Fans erupted in frenzy as boundaries flowed relentlessly, 80 of his runs came from the edge of the bat, turning the Jaipur stands into a cauldron of cheers, with chants echoing long after his milestone. Angkrish Raghuvanshi laid a solid base with 38 off 58 before falling lbw to Ankur Malik at 141/1 in 19.4 overs, but Rohit farmed the strike masterfully alongside Musheer Khan‘s quick 8* off 7.​

Also READ: Virat Kohli equals Sachin Tendulkar’s legendary feat in his Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 return for Delhi

Here’s how fans created:

🚨 HUNDRED BY ROHIT SHARMA. 🚨

– A 62 ball century by the Hitman in the Vijay Hazare Trophy with 8 fours and 8 sixes.

THE NO.1 RANKED ODI BATTER AT THE AGE OF 38 IS SIMPLY DOMINATING…!!! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/o6Jm1skEGI

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 24, 2025

What are these shots Rohit??? 😭

38 years old buddha toying with peak age bowlers 😭🙏pic.twitter.com/HAEgq9taBm

— Kusha Sharma  (@Kushacritic) December 24, 2025

🚨 ROHIT SHARMA – 155(94) 🚨

THE NUMBER 1 ODI BATTER SHOW IN VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY 🥶

He is coming for the 2027 World Cup, the magic of Ro is unmatched in 50 over format. pic.twitter.com/tgIZx6PSuv

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 24, 2025

The moment when Rohit Sharma completed 100 in Just 61 balls against Sikkim in Vijay Hazare Trophy 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JP2d6NfxDe

— Tejash (@Tejashyyyyy) December 24, 2025

TAKE A BOW, ROHIT SHARMA. 🫡

– 155 (94) with 18 fours and 9 sixes in a 237 run chase in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. 🤯

THE HITMAN IS UNSTOPPABLE AT 38..!!! 🇮🇳#RohitSharma𓃵 #VijayHazareTrophy #hitman pic.twitter.com/FSigPMRMhj

— Niraj Kumar (@Nirajku11362609) December 24, 2025

“Gambhir will end star culture saar” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/OluWAsnUsL

— 𝗬𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿 (@ImYorker93) December 24, 2025

CRAZE OF HITMAN ROHIT SHARMA IN JAIPUR.🥶#VijayHazareTrophy pic.twitter.com/56V2ji6FSM

— Rana Ahmad (@Ahm67518) December 24, 2025

THE HITMAN SHARMA SHOW IN VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY.

Rohit Sharma scored 155 runs in 94 balls and led the team to victory. #VijayHazareTrophy pic.twitter.com/iH0PvlPmMm

— AtifOnCricket 🏏 (@cricatif) December 24, 2025

Sikkim players to Rohit Sharma after his monstrous hitting – pic.twitter.com/PioAmCoUHO

— Satired Out ! (@Satired_Out) December 24, 2025

Well played Rohit sharma 🐐 pic.twitter.com/YwNbgFVkDZ

— iamrks _45 (@iamraklq) December 24, 2025

Mumbai team to easily cruise to victory against Sikkim

Mumbai reached 160/1 in only 22 overs at 7.27 runs per over, needing just 77 more for a commanding win against a beleaguered Sikkim attack. Shardul Thakur‘s tidy 2/19 led Mumbai’s bowling effort earlier, dismissing Thapa and Kranthi Kumar (34), while Tushar Deshpande (1/32) and Shams Mulani (1/51) chipped in to keep Sikkim in check despite 21 extras.

Sikkim’s innings featured a 106-run stand for the third wicket between Thapa and Kranthi Kumar, but late cameos from Robin Limboo (31*) and others couldn’t push the total beyond par on a true Jaipur surface. Rohit’s dominance not only sealed Mumbai’s dominance but reignited debates on his domestic sharpness ahead of potential national call-ups.

Also WATCH: Fans chant ‘Mumbai cha Raja’ as Rohit Sharma’s domestic return electrifies Vijay Hazare Trophy

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the 14-year-old batting sensation from Bihar, delivered a performance for the ages on the opening day of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, smashing an unbeaten 190 off just 84 balls against Arunachal Pradesh at the JSCA Oval Ground in Ranchi on December 23, 2025. Featuring 16 fours and a whopping 15 sixes, his knock propelled Bihar to a staggering total exceeding 500 runs, all at a blistering strike rate of 226.19, leaving bowlers in tatters and cricketing world in awe.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s record-shattering knock takes him past AB de Villiers

In a single outing, the prodigy eclipsed AB de Villiers‘ world record for the fastest 150 in List A cricket, reaching the landmark in a mere 59 balls five balls quicker than the South African legend’s 64-ball effort against West Indies in 2015. Jos Buttler, with his 65-ball 150 against Netherlands in 2022, now ranks third on this elite list, underscoring Suryavanshi’s meteoric rise.​

Suryavanshi’s innings wasn’t just about pace; it redefined milestones across age and format barriers. At 14 years and 272 days old, he became the youngest ever to score a century in men’s List A cricket, toppling Dutch batter Zahoor Elahi‘s 1986 record of 15 years and 209 days, with Afghanistan‘s Riaz Hassan third at 16 years and 9 days. His century erupted in just 36 balls—featuring nine sixes and a barrage of fours—marking the second-fastest hundred by an Indian in List A history, trailing only Punjab’s Anmolpreet Singh‘s explosive 35-ball ton against Arunachal Pradesh in the previous season.

Globally, this feat slots in as joint-fourth fastest, ahead of Yusuf Pathan‘s 40-ball effort for Baroda in 2010 and Urvil Patel‘s 41-ball stunner for Gujarat in 2023. Dismissing dreams of a double ton by 10 runs in the 27th over, Suryavanshi had already scripted history, his aggressive strokeplay—dominating both sides of the wicket—turning the Ranchi pitch into a personal fiefdom. Bihar’s innings, boosted by three centurions including captain Sakibul Gani‘s 128* off 40 balls, shattered List A team totals, highlighting the Plate Group’s fireworks.​

Also READ: Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26: Schedule, Broadcast and Live Streaming details

Explosive recent form of Suryavanshi

Suryavanshi’s Ranchi rampage came mere days after India’s heartbreaking U19 Asia Cup final loss to Pakistan in Dubai, where he fell for a brisk 26 off 10 balls. Undeterred, he forged a 158-run opening stand with Mangal Mahrour in 14.3 overs and added 103 for the second wicket with Piyush Singh, dismantling Arunachal’s attack from ball one.

His form traces a golden 2025: In the U19 Asia Cup opener against UAE, he bludgeoned 171 off 95 balls (9×4, 14×6), his second Youth ODI ton. Earlier, his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals yielded 252 runs at a 206.55 strike rate, including a 38-ball hundred—the youngest ever in the tournament. Domestic exploits include a 57-ball ton in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Ranji Trophy knocks at age 12, plus a joint-third fastest T20 century by an Indian. Experts hail his maturity, power-hitting, and temperament, positioning him as India’s next big thing amid calls for senior team fast-tracking.

Also READ: Monty Panesar predicts the semifinalists of T20 World Cup 2026

In a significant revelation following the high-stakes cricket series between India and South Africa, Proteas captain Temba Bavuma has broken his silence regarding the unsavoury on-field comments directed at him. While the series was marked by intense competition and emotional highs, including South Africa’s historic Test victory on Indian soil after 25 years, these off-field reconciliations have become the center of discussion.

Temba Bavuma recounts the ‘Bauna’ remark by Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah

The controversy centered on an incident during the first Test where microphones and lip-reading fans picked up the term ‘Bauna’, a Hindi word for ‘short’ or ‘midget’, used in reference to Bavuma. Reflecting on the moment, Bavuma admitted he was initially unaware of the specific insult due to the language barrier. “I know from my side there was an incident where they said something in their language about me,” Bavuma wrote in his column for ESPNCricinfo.

Bavuma confirmed that senior Indian players Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant personally reached out to apologize for using a derogatory term regarding his height during the opening Test match in Kolkata. He highlighted the professionalism shown afterward, stating, “At the end of the day two senior players, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah, came and apologised.” The captain explained his reaction to the delayed realization: “When the apology was made, I was in the dark about what it was about, I hadn’t heard it at the time and I needed to check in with our media manager about it.”

Despite the personal nature of the remark, Bavuma chose to maintain a professional outlook on the rivalry. He emphasized that while the words were stinging, they did not lead to long-term animosity: “What happens on the field, stays on the field but you don’t forget what is said. You use it as fuel and motivation, but there are no grudges per se.”\

Also READ: ‘My role is to protect’: England captain Ben Stokes breaks silence on drinking controversy ahead of Boxing Day Test vs Australia

Beyond the insults directed at him, Bavuma addressed the friction caused by his own camp when coach Shukri Conrad suggested they wanted to make India ‘grovel.’ This specific word carries heavy historical weight in cricket, harking back to Tony Greig’s infamous 1976 remarks against the West Indies. Bavuma acknowledged the discomfort this caused: “The first time I heard about it, it had that unsavoury taste to it, but I think it just reminded me how tough and competitive the Test series was.”

Bavuma stood by his coach’s character but agreed that the phrasing was a misstep in such a sensitive environment. “Shukri also took some heat for his ‘grovel’ remark. I was put under pressure by the media on that side, asking me to clarify the comments,” Bavuma noted. He concluded by confirming that Conrad had addressed the issue internally and publicly: “In hindsight, he said he could have chosen a better word and I agree with him.” Ultimately, Bavuma described the tour as a grueling mental challenge that left ‘scars,’ yet he remains proud of his team’s resilience in winning a Test match in India, a feat that had eluded the Proteas for a quarter of a century.

Also READ: Virat Kohli equals Sachin Tendulkar’s legendary feat in his Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 return for Delhi

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the 14-year-old Bihar batting prodigy, shattered records in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 opener by becoming the youngest player ever to score a century in men’s List A cricket. At 14 years and 272 days old, he blazed 190 runs off 84 balls, including 16 fours and 15 sixes, against Arunachal Pradesh at JSCA Oval in Ranchi. His explosive 36-ball ton powered Bihar to a record-breaking 574 for 6, the highest total in List A history, eclipsing a 39-year-old mark previously held by Pakistan’s Zahoor Elahi.​

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s record-breaking rise

Suryavanshi reached his hundred in just 36 balls, the second-fastest in Indian List A cricket behind Anmolpreet Singh‘s 35-ball effort, while also claiming the fastest 150 in men’s List A history off 59 balls. This marked only his seventh List A appearance since debuting in December 2024, highlighting his meteoric trajectory in domestic cricket. Bihar’s innings featured three centuries, with Suryavanshi’s knock setting the tone in a dominant Plate League victory.​

The teenager’s exploits extend beyond List A. In April 2025, he grabbed global attention with a first-ball six on IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals, followed by a 35-ball T20 century against Gujarat Titans—the second-fastest in IPL history after Chris Gayle‘s 30-ball blitz. July brought another milestone: a 52-ball youth ODI hundred off 78 balls (143 runs) for India against England at Worcester, the fastest recorded in that format. Four months later, his 32-ball 144 in India A‘s Asia Cup Rising Stars T20 win over UAE ranked as the joint-fifth quickest men’s T20 ton worldwide.​

Suryavanshi’s Vijay Hazare heroics underscore his fearless approach, blending raw power with maturity far beyond his years. Experts now eye him as a future India star, drawing parallels to precocious talents like Shahid Afridi for his boundary-hitting prowess.​

Top 5 youngest list A centurions

1. Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Suryavanshi tops the elite list of youngest List A centurions, rewriting cricket’s history books at 14 years and 272 days on December 24, 2025. His Bihar innings displaced Pakistan’s Zahoor Elahi from the pinnacle, a record that stood for nearly four decades.​

Also READ: Fans go berserk as Rohit Sharma smashes an explosive century against Sikkim in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26

2. Zahoor Elahi

In second place, Elahi achieved 15 years and 209 days during the 1986 Wills Cup for Pakistan Automobiles against Railways. The off-spinner and lower-order batter shone domestically but struggled internationally, playing just one Test and 10 ODIs without notable success. Elahi’s ton symbolized an era of unearthed Pakistani talent in limited-overs domestic cricket.​

3. Riaz Hassan

Third is Afghanistan opener Riaz Hassan at 16 years and 9 days in 2018, scoring his hundred for Boost Region against Band-e-Amir in domestic one-day play. Born in 2002, Hassan has since progressed to international cricket, featuring in Tests and ODIs while representing Afghanistan’s emerging batting depth amid their Test nation status.​

4. Usman Tariq

Usman Tariq holds fourth spot at 16 years and 91 days in the 2000-01 Quaid-e-Azam one-day Trophy for Islamabad versus Gujranwala in Rawalpindi. The left-handed top-order batter debuted at 13 in 1996-97, amassing over 100 first-class games and multiple tons, including a swift 114 off 65 balls later in his career.​

5. Nasir Jamshed

Rounding out the top five, Nasir Jamshed scored 117 off 114 balls at 16 years and 92 days on March 8, 2006, for Karachi Dolphins against Lahore Lions. The stylish opener later played 48 ODIs for Pakistan, peaking with a 101 not out in a 2013 ODI hundred, though inconsistency curtailed his international career.​

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