As India stares at the possibility of a 0-2 Test series defeat against South Africa, the spotlight has firmly shifted to head coach Gautam Gambhir. With India’s red-ball form dipping alarmingly under his tenure, debates around his future have intensified. Adding fuel to the fire, Iceland Cricket—famous for their witty social media presence—took a sharp, humorous jab at Gambhir, further amplifying chatter around India’s Test struggles.

Iceland Cricket’s tongue-in-cheek swipe on Gautam Gambhir goes viral

With conversations heating up regarding Gambhir’s Test coaching credentials, Iceland Cricket stepped into the narrative with a trademark sarcastic remark. In a post on X, the board announced—mock-seriously—that Gambhir would not be considered for their national team’s coaching role.

“To all our fans, no, Gautam Gambhir will not be invited to be our new national team coach. That position is already filled and we won 75% of our matches in 2025,” wrote Iceland Cricket.

To all our fans, no, Gautam Gambhir will not be invited to be our new national team coach. That position is already filled and we won 75% of our matches in 2025.

— Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) November 24, 2025

The humour struck instantly. While Iceland Cricket’s fixtures generally involve lower-tier opponents, their chosen comparison was a pointed commentary on India’s recent decline in Test cricket—a stark contrast to the dominance the team once enjoyed at home. The dig resonated with fans across the world, many interpreting it as a reflection of growing dissatisfaction with India’s Test performances under Gambhir.

Also WATCH: IND vs SA – Ravindra Jadeja delivers a peach to get rid of Aiden Markram on Day 4 of the Guwahati Test

Mounting pressure on Gambhir as Test results dip

Even though the BCCI has issued no official hint of removing Gambhir, the pressure surrounding his position as the Test coach is rising steadily. His role across all three formats is now under intense scrutiny, with experts suggesting the board may consider splitting responsibilities if results do not improve.

India’s red-ball record under Gambhir paints an unusually grim picture:

• Home dominance shattered: India have lost four of their last six home Tests, including an unprecedented 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand—ending a decade-long fortress-like run.
• South Africa threatening history: India have not lost a home series to South Africa since 2000. A draw or defeat in the ongoing Guwahati Test would mark their first home series loss to the Proteas in 25 years.
• Overall performance: The inconsistency across 18 Tests under Gambhir has become a focal point, making his future one of the most debated topics in Indian cricket.

Also READ: Fans erupt as Marco Jansen’s bowling masterclass puts South Africa in driving seat on Day 3 of second Test against India

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025 is set to kick off on Wednesday, November 26, ushering in another exciting season of India’s elite domestic T20 competition. With 32 teams, 125 matches, and a high-stakes race to the final on December 18, the tournament once again promises thrilling cricket, emerging stars and high-pressure battles between seasoned domestic performers.

Tournament overview

The defending champions Mumbai enter the new season with strong momentum after overcoming Madhya Pradesh in last year’s title clash. This edition will once again see teams split into four groups of eight, with the top two from each pool progressing to the Super League stage. From there, the competition intensifies as the best sides vie for a spot in the final.

Alongside Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh, domestic heavyweights including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Bengal, Saurashtra, Delhi, Baroda, Vidarbha and others will be in contention. With several India internationals returning to strengthen their state units, this season promises competitive cricket from the opening day.

Full schedule of SMAT 2025

Also READ: Rajasthan Royals’ most expensive players at each IPL auction: From Sanju Samson to Ben Stokes

Squads

• Mumbai: Shardul Thakur (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Ayush Mhatre, Angkrish Raghuvanshi (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Siddhesh Lad, Sarfaraz Khan, Shivam Dube, Sairaj Patil, Musheer Khan, Suryansh Shedge, Atharva Ankolekar, Tanush Kotian, Shams Mulani, Tushar Deshpande, Irfan Umair and Hardik Tamore (wk)
• Kerala: Sanju Samson (C), Ahammed Imran, Rohan Kunnummal, Mohammed Azharuddeen, Salman Nizar, Vishnu Vinod, Abdul Basith, Ankit Sharma, KM Asif, MD Nidheesh, Vignesh Puthur, Sibin Gireesh, Krishna Devan, Krishna Prasad, Saly Samson, Akhil Scaria, Sharafuddeen
• Andhra Pradesh: Ricky Bhui (wk), Ashwin Hebbar, Pyla Avinash, Srikar Bharat, Shaik Rasheed, Saurabh Kumar, Prithvi Raj, Satyanarayana Raju, KV Sasikanth, Tripurana Vijay, Bailapudi Yeswanth, Sai Rahul, Panduranga Raju, Cheepurapalli Stephen, Munish Varma
• Chhattisgarh: Ajay Mandal, Aditya Sarwate, Shashank Singh, Amandeep Khare (C), Shubham Agarwal, Amit Kumar Yadav, Ayush Pandey, Shashank Chandrakar, Gagandeep Singh, Sanidhya Hurkat, Sourabh Majumdar, Mayank Verma, Mayank Yadav, Anand Rao, Ravi Kiran, Prateek Yadav
• Odisha: Subhranshu Senapati, Biplab Samantray (C), Govinda Poddar, Aditya Rout, Anil Parida, Badal Biswal, Sambit Baral, Gaurav Choudhary, Sourav Gouda, Sarbeswar Mohanty, Pappu Roy, Sandeep Pattnaik, Prayash Singh, Rajesh Mohanty, Swastik Samal, Subham Satrujit, Aashirwad Swain
• Vidarbha: Aman Mokhade, Yash Rathod, Dhruv Shorey, Akshay Wadkar, Harsh Dubey (C), Nachiket Bhute, Parth Rekhade, Atharva Taide, Yash Thakur, Praful Hinge, Darshan Nalkande, Umesh Yadav, Varun Bisht, Adhyayan Daga, Shivam Deshmukh, Yash Kadam, Dipesh Parwani
• Assam: Riyan Parag (C), Sibsankar Roy, Abdul Ajij Kuraishi, Avinov Choudhury, Denish Das, Mrinmoy Dutta, Sumit Ghadigaonkar, Saahil Jain, Jitumoni Kalita, Bhargab Lahkar, Mukhtar Hussain, Nibir Deka, Pradyun Saikia, Rhot Sen, Akash Sengupta
• Railways: Suraj Ahuja, Kush Marathe, Ashutosh Sharma, Karn Sharma (C), Atal Bihari Rai, Shubham Chaubey, Shivam Chaudhary, Raj Choudhary, Kunal Yadav, Mohammad Saif, Akshat Pandey, Akash Pandey, Ravi Singh, Rahul Sharma, Navneet Virk
• Hyderabad: Tanmay Agarwal, Rahul Buddhi, Chama Milind (C), Tanay Thyagarajan, Rakshan Readdi, Aman Rao, Arfaz Ahmed, Ashish Srivastav, Bhavesh Seth, Ajay Dev Goud, Nitesh Reddy, Nitin Sai Yadav, Pragnay Reddy, HK Simha, Rishiket Sisodia
• Madhya Pradesh: Harpreet Singh, Aniket Verma, Venkatesh Iyer, Arshad Khan, Kumar Kartikeya, Kuldeep Sen, Ankush Singh, Rahul Batham, Rishabh Chouhan, Harsh Gawli, Abhishek Pathak, Ritik Tada, Shivam Shukla, Shivang Kumar, Tripuresh Singh
• Bihar: Vaibhav Suryavanshi (C), Piyush Singh, Bipin Saurabh, Sakibul Gani, Suraj Kashyap, Khalid Alam, Ayush Loharuka, Mangal Mahrour, Nawaz Khan, Malay Raj, Akash Raj, Amod Yadav
• Maharashtra: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Nikhil Naik, Prithvi Shaw, Rahul Tripathi, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Jalaj Saxena, Azim Kazi, Arshin Kulkarni, Mukesh Choudhary, Vicky Ostwal, Prashant Solanki, Mandar Bhandari, Yogesh Dongare, Ranjeet Nikam, Tanay Sanghvi
• Goa: Deepraj Gaonkar, Snehal Kauthankar, Suyash Prabhudessai (C), Lalit Yadav, Darshan Misal, Felix Alemao, Vasuki Koushik, Arjun Tendulkar, Kashyap Bakhale, Ishaan Gadekar, Rajashekhar Harikant, Amulya Pandrekar, Heramb Parab, Mohit Redkar, Shubham Tari, Abhinav Tejrana, Vikash Singh
• Jammu & Kashmir: Shubham Khajuria (C), Abdul Samad, Qamran Iqbal, Abid Mushtaq, Vivrant Sharma, Murugan Ashwin, Umran Malik, Yudhvir Singh, Kanhaiya Wadhawan, Auqib Nabi, Sunil Kumar, Lone Nasir, Musaif Ajaz, Vanshaj Sharma, Yawer Hassan
• Gujarat: Aarya Desai, Saurav Chauhan, Hiten Mehra, Ripal Patel, Urvil Patel, Arzan Nagwaswalla, Harshal Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Amit Desai, Japagnya Bhatt, Abhishek Desai, Yash Doshi, Umang Kumar, Hemang Patel, Dhrushant Soni, Vishal Jayswal
• Services: Gaurav Kochar, Mohit Rathee, Arun Kumar, Vineet Dhankhar, Jayant Goyat, Harsh Vardhan, Vikas Hathwala, Mohit Jangra, Mohit Ahlawat, Nakul Sharma, Pulkit Narang, Nitin Tanwar, Abhishek Tiwari, Vishal Gaur, Vikas Yadav
• Delhi: Nitish Rana (C), Anuj Rawat, Priyansh Arya, Ayush Badoni, Yash Dhull, Himmat Singh, Sarthak Ranjan, Rohan Rana, Prince Yadav, Simarjeet Singh, Suyash Sharma, Aryan Rana, Ayush Doseja, Yash Bhatia, Rahul Dagar, Tejasvi Dahiya, Dhruv Kaushik, Money Grewal, Harsh Tyagi, Vaibhav Kandpal, Ankit Kumar, Mayank Rawat, Arpit Rana
• Bengal: Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Abishek Porel, Writtick Chatterjee, Kanishk Seth, Shahbaz Ahmed, Akash Deep, Sayan Ghosh, Mohammed Shami, Shreyan Chakraborty, Saksham Choudhary, Sudip Kumar Gharami, Habib Gandhi, Karan Lal, Yuvraj Keswani, Pradipta Pramanik, Priyanshu Srivastav, Yudhajit Guha
• Saurashtra: Harvik Desai, Chirag Jani, Prerak Mankad, Yuvraj Chudasama, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, Chetan Sakariya, Jaydev Unadkat, Ruchit Ahir, Parth Bhut, Krains Fuletra, Sammar Gajjar, Vishvaraj Jadeja, Jay Gohil, Devang Karamta, Ankur Panwar, Parswaraj Rana, Siddhant Rana, Luckyraj Vaghela
• Tamil Nadu: Narayan Jagadeesan, Amit Sathvik, C Andre Siddarth, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Rithik Easwaran, M Shahrukh Khan, Tushar Raheja, Shivam Singh, Sonu Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy (C), Gurjapneet Singh, T Natarajan, Sai Kishore, Manimaran Siddharth, Ragupathy Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A
• Uttarakhand: Prashant Chopra, Bhupen Lalwani, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Mayank Mishra, Dikshanshu Negi, Agnivesh Ayachi, Akash Madhwal, Rajan Kumar, Jagadeesha Suchith, Agrim Tiwari, Aarav Mahajan, Avneesh Sudha, Himanshu Bisht, Kunal Chandela, Shashwat Dangwal, Jagmohan Nagarkoti, Naveen Kumar Singh, Rahul Raj, Sanskar Rawat, Aanjaneya Suryavanshi
• Tripura: Bikramkumar Das, Manisankar Murasingh (C), Amit Ali, Sridam Paul, Vijay Shankar, Hanuma Vihari, Sankar Paul, Swapnil Singh, Joydeep Banik, Saurabh Das, Arjun Debnath, Babul Dey, Saruk Hossain, Tejasvi Jaiswal, Chiranjit Paul, Viki Saha, Sentu Sarkar, Samrat Sutradhar
• Jharkhand: Ishan Kishan (C), Pankaj Kumar, Kumar Kushagra, Robin Minz, Virat Singh, Anukul Roy, Utkarsh Singh, Bal Krishna, Sushant Mishra, Amit Kumar, Md Kounain Qureshi, Manishi, Rajandeep Singh, Saurabh Shekhar, Shubh Sharma, Vikash Singh
• Karnataka: Mayank Agarwal (C), Karun Nair, Devdutt Padikkal, BR Sharath, Krishnan Shrijith, Ravichandran Smaran, Shreyas Gopal, Shubhang Hegde, Abhinav Manohar, Macneil Noronha, Praveen Dubey, Vidwath Kaverappa, Vidyadhar Patil, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Shreevathsa Acharya, Shikhar Shetty

Broadcast and Live Streaming details

• Star Sports Network: Select matches will be broadcast live on the Star Sports channels.
• JioHotstar App: Streaming available for a curated set of fixtures throughout the tournament.

Also READ: From Rishabh Pant to Rinku Singh: Most expensive player of each team after IPL 2026 retentions

Deepti Sharma is set to be one of the headline attractions in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction after her extraordinary performance in the recently concluded ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. The star Indian all-rounder not only helped India clinch their maiden World Cup title but also set historic records, becoming the first cricketer—male or female—to score over 200 runs and take more than 20 wickets in a single edition of the tournament. Deepti played a key role in the final against South Africa, scoring a rapid 58 and claiming a five-wicket haul, earning her the Player of the Tournament award and rewriting the record books with 215 runs and 22 wickets overall.​

3 teams that can target Deepti Sharma in WPL 2026 auction

1. UP Warriorz

UP Warriorz franchise, which previously made Deepti the centerpiece of their campaign, will be among the teams most eager to bring her back at the mega auction. With a sizable purse of ₹14.5 crore after an aggressive release strategy, UP Warriorz are perfectly positioned for a high-stakes bid. Deepti’s familiarity with the local crowd and her captaincy experience add layers to her value for the Warriorz, offering leadership as well as all-round cricketing prowess.

She has featured in 25 matches for UPW, amassing 507 runs and 27 wickets, becoming a fan favourite and tactical asset. The franchise is in need of impact players to rebuild around, and Deepti fits the profile both as a match-winner and a face of the team who resonates with fans in Uttar Pradesh—making her return a strong probability.​

Also READ: WPL 2026: 3 franchises that can target Amelia Kerr in the mega auction

2. Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals are actively seeking a left-handed all-rounder to balance their predominantly right-handed batting lineup and add bowling options capable of handling pressure situations. Deepti’s versatility—successfully fulfilling lower middle-order and finishing roles, and excelling in all phases of the innings as a bowler—makes her an ideal candidate for Delhi Capitals.

Her recent marked improvement with the bat and her proven match-winning qualities in pressure situations have made her a prioritized target. The inclusion of Deepti alongside all-rounders like Marizanne Kapp and Annabel Sutherland would solidify DC’s ability to control 12 overs with quality all-rounders, a key strategic advantage for the team in crunch games.​

3. Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, are known for strengthening their squad with highly impactful domestic stars. With an auction purse of ₹5.75 crore, MI may bank on Deepti’s consistency and her ability to stabilize both batting and bowling lineups. Deepti’s proven record in crucial matches—especially her ability to deliver under pressure on the global stage—is exactly what MI looks for in experienced campaigners. Moreover, her presence would bring tactical flexibility and allow Mumbai Indians to rotate their bowling attack to lock down overs at both ends of an inning.​

Also READ: WPL 2026: 3 franchises that can target Pratika Rawal in the Women’s Premier League mega-auction

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

This highly-anticipated clash at the Junction Oval, Melbourne, pits two of the WBBL 2025’s form teams against each other. The Hobart Hurricanes Women, table-toppers with an outstanding 5 wins from 6 matches, will be looking to solidify their position against the in-form Melbourne Stars Women, who have put together a strong run with 3 wins and 1 abandoned game from 5 outings.

The Hurricanes enter the match having suffered their first defeat in their last outing, while the Stars are on a winning streak, including a recent commanding victory where Marizanne Kapp starred with a match-winning innings. The Stars’ batting line-up is anchored by the world-class Meg Lanning, who is in phenomenal touch this season and currently the leading run-scorer of the tournament. The Hurricanes boast a potent top order with Lizelle Lee and Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, the latter of whom is a top run-scorer in the tournament.

MS-W vs HH-W, WBBL|11: Match details

• Date and Time: November 26; 09:40 am IST/ 04:10 am GMT/ 03:10 pm Local
• Venue: Junction Oval, Melbourne

MS-W vs HH-W, Head-to-Head Record in WBBL|11

Matches played: 21| Melbourne Stars won: 7 | Hobart Hurricanes won: 13 | No result: 01

Junction Oval Pitch Report

The pitch at Junction Oval is generally considered batting-friendly, offering good conditions for stroke-making. Historically, the average first innings score is around the 146-run mark, though higher scores are certainly possible with the current form of both batting units. Teams batting second have a slightly better win percentage (56%) at this venue, suggesting the team winning the toss might prefer to bowl first.

Also READ: WPL 2026: 3 franchises that can target Phoebe Litchfield in the mega auction

Squads:

Melbourne Stars: Meg Lanning, Rhys McKenna, Amy Jones(w), Annabel Sutherland(c), Marizanne Kapp, Kim Garth, Sasha Moloney, Danielle Gibson, Georgia Prestwidge, Maisy Gibson, Sophie Day, Ella Hayward, Sophie Reid

Hobart Hurricanes: Lizelle Lee(w), Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Nicola Carey, Heather Graham, Elyse Villani(c), Rachel Trenaman, Hayley Silver-holmes, Molly Strano, Lauren Smith, Linsey Smith, Ruth Johnston, Callie Wilson, Kathryn Bryce

MS-W vs HH-W, WBBL|11: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Melbourne Stars wins the toss and bowl first
• Hobart Hurricanes powerplay score: 40-50
• Hobart Hurricanes total score: 140-150

Case 2:

• Hobart Hurricanes wins the toss and bowl first
• Melbourne Stars powerplay score: 50-60
• Melbourne Stars total score: 150-160

Match result: Team bowling first to win the game

Also READ: Laura Wolvaardt sizzles in Adelaide Strikers’ thrilling win over Brisbane Heat in WBBL|11

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

Former India skipper Anil Kumble has strongly criticized the instability in India’s Test batting lineup, attributing recent disappointing performances against South Africa to the retirements and absences of key batters like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Cheteshwar Pujara. Kumble emphasized that frequent changes in the top order and middle order have unsettled the team, impacting their confidence and ability to build innings steadily at home.

Anil Kumble points to player absence after India’s dismal batting performances

Speaking to JioHotstar, Kumble revealed that over the last few years, the Indian Test top order has undergone too many alterations with four of the five main batters either retired, dropped, or unavailable. These include the retirements of Kohli, Rohit, and Pujara, along with Ajinkya Rahane being out of the squad. Additionally, captain and key batter Shubman Gill has missed matches due to a neck injury.

“The other aspect of also, you know, I want to bring this point about India’s batting. Over the last three or four years, you have seen four batters in the top five either retire or not be picked. You know, if it is, you know, Virat Kohli is retired, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, then you have, of course… Rahane. So four out of five, plus Shubman Gill isn’t in this lineup,” Kumble said.

Kumble highlighted how this constant chopping and changing disrupts the rhythm of players who require a stable run to settle into international cricket. He stressed that young batters need support across six to eight Tests to find their form, rather than facing relentless pressure and frequent exclusion from the lineup.

According to Kumble, this instability has been largely responsible for India’s poor batting efforts and failures to negotiate tough spells from bowlers like South Africa’s Marco Jansen, who exploited India’s lack of patience and application.​

Also READ: Will Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli feature in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26? Here’s what we know

Gautam Gambhir blames batters’ temperament and defends pitch after Kolkata Test

Following India’s 30-run loss to South Africa in the first Test in Kolkata, head coach Gautam Gambhir rejected complaints about the pitch and instead openly criticized the Indian batters’s temperament. He noted that the total India posted in the second innings of 93 was very much chaseable, and attributed the collapse to poor mental strength and inability to build partnerships. Gambhir’s stance contrasts with some viewers’ concerns about the playing conditions, as he asserted the pitch was fair and that more application was required by the batters to weather the challenges. This aligns with the observations made by Kumble on the need for greater patience and grit in the batting approach. Both experts highlighted the collective failure of the Indian batting order under pressure, underscoring how the lack of continuity in selection seems to compound the problem.​

These remarks come as India is on the verge of losing yet another home Test series against South Africa, raising questions about the direction of team selection and player development. The absence of experienced players combined with an inconsistent lineup has clearly led to a fragile batting framework that struggles to withstand quality bowling attacks in crucial moments.

Also READ: New Zealand star batter Daryl Mitchell overtakes Rohit Sharma to claim top spot in ICC ODI batting rankings

The 23rd match of the WBBL 2025 season brings a clash of desperation at the Karen Rolton Oval, as the Adelaide Strikers Women host the Brisbane Heat Women. In what can only be described as a ‘bottom-of-the-table derby,’ both teams are staring down the barrel of an early exit, making these four points absolutely vital for any hope of a mid-season revival.

The Strikers managed a solitary victory but have otherwise struggled to string together competitive performances. They are failing to capitalize on their superstar roster.

Having lost all five of their opening encounters, the Heat are in a crisis. They desperately need their first win to inject life into their campaign and halt a potentially season-defining losing streak.

AS-W vs BH-W, WBBL|11: Match details

• Date and Time: November 25; 01:40 pm IST/ 08:10 am GMT/ 06:40 pm Local
• Venue: Karen Rolton Oval, Adelaide, South Australia

AS-W vs BH-W, Head-to-Head Record in WBBL|11

Matches played: 25| Adelaide Strikers won: 10 | Brisbane Heat won: 14 | Tied: 01

Karen Rolton Oval Pitch Report:

The Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide tends to offer a good batting surface, promising a contest where a score over 150 could be required. The pressure will be immense on the team batting first to post an imposing total, given the recent track record of both sides struggling to chase under pressure.

Squads:

Brisbane Heat: Charli Knott, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen (c), Chinelle Henry, Nadine de Klerk, Georgia Redmayne (wk), Lauren Winfield-Hill, Annie O Neil, Mikayla Wrigley, Nicola Hancock, Lucy Hamilton, Sianna Ginger, Lily Bassingthwaighte, Lucinda Bourke, Bonnie Berry, Grace Parsons

Adelaide Strikers: Laura Wolvaardt, Tammy Beaumont, Madeline Penna, Tahlia McGrath (c), Bridget Patterson (wk), Ellie Johnston, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Sophie Ecclestone, Jemma Barsby, Darcie Brown, Megan Schutt, Tabatha Saville, Anesu Mushangwe, Ella Wilson, Eleanor Larosa

Also READ: WPL 2026: Complete list of players to register for Women’s Premier League mega auction with their base price

AS-W vs BH-W, WBBL|11: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Adelaide Strikers wins the toss and bats first
• Adelaide Strikers powerplay score: 40-50
• Adelaide Strikers total score: 140-150

Case 2:

• Brisbane Heat wins the toss and bats first
• Brisbane Heat powerplay score: 50-60
• Brisbane Heat total score: 150-160

Match result: Team batting first to win the game

Also READ: WPL 2026: 3 franchises that can target Amelia Kerr in the mega auction

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

In a moment that lit up Day 3 of the second Test between India and South Africa in Guwahati, Aiden Markram pulled off one of the finest catches of the series to send debutant Nitish Reddy back to the pavilion. The dismissal, which came during a fiery spell from Marco Jansen, further pushed India into dire straits as their innings continued to unravel in response to South Africa’s massive first-innings total of 489.

The spectacular moment occurred on the fourth ball of the 42nd over, when Jansen produced yet another short-pitched delivery that leapt alarmingly off the surface. Having extracted sharp bounce for most of the post-tea session, the tall left-armer kept troubling the Indian middle order, and Nitish soon became his latest victim.

Aiden Markram takes a spectacular catch to dismiss Nitish Reddy

Nitish, attempting to fend off the rising delivery, found himself in an awkward position as the ball climbed steeply toward his gloves. With little control over his shot, the ball ballooned off the glove and flew toward the right of second slip. At first glance, it appeared to be a difficult half-chance—but Markram had other ideas.

The Proteas batter sprinted across from his position, launched himself full-length to his right, and stuck out one hand. In an astonishing display of athleticism and timing, he managed to latch onto the ball mid-air, completing a catch that left even his teammates momentarily stunned before they mobbed him in celebration.

The replay showed just how incredible the effort was: Markram extended every inch possible, plucking the ball at full stretch, making what could have been a boundary-saving dive into a game-defining wicket. Fans flooded social media with praise for the South African star, with many calling it one of the best catches of the ongoing series.

Here’s the video:

🫡 pic.twitter.com/YXqKGSwaed

— Random (@Random144729) November 24, 2025

Also WATCH: IND vs SA – Jasprit Bumrah castles Simon Harmer with a ripping jaffa on Day 2 of the Guwahati Test

India continue to slide under scoreboard pressure

For India, Nitish’s dismissal added to a growing list of setbacks. The visitors have struggled to build partnerships and remain under tremendous pressure after South Africa’s imposing first-innings effort. The top order failed to convert starts, and regular wickets ensured India never found the momentum they needed.

At the end of 59 overs, India had crawled to 170/7, still trailing significantly. Washington Sundar (31*) and Kuldeep Yadav (12*) were holding on, trying to prevent an innings defeat and keep India’s hopes alive.

Also READ: Fans react as Senuran Muthusamy, Marco Jansen headline South Africa’s dominance over India on Day 2 of the second Test

India’s cricket star Smriti Mandhana showcased her vibrant side in a delightful pre-wedding dance with her fiancé, music director Palash Muchhal, captivating fans ahead of their wedding on November 23. The couple’s pre-wedding celebrations have been a vibrant spectacle on social media, featuring colourful rituals and lively moments shared with friends, family, and teammates from the Indian women’s cricket team. The latest viral video shows the couple performing a perfectly choreographed dance, breaking Smriti’s usual reserved image and enchanting cricket fans nationwide.

Smriti Mandhana’s pre-wedding celebrations highlight fun and tradition

The couple’s engagement was announced in a unique way with Smriti sharing a joyful Instagram reel featuring her dancing alongside teammates Jemimah Rodrigues and Shreyanka Patil, subtly flaunting her engagement ring. Palash Muchhal’s surprise proposal took place at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, the same venue where India recently clinched the Women’s ODI World Cup, adding sentimental value to the occasion.

The following days saw colourful pre-wedding rituals including the Haldi and Mehendi ceremonies. The Haldi event was a burst of sunshine with Smriti dressed in bright yellow, dancing amongst her “team bride” teammates such as Shafali Verma, Renuka Singh Thakur, and Radha Yadav, who joined the festive spirit. The Mehendi ceremony was equally beautiful, with Smriti captivating in a purple ensemble. These events were filled with joy, music, and camaraderie, capturing the blend of cultural traditions and personal happiness.

Also WATCH: Smriti Mandhana kicks off wedding celebrations with epic dance featuring Jemimah Rodrigues, Shreyanka Patil and World Cup winning stars

A playful cricket match adds unique flair

One of the standout moments of the festivities was a friendly cricket match pitched between ‘Team Groom,’ led by Palash and ‘Team Bride,’ captained by Smriti herself. The match featured several of Smriti’s Indian teammates, including Shafali and Jemimah underpinning the close bond between her sporting and personal life. ‘Team Bride’ emerged victorious in this spirited contest, displaying competitive energy and joy, perfectly capturing the couple’s shared love for cricket.

Adding to the celebrations, multiple videos surfaced of the couple’s sangeet where their chemistry shone through as they danced to popular Bollywood hits like “Tenu Le Ke Main Jawanga,” while Palash serenaded Smriti with romantic songs. The wedding festivities have truly been a meld of love, sport, and music, reflecting the personalities and passions of the bride and groom.

This lively display of dances, rituals, and friendly sportsmanship has painted an unforgettable portrait of the couple’s joyful journey to their wedding day, thrilling fans and followers across India and beyond. Mandhana, known for keeping her emotions controlled on the cricket field, surprised fans by fully embracing the festive spirit and sharing such expressive moments with Palash, making these celebrations a memorable chapter in her life.

Here are the videos:

Smriti Mandhana and Palash muchhal dancing together ❤️ pic.twitter.com/cIFvv3WkCl

— JosD92 (@JosD92official) November 22, 2025

oh my god smriti’s girl gang performed for her 🥹💕 pic.twitter.com/1MzVGpycCD

— IWCT WORLD CHAMPIONS🎊 (@mandyyc0re) November 22, 2025

Also READ: Smriti Mandhana’s wedding invite goes viral online; Here’s what we know

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a fresh-looking 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against South Africa, beginning November 30. With regular captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer sidelined due to injuries, senior wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul has been entrusted with leadership duties. The series marks an important phase in India’s preparation cycle as the team continues to test its depth ahead of a packed 2026 calendar.

KL Rahul returns as captain amid injury setbacks

Rahul, who remains India’s preferred wicketkeeper in ODIs, returns to the leadership role at a time when the team has been hit by multiple injury concerns. Gill is currently undergoing medical evaluation in Mumbai after sustaining a neck injury during the opening Test against South Africa. The incident forced him to withdraw from the remainder of the Test series, with Rishabh Pant stepping in as stand-in captain. Shreyas Iyer, too, has not recovered in time, prompting the selectors to explore alternate combinations.

Despite Pant’s inclusion, the national selectors have opted to retain Dhruv Jurel in the squad. The young wicketkeeper impressed with his composure on the Australia tour and continues to remain in the mix as part of India’s long-term plans.

Fresh additions as Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant strengthen the squad

The ODI setup sees the return of several key players, including Ravindra Jadeja, Pant, Tilak Varma and Ruturaj Gaikwad. Jadeja’s comeback means Axar Patel misses out after a lukewarm performance in Australia. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj is being rested with the selectors prioritising workload management ahead of back-to-back Test commitments.

Tilak and Gaikwad, both highly rated in India’s white-ball structure, are expected to play crucial roles in the middle order. Their inclusion signals a continued push to provide opportunities to emerging talents, especially with Hardik Pandya still unavailable. Consequently, young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy holds his spot after positive displays in recent outings.

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Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli headline batting unit; limited pace resource

India’s batting department carries a blend of experience and youth. Veteran stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will provide the much-needed stability at the top, while Yashasvi Jaiswal could be in line to add to his solitary ODI appearance.

However, India’s pace attack appears relatively thin for this tour. With Siraj and Bumrah resting after the Test series, the selectors have named only three specialist fast bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana and Prasidh Krishna. This means the spin trio of Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar will shoulder a significant share of the bowling workload.

The ODI leg begins in Ranchi on November 30 before moving to Raipur on December 3. The final match will be played in Visakhapatnam on December 6. After the 50-over series, both teams will gear up for a five-match T20I contest.

India’s squad for South Africa ODIs: KL Rahul (c/wk), Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel

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Bangladesh have unveiled their squad for the first two T20Is against Ireland, handing wicketkeeper-batter Mahidul Islam Ankon his maiden call-up in the shortest format. The 15-member squad, led by Litton Das, also sees the return of all-rounder Mohammad Saifuddin, while a couple of regular faces miss out. The three-match series will take place in Chattogram on November 27, 29 and December 2.

Mahidul Islam Ankon rewarded for recent progress

Ankon’s steady rise across formats has finally earned him a place in Bangladesh’s T20I setup. The 26-year-old, who made his Test debut in 2024, recently impressed in the ODI series against West Indies, where he registered scores of 46, 17 and 6. His ability to rotate strike in the middle overs and adapt to match situations has reportedly caught the selectors’ attention.

While Ankon is yet to be tested in T20 internationals, his performances in domestic T20 competitions — where he has shown maturity and composure under pressure — have strengthened his case. With Bangladesh looking to widen their pool of wicketkeeper-options, the Ireland series presents a timely opportunity for Ankon to stake a long-term claim.

Mohammad Saifuddin returns, Taskin Ahmed and Shamim Hossain left out

Another notable inclusion is Saifuddin, who returns to the squad after missing the West Indies series. His absence on that tour was largely due to the return of the regular captain, but selectors have reposed faith in Saifuddin’s death-overs skills and his utility as a lower-order hitter.

However, Taskin Ahmed and Shamim Hossain have been omitted from the squad. Taskin is believed to have been rested as he continues to manage his workload ahead of a busy international calendar, whereas Shamim’s inconsistent run with the bat appears to have worked against him.

The selectors have instead opted for a mix of pace options, including Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, and the returning Saifuddin — giving the management multiple combinations to explore.

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Balanced squad as Bangladesh eye strong start

The squad also features several young batting talents such as Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon and Towhid Hridoy, with experienced campaigners like Litton, Mahedi Hasan and Nasum Ahmed providing stability.

The leadership group remains unchanged, with Litton continuing as captain and Saif Hassan serving as vice-captain. Their roles become even more crucial as Bangladesh look to build momentum before bigger assignments later in the season.

Bangladesh squad for Ireland T20Is: Litton Kumer Das (Captain), Saif Hassan (Vice Captain), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Nurul Hasan, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Shoriful Islam, Mohammad Saifuddin

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