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  • World Test Championship 2025: Check WTC Updated Points Table, Final Date, Venue, And More | cricket news

    WTC 2025: The race for the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final is heating up, with teams jostling for a spot in the prestigious match set to take place at the iconic Lord’s Stadium in England. The latest developments in the WTC standings and the announcement of the final’s details have set the stage for an exciting conclusion to this global Test cricket event.

    Bangladesh Stuns Pakistan with Historic Series Sweep

    Bangladesh made headlines by achieving a historic 2-0 series sweep against Pakistan in their own backyard. In the second Test of the series, Bangladesh secured a convincing six-wicket victory, marking their first-ever clean sweep against an Asian side away from home. Pakistan, who had hoped to bounce back after a crushing 10-wicket defeat in the first Test, failed to deliver in the second match, further complicating their World Test Championship campaign.

    Impact on the World Test Championship Standings

    Pakistan’s disappointing performance has left them languishing in the eighth position on the WTC points table, with just 16 points from seven matches. This loss significantly hampers their chances of making it to the final, as they remain stuck in the second-to-last position. In contrast, Bangladesh’s impressive showing has propelled them to sixth place with 33 points from six matches.

    India continues to lead the WTC standings with 68.52 points from nine games, closely followed by Australia, who have amassed 62.5 points from 12 matches. These two cricketing powerhouses are currently the frontrunners for a spot in the 2025 WTC final.

    WTC Final Dates And Venue Announced

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced the dates for the much-anticipated 2025 World Test Championship final. The match is scheduled to take place at Lord’s Stadium in London from June 11 to June 15, 2025, with June 16 reserved as a backup day in case of any disruptions.

    Past Champions Set the Bar High

    The WTC final has already produced memorable moments in its brief history. New Zealand emerged as the inaugural champions in 2021, defeating India by eight wickets. In the second edition, Australia claimed the title by beating India by 209 runs at The Oval in London. These thrilling finals have set high expectations for the 2025 edition, promising another exciting chapter in the championship’s history.

    India And Australia Lead The Charge

    India and Australia are currently the top contenders for reaching the WTC final once again. India’s consistent performance has placed them at the top of the table, while Australia is not far behind, making both teams the favorites for a rematch at Lord’s. With both teams showcasing exceptional form, the anticipation for the final is already building.

    Lord’s To Host Another Historic Final

    The decision to host the 2025 WTC final at Lord’s underscores the ICC’s commitment to celebrating Test cricket at historic venues. Known as the “Home of Cricket,” Lord’s has a rich history of hosting iconic matches, and the upcoming WTC final promises to be another landmark event. Cricket fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting what could be an unforgettable showdown between the sport’s giants.

    As teams continue to battle it out in the ongoing WTC cycle, all eyes will be on Lord’s in June 2025, where the world’s best Test teams will compete for the ultimate prize in the longest format of the game.

  • WI v IND: I’m hoping R Ashwin will get to play extra in SENA international locations in WTC 2023-25 cycle, says Saba Karim

    By way of India Lately Sports activities Table: Former India cricketer Saba Karim stated he has unquestionably that R Ashwin is considered one of India’s biggest match-winners in Take a look at cricket and steered the Indian staff control to give you the option to play him within the majority of Take a look at suits within the 2021-23 cycle, together with those in SENA international locations.

    Saba Karim’s feedback got here after R Ashwin bowled a paranormal supply on Day 3 of the 2d Take a look at in opposition to West Indies to push aside the hosts’ captain Kraigg Brathwaite in Port of Spain. Ashwin marked the beginning of the brand new Global Take a look at Championship ultimate with sensational performances within the ongoing sequence in West Indies.

    Ashwin, 36, started the brand new WTC cycle with a 12-wicket event haul within the first Take a look at in opposition to West Indies in Dominica.

    “Let’s no longer have any whatabouts about it. He’s arguably the No. 1 match-winner for India,” Saba Karim advised JioCinema.

    ‘BIG CALL FROM TEAM’

    The previous selector stated that India staff control wishes to speak about discovering some way to use Ashwin’s products and services extra within the WTC 2023-25 cycle. He added that India’s probabilities of achieving a 3rd successive ultimate is dependent upon Ashwin’s shape.

    “I’m hoping that on this Global Take a look at Championship cycle, he will get to play within the SENA international locations even if India is going in with a solitary spinner. I believe that is the greatest name that the Indian staff control has to take,” Saba Karim added.

    “There’s a consistent evolvement of R Ashwin, we’ve got observed that previously few years. For him to know the transferring paradigm of world cricket and know how to transform a greater bowler and how you can eliminate just right batters of spin bowling, we’ve got observed that over the last few years.

    “For India to stay in rivalry to qualify as soon as once more for the Global Take a look at Championship ultimate, you wish to have somebody like R Ashwin to be in top shape.”

    Ashwin’s bowling prowess used to be on complete show right through the WTC 2021-23 cycle. He claimed an excellent 61 wickets in simply 13 Exams, making him the third-highest wicket-taker within the cycle.

    This success is much more outstanding making an allowance for that he used to be no longer integrated in each event. His contributions have been instrumental in India’s adventure to the finals, and his absence in sure video games used to be felt deeply.

    One such example used to be throughout India’s excursion of England in 2021 and the rescheduled Take a look at in 2022. In spite of being a seasoned participant with a confirmed monitor file, Ashwin used to be ignored of the taking part in XI. The verdict used to be influenced through pitches and overhead stipulations in England and India’s determination to make use of Ravindra Jadeja as an extra batting possibility.

    Probably the most arguable determination got here throughout the WTC ultimate in opposition to Australia in 2023. In spite of being India’s main wicket-taker in the second one WTC cycle and the ICC’s top-ranked Take a look at bowler, Ashwin used to be excluded from the staff. The verdict to sideline him in favour of an additional pacer used to be met with important backlash, particularly given the affect it had on India’s efficiency within the ultimate event.

    Ashwin’s response to his omission used to be considered one of unhappiness and frustration. He took to Twitter in a while after India’s loss within the WTC ultimate, sharing a publish that highlighted his emotions concerning the state of affairs. He later clarified that this used to be his method of looking for ‘closure’ and transferring on from the incident.

  • Watch: Ravichandran Ashwin takes a wicket in simply his 2d supply in TNPL

    Ravichandran Ashwin, who’s captaining the Dindigul Dragons within the Tamil Nadu Premier League, confirmed what India ignored within the Global Take a look at Championship ultimate when he snapped up the wicket of Ba11sy Trichy’s Daryl Ferrario in simply his 2d supply of the fit.

    Opting to bat first after successful the toss, Trichy had been all out for 120 with Ashwin bowling 4 overs and giving freely 26 runs whilst taking the wicket of Ferrario in addition to reverse captain Ganga Sridhar Raju.

    Previous within the day, Ashwin retained his number one spot within the ICC Take a look at bowlers’ ratings in spite of now not getting decided on within the Global Take a look at Championship ultimate towards Australia. India would move directly to lose the fit via 209 runs and professionals would slam the Indian staff control for now not beginning the veteran spinner.

    It took Ashwin simply two deliveries to make an have an effect on.#TNPLonFanCode %.twitter.com/etTH54mrHG

    — FanCode (@FanCode) June 14, 2023

    Even mythical India batter Sachin Tendulkar puzzled the omission of Ashwin from the enjoying XI on the Oval.

    “I fail to know the exclusion of @ashwinravi99 within the enjoying XI, who’s recently the number 1 Take a look at bowler on the earth,” Sachin wrote on Twitter.

    Sachin lamented staff managment determination not to play Ashwin even though Australia had 5 left-handed batter of their enjoying XI.

    “Like I had discussed ahead of the fit, skillful spinners don’t all the time depend on turning tracks, they use float within the air and jump off the outside to conceal their diversifications,” mentioned Sachin.

    “To not put out of your mind, Australia had 5 left-handers out in their best 8 batters,” he added.

  • By no means anticipated that shot from Pujara: Shastri

    Former India head trainer Ravi Shastri didn’t be expecting the orthodox Cheteshwar Pujara to take a look at out an uncharacteristic ramp shot in opposition to Pat Cummins upon getting set and felt that even skipper Rohit Sharma will probably be kicking himself for enjoying the sweep shot which wasn’t on.

    “By no means anticipated that shot from Pujara…this is get-out shot and he’s again within the hut. It’s no longer the scoreboard drive however deficient shot variety.

    “Rohit and Pujara should be kicking themselves for the photographs they performed,” Shastri stated in a talk on Megastar Sports activities after the day’s play.

    Shastri feels “weathering the typhoon within the first consultation” on Sunday will probably be key to the possibilities of Rohit Sharma’s males profitable the Global Take a look at Championship ultimate in opposition to Australia.

    India reached 164 for three at stumps on fourth day Saturday in pursuit of an enormous 444-run goal with Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane batting on 44 and 20 respectively, desiring every other 280 runs in 90 overs at the ultimate day for a win.

    “Weathering the typhoon within the first consultation would be the key the following day. This is the place the edge, if all, will probably be (at the pitch),” Skipper Rohit Sharma (43) and Cheteshwar Pujara (27) have been brushed aside in fast succession within the ultimate consultation, and Shastri got here down onerous at the senior participant duo for enjoying deficient photographs.

    Opener Shubman Gill fell for 18 after a debatable catch through Cameroon Inexperienced and Shastri stated the Indian teenager used to be “unfortunate”

  • WTC Ultimate: Marnus Labuschagne breaks silence on sleeping off right through Australia 2d innings on the Oval

    Via India Lately Sports activities Table: Marnus Labuschagne has in any case damaged his silence on why he made up our minds to have a brief nap right through the Australian 2nd innings within the WTC Ultimate towards India on Friday on the Oval.

    A super fightback from Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur had helped India achieve 296 on Day 3 of the Check fit being performed in London. Australia had taken a 173-run lead as Usman Khawaja and David Warner arrived on the crease.

    On an ideal period ball from Mohammed Siraj, Warner were given a thick edge and wicket-keeper KS Bharat made no mistake within the fourth over of Australia’s 2nd innings.

    Whilst the opener was once making his long ago for one, Labuschagne had hit his toes up within the dressing room and had his eyes closed looking to catch a sleep. Once he heard the noise from the gang, No.3 Labuschagne needed to stand up and stroll in to bat.

    This led to a large number of hilarious feedback from the observation workforce and enthusiasts on social media.

    Labuschagne has now in any case printed why made up our minds to take a snappy nap right through the second one innings of the fit. As quoted through ICC, the Aussie batter mentioned he was once simply looking to relaxation his eyes and calm his nerves just a little bit.

    Labuschagne mentioned that you’ll’t watch the sport always.

    “I used to be simply resting my eyes between balls and simply stress-free,” Labuschagne informed SEN Cricket after the day’s play.

    “I used to be looking to calm my nerves just a little bit, you’ll’t watch the sport always, I were given up there and was once wakeful beautiful quickly.

    “I didn’t have too many rests there when Siraj banged that first one in,” mentioned Labuschagne.

    Labuschagne continues to be on the crease at 41 as Australia ended day 3 on 123 for 4, extending their general result in 296 runs.

  • On day two, we deliberate to bowl simplest bouncers to Head: Mohammed Siraj

    India pacer Mohammed Siraj on Thursday mentioned the workforce deliberate to bowl simplest bouncers to Travis Head regardless of the result after his counterattacking hundred at the opening day of the International Take a look at Championship ultimate.

    Head’s 163 off 174 balls has put Australia in a commanding place on the second one day on the Oval. The Indians’ ways of now not the usage of the quick ball in opposition to Head was once wondered on day one, forcing them to switch their plans day after today.

    Siraj in the end removed him with a brief ball at the leg facet.

    “There was once sticky jump the day past morning and seam motion. Thereafter, there was once now not sufficient swing from the six metre period and batters had been having it simple. Head batted extremely as neatly. We can have bowled with higher strains,” mentioned Siraj, who was once India’s standout bowler with 4 wickets in Australia’s first-innings overall of 469 all out.

    Siraj felt they were given the desired success with the quick ball on day two.

    “We determined to bowl bouncer simplest to Head and if he get hit from there then so be it. We caught to it and were given good fortune. We constructed force didn’t give too many runs that still helped. We used bouncers the day past as neatly however the possibilities went within the hole.

    “There have been four-five possibilities off my bowling simplest. If we didn’t bowl neatly, Australia would have crossed 500,” he mentioned.

    Siraj added that the wicket had extra tempo and asymmetric jump on day two.

    “There may be extra tempo within the wicket and there may be asymmetric jump. We additionally bowled neatly however the best way Head batted he compelled us to push our lengths again.” On throwing the ball again to Steve Smith after the Australia finished his hundred within the first over of the day, he added: “It was once not anything. I used to be simply playing. It is very important do this as this is a lengthy day,” he added.

  • WTC Ultimate: Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara fail within the artwork of leaving

    Two of India’s key batsmen died a stroke-less loss of life, shouldering fingers and gazing the ball bend again to hit the stumps. It’s probably the most mind-crushing trail to perdition, torn till your subsequent good fortune, with the guilt of now not shielding the ball along with your most effective weapon in hand. You have to have nicked, you might want to have chopped on, you might want to had been overwhelmed, however you might want to console your self that you simply no less than performed a stroke

    The surprised anguish at the face of sufferers captures the tale. Shubman Gill used to be reaction-less after his ill-time depart of Scott Boland left his stumps and middle in tatters. There have been no indicators of a stroke of indiscretion. He used to be judging lengths neatly; transferring neatly. Getting at the back of the road and taking part in the proper stroke to the proper ball. Gill had unzipped his innings with a ravishing punch thru extra-cover off Pat Cummins. Later, he would pull him thru long-on for some other 4. Two salivating strokes, ahead of an unwatchable error in judgement kicked in. It used to be no shrewd set-up, no hooping satan, however a staple in-ducker. Reasonably, it used to be an imagined set-up.

    It used to be simply the fourth ball Boland had bowled to Gill. The primary 3 — all angled in and now not seaming both approach — had been defended stoutly at the front-foot. Gill sniffed a lure. His intuition would have whispered to him that the following ball would bend away. However Boland’s deadliest present is the one who snakes again in from a excellent period, he isn’t a lot of an out-swing proponent. So it became out to be. Gill’s front-foot strode out. Then it stopped, frozen by way of the inward attitude. The existential catch 22 situation of Take a look at openers set in — to go away or to not depart. He shouldered fingers, nervously and unsurely. In all probability, he relied on the bouncy nature of the deck — Oval is bouncier than maximum different surfaces in England and you might want to at first of the inning, depart safely on period. In all probability, he concept he had lined the road of the ball along with his pads out of doors the off-stump.

    %.twitter.com/40W7RI4wZb

    — Shami Khan (@x2fb8) June 8, 2023

    No matter he imagined used to be some distance from fact. It would occur to inexperienced batsmen in England — it used to be simply his 3rd innings within the nation. You listen such a lot concerning the virtues of the depart and are virtually mentally sure to execute it. There may be no doubt that it’s a prerequisite for good fortune in any situation — so indispensable that it’s the moment maximum hired (non) stroke in cricket after the ahead defensive. Name it the phantom stroke. It has recreation converting possible, as some of the largest leavers in Take a look at cricket, Geoff Boycott would apply: “Let him (bowler) see you refusing to power so that he’s tempted to land the ball a foot nearer to you. Then bang. Get at the entrance foot and power the ball away.” By the hands of an effective purveyor, it turns into as a lot an attacking weapon as a defensive one. With out even hanging bat at the ball, it would disrupt the bowler’s pondering. “If a batter is leaving the ball neatly, you’ll be able to see their recreation is in excellent order and for me I believed in the event that they had been leaving me simply then they had been implementing themselves on me as neatly,” former England fast Simon Jones would as soon as say.

    Each a success cricketer has it. Then each and every cricketer had misjudged the depart at least one time, if now not extra occasions, of their occupation. Even one of the greatest leavers may finally end up misjudging, like Cheteshwar Pujara. The depart is likely one of the bricks that had long gone into the making of some of the greatest stonewallers of this period. However right here, the standard devoted judgment abandoned him. Like Boland, Cameron Inexperienced too used to be angling maximum of his balls in. Simply certainly one of Inexperienced’s 5 earlier balls to Pujara had formed away. As had been many of the balls he confronted off Boland.

    In all probability, Pujara used to be spooked by way of the previous, the place Cummins would make one ball grasp the road after angling in. Boland had produced a identical supply within the earlier over. Possibly, it used to be taking part in in his intellect. The fuller period virtually satisfied him that the ball would seam away after touchdown. Reasonably, it swerved again in, now not lavishly however simply sufficient to peg his off-stump. He simply swayed the bat in disgrace moderately than anger and rushed again to the solitude of the dressing room. Like Gill, he too used to be batting fluently and definitely, ahead of the instant of miscalculation.

    Pujara misjudging similar to shubhman. #WTC23Final %.twitter.com/yRjFUMUH9t

    — John Haseena Shah (@johnHaseena) June 8, 2023

    Will have to Pujara have hung at the back-foot and protect it, as he so incessantly does to identical lengths in identical prerequisites? However on this innings, he used to be creating a mindful effort to get ahead to many of the balls. It used to be most likely to do away with the half-prod place that he incessantly will get into. However right here, it backfired — there used to be a bit of of predetermination — as he left a ball that he would have defended very easily.

    Then that is what pitches in England do. They weigh and play in your intellect, they make you consider, they make you notice illusions. Even within the intellect of any person scoring a bucketful of runs in County cricket, or even within the intellect of probably the most proficient younger batter. It’s now not the perfect of strokes — judgment, prudence, reflexes and second-guessing pass into it. However to die a stroke-less loss of life is an agony that has few equivalents within the recreation. Now not even self-goals. The guilt consumes you favor hearth.

  • WTC Ultimate: India has fallen into entice of selecting assault for first innings handiest, says Ricky Ponting

    Via India As of late Sports activities Table: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has stated that India has fallen into the entice of selecting their bowling assault just for the primary innings. India dropped spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for pacer Umesh Yadav within the ultimate of the International Check Championship on the Kennington Oval.

    International Check Championship Ultimate: Complete Protection

    Chatting with Famous person Sports activities, Ponting stated India has fallen into the entice of selecting an assault just for the primary innings, including that he has without a doubt that Ashwin would’ve picked extra wickets than Ravindra Jadeja later within the recreation. India opted to head with one spinner and 4 fast-bowlers and dropped Ashwin for the WTC Ultimate.

    “India have fallen into the entice of selecting an assault for the primary innings of this Check fit handiest. The explanation why I used to be stunned that Ashwin used to be not noted is on account of the selection of left-handers Australia have. There is not any doubt in my thoughts that Ashwin would have bowled much better than Jadeja afterward within the Check,” stated Ponting.

    He went on to mention that he would’ve performed Ashwin and brought the decision between Umesh Yadav and Shardul Thakur because the 3rd seaming possibility. India began with Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul and Umesh as their 4 pacers.

    “The massive choice that they needed to make used to be between Thakur and Umesh. I used to be leaning in opposition to Thakur as a result of he can be my workhorse to offer a little of a damage to the strike bowlers Shami and Siraj. You’ll be able to move to Jadeja for a few overs simply to tie the sport down a little,” Ponting added.

    The previous Australia skipper stated the bowlers should settle for that they are going to be pushed once in a while on the Oval. India got here 2d within the WTC issues desk, selecting up 127 issues from 18 suits, whilst Australia completed as table-toppers, collecting 152 issues in 19 video games.

    “If India had bowled actually smartly then 60 % would had been at the fuller facet and 20 % on a just right duration. I made some extent previous, the bowlers should settle for that they will get pushed once in a while,” stated Ponting.

    India may just raise their first ICC trophy in nearly a decade in the event that they win the WTC Ultimate in London.

  • WTC Ultimate: Mitchell Starc could make issues tricky for Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, says Salman Butt

    By means of India These days Sports activities Table: Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has mentioned that Australia pacer Mitchell Starc may just make issues tricky for India openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. India is ready to stand Australia within the ultimate of the Global Check Championship on the Kennington Oval on June 7.

    Global Check Championship Ultimate: Complete Protection

    Talking on his Youtube channel, Butt mentioned Starc may just hassle the India opening duo of Rohit and Gill however warned that the Indian openers may just put Australia beneath power in the event that they get set. Starc has picked 306 wickets in 77 Check fits for Australia.

    “If Mitchell Starc will get it proper, he can undoubtedly make issues tricky for Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. He has an excellent inswinger and bowls at a just right tempo. We’ve observed that Rohit Sharma is prone towards left-armers. Alternatively, if the ones two get set, they are able to put Australian bowlers beneath power,” mentioned Butt.

    He went on to mention that India has the more potent batting line-up between the 2 facets, insisting that the prerequisites on the Oval will go well with the batters. India has introduced in Ajinkya Rahane within the aspect after a stint out of doors the Check setup, and is predicted to start out within the WTC Ultimate towards Australia.

    “India has a more potent batting lineup out of the 2 groups. Additionally, the prerequisites that you’d get at The Oval would possibly not be the standard English prerequisites. It’s not very similar to Lords or Leeds the place the ball has a tendency to swing so much for the primary couple of hours. The Oval gives tempo and jump which makes shot-making more straightforward,” Butt added.

    Butt mentioned Rohit is an overly giant participant for India however nonetheless will get caught now and then, including that the most productive of batters have long gone thru this. India got here 2d within the WTC issues desk, choosing up 127 issues from 18 fits, whilst Australia completed as table-toppers, gathering 152 issues in 19 video games.

    “Rohit Sharma performs with numerous freedom in T20s. He possibly will get caught in a undeniable type of atmosphere because of a cluttered mindset. He’s an overly giant participant however nonetheless will get caught now and then. Alternatively, it might occur to any participant and one of the crucial very best batters have additionally long gone thru this,” mentioned Butt.

    India have a possibility to boost their first ICC trophy in virtually 10 years once they face Australia within the WTC Ultimate in London.

  • AUS vs IND: Two years of onerous paintings has result in this, says Rahul Dravid forward of WTC Ultimate in London

    By way of India These days Sports activities Table: India head trainer and previous captain Rahul Dravid stated that two years of onerous paintings has lead Crew India to the overall of the Global Take a look at Championship. India is ready to stand Australia within the WTC Ultimate at Kennington Oval in London on June 7.

    Global Take a look at Championship Ultimate: Complete Protection

    Talking completely to Famous person Sports activities on ‘Practice the Blues’, Dravid stated that is an exhilarating alternative for all of the avid gamers, including that the workforce has labored onerous for 2 years to get right here and feature earned their spot within the WTC Ultimate. India got here 2d within the WTC issues desk with 127 issues from 18 fits, whilst Australia completed as table-toppers choosing 152 issues in 19 video games.

    “It’s thrilling for all of the avid gamers to be taking part in this sport once more. I believe it’s been two years of onerous paintings which has resulted in this. So lot of ups and downs in the course of the process the season after which so that you can get the chance to play this sport, I believe it’s indubitably genuinely-earned and the men have indubitably earned it,” stated Dravid.

    He went on to mention that his adventure with the avid gamers in the second one WTC cycle has been unbelievable. India misplaced the 2021 WTC Ultimate towards New Zealand in Southampton and will probably be taking a look to deliver the trophy house this time round.

    “Yeah it’s been nice a laugh and I’ve loved it and it’s a actually nice bunch of fellows to paintings with and construct some actually excellent relationships with a large number of the avid gamers. It’s actually great to be a part of their trips, they’re very other other folks at other phases of their careers as effectively,” Dravid added.

    Rohit Sharma and co. have a possibility of lifting India’s first ICC trophy in nearly a decade after they tackle Australia in London.