Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

India claim historic maiden Test series win in Australia

Virat Kohli's dominant India reinforced their status as the world's number one team by winning a historic first-ever series in Australia on Monday (7) after play in the final Sydney Test was abandoned due to rain.

Australia were still 316 in arrears when the match was called off as a draw, leaving India with a 2-1 triumph after wins in Adelaide and Melbourne. Australia won in Perth.


It is the first time they have managed the feat since they began touring Australia in 1947-48.

India had ripped through the Australian tail in Sydney on a shortened day four, when bad light and rain allowed only around 100 minutes of play, bowling the hosts out for 300 in reply to their own ominous 622 for seven declared.

Australia then suffered the indignity of being forced to follow on at home for the first time in 30 years as Kohli twisted the knife.

Only four overs of their second innings were possible, with Marcus Harris not out two and Usman Khawaja unbeaten on four before the match was called off.

"I want to say I've never been more proud of being part of a team, than this one right here," said Kohli.

"The boys make the captain look good. By far, this is my biggest achievement. It's at the top of the pile."

Australia skipper Tim Paine paid tribute to India.

"Have to tip our hat to India, we know how tough it is to win in Australia so congrats to Virat and (coach) Ravi (Shastri) because it's a huge achievement," he said.

"Disappointed, definitely over the last two Tests. We had our chances in Adelaide, in Perth I thought we played some good cricket, but in Melbourne and Sydney, we've been outplayed."

- 'Focus the attack' -

India got the series off to the best possible start by winning the tight opening Test in Adelaide by 31 runs on the fifth day -- their first Test win in Australia for a decade.

The victory was built on Pujara's first innings 123 and his second innings 71, while wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant took a world record-equalling 11 catches.

Australia bounced back in Perth to level the series, winning by 146 runs.

It was a huge relief for the home side, having not won a Test since the ball-tampering "sandpapergate" scandal that rocked international cricket last March.

But another Pujara century in Melbourne set the visitors up for a big first innings total and when Australia capitulated in reply to 151 all out, the scene was set for India to take a stranglehold on the series coming into Sydney.

Aside from man-of-the-series Pujara, a big part of their their success in Australia has been executing their bowling plans to deprive the Australian batsmen of playing their shots.

India's bowling coach Bharat Arun said the successful strategy stemmed from mistakes made last year in Tests against South Africa and England.

"I thought those two tours were a great experience for us and that has helped us immensely to come and do well in Australia," he said.

"We said that to be successful in Australia, we need to make sure that we need to take the cut and the pull out of the Australian batsmen and then focus the attack on our strengths, so that's exactly what we did."

While virtually all of Australia's leading batsmen got starts, none converted them into a big innings, underscoring how much they miss the banned Steve Smith and David Warner.

Harris' 79 in Sydney was the highest any of their batsmen managed the entire series, making it the hosts' first four-Test home series without scoring a century in their history.

More For You

Starmer-Getty

Starmer also condemned the 'poison of the far-right,' referencing threats made against safeguarding minister Jess Phillips. (Photo: Getty Images)

Starmer criticises online 'misinformation' after Musk's criticism

KEIR STARMER on Monday criticised those "spreading lies and misinformation" online, following a series of attacks from Elon Musk over historical child rape crimes in northern England.

Speaking to reporters, Starmer said: "Those that are spreading lies and misinformation as far and as wide as possible, they’re not interested in victims, they’re interested in themselves."

Keep ReadingShow less
The-Brutalist-Getty

The Brutalist won Best Drama Film, with Adrien Brody named Best Actor and Brady Corbet awarded Best Director. (Photo: Getty Images)

'The Brutalist' and 'Emilia Perez' lead Golden Globe wins

AT THE 82nd Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, The Brutalist, the story of a Holocaust survivor chasing the American dream, and Emilia Perez, a musical thriller about a Mexican drug lord transitioning to a woman, won the top awards of the evening.

The Brutalist took home the Golden Globe for Best Drama Film, with Adrien Brody earning Best Actor in a Drama for his portrayal of an architect trying to build a life in the United States. The film also claimed the Best Director award for Brady Corbet.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk-snow-getty

Yellow warnings for snow and ice are in effect across Scotland, Wales, northern England, and the Midlands, valid until midday Monday. (Photo: Getty Images)

Snow, ice, and rain warnings continue amid flood risks

WARNINGS for snow, ice, and rain remain active across the UK, with southern England facing flood risks due to rain and melting snow from milder temperatures.

Over 100 flood warnings have been issued in southern England, where flooding is “expected,” and more than 260 flood alerts are in place across England and Wales, indicating flooding is “possible,” BBC reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bidens-Modi-Getty

The 7.5-carat lab-grown diamond was presented during a private dinner at the White House in June 2023, as part of Modi's state visit at the invitation of US president Joe Biden. (Photo: Getty Images)

Modi's £16,129 diamond tops Jill Biden's gift list for 2023

A DIAMOND worth £16,129, gifted by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi to US First Lady Jill Biden, was the most expensive gift received by the Biden family from a foreign leader in 2023, according to the US State Department.

The 7.5-carat lab-grown diamond was presented during a private dinner at the White House in June 2023, as part of Modi's state visit at the invitation of US president Joe Biden.

Keep ReadingShow less
indian-rupee-iStock

The RBI has been intervening in the forex market to manage volatility in the rupee. (Representational image: iStock)

India's forex reserves dip to eight-month low amid rupee weakness

INDIA's foreign exchange reserves have dropped for the fourth consecutive week, reaching an eight-month low of £516.26 billion as of December 27, according to data from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released on Friday.

The reserves fell by £3.31 bn during the reported week, following a cumulative decline of £11.05 bn over the preceding three weeks.

Keep ReadingShow less