Most Sixes in ODIs: Indian team for the ODI series against South Africa

 The first match of the three-match ODI series between India and South Africa will be played tomorrow, Sunday, November 30, in Ranchi. Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma could set a new world record in this match. In fact, if Rohit Sharma hits three sixes in the first ODI, he will become the batsman with the most sixes in this format.

In the first ODI against South Africa, Rohit Sharma has a chance to surpass former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi. If Rohit hits three sixes in the first ODI to be played in Ranchi, he will surpass Shahid Afridi and become the 'Sixer King'.

Most Sixes in ODIs

1. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) - 351 sixes in 369 innings
2. Rohit Sharma (India) - 332* sixes in 259 innings
3. Chris Gayle (West Indies) - 331 sixes in 294 innings
4. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka) - 270 sixes in 433 innings
5. MS Dhoni (India) - 229 sixes in 297 innings

Rohit Sharma has hit 349 sixes in 276 ODIs since 2007. During this period, he has scored 11,370 runs at an average of 49.22. Rohit has scored 33 centuries and 59 half-centuries. Former all-rounder Shahid Afridi has hit 351 sixes in 398 ODIs. This Pakistani player has also scored 8,064 runs at an average of 23.57, including six centuries and 39 half-centuries.

South Africa tour of India, 2025

Sr. Number	Day	Date	Match	Venue
1st	Sunday	30th November	1st ODI	Ranchi
2nd	Wednesday	3rd December	2nd ODI	Raipur
3rd	Saturday	6th December	3rd ODI	Visakhapatnam

Indian team for the ODI series against South Africa

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (captain and wicketkeeper), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Harshit Rana, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh.

Indian squad announced for Under-19 Asia Cup 2025

 The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the Indian team for the Men's Under-19 Asia Cup. The tournament will be played in Dubai from December 12-21. Ayush Mhatre has been named the captain of the Indian team.

India has been placed in Group A of the Men's Under-19 Asia Cup. This group includes Team India along with Pakistan, while two other teams will qualify for the group through qualifiers. Group B will include Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and another qualifying team.

Eight teams will participate in the Under-19 Asia Cup. The tournament will begin on December 12. In the opening match, Team India will face Pakistan in Qualifier 1 at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai. On the same day, they will face Pakistan in Qualifier 3 at The Seven Stadium. A high-voltage match will take place between India and Pakistan on December 14. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals, which will be held on December 19.

Under-19 Asia Cup Groups

• Group A: India, Pakistan, Qualifier 1, Qualifier 3
• Group B: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Qualifier 2

Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yuvraj got a place

The Indian Under-19 squad for the Under-19 Asia Cup has been announced. Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Vedant Tripathi, and Abhigyan Kundu have also been included in the squad. Yuvraj Gohil and Kanishk Chauhan will play in the middle order.

India's Under-19 Asia Cup match schedule

• December 12 - India vs. Team Qualifier 1
• December 14 - India vs. Pakistan
• December 16 - India vs. Team Qualifier 3

Indian team for Under-19 Asia Cup

Ayush Mhatre (Captain), Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Vihaan Malhotra (Vice-Captain), Vedant Tripathi, Abhigyan Kundu, Harvesh Singh, Yuvraj Gohil, Kanishk Chauhan, Khilan Patel, Naman Pushpak, D. Dipesh, Henil Patel, Kishan Kumar Singh (subject to fitness), Uddhav Mohan, Aron George

Standby - Rahul Kumar, Hemchudesh J, B.K. Kishore, Aditya Rawat

Top 5 highest run-scorers in India vs South Africa ODI history

 ODI matches between India and South Africa have always featured high-quality cricket, featuring world-class batting, formidable pace attacks, and thrilling contests. Over the years, many outstanding batsmen from both teams have dominated matches with consistent and match-winning performances.

Over the decades of India vs South Africa ODI cricket, whenever these two teams have met, here's a look at the five batsmen who have scored the most runs in the format.

1. Sachin Tendulkar

The great Sachin Tendulkar is the highest run-scorer against South Africa, with 2,001 runs. He did so in 57 ODI innings at an average of 35.73. His low average is probably because he faced world-class attacks on pitches that were easy for bowlers, at a time when modern ODI rules did not favour batting. Sachin Tendulkar scored 5 centuries and 8 fifties against South Africa, including a century during the 2011 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup match in Nagpur.

2. Jacques Kallis

South Africa's Jacques Kallis scored 1,535 ODI runs against India in 34 innings at an average of 61.40. He remained not out nine times and finished matches with his characteristic calmness and control. Of his 17 centuries in ODI cricket, Jacques Kallis scored two against India, including 11 extras of 50 or more. Overall, Kallis remains South Africa's leading run-scorer against India in ODIs, even a decade after his retirement from the game.

3. Virat Kohli

Indian run-machine Virat Kohli has scored 1,504 runs in 29 ODI innings against South Africa at a high-volume average of 65.39, the most among all players to score more than 300 runs in India vs South Africa ODIs. Virat Kohli scored 558 of these runs in a single series against South Africa in 2018, where his three match-winning centuries helped India win the series 5-1. Moreover, Kohli's 558 runs from that tour are the most runs scored by any batsman in a single bilateral series. Overall, Virat Kohli has scored five centuries and eight half-centuries against South Africa at a tremendous strike rate of 85.74.

4. Gary Kirsten

Gary Kirsten tormented the Indian bowlers in almost all his 26 ODIs between 1995 and 2001. The legendary left-handed opening batsman scored 1,377 runs at an impressive average of 62.59, which was 1.5 times his career ODI average of 40.95. Gary Kirsten scored four centuries and nine half-centuries against Team India, with his biggest achievement being an innings of 133* in the opening match of the 2001 South Africa ODI Tri-Series in Johannesburg in October 2001.

5. AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers 1,357 runs in ODIs against India are nowhere near his strike rate of 111.13. Former South African captain and explosive middle-order batsman AB de Villiers loved to mock Indian bowlers, especially in ODIs, as he averages 48.46 against them. He scored six centuries against India, including three in a single series in 2015, where he amassed 358 runs at an impressive average of 89.50. Overall, AB de Villiers played 32 ODIs against India, scoring 1,357 runs, and crossing the 50-run mark 11 times.

5 batsmen who scored the slowest century in Test cricket

 It wouldn't be wrong to call Test cricket the perfect platform for patience, concentration, and technique. The goal here isn't just to score runs; staying at the crease for long periods of time to put the team in a strong position is equally important. This patience is reflected in some of the slowest Test centuries ever, which are still remembered with great respect in cricket history.

Rank	Batsman	Team	Opponent	Minute (to reach 100)	Match details
1	Mudassar Nazar	Pakistan	England	557	Lahore, 1977/78
2	DJ McGlew	South Africa	Australia	545	Durban, 1957/58
3	AP Gurusinha	Sri Lanka	Zimbabwe	535	Harare, 1994/95
4	JJ Crowe	New Zealand	Sri Lanka	516	Colombo (CCC), 1986/87
5	Sanjay Manjrekar	India	Zimbabwe	500	Harare, 1992/93

1. Mudassar Nazar - Pakistan

Pakistan's Mudassar, who reached his century in 557 minutes against England in Lahore in 1977-78, was not only a slow batsman but also a prime example of how to rescue a team in difficult situations. His innings is still considered the slowest century in Test history.

2. Jackie McGlew - South Africa

South Africa's Jackie McGlew, who scored a century in 545 minutes against Australia at Durban in 1957-58. Bowling was very difficult in those days, and the pitches were not very good for batsmen. In such an environment, McGlew's innings was highly praised.

3. Asanka Gurusinha - Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's Asanka Gurusinha, who reached his century in 535 minutes against Zimbabwe in Harare in 1994-95. This innings was highly strategic, as Sri Lanka's priority in that match was to avoid defeat, and Gurusinha bided his time accordingly.

4. Jeff Crowe – New Zealand

New Zealand's Jeff Crowe scored a century in 516 minutes against Sri Lanka in the Colombo Test in 1986-87. This innings shows how a calm mind and proper technique can trouble bowlers for long periods.

5. Sanjay Manjrekar - India

India's Sanjay Manjrekar reached his century in 1992-93, playing a 500-minute blockathon in Harare. Despite a difficult pitch, a slow outfield, and a tight bowling attack, Manjrekar's century is considered one of the classic innings of Indian cricket.

Latest WTC Points Table (2025-2027): India vs South Africa after 2nd Test

 The ICC World Test Championship 2025–2027 (also known as the ICC WTC 2025–2027) is a Test cricket tournament, the fourth edition of the ICC World Test Championship. Losing the second Test has significantly hurt the Indian team in the World Test Championship points table. Team India has now fallen below Pakistan in the points table. Pakistan is now fourth, while India is fifth. India was set a huge target of 549 runs in Guwahati, but in response, India's second innings was reduced to just 140 runs.

Earlier, South Africa defeated Team India by 30 runs in the Kolkata Test. Now, the Indian team, captained by Rishabh Pant, has suffered a massive defeat by 408 runs in Guwahati. South Africa has clean swept India in a Test series at home after 25 years.

India loses in the WTC points table

Before the South Africa Test series, Team India was ranked fourth, but after losing the series 0-2, it has slipped to fifth. India's points percentage has now reached 48.15. Recalling the past three finals, Team India seems a long way from reaching the final. Pakistan's points percentage is 50, which puts it above India in the points table.

Australia is currently the table topper, having won all four of its matches so far and has a points percentage of 100. South Africa, which won the series against India, has firmly secured second place, reaching 75. Sri Lanka is currently at third.

Latest WTC Points Table (2025-2027)

POINTS TABLE -

No	Team	M	W	L	T	NR	PCT	Pts	Recent Forms
1	Australia	4	4	0	0	0	+100.00	48	WWWW
2	South Africa	4	3	1	0	0	+75.00	36	WWLW
3	Sri Lanka	2	1	0	0	1	+66.67	16	WD
4	Pakistan	2	1	1	0	0	+50.00	12	WL
5	India	9	4	4	1	0	+48.15	52	LLWLD
6	England	6	2	3	0	1	+36.11	26	LWDLL
7	Bangladesh	2	0	1	0	1	+16.67	4	LD
8	New Zealand	0	0	0	0	0	0.00	0	NR
9	West Indies	5	0	5	0	0	0.00	0	LLLLL

Top 3 highest-paid retained players ahead of the IPL 2026 mini-auction

 On November 14, all 10 IPL franchises announced the players they decided to retain and those they decided to release ahead of the mini-auction, which will take place in Abu Dhabi in December. Some teams showed complete confidence in their star players and decided to retain them despite their mixed performances. With the auction coming up soon, here are the top three highest-earning retained players for IPL 2026.

1. Rishabh Pant (LSG)

Rishabh Pant remains the most expensive player in IPL history. Notably, he was bought by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for ₹27 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction. Ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, LSG decided to retain Pant as both their captain and a key player. Pant did not have a good 2025 season. In 13 innings, he scored 269 runs at an average of 24.45 and a strike rate of 133.17. However, the franchise showed faith in him, believing that his form and leadership would improve. LSG retained him.

2. Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings)

Punjab Kings signed Shreyas Iyer for the 2025 season. He became the second most expensive player with a price tag of ₹26.75 crore. Before the 2026 auction, Punjab had retained him for the same amount. Iyer proved his mettle last season, especially as captain, leading Punjab Kings to the final, where they faced Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He scored 604 runs in 17 innings at an impressive average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175.07, the best of his IPL career. Due to his strong leadership and consistent run-scoring, the franchise retained him till 2026.

3. Heinrich Klaasen (SRH)

South African wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen has been retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for ₹23 crore, making him the third-highest-paid player retained this season. Notably, Klaasen scored 487 runs in 14 matches during the IPL 2025 season, proving his value as a reliable finisher and power-hitter. Klaasen has been one of SRH's most reliable batsmen. So far, he has played 39 innings for SRH, scoring 1,414 runs, including two centuries and seven fifties, an impressive record for a middle-order player.

Who is the highest run-scorer in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC)?

 Since the start of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), the pace of scoring runs in Test cricket has become even more intriguing. Amid challenging conditions, fast bowling, and the test of spin, many great batsmen have proven their mettle in the longer format. Topping the list is former England captain Joe Root, who set a new record for most runs in the WTC.

1. Joe Root - England

England's Joe Root remains the WTC's top run-scorer, amassing 6,088 runs in 70 matches played between 2019 and 2025. His highest score is 262, demonstrating his ability to stay at the crease for long periods and tire out opponents. An average of 52, 21 centuries, and 22 half-centuries have made him one of the most reliable Test batsmen of our time.

2. Steve Smith - Australia

Australian legend Steve Smith has scored 4,297 runs in 56 matches. With 13 centuries and 19 half-centuries, Smith is known for his unique technique and patient batting. His brilliant innings of 211 runs and an average of nearly 50 make him a strong contender for the number one spot after Root.

3. Marnus Labuschagne - Australia

Australia's Marnus Labuschagne is third with 4285 runs. Scoring at an impressive average of 48 in 98 innings, Labuschagne has proven himself a superstar of modern Test cricket. His massive innings of 215 runs and 23 consecutive half-centuries are a testament to his consistency.

4. Ben Stokes - England

England's Test captain, Ben Stokes, is fourth on this list with 3,624 runs. His aggressive batting and ability to turn matches around in difficult situations have made him special. Eight centuries and 17 half-centuries in 105 innings demonstrate his position as the backbone of England's batting lineup.

5. Travis Head - Australia

Australia's explosive middle-order batsman, Travis Head, has established himself as a match-winner in the history of the World Test Championship (WTC). Head's batting ability, which includes not only his ability to score quickly but also his ability to handle pressure in critical situations, makes him one of the most dangerous batsmen in modern Test cricket. Travis Head has scored 3,444 runs. His strike rate of over 73 makes him a unique Test batsman.