India vs England Test Series 2025 – Cricket Match Highlights

In a gripping turn of events on Day 4 of the ongoing India vs England Test match, Team India was bowled out for 364 runs in their second innings, setting a challenging 371-run target for England to chase. The match, part of the India tour of England 2025, is perfectly poised for a thrilling finish as the final day approaches.

India All Out for 364: Key Highlights

Resuming the day with a solid lead, India put in a fighting effort with the bat. Skipper Rohit Sharma and veteran batter Virat Kohli played pivotal roles in anchoring the innings. Kohli’s composed half-century kept the scoreboard ticking while the middle and lower order added crucial runs to stretch the lead.

Despite disciplined bowling from the England side, India managed to post 364 all out, giving themselves a healthy lead of 370 runs. The pitch at this stage is showing signs of variable bounce, adding to the drama ahead of England’s fourth-innings chase.

England Bowlers Shine Under Pressure

England’s bowling attack worked hard to restrict India. James Anderson, playing perhaps one of his last home Tests, was economical and effective. Mark Wood’s express pace and Jack Leach’s spin troubled the Indian batters late in the innings. Captain Ben Stokes rotated his bowlers tactically, preventing India from running away with the game.

England Needs 371 to Win: Historic Chase on the Cards?

Chasing 371 runs in the fourth innings of a Test match is a daunting task for any team, especially against a high-quality bowling attack featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravichandran Ashwin. However, under the aggressive Bazball approach, England has shown fearlessness in similar situations before.

Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett will be under pressure to give England a strong start, while Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, and Stokes will be crucial in navigating the middle overs. With a deteriorating pitch and high scoreboard pressure, Day 5 is set to be a true test of skill and temperament.

What This Means for the Test Series

This match is critical in the context of the India vs England 2025 Test series, with both teams aiming to secure a series-defining win. A victory here could also influence the standings in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025, making the stakes even higher.

Nandan Yadav announced his arrival on the international stage in style, delivering a match-winning performance on his ODI debut for Nepal against the Netherlands in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 clash at Forthill.

The young right-arm pacer became Nepal’s 42nd ODI player and immediately made a name for himself with an impressive bowling spell, finishing with figures of 9-1-39-3. His sharp pace, disciplined line, and fearless approach were instrumental in Nepal’s crucial victory.

Nandan Yadav’s Impactful Debut

Opening the bowling in the second over of the match, Yadav showed no signs of nerves. His first ODI wicket came in just his second over, removing Dutch opener Max O’Dowd, setting the tone for the rest of the innings.

He returned to bowl in the death overs and delivered a crucial blow in the 47th over, dismissing the experienced Roelof van der Merwe and Kyle Klein, sealing his three-wicket haul and ensuring Nepal maintained control of the match.

“It was a special moment for me. Wearing the Nepal jersey and getting that first wicket – I’ll never forget it,” said Yadav after the match, visibly emotional and proud.

Over-by-Over Highlights

• 2nd Over: Debut spell begins (1-0-7-0)
• 4th Over: First wicket – Max O’Dowd (2-0-8-1)
• 14th Over: Maiden over showcasing control and confidence
• 47th Over: Double strike – van der Merwe & Klein
• Final Bowling Figures: 9 overs | 1 maiden | 39 runs | 3 wickets | Economy 4.33

Handy With the Bat

In addition to his bowling heroics, Yadav chipped in with a valuable 10 off 12 balls* during Nepal’s innings, proving he can contribute as a reliable lower-order batter.

A Promising Future for Nepal Cricket

Yadav’s sensational debut comes at a crucial time for Nepal, as the team eyes qualification for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup and builds depth in their fast bowling department. His emergence adds balance to the squad and bolsters Nepal’s pace arsenal ahead of key fixtures.

As Nepal continues its journey in international cricket, Nandan Yadav looks set to become a mainstay in the national setup.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is reaching its climax, and cricket fans around the world are gearing up for one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament. On March 4, India and Australia will face off in the first semi-final at the Dubai International Stadium. This high-stakes encounter promises to be a thrilling battle between two cricketing powerhouses with a storied rivalry.

Match Details

• Fixture: India vs Australia, ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Semi-Final
• Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
• Time: 2:30 PM IST
• Venue: Dubai International Stadium, UAE

Road to the Semi-Final

India’s Journey

India has been in phenomenal form throughout the tournament, finishing as Group A toppers with three wins in three games. The team showcased its dominance with impressive performances against Pakistan, South Africa, and New Zealand. In their last group-stage match, a 44-run victory over New Zealand saw mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy emerge as a match-winner with a five-wicket haul.

Australia’s Journey

Australia, on the other hand, had a mixed group-stage campaign. They started strong with a victory over England but saw their next two matches washed out due to rain. Despite this setback, they secured a spot in the semi-finals as the second-best team in Group B. However, the absence of key pacers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc poses a challenge for the Aussies.

Head-to-Head Record

In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Australia has historically held the upper hand against India. Out of 151 encounters:

• India Wins: 57
• Australia Wins: 84
• No Result/Ties: 10

India’s record against Australia in ICC knockout games hasn’t been great in recent years, with just one win in their last four encounters since 2010. The most recent ICC knockout clash between these two teams was the 2023 ODI World Cup final, where Australia defeated India in Ahmedabad to lift the trophy.

Expected Lineups

India’s Probable XI:

1. Rohit Sharma (c)
2. Shubman Gill
3. Virat Kohli
4. Shreyas Iyer
5. Axar Patel
6. KL Rahul (wk)
7. Hardik Pandya
8. Ravindra Jadeja
9. Harshit Rana
10. Kuldeep Yadav
11. Varun Chakravarthy

Australia’s Probable XI:

1. Travis Head
2. Steven Smith (c)
3. Josh Inglis (wk)
4. Marnus Labuschagne
5. Alex Carey
6. Glenn Maxwell
7. Cooper Connolly
8. Ben Dwarshuis
9. Nathan Ellis
10. Adam Zampa
11. Spencer Johnson

Key Battles to Watch

1. Rohit Sharma vs Australia’s Pacers

Rohit Sharma’s aggressive approach in powerplays can put India in a commanding position early on. However, Australia’s pace attack, led by Nathan Ellis and Spencer Johnson, will look to strike early and dismiss the Indian captain cheaply.

2. Virat Kohli vs Adam Zampa

Virat Kohli has been India’s most reliable batter in high-pressure games, but leg-spinner Adam Zampa has troubled him in the past. This battle in the middle overs will be crucial in determining India’s ability to accelerate later in the innings.

3. Glenn Maxwell vs Indian Spinners

Glenn Maxwell’s ability to take on spinners will be key for Australia. With India likely to rely on Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy, Maxwell’s aggressive stroke play could either win Australia the game or lead to his downfall.

Match Prediction

India enters this match as the favorites, given their dominant form and familiarity with the Dubai conditions. Their bowling attack, particularly the spinners, will play a crucial role against an Australian side missing key pacers. However, Australia has a history of rising to the occasion in ICC tournaments, and their experience in high-pressure knockout matches could make them a dangerous opponent.

Prediction: India holds the edge, but Australia is more than capable of staging an upset. Expect a close contest with India having a 60-40 advantage going into the game.

Final Thoughts

With a spot in the Champions Trophy final at stake, this match is set to be a spectacle. India will look to avenge their 2023 World Cup final defeat, while Australia will aim to continue their dominance in ICC tournaments. Cricket fans worldwide can expect a thrilling contest in Dubai!

Baitadi clinches the title of the Prime Minister’s Cup Women’s T20 Far Western Provincial Qualifying Cricket Tournament!

In an exciting final held on Thursday, Baitadi defeated Kanchanpur by 6 wickets to secure the championship. The win was powered by a stellar all-round performance from Janaki Thapa, with contributions from Captain Ritu Kanoujia (22* runs) and Janaki Thapa (14* runs), who guided Baitadi to victory while chasing a modest target of 72 runs in 12.2 overs.

Earlier, Kanchanpur posted a total of 71 runs, with Revati Dhami contributing a strong 41 runs. However, Baitadi’s bowlers, led by Janaki Thapa with 2 wickets, kept the pressure on, leading them to victory.

🏅 Award Highlights:

• Best Player: Ritu Kanoujia (Baitadi)
• Best Batter: Bindu Rawal (Kanchanpur)
• Best Bowler: Karishma Thapa (Baitadi)
• Emerging Player: Jayanti Bhandari (Doti)

The tournament, which began on Poush 19, saw 7 teams from the province compete for the prestigious title. The national competition for the Prime Minister’s Cup Women’s Cricket will take place in Dhangadhi from Magh 1.

🎉 Congratulations to all the players and teams for their outstanding performances! 🙌

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