India faced a tough opening day in the fifth Test against Australia. Rishabh Pant showed grit with a battling 32 despite enduring blows, while Virat Kohli's persistent issues outside the off-stump added to India's woes.

India struggles as Australia dominates Day 1 of fifth Test

India captain Rohit Sharma rested himself from the series finale with Jasprit Bumrah walking out for the toss in his place.

Rohit Sharma "opted to rest" in the team's interest but the same old script unfolded on a new day for Indian batters as they surrendered meekly for a paltry 185 in the face of some hostile seam bowling from Australia on the opening day of the fifth and final Test in Sydney.
Virat Kohli (17 off 69 balls), whose form and technical weaknesses are also under the scanner, was for the seventh time dismissed in the corridor of uncertainty in the tour, a problem that seems incurable at the moment. WATCH: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/sports-news/cricket/watch-virat-kohli-and-steve-smith-s-heated-exchange-after-controversial-catch-at-scg-1735892419675" target="_blank">Virat Kohli and Steve Smith's heated exchange after controversial catch at SCG</a>
At stumps, Australia were 9 for 1 with stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah sending the woefully out-of-form Usman Khawaja (2) back in the hut.
Teenage sensation Sam Konstas was unbeaten at 7 after hitting Bumrah for a first-ball four. The 19-year-old also had an animated exchange with the Indian star.
Bumrah opted to bat under overcast conditions and the ultra-defensive approach by Indian batters only compounded their problems with Scott Boland's (20-8-31-4) immaculate length and tremendous discipline leaving them in a disarray.
Mitchell Starc (18-5-49-3) and Pat Cummins (15.2-4-37-2) were equally relentless giving the Indians no room for release shots.
Rishabh Pant top-scored for the visitors with a 98-ball 40, going against his grain to battle it out, taking painful blows to his body in the process.
If Rohit's decision to "rest" was a forward thinking move, the persistence with Kohli is proving to be detrimental and the celebrated batter might just have one more Test innings left to save his place in the traditional format.
"I wouldn't say it's a par score but still a competitive score," said Pant, admitting that the pitch is not easy to bat on.
If one takes away the second innings hundred at Perth out of his last 20 Test innings, Kohli has managed an average of 17.57.
He could have been out off Boland's first delivery but tried to battle hard. However, it has always been that one moment in which his hands and the willow magnetically follow a delivery in the corridor of uncertainty.
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Pant curbs natural instincts for a session
Having copped criticism from all quarters for his bizarre shot selection in Melbourne, Pant, for a change, copped body blows, trying to curb his natural game.
The big-hitter in him came out only on a couple of occasions with one of them fetching him a straight six off Beau Webster.
Pant put his head down and endured nasty blows on his bicep, helmet and twice in the sensitive abdominal area. He and the dogged Ravindra Jadeja (26 off 95 balls) defended dourly as they added 48 off 151 deliveries for the fifth wicket.
Only 50 runs were scored in the second session and trying not to be adventurous proved counter-productive with most batters retreating in a shell letting Boland and company dictate the terms of play.
Finally, Pant's patience ran out and one pull shot too many became his undoing.
India realised they haven't scored enough runs and lost a lot of wickets. The defensive tactic in the second session when the ball got old ended up costing them dearly.
There wasn't much swing on offer despite cloudy conditions but a decent grass cover ensured that Boland's back-of-length deliveries proved enough.
As far as Pant was concerned, the "honest conversations" with head coach Gautam Gambhir seemed to have worked with the southpaw respecting the game situation for most part.
If Pant was disciplined, Shubman Gill's judgement on the last delivery before lunch did cause trouble for India.
Gill (20 off 64 balls) did all the hard work for close to couple of hours before stepping out to Nathan Lyon on the last ball of the session only to be caught at first slip.
In the morning KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal came in to open the innings but didn't last long and the saga of first innings failures continued.

Virat Kohli survived a controversial third umpire decision on the opening day of the Sydney Test against Australia. Steve Smith's stunning catch was ruled not out after the third umpire determined the ball had touched the ground.

Watch: Virat Kohli and Steve Smith's heated exchange after controversial catch at SCG

Smith&rsquo;s swift reaction had the Australian players celebrating, but the on-field umpire referred the decision to the third umpire for further review.

On the opening day of the fifth Test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Virat Kohli narrowly escaped a dismissal, providing fans with a dramatic moment in the match.
The day began with a surprising move, as regular captain Rohit Sharma was rested and star pacer Jasprit Bumrah took over as the stand-in captain for this critical Test.
India's batting woes started early, as openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul were both dismissed quickly, leaving the team in a tough position. Kohli then joined Shubman Gill at the crease and faced a challenging moment right away.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Just missed a beat there! 🥶 ICYMI, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ViratKohli?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ViratKohli</a> was dropped by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SteveSmith?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SteveSmith</a> on the very first ball he faced!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvINDOnStar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvINDOnStar</a> 👉 5th Test, Day 1 LIVE NOW! | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ToughestRivalry?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ToughestRivalry</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BorderGavaskarTrophy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BorderGavaskarTrophy</a> <a href="https://t.co/iLhCzXCYST">pic.twitter.com/iLhCzXCYST</a>
&mdash; Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/StarSportsIndia/status/1874992007812432286?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
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On the very first ball he faced, Scott Boland, the Australian pacer, nearly had Kohli caught. The ball edged off Kohli's bat and flew to Steve Smith at second slip, who made a spectacular diving catch to dismiss the Indian batter.
Smith&rsquo;s swift reaction had the Australian players celebrating, but the on-field umpire referred the decision to the third umpire for further review.
The third umpire&rsquo;s analysis showed that the ball had initially touched the ground before Smith managed to get his hands on it, leading to Kohli being given a crucial lifeline. This reprieve allowed Kohli to continue batting, avoiding an early exit.
After the over, Kohli and Smith exchanged words, with tensions running high over the controversial incident. 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
"100%. No denying it whatsoever." Steve Smith weighs in on whether he got his hand underneath the ball in the biggest moment of the morning. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AUSvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AUSvIND</a> <a href="https://t.co/bqIy8iGIRm">pic.twitter.com/bqIy8iGIRm</a>
&mdash; cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) <a href="https://twitter.com/cricketcomau/status/1874994592967176496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
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During the lunch break, Smith spoke up about the incident, defending his actions. He remained firm in his belief that he had successfully caught the ball, claiming that his hands were beneath it and that it was a legitimate catch.
However, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting disagreed with the third umpire&rsquo;s decision, expressing his opinion during the live commentary. "As far as I was concerned, if (the ball) had've come out of (Smith's) hand, he wouldn't have been able to scoop it up. That's what I'm saying, I think his fingers are clearly underneath the ball... look where his pointer figure is there, it's still underneath the ball," Ponting remarked on-air during the commentary with 7Cricket.
The dramatic incident became a hot topic of conversation, sparking debate over the umpire's decision and fueling discussions about the fairness of the catch. Despite the controversy, Kohli&rsquo;s escape added intrigue to what promised to be an action-packed day of cricket.

India's top sporting honor, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, celebrates excellence in sports. Manu Bhaker, D Gukesh, Harmanpreet Singh, and Praveen Kumar are recognized for their outstanding contributions.

Manu Bhaker, D Gukesh to get Khel Ratna award

The 22-year-old Bhaker became independent India's first athlete to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics.

Double Olympic-medallist Manu Bhaker and chess world champion D Gukesh were among four winners of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award announced by the Sports Ministry, which also named an unprecedented 17 para-athletes in the list of 32 Arjuna awardees to honour their resounding success at the Paris Paralympics.
The other two Khel Ratna winners unveiled by the ministry on Thursday for the year 2024 were men's hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar.
The awards will be conferred on the athletes by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17.
The 22-year-old Bhaker became independent India's first athlete to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics with her bronze-winning show in the 10m air pistol individual and 10m air pistol mixed team events in August.
The announcement comes a few days after reports that Bhaker had been ignored for the Khel Ratna as the award selection committee did not recommend her due to the absence of an application from her.
The shooter later admitted that there may have been a lapse on her part while filing the nomination. Once the procedural issues were sorted, there was never any doubt that Bhaker would be among the awardees.
In the same Paris Games, Hamranpreet led the Indian hockey team to its second consecutive bronze medal.
The 18-year-old Gukesh, on the other hand, became the youngest-ever World champion while also helping the Indian team win a historic gold in the Chess Olympiad last year.
The fourth recipient, para high-jumper Praveen, was crowned the T64 champion in the Paris Paralympics. The T64 classification is for athletes who have one or both legs missing below the knee and rely on a prosthetic leg for running.
The Khel ratna awardees receive a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh along with a citation and a medallion. The Arjuna awardees are given Rs 15 lakh as cash reward, a statuette of Arjuna and a citation.
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 Arjuna for Paris medallists
The athletes selected for this year's Arjuna award include Paris Olympics bronze medal-winning lot of wrestler Aman Sehrawat, shooters Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh and the men's hockey team players Jarmanpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Sanjay and Abhishek.
The para-athletes outnumber the able-bodied ones in the list of Arjuna winners this time due to the magnificent Paris showing in which they returned with 29 medals, including seven gold and nine silver.
The official list also includes sprinter Jyothi Yarraji, javelin thrower Annu Rani, women's hockey team captain Salima Tete, world champion boxers Nitu Ghangas and Saweety, veteran swimmer Sajan Prakash, Olympiad gold-winning chess player Vantika Agrawal and squash star Abhay Singh.
Among the para athletes, Paris Paralympics gold-medallists Dharambir (club throw), Navdeep Singh (javelin throw) and Nitesh Kumar (para badminton) are the prominent names in the record number of Arjuna winners.
Paris Olympics bronze-winning para-archer Rakesh Kumar, para-shooters Mona Agarwal and Rubina Francis also feature in the list among others.
The ministry also cleared three coaches for Dronacharya award in the regular category, including Olympic bronze-medallist Swapnil Kusale's coach Deepali Deshpande.
The Dronacharya award in the lifetime category will be conferred on former India football manager Armando Colaco and badminton coach S Muralidharan.
The award is given to coaches to honour their outstanding work and for enabling athletes to achieve excellence in their chosen sport in top international competitions.
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 Murlikant Petkar gets Lifetime Arjuna
India's first Paralympic gold-medallist Mulikant Petkar, who won the top honours in the 50m freestyle swimming event of the 1972 Heidelberg Paralympics, was named for the Arjuna Awards (Lifetime).
An Army man, Petkar's inspiring tale of resurrecting himself as a para-athlete after being disabled due to bullet wounds sustained during the 1965 India-Pakistan war, was recently turned into a biopic, 'Chandu Champion', starring Kartik Aaryan.

Gautam Adani praises 18-year-old chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju for his world championship victory, marking a new era in India's chess revolution.

Youngest world chess champion D Gukesh meets Gautam Adani

Gukesh was among four athletes who the government decided to award the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award -- the country's highest sporting honour.

Billionaire Gautam Adani called teenager Gukesh Dommaraju -- who became the youngest world chess champion by beating defending champion Ding Liren of China -- a testament of India's unstoppable youth.
The chess champion, along with his parents, met Adani in Ahmedabad.
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
It was an absolute privilege to meet and hear the victory story of reigning World Chess Champion <a href="https://twitter.com/DGukesh?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DGukesh</a>. Equally inspiring was meeting his incredible parents, Dr Rajinikanth and Dr Padmavathi, whose quiet sacrifices laid the foundation for his success. At just 18, Gukesh&rsquo;s&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/CL12qIfSHY">pic.twitter.com/CL12qIfSHY</a>
&mdash; Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) <a href="https://twitter.com/gautam_adani/status/1874422639231475949?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2025</a></blockquote>
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"It was an absolute privilege to meet and hear the victory story of reigning World Chess Champion @DGukesh," Adani, chairman of ports-to-energy Adani Group, said in a post on X.
Posting pictures with the teenager and his parents, Adani said, "Equally inspiring was meeting his incredible parents, Dr Rajinikanth and Dr Padmavathi, whose quiet sacrifices laid the foundation for his success."
"At just 18, Gukesh's poise and brilliance are a testament to India's unstoppable youth. Prodigies like him are inspiring a new generation, building an army of champions ready to dominate global chess for decades. This is the confident, resurgent and rising India. Jai Hind!" he said.
Gukesh became the 18th world champion after defeating Ding in a 14-game match in Singapore last month.
He is four years younger than Garry Kasparov, who had been the youngest world champion since 1985 when he beat Anatoly Karpov.
On Thursday, Gukesh was among four athletes who the government decided to award the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award -- the country's highest sporting honour.
Besides becoming the youngest-ever world champion, Gukesh had also helped the Indian team win a historic gold in the Chess Olympiad last year.
"The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organised function at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 17th January, 2025 (Friday) at 1100 hours," the sports ministry said in a press release on Thursday.
After the Singapore match, Adani had called his victory "stunning".
"At just 18, @DGukesh has made history! What an achievement - the youngest-ever undisputed classical chess world champion, beating the great Ding Liren! This isn't just a victory - it is a defining moment for India's chess revolution, where an entire bold generation of champions dares to dream and inspires an entire nation to rise! Congratulations Gukesh!" he had said in a post on X on December 12.

As India prepares for the final Test against Australia, speculation surrounds Rohit Sharma's place in the team due to poor form, while Rishabh Pant’s shot selection could see him dropped.

Pressure mounts on Rohit Sharma as India braces for must-win Sydney Test

There are reports that Rishabh Pant's shot selection has invited the wrath of Gambhir, who is now planning a rap on the knuckles by dropping him in favour of Dhruv Jurel.

Battered by extra bounce and seam movement along with scathing criticism of his leadership, India skipper Rohit Sharma's career as a Test cricketer seems headed for a dispiriting climax amid swirling speculation that he is set to be dropped from the fifth and final Test against Australia starting here on Friday.
Rohit, just like Melbourne, was last among recognised batters to enter the nets but this was after head coach Gautam Gambhir refused to confirm whether the out-of-form skipper will be at the toss on Friday morning.
"We will take a call on the playing XI after looking at the pitch," Gambhir gave a cryptic reply to a straight query on whether Rohit will play.
If it happens, Rohit will become the first Indian captain to be dropped on account of poor form and he would have none to blame except for the abysmal return of 31 runs from five innings.
Should this happen, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who has been the team's top performer with an astonishing 30 wickets in four outings at a sub-20 average, will take over the leadership role. It was under Bumrah's captaincy that India won its only Test on the tour so far -- the lung-opener in Perth.
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Where would that leave Rohit?
Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Anil Kumble walked into Test retirements mid-series as their bodies could no longer take the rigours of the longest format.
However, in Rohit's case, he will be dropped on the basis of form after Gambhir made it clear that performance is the only thing that would keep a player in the dressing room helmed by him.
If he doesn't come out for toss on Friday, it would be safe to conclude that Rohit, the Test batter, played his last knock at the MCG earlier this week where he looked completely out of place on a good track.
While Gambhir didn't spell out the playing eleven, there were enough indications that India might bring back Shubman Gill at number three.
"Indian cricket's transition is in safe hands as long as there are honest people in the dressing room. Only criteria to be in that dressing room is performance," Gambhir said at the pre-match press conference.
Trailing 1-2, a win for Australia will seal their place in the final at the Lord's against South Africa.
India, on other hand, not only require a win but also need Sri Lanka to not lose any of their two Tests at home against Pat Cummins' men.
The visitors aren't looking like a team at ease right now especially Rohit, who is caught between a rock and a hard place both as skipper and batter.
He may or may not announce retirement but playing the traditional format after Sydney looks a long shot.
Add to this, the murmurs of dissension in the team that could have a bearing on how the players perform.
The implosion started with Ravichandran Ashwin retiring and going back home midway through the series and Rohit's poor form has certainly made him lose a bit of command.
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Rishabh Pant in line of fire
There are reports that Rishabh Pant's shot selection has invited the wrath of Gambhir, who is now planning a rap on the knuckles by dropping him in favour of Dhruv Jurel.
If Pant is indeed axed from the game, it would be a redux of the time when legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev was taught a lesson for his poor shot selection during a 1984 tour of England with a similar omission.
During practice on Thursday, Jurel got the same net time as his senior.
When an Australian reporter asked if had some stern words for the boys post the 184-run drubbing in Melbourne, Gambhir didn't deny having an "honest conversation" and also stressed on the need to play for the team's cause.
Pant was also seen engaged in a long conversation with vice captain Jasprit Bumrah.
India will also have to make one change owing to Akash Deep's stiff back that has forced him out.
The coach's favourite Harshit Rana could be in but with his questionable consistency and drop in speed in the second and third spells, Prasidh Krishna can't be ruled out either.
In this backdrop, facing an Australian team with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne back in form isn't an easy proposition.
"I haven't actually noticed as I am in my own bubble," Pat Cummins said when asked about whether he noticed that in the rival camp, another out-of-form batter Virat Kohli has been looking more proactive in the leadership role than the regular skipper.
The Australian team will be handing a debut to all-rounder Beau Webster, who would replace an off-colour Mitchell Marsh who hasn't scored much runs throughout the series.
"There is one change with Beau Webster coming in place of Mitch Marsh. Mitch knows that he hasn't scored enough runs," the home skipper informed.
Cummins will also have Mitchell Starc for company as he has been cleared after back scans.
The pitch, according to Cummims, is seamer-friendly. He said the fast bowlers are "happy with the surface".
Despite the challenging build-up, Gambhir said he is "extremely confident" of retaining the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The players will hope to be as confident as they prepare for the fight to keep their World Test Final chances alive.
Teams (from):
Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Jasprit Bumrah (vice captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Tanush Kotian, Sarfaraz Khan.
Match starts at 5 am IST.

India pacer Akash Deep ruled out of the fifth Test against Australia due to a stiff back. India trails 1-2 in the series and needs a win to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Replacement options include Harshit Rana or Prasidh Krishna.

Akash Deep Ruled Out of Fifth Test Against Australia

India trail 1-2 in the five-match series and need to win the fifth and final game to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

India pacer Akash Deep was on Thursday ruled out of the the fifth and final Test against Australia starting here on Friday owing to a stiff back.
Akash had taken five wickets from two Tests in Brisbane and Melbourne so far. He was a bit unlucky to not get more as multiple catches were dropped off his bowling during the two games.
" Akash Deep is out with back issue," India coach Gautam Gambhir said in the pre-match press conference here.
Gambhir said the playing XI would be decided after taking a look at the pitch.
The 28-year-old right-arm pacer bowled a total of 87.5 overs across two Test matches and his niggle could be a result of the heavier than usual workload he has endured.
The hard Australian grounds can cause knee, ankle and back issues for pacers.
Either Harshit Rana or Prasidh Krishna could make it to the eleven in place of Akash.
India trail 1-2 in the five-match series and need to win the fifth and final game to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir emphasizes the importance of private dressing room debates, honest conversations, and performance as key to staying in the team.

Gautam Gambhir Prioritizes Honesty and Performance in Indian Cricket

Gambhir also confirmed that pacer Akash Deep will miss the New Year Test with a stiff back, though he refrained from naming a replacement for him.

Asserting that "debates" in the dressing room should not come out in public domain, India head coach Gautam Gambhir on Thursday said he has had some "honest" conversations with his players as only performance can help them stay in the set-up.
Gambhir also side-stepped queries on whether out-of-form skipper Rohit Sharma will get a place in the final XI for the fifth and final Test against Australia starting on Friday.
Amid speculation of unrest in the dressing room, the feisty head coach sought to douse the fire by declaring that they were "just reports, not truth".
"Debates between coach and player should remain in dressing room. Stern words. They were just reports not truth," Gambhir said in the pre-match press meet here.
"Indian cricket will be in safe hands till honest people stay in the dressing room. Only thing that keeps you in the dressing room is performance," he added.
"There were honest words and honesty is important," he asserted.
Gambhir refused to say whether Rohit will get a place in the team. The question thrown at him was why the captain had not come to address the match-eve press conference as is the norm and if he is there in the final XI.
"Everything is fine with Rohit. The head coach is here and that should be enough. We will decide on the playing XI after looking at the pitch," Gambhir said.
The former opener also said his discussions with senior batter Virat Kohli and Rohit have only been about strategies to win the ongoing Test series.
"Every individual knows what are the areas to work on. We have only had one conversation with them (and that is) how to win Test matches," he said.
Gambhir also confirmed that pacer Akash Deep will miss the New Year Test with a stiff back, though he refrained from naming a replacement for him.
Although he refused to analyse individuals when asked about the questionable shot selection of players like Rishabh Pant in crunch situations, Gambhir did assert that the team's interest is paramount.
"I don't want to talk about individuals. Team first ideology matters. People can play natural game but in team sport, individuals only contribute," he said.

Travis Head’s unique "finger on the ice" celebration after dismissing Rishabh Pant in the Boxing Day Test sparks both intrigue and controversy, drawing reactions from players and critics.

Travis Head explains 'finger on ice' celebration after dismissing Pant

Head's celebration quickly gained attention and went viral on social media. After the match, Australian captain Pat Cummins was asked about it and he offered a lighthearted explanation.

Australia batter Travis Head has explained his unusual celebration after dismissing Rishabh Pant in the Boxing Day Test, stating it signifies "finger on the ice," a quirky gesture that he first showed during the tour of Sri Lanka.
After batting through an entire session, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant appeared poised to guide India to a draw on the final day of the Boxing Day Test.
However, Head turned the game on its head by dismissing Pant, which triggered a dramatic Indian collapse and paved the way for a 184-run Australian victory, giving the hosts a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
Pant mis-timed a pull shot and was caught at long-on, after which Head celebrated the moment with his distinctive gesture of folding the fingers of his left hand into a circle and dipping the forefinger of his right hand into it.
"Finger on the ice. I started in Sri Lanka. I put my finger on the ice and be ready to go for the next one," Head told 'Triple M Radio' after the Melbourne Test.
"I didn't expect to be bowling. I thought Galle would be my next bowling. I'll go put it down in a little cup of ice, be ready to go up there next," he added, referring to Australia's upcoming tour of the island nation.
Head's celebration quickly gained attention and went viral on social media. After the match, Australian captain Pat Cummins was asked about it and he offered a lighthearted explanation.
"I can explain it. It's his finger so hot he's got to put in a cup of ice. Yeah that's what it is," Cummins told reporters.
"So, that's normally the running joke. It was in the Gabba or somewhere he got a wicket as well and just straight to the fridge, grabs a bucket of ice, puts his finger in and just walks in front of Lyno (Nathan Lyon)...just like that (he) thinks it's very funny.
"So that's what it would have been, nothing else."
However, Head's celebration didn't sit well with former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu, who demanded "stringent action" against the Australian player, calling it "obnoxious".
"Travis head's obnoxious behaviour during the course of the Melbourne test doesn't auger well for for the gentleman's game...sets the worst possible example when there are kids, women , young &amp; old watching the game.
"...this caustic conduct did not insult an individual but a nation of 1.5 billion Indians...stringent punishment that would serve a deterrent for the future generations needs to be slapped on him so that no one dares follow suit !!!" Sidhu posted on X.
The two teams will play the pivotal final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, starting January 3.

Rohit Sharma admits India’s mental struggles after their 184-run loss to Australia in the Melbourne Test, with a series-deciding fifth Test on the horizon.

Rohit Sharma reflects on India’s disappointing loss to Australia in MCG Test

Rohit said the team wanted to have a go at the target despite its daunting nature.

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma on Monday said the 184-run drubbing at the hands of Australia in the fourth Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground is "mentally disturbing", conceding that his team failed to fight in the match.&nbsp;
India will now head to Sydney for the fifth and final Test trailing 1-2 in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The series finale begins on January 3.&nbsp;
"It is mentally disturbing when you can't do what you have come to do," Rohit, whose own poor form has been under the scanner, told reporters after the game.
"It is pretty disappointing. There are ways to win games and we fell short in finding ways to win the game here. We wanted to fight till the end and unfortunately, we couldn't do it," he said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
Australia were struggling at 91 for six in their second innings with the overall lead yet to touch 200 on Sunday but managed to make it a 340-run target for the visitors. Rohit admitted his team could not exploit the favourable situation.
"We had Australia 90 for 6. We know things can get tough, but we want to play tough cricket from hard situations. But we were not good enough. I went back to my room and thought about what else we could have done as a team," Rohit said.
"But we threw everything we had, they fought hard, especially that last-wicket partnership, which probably cost us the game there," he added.
Rohit said the team wanted to have a go at the target despite its daunting nature.
"We knew 340 wasn't going to be easy. We tried to set a platform and keep wickets in hand for the last two sessions, but they bowled perfectly as well. We wanted to go for the target, but we didn't set the platform from our side," he noted.
The Mumbaikar lauded Nitish Kumar Reddy for making a fine hundred during the first innings, and hoped the youngster will climb the ladder.
"He's coming here for the first time, these conditions can get really tough, but he showed great character, solid technique as well.
"He's got everything to be successful at this level, I hope he goes from strength to strength, and he's got all the backing from the team as well," he said.
The 37-year-old also patted pacer Jasprit Bumrah for leading the Indian bowling attack almost singlehandedly.
"Absolutely brilliant, We've been watching him for so many years now, coming here and getting the job done. He's not a statistical person.
"He just wants to play for the country and do well for the team, but unfortunately he's not got a lot of support from the other side," he added.
Wanted to take India win out of equation
Australian skipper Pat Cummins justified the move to not declare their second innings, saying he wanted to snuff out any chances for an Indian win.
"We wanted to take an India victory out of the equation (on batting on and not declaring). We had plenty of runs to play with, and as many helmets around the bat as we could.
"We put a lot of work into our lower-order batting, we work a lot on how best to bowl to the opposition batters firstly, but also how we can contribute with the bat." Cummins said the MCG Test was one of the best he has been a part of in his career with record crowds turning up on all five days.
"What an amazing Test match, I reckon one of the best I've been part of. All week the crowd has been ridiculous, and it's been amazing to be part of.
"Marnus helped me out in that second innings big time, happy to contribute with the bat as well. Amazing innings from Steve too," he added.

Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant (30 off 104) batted out the entire second session to take India to 112/3 but the latter’s fall opened the doors for the home team.

Australia beat India by 184 runs in fourth Test

Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant (30 off 104) batted out the entire second session to take India to 112/3 but the latter&rsquo;s fall opened the doors for the home team.

India slumped to a demoralising 184-run loss to Australia in the fourth Test here on Monday with contemporary greats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli failing to come good yet again, signalling that their walk towards the exit door is not too far.
Chasing a near improbable target of 340, both Rohit (9 off 40 balls) and Kohli (5) failed to battle their technical frailties and mental cobwebs as India lost seven wickets for 34 runs in just 20.4 overs in the final session to be all out for 155 in 79.1 overs.
Australian captain Pat Cummins (3/28 in 18 overs) was superb as usual and Scott Boland was also magnificent (3/39 in 16 overs) in his every spell.
Nathan Lyon (2/37 in 20.1 overs) took advantage of variable bounce while Mitchell Starc (1/25 in 16 overs) got the prized scalp of Kohli.
This was after an 88-run fourth-wicket stand between Yashasvi Jasiwal and Rishabh Pant.
"Pretty disappointing. We wanted to fight but we could not do it," a dejected Rohit said in the post-match presentation.
"We tried everything but they fought hard. We did not grab our chances," he conceded.
Australia now lead the series 2-1 and unless India draw level in Sydney, a third successive World Test Championship final could become a distant dream. Even to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India would need to post a win.
Save Jaiswal (84, 208 balls), whose controversial caught-behind in which the third umpire overruled technology to adjudge him out, none of the other batters performed well enough to save the team.
"They batted well in the middle session. We knew that we had to get one breakthrough and anything can happen and that proved to be the case.
"We had plenty of runs to play with, we had plenty of fielders with the helmet around," a beaming Cummins, who was also adjudged player of the match for his haul of six wickets, said in the presentation ceremony.
The art of saving Test matches has slowly become extinct but India would have depended on their two senior-most players, who are also fighting to save their legacy and reputation built over nearly two decades.
In case of Rishabh Pant, it was one bad shot too many after a full session in which he concentrated. He got a rank long hop from Travis Head but after a 103-ball vigil, it all came to a naught.
Even Jaiswal's guts and grit couldn't prevent a once highly-rated, but currently a trifle over-rated, Indian batting line-up from implosion with over-the-hill seniors and young superstars unable to handle the pressure.
The defeat could have severe repercussions as there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel for skipper Rohit.
As for Kohli, despite all his white-ball exploits, the problems outside the off-stump will stick out like a sore thumb.
For Rohit, his ultra-defensive approach in the opening slot, is causing India to stare down the barrel with alarming regularity.
Rohit did all the hard work during the first hour before opposition skipper Cummins got his bunny for the 10th time in Test matches.
Kohli could never control his urge of playing the cover drive again and was caught at first slip after Mitchell Starc pushed one across with the angle.
Rahul was out without troubling the scorers after getting a second good ball in the game.
Rohit's decision to bat up the order backfired and it also tinkered with Rahul's mindset despite him being perfectly fine opening the innings.
The captaincy was pedestrian as he let the game drift on occasions and there were lot of phases that led to India's defeat but none more telling than the final wicket partnership between Scott Boland and Nathan Lyon where the target went out of reach on Sunday.
Save Jasprit Bumrah, who once again toiled manfully for 50 overs and took nine wickets, and find-of-the-series Nitish Reddy, who scored a gritty hundred, there are no positives to be taken from this defeat.
The batting, save for the second innings in the opening Perth Test, has been absolutely below par and India won't be doing themselves any favours if they have walking wickets at the top of the order.
The team is going through a tough transition and it is now time that their feisty head coach Gautam Gambhir shows some spark along with chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.

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WTC Final: Ajinkya Rahane makes a comeback as BCCI announce Team India squad

Ajinkya Rahane makes a comeback, no Jasprit Bumrah
WTC final to start on June 7 at the Oval in London

The selection of India’s squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy is set to be challenging, with players like KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, and Ravindra Jadeja facing uncertainty about their places in the team. 

India’s CT 2025 Squad Selection: Key Players Under Scrutiny for Champions Trophy

The selection of India&rsquo;s squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy is set to be challenging, with players like KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, and Ravindra Jadeja facing uncertainty about their places in the team.&nbsp;

Out-of-form veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will continue to form the batting core of India's ODI squad but there are at least three senior players whose future in the 50-over format could be debated when the selectors gather this weekend to pick the squad for the Champions Trophy.
KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja's presence in the side is not a surety for the event starting February 19 even though they were a part of last year's World Cup.
Since the final, India have played six ODIs and while Shami and Jadeja were rested, Rahul was included for both the away bilateral engagements against South Africa and Sri Lanka.
Against Sri Lanka, however, he was dropped in the middle of the series after failing to get going in the middle overs. The world is also yet to forget how his sedate half century after using up 100-plus deliveries became a prime reason for India's loss on November 19, 2023 against Australia.
It is understood that Yashasvi Jaiswal has a very bright chance of making it to the ODI squad. His inclusion would ensure a left-handed batter in the top four.
But if Rishabh Pant is the first-choice wicketkeeper, then would there be any point in having Rahul as the back-up? And if Rahul is not keeping, his place as a batter is not guaranteed.
Among his closest competitors, Ishan Kishan hasn't scored enough runs in the Vijay Hazare Trophy while Sanju Samson hasn't been picked by Kerala after he missed the initial games.
If coach Gautam Gambhir still has his say in selection matters like he did till the disastrous Australia tour, then Samson, one of his personal favourites, will surely make the cut.
India will play all their Champions Trophy games in Dubai, starting with the clash against Bangladesh on February 20. This was after the team refused to travel to original hosts Pakistan citing security concerns.
&nbsp;
Jadeja's white-ball woes
Jadeja's white ball batting hasn't been as good as it used to be and those who are tracking the selection committee feel that Axar Patel is being seen as way more effective in the ODIs at the moment.
Washington Sundar is expected to make it as an off-spinner but Kuldeep Yadav's fitness is something that selectors would be fretting on. Kuldeep is near full fitness but hasn't played a Vijay Hazare Trophy game.
In case Kuldeep fails to make it, one among Ravi Bishnoi or Varun Chakravarthy is expected to be picked.
&nbsp;
Shami's fitness
Coming to Mohammed Shami, the veteran pacer's communication with the team management and the selection committee on his fitness status didn't seem to have the required clarity.
However, he has bowled eight overs each in the last two Vijay Hazare Trophy games and in case Jasprit Bumrah fails to make it due to back spasms, Shami's experience will become crucial for the side.
Hardik Pandya is the seam bowling all-rounder and it will be interesting to see if Nitish Reddy will be considered.
Among the reserve specialist batters, the choice could be between Rinku Singh and Tilak Varma.
&nbsp;
Champions Trophy (In Contention):
Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy/Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan/Mohammed Shami, Rinku Singh/Tilak Varma.

Yuvraj Singh expresses that the 0-3 loss to New Zealand at home hurt more than India’s defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He defends the struggling veterans, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, urging fans to recognize their past achievements. 

Yuvraj Singh backs Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma amid criticism

Yuvraj Singh expresses that the 0-3 loss to New Zealand at home hurt more than India&rsquo;s defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He defends the struggling veterans, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, urging fans to recognize their past achievements.&nbsp;

World Cup-winning former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has said that being whitewashed at home by New Zealand was a bigger low for Team India than the loss of Border-Gavaskar Trophy but refused to join the chorus of criticism against embattled veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
India have endured a difficult last few months in the five-day format, going down 0-3 to an under-strength New Zealand at home, which was a first in the team's Test history. This was followed by a 1-3 drubbing by Australia in the away edition of the Border Gavaskar series.
Both the debacles have been largely attributed to the team's batting frailties, especially those of Rohit and Kohli.
"According to me, losing (to) New Zealand is more hurting (sic). Because they are losing 3-0 at home. You know, that is not acceptable. This (losing BGT) is still acceptable because you have won two times in Australia. And this time you lost," Yuvraj told 'PTI Videos' in an interview here.
"Australia has been a dominant side for the last so many years, that is my thought," the 43-year-old hero of India's 2011 World Cup triumph said.
While Kohli managed at least a hundred during the series despite continuing to be dismissed whenever he was baited outside the off stump, Rohit was worse with a tally of just 31 runs and had to drop himself from the final Test.
But Yuvraj said it is unfair to lambast the duo given their past achievements.
"We are talking about our greats, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, we are saying very bad things about them," he said.
"...people forget what they have achieved in the past. They are one of the greatest cricketers of this time. Okay, they lost, they did not play good cricket. They are getting hurt more than us," he added.
Hopeful that India would bounce back strongly, Yuvraj said he has full faith in not just Rohit and Kohli but also new head coach Gautam Gambhir, who was his former teammate as well.
"I feel that Gautam Gambhir as a coach, Ajit Agarkar as a selector, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, they are the best minds in cricket right now," he asserted.
"And they have to decide what's the way for Indian cricket in future," he said.
The big-hitting former batter also lauded Rohit for dropping himself from the Sydney Test, saying it was a selfless act.
"I think it is a big thing. I have never seen in the past that the captain's form is not going well and he himself has gone out. And this is Rohit Sharma's greatness that he has kept the team ahead of himself," Yuvraj said.
"I think he is a great captain. Whether win or lose, he will always be a great captain. And in his captaincy, we have played the (ODI) World Cup final. We won a T20 World Cup. We have achieved a lot," he pointed out.
He urged the critics to exercise restraint while dissecting the team's performance.
"I was a student of the game and now I am a student of the game. The amount of cricket I have played, they have played more cricket than me," said the man, who played 304 ODIs, 40 Tests and 58 T20 Internationals for India, amassing 11,000 runs across formats.
"I can give my opinion. And my opinion is that when players are not performing, it is easy to say bad about them. But it is very difficult to support them. Media's job is to say bad about them. My job is to support my friends and brothers. For me, they are my family. Simple," he signed off.

Jasprit Bumrah, suffering from back spasms, is expected to be rested for most of India's upcoming white-ball series against England. His recovery will determine his participation in the ICC Champions Trophy.

Jasprit Bumrah Likely to Be Rested for England Series Due to Back Injury

Jasprit Bumrah, suffering from back spasms, is expected to be rested for most of India's upcoming white-ball series against England. His recovery will determine his participation in the ICC Champions Trophy.

Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who sustained back spasms, is likely to be rested for the majority of India&rsquo;s home white-ball series against England, keeping an eye on the ICC Champions Trophy, starting from February 19.
Bumrah, who was India's stand out player with 32 wickets in their 1-3 thrashing at the hands of Australia in the just-concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy, couldn't bowl in the final innings of the series here after suffering back spasms.
The 30-year-old Bumrah who bowled more than 150 overs in the series.
The injury has a direct link to his excessive workload in the series, and the BCCI medical team will try to ensure the new Test captain is ready for the ICC showpiece where his presence is mandatory to India&rsquo;s fortunes.
According to sources privy to the development, the grade of Bumrah's back spasm has not yet been ascertained.
India will open their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on February 20 in Dubai.
If Bumrah&rsquo;s injury is in grade 1 category, then it will take a minimum two to three weeks of rehabilitation before Return to Play (RTP).
In case of Grade 2 injury, the recovery can go up to six weeks while Grade 3, the most severe in nature, requires a minimum three months of rest and rehabilitation programmes.
It was always known that Bumrah will not play T20I bilateral series as this is not the World Cup year, but with the Champions Trophy around the corner, he would have certainly played two if not three ODIs against England as its the 50-over format.
But now, the grade of his injury will decide whether Bumrah plays the England series at all or at least the last match at his home ground in Ahmedabad on February 12 to check on his fitness.
India will face England in five T20Is and three ODIs from January 22.

Virat Kohli's poor form continues in the Sydney Test as he is dismissed for 17 runs, while India are bowled out for 185. 

Kohli's Form Dips Further, First Innings Average Lower Than Bumrah's

This poor run has seen him outscored by his teammate, pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who is now averaging more runs than Kohli in the series after contributing with a valuable 22 in a late innings partnership.

Virat Kohli's struggles in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy continue as he faces challenges Down Under, a place that has typically been a fruitful venue for him. The Sydney Cricket Ground saw another disappointing outing for the Indian batter, where he only managed to score 17 runs before falling to an outside-off delivery from Scott Boland. This marks yet another lackluster performance in what has been a tough year for Kohli in Test cricket.
Since missing the England series earlier in the year, Kohli has had a rough run, especially in the first innings of Test matches. Across five such innings against Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia towards the end of 2024, Kohli has managed only 35 runs. In fact, his batting average in first innings stands at a worrying 7.00, placing him among the lowest for players with five or more innings since the start of 2024. Keshav Maharaj sits at the bottom with an average of 5.33, but Kohli&rsquo;s average is still dangerously low in comparison to others, including specialist batters like Aiden Markram.
Kohli&rsquo;s inability to cope with deliveries outside the off stump has continued to haunt him, and his frustration was evident after a decent start that eventually led to another failure. This poor run has seen him outscored by his teammate, pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who is now averaging more runs than Kohli in the series after contributing with a valuable 22 in a late innings partnership.
ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/sports-news/cricket/sydney-test-india-vs-australia-bgt-day-1-1735881246090" target="_blank">Sydney Test: Australia 9/1 at Stumps as India bowled out for 185 on day one</a> 
India&rsquo;s total of 185 saw Rishabh Pant as the top scorer with 40 runs, but despite Kohli's slump, there is optimism within the camp. The pitch in Sydney, with plenty of assistance for the bowlers, promises a potential turnaround, as Bumrah and the other pacers will hope to replicate their success from Perth earlier in the series.

2024 has been a defining year for Indian sports with monumental victories across cricket, athletics, chess, and para-sports. India’s T20 World Cup triumph, Paris Olympics, and record-breaking feats by para-athletes have set new benchmarks.

Indian sports in 2024: A year of triumphs, milestones, and narrow defeats

2024 has been a transformative year for Indian sports. From cricket to chess, and Olympic to Paralympic achievements, the country has shown that it is poised to become a dominant force in global sports.

2024 was a landmark year for Indian sports, with numerous highs and a few near-misses. This year saw history being written in cricket, athletics, chess, and para-sports.
Several key moments across various events will be etched in the memories of Indian sports fans. Dates like &mdash; June 29, July 30, and December 12 &mdash; will forever symbolize the nation's sporting achievements.
Cricket World Cup Glory: India's Supremacy <img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/67726f58290e7_1735552856.jpg" width="634" height="356"> 
On June 29, 2024, the Indian cricket team, led by Rohit Sharma, achieved what had eluded them for over a decade &mdash; the ICC Cricket World Cup.
In a thrilling tournament, India secured their long-awaited T20 World Cup title, ending a run of heartbreaks in the knockout stages of global tournaments. This victory reaffirmed India&rsquo;s position as the most influential nation in cricket.
Despite this triumph, the year also saw a setback on the Test front.
<h4>India's Whitewash to New Zealand</h4>
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/67726f2c5cae6_1735552812.jpg" width="634" height="356">
In contrast to their World Cup success, India&rsquo;s Test cricket season took a painful turn in November 2024. For the first time in 12 years, India lost a home Test series &mdash; a 0-3 whitewash by New Zealand.
The loss was even more striking as New Zealand was without their star player, Kane Williamson.
While the World Cup victory was a significant high, this defeat served as a reminder that India still needs to focus on consistency across all formats.
<h4>Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli&rsquo;s Retirement</h4>
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/67726f8c9255b_1735552908.jpg" width="634" height="356">
After their historic Cricket World Cup victory, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from T20 international cricket.
The decision marked the end of an era for two of India&rsquo;s most iconic cricketers. Their retirement was a moment of reflection for Indian fans, who had witnessed their unmatched contributions to the T20 format over the years.
Ashwin&rsquo;s Retirement: A Late 2024 Setback
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/67726fbbe68ad_1735552955.jpg" width="634" height="356">
India&rsquo;s second-highest wicket-taker, Ravichandran Ashwin, announced his retirement from international cricket after the 3rd Test against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar trophy, bringing an end to a remarkable era of spin mastery.
With over 700 international wickets and 6 Test hundreds, Ashwin&rsquo;s legacy as an all-rounder is firmly etched in cricketing folklore.
<h4>India&rsquo;s Historic Olympic Journey in Paris 2024</h4>
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/677270616ce0c_1735553121.jpg" width="634" height="356">
India's Olympic campaign in Paris was filled with triumphs and heartbreaks. The nation secured six medals &mdash; one silver and five bronze &mdash; marking a strong performance.
However, these medals were accompanied by a series of near-misses that kept the nation on the edge of its seat.
<h4>Neeraj Chopra&rsquo;s Silver in Javelin Throw</h4>
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/677270a7153d3_1735553191.jpg" width="634" height="356">
India&rsquo;s star athlete, Neeraj Chopra, secured a silver medal in the men&rsquo;s javelin throw at the 2024 Olympics, solidifying his status as one of India&rsquo;s greatest sports icons.
This silver followed his gold medal in Tokyo 2020, further establishing his dominance on the global stage and inspiring millions of aspiring athletes.
<h4>Men&rsquo;s Hockey: Second Successive Bronze</h4>
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/677270da7139d_1735553242.jpg" width="634" height="356">
India&rsquo;s men&rsquo;s hockey team made history by securing a second consecutive bronze medal at the Olympic Games, after a narrow loss to Germany.
The team's resilience was evident as they regrouped to defeat Spain 2-1, marking an incredible achievement for the sport in India.
<h4>Manu Bhaker&rsquo;s Redemption in Shooting</h4>
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/6772713fc8918_1735553343.jpg" width="632" height="355">
Manu Bhaker became a key highlight of India&rsquo;s Olympic success, making history by winning multiple medals. After overcoming a tough Tokyo Games, Bhaker clinched the bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, partnering with Sarabjot Singh on July 30.
Her redemption story became one of the most memorable moments in Indian Olympic history.
Wrestling and Other Near-Misses
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/67727172208cb_1735553394.jpg" width="634" height="356">
India&rsquo;s wrestling contingent, led by Vinesh Phogat, was poised for a gold medal in Paris but was disqualified due to a weight discrepancy, which ended her hopes of a historic win. Other athletes like Lakshya Sen, Mirabai Chanu, and Arjun Babuta came close to medal finishes, with many narrowly missing out on podium finishes.
<h4>2024 Paralympics: India's Historic Performance <img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/677271ad5282a_1735553453.jpg" width="634" height="356"></h4>
India&rsquo;s para-athletes made 2024 a groundbreaking year, bringing home 29 medals, including 7 golds, 9 silvers, and 13 bronzes, marking their most successful Paralympic campaign ever. This stellar performance saw India finish 18th on the overall medal table, with athletes like Avani Lekhara, Sumit Antil, and Mariyappan Thangavelu rising to prominence as national heroes.
Their achievements highlighted the strength and determination of Indian para-athletes, with many setting new records and achieving personal bests on the global stage.
<h4>Chess: A Rising Power in the Game of 64 Squares</h4>
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/677271ff2bbd4_1735553535.jpg" width="634" height="356">
In December, India continued its dominance in chess with two historic performances. D Gukesh, at just 18, became the youngest-ever FIDE World Chess Champion, surpassing Garry Kasparov's long-held record on December 12. His victory in Singapore not only established him as a future chess superstar but also marked India&rsquo;s growing influence in global chess.
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/6772722e03a6b_1735553582.jpg" width="634" height="356">
Additionally, the Indian chess teams, both men&rsquo;s and women&rsquo;s, triumphed at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, winning gold medals. Individually, Koneru Humpy won the Women's Rapid World Championship title in New York, further solidifying India&rsquo;s chess credentials.
<h4>Para-Sports: A Year of Milestones</h4>
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/6772725c72d6d_1735553628.jpg" width="632" height="355">
India's para-sports contingent had a breakthrough year in Paris. With 29 medals, the country finished 18th in the medal standings &mdash; its best-ever finish at the Paralympics. Stars like Avani Lekhara and Sumit Antil clinched multiple gold medals, showcasing India&rsquo;s growing prowess in para-athletics.
Other standout performances came from Mariyappan Thangavelu, Sheetal Devi, Nitesh Kumar, and Praveen Kumar, who added to India's medal tally with inspiring performances.
<h4>India&rsquo;s Success in Other Sports</h4>
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/6772728f3ebf6_1735553679.jpg" width="634" height="356">
In addition to Olympic and Paralympic achievements, India also excelled in non-Olympic sports. Rohan Bopanna, at 44, won the Australian Open men's doubles title, marking a new peak in Indian tennis.
Another major achievement was in table tennis, where India secured its first-ever medal at the Asian Table Tennis Championships. The women&rsquo;s team, featuring Manika Batra, Sreeja Akula, and Ayhika Mukherjee, clinched a historic bronze in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Sumit Nagal Breaks into Top 100
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/677272c486cfc_1735553732.jpg" width="639" height="359">
In tennis, Sumit Nagal made history by breaking into the ATP Top 100 for the first time in his career. His rise in the rankings marked a significant breakthrough for Indian tennis, signalling the potential for more success on the international stage in the coming years.
<h4>The Road Ahead: A Vision for the Future</h4>
<img src="https://cdn.editorji.com/677272f3b9ad1_1735553779.jpg" width="632" height="355">
Looking forward, India&rsquo;s sporting landscape is brighter than ever. The country has made remarkable strides in cricket, chess, Olympic sports, and para-sports. The next milestone is the 2036 Olympic bid, with the formal intent to host the Games a significant step toward a more structured and global sporting presence.
However, systemic improvements are still needed to support athletes and administrators better. The vision for the future hinges on ensuring that India&rsquo;s sporting infrastructure evolves to meet the growing demands of its athletes. Conclusion
2024 has been a transformative year for Indian sports. From cricket to chess, and Olympic to Paralympic achievements, the country has shown that it is poised to become a dominant force in global sports. While challenges remain, India&rsquo;s athletes continue to push boundaries, with a bright future ahead.

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