Himanshu Sharma, Author at SportSutra

India’s Top 10 Sports Trends in 2024

2024 was an incredible year for Indian sports and athletes. The Indian cricket team, led by Rohit Sharma, lifted the T20 World Cup to reignite the nation’s cricketing passion. At the Paris Olympics, India shone brighter than ever, achieving its best medal tally. D Gukesh etched his name in history becoming 18th World Chess Champion 18th and the youngest ever.

From cricket to the Olympics, Indian athletes inspired fans with their unmatched feats and accomplishments. Here’s a look back at some of the historic wins and unforgettable moments as we look at the top 10 sports trends in 2024 to celebrate the spirit of Indian sports.

1. Indian Premier League

The brand of the Indian Premier League is growing by leaps and bounds and has once again emerged as the top sports trend in India. Kolkata Knight Riders claimed their third title in the 2024 IPL edition defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final by 8 wickets. KKR’s all-rounder Sunil Narine bagged the Most Valuable Player award, run machine Virat Kohli scored a staggering 741 runs to win the Orange Cap award and Harshal Patel – 24 scalps for Punjab Kings – was the Purple Cap award winner. Nitish Kumar Reddy won the Emerging Player of the Year award for his breakthrough performances.

2. T20 World Cup

India was grappled with cricket fever in 2024. The country waited long for their second T20 world cup trophy, and also an 11-year wait since the 2013 Champions Trophy where India clinched their last ICC title. Captain Rohit Sharma leading from the front and Player of the Tournament winner Jasprit Bumrah put on memorable performances to etch their names as sports legends to look up to for ages.

3. Olympics 2024

India’s campaign at the Olympics 2024 was a success as the contingent brought home six medals from the event in Paris. 22-year-old shooter Manu Bhaker stole the spotlight becoming the first Indian to win two medals at a single Olympics event. Sarabjot Singh, Indian Men’s Hockey Team, Neeraj Chopra, Swapnil Kusale, and Aman Sehrawat were the other medal winners.

4. Pro Kabaddi League

The stature of the Pro Kabaddi League is growing each year. The highly engrossing sport of Indian origin entertained fans again with spectacular non-stop action. Haryana Steelers won their first PKL trophy in Season 11 trophy with a resounding 32-23 win over Patna Pirates. Mohammadreza Shadloui (Haryana Steelers) was awarded Most Valuable Player Best Raider was Devank Dalal (Patna Pirates) and Best Defender in Pro Kabaddi 2024 award went to Nitesh Kumar (Tamil Thalaivas). Ayan Lohchab (Patna Pirates) won the New Young Player of the Year while the Super Coach award went to charismatic Manpreet Singh (Haryana Steelers).

5. Indian Super League

In a cricket-crazy nation, football is not too far behind. The popularity of the Indian Super League proves it! It was another year where India’s premier football league enthralled football fanatics with performances to remember.

6. Women’s Premier League

The second season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL 2024) created a buzz among fans. More so because Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) won their first-ever IPL trophy across men’s and women’s tournaments. RCB Women beat Delhi Capitals in the final of the 2024 WPL.

7. Copa América

Copa América was another trend that established football as incredibly popular in India. In the final, Argentina defeat Colombia 1-0 to secure their record-breaking 16th title. The Copa America trophy solidified Argentina’s legacy as a football powerhouse as they won third successive major tournament win, after 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

8. Duleep Trophy

The 2024 edition of the Duleep Trophy was a star-studded affair as a lot of regular Indian players graced the tournament, and the excitement for the first-class cricket tournament went sky-high. Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul were some of the notable names to play in the tournament this year.

9. The UEFA European Football Championship

The UEFA Champions League final is one of the most-watched sports events in the world. The UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund on 1 June 2024 at Wembley Stadium in London lived up to the hype. Real Madrid secured a 2-0 victory in the final, to extend their trophy tally to 15 titles.

10. Under-19 Cricket World Cup

Indian cricket fans look up the Under-19 Cricket World Cup as the stepping stone for top-flight cricket. The reason is simple: the tournament has unearthed some of the biggest cricket superstars like Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh. It was a major heartbreak for India Colts in the finals as Australia defeated India in the final by 79 runs to win their fourth Under-19 Cricket World Cup title.

However, there were a lot of exciting young talents on display in the 2024 edition from across the globe that the fans would keep an eye on. Musheer Khan, Saumy Pandey, Uday Saharan, and Sachin Dhas were some of the notable performers from the Indian contingent.

As 2024 comes to a close, sports fans can look back on a year filled with great performances and memorable sporting events. Here’s looking forward to another great year in sports.

Pro Kabaddi 2024 Best Raider, Best Defender, Awards, Prize Money & Winner List

The Haryana Steelers won the Pro Kabaddi 2024 (PKL Season 11) trophy with an emphatic 32-23 victory over the Patna Pirates. The best team of the tournament, Steelers prevailed in the high-octane PKL final to win their first Pro Kabaddi title with a final score of 32-23.

Top Performers in the PKL final 2024 for Haryana Steelers Best Raider – Vinay (6 raid points) Best Defenders – Shivam Patare and Mohammadreza Shadloui (5 tackle points each), Patna Pirates Best Raider – Devank (5 raid points) Best Defender – Gurdeep (6 tackle points).

Most Valuable Player of the Season was awarded to Mohammadreza Shadloui for his tremendous all-round performance. The charismatic coach Manpreet Singh won Coach of the Season for his strategic brilliance and fantastic team management.

Pro Kabaddi 2024 Award Winners

Raid of Season 11: Manjeet (Telugu Titans)

Tackle of Season 11: Ankit (Patna Pirates)

Best Raider of Season 11: Devank Dalal (Patna Pirates)

Best Defender of Season 11: Nitesh Kumar (Tamil Thalaivas)

New Young Player of Season 11: Ayan Lohchab (Patna Pirates)

Most Valuable Player of Season 11: Mohammadreza Shadloui (Haryana Steelers)

Super Coach of Season 11: Manpreet Singh (Haryana Steelers)

Check Sports Legends who continue to inspire generations.

Complete PKL Winner List

Season	Winner	Captain	Final Match Result	Runner-Up	Captain
1	Jaipur Pink Panthers	Navneet Gautam	35–24	U Mumba	Anup Kumar
2	U Mumba	Anup Kumar	36–30	Bengaluru Bulls	Manjit Chillar
3	Patna Pirates	Manpreet Singh	31–28	U Mumba	Anup Kumar
4	Patna Pirates	Dharmaraj Cheralathan	37–29	Jaipur Pink Panthers	Jasvir Singh
5	Patna Pirates	Pardeep Narwal	55–38	Gujarat Fortune Giants	Fazel Atrachali
6	Bengaluru Bulls	Rohit Kumar	38–33	Gujarat Fortune Giants	Sunil Kumar
7	Bengal Warriors	Maninder Singh	39–34	Dabang Delhi	Joginder Narwal
8	Dabang Delhi	Joginder Narwal	37–36	Patna Pirates	Prashanth Kumar Rai
9	Jaipur Pink Panthers	Sunil Kumar	33–29	Puneri Paltan	Fazel Atrachali
10	Puneri Paltan	Aslam Inamdar	28–25	Haryana Steelers	Jaideep Dahiya
11	Haryana Steelers	Jaideep Dahiya	32-23	Patna Pirates	Ankit Jaglan

Top Raiders of PKL 2024 Season

Patna Pirates’ Devank Dalal took home the Best Raider award with an impressive haul of 301 raid points in 25 matches of PKL Season 11. Ashu Malik and Arjun Deshwal were among the other raiders who recorded 200+ raid points.

	Player	Team	Raid points	Matches
1	Devank Dalal	Patna Pirates	301	25
2	Ashu Malik	Dabang Delhi	262	23
3	Arjun Deshwal	Jaipur Pink Panthers	227	23
4	Ajit Ramesh Chouhan	U Mumba	185	23
5	Ayan Lohchab	Patna Pirates	184	25
6	Vijay Malik	Telugu Titans	172	22
7	Vinay	Haryana Steelers	164	24
8	Guman Singh	Gujarat Giants	159	22
9	Shivam Anil Patare	Haryana Steelers	158	24
10	Bhavani Rajput	UP Yoddhas	151	22

Most Super 10 in PKL 2024

	Player	Matches	Super 10s
1	Ashu Malik	23	18
1	Devank	25	18
3	Arjun Deshwal	23	10
4	Ajit Ramesh Chouhan	23	9
5	Pawan Kumar Sehrawat	13	8
5	Bhavani Rajput	22	8
7	Vijay Malik	22	7
7	Gagan Raju Gowda	18	7
7	Ayan Lohchab	25	7
10	Shivam Anil Patare	24	6

Most Super Raids in PKL 2024

	Player	Team	Matches	Super Raids
1	Ajit Ramesh Chouhan	Left Raider	23	9
2	Devank	Raider	25	8
2	Ashu Malik	Right Raider	23	8
4	Gagan Raju Gowda	Right Raider	18	7
5	Ashish Kaptan Narwal	Raider	22	5
5	Pardeep Narwal	Left Raider	20	5
5	Pawan Kumar Sehrawat	Raider	13	5
5	Pankaj Deepak Mohite	Raider	22	5
9	Guman Singh	Raider	22	4
9	Vinay	Raider	24	4

Who is the most successful raider in Pro Kabaddi League history?

Pardeep Narwal is the most successful raider in Pro Kabaddi League history, with over 1700 raid points in the bag.

Top defender of the PKL 2024 season

Haryana Steelers’ Mohammadreza Shadloui has been the best defender in the Pro Kabaddi League for the last couple of seasons now. The Iranian bagged the top defender of the PKL 2024 season award with 82 tackle points in 24 matches. Patna Pirates’ Ankit Jaglan finished second in the tally with 79 tackle points in 25 games against his name.

	Player	Team	Tackle points	Matches
1	Mohammadreza Shadloui	Haryana Steelers	82	24
2	Ankit Jaglan	Patna Pirates	79	25
3	Nitesh Kumar	Tamil Thalaivas	77	22
4	Yogesh Bijender Dahiya	Dabang Delhi	75	22
5	Nitin Rawal	Bengaluru Bulls	74	22
5	Hitesh	UP Yoddhas	74	23
7	Rahul Sethpal	Haryana Steelers	73	24
8	Sumit Sangwan	UP Yoddhas	72	23
9	Ankush Rathee	Jaipur Pink Panthers	68	23
10	Deepak Singh	Patna Pirates	64	25

Most High 5s in PKL 2024

	Player	Matches	High 5s
1	Nitesh Kumar	22	8
2	Hitesh	23	7
3	Gaurav Khatri	21	6
4	Aman Mukesh	16	5
5	Jitender Yadav	19	5
6	Nitesh Kumar	21	5
7	Nitin Rawal	22	5
7	Yogesh Bijender Dahiya	22	5
9	Mohammadreza Shadloui	24	5
10	Sombir Goswami	17	4

Most Super Tackles in PKL 2024

	Player	Matches	Super Tackles
1	Yogesh Bijender Dahiya	22	10
2	Hitesh	23	9
3	Ankit Jaglan	25	8
3	Fazel Atrachali	19	8
3	Sunil Kumar	23	8
3	Nitin Rawal	22	8
7	Sumit Sangwan	23	7
7	Rahul Sethpal	24	7
7	Jitender Yadav	19	7
7	Arul Nandha Babu Velusamy	17	7

Who is the most successful defender in Pro Kabaddi League history?

Iran’s Fazel Atrachali is the most successful defender in Pro Kabaddi League history with over 500 tackle points. He is the only player to have reached the milestone of 500.

What is the Pro Kabaddi League Prize Money breakup?

The champions of Pro Kabaddi League 2024 Season, Haryana Steelers were awarded with the prize money of INR 3 crore. The runners-up, Patna Pirates were awarded prize money of INR 1.8 Crore.

India vs Australia 4th Test Match Report: Analysis, Reactions, Key Performances

What a game of Test cricket India vs Australia 4th Test at MCG turned out to be! In the end, it was Australia delivering a thrilling win and seizing the final day to clinch the match. After the fourth test of India’s tour of Australia 2024-25, the hosts AUS take a 2-1 lead in the series.

On the fifth and final day, cricket fans were glued to their seats as India battled out of their skins to save the match. However, Indian resistance fell apart after the team as they lost seven wickets for just 34 runs to concede the test match.

Melbourne Test was a great advertisement for test cricket as it produced a rollercoaster matchup between the two evenly matched sides, with both battling fiercely over five days.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be on the line in the fifth test match of the series at Sydney Cricket Ground, starting on 3 January 2025. Australia has not won a Test series against India in a decade, and they would fancy their chances with winning momentum on their side. With everything to play for both sides, expect a thriller finale to the BGT.

Brief scorecard of IND vs AUS 4th Test, India’s tour of Australia 2024-25

AUS 474 (Steven Smith 140, Jasprit Bumrah 4/99) & 234 (Marnus Labuschange 70, Jasprit Bumrah 5/57)

IND 369 (Nitish Reddy 114, Scott Boland 3/57) & 155 (Yashasvi Jaiswal 84, Pat Cummins 3/28)

Match result – Australia won by 184 runs

Top 5 performances in AUS vs IND 4th Test at MCG

Pat Cummins: What an inspired performance from the Aussie captain, with both bat and bowl! Pat Cummins led from the front with 6 wickets in the match and handy batting exploits (49 & 41).
Steve Smith: One of the best test batsmen of this generation, Steven Smith set the game up for the hosts with a swashbuckling 140 in the first innings. It was his efforts that helped Australia dismantle the Indian spirit posting a mammoth 474.
Jasprit Bumrah: The Indian fast bowler is built differently. Match after match in BGT 2024-25, Jasprit Bumrah has produced fantastic performances. His nine-wicket haul in the match (4/99 & 5/57) will go down as one of the best performances by touring fast bowlers in Australia. With three 5-fers, Jasprit Bumrah now has 30 wickets in the series so far (second best is 20).
Nitish Reddy: Nitish Reddy has emerged as the find of India’s tour of Australia 2024-25 for the Indian National Cricket Team. He backed his performances so far in the series with a maiden test hundred that will be remembered for ages.
Yashasvi Jaiswal: The Indian opening batsman, Yashasvi Jaiswal had the most run aggregate in the match (82 & 84). He is now second on the most runs in the BGT 2024-25 tally, with 359 runs at a batting average of 51.29.

India vs Australia 4th Test Post Match Reactions

Pat Cummins (Australia captain and Player of the Match): What an amazing Test match, one of the best to be part of, the crowd has been ridiculous and cricket has been just as good, pretty happy change room at the moment, pretty happy to contribute. Marnus helped me out in the second innings big time, never really know what you going to get with our batting, fortunately it came off in this game. Happy to contribute, amazing innings from Smith to hold the first innings together. Getting more than 400 in the first innings set the game for us. You always think anything can happen. We bowled well in the first session to have them 3/30. 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. We talk about a lot about us as a lower order, we put a lot of work into it. We know it can be the difference in a lot of Test matches and we work on ourselves a lot, to try and contribute a few more runs. (On whose idea was to give Head a bowl right after Tea) I give the coach the credit for that one, we were also behind on the over-rate so we thought let’s get Travis in there and he might get a breakthrough. (On Smith’s knock in the first innings) Amazing, it wasn’t an easy wicket, he showed how to bat on it. He got an opportunity and he pounced and really upped the ante with the tailenders. He also took some catches which often go unnoticed. We are really happy with the way we played, we will savour this one before we head on to Sydney.

Rohit Sharma (India captain): Pretty disappointing. Not that we went with the intent of not putting up a fight, we wanted to fight till the end but unfortunately couldn’t do it. It will be tough to assess just the last session. We have to look at the overall Test match, we had our opportunities, we had our chances, but we didn’t take them and we let Australia come back into the game when we had them 90/6. I know things can get difficult but that is what we are here for, we wanted to be in tough situations and play hard cricket, I just don’t want to look at one incident in the game. I went back to my room and thought about it, what else we could have done as a team but we tried everything we could, we threw everything we had but they fought hard with the last wicket partnership, we had our chances and we didn’t grab them, probably cost us the game little bit there. We know 340 wasn’t going to be easy for us. We tried everything we could, if we have wickets in the final two sessions then we could go for the target, but they bowled really well. We wanted to set the platform but that didn’t happen. There are ways to win games and we are falling short. He (Nitish Reddy) is coming here for the first time, these conditions can get tough but he has shown lot of character and fight, showed solid technique as well. He has bright future ahead of him and he has all the skills to be successful. We know the quality of him, we have been watching him for a number of years now, coming here and getting the job done for the team, he is not a statistical person, wants to just come out there and play for the country, that is what he has been doing on this tour, unfortunately he needs little more support from the other side as well. The way he has managed himself is outstanding.

Can India qualify for World Test Championship final?

Yes, India can still qualify for the World Test Championship final. However, the equation is a lot tougher after the defeat in AUS vs IND 4th test. To qualify for the WTC final 2025, India must win the fifth test of BGT 2025 at Sydney. In the event of a loss or draw in Sydney, their WTC hopes will finish. Moreover, they would root for Sri Lanka to beat Australia at least 1-0 to keep their WTC final hopes alive.

Meanwhile, Australia’s strengthened their case to play the World Test Championship final 2025 at Lord’s. With South Africa already securing their spot, there is only one spot vacant for either India or Australia to grab.

Sports Tech Innovations That Shaped Indian Sports in 2024

When it comes to sports and technology, it’s a winning combination! From performance-driven cutting-edge gadgets to advanced data analytics, 2024 has witnessed plethora of technological advancements in sports. These tools and technology help athletes unlock their best performance and also transform the sports experience for fans.

Tech Innovations Driving Sports in India

According to the ‘Think Sports: Unlocking India’s $130B Sports Potential’ report by Google and Deloitte, India’s sports ecosystem will witness remarkable growth and reach $130 billion by 2030. A 14% CAGR is double India’s GDP growth, and the majority of it can be attributed to ever-improving sports technologies.

From AI-backed tools that enhance athlete scouting and training to digital analytics that have expanded access to sports resources, technology is at the forefront of the Indian sports industry. Thanks to the growing collaborations between government, businesses, investors, stakeholders and fans, India’s sports ecosystem continues to move upwards solidifying its global sporting presence.

In IPL, we have seen how Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) integrated AI and data analytics into their training and real-time match performance to enhance player performance. IIT Madras’ Centre of Excellence in Sports Science and Analytics (CESSA) has developed several AI-driven programs, like “Player Impact Score” for ESPNcricinfo, that analyze player performances more intricately than the established metrics.

Likewise, CESSA has been collaborating with sports tech startups in chess, boxing, badminton, tennis, and wrestling, and further plans to work alongside 200 such organizations over the course of five years.

In boxing, innovations like the SmartBoxer system which monitors boxers’ movements and punches, have proved to be a game changer.

In digital chess, anti-cheating tools have been put in place with technological changes to bring integrity.

Let’s explore which sports tech innovations are pushing the limits.

1. Wearable Tech

Athletes and teams are embracing smartwatches, biometric sensors, and fitness bands. These wearable tech sports gadgets help in monitoring health, fitness, blood oxygen levels, hydration, muscle activity, measure training, fatigue tracking, and recovery. The wearable tech is helping create personalized programs to reduce injury risks and boost performance.

2. Smart Gear

The sports equipment is integrated technologies that adapt to athletes’ needs. Adidas and Wilson are making smarter soccer Balls, custom tennis rackets, and smart running shoes to help athletes hone skills and improve performance.

3. AI’s Sports Revolution

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is leading sports technology baton. AI has made sports exciting, safer, and smarter. AI-powered models analyze player data to spot injuries before they happen, predict slumps or breakouts, and help in building winning game plans.

With the help of AI, now teams are able to break down game footage to their advantage, track players better, give real-time insights to the think-tank, and provide performance reviews that are on point.

In individual sports and games, AI’s customized training plans have been helping athletes boost performance, prevent injuries, and recover faster. The training simulations help players practice and hone their skills without physical wear and tear.

4. Fair Play

Nobody likes bad calls or loopholes in rules. Technology is helping referees get it right, management brings integrity to the table and makes the game fairer for everyone.

5. Enhanced Sports Experience

Not just athletes and teams, technologies like Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), smarter stadiums and multiple camera viewing has brought fans closer to the action. The action has become immersive for fans like never before. They can dive deeper into the action with live stats and info, interactive overlays, jersey try-ons, and more.

6. Big Data and Analytics

The use of data and analytics has been ever-increasing in sports. Most teams deploy advanced analytics to stay ahead of their counterparts.

Be it player performance metrics, exploiting opponents’ weaknesses, refining strategies, streamlining scheduling, resource allocation, and more, there is so much that data analytics is organizing.

The technology in sports has become an integral part over the years. As sports technology evolves, the future of sports looks more competitive and exciting than ever!

Upcoming Sports Events to Watch Out for in Early 2025

2024 was an incredible year for sports fans, and the action will amplify multifold in 2025. As we welcome 2025, sports fans can’t keep calm as the sports calendar seems exciting for the next year. Let’s look at the upcoming sports events in early 2025 that will set the tone for the rest of the year for the non-stop sporting action and celebrate the relentless spirit of sports.

Upcoming Sports Events in Early 2025

Date	Sport	Event	Venue
Dec 28 – Feb 1	Hockey	Hockey India League	Rourkela, Ranchi
Jan 7-12	Badminton	Malaysia Open	Malaysia
Jan 12-26	Tennis	Australian Open	Melbourne
Jan 14-19	Badminton	India Open	New Delhi
Jan 18-Feb 2	Cricket	ICC U19 Women’s World Cup	Malaysia
Feb-Mar	Cricket	ICC Champions Trophy	Pakistan-UAE
Feb 21-Mar 16	Cricket	Women’s Premier League	India
Mar-May	Cricket	Indian Premier League	India
May 2-4	Motorsport	Miami Grand Prix	Miami
May 23-25	Motorsport	Monaco Grand Prix	Monte Carlo
May 25-June 8	Tennis	Roland Garros	Paris
May 29-June 2	Motorsport	Spanish Grand Prix	Barcelona
31-May	Football	UEFA Champions League Final	Germany
Jun 12-15	Golf	US Open Golf	Pittsburgh
Jun 15-Jul 13	Football	Club World Cup	USA
Jun 20-Jul 13	Tennis	Wimbledon	London

Top 10 Sports Calendar Events in Early 2025

1. Australian Open (Tennis)

The first Grand Slam of the year will mark its 120th edition. The key contenders will be record holder Novak Djokovic and rising star Carlos Alcaraz.

Dates: January 12–26

Location: Melbourne, Australia

2. South Asian Games (Multi-Sports)

Over 2,600 athletes from seven South Asian nations will fight it out for supremacy in 37 different disciplines and events.

Dates: February 1–12

Location: Lahore, Pakistan

3. ICC Champions Trophy (Cricket)

One of the biggest and buzzing events in the cricket calendar 2025 is the ICC Champions Trophy. The event will be played in a hybrid model and make a return after an eight-year hiatus.

Dates: February 19–March 9

Locations: Pakistan and UAE

4. Indian Premier League (Cricket)

There is no cricket tournament as big as this one. With a major shuffle is squads ahead of the 2025 edition, fans would be excited to see how things go.

Dates: Mar 25 – May 25

Location: India

5. Masters Tournament (Golf)

This will be the first major golf tournament in 2025, slated to take place at the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club.

Dates: April 10–13

Location: Augusta, Georgia, USA

6. WrestleMania 41 (Professional Wrestling)

WWE fans can’t wait for the marquee event and will be hooked to match-ups like John Cena’s career finale.

Dates: April 19–20

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

7. PGA Championship (Golf)

Golf enthusiasts will be keen to witness the coveted PGA Championship in May 2025. The tournament will take place at Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club.

Dates: May 15–18

Location: North Carolina, USA

8. French Open (Tennis)

In the second grand slam of the year, fans will be emotional since the ‘King of Clay’ Rafael Nadal has retired. At the same time, they would keenly watch the event for the crowning of the new King.

Dates: May 25–June 8

Location: Paris, France

9. UEFA Champions League Final (Football)

The UEFA Champions League Final is the biggest event in top-flight European club football and one of the most watched football events across the globe.

Date: 31-May

Location: Germany

10. ICC World Test Championship Final (Cricket)

All eyes of cricket fans will be on the third edition of WTC. The World Test Championship Final will be played at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

Dates: June 11–15

Location: London, England

Indian Athletics Sports Calendar 2025

Indian athletics has a jam-packed calendar for sports enthusiasts to look forward to. There is 59th National Cross-Country Championships in January to set the tone for the year. Then, there is first Indian Grand Prix (IGP) in Bengaluru to make motorsports enthusiasts excited. In the world events, World Athletics Championships, Asian Athletics Championships, World Athletics Relays and Asian Race Walking Championships are the events wherein Indian atheletes can make their mark on global stage.

Key Domestic Events

The first major domestic track and field competition in 2025, Indian Open Meets, will be held in April.
The inaugural Indian Open World Athletics Bronze Level Continental Tour will start on 10 August 2025.
The National Inter-District Athletics Meet (NIDJAM) will be held in February.
The Indian Open Throws and Jumps Competitions will be held, along with the first Indian Grand Prix (IGP) in Bengaluru in March
The second Indian Grand Prix will take place in Thiruvananthapuram, in May 2025.
The Senior National Federation Cup will be held in April.
The National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships will be held in August 2025.
The National Open Athletics Championships are scheduled to take place in September 2025.
The National Youth Championships will also take place in March.

International Events for Indian Athletes

World Athletics Championships to be held in Tokyo, Japan, from 13 September 2025.
Asian Athletics Championships to take place in May 2025 in South Korea.
World Athletics Relays to be scheduled in May, in China.

Complete Calendar

Date	Event	Venue
January 12	59th National Cross-Country Championships	Uttar Pradesh
January 19	Mumbai Marathon	Mumbai, Maharashtra
February TBD	NIDJAM (20th National Inter District Junior Athletics Meet)	Hyderabad, Telangana
February 23	National Marathon	New Delhi
March 18-20	National Youth Championships	Patna, Bihar
March 20	Fourth Indian Open Throws Competition	Reliance Academy, Mumbai
March 22	Fourth Indian Open Jumps Competition	Anju Bobby Foundation, Bengaluru
March 24	Sixth Indian Open 400m Competition	Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
March 28	Indian Grand Prix 1	Bengaluru, Karnataka
April 1	Indian Open Athletics Meetings	Sangrur, Punjab
April 5	Indian Open Athletics Meetings	Ahmedabad, Gujarat
April 10	Indian Open Athletics Meetings	Ranchi, Jharkhand
April 15	Indian Open Athletics Meetings	Chennai, Tamil Nadu
April 19	12th Indian Open Race Walking Competition	Chandigarh
April 21	Indian Open Athletics Meetings	Chennai, Tamil Nadu
April 21-24	National Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championships	Panchkula, Haryana
April 27	World 10k	Bengaluru, Karnataka
April 30	National Relay Carnival	Chandigarh
May 2	Indian Grand Prix 2	Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
May 27-29	Junior Federation Cup	Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
June 10-25	Senior State Championships	NA
July 12	Indian Open Athletics Meetings	Pune (ASI), Maharashtra
July 19	Indian Open Athletics Meetings	Patna, Bihar
July 27	Indian Open Athletics Meetings	Himachal Pradesh
July 28	Indian Open Athletics Meetings	Bengaluru, Karnataka
August 7	Fourth National Javelin Day Competition	All states and UT
August 10	First Indian Open World Athletics Bronze Level Continental Tour	Bhubaneswar, Odisha
August 20-24	64th National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships	Chennai, Tamil Nadu
September 9-11	State Meets (Juniors) South Zone	Puducherry
September 14-16	North Zone	Uttar Pradesh
September 22-24	East Zone	Ranchi, Jharkhand
September 18-20	West Central Zone	Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
September 27-30	64th National Open Athletics Championships	Pune/ Bengaluru
October 2-4	Fifth Indian Open U23 Athletics Competition	Harmond, Warangal
October 10-14	40th National Junior Athletics Championships	Bhubaneswar, Odisha
October 12	Delhi Half Marathon	New Delhi
December 21	World 25k	Kolkata, West Bengal

Top 10 Indian Athletes Who Made History in 2024

What a remarkable year 2024 has been for Indian sports and athletes! We have witnessed history in the making, record feats, historic hauls, and moments of glory on the global stage. The success of 2024 promises a paradigm shift in the landscape of Indian Sports. Let’s look at Indian athletes who scripted history in 2024 with their spirited performances.

1. Manu Bhaker’s Historic Olympic Double

Manu Bhaker became the first Indian athlete to win two medals in a single Olympic edition at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The shooter became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic shooting medal, clinching a bronze in the 10m air pistol event. She didn’t stop there! Manu went on to win another medal for the country partnering Sarabjot Singh in the mixed team 10m air pistol event – a bronze medal. The two-medal haul is a first for any Indian at an Olympic event. The feat makes her a Sports Legend and the biggest role model for aspiring shooters as well as athletes across the country.

2. D Gukesh Becomes Youngest World Chess Champion

18-year-old D Gukesh became the youngest World Chess Champion by beating China’s Ding Liren in December 2024. The Chess prodigy is only the second Indian grandmaster to win the coveted title after Viswanathan Anand.

Strategic brilliance and mental fortitude were the hallmarks of D Gukesh’s win in a tightly fought 14-game series in Singapore. The series’ final game went down to the wire, with Gukesh making sure that his opponent Ding made a mistake and he’d capitalize on it. Another Indian Sports story with the moral – this is what dreams are made of!

3. Neeraj Chopra Secures Silver at Paris Olympics

Photo by Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images

Neeraj Chopra is referred to as the golden boy of Indian athletics and was touted as the biggest medal hope for India at the start of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Chopra lived up to all the expectations and added another Olympic medal to his bag at the Olympic event bagging a silver medal in the men’s javelin throw at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He was battling injury during the final event but even that could not deter this Indian athlete from the path to glory. This is the reason why Neeraj Chopra remains one of India’s most admired sports personalities.

4. Swapnil Kusale Wins Bronze in Shooting

Swapnil Kusale was one of India’s stars at the Paris Olympics who clinched a bronze medal in the men’s 50m rifle event. The shooter displayed great composure and precision under tremendous pressure for the podium finish.

5. India’s T20 World Cup Triumph

Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images

Indian National Cricket Team (Men’s) led by Rohit Sharma ended a 17-year drought for an ICC trophy by winning the T20 World Cup 2024. Cricket World Cups have eluded India by the barest of margins in the last couple of years but this time it was meant to be. Cricket stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav played out of their skins and were rewarded with the trophy in their hands. It was India’s first T20 World Cup title since the inaugural 2007 title.

6. Aman Sehrawat’s Bronze in Wrestling

India has won many medals in wrestling at the Olympics. This time, Aman Sehrawat took that legacy forward with a bronze medal in the men’s freestyle 57kg category at the Paris Olympics. He turned heads with his determination, resilience, and skill which Indian wrestlers are always known for at the world stage.

7. Indian Men’s Hockey Team Bags Bronze

The Indian men’s hockey team is back to the glory days of the olden days. A bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 is a testament to this fact. The team turned the clock back to the times of the great Dhyan Chand and delivered a similar performance throughout the event. Stellar performances from Harmanpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Abhishek, and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh helped India win a bronze medal. We are hopeful that this marks another golden chapter for the Indian hockey team.

Photo by Salman Ali/Hindustan Times via Getty Images Times

8. Indian Women’s Table Tennis Team Makes History

The Indian women’s table tennis team made history at the Asian Women’s Table Tennis Team Championships held in China, securing their first-ever medal at the event. Indian Women’s Table Tennis Team defeated South Korea 3-2 in the quarterfinals. Ayhika Mukherjee and Manika Batra were the chief architects of Indian victory.

9. Badminton Gold at Asian Team Championships

The Indian women’s badminton team clinched gold at the Badminton Asian Team Championships to script history. They were the underdogs at the start of the event. Under the stewardship of Anmol Kharb, India was too good for top-seeded teams like China and Thailand.

10. Sarabjot Singh’s Mixed Team Bronze with Manu Bhaker

Indian shooting legacy at the Olympics is unmatched! Sarabjot Singh and Manu Bhaker joined forces to add another medal to Indian shooters’ tally at the Paris Olympics 2024 by winning a bronze in the mixed team 10m air pistol event.

What a memorable year it has been for Indian sports fans. While 2024 gave us so much to cheer and cherish, 2025 promises another year of great haul in Indian Sports. Here’s to another year of milestones, pride, and glory for the nation.

The Rise and Fall of Formula 1 in India: Reasons Behind F1’s Abrupt Departure in 2014

Formula 1 in India began in 2011 with great zeal and fervor. The Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Noida hosted the inaugural Indian Grand Prix. However, the event featured in F1 calendar for three years in a row and then came to an abrupt end despite having a two-year contract left.

Formula 1 in India

The Indian Grand Prix debut was on the cards as early as 2007 with reports of Kolkata and Coimbatore leading the race to host India’s first-ever F1 race. In years to follow, there were more cities as contenders to host the first Formula Race in India.

Finally, in 2011, Formula1 in India made its debut at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Noida. The first F1 race in India was a major success with 95,000 spectators gracing the event and it looked like India is on the global motorsport map at last.

A staggering $400 million investment from the Jaypee Group ensured a state-of-the-art facility and circuit that will host world-class sporting events for numerous years to come.

List of Indian Grand Prix Winners

Year	Driver	Constructor
2011	Sebastian Vettel	Red Bull Racing-Renault
2012	Sebastian Vettel	Red Bull Racing-Renault
2013	Sebastian Vettel	Red Bull Racing-Renault

Over the next three years, the challenges began to multiply and the event went off track for good.

5 Reasons India’s Formula 1 Stopped

There was no one single reason for all the curtains to come but a plethora of factors that led to the fall of the Indian Grand Prix. We look at all the factors that played a role to rush and end India’s F1 journey.

Economic Challenges

Formula 1 remains one of the most expensive sports. It requires substantial investment and related infra. India did make a world-class circuit but other financial aspects were not great. The organizers are always racing against economic and financial challenges. The Jaypee Group was heavily investment in the event. However, there was not much government backing to round up the costs associated and the Indian rupee’s depreciation further added to woes. With rising operational costs, expensive licenses and other costs, things were going south. The contribution from sponsorships and ticket sales was considerably less than the associated costs.

Government Policies

India’s F1 Dream relied heavily on the Indian government. And, their stance proved to be one of the biggest hurdles in the way. The Uttar Pradesh state government classified Formula 1 as an entertainment event rather than a sport. This meant that organizers were slapped with hefty entertainment taxes and duties on ticket sales. On top of that, the event lost its charm among the fans who had to bear the burden of high ticket prices due to the entertainment tax. Had the government backed the sport with tax benefits or subsidies, things would have been the opposite.

Indian F1 driver Karun Chandhok once made a point that visa issues and stringent regulations have been denting India’s reputation as a global event host.

“Just this week, I have had at least 50 different media people from around the world, and people from teams, engineers who have called me to say, ‘Hey, we are stuck in London without a visa, we can’t come to the race. When you have 700 world media coming to talk about your country and about your race – the only thing they are going to go back with is what a pain it was to get into your country. We need to iron out these things.”

Limited Attendance and Fan Base

The first F1 race in India was a major hit, with 95,000 enthusiastic fans attending the event. The attendance at BIC should have increased the subsequent year but the spectator numbers dropped to 65,000 by 2012 and further down in 2013. The buzz around the event among fans on social media didn’t pick up either. The popularity of F1 in India was still nascent and it could have been one of the deterrents.

Rising Competition in the F1 Calendar

India had their opportunity. Since they didn’t grab it with both hands, there were other host countries that were waiting for their turn. The global F1 calendar is ever-expanding to several countries and markets. After accounting for all the factors, the scheduling changes were inevitable and the Indian Grand Prix in 2014 was dropped from the calendar in 2024.

Cricket’s Dominance and Sponsor Reluctance

India is a cricket-crazy nation. Fans, sponsorships, and interests are all vested in beloved sport. For F1 it became difficult since the sport requires major investment and there is no clarity of short-term financial returns. The returns for stakeholders were not as attractive, and nowhere close to what cricket is offering. The go-to sport cricket and its proposition for investors, sponsors, and stakeholders were high to ignore. They could not look any further than cricket and dropping sponsorships in favor of cricket.

India’s infrastructure was never the question but a global motorsports platform has to offer more for the stakeholders. The bureaucratic hurdles, lack of government support, and logistical challenges undermined a big opportunity India had.

Hope we get to see F1 making its re-entry on Indian shores soon!

India vs Australia 4th Test Match Prediction, Possible Playing XI and Key Players

The fourth test (Boxing Day Test) of the India-Australia Test series starts on 26 December 2024 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne. And, the fans can’t wait!

There is no dearth of entertainment in the BGT 2024-25 series thus far which remains tied at 1-1 after a drawn third test match in Brisbane.

Indian Cricket Team made a strong start to India’s tour of Australia 2024-25 after a resounding win in the first test match at Perth. However, the hosts came back and avenged the loss in the second test at Adelaide.

With this edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy evenly poised, let’s get right into an in-depth Australia vs India 4th test preview, prediction, and what to expect from the MCG test.

Match Details

Fixture: India vs Australia 4th Test Match of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Start Date: 26 December 2024 (Thursday)

Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

Melbourne Pitch Report and Bowling Conditions

The MCG pitch is known to offer a good balance for an even contest between the bat and the ball. The quicks get bowling assistance at the start of the match. Thereafter, batters have their time as the stroke-making gets easy. In the later part of the match, the pitch does offer some help to the spin bowlers. In a nutshell, the surface has something for everyone out there.

Last Test Match result at Melbourne Cricket Ground

Australia 318 & 262 beat Pakistan (Target: 317) 264 & 237 by 79 runs

MCG records and stats

Total Matches	117
Matches won batting first	57
Matches won bowling first	42
Average 1st innings Score	307
Average 2nd innings Score	312
Average 3rd innings Score	252
Average 4th innings Score	172
Highest total recorded	624/8 – AUS vs PAK
Lowest total recorded	36/10 – SA vs AUS
Highest score chased	332/7 – ENG vs AUS
Lowest score defended	83/10 – AUS vs IND

India Playing XI, Expected Changes and Team Analysis

India did well in patches in the third test but the performances of most of the players have been underwhelming in the last two test matches. The batting looked vulnerable with only KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja getting among the runs in the last test match. However, the Indian side is likely to remain unchanged but can bring Washington Sundar for Mohammed Siraj or Akash Deep since the surface may offer help for slow bowlers later in the game.

Probable India Playing XI for the fourth Test

KL Rahul
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Shubman Gill
Virat Kohli
Rishabh Pant
Rohit Sharma
Nitish Reddy
Ravindra Jadeja
Washington Sundar
Akash Deep/Mohammed Siraj
Jasprit Bumrah

Australia Playing XI, Expected Changes and Team Analysis

Barring the first test match of the BGT 2024-25 series, Australia has done well in both batting and bowling departments. Except for the opening combination, batters have made valuable contributions. In the bowling department, the trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood have been too hot to handle for the tourists of late. The lineup looks balanced and they would want to stick to the same XI unless there is a forced change.

There is not much clarity on Josh Hazlewood and Travis Head’s availability for the fourth test as of now.

Probable Australia Playing XI for fourth Test

Nathan McSweeney
Usman Khawaja
Marnus Labuschagne
Steve Smith
Travis Head
Mitchell Marsh
Alex Carey (wk)
Pat Cummins (c)
Mitchell Starc
Josh Hazlewood/Scott Boland
Nathan Lyon

5 Players to Watch Out For in IND vs AUS 4th Test

Jasprit Bumrah (India): Jasprit Bumrah has been a standout performer with 21 wickets in 3 matches. The Indian fast bowler has proved again why he is the best all format bowler going around.
Mitchell Starc (Australia): Mitchell Starc is bowling at great pace and with excellent control. He has challenged Indian batsmen the most in BGT 2024-25. The Australian bowler has 14 wickets so far in the series, the most by an Australian bowler.
Yashasvi Jaiswal (India): The Indian opening batsman has been the best batsman for Men in Blue in 2024. Yashasvi Jaiswal would be kicking himself with the dismal performances in the last two outings but can make amends with a strong performance.
Pat Cummins (Australia): The Australian captain is bowling with venom and can be a threat at MCG again. In his last 10 test matches, Pat Cummins has 44 wickets in the bag.
Travis Head (Australia): Travis Head has given Indian bowlers and fans a headache in all three matches so far. The aggressive left hander has racked 400+ runs in the series so far.

Most Runs in BGT 2024-25

Player	Runs	HS	Ave	SR	100	50	0
Travis Head (AUS)	409	152	81.80	94.23	2	1	–
KL Rahul (IND)	235	84	47.00	50.00	–	2	–
Yashasvi Jaiswal (IND)	193	161	38.60	55.94	1	–	2
Nitish Kumar Reddy (IND)	179	42	44.75	72.17	–	–	–
Alex Carey (AUS)	162	70	40.50	70.74	–	1	–

Most Wickets in BGT 2024-25

Player	Overs	Runs	Wickets	Best Figures	Bowling Average	Economy	SR	4	5
Jasprit Bumrah (IND)	88.0	229	21	6/76	10.90	2.60	25.14	1	2
Mitchell Starc (AUS)	90.2	320	14	6/48	22.85	3.54	38.71	–	1
Pat Cummins (AUS)	89.4	336	14	5/57	24.00	3.74	38.42	1	1
Mohammed Siraj (IND)	83.1	311	13	4/98	23.92	3.73	38.38	1	–
Josh Hazlewood (AUS)	40.0	79	6	4/29	13.16	1.97	40.00	1	–

India vs Australia 4th Test Winner Prediction

Looking at the form of the two teams, Australia looks more assured and strong. But, that doesn’t mean Aussies are favourites to win Australia vs India fourth Test at the MCG.

India has been battered and bruised! However, the Men in Blue have playing conditions that suit their style more than the hosts.

The fourth test will put forth a battle for the ages for sure with evenly matched sides locking horns with one eye on the series and the other on WTC final qualification.

Where to watch India vs Australia 4th Test Match Live?

Stay tuned for Boxing Day Test live match updates. Catch the India vs Australia match live on TV on Star Sports Network TV channels. For those who are looking for online and live streaming options, download the Disney+ Hotstar app to enjoy the coverage.

Nitish Reddy Biography, Age, Height, Bowling Speed, Father, Stats, IPL Price, Wife, Jersey Number

Nitish Reddy has made waves in world cricket with scintillating performances in his short international career thus far and Indian Premier League breakthrough season. Let’s look at why cricket fans can’t stop talking about all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Biography

Full name	Kaki Nitish Kumar Reddy
Birthplace	Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Birthday	26 May 2003
Height	5 feet 10 inches
Jersey Number	88
Role	Allrounder
Current Teams	India, Andhra Pradesh, Sunrisers Hyderabad
IPL 2025 Team	Sunrisers Hyderabad
Father	K. Mutyala Reddy
Instagram	nitish_kumar_reddy_7

Cricket Career

Nitish Reddy loved cricket from a very tender age. He would spend a lot of time watching older players at the Hindustan Zinc grounds in Visakhapatnam where his father was posted. Mutyala Reddy, father of Nitish and a former employee of Hindustan Zinc, recognized his son’s potential at an early age and quit his job so that his son’s cricketing career would take off.

“We used to travel 30 km from Gajuwaka to Port Stadium at 5 am each day. It was possible because of my wife Manasa who used to get everything ready before time. She supported us despite not knowing anything about the game,” recalled father, Mutyala Reddy.

“We struggled financially after I left the job. It was tough to manage the family. We sailed through with our savings, but we made sure Nitish got all the support,” said the proud father.

“I was 12 or 13 when my dad quit his job. He was transferred to Udaipur. He analyzed the cricket there and was afraid of the politics that might affect my game. He quit his job and dedicated his time to my game. Relatives questioned his decisions. He is the first person who believed in me,” said Nitish hoping to repay his father’s sacrifices.

Nitish’s cricket journey received impetus at the VDCA camps, in the stewardship of mentors like Kumara Swamy, Krishna Rao, and Watekar.

The 2017-18 Vijay Merchant Trophy heroics in junior cricket put the spotlight on Nitish. The young Andhra batsman smashed a quadruple century, 441 against Nagaland in just 345 deliveries. His aggregate of the tournament – 1237 runs at an average of 176.41 and 26 wickets – earned him the prestigious BCCI ‘Best Cricketer in the Under-16’ Jagmohan Dalmiya award for the season 2017-2018. It was at this award function that he clicked a picture with childhood hero Virat Kohli.

“This was a safety photo. At that time, he was so famous. I felt like maybe if I don’t get a photo, let’s take a picture. It reminds me of my childhood dreams and everything,” Nitish said in a video uploaded by BCCI.

“From childhood, I have been a huge fan of Virat Kohli and I used to watch every match of his. He scores hundreds and I like his celebrations. At that time, I used to calculate my age so that he wouldn’t retire when I made my debut for India.”

In January 2020, Nitish Kumar Reddy made his FC debut for Andhra Pradesh in the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy, and soon after came his List A debut in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2021.

Nitish Reddy made his T20I debut in 2024 and put on some excellent performances in the coveted Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. A fast-bowling all-rounder is a rare breed that the Indian Cricket Team is always on the lookout for. After Hardik Pandya, India has found one of the prospects who can fill the void and is exactly the reason he is touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket!

Nitish Reddy IPL

Not many know that Nitish was taken on board by the Chennai Super Kings as a net bowler for the IPL season 2021.

In the 2023 IPL auction, Nitish was rewarded for his outstanding performances in the domestic circuit as Sunrisers Hyderabad signed him for ₹20 lakh. Nitish Kumar Reddy won the Emerging Player of the Season award at the 2024 Indian Premier League season.

For the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League, Nitish Reddy was retained by SRH for INR 6 Crore after a breakthrough season where he impressed with his all-round skills.

“Playing for SunRisers Hyderabad fills me with pride. As a Telugu speaker, I am proud to represent my region and play for SRH. The price tag doesn’t matter for me; my focus is on performing and helping my team win. I received interest from other franchises, but I can’t really think of playing for any other franchise. I only wanted to play for SRH. They showed trust in me initially, and now I’m committed to repay their trust,” said Nitish Reddy after being retained by SRH for IPL 2025.

Nitish Kumar Reddy IPL Stats (SRH)

Batting & Fielding

Tournament	Mat	Runs	HS	Ave	SR	100s	50s	4s	6s
IPL	15	303	76*	33.66	142.92	0	2	15	21

Bowling

Tournament	Mat	Wkts	BBI	Ave	Econ	SR	4w	5w
IPL	15	3	2/17	69.00	11.39	36.3	0	0

Nitish Reddy Stats

Batting

Format	Matches	Runs	Highest Score	Batting Average	Strike Rate	100s	50s	4s	6s
Tests	3	179	42	44.75	72.17	0	0	19	7
T20Is	3	90	74	45.00	180.00	0	1	4	8
FC	26	958	159	23.36	57.02	1	2	111	22
List A	22	403	60*	36.63	95.27	0	4	25	21
T20s	23	485	76*	32.33	135.47	0	3	25	32

Bowling

Format	Matches	Wickets	Best Figures (Innings)	Best Figures (Match)	Bowling Average	Econ	SR	4w	5w
Tests	3	3	1/21	1/25	41.00	4.55	54.0	0	0
T20Is	3	3	2/23	2/23	23.66	7.88	18.0	0	0
FC	26	59	5/53	8/119	27.69	3.33	49.7	3	2
List A	22	14	3/23	3/23	42.07	5.81	43.4	0	0
T20s	23	6	2/17	2/17	51.00	10.49	29.1	0	0

(Stats as of 15 December 2024)

Nitish Reddy, in his short career, has shown a lot of promise and shades of Hardik Pandya at the peak of his powers. Fans hope that the Indian Cricket Team has unearthed a gem in Nitish Reddy who will serve the side for many years to come.

What is Nitish Kumar Reddy bowling speed?

Nitish Kumar Reddy is a Fast medium bowler who consistently bowls at around 135 kph.

Who is Nitish Kumar Reddy wife?

Nitish Kumar Reddy is unmarried as of now. There is no information on his relationship or girlfriend on the internet.

India vs Australia 3rd Test Match Report: Analysis, Reactions, Key Performances

India vs Australia 3rd Test match at the Gabba in Brisbane ended in a draw due to relentless rain over the course of five days.

India was set a 275-run target on the last day and fans were glued to their seats awaiting an exciting finish. Rain played spoilsport once again on the final day of the Brisbane Test match of the five-match Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, and the series still stands at 1-1.

India were on the backfoot for the most part of the match but made a sensational comeback on Day 4 to avoid a follow on first and later pegged Australians back with a top bowling effort. The hosts declared their second innings at 89/7 after 18 overs and setting a target for India with 50 overs remaining.

The Indian Cricket Team will be pleased with the result, as the draw means that the series remains alive. The remainder of the test matches will be held in Sydney and Melbourne, with conditions slightly better for the touring Indian side to win the series.

For now, the BGT Series is evenly poised, and there is a lot to play for.

Brief Scorecard:

AUS 445 (Travis Head 152, Steve Smith 101 Jasprit Bumrah 6/76) & 89/7 d (Jasprit Bumrah 3/18)

IND 260 (KL Rahul 84, Ravindra Jadeja 77, Pat Cummins 4/81) & 8/0

Result – Match drawn

Let’s now look at the notable performances from the IND vs AUS third test.

AUS vs IND 3rd Test Key Performances

From the Indian Cricket Team’s point of view, the performances were not up to the mark barring a few individual performances. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were good with the bat to lead India’s resistance in the first innings but the team total was nowhere close to Australia’s 445. However, India will be pleased with the fight the lower batting order had put to avoid the follow on.

With the ball, Jasprit Bumrah was the lone ranger in the first innings with a 6-fer. In the second innings with the ball, Bumrah received good support from Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep.

Australia, on the other hand, were excellent with the bat in their first innings after being put into bat by the tourists. Two of their batsmen – Travis Head and Steve Smith – scored hundreds and punished Indian bowlers. They ended with a total of 445 to set up the game.

In the bowling department, the experienced duo of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins were on the money. At one point, India was staring at a follow on but the tail wagged to save the embarrassment for the Indian Cricket Team.

There were plenty of positives from the game for the Aussies than the tourists. If it was not for the rain, India would have suffered a hammering.

Can India qualify for the World Test Championship Final?

India’s third Test against Australia ended in a draw, making the India cricket team’s path to the World Test Championship (WTC) Final a bit complicated. To qualify for the WTC final, the Indian National Cricket Team must win both remaining matches. If they win the ongoing IND vs AUS test series 2-1, Sri Lanka must beat Australia 1-0 or draw 1-1. In the event of a 2-2 series result in BGT 2024-25, India can still make it if Sri Lanka wins 2-0 against Australia or Pakistan to beat South Africa 2-0.

WTC Points Table after IND vs AUS 3rd Test

Position	Team	Matches				Points Played	Points	PCT
Position	Team	P	W	L	D	Points Played	Points	PCT
1	South Africa	10	6	3	1	120	76	63.33
2	Australia	15	9	4	2	180	106	58.88
3	India	17	9	6	2	204	114	55.88
4	New Zealand	14	7	7	0	168	81	48.21
5	Sri Lanka	11	5	6	0	132	60	45.45
6	England	22	11	10	1	264	114	43.18
7	Pakistan	10	4	6	0	120	40	33.33
8	Bangladesh (E)	12	4	8	0	144	45	31.25
9	West Indies (E)	11	2	7	2	132	32	24.24

Post-match Reactions

Rohit Sharma (India Captain): I mean, we will take that. Obviously to have interruptions like that wasn’t great, but going to Melbourne at 1-1 pretty much gives us that confidence to go out there and pull things towards us. The situation we were in just after lunch (on Day 4), needed someone to stand up and take us through, we knew with the weather, we knew it wasn’t going to be a full game. Credit to Jadeja, the way he played, and Rahul, the way he played was magnificent at the top of the order. the fight that Akash Deep and Bumrah was great to watch, we have seen them work so hard at the nets (on their batting). Coming to the bowling, Bumrah was outstanding, Akash Deep is a feisty cricketer, always wants to be involved in the game, very new to international cricket, he has worked hard at the nets, still new to international cricket, but he has put in the hard yards, there are people in the group to put their hand across and help him going forward. As he showed with the bat, these are the sort of characters we needed in the team.

Pat Cummins (Australia Captain): Would be better to be 2-1, lot of rain, nothing we can do about it. We set a huge total and felt like we were right ahead of the game throughout. Poor Josh (Hazlewood), one of those things, few rain breaks probably helped, Starc and I were able to push through. Day 5 here can be up and down, there wasn’t much cricket played on it, felt challenging when the ball was new and hard. Smith and Head’s innings’ were fantastic, Alex Carey too. Lyon looked really good, Starc got wickets, just about ticked off every box. (On the full-house expected at the MCG on boxing-day) That will be amazing, one of those things here in Australia that you wake up and can’t wait for.

Travis Head (Player of the Match): Feels like I batted quite a while ago to be honest. Happy to contribute, nice to get some runs and set us up in the first innings. Challenging wicket, worked through the gears well, pleased I was able to get through and set the team up. Was trying to sum up the conditions, feel like I’ve done that well in this series so far, very happy with the tempo I’m batting with. Pretty relaxed communication, feel like he (Smith) was in great rhythm, gives me great confidence when batting with him, was a nice partnership, really enjoyed it. When I first get out there, I try and navigate different challenges, solve different problems. Just a little sore but I should be fine (before the next game).

India vs Australia Test Series 2024 Results

Match No.	Match Details	Venue	Date	Time (IST)	Result
1	India vs Australia,	Perth Stadium, Perth	Nov 22-26	7:50 AM	India won by 295 runs
2	India vs Australia, 2nd Test	Adelaide Oval, Adelaide	Dec 06-10	9:30 AM	Australia won by 10 wkts
3	Australia vs India, 3rd Test	The Gabba, Brisbane	Dec 14-18	5:50 AM	Match drawn
4	Australia vs India, 4th Test	Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne	Dec 26-30	5:00 AM	Match starts on Dec 26
5	Australia vs India, 5th Test	Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney	Jan 03-07	5:00 AM	Match starts on Jan 03