Wriddhaayan Bhattacharyya

The highly anticipated return of Mohammed Shami to international cricket for the T20I series against England is eagerly awaited. Shami's impressive performances for Bengal suggest he is fitter and faster, hinting at a successful comeback. Shami's positivity, dedication, and perseverance shine through in his journey back to the Indian squad after overcoming injuries and setbacks.

Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli's recent struggles with deliveries outside the off-stump have become a talking point. Ahead of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, his approach will be closely watched. Renowned batting consultant Neil McKenzie believes Kohli's talent and work ethic will help him overcome this phase. The World Test Championship remains a goal as India needs to win the remaining tests against Australia for a shot at the final.

South Africa showed improvement in the World Test Championship, aiming for a spot in the final of the next cycle. Competition for spots in the team has increased, with young batters stepping up. Former international Neil McKenzie praises the rise of all-rounders and singles out Rabada's performance. He highlights the lack of senior players in the domestic system for faster player development.

Jwala Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal's coach and mentor, wrote an email to the cricketer after his first innings failure. He revealed how the youngster became smart and confident to tease players like Mitchell Starc on the field.

Former India fast bowler Jhulan Goswami will have a stand named after her at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. With 355 international wickets, she is still the top WODI wicket-taker. The stand will be inaugurated on January 22 during the India vs England T20I. Women's cricket has seen immense growth since Goswami's debut, with various tournaments and leagues now established. She thanks all who have contributed to the growth of women's cricket.

India has named uncapped fast bowler Harshit Rana for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Standing tall at six feet two, the right-arm pacer has impressed with his pace and bounce. Though inexperienced in red-ball cricket, Rana's potential has gained support from former players like Gautam Gambhir and Paras Mhambrey. With the focus on managing the fast bowlers' workload, Mohammed Shami's return to form adds depth to India's bowling attack.