Yashasvi Jaiswal is in elite company when it comes to the most Test hundreds before turning 24. The 23-year-old struck his seventh hundred during the second Test against West Indies at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, leaving just three legends ahead of him.
Most Test hundreds before turning 24 years of age: Where does Yashasvi Jaiswal sit?
Player
Number of Test hundreds before turning 24
Don Bradman (Australia)
12
Sachin Tendulkar (India)
11
Sir Garfield Sobers (West Indies)
9
Yashasvi Jaiswal (India), Alastair Cook (England), Javed Miandad (Pakistan), Graeme Smith (South Africa), Kane Williamson (New Zealand)
7
Don Bradman: 12 hundreds
The greatest batter of all time was off to a flying start. Bradman struck 12 hundreds from his debut at 20 through to his 24th birthday.
His scores were simply remarkable. His first hundred (112) came against England in December 1928, followed by:
123 vs England (March 1929).
131 vs England (June 1930).
254 vs England (June 1930).
334 vs England (July 1930).
232 vs England (August 1930).
223 vs West Indies (January 1931).
152 vs West Indies (February 1931).
226 vs South Africa (November 1931).
112 vs South Africa (December 1931).
167 vs South Africa (December 1931).
299* vs South Africa (January 1932).
Sachin Tendulkar: 11 hundreds
Sachin Tendulkar was one of the greatest prodigies Test cricket has ever seen. The Little Master struck 11 Test hundreds before turning 24, with his first coming against England in Manchester as a 17-year-old in 1990.
Tendulkar then struck masterful centuries away in Australia – 148* in Sydney and 114 in Perth – as an 18-year-old at the start of 1992. He then made 111 in Johannesburg later that year, before his first home ton (165 vs England) came in February 1993.
His remaining centuries before turning 24 came against Sri Lanka, West Indies, England and South Africa between 1993 and the start of 1997.
Sir Garfield Sobers: 9 hundreds
One of the greatest cricketers of all-time and arguably the greatest all-rounder ever, Sir Garfield Sobers struck nine centuries before turning 24.
His first was a mammoth 365* against Pakistan as a 21-year-old in February 1958. He followed that knock up with 125 and 109* against Pakistan in the next Test in March 1958. Soon after in India, Sobers struck 142*, 198 and 106* in Brabourne, Kanpur and Eden Gardens to round out a magnificent year.
His next ton came in January 1960, hitting 226 against England in Bridgetown. His final two Test hundreds before turning 24 came against England (147 in Kingston and 145 in Georgetown).
Yashasvi Jaiswal: 7 hundreds
Jaiswal joins great company. The Indian opener is listed among Alastair Cook (England), Javed Miandad (Pakistan), Graeme Smith (South Africa), Kane Williamson (New Zealand) as those with seven Test hundreds before turning 24.
Jaiswal wasted no time getting going, hitting 171 on debut against the West Indies in 2023. He then famously struck two double centuries in the same series against England at home in 2024. Later that year, the left-hander hit a masterful 161 against Australia in Perth.
The away tons didn’t end there, with 101 and 118 against England in the 2025 series. A few months later, Jaiswal went big in the second Test against West Indies, finishing day one unbeaten on 173.
Fans are against Usman Khawaja’s view that Cricket Australia (CA) should explore moving the Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests to cater for the Big Bash League (BBL). Khawaja said CA must explore privatisation so the BBL can compete with other leagues around the world including South Africa’s SA20 and UAE’s ILT20, and that might mean moving the showpiece Tests of the summer.
“At some level, at some stage, everything that grows must change,” Khawaja said, as quoted by The Age. “As much as I love the Boxing Day and SCG Test match and I don’t want to move them, if it’s better for the growth of the game and allows Australian players to play in the Big Bash, I think it’s worth talking about and exploring. People don’t like change,” he said.
Khawaja went on to say that the biggest leagues in the world have grown via privatisation. That being said, the opener believes there needs to be boundaries on how the BBL gets the best out of any deal.
“My view is always for the growth of the game. I do think the BBL needs to be privatised for the growth of the game, but I do believe certain boundaries need to be put around how we privatise it, who we’re privatising to, what control CA has in terms of the product,” he said.
“There are some things we need to maintain, but also you need to let the bird fly. We can’t just keep holding the reins forever, because it’s a product that … look at sport in general, the NBA, Major League Baseball, these sports that have been growing through privatisation, I think the pros outweigh the cons, but there’s still a responsibility to the game. You can do both.”
Fans against Usman Khawaja’s view that CA should consider moving Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests
BBL privatisation has been a hot topic of conversation in recent years. It is something fans will surely get onboard with provided CA maintain the league’s identity. However, Khawaja’s view that the showpiece Tests could be moved is one that has been met with backlash.
“No. Test cricket has to remain the priority. These Tests are a part of Australian culture, that keep the public invested in this format of the sport. By moving the Tests, it could damage the already declining popularity of Test cricket,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).
Here are some of the other reactions.
This is, and I hate to say it, the worst opinion a cricketer has ever uttered. https://t.co/JYQjHZCO4z
No. Test cricket has to remain the priority. These tests are a part of Australian culture, that keep the public invested in this format of the sport. By moving the tests, it could damage the already declining popularity of test cricket. https://t.co/rEiwxpUrej
According to the report in The Age, CA CEO Todd Greenberg and chair Mike Baird have both said the MCG and SCG Tests won’t be moved.
Also, Mitchell Starc is against adjusting the Test schedule. The left-arm pacer, who recently retired from T20 Internationals, believes Test cricket is the pinnacle.
“The only view I have on it is the Test cricket schedule is not to be touched. Test cricket is the pinnacle,” Starc said. “I don’t think Test cricket should make way for T20 cricket at all, whether it’s the BBL, the IPL, anything.
“The Test summer is the Test summer. I would hate to see that change for domestic cricket. That is not a snipe at anyone, that’s just my opinion of where Test cricket sits on my priority list. Whether you move the Big Bash into a smaller window and play back-to-back games, it’s not as physically demanding as Test cricket. I know they’ve shortened the schedule already. I think that’s been a positive impact.”
Kerry O’Keeffe believes Australia will pick Marnus Labuschagne for the Ashes. In an exclusive interview for CricBlog, O’Keeffe generously shared his thoughts on the Australian Test lineup; specifically the challenges facing selectors, and the importance of experience and form as Australia aim to retain the urn.
We covered everything from the potential opening combinations, to the tactical value of Steve Smith as captain and fitness concerns surrounding Pat Cummins. Below is our interview with Kerry O’Keeffe in both audio and text format.
Kerry O’Keeffe interview: Ashes preview and discussing promising talents coming through in Australia
Who should open and bat three for Australia in the Ashes?
Charbel Coorey: So plenty going on, as you know, in the lead up to the Ashes. And I just wanted to ask you, during the Australia-South Africa T20I series, you said you’d have Jake Weatherald as opener, with Jason Sangha at three. Do you still have the same view after the first round of the Sheffield Shield, given that [Matt] Renshaw and [Marnus] Labuschagne notched up tons [against Tasmania]?
Kerry O’Keeffe: No, I’ve changed my view. I was looking a little long-term because I’m fearing when players start to retire. And I was looking in a couple of years, and I was trying to fast-track Jason Sangha, who I think will replace Steve Smith at four in a couple of years’ time.
But he [Sangha] hasn’t seized his opportunity at the start of this season. Weatherald has. I’m a big fan of Jake Weatherald.
Jake Weatherald has been a prolific run-scorer in First Class cricket since last year.
I like left-handedness against this England attack. I noted in the last series against India that although Shubman Gill and KL Rahul scored early, all the left-handers got runs. [Yashasvi] Jaiswal, [Ravindra] Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Rishabh Pant. I think there’s a big trend there that if you’re left-handed, you do well against this England bowling attack. And I quite fancied Weatherald and Khawaja at the top of the order, two left-handers, to play in a Hayden-Langer-type style.
But since then, of course, Marnus Labuschagne, everybody is talking, what do we do with Marnus? Well, I sense, Charbel, that he’ll stay in the team because he’s told friends of mine at the start of the season; “what will you do, Marnie, if the selectors terminate your Test career? He said, oh, they won’t because I’ll score so many runs in the pre-series that they won’t be able to ignore me.”
Marnus Labuschagne has made a strong start to the 2025/26 Australian season.
I think they may open with him. I just think that although I’d go Weatherald-Khawaja, I think they’ll go Marnus-Khawaja, because these first two Tests are going to be very testing.
The Optus Test in Perth could end in three days. You don’t really want a debutant caught on an edgy pitch like that, and then it’s straight to a pink ball day-nighter in Brisbane. That would be the most difficult first two Tests of a career. So given that Marnus was the number one Test batter just over two years ago, I think they’ll back he’s served them well in the past.
He’s been in a bit of a lull, but he’s back in form playing in his traditional method. And I think that will allow Green and Webster to stay in the team.
I’d probably elevate Steve Smith to three and have Green at four, given that Pat [Cummins] may be absent for, if not all the Tests, at least a couple, and that Webster and Green are going to have to shoulder some bowling.
Kerry O’Keeffe believes Australia should elevate Steve Smith to number three in the Ashes.
Charbel Coorey: I think I agree with your original view about Weatherald because his strike rate’s good and that can complement Khawaja. He struck at what, late 60s last season, an average of 50-odd, so that could be a really good pick. Yeah, but just where they fit the guys, especially if they want to play the two all-rounders? So that’s a tricky one.
Kerry O’Keeffe: It is. I know you follow the game very closely, you know the game, but Cameron Green is seen as a generational talent.
I’m not so convinced. I think he’s an outstanding player. I’m a big fan. I love his technique. I love when he gets on top of bowlers, but they basically convinced Smith he should open so that Green could bat four a couple of summers ago.
Now they’re probably going to push Marnus up to open so Green can bat three. They’re doing a lot of side-stepping to fully mature Cameron Green. It may be the right way to go, but with his bowling, can you bat three in a Test match and bowl 12 to 15 overs? That is a question.
Why Steve Smith as captain can be a big advantage for Australia
Charbel Coorey: Yeah, that’s a big question. I don’t know about Green at three. I’d have him four at the absolute highest.
Kerry O’Keeffe: Yes, I think that’s a fair call. Smith’s record at number three in Test cricket is better than his record at four, so you don’t lose anything. I think he averages 67 at three and 60 at four.
Plus, he’ll be the captain, Charbel, and England fear him. That’s the key. He just marmalises England and has done for years.
His record as captain is superior with the bat than it is as a player. There’s lots of pluses, even though the minus is Pat Cummins not being there. The fact that Smith is the likely captain adds more than Cummins’ loss to this team. Maybe he [Smith] should be the three.
Charbel Coorey: Smith tactically is awesome. He fit in perfectly in that India series a couple of years ago when Cummins had to leave early. We don’t lose much in terms of the captaincy there. I agree.
Kerry O’Keeffe: You’ve seen how tactically strong he is.
Charbel Coorey: Yes, even in that Champions Trophy earlier this year, the way he marshalled the inexperienced attack in that one-day tournament, he’s brilliant.
Kerry O’Keeffe: He’s ahead of the game. Pat relied on him. He was the mind I’m sure he went to if he was compromised. Smith’s always ahead of the game. We lose nothing with him as captain. In fact, we may even be better.
Pat Cummins injury worries: Who should be picked as the backup pace bowler in Australia’s squad?
Charbel Coorey: I agree with that. Onto Cummins, it’s pretty certain he won’t play all the five Tests. Not sure if he’ll even feature at all. We’re probably going to have to bring in another fast bowler in terms of a reserve. Who’s the fast bowler outside of the current big four, including Boland, that you’d like to see next in line?
Kerry O’Keeffe: This is a difficult one. I think that Boland will come in. He’s the fourth. The fifth is probably Brendan Doggett. He’s 31. He’s been in the squad as backup for a while.
He does half iron bends. He swims 1.9 and runs 90k on the bike and 21.1 on the run. He’s the fittest cricketer in Australia. They love the fact that he can keep coming back spell after spell. That’ll be with Harry Brook and Root and people like that. If they get in, they’ll need a bowler like Brendan Doggett to come on and really give them a work over. I think he’s a good choice as the backup.
Kerry O’Keeffe believes Brendan Doggett should be next in line for the Aussie bowling attack, if fit.
[Michael] Neser is a little bit conditions dependent because he’s not 140k, but if he does get the nod ahead of Doggett, he probably won’t [play in Perth] because they’ll go in with Boland for Cummins in the first. As backup, Neser is an accomplished swing bowler.
Optus Stadium and the day/night are in Brisbane, his home ground would suit him [Neser] if he was in the mix.
I like Joel Paris. I think his numbers are so good. He takes his first class wickets at under 20. [However], because of his injury proneness, he hasn’t played and that is the problem with him. He’s so often sidelined, but there are swinging conditions at the Optus and in the day/night [in Brisbane].
He’d be an ideal [option], but whether they go with two left arm pacemen, you’re only going to play Paris for two Tests. He couldn’t stand up for five, but whoever leads 2-0 after two is going to win the series. That’s where England will go for the jugular because they’ll know if their pace bowlers can undo Australia in the first two, there’s no coming back.
This is where it’s pulsating to contemplate what might happen in these two games. We need strike and Joel Paris offers strike. But, they won’t risk him because of his injury problems over the years.
Joel Paris has been a superb performer in Sheffield Shield cricket
Charbel Coorey: I’ll add Fergus O’Neill to that, maybe conditions-based as well. Would you agree? Very good record [134 wickets at 21.12].
Kerry O’Keeffe: He’s a conditions-based bowler, but he’s got a lot of tricks. I see him maybe South Africa 2026, England 2027, inside a squad. Again, at 128k, you’ve got to have tricks. They tell me he’s working on an up-speed ball, but he’ll need it because if nothing’s happening, unless you’ve got something approaching 140k, they’re going to hurt you.
Charbel Coorey: That’s where Doggett might get the nod. I agree with you there. He’s a bit quicker. He’s the sharpest out of the lot. You don’t include Lance Morris, who’s injured at the moment, and Jhye Richardson, who’s just coming back.
Kerry O’Keeffe: Those two would be ahead of Doggett if they’re fully fit, but neither are.
Fergus O’Neill has been a strong performer in Sheffield Shield cricket.
Why this is England’s best chance to win the Ashes down under in over a decade
Charbel Coorey: You mentioned the first two Tests being so important. I think that’s why we’ve got to get our batting lineup in order. If we shift too many guys out of position, it might cause us problems. That being said, I think this is England’s best chance for a while here, as much as that pains me to say. However, they do have some gaps and some flaws to sort out, but would you agree this is their best chance since 2010-11? What are some of the aspects of their game that could get them over the line here?
Kerry O’Keeffe: I agree with you again. I just think the fact that Australia’s having a bat-off to see who will open is a problem because the best campaigns… the plans are already laid down and the team is established. We’re having a bat-off, where every failure means you’re behind the eight ball and every success means you’re a chance.
But as you’ve noted, they’re unsettled as well because they don’t trust Ollie Pope at three and [Jacob] Bethell hasn’t played a lot of First Class cricket and he’s the number three elect. He’s a very good player. He plays like David Gower, as you will have seen, but he’s risky because he has that slicey off-drive that Gower had. It either goes for four or goes to hand.
Can Ollie Pope make an impact in Australian conditions?
Their top three will be seen as vulnerable, although [Ben] Duckett is a problem because he’ll hit regular fours if he gets away and he could upset the rhythm of the Australians. But it’ll come down to how they deploy their pacemen as they did in 2010/2011 with Anderson, Tremlett, Finn and Bresnan.
I think they’ll deploy Wood, Archer, Gus Atkinson, Tongue and Stokes for two or three Tests. So it’ll be a carefully strategised Ashes campaign from them where they’re looking to maximise Jofra Archer and Mark Wood for two or three Tests and work Atkinson, Tongue and Stokes around them. So that’ll be interesting how they select what Tests that lot play.
I’m sure if Wood’s fit he’ll play Perth, Archer will play Perth and probably Gus Atkinson plays Perth. And then see what the result is there. Go to the day-nighter in Brisbane. If they’ve all pulled up well, they all go again. And then if England do lead, if it’s 1-all or England lead 2-0, then they can strategise. If Australia lead 2-0, then there’s panic stations.
Jofra Archer is crucial to England’s hopes in the 2025/26 Ashes.
Charbel Coorey: I think, look, if we bat time, that’s a massive opportunity for us because I’m not convinced by their spinners. I’m not convinced by Shoaib Bashir yet. So if you get him out of the attack and put pressure on him and get miles in the legs of the fast bowlers, that just puts the pressure on England even more. So, onus on our batters big time.
Kerry O’Keeffe: Oh, it does. And that was Graeme Swann did that holding job in 2010/11. He took 15 wickets in that series and he just rested the quicker men because he bowled economic spells.
And as you say, Bashir will be attacked when he comes on. And if they’re taking him at 8-10 and over, it means that Stokes will have to bring the quicker men back on much quicker than he wants to.
So the biggest target of the summer when he plays, and he may not play in Perth, but he’ll play at some stage, will be Bashir. So is he good enough? We haven’t quite seen that yet, but they’re backing him to be the bounce bowler that Nathan Lyon is and bowling on Australian pitches. But I think what’s waiting for them is an absolute onslaught from his very first ball, so that’ll be interesting.
Who are the young talents to watch out for in the coming years in Australia?
Charbel Coorey: No doubt about it. So just the final question, I know you touched on this in the first question around our transition, players retiring at the same time. I know Ricky Ponting spoke about the risk of that with this Australian Test team with a number of players the wrong side of 30. Who are some of the younger talents you think fans can look forward to seeing in the coming years who could be Test candidates in the next couple of years?
Kerry O’Keeffe: Look, it’s a tough one. There’s no prodigy coming through Australian under-19s; they’ve been whitewashed by India. I was disappointed, I was hoping there was an 18-year-old Ponting coming through, but I didn’t see one.
I think Oliver Peake, Victoria, is a very good player. He’s a very wristy player, but he has an ideal temperament and he gets teams over the line. And that’s a big key.
We’ve had dynamic players in the past who get themselves out. This is a fella who can get his team to the winning post. It’s a big trait in the selector’s mind. I think he’ll figure prominently over the years.
Oliver Peake… remember the name. One of the most exciting talents in Australia!
I think Sangha, Jason Sangha from South Australia will come again. His best cricket is ahead of him.
He showed so much last summer, particularly in the Shield final where he won the game for South Australia. He plays like Hashim Amla when he’s at his best, but he is a bit slicey outside the off stuff. He’s been nicking off already this summer. It’s a bad sign.
SCENES as South Australia win their first Sheffield Shield title in 29 YEARS! Jason Sangha and Alex Carey absolutely outstanding. 👏#SheffieldShieldpic.twitter.com/ziSgIYhZ8W
Outside of that, there’s players on the way up. I like the look of Jack Clayton from Queensland. There’s a few around. I tell you who I was impressed with, I just thought this Will Salzmann from New South Wales batted seven in the last game. He’s been an under-19 bowler. He didn’t bowl a ball in this game.
He may have a little back niggle, but he batted seven on debut and got 40 and 70 on a dicey deck. Yeah, they won the game in the end. He’s from Campbelltown, but he plays for Sydney University. I just thought that he showed a very Steve Waugh, rock-solid technique, drove the ball down the ground, got into line, played the spinners well. Apparently, he was injured. I didn’t know he carried an injury into the game, but he wanted to bat seven.
The generation next, I like the look of Callum Vidler who’s a fast bowler. He’s currently injured. I like Mahli Beardman, the 20-year-old Western Australian who’s working with Dennis Lillee. I think his numbers are exceptional already. He’s only played a handful of games, but there’s something about Mahli Beardman. He made an Australia squad. I think they tagged him along. They see him as a future player.
Mahli Beardman was included in the Australia squad during their 2024 limited-overs tour of England.
The batting is less convincing. There’s no wonderkid that’s just stood up. The fact that Kurtis Patterson is still a factor at 32. He’s a very good player. Test average of 144, but I just think, do we go there again?
Charbel Coorey: What about Renshaw, Kerry? 29 should be heading into his peak years. I’ve still got a lot of hope for him.
Kerry O’Keeffe: I think he’s a much improved player than he was when he last played, Charbel. You’re right, he’s 29. His List A record is stunning. He could be seen as World Cup 2027.
But the fact he opened the other day with Khawaja [in the Sheffield Shield] was a sign and he got a hundred. I’m sure he could be in the mix.
If it’s not Marnus to open, it could be Renshaw. You never know. He seemed to freeze a little in that innings. I know he’s got so much in this bat off, he knows the value of 100 and he wasn’t as fluent as he’s been in the List A games or for Australia A, because I think the weight of a failure was hurting him, but he didn’t fail. He got a hundred and he’s got another 40 or so today [in a one-dayer against Tasmania on October 9].
Matt Renshaw is a chance of featuring in the 2025/26 Ashes.
He’s definitely in the mix, but I think they’re going to make a determination on him, whether he’s a Test opener or a white-ball middle order, but he wants to play both, of course. I think he used to just be very leg side dominant and now he hits through the offside off the front foot. His front foot defence is much improved, so he doesn’t nick off as much.
But do you go with him at the Optus Stadium, which is a nickers pitch, first up after an absence out of the Test team and then straight to a day/nighter? I think they may err, given Marnus’ early season runs, on the conservative side. Marnus has served us so well in the past. We’re going to trust him to do it again.
Charbel Coorey: Could very well be the case. Well, Kerry, you’re very generous with your answers. Thanks so much for your time. I know how busy you are, so I appreciate it and I look forward to, and we all look forward to listening to you on Fox Cricket this summer. I appreciate it, mate. Thanks so much.
Kerry O’Keeffe: Great to talk to someone who has such a great love of the game, Charbel. Well done, mate.
The 2025/26 Australian cricket season promises to be one for the ages. The Ashes headlines a massive summer, with England seeking their first series win over Australia since 2015.
The Ben Stokes-led side would be desperate to regain the urn, especially given England’s struggles down under since 2010/11. On the other hand, the Aussies have no intentions of giving it away, as they’ve held the Ashes since 2017/18.
Australian legend Merv Hughes gave his view on the upcoming red-ball series. During an interview with Arvind Kalyana Krishnan for CricBlog at the MCG, Merv Hughes drew light on England’s Bazball approach and whether it will work against Australia away from home. He believes it won’t be simple for the English batters to intimidate the likes of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon.
Moreover, the legendary pacer also spoke about the pressure on Australia’s pace trio due to Boland’s consistent performances in international cricket whenever given a chance. He stated that there’s always pressure irrespective of the situation, as there are always other players who constantly perform in first-class cricket and wait for a chance to showcase their skills on the international stage.
Merv Hughes interview:Intimidating Aussie attack will be difficult for England
Below is the entire conversation between Arvind Kalyana Krishnan and Merv Hughes in audio and text format.
Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: With the way Scott Boland has been playing…..Whenever he plays, he plays well. So would there be any sort of pressure on Australia’s main pacers?
Merv Hughes: Well, there’s always pressure; doesn’t matter where you are in a team, whether you’re a batsman or a bowler. There’s pressure on your performance and if you’re not performing, then there’s guys performing at first-class level then…..Yeah…. And that’s where Australia have been so good and so reliable over the years. You have a look at what the guys have been doing in the team, and then you have a look at the guys outside the team knocking on the door, there’s plenty there. So the big thing is that the Australians have got depth.
Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: Yeah, and England’s aggressive intent with Bazball against Australia’s bowlers, what do you think will happen?
Merv Hughes: Yeah, I think the big thing with that is they’ve been playing an aggressive brand of cricket and it’s no different to what Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, and David Warner have done over the years so it’s not new to Test cricket. While England may be able to bully other teams, when you’ve got guys with the experience of Nathan Lyon, Mitch Starc, Hazlewood, Boland, Cummins, good luck trying to intimate those….So it’s going to be an interesting summer.
——–
Australian Test captain and star pacer Cummins is currently dealing with bone stress in his lower back, and is yet to recover from his injury. With less than 50 days to go for the Ashes, there’s still a huge question mark over the participation in the highly-anticipated series. In case Cummins is unable to feature in any of the five Tests, Australia have the option of going to Boland, who has been nothing short of sensational whenever given a chance to play a Test. Thus, it will be exciting to see which team ends up winning the five-match Test series. The Ashes 2025/26 starts on November 21, with the first Test scheduled to take place in Perth.
Australia will look to return to form in ODIs when they take on India in a three-match series starting at Optus Stadium in Perth on October 19. Cricket Australia (CA) have made a few changes to the squad that lost 2-1 to South Africa in August.
Australia last met India in an ODI in the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final. India emerged victorious by four wickets as an inexperienced Aussie attack fought hard in Dubai. However, the Australians will have a more experienced attack this time around.
Australia ODI squad for 2025 India series:Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa
Matt Renshaw and Mitch Owen have been named in the squad. Both could be in line for a debut especially with a number of absentees. Here is a look at the possible XI Australia could go with for the first ODI against Shubman Gill’s team.
Australia possible 11 for 1st ODI against India at Optus Stadium Perth: 1. Travis Head, 2. Mitchell Marsh (c), 3. Matt Short, 4. Matt Renshaw, 5. Josh Philippe (wk), 6. Mitch Owen 7. Cooper Connolly, 8. Mitchell Starc, 9. Nathan Ellis, 10. Josh Hazlewood, 11. Ben Dwarshuis/Matt Kuhnemann
Cameron Green (minor side injury), Josh Inglis (calf injury), Alex Carey (Sheffield Shield) and Adam Zampa (family reasons) are all unavailable for the first ODI. Marnus Labuschagne has been brought into the ODI squad and will travel to Perth following Queensland’s Sheffield Shield match against South Australia according to cricket.com.au.
Whether Labuschagne will play on such a short turnaround remains to be seen. If he does play, he could slot in at three with Matt Renshaw at four. If that happens, Australia may then be left with a choice between Mitch Owen and Matt Short.
Renshaw has been excellent in List A cricket since the start of September 2024, with an average of 52.55 and strike rate of 115.60. He scored 305 runs batting in the middle order for Queensland in last season’s One Day Cup, and the selectors could opt for his skills in the middle in this series.
Who occupies number five and six remains is a key question for the selectors. Alex Carey is unavailable for the first ODI as he is playing for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield match against Queensland. Josh Inglis will also miss the match due to a calf injury. If Labuschagne doesn’t play, Matt Short may slot in at three with Mitch Owen in the middle order.
Also, Adam Zampa is out due to family reasons, which opens the door for Matt Kuhnemann to play. However, Australia could opt for the additional seamer in Ben Dwarshuis with Connolly (5/22 in his last ODI) and Short to take on the spin duties.
Adelaide and Sydney will host the other two ODIs against India. Five T20Is will follow. Here is the schedule:
ODIs:
1st ODI: Optus Stadium, Perth, Sunday October 19 (D/N)
2nd ODI: Adelaide Oval, Thursday October 23 (D/N)
3rd ODI: Sydney Cricket Ground, Saturday October 25 (D/N)
T20Is:
1st T20I: Manuka Oval, Canberra, Wednesday October 29
2nd T20I: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Friday October 31
3rd T20I: Bellerive Oval, Hobart, Sunday November 2
4th T20I: Bill Pippen Oval, Gold Coast, Thursday November 6
It is “effectively impossible” that Pat Cummins will be ready for the first Ashes Test on November 21 due to a back injury. That is according to CODE Sports, with the masthead reporting that the Australian captain is not only in doubt for the first Test, but for the entire series as well.
Since the West Indies tour, Cummins has been battling a back issue. Last month, scans revealed a lumbar bone stress injury. He is yet to return to bowling, and the Perth Test begins in six weeks on November 21.
Pat Cummins likely to miss the first Ashes Test at least due to injury – report
The report by Ben Horne states that Cummins’ injury has actually improved. The latest scan showed his back is healing, but the fact he hasn’t started bowling yet – plus the risk of picking up a serious injury down the track – puts Cummins in serious doubt for the start of the five-match series.
According to the report, Cummins needs at least four-to-six weeks of bowling to be match-ready. The Ashes are already six weeks away as things stand.
“The more time that passes, the more Cummins’ hopes fade because he would need at least four weeks – but most likely a minimum of six weeks to start building up his bowling loads for a return to play at Ashes intensity,” wrote Horne for CODE Sports.
Two weeks ago, Cummins told CODE Sports that part of the preparation will be to build up to maximum bowling intensity.
“Probably using one or two, maybe three scans to gauge how the back is tracking. Like a lot of injuries, it’s also non clinical signs in terms of how you’re feeling and symptoms, so that will be pretty important,” Cummins said.
“Like anything there’s always multiple factors. I’ve got a bit of time. Obviously you can’t just go from no bowling to bowling tomorrow so there will be a ramping up period as well where you’re always tracking along with the physios. (Scans) won’t be the sole factor.”
No decision will be made for another two weeks at least. However, should Cummins be ruled out of the first Test at least, Scott Boland will line up in his place. If Cummins misses more than one Test, Australia may need to tap into their reserves, with the likes of Michael Neser, Fergus O’Neill, and Brendan Doggett contenders for an Ashes berth.
India, unsurprisingly, swept West Indies aside with ease in the first Test at Ahmedabad. Roston Chase won the toss on the first morning, and that’s where the joy ended for his team as they were thrashed by an innings and 140 runs inside three days.
In their next Test after being bowled out for 27 by Australia, West Indies struggled again on what was a good surface for batting at the Narendra Modi Stadium. After losing five wickets in the opening session, they were never able to recover, bowled out for 162.
It seemed far too little a total for their inexperienced attack to deal with. And so it proved. Hundreds to KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja drove India to 448/5, and they were happy to declare overnight with a lead of 286.
West Indies had the chance to put a good foot forward with the bat on day three, but they were no match. Jadeja won player of the match for his 4/54 to go with his unbeaten 104 as the visitors managed to last just 45.1 overs on day three. Mohammed Siraj (3/31), Kuldeep Yadav (2/23) and Washington Sundar (1/18) also chipped in.
The innings and 140-run margin is India’s third-biggest victory ever against West Indies. Also, the 89.2 overs the Windies batted is the lowest total they’ve faced in a Test against India where they have been bowled out twice.
West Indies now average 14.48 with the bat in Tests this year, the worst among all sides and more than 5 runs/wicket worse than Zimbabwe's 19.86. They have batted 12 times this year and on 8 occasions, have been bowled out under 50 overs.
Reactions to one-sided IND vs WI Test: Roston Chase voices concerns, fans call for two-tier Test structure
Windies captain Roston Chase didn’t mince words regarding the state of cricket in the Caribbean. He says there is a struggle for finances in the region and work must be done to strengthen its infrastructure.
“The systems in the Caribbean are a bit poor in terms of training facilities and stuff,” Chase said post-match, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “I am not using that as an excuse or something to hide behind for poor performances that we’ve been putting out lately. I still think that the onus is on the players to find some way to churn up runs and wickets and stuff.
“But what I would say is yes, there is obviously a struggle in the Caribbean for finances. So whatever help we can get, if they are planning to get the help, I hope that we do get it so that we could strengthen the infrastructure for cricket.”
Calls for a two-tier Test structure are growing following this result. It is in line with the CricBlog 2025 Future of Test cricket survey, where 55.1% of the 2,000+ respondents are in favour of a two-tier system, provided there is promotion and relegation.
Here are some of the reactions to India’s huge win.
Convince me why Test Cricket doesn’t need two tiers? #IndvWI
Test cricket needs a different format for sure (and not just because England haven't won WTC in the current one). There is a genuine gap in quality at present.
How do you bridge the financial gap? Who finances Test cricket's 2nd tier? India's TRP money is key as always. #IndvWI
If u r a fan of test cricket then u have to support the two tiers. That's the only way it can survive. Rn what is happening is anything but an equal contest between 2 teams. The biggest achievement for windies in this series would be to avoid innings defeat in.#INDvsWIpic.twitter.com/AODCVESTxX
No disrespect but India should host teams like Afghanistan and Ireland in Tests rather hosting least interested, less passionate and almost below par skilled team West Indies. Forget about contest, there’s not even a spark you could see in them !#INDvWI
West Indies have to pick themselves up quickly with the second Test starting on October 10 in Delhi. On current form, anything other than another India win would be a huge surprise.
KL Rahul has continued his good year, notching up a hundred in the first Test against West Indies in Ahmedabad. This century – his 11th overall – is his first at home in nearly nine years; a welcome drought-breaker for a player looking to take his career average up towards 40 and above.
Rahul was in control for the most part. After a steady start, Rahul took control to reach his half-century on the first evening. As often the case in a significant KL Rahul score, the innings was filled with glorious strokeplay both sides of the wicket.
Day two started in very nervy fashion, with the opener edging a Jayden Seales delivery to where first slip should have been. Instead, the Windies employed a wide slip, and Rahul made them pay the price as the 33-year-old looked in total control thereafter on a surface not offering a whole lot of seam or spin.
His 100th run was met by cheers from the sparse crowd. He rotated strike expertly, with 44 of his runs coming in singles. He also struck 12 boundaries, many of which were a treat for the eyes.
Reactions: KL Rahul scores his second Test hundred at home, against West Indies in Ahmedabad
Rahul continued his excellent form from the India A vs Australia A match last week. The opener struck a magnificent, unbeaten 176 to lead his team home in their mammoth chase of 412.
“KL Rahul’s stats won’t justify his talent. But he is making the most of it now,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter). “KL Rahul has turned his career in Tests in the past 1 year – indeed the best opener in Tests currently,” wrote another.
Here are some of the reactions to KL Rahul’s hundred against the West Indies in Ahmedabad.
KL Rahul's stats won't justify his talent. But he is making the most of it now. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/mVZ9Rzlrix
If KL Rahul had played with this consistency since the start of his international career, then he would have been at the same level as Virat Kohli today ig.🏏🙌 pic.twitter.com/ae4aszr8an
We are living in the KL Rahul era where at this moment it looks like he can smash centuries while sleeping also.He is the glue of team India. pic.twitter.com/xVyLvsRoDY
India are in total control of the first Test. The hosts sit pretty at 218/3 at lunch on day two, leading by 56 runs. Rahul (100*) and Dhruv Jurel (14*) are the unbeaten batters.
The ongoing 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup has started with a bang, and the biggest trophy in women’s cricket promises to be a blockbuster of a tournament. Having won the previous edition, Australia will certainly fancy their chances of winning their eighth title.
Australia’s side consists of several match-winners who play well under pressure. The Alyssa Healy-led side defeated India 2-1 during the entertaining three-match ODI series before the World Cup, thus entering the tournament in solid form. Also, the defending champions beat New Zealand by 89 runs in their opening game even after finding themselves in a tricky situation at 128/5 in the 22nd over.
During an exclusive interview with Arvind Kalyana Krishnan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for CricBlog, CA CEO Todd Greenberg drew light on the Australia Women’s side and where they stand in the country’s sporting landscape. Greenberg said that no matter how many trophies the Australia Women’s side wins, the trophy cabinet will always have room for more.
He spoke very highly about the legacy created by the female cricketers, and suggested that there would be a special reception for the team if they do manange to win their eighth CWC.
Todd Greenberg: Expecting another trophy for Australia in the Women’s World Cup
Below is the entire conversation between Arvind Kalyana Krishnan and Todd Greenberg for CricBlog, in audio and text format:
Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: We have the Women’s World Cup taking place now. So what are your expectations from the Australian team?
Todd Greenberg: “To bring home a trophy! We always go there to win, and the way they started their campaign last night [against New Zealand] says that. So, they’ll need some luck, but I know their preparations have been first-class. So our expectation is and our hope is that they will bring the trophy home.”
Ash Gardner hit a superb hundred in Australia’s tournament opener against New Zealand.
Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: Australia’s women’s cricket team keep winning. Now the trophy cabinet has become too big. So in case they win another World Cup, will they be a special hall of fame place or a victory parade or anything?
Todd Greenberg: “Well, there will be all of that, but our trophy cabinet is never too big (laughs). There’s always room for another one. My view is that the Australian cricket team are the best sporting team in our country, and the quality of their results over a long period of time say that, and I hope they have a great campaign. I’m heading over there next week to support them and be a part of that. We’ve got some amazing cricketers in that group, and we’ve got some amazing women, and they’ll do us proud.”
Greenberg was named Nick Hockley’s successor in December 2024, and took up the CEO position earlier in March. Prior, he was the CEO of the players’ union the Australian Cricketers’ Association. He has also been the CEO of the National Rugby League (NRL) and NRL club the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
Australia’s World Cup campaign continues on Saturday October 4 when they take on Sri Lanka in Colombo.
Amid a sea of empty seats, fans are wondering why the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is hosting the first Test between India and West Indies. Days one and two have been played in front of a very sparse crowd at the 100,000+ capacity stadium, prompting questions as to why other venues weren’t selected.
An Indian cricket match on home soil is usually an event not to be missed, especially when it’s the start of a new season. However, the public didn’t flock in numbers to catch the start of the West Indies series.
Fans wonder why Ahmedabad was chosen as the venue for the 1st IND vs WI Test
Fans have given their reasons as to why the crowd is low. West Indies, unfortunately, is not a drawcard given their struggles in Test cricket, and the venue itself is not the easiest to get to. Also, fans have listed the scheduling as a reason, with India winning the Asia Cup only days ago in Dubai.
“If we had to play a lower tier team, we should have ideally played them in a stadium that people want to watch Test Cricket,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“Ahmedabad is the country’s biggest stadium, and to host a lower tier team at such a big ground makes it look empty. Ahmedabad is good for T20 marquee contests. Not for Tests, even against a marquee team.
“Tests should be played with a view of tourism and ease of connectivity. Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Delhi, Dharamsala and Vizag can be your fixed Test centres.”
Here are some of the reactions to Ahmedabad hosting the first Test of the India-West Indies series.
If we had to play a lower tier team, we should have ideally played them in a stadium that people want to watch Test Cricket.
Virat's suggestion of having fixed test venues should be looked at.
Ahmedabad is the country's biggest stadium, and to host a lower tier team at such a… pic.twitter.com/Xv9IDizvaM
Just three days between the Asia Cup and a Test series? No wonder the stadium’s empty on a Dussehra morning. Hardly anyone knows it’s happening. Poor scheduling by BCCI.
Imagine hyping kohli by saying crowd didn't come to watch a test match early morning on Dusherra in Hindu majority city Ahmedabad 😭that too against tinpot west indies. pic.twitter.com/v3F60FRHJU
At the time of writing, India are 200/3, leading by 37 on the second morning. West Indies were bowled out for 162 after opting to bat. Mohammed Siraj was India’s leading bowler, taking four wickets.
