Jasprit Bumrah delivered a stellar performance on Day 2 of the third Test against Australia at The Gabba, Brisbane. His 5/72 spell with the second new ball turned the game as India fought back from Travis Head’s 152-run knock. Bumrah’s 12th Test five-wicket haul, including 8 in SENA countries, surpassed Kapil Dev's record of 7 such feats. Australia ended the day at 405/7, with Alex Carey (45*) and Mitchell Starc (7*) at the crease. Earlier, Head and Steve Smith (101) added a 241-run stand, pushing Australia toward a series lead in the rain-affected match.

Virat Kohli was seen gesturing 'keep quiet' to the Gabba crowd after taking a sharp catch to dismiss Australia's Marnus Labuschagne on Day 2 of the Brisbane Test. The moment came after Nitish Kumar Reddy drew Labuschagne into a drive, with Kohli making a brilliant catch in the slips. This dismissal followed early strikes from Jasprit Bumrah, who removed openers Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney. Despite the breakthrough, Australia ended Day 2 on a strong note, reaching 405/7, powered by centuries from Travis Head (152) and Steve Smith (101), leaving India with a tough task ahead.

Travis Head and Steve Smith powered Australia to a commanding 405/7 on Day 2 of the 3rd Test against India at The Gabba, Brisbane. Head smashed an explosive 152 off 160 balls, marking his second consecutive century, while Smith scored a gritty 101 off 190 balls. Their 241-run partnership for the 4th wicket deflated India’s bowling attack, despite Jasprit Bumrah’s exceptional 5/72. Mohammed Siraj struggled with fitness, while Ravindra Jadeja failed to extract assistance from the track. Earlier, Australia’s top order contributed moderately, keeping India under pressure. The hosts look poised for a big first-innings total.

Jasprit Bumrah took a sensational five-wicket haul to dismiss Travis Head for 152 and Steve Smith for 101 on Day 2 of the 3rd Test between India and Australia. Earlier, India had reduced Australia to 104/3 at lunch, with Bumrah’s early breakthroughs, removing openers Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney. India’s pace attack dominated as Bumrah’s resilience gave them the upper hand. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj had to leave the field due to a leg injury. The match, which had a delayed start due to rain, is crucial for both teams in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu got engaged to Venkata Datta Sai in an intimate ceremony on December 14, 2024. The couple will marry in Udaipur on December 22, followed by a reception in Hyderabad on December 24. Sindhu shared a heartwarming photo from the engagement, captioned with a quote by Kahlil Gibran. Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist and five-time world championship medalist, ended a long title drought with her victory at the Syed Modi International last month. Her father, PV Ramana, explained the wedding was timed to fit Sindhu’s demanding training schedule.

Travis Head continued to trouble India, scoring his 18th Test fifty on Day 2 of the 3rd Test in Melbourne. He and Steve Smith steadied Australia after early blows from Jasprit Bumrah, who removed both openers quickly. Smith, nearing his own fifty, survived a missed DRS review by India. Earlier, Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed by Nitish Kumar Reddy after a scratchy knock. Mohammed Siraj gave India an injury scare with a hamstring issue but later returned to the field. Australia capitalized on better batting conditions in the second session, setting a strong foundation.

Sunil Gavaskar criticized Australian cricketers and fans for targeting Mohammed Siraj after his altercation with Travis Head in the Adelaide Test. Siraj faced boos from Australian crowds during his bowling spells in both Adelaide and Brisbane. Gavaskar, in his Sydney Morning Herald column, called out Australia’s "double standards," claiming they would cheer if their player displayed similar aggression. Siraj's animated send-off to Head, who scored a century, incited the backlash. Gavaskar also noted the reduced animosity due to the Indian Premier League. The ICC penalized both players, with Siraj losing 20% of his match fee.

D Gukesh, the youngest-ever world chess champion at 18, revealed how Magnus Carlsen's 2013 World Championship victory over Viswanathan Anand inspired him as a child. Gukesh, who was seven at the time, expressed his desire to reclaim the title for India, a dream he pursued for over a decade. Speaking after his victory over Ding Liren in the World Chess Championship, Gukesh said, "Doing this for myself, my country, there is probably nothing better than this." Gukesh is the second Indian Grandmaster to win the title after Anand, who held the crown from 2007 to 2013.

The opening day of the 3rd Test between India and Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane was cut short by persistent rain, with only 13.2 overs of play possible. Australia ended the day at 28/0, with Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney solid against a testing opening spell from Jasprit Bumrah. Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to field, introducing Ravindra Jadeja and debutant Akash Deep into the playing XI. The series, tied 1-1, hinges on the outcome of this Test, but further weather interruptions are expected, complicating the fate of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and WTC prospects.

Pakistan’s fast bowler Mohammad Amir, 32, announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a career spanning over a decade. Amir played 36 Tests, 61 ODIs, and 62 T20Is, taking 271 wickets. Known for his 3-16 spell in the 2017 Champions Trophy final against India, Amir's performance was pivotal in Pakistan securing the title. He retired a day after teammate Imad Wasim. Amir expressed gratitude to fans, PCB, and his family, stating, "Representing my country has been the greatest honour of my life." He hopes the next generation will elevate Pakistan cricket to greater heights.