Team India coach, Ravi Shastri, reckons that the injured duo of Rohit Sharma and Ishant Sharma need to be on the flight to Australia as soon as possible if they're to entertain hopes of featuring in the upcoming four-Test series, starting with the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, on December 17. Rohit and Ishant have been the frontrunners in all recent Indian successes in the red-ball format of the game and are currently undergoing rehabilitation for their respective injuries at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.

Rohit, India's first-choice Test opener, is currently working on his hamstring injury while Ishant's IPL with the Delhi Capitals came to an early end after suffering an abdominal muscle tear. Both players weren't named in the initial squad (for the tour to Australia) and are understood to be under the observation of BCCI's medical panel.

Mohammed Shami believes that he and his fellow pacers have the unity in goal and diversity in the skill to challenge a significantly stronger Australian side two years from their historic series victory Down Under.

The Virat Kohli-led Indian squad arrived in Australia immediately after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League on November 10th and have been allowed to practice in a bio-secure bubble during quarantine in the city.

Once renowned for their spinners, India have turned a new leaf with their pace department and the emergence of a quality pace bowling group, under the guidance of head coach Ravi Shastri, bowling coach Bharat Arun and the support of their captain has meant that they have played a vital role in India's recent dominance in the red-ball format of the game.

The ECB have confirmed that England's men will provisionally host India for a five Test series next summer in addition to limited overs series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The women's team are set to host ODI and T20I series against South Africa and New Zealand.

The provisional schedule for England men includes a three match ODI series against Sri Lanka, three 50-over matches and three T20s against Pakistan, as well as the five Tests against India. The ECB have confirmed that more fixtures could be arranged, including Test cricket, pending the ICC's decision about the World Test Championship final, currently set to take place in early June.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) roped in MPL Sports, an e-sports platform, as the new kit sponsor and official merchandise partner of the Indian cricket team on Tuesday (November 17).

The three-year deal between BCCI and MPL Sports is from November 2020 to December 2023, starting with India's forthcoming tour of Australia. As per the new deal, Men's, Women's and the Under-19 Indian cricket teams will be sporting MPL Sports designed and manufactured jerseys.

Earlier, the BCCI had invited bids for team kit sponsor and official merchandising partner rights through a tender process after Nike's four-year deal came to an end in September this year.