From T20 push to WTC final, the Proteas story
Hindustan Times Rajasthan|January 02, 2025
South Africa cementing the World Test Championship final spot hasn't probably hit the right spot.
Somshuvra Laha

KOLKATA: Why would it? No batter in the top 35 Test run-scorers in this cycle and Kagiso Rabada not figuring among the top-10 wicket-takers, South Africa are not exactly the poster boys of cricket. At a time when the highest validation comes in the form of five-Test tours against India, South Africa could only host them for two in 2024.

ICC's points system may come under scrutiny for allowing South Africa to make the cut with just six wins, none of which, by the way, have come against higher-ranked teams. And with India winning the New Year's Test at Cape Town, South Africa's home record too has lost a bit of sheen.

Further eroding their position was the decision to send a second-string squad—naming seven rookies in the 14-man side—to New Zealand to ensure participation of their top players in the domestic T20 tournament earlier this year. It led to a backlash led by the redoubtable Steve Waugh, who slammed South Africa for "not caring" enough for Test cricket.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 02, 2025 من Hindustan Times Rajasthan.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة January 02, 2025 من Hindustan Times Rajasthan.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من HINDUSTAN TIMES RAJASTHAN مشاهدة الكل
Hindustan Times Rajasthan

Abhi-Ash vacation together, put divorce rumours to rest

The better part of 2024 had fans speculating over the divorce of actors Abhishek Bachchan (48) and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (51).

time-read
1 min  |
January 05, 2025
Hindustan Times Rajasthan

Payal Kapadia's All We Imagine As Light Longlisted for Three BAFTA Awards

Payal Kapadia's All We Imagine As Light has been longlisted for three prestigious BAFTA awards: Best Director, Original Screenplay and Best Film Not in the English Language.

time-read
1 min  |
January 05, 2025
Hindustan Times Rajasthan

Osaka into first final since 2022 ahead of Aus Open

Former world number one Naomi Osaka reached her first final since 2022 on Saturday as she swept aside unseeded American Alycia Parks at the Auckland Classic.

time-read
1 min  |
January 05, 2025
Hindustan Times Rajasthan

Resurgent Kei Nishikori Reaches First Final in Six Years

Injury-ravaged Japanese veteran Kei Nishikori reached his first final in six years when China's Shang Juncheng retired ill at the Hong Kong Open on Saturday.

time-read
1 min  |
January 05, 2025
Hindustan Times Rajasthan

Tennis Star Rybakina Says Ex-Coach 'Never Mistreated Me'

The 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina said Saturday her former coach Stefano Vukov \"never mistreated me\" after reports that he has been provisionally suspended by the WTA.

time-read
1 min  |
January 05, 2025
Hindustan Times Rajasthan

Pegula Using US Open Final Run As Inspiration

Jessica Pegula said Saturday her run to the US Open final last year was still fresh in her mind and she is using it to drive her towards a maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.

time-read
1 min  |
January 05, 2025
Hindustan Times Rajasthan

Pant lights fuse as India lead by 145 in 'hell of a Test'

An explosive Rishabh Pant slammed the second-fastest Indian Test half-century Saturday to drive the visitors to a 145-run lead with four wickets left after an intense day two of the decisive fifth Test against Australia.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Hindustan Times Rajasthan

Bumrah struggling with back spasm in fifth Test

India might be without captain Jasprit Bumrah for the remainder of the fifth test against Australia after he left the Sydney Cricket Ground for scans on a back problem on day two on Saturday.

time-read
1 min  |
January 05, 2025
Hindustan Times Rajasthan

I'm Not Retiring, Says Rohit After Sitting Out of SCG Test

Indian test skipper Rohit Sharma said sitting out the final match of the series against Australia due to poor form does not mean he will retire, adding that critics will not decide when he should walk away from the sport.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 05, 2025
Hindustan Times Rajasthan

Was Given Chance To Leave Country On Exile For 3 Years

Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan has claimed that he was offered a chance to leave the country on exile for three years but he declined.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 05, 2025