India's chances of reaching the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final improved after New Zealand's 8-wicket loss to England in Christchurch. This result benefits India's standings despite needing strong performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Currently leading the WTC points table with a 61.11% PCT, India must secure a 3-1 or 3-2 series result in Australia to remain in contention. Scenarios involving South Africa and Sri Lanka’s performances will also influence India’s fate. India's record win against Australia in Perth has revived hopes of a miraculous turnaround for skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir.

Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh drew against reigning champion Ding Liren in Game 6 of the World Chess Championship. The 46-move battle kept the score tied at 3-3 in the best-of-14 series. Playing black, Gukesh displayed strong defensive skills against Ding's London System opening. Despite a slight positional edge early on, Ding chose to simplify the game into a balanced endgame. Both players now need 4.5 points to win the title. Gukesh, 18, and Ding, 32, have one win each and four draws so far. The next game follows a rest day on Monday. Eight games remain in this tense contest.

Rohit Sharma, India's captain, batted at No. 5 as KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal opened in the pink-ball warm-up game against Australia's Prime Minister's XI in Canberra. Rahul and Jaiswal impressed with their consistent opening partnership, following their record-breaking 201-run stand in Perth. Sam Konstas starred for the PM's XI with a scintillating 107 off 97 balls, despite India restricting the hosts to 240, thanks to Harshit Rana's 4-wicket haul. As India prepares for the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, discussions swirl around Rohit's batting position, given Rahul's form. This game marks a crucial step toward the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Joe Root has broken the record for the most fourth-innings runs in Test cricket, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar. Root’s unbeaten 23 during England’s successful chase against New Zealand pushed his fourth-innings tally to 1630 runs, surpassing Tendulkar’s 1625 runs. Root achieved this feat in just 49 innings, compared to Tendulkar’s 60. With 12,777 Test runs, Root is now the fifth-highest run-scorer in Test history. Despite a duck in the first innings, Root’s record highlights his consistency in high-pressure situations, solidifying his legacy as one of the modern era's finest Test batters.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has predicted three changes in India's playing XI for the Pink-Ball Test against Australia starting December 6 in Adelaide. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are set to replace Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel, while KL Rahul will drop to No. 6. Gavaskar also suggested that Ravindra Jadeja might replace Washington Sundar in the lineup. India leads the five-match series 1-0 after a dominant 295-run victory in Perth. Australia's Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the second Test due to a side strain, adding to their challenges at the Adelaide Oval.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared the India-Australia cricket rivalry bigger than the Ashes, citing India's dominance in recent series and the global popularity of cricket. Speaking on Fox Sports, Albanese highlighted India's passionate fanbase, referencing his experience at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. He also emphasized the significance of the ongoing five-match Test series, the first since 1992, and the importance of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, expected to attract 100,000 spectators. Hosting Team India in Canberra, Albanese praised Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, sharing their camaraderie online, as rain delayed the Prime Minister’s XI warm-up match.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has agreed to a hybrid model for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, contingent on the International Cricket Council (ICC) implementing the model across all events until 2031. The decision follows India's refusal to play in Pakistan due to security concerns, prompting PCB's demand for neutral venues for future ICC events hosted by India. Under the hybrid model, India's matches will be held in Dubai, while Pakistan will host other fixtures, including the final if India is eliminated early. PCB Chief Mohsin Naqvi assured state-level security for all participating teams.

India's new ODI jersey featuring a tri-colour gradient on the shoulders was unveiled on November 29 at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. BCCI secretary Jay Shah and women's team captain Harmanpreet Kaur presented the jersey, designed by Adidas. Harmanpreet expressed pride in debuting the jersey against the West Indies in December, praising its unique tri-colour design. The unveiling comes ahead of the women’s ODI series in Australia starting December 5. Adidas, India’s apparel sponsor since 2023, has consistently updated cricket kits, including special editions for the men's and women's World Cups.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that a hybrid model is the only feasible option for the 2025 Champions Trophy. During a board meeting on November 29, Pakistan's firm stance against hosting some matches at a neutral venue was met with the ICC’s warning that refusal could lead to a loss of hosting rights. The hybrid model would see India’s matches and key semifinals and finals played in Dubai, while the rest of the tournament would remain in Pakistan. PCB has requested more time for internal discussions with the government before a final decision.

Australia’s Steve Smith praised Jasprit Bumrah as a “complete package” after the Indian pacer’s standout performance in the Perth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Smith, who faced Bumrah's unorthodox action, described it as "awkward," noting how Bumrah’s release point is closer to the batter, making it difficult to judge length. Bumrah's 8-wicket haul helped India win the match by 295 runs. Smith highlighted Bumrah’s skill set, including his ability to swing the ball both ways and bowl a variety of deliveries. Bumrah's performance propelled him to the top of the ICC Test Bowler rankings.