Joe Root Ends Drought with Maiden Ashes Ton on Australian Soil
Day one of the second Ashes Test at Brisbane's Gabba on December 4 has swung firmly in England's favor, thanks to Joe Root's resilient unbeaten 135 – his first Test century in Australia after 13 years of trying. Root, dropped early on two by Steve Smith, anchored England's innings amid a collapse, guiding them to 358 for 5 by stumps. His knock, blending grit and flair, came off 200 balls and featured elegant drives that silenced doubters following a pair in Perth.
Mitchell Starc struck back with a fiery 6 for 71, including early blows to dismiss Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope, while Scott Boland added pressure with sharp seam movement. A chaotic run-out of Josh Inglis via a direct hit from Root added to Australia's woes, but their bowlers kept the game alive. Jofra Archer's late 32 off 26 balls injected momentum, but Root's mastery has given England a slender edge heading into day two.
This performance vaults Root into the top five Test run-scorers of 2025 with 701 runs, underscoring his class in the format. To review ball-by-ball recaps and Root's key shots, the kheloexch app is invaluable. The kheloexch app download lets users pull up these moments instantly for on-the-go viewing.
South Africa Levels ODI Series with Record Chase in Raipur Thriller
South Africa pulled off a stunning four-wicket victory in the second ODI against India on December 3 at Raipur's Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, chasing 359 to square the three-match series at 1-1. Aiden Markram's composed 110, supported by Matthew Breetzke's 68 and Dewald Brevis's 54, powered the Proteas in their highest successful ODI chase against India – the joint-third highest in their history.
India's innings was a batting spectacle, with Ruturaj Gaikwad's maiden ODI ton (105 off 77) and Virat Kohli's 53rd ODI century (102) forming a 195-run stand that propelled them to 358 for 5. KL Rahul's unbeaten 66 off 43 added fireworks, but Marco Jansen's 2 for 63 and dewy conditions aided South Africa's pursuit. Corbin Bosch's finishing 26 off 15 sealed the deal, leaving India to regroup for the decider on December 6 in Visakhapatnam.
The match highlighted bold chases and power-hitting, with Kohli's "Naagin Dance" celebration going viral after a South African wicket. For full scorecards and chase breakdowns, log into the kheloexch platform. New users can handle kheloexch signup or kheloexch register swiftly to track series momentum.
Hardik Pandya Returns as India Names T20I Squad for South Africa Tour
The BCCI unveiled India's 15-member squad for the five-match T20I series against South Africa on December 3, headlined by Hardik Pandya's comeback after a two-month injury layoff. Suryakumar Yadav captains the side, with Shubman Gill as vice-captain (subject to fitness), alongside Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dube, and all-rounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. The pace spearhead is Jasprit Bumrah, backed by Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, while Varun Chakaravarthy leads the spin with Kuldeep Yadav.
Notably absent are Nitish Reddy and Rinku Singh, as selectors prioritize balance for the series starting December 9 in Cuttack. Pandya's recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy exploits – an unbeaten fifty and a wicket for Baroda – earned his recall, signaling his all-round value. South Africa, captained by Aiden Markram, named a 16-man group earlier, setting up a mouthwatering clash post-ODIs.
This squad read more blends youth and experience, prepping for global events. Check squad profiles and probable XIs on the kheloexch app for deeper insights.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Heats Up with Domestic Fireworks
India's domestic T20 circuit is ablaze in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26, with round four producing run-fests and bowling masterclasses. Bihar's teenage opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi, fresh off a blazing knock, struggled against Goa but remains a breakout star. Baroda, led by Hardik Pandya's half-century and wicket, edged Punjab, while Gujarat's collapse to 73 all out against Baroda's bowlers stole headlines.
Jammu & Kashmir folded for 112 against Hyderabad, where CV Milind starred, and batters like those in other group clashes racked up fifties amid high-scoring venues. These matches scout national talents, with Vijay Hazare Trophy looming for List A action. Virat Kohli confirmed his participation in the latter, defying mandatory domestic mandates with his focus on quality prep.
Domestic leagues like this nurture the pipeline, offering glimpses of future internationals. The kheloexch platform compiles standings and highlights, making it easy to follow regional rivalries.
Preview: Ashes Day Two and IND-SA ODI Decider
The second Ashes Test resumes on December 5, with England aiming to press their advantage against Australia's seamers under lights. Pat Cummins' potential return adds intrigue, while England's Will Jacks could spin a web if the pitch eases.
India and South Africa head to Visakhapatnam for the ODI finale on December 6, where a win seals series glory for either side. Expect spin duels and aggressive chases on a balanced track.
Other December fixtures include the ACC Men's U19 Asia Cup kickoff and launches of ILT20, Big Bash League, SA20, and Super Smash. For schedules and predictions, the kheloexch official website has it covered. A kheloexch ID unlocks personalized feeds for these events.
Emerging Stories: Kohli's Domestic Nod and Global Growth
Virat Kohli's Vijay Hazare commitment, post his Raipur ton, quells speculation on his workload, affirming his ODI focus toward the 2027 World Cup. Globally, cricket's European surge via recent censuses and associate T20 World Cup draws signal broader expansion.
In women's cricket, Smriti Mandhana's wedding postponement adds a personal note amid rising profiles.
December's tapestry weaves international epics with domestic sparks, from Root's redemption to Pandya's resurgence. Platforms like kheloexch amplify the experience, delivering stats and stories to fuel every fan's passion.