DRS Nov 7: Virat Kohli at all-time low, KL Rahul to replace Rohit Sharma & Shreyas Iyer sizzles

November 6 (Wednesday) proved to be a slow day as far as Indian cricket fans are concerned. However, the fourth round of the Ranji Trophy began and defending champions Mumbai finally got their ways going, on the back of Shreyas Iyer’s fiery 152*. He made his hundred in just 101 balls. Apart from this, KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel were officially added to the India A squad for the second four-day clash against Australia A. More importantly, KL Rahul is likely to open the batting with Abhimanyu Easwaran, with the two probably competing for Rohit Sharma’s opening spot when the India captain leaves for a match in BGT. On that note, here are six of the most headline worthy stories from November 6.

India’s recent Test series loss to New Zealand has led to a shake-up in the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings. While Rishabh Pant’s stellar performance propelled him to a career-high ranking at 6, Virat Kohli’s struggles have seen him plummet outside the top 20 for the first time since 2014! This clearly marks a low point in his illustrious Test career. Hope he comebacks strongly at the BGT. Rohit Sharma also slipped down the rankings (from 24 to 26), reflecting India’s overall batting woes in the series. Other notable changes include the rise of Daryl Mitchell (15 to 7) and the fall of Rachin Ravindra (11 to 21).

Shreyas Iyer fires twin centuries!

Currently out of the Indian Test team, Shreyas Iyer is making a strong case for his comeback with a dominant display for Mumbai. Iyer hammered an unbeaten 153 against Odisha at the Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy in Mumbai. Coming in after captain Ajinkya Rahane’s early dismissal, Iyer showcased his class by reaching his century in just 101 balls. He found excellent support in veteran Siddhesh Lad, as the duo stitched an unbroken 231-run partnership. Iyer’s innings, following his previous Ranji Trophy century, sends a clear message to the selectors as he aims to reclaim his spot in the Indian Test team.

KL Rahul to replace Rohit Sharma at BGT?

KL Rahul is likely to open the batting for India A against Australia A in the upcoming unofficial Test. This could be a crucial audition for him to partner with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, especially when Rohit Sharma won’t be unavailable. Rahul’s experience opening overseas, combined with Abhimanyu Easwaran’s recent form, makes for an intriguing contest for the opening spots. The Melbourne four-day match will offer valuable insights into the potential Indian opening pair for the high-stakes Test series against Australia.

Glenn Maxwell after RCB’s release

Glenn Maxwell, recently released by RCB, expressed his gratitude for the franchise’s transparent communication regarding his non-retention. RCB opted to retain Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal, leaving them with significant purse and RTM cards for the upcoming auction. Despite a challenging IPL 2024 season, Maxwell remains a highly sought-after player and is expected to attract significant interest from various franchises in the upcoming auction.

Ricky Ponting to take PBKS to IPL 2025 title?

Punjab Kings (PBKS) are aiming high for IPL 2025. With a revamped coaching staff led by Ricky Ponting and a strong focus on building a core group of players, the franchise is determined to break their title drought. The team’s CEO, Satish Menon, has made it clear that winning the IPL trophy is the ultimate goal. This bold statement puts pressure on Ponting to deliver immediate results and establish a winning culture at Punjab Kings.

ICC Champions Trophy schedule

The ICC is set to announce the schedule for the 2025 Champions Trophy next week in Pakistan. An ICC delegation will visit Lahore from November 10-12 to inspect preparations. Pakistan is likely to be placed in Group A with India, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, while Group B includes England, South Africa, Australia, and Afghanistan. India’s participation in matches held in Pakistan is subject to government approval. India’s campaign is set to kick off against Bangladesh on February 20 in Lahore, with the highly-anticipated India-Pakistan clash scheduled for March 1.