Ben Curran, brother of England cricketers Sam and Tom Curran, has earned his maiden call-up to Zimbabwe’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against Afghanistan. The Curran family has deep ties to Zimbabwean cricket, with Ben’s father, Kevin Malcolm Curran, and grandfather, Kevin Patrick Curran, representing Zimbabwe internationally.

The series begins with T20Is on December 11, followed by ODIs and Tests. Ben will feature exclusively in the 50-over format. A left-handed batter, Ben boasts an impressive domestic career, averaging 33.30 in List A and 34.70 in first-class cricket. His inclusion reflects Zimbabwe’s reliance on talent with global exposure.

Zimbabwe’s ODI squad, led by Craig Ervine, also features rising stars like Newman Nyamhuri. The T20I side, captained by Sikandar Raza, includes dynamic players like Blessing Muzarabani and Ryan Burl, signaling a balanced blend of experience and youth for the challenging series ahead.

Chinese chess grandmaster Ding Liren focuses on Game 12 as a pivotal moment to reverse his fortunes against Indian prodigy D. Gukesh. Known for his calculated strategies and formidable endgame skills, Ding has faced challenges in the ongoing series, with Gukesh capitalizing on key opportunities to maintain the upper hand.

Game 12 is seen as Ding’s chance to shift the momentum by leveraging his deep preparation and psychological resilience. The match’s outcome could redefine the dynamic between the experienced Ding and the rising star Gukesh, who continues to impress the global chess community.

Following India’s heavy loss to Australia in the first Test of the series, Australian media highlighted key concerns for the Indian team, including Rohit Sharma’s performance as captain. Pat Cummins and his team’s emphatic win by 209 runs sparked discussions about India’s bowling strategy and batting collapse.

Australian newspapers like The Age underscored Mitchell Starc’s lethal bowling display as a stark reminder of his prowess in Test cricket. Starc’s fiery spell dismantled India’s top order, a performance seen as pivotal in Australia’s dominant victory. The media also pointed out the pressure mounting on Rohit Sharma for tactical shortcomings, including field placements and decision-making under challenging circumstances.

India’s batting lineup faltered against Australia’s aggressive bowling, with only a few players resisting. Critics emphasized that the Indian team’s inability to adapt to the pink-ball conditions in Adelaide cost them dearly. The media also praised Australia for its disciplined approach, particularly the consistency of its pace attack, which Starc and Cummins led.

As the series progresses, this defeat puts India under immense pressure to bounce back, especially with the spotlight on Rohit Sharma’s leadership and the team’s resilience. Fans now await India’s response in the next Test.