Sports Bulletin of December 17: From India Avoiding Follow-on on Gabba Test Day 4 to Kerala Blasters Sacking Coach Mikael Stahre

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From India dramatically avoiding follow-on on Border-Gavaskar Test Series Gabba Test Day 4 to Kerala Blasters sacking their head coach Mikael Stahre, many things have unfolded in the sports world.

Indian Cricket team players, Brazillian footballer Ronaldo Nazario, and ISL team Kerala Blasters are dominating the proceedings on a busy Tuesday (December 17) in the World of Sports. Here are the ten unmissable stories of the day -

1. India Avoid Follow-on on Day 4 of the Gabba Test

India avoided the follow-on in a gritty Day 4 display at The Gabba, with Jasprit Bumrah (10*) and Akash Deep (27*) adding crucial runs to take the visitors to 252/9. Trailing by 193 runs, their partnership frustrated Australia, led by Pat Cummins (4/80). Earlier, KL Rahul (84) and Ravindra Jadeja (77) kept India in the fight, while rain interruptions added to the drama.

2. KL Rahul Surpasses Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Overseas Tests

KL Rahul's composed 84 in the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy highlighted his superiority in overseas conditions. Scoring 64% of his Test runs abroad, Rahul surpasses Virat Kohli (52%) and Rohit Sharma (38%) in overseas contribution. With six 80+ scores in SENA countries since 2014, more than any other Indian opener, Rahul has cemented his reputation as India's most reliable batter in challenging foreign conditions.

3. Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill Hard at Practice on Day 4 of Gabba Test

After poor performances on Day 3 of the Gabba Test, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill were hard at practice ahead of Day 4. Kohli, dismissed for 3 by Hazlewood, and Gill, out for 1 to Starc, have struggled in the series, with Kohli scoring 126 runs in five innings and Gill managing just 60 in three. Both batters aim to bounce back and deliver in challenging conditions.

4. Ravindra Jadeja Tops Indian Batting Averages in Tests on Australian Soil

Jadeja averages a fine of 56.75, and it continues to grow with every run he scores from this point onward. Before this match, Jadeja had played just five innings in Australia - 4 and 5 in Melbourne (2018), 81 in Sydney (2019), 57 in Melbourne (2020) and 28* in Sydney (2021). But this is where things get interesting. Among Indian batters who have at least faced 400 balls in their Test career in Australia vs Australia, Jadeja's average is the best - greater than Sachin Tendulkar (53.20), Virat Kohli (50.96), Cheteshwar Pujara (47.28) and Rohit (26.68).

5. Tim Southee Announces Retirement from Test Cricket

New Zealand pacer Tim Southee announced his retirement from Test cricket following a commanding 423-run victory over England in Hamilton. The 35-year-old ends his illustrious career with 391 wickets in 107 matches, making him New Zealand's third-highest wicket-taker. A versatile bowler and explosive lower-order batter, Southee's 15-year journey included leadership stints, seven Test fifties, and a pivotal role in New Zealand's 2021 World Test Championship triumph.

6. Rinku Singh to be UP Captain for Vijay Hazare Trophy

Rinku Singh has been named captain of Uttar Pradesh for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, starting December 21 in Andhra Pradesh. Known for his consistent performances, Rinku had an impressive Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 277 runs at an average of 69. The squad also includes IPL talents like Nitish Rana and Shivam Mavi, with experienced pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar expected to play a key role in the campaign.

7. Josh Hazlewood Injury Update

Josh Hazlewood is set to miss the remainder of the Test series against India after a calf strain sidelined him during the Brisbane Test. Returning from a side strain, Hazlewood struggled with pace before leaving the field for scans that confirmed the injury. Scott Boland is likely to replace him for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Hazlewood's next Test opportunity may come in Sri Lanka in January.

8. Darren Sammy Appointed New All-format Head Coach of West Indies

Darren Sammy has been appointed head coach of the West Indies Test team, adding to his existing role as coach of the ODI and T20I sides. A two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain, Sammy will assume the Test coaching duties in April 2024, succeeding Andre Coley. His immediate focus will be improving performances across all formats, with West Indies currently struggling in the World Test Championship standings.

9. Kerala Blasters Sack Head Coach Michael Stahre

Kerala Blasters have sacked head coach Mikael Stahre following a disappointing ISL qseason, with the team sitting 10th on the table and earning just 11 points from 12 matches. Under Stahre, the Blasters managed only three wins with a points-per-game average of 1.00. Reserve coach Tomasz Tchórz and TG Purushothaman will lead the team temporarily as the club searches for a permanent replacement.

10. Brazilian Ronaldo to Run for Brazil Football Federation's presidency

Brazilian football legend Ronaldo Nazario has announced his candidacy for the presidency of the Confederation of Brazilian Football (CBF) in 2026, aiming to restore the national team's lost prestige. The two-time World Cup winner criticized Brazil's recent underperformance, despite its abundance of talent like Vinícius Jr. and Rodrygo. Ronaldo seeks to revamp football dynamics to ensure Brazil regains its status as a global powerhouse in football.