Sports Bulletin of November 19: From KL Rahul to Open for India in BGT to Indian Football Team Ending Year Without Single Win

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From KL Rahul set to open for India in the coming Border-Gavaskar Trophy to the Indian football team ending the year without a single win filed, many things have unfolded in the sports world.

Both Indian Cricket Team and their Football Team along with some former and current players are dominating the proceedings on a busy Tuesday (November 19) in the World of Sports. Here are the ten unmissable stories of the day -

1. KL Rahul to Open, Padikkal at Number 3 in BGT

India appears to have hinted at their preferred batting lineup for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth. With Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill unavailable, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal are expected to open, followed by Devdutt Padikkal at number three and Virat Kohli at four. Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel could complete the middle order. Ravindra Jadeja is likely to feature alongside a pace-heavy attack.

2. Perth pitch's first glimpse shows green top

The Perth pitch for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener has sparked intrigue with its green-top appearance, suggesting a fast and bouncy surface. Australian batter Travis Head called it "terrifying" for batters, especially if cracks develop by Day 3. The conditions favor pace-heavy attacks, with both India and Australia expected to unleash their premier fast bowlers. The challenging wicket could test batters' skills, particularly those lacking recent red-ball cricket experience.

3. Rishabh Pant says leaving Delhi 'wasn't about money'

Rishabh Pant clarified his departure from Delhi Capitals ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, dismissing claims that financial disagreements led to his non-retention. Pant stated it "wasn't about the money," countering Sunil Gavaskar's speculation. With an impressive IPL record and a base price of ₹2 crore, Pant is set to ignite a bidding war, though Delhi might still attempt to bring him back for his leadership and form.

4. Gavaskar says Delhi would want Rishav Pant back

In an recent interview with Star Sports, Sunil Gavaskar recently talked about Rishabh Pant's deposit from Delhi Capitals. He said it could've been about the fee, that he may have wanted more, saying "I think maybe there was some disagreement over there." However, he also feels that Delhi will want to bring back Pant considering they also need a captain, saying, "What I feel is that Delhi would certainly want Rishabh Pant back in their squad."

5. One year to India's ODI World Cup loss

One year after India's heartbreaking loss to Australia in the ICC ODI World Cup final, the fight between the two teams has become quite recurrent. On this day of one year anniversary, the focus has shifted to the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With Virat Kohli leading the charge and a revamped mindset, India looks to rewrite history against Australia in what promises to be an intense and fiercely contested Test series.

6. India football team end year without a win

India ended 2024 winless in 11 matches, a first since 2014, after a 1-1 draw against Malaysia. Rahul Bheke's header canceled Paulo Josue's opener, but goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu's costly errors highlighted a disappointing year. Despite glimpses of promise in coordinated pressing and set-piece routines, the second half reflected the team's struggles. With four draws and one loss against lower-ranked teams, India faces an uphill battle before the Asian Cup qualifiers.

7. Virat Kohli picks his best Test knock in Australia

Virat Kohli named his 123 at Perth in the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy as his best Test knock in Australia, calling it his toughest century on a challenging pitch. Despite struggling with form in recent years, Kohli's stellar record in Australia, with 1352 runs at an average of 54.08, sets high expectations. This series is pivotal for the veteran batter as he seeks to recapture his peak performance Down Under.

8. Cheteshwar Pujara back to BGT as commentator

Cheteshwar Pujara, India's Test stalwart, transitions to the commentary box for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, joining Star Sports' Hindi panel. Renowned for his resilience, Pujara scored 521 runs in the 2018-19 series and played a pivotal role in India's historic wins in Australia. Despite his exclusion from the squad and BCCI contracts, his insights will enrich fans as the first five-match BGT series since 1991-92 unfolds.

9. UEFA Nations League Highlights

Croatia and Denmark secured their spots in the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals after draws against Portugal (1-1) and Serbia (0-0), respectively. They joined France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands in the last eight, set for March 20-23. Scotland's injury-time win over Poland sent the hosts to League B, while Northern Ireland and San Marino earned promotions after topping their respective groups.

10. Pat Cummins expecting new baby

Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins and his wife Becky are expecting their second child, delighting fans with the news shared on Instagram. A touching photo featured their son Albie excitedly pointing at Becky's baby bump, symbolizing the growing joy in their family. The couple, married since 2022, received warm wishes from friends and teammates, marking another heartwarming milestone in their love-filled journey.