As the clock struck midnight on December 31, people around the world embraced the dawn of a new year with vibrant celebrations, fireworks, and joyous gatherings. From the bustling streets of New York to serene beaches in Bali, the spirit of hope and renewal filled the air. In India, amidst the festive atmosphere, the cricketing fraternity also joined in the celebrations, wishing fans a prosperous New Year through social media platforms.

Virat Kohli and Anushka spotted on a starry night in Sydney

The Indian cricket team, currently touring Australia, welcomed 2025 in style. Sydney became a hub of excitement as team members celebrated together. Among them were power couple Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, who were spotted enjoying the city’s nightlife. Accompanying them was Devdutt Padikkal, a familiar face from the IPL, adding to the camaraderie of the evening. Reports suggested that this star-studded trio was headed to a New Year party, highlighting the blend of sports and celebrity culture that captivates fans worldwide.

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Here’s the video:

virat and anushka spotted in sydney likely celebrating new year 💗 pic.twitter.com/Grn54flBE1

— 𝒑𝒓𝒊. 💌 (@ssnoozefest) December 31, 2024

Cricketing challenges ahead for India

However, as festivities unfolded, discussions about the Indian cricket team’s performance loomed large. Following India’s disappointing loss in the Boxing Day Test against Australia, scrutiny intensified over the future of veteran players Rohit Sharma and Kohli. Critics pointed fingers at their recent performances, prompting former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar to weigh in on the debate. He emphasized that Kohli’s stature as a “modern-day Test great” warrants more leniency compared to Sharma’s contributions.

Manjrekar’s remarks ignited conversations about Kohli’s illustrious Test career, which boasts over 9,200 runs and 30 centuries across 122 matches. His leadership has been instrumental in securing historic victories for India, particularly during overseas tours. In contrast, Rohit’s Test record—4,302 runs in 67 matches—while commendable, pales when juxtaposed with his white-ball success.

The road ahead for Rohit Sharma

Rohit’s recent struggles have been hard to ignore. His performance during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 has been lackluster, with an average of just 6.20 over five innings—a stark contrast to his previous accolades. The Boxing Day Test saw him dismissed for a mere nine runs while chasing a daunting target of 340. This dismal run has raised questions about his role as both captain and batter.

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