Australia captain Pat Cummins delivered yet another statement performance in the ongoing third Ashes Test at Adelaide, etching his name alongside legendary Pakistan all-rounder Imran Khan in an exclusive record list. With a fiery spell early on Day 4, Cummins became only the second Test captain in history to claim 150 or more wickets while leading his side.

Cummins leads from the front in England’s steep chase

After Australia set England a daunting target of 435 runs, Cummins wasted no time in asserting his authority with the ball. The fast bowler struck twice in quick succession, removing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope, leaving England reeling early in their second innings.

Those two wickets not only gave Australia the perfect start but also pushed Cummins past the 150-wicket mark as a Test captain — a milestone previously achieved only by Imran Khan. The achievement underlines Cummins’ rare combination of leadership and match-winning bowling prowess in the longest format.

Cummins’ ability to rise to the occasion in high-pressure situations has been a recurring theme throughout the Ashes series, and his performance in Adelaide further cemented his reputation as one of the finest fast-bowling captains of the modern era.

England fight back through Crawley and Root

Despite the early setbacks, England found some stability through Zak Crawley and Joe Root, who stitched together a crucial partnership to keep their hopes alive. The duo showed composure and discipline, negotiating Australia’s pace attack and taking England to 108 for 2 by tea.

Root, England’s most dependable batter in Tests, once again played the anchor role, while Crawley provided valuable support at the other end. Their stand offered England a glimmer of hope in what remains an uphill task against a relentless Australian attack on a wearing Adelaide surface.

Australia still firmly in control

While Crawley and Root steadied the innings, Australia remain in a commanding position. With a substantial target on the board and a potent bowling lineup led by Cummins, the hosts will be confident of breaking the partnership and pushing for a series-clinching victory.

As play progresses, England face a monumental challenge — both in surviving Australia’s relentless pressure and in defying history at a venue where fourth-innings chases are notoriously difficult.

Day 2 of the third Ashes Test of the 2025–26 series began in dramatic fashion for England as Australia tightened their grip on the contest at the Adelaide Oval. After posting a competitive 371 in their first innings, the hosts delivered a ruthless bowling performance, leaving England reeling inside the opening session.

Australia’s pace attack struck early, reducing England to four wickets down before the first break. Amid the early collapse, hopes rested on senior batter Joe Root, who walked in with England in desperate need of stability. However, his stay at the crease was short-lived.

Root was dismissed for 19 off 31 balls by Australian captain Pat Cummins, who produced a sharp delivery that ended the former England skipper’s resistance. With that wicket, Cummins etched his name into the record books, becoming the bowler to dismiss Joe Root the most times in Test cricket.

This was the 12th occasion Cummins has removed Root in the longest format, overtaking India’s Jasprit Bumrah, who previously held the record with 11 dismissals of the England batter. The achievement underlines Cummins’ dominance in this high-profile Ashes rivalry and his ability to deliver breakthroughs at crucial moments.

Australia’s bowlers tighten the noose

England’s innings never truly gained momentum after Australia’s strong first-innings effort. Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett managed starts, scoring 9 and 29 respectively, but neither could convert them into something substantial. Nathan Lyon added to England’s woes by striking twice in a single over, removing Ollie Pope for just three runs.

Harry Brook briefly looked fluent, counterattacking with confidence and scoring 45, but Cameron Green broke the partnership to send him back to the pavilion. At 126 for 5 after 36 overs, England found themselves under immense pressure, with Australia firmly in control of the match.

Cummins leads from the front

Pat Cummins’ record-breaking dismissal of Root not only highlighted his tactical brilliance but also reinforced his leadership credentials. Leading a disciplined bowling unit, Cummins ensured Australia capitalised fully on their first-innings advantage and kept England on the back foot.

With a sizeable lead and England struggling to stabilise their innings, Australia looked well placed to dictate terms heading into the remainder of the Test, as Cummins continued to stamp his authority on one of cricket’s fiercest rivalries.

With the IPL 2026 auction just around the corner, all 10 franchises are gearing up to fine-tune their squads for the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League, scheduled to begin in March 2026. The auction, set to take place on December 16, is expected to play a crucial role in shaping team combinations for the upcoming season.

Ahead of the high-stakes event, former India cricketer and ex-BCCI chief selector Kris Srikkanth shared his insights on the potential auction strategies of Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), highlighting key players who could fit into their setups.

Srikkanth highlights Rajasthan Royals’ key targets

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth focused on Rajasthan Royals’ need to strengthen their middle order and spin-bowling options. He particularly praised young batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who has impressed consistently since his standout century against Gujarat Titans.
“Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been extraordinary since scoring that hundred against GT. He should actually be in the 15 for the T20 World Cup; he’s playing at that level,” Srikkanth said.

According to him, Royals could also look at proven all-round and top-order options to solidify their batting depth.
“Venkatesh Iyer or Rachin Ravindra might be good fits for them at No. 3,” he added.

When it came to spin bowling, Srikkanth weighed in on the choice between Ravi Bishnoi and Rahul Chahar, expressing a clear preference.
“Between Ravi Bishnoi and Rahul Chahar, I’ll go for Chahar. He’s a brilliant leg-spinner. I won’t go for Bishnoi, but maybe RR will go for him.”

He also identified Michael Bracewell as a versatile pick who could add balance to the side.
“Bracewell will be an ideal fit for them too. He can be a strong secondary spinner and fits perfectly at No. 8,” he said.

With Rajasthan traditionally valuing multi-skilled players, Bracewell’s all-round ability could make him an attractive option in the auction.

Srikkanth’s take on Lucknow Super Giants’ auction plans

Turning his attention to Lucknow Super Giants, Srikkanth stressed the importance of clarity in their batting order, particularly regarding Nicholas Pooran.
“Nicholas Pooran has to bat at No. 3. He can’t bat at No. 5,” Srikkanth said.

He suggested that if LSG were to sign Venkatesh Iyer, the team would need to reshuffle their middle order accordingly.
“Even if they go for Venkatesh Iyer, he has to bat at 4, with Rishabh Pant at 5.”

Addressing LSG’s spin department, especially after releasing Ravi Bishnoi, Srikkanth felt Rahul Chahar could be a suitable replacement.

On the pace-bowling front, he named several overseas fast bowlers who could strengthen the squad.
“Fast bowlers, they can go for Duffy or Nortje. Matt Henry is also an option. Ngidi is another one almost all teams can look at—he’s a much-improved bowler now.”

What lies ahead

With franchises working within limited purses and specific squad requirements, the IPL 2026 auction promises intense bidding wars and strategic decisions. Insights from seasoned cricket minds like Kris Srikkanth underline how teams like Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants could approach the auction, balancing youth, experience, and versatility.

All eyes will now be on December 16, as teams attempt to assemble the final pieces of their puzzle ahead of another blockbuster IPL season.