After 40 games, there have been 45 fewer sixes in the death overs in IPL 2025 compared to last season

Both in terms of average and strike rate, No. 3s have been much better than openers so far this season

At the same stage, IPL 2024 had featured six more sixes, though the balls-per-six metric favours the current season

The most eye-popping contrast between the first five and the next six games this season, though, is in the number of 20-plus runs conceded in an over

If the first five games of the ongoing season are an indicator, IPL 2025 will break records for big totals, sixes and fours count, and expensive overs

It's now a three-way battle for semi-finals qualification from Group B, with two games to go

Australia will qualify for the semis with five points if they beat Afghanistan on Friday

A stats overview of a year when Tests shone like never before

Australia will finish in the top two with a win in the New Year's Test, but a loss will keep India interested while Sri Lanka will be hoping for a draw

If not the remaining two Border-Gavaskar Trophy Tests, then Australia's visit to Sri Lanka will decide who meets South Africa at Lord's in June 2025

Pakistan also have an outside chance, although it's very remote

Australia, India and Sri Lanka are also still in the race, with 10 Tests left in this cycle

No team is assured of a place in the top two yet, with 15 Tests to go in this World Test Championship cycle

Australia, meanwhile, have plenty to do if they're to finish in the top two without depending on other results

India's 3-0 defeat to New Zealand has opened up several possibilities for teams in their fight for a place in the WTC final

Five teams, including Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka, are still in contention for a spot in the WTC final

What the contenders need to do to qualify for the World Test Championship final

Since 2021, India's batters have seen surprisingly poorer returns at home than in the previous five years. Here is a deep-dive into why that has happened

A look at how the teams are placed, and their chances of qualifying for the final

While Joe Root and Kane Williamson have been in splendid form, the stats for the two others - Virat Kohli and Steven Smith - have dipped significantly