India's incredible 2-1 series win means they are now strong favourites to make it to the final of the World Test Championship, while Australia have plenty to do before they secure a place in the top two. Here is how the points stack up for the top teams after the Gabba result.

India
India have moved to the top of the table, with a points percentage of 71.67, with New Zealand currently second. To stay ahead of New Zealand's 70, they need 80 more points out of 120 in the four-Test home series against England. They can get there with a 2-0 series win; if they lose one Test in that series though, they will need to win three. Given India's home record in the last eight years - 28 wins, one loss in 34 Tests - they should fancy their chances of securing those 80 points.

Australia
The unexpected series defeat against India has severely dented Australia's chances of making the top two. Their points percentage has dropped to 69.2, and they will need 89 points from the three-Test series against South Africa - which is yet to be confirmed - to go past New Zealand. That can only happen if they win at least two Tests and draw the third, in which case they will get 93 points from the series.

This series defeat also brings into sharp focus the four points they dropped due to slow over-rate in Melbourne. Had they not dropped those points, they would have been on 70 even with this defeat at the Gabba. If teams are tied on points percentage, the runs-per-wicket ratio comes into play in determining the WTC finalist (since teams have played an unequal number of series in this cycle, the series wins criteria isn't being considered); Australia's ratio is currently 1.39 while New Zealand's is 1.28.

This means Australia would have stayed ahead of New Zealand if they hadn't been docked those four points. Now, they will have to hope that the series against South Africa goes ahead and they win that at least by a 2-0 margin, or hope that India drop some points in the series against England.

England
England's win in Galle has brought them into the conversation as well, but for them to go past New Zealand, they will need to win the second Test in Sri Lanka, and then beat India 3-0. Even a 2-2 drawn series will not be enough for England to go past India and finish among the top two.

Australia's captain Tim Paine has no intention of resigning, even after giving a frank and unflattering assessment of how his team found themselves beaten by an injury-ravaged India side in the battle for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, capped with the first victory by a visiting team at the Gabba since 1988.

At 36, Paine said he was looking ahead to the forthcoming tour of South Africa and a bid to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship, but would not guarantee his tenure beyond that to next summer's home Ashes series.

Clearly rocked by consecutive day fives in which he was unable to marshal a strong bowling attack to deliver victory over Ajinkya Rahane's preternaturally resilient tourists, Paine said India had in truth won the majority of the key moments across all four Tests, cancelled out only by one crazy hour in Adelaide where they had been razed for 36.

"Even if you went right back to Adelaide, if it was with bat, ball or field, every time we had a chance to go ahead of the game we let it slip," Paine said. "It happened a little bit in Sydney with our fielding, and then yesterday a bit with our batting, we continually lost wickets when we were trying to put the foot down and couldn't quite get a partnership together. I thought every time India needed to do that or needed a wicket, someone managed to do it for them. I think they won the key moments.

"I just said then to JL [coach Justin Langer], we turned up in Sydney on day five and the Gabba on day five in as good a position as you would want to be in I reckon, and couldn't get the job done, so there's some things that we should've and could've done better, but at the same time I thought India, their batting group were amazing on both those day fives."

Asked whether Australia had been too determined simply to stick to their simple and trusted methods for bullying opponents with pace bowling and fast scoring in Australian conditions, as opposed to the more considered and fit-for-purpose approaches tried in recent away series in India and England, Paine wondered whether the pitches had aided his men as much as usual.

"Everyone's got a great plan for opposition, but India just managed to play better than us," he said. "They managed to get through our plans for longer than we managed to get through theirs, particularly in the key moments.

"I'm not sure whether [it was] the wickets with the lack of cricket they've had, but certainly Sydney didn't do as much as we thought it would do on day five. Even today I thought that wicket was really going to open up and there'd be cracks everywhere and balls would be flying, but it didn't happen as much as we thought it would. But India's batters turned up and wore it on the body and toughed it out and kept soldiering on and then took the game away from us late.

"They [India] guys came in and played their roles and that's what you expect of anyone. Whether they're big name players or not, I think they showed they've got some real depth and skill. They outplayed us, I don't think we took them lightly or thought we were going to roll them over. They're a very proud cricket country and they've got a huge population and a lot of skilful players to pick from and they played bloody well. They toughed it out, they were disciplined, and the guys who came in played a role."

As for questions about whether Australia might have considered looking more deeply into their bowling squad, Paine said that Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon had earned the right to expect inclusion whenever they are fit to play.

"Those four bowlers were ready to go, no doubt about that. Certainly they and I won't be using that as an excuse," he said. "This isn't the first time they've played a four-Test series...we're lucky we've got such durable fast bowlers. Had we held our catches in Sydney they wouldn't have had to bowl the overs they did have. I thought they did a tremendous job throughout the whole series, they created chances, I think we could've scored more runs and given them more scoreboard pressure at times.

"Those guys are a credit to themselves and our team, and we'll play them as long as they say they're fit to go and they said they were and we backed them in."

Looking ahead, Paine was adamant he had not thought about giving up the captaincy or his place in the side. "No, not at the moment to be honest," Paine said. "I came here today to try to win a Test match, still looking forward to going to South Africa, a big series there, we've had a goal to make this Test Championship final, I think that's still achievable, so it's a big focus for us and for me and this group.

"As a sportsman you have more bad days than good days. Batting and wicketkeeping are pretty similar like that. It doesn't always go your way in cricket and in life, so for me it's about soldiering on. I've said a few times I still feel like I have improvement in me. I certainly still want to keep leading this team. We've got some unfinished business we set out to achieve as a group, so I intend to finish that."

In ruling out consideration of the Ashes, Paine maintained he was simply sticking to the method of keeping focused on his next match and series as he had done ever since his surprise recall in 2017. "I've said many times that I don't look past the next series," he said. "I'm 36 years old, I'm loving doing my job, it's a difficult job and at times like this it can be bloody hard work when you're copping it left, right and centre. But that's what I signed up for, I didn't play my best cricket at times in this series, but that can happen.

"I don't sit at home and think I've done a brilliant job I get home every day, I'm very honest with myself, I know when I make mistakes, and I try to get better. This has certainly been slightly different for me with lots of criticism my way and in the past it probably hasn't come my way, but that's par for the course. International cricket is a big boy business and you've got to have very thick skin."

Every ODI is important in Bangladesh's road to qualification for the 2023 World Cup. This is what new ODI captain Tamim Iqbal believes. Bangladesh will start their ODI Super League campaign against West Indies on Wednesday, with the top eight teams (including hosts India) set to qualify automatically for the showpiece event.

Bangladesh were in danger of not qualifying directly for the 2019 World Cup, but series wins at home over South Africa, India and Pakistan in 2015 helped them enter the top eight of the ICC ODI rankings.

This time around, they take on West Indies, New Zealand and England (all in 2021), along with Afghanistan and South Africa (in 2022) in three-match bouts in the road to the World Cup. They were to play Ireland and Sri Lanka, but both the tours were postponed due to covid-19.

"We are likely to play 27 or 28 ODIs from now till the start of the 2023 World Cup and the points system have made every game important for us," Tamim said. "These are not your usual series that it doesn't matter if you lose. Every game is important to qualify for the World Cup. We would like to ensure that we don't have to play the qualifying tournament, and we remain in top eight. It doesn't matter what team we are playing, we will only work with what we have under our control."

Tamim, who was named captain last March during a BCB board meeting, has had to sit out for nine months like the rest of the Bangladesh players, due to the pandemic cancelling or postponing a majority of their assignments. His full-time captaincy was supposed to begin in Ireland last May, but in the absence of international cricket, he led the teams he played for in the BCB President's Cup and Bangabandhu T20 Cup.

"I think it is a bit of an advantage that I led two sides before starting off my international captaincy," he said. "We missed several series unfortunately due to the pandemic. Both the tournaments were quite hard for me, and that's when you learn a lot. If I have done well, I know what to take forward.

"I think my style of captaincy will grow with time. I think the time and the situation in front of me, will tell me which way I should be going. Sometimes you have to think defensively or even at times you have to think over-aggressively."

A veteran of 345 internationals spanning 13 years, Tamim wants to try and understand which of his players would require him by their side, and which of them needs space. "Mashrafe bhai has done a lot for the team, no doubt. I will try to give my best," he said. "I will try to lead the way I can. Some individuals need me to speak to them, while others like to have their own space. You have to know who you are dealing with, and act accordingly."

Tamim said that he was aware of the baggage that comes with leading an international side, particularly the criticism that could come his way. "I don't think many cricketers in Bangladesh have heard as much criticism as I have, some necessary and some unnecessary criticism," he said. "I am prepared for it. When you accept captaincy, you have to accept what comes with it. There will be both criticism and praise.

"The most important thing for me is whether I am enjoying the role or not. At the moment, I am in a good headspace. I am excited about the game tomorrow, but it is also important to see how I react three or four months, or a year from now. I am ready for everything, whether it is criticism or praise."

'No perspective'

Scotland's squad for the Six Nations is announced on Wednesday with the Calcutta Cup opener against England on 6 February looming large.

All of which was of course interrupted with a global pandemic.

There are likely to be few shocks in the group selected for the Six Nations, particularly given its size. However, there are some key positions which could present a chance for players to break in.

Hooker shortage?

Hooker has been a position in which Scotland have been blessed with depth in recent seasons, with Stuart McInally and Fraser Brown both taking turns at being Townsend's preferred option.

However, Brown is out for the tournament while McInally is a doubt for at least the opening match against England as both struggle with neck injuries, leaving a fresh opportunity for others to make their mark.

Glasgow's George Turner is usually third choice and, given strong recent form for his club, will surely be the number one pick for the number two position.

"I think George is a brilliant rugby player," his team-mate Brown said on BBC Radio Scotland after the 1872 Cup match on Saturday.

"He hits like no one else, he hits like a steam train. Sometimes it can go too far, but I know it's something he's really worked on in the last couple of years.

"He's a strong ball carrier, his lineout has come on a heck of a long way, his scrummaging is still improving."

If Turner is the prime candidate, who fills the other two spots? Edinburgh's Dave Cherry has been in good form this season, and can replicate Brown and McInally's breakdown prowess, having won seven turnovers in the Pro14 this season, which puts him in the top five in the league.

Grant Stewart is another Warriors hooker who has shown promise, while Leicester's Jake Kerr has also been selected by Townsend previously, but has only played once this season.

Number eight conundrum

One of the few positions up for serious debate in terms of the starting XV to play England is number eight. It's Scottish rugby's hot topic.

"I keep hoping that Magnus Bradbury is going to step up a bit more, but he doesn't get the ball enough for me," former Scotland prop Peter Wright said on BBC Radio Scotland.

"Matt Fagerson's another one. We keep talking that we need a number eight who can get his hands on the ball and be involved in a big part of the game."

Bradbury and Fagerson will likely be in the squad, with Blade Thomson, Nick Haining and Cornell du Preez the others to have been included in the autumn. But Gary Graham is a player who will surely be in contention this time, given his displays for high-flying Newcastle in the English Premiership.

Scotland's lack of physical edge compared to nations like England is often talked about and Graham, an all-action, combative, ball carrying number eight, is not someone who can be easily overlooked.

Left out of the Autumn Nations Cup squad, he would relish the chance to add to his two caps and Scotland could do with his abrasiveness. Another to throw into the mix is Ryan Wilson, who seems to be out of the national picture, but his consistency for Glasgow has been excellent and could merit a recall.

Other runners & riders

There are a few others who did not feature in the autumn who could be in with a shout of being in the squad, and even force their way into the matchday 23 for the England game.

Richie Gray has put recent injuries behind him to turn in some fine individual performances for Glasgow. He was a huge presence in the lineout when the Warriors faced Edinburgh at Murrayfield, and was influential in the reverse fixture at Scotstoun.

Another second row who could sneak in is Glen Young of Harlequins, having agreed to join Edinburgh next season. At 6ft 7ins tall, the 26-year-old is another solid lineout operator and gets through a power of work on the field, ranking in the top five for tackles made in the Premiership this season.

Then in the backs, there is Rory Hutchinson who was injured during the autumn. Scotland lacked creativity from midfield against Ireland and France, and the Northampton Saints player provides the pace and skill to open up defences.

Bath's inside centre Cameron Redpath, son of former Scotland scrum-half Bryan, is another dark horse but is yet to declare his allegiance having represented England at Under-20 level, and been selected by Eddie Jones for the tour of South Africa in 2018 before pulling out through injury.

From 36 all out in Adelaide to levelling the series in Melbourne to a fighting draw in Sydney, India finally finished a thrilling four-Test series with a slim win in Brisbane to take the series 1-1. Here's how India captain Ajinkya Rahane, Man of the Match Rishabh Pant and head coach Ravi Shastri reacted after the win:

Rishabh Pant, 89*
"I think this is one of the biggest things in my life right now. I am happy that all the support staff from the team and all the fans over here supported me a lot even though I wasn't playing in the starting matches but it has been a dream series I can say that. After not playing the first match, I have been practising hard and everything paid off because we won the series.

"The team management always backs me and tells me that you are matchwinner and you always have to go and win the match for the team. That's the only thing I keep on thinking every day that I want to win matches for India and I am happy that I did it today.

"It was a fifth-day pitch and the ball was turning a bit and I thought I had to be a bit disciplined with my shot selection. And if you win the match, everything pays off well. I think everything went so well for us, so I am happy."

Ravi Shastri, India head coach
On missing players: "This team has tremendous character and self-belief. Even after being bowled out for 36, the team had the belief that they could come back. Virat [Kohli] also left the team, but he will always be with us. That's because this team wasn't built during this series. This team has been built over the past five or six years. And Virat Kohli's character has rubbed off on the team. Ajinkya Rahane led in Virat's absence, and while he's a cool customer, he's a real fighter from inside. He handled the troops really well in Virat's absence.

India's young players Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur and Rishabh Pant: "What do I say about Rishabh Pant. We play him in overseas matches because he's a match-winner, and he showed us exactly why during this series. When he makes some errors in keeping, then people start criticising him. But the way that he batted today, he wins matches for us. In fact, the way he was batting in Sydney, he would have won the game for us by staying at the wicket for another hour. I think his performance has been exceptional. Guys like Washington Sundar and Mohammed Siraj showed how good their temperament is. Washington Sundar was a net bowler. Natarajan was a net bowler. He [Natarajan] played one-day cricket, then T20 cricket, and got his Test debut here. And the way Washington Sundar batted, it seemed that he was a veteran of 20 Tests. The kind of temperament he showed in his partnership with Shardul Thakur…a thing to mention about Shardul, he's been through the hard grind of first-class cricket, but he got a chance here, and he grabbed his opportunity with both hands.

India's brand of cricket: What these boys have achieved in this series is a massive feat. This is a series that we will never forget. I don't think the cricket world will forget this series for a long time. As long as cricket is played, this series will not be forgotten. Our boys were in quarantine for six months. Some of the guys who live in metro cities weren't even able to step out of their flats. And the only cricket they had was the IPL. Australians and New Zealanders were able to step out into parks and train June onwards. As a team, they [Australia] also played against England. Despite that, to come here and perform the way we did here is something creditable. Especially when all our main bowlers were injured. There's this self-belief about this team, that once they cross the boundary line and enter the field, all 11 players know they are playing for the India badge. Nothing else.

On Pant's innings: "He's batted really well. If he keeps winning matches by keeping his composure like today, then it will be a huge thing for us."

Ajinkya Rahane, captain
"It really means a lot to us. I don't know how to describe this victory, but I am really proud of all the boys. We showed character, attitude…especially after the Adelaide Test. We decided we will fight very hard. We know Australia in Australia is a very dangerous team. We just promised not to think about results. I don't know how to describe this victory. I am just really proud of each and every individual. When I went in (to) bat, the conversation between me and [Cheteshwar] Pujara was for Puji to bat normal, but I wanted to play with intent and if we get close to the total, then Rishabh and Mayank can get the total for us. It was all about the intent out there after lunch. Credit to Pujara for the way he batted, with the mental pressure. Washington Sundar was really good at the end.

"Taking 20 wickets was the key (playing with 20 players across the Tests), and that's why we opted for five bowlers. We knew that if we are going to win this Test match and the series, then five bowlers will be the key. Washington Sundar got (us) that balance in place of [Ravindra] Jadeja. Unfortunate that Jadeja got injured in the last Test match. Washington Sundar got that balance for us, to allow us to play five bowlers. All credit to them. [Mohammed] Siraj had played two Test matches, Saini one, Shardul Thakur one. Washington in his debut Test match. The way these guys handled pressure was really good.

"As I said, after the Adelaide Test match, we didn't discuss anything, about what happened in that Test. We just wanted to play that game. We wanted to play good on the field. We weren't thinking about the result. Each and every individual contributed to the Melbourne Test match and that was the key moment for us. I am really happy for that."

Tim Paine conceded that Australia had been outplayed at key moments throughout the series against India as he was left presiding over a second consecutive series defeat against them and became the first Australia captain to lose at the Gabba since 1988.

Having set India 328 for victory, nearly 100 more than had even been successfully chased at the ground before, Australia were favourites heading into the final day but never took wickets in groups as India built the perfect run chase.

Pat Cummins gave them hope when he struck with the new ball, but Rishabh Pant brilliantly marshaled the closing stages against a forlorn home side.

"Absolutely disappointed, no doubt about that," Paine said. "[It was] probably a bit of a trend the whole series, in the key moments, whether with bat or in the field we were found wanting and completely outplayed by a disciplined really tough India side who really deserved this series win."

"I thought India turned up today, their batting group put their bodies on the line. Wore balls in the hand, arm, chest and just kept soldiering on so full credit to them."

After the final day in Sydney when Paine was left under the spotlight for his on-field behavior - for which he later apologised - this result will add further pressure on him. For the second time in two Tests Australia could not bowl India out on the last day and Nathan Lyon was left on 399 Test wickets.

Their next Test cricket is due to be in a few weeks time with a tour to South Africa although details of the trip are still to be confirmed. They now need at least a 2-0 victory in that to earn a spot in the World Test Championship final.

"There's a lot of things we can look back on over the whole series and do better, there's no doubt," Paine said. "What's done is done. We'll go through it. We've got to look forward now, got a big series coming up in South Africa. We've been outplayed by a better side in this series. They'll be some areas we need to improve, no doubt about that."

NEW YORK -- Brooklyn Nets stars Kevin Durant and James Harden are jelling at an impressive pace -- and the history books back that up.

On Monday night, they became the first duo to score 30-plus points in each of their first two games with a franchise as the Nets defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 125-123. Durant had 30 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, while Harden put up 34 points, 6 rebounds and 12 assists.

That came on the heels of Harden's 30-point triple-double performance on Saturday against the visiting Orlando Magic in his Nets debut, a game in which Durant scored 42.

Since Harden's arrival in Brooklyn, Nets coaches and management have repeatedly said they would lean on the previous chemistry that Harden and Durant had built during their tenure with the Oklahoma City Thunder. After all, Harden hasn't yet had a single practice session with Brooklyn.

Harden said their maturity has further aided their on-court synergy.

"We were young in Oklahoma City," said Harden, 31, who played with Durant, 32, on the Thunder from 2009 to 2012. "We are grown men now. We know what we want. We really know the game of basketball now. We are not those young guys that want to run around and just shoot and dunk all day. And then for me, I sit back and I know what player Kevin Durant is. He's one of the best players to ever touch a basketball."

Harden and Durant have combined for 138 points in their first two games together in Brooklyn, according to ESPN's Stats & Information research. That is the second-most combined points for teammates in their first two games together with a franchise in NBA history, after Wilt Chamberlain and York Larese had 151 with the Philadelphia Warriors in 1961. Chamberlain scored 139 of the 151 points, with Larese scoring 0 in their first game together and 12 in their second.

Durant said he isn't surprised how quickly he and Harden are meshing on the court.

"We've been through a lot in this league," Durant said. "Experienced a lot, and for us to bring it together now and combine what we've learned over this time and try to play great basketball, I think it was pretty seamless for us.

"It was an easy transition, especially with James handling the ball a lot coming in. So we're still trying to find our way, and we've still got room to improve, but it's a solid start."

And on Tuesday, the Nets are expected to add another ingredient to the mix, as Kyrie Irving is set to practice for the first time in more than two weeks.

Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard CJ McCollum will miss at least the next four weeks after additional testing revealed a small fracture in his left foot and a midfoot sprain, the team announced Monday night.

McCollum left the Blazers' 112-106 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday at halftime with what the team called a left foot sprain. It was unclear when he was hurt, but it appeared the Hawks' Clint Capela stepped on McCollum's foot following a layup in the opening quarter.

After that game, Blazers coach Terry Stotts said X-rays ruled out a more serious injury.

Earlier Monday, Stotts had told reporters that McCollum's sprained left foot would be reevaluated in a week. But the Blazers, in a statement late Monday night, said further imaging showed "a small hairline fracture to the lateral cuneiform" in McCollum's left foot.

The team said McCollum will wear a walking boot and be reevaluated in four weeks.

McCollum is averaging a career-best 26.7 points and 5.0 assists in 13 games this season.

Under normal circumstances, some kid and their family would have left Barclays Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a story for the ages.

For starters, there was no school for the holiday as three former MVPs -- Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden and Kevin Durant -- went toe-to-toe in a high-level showdown, with the Brooklyn Nets edging the Milwaukee Bucks 125-123.

Even in the fan-less environment forced by the pandemic, the final five minutes of regulation between these two Eastern Conference powerhouses left those watching at home fast-forwarding to thoughts of a potential playoff matchup.

After Milwaukee's Brook Lopez hit a 3-pointer with 5:01 to play to tie the game at 110, there were eight lead changes and 10 go-ahead field goals. Those 10 go-ahead field goals tied for the most in the final five minutes of a game that ended in regulation over the past 25 years, including playoffs, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.

Antetokounmpo nearly put up a triple-double with 34 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists to go along with two steals.

Here's a closer look at how the final stretch played out:

4:07 to play: Pat Connaughton hits 3-pointer, Bucks lead 113-112

3:37 to play: Harden hits shot, Nets lead 114-113

Harden and Durant combined to score 64 points Monday, becoming the first teammates ever to each score 30 or more points in each of their first two games together with a franchise, according to Elias Sports Bureau data.

3:17 to play: Jrue Holiday makes layup, Bucks lead 115-114

1:55 to play: Harden makes floating jumper, Nets lead 118-117

In the opening half, Harden scored with ease but also had six turnovers, which were his most in a half this season. He cleaned that up in the second half, though, with zero turnovers and some crucial playmaking near the end, including this floater while driving in the lane over the long arms of Lopez, an All-Defensive second-team center. Through two games with the Nets, Harden has scored or assisted on 129 points, which is the most in a player's first two games with a team in NBA history.

1:44 to play: Khris Middleton makes driving layup, Bucks lead 119-118

1:17 to play: Antetokounmpo tip-in snaps 119-119 tie, Bucks lead 121-119

Emotions were on display early on between Durant and Antetokounmpo, with Durant running into Giannis after a Nets bucket in the opening quarter, then shoving him to the ground while running on another play. So, it was only right for the Greek Freak to attack the basket aggressively with a two-handed putback jam off a missed layup by Holiday.

1:05 to play: Joe Harris makes 3-pointer, Nets lead 122-121

55.4 to play: Middleton makes 14-foot pull-up jumper, Bucks lead 123-122

36.8 to play: Durant hits 3-pointer, Nets lead 125-123

One of the biggest concerns with the Nets' organization once they acquired Harden was how the three stars would mesh during crunch time, although Kyrie Irving missed his seventh consecutive game Monday. Durant quieted that noise with a clutch, go-ahead 3-pointer to pull out the victory. Durant's catch-and-shoot hoop, one of his trademark shots, came on an assist from Harden, who had rebounded his own miss.

"We're still trying to find our way, and we've still got room to improve, but it's a solid start," Durant said.

1.1 to play: Middleton misses 23-foot 3-pointer, Nets win 125-123

Middleton ended the night with 25 points but saw his step-back, 3-point attempt roll in and out after catching an inbounds pass from the sideline. Although multiple options were set up, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer had no issues with the attempt, even with Antetokounmpo being the superstar for the team.

"Khris is very gifted. He got off a shot. I thought it looked like it was going in, so if you can just get the ball to Khris," Budenholzer said. "His footwork, his height, but it's multiple things we're looking at. Khris is one of those looks-so-good read, good decision by Jrue, good shot by Khris. We'll take that."