Mohammed Shami's return to the India squad has been a major point of interest in the series against England. Although he's fit, his match participation is pending a strategic decision by coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav, likely closer to the ICC Champions Trophy. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak citeed planned management of Shami's workload as key.
Related news
GMR Group has taken a stake in Southern Brave, completing the ECB's equity distribution for The Hundred. Southern Brave now joins three other IPL-linked teams. The ECB has also attracted global investors for teams like Birmingham Phoenix, Welsh Fire, London Spirit, and Trent Rockets. The GMR Group made history in September last year by acquiring Hampshire Cricket, marking the first instance of an international company taking ownership of a county cricket team.
KL Rahul's resilient 84 in the third Test against Australia highlighted his defensive approach as key to success on the challenging tour. Focusing on respecting bowlers early on, leaving deliveries, and tightening his defense during the initial overs, Rahul believes this strategy allows batsmen to capitalize later.
Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues secured her first international century, propelling her to 19th in the ICC Women's ODI rankings. Her 102 runs helped India achieve their highest total of 370 in the second ODI against Ireland, leading to a series win. Smriti Mandhana maintained her third place ranking, with Alyssa Healy advancing to fifth.
Mike Hussey lauds Pat Cummins' Test team as one of Australia's best, having achieved significant wins like the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and World Cups. Under Cummins' captaincy, the team has maintained a core group, leading to consistent victories despite age concerns. Kerry O’Keeffe praises their resilience in tough situations, highlighting the legacy of this experienced yet successful team.
Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir confirms KL Rahul as the first-choice wicketkeeper for the Champions Trophy, over Rishabh Pant. He defended team choices, highlighting Rahul's performance at No. 5 and maintaining team priorities over individual stats. Gambhir also commented on changes in the squad, including the exclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal and provided updates on Jasprit Bumrah.
Gautam Gambhir believes Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma maintain their hunger and passion, despite recent poor performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Kohli’s and Rohit's recent struggles have raised questions about their future in Test cricket. Meanwhile, Ravi Ashwin has announced his retirement, suggesting a possible transitional phase for Team India.
Spinner Siddharth Desai achieved a historic milestone by recording the best bowling figures in an innings by a Gujarat cricketer in first-class cricket with his 9/36 against Uttarakhand in the Ranji Trophy. Despite missing out on a 10-wicket haul, Siddharth credited his teammates' support and remained focused on his father's dream of representing India in Tests.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia is captivating a massive audience on Star Sports Network. The first two Tests saw a staggering 86 million viewers and 12.8 billion minutes of watch time, significantly surpassing the 2020-21 series. The Adelaide day-night Test alone drew 49 million viewers, a 22% jump from the previous edition.
New Zealand's Mitchell Santner acknowledges India's familiarity with Dubai's pitch for the upcoming Champions Trophy final and prepares for a tough contest. Despite a busy schedule and previous defeat to India, Santner is optimistic about their experience. The team adapts well to the busy schedule and is ready for the challenge ahead.
Rajasthan Royals have appointed former India cricketer Sairaj Bahutule as their Spin Bowling Coach for IPL 2025. Bahutule, who has a stellar record in first-class cricket, returns to the Royals’ setup, joining the coaching team led by Rahul Dravid. Dravid praised Bahutule's experience and expertise, expressing confidence in his ability to mentor young bowlers and enhance the team’s performance.