Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma return to form in the ICC Champions Trophy, with Kohli scoring his 51st ODI century against Pakistan, proving his fitness and determination. Rohit, rediscovering his touch, contributes quick runs. Their performances, lauded by teammates and rivals alike, affirm their importance to the Indian team despite recent struggles.
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Anil Chaudhary, a former international umpire, had highlighted Mohammad Rizwan's excessive appeals, prompting Indian wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan to critique Rizwan during a chat. Kishan advised appealing only when sure to instill confidence in umpires. He also discussed improvements in umpiring over the past decade with Chaudhary, emphasising the importance of confident, unbiased decision-making among new umpires.
Jason Gillespie resigned as Pakistan's red-ball coach after being excluded from the national team's selection for the South Africa series. He faced a difficult environment created by some PCB officials who sidelined him in key decisions. The board disregarded his recommendations, appointed a different coach, and failed to consult him on squad selections, ultimately leading to his departure.
Chennai Super Kings' IPL 2025 campaign faces significant challenges after their fifth defeat in six matches, succumbing to Kolkata Knight Riders. The five-time champions recorded their lowest home total, intensifying concerns about their performance. Michael Clarke suggests CSK's confidence is low, criticizing their lack of intent and conservative approach.
Deepti Sharma moved to fifth spot in the latest ICC Women's ODI all-rounder rankings, surpassing Amelia Kerr. She holds third in T20 all-rounder rankings and fourth in ODI bowling rankings. Chamari Athapaththu rises to seventh in ODI all-rounder rankings following her series performance. Smriti Mandhana retains second spot in ODI batting, behind Laura Wolvaardt, with Nat Sciver-Brunt in third.
Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants face off in their opening IPL 2025 match with notable leadership changes. Rishabh Pant moves to LSG, while KL Rahul joins DC. Axar Patel captains DC, bolstered by du Plessis and Starc. LSG field domestic talents with new inclusions Shardul Thakur and Rajvardhan Hangargekar. Expect a thrilling, unpredictable contest.
Kwena Maphaka, at 18 years and 270 days, became South Africa's youngest Test cricketer, impressing everyone with his debut against Pakistan. Despite missing the 2024 SA20 season for U19 World Cup commitments, he remains pivotal to the Paarl Royals' strategy. Known for his explosive pace, Maphaka is set to shine in the 2025 SA20 season under experienced mentors.
Shardul Thakur's resilient 113 not out rescued Mumbai from a dire situation against Jammu & Kashmir. Despite severe cramps, his partnership with Tanush Kotian helped Mumbai gain a 188-run lead. This performance serves as a strong reminder of Thakur's tenacity and skill, even as questions about his future in international cricket linger.
Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal have recovered from their injuries. They will be available for Rajasthan Royals' first match in IPL 2025 against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23. Jaiswal has joined the Royals' camp after recovering from an ankle injury. Samson will join the team on Monday after clearing his fitness test.
Despite his recent struggles with the bat, Virat Kohli's charisma remains undiminished. Kohli was greeted by adoring fans at Bhubaneswar airport after the second ODI against England in Cuttack. A viral video shows Kohli hugging a female fan amid tight security, highlighting his immense popularity.
Ravi Shastri criticized England for not putting in enough training effort during their tour in India, implying it affected their performance. However, Jos Buttler defended the team's training regimen, stating they had trained sufficiently despite some skipped sessions due to the tour's length.