India commenced their Asia Cup 2025 preparations in Dubai, holding an intense training session. Jasprit Bumrah marked his return to the T20I setup after a break, expressing excitement about rejoining the team. Hardik Pandya emphasised family time and early fitness work during his time off, while the team, guided by coaches, trained in logo-free jerseys.
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Lalit Modi, the IPL's founder, pledged a Porsche to any Indian cricketer hitting six sixes or taking six wickets in an over during the 2007 T20 World Cup. Yuvraj Singh famously achieved this feat against Stuart Broad, prompting Modi to fulfill his promise. Yuvraj received his Porsche, and Modi acquired the iconic bat, a cherished memento of that historic moment.
Amidst the devastating floods in India, which have claimed lives and displaced thousands, former cricketer Yuvraj Singh has expressed his solidarity with the affected. In a heartfelt message on social media, he conveyed his pain and support, promising to do everything possible to help rebuild lives and restore hope.
South African batter Matthew Breetzke, basking in phenomenal form, expressed slight apprehension about his success streak potentially declining. After securing his fifth consecutive ODI fifty, scoring 85 against England, Breetzke humorously acknowledged the possibility of a downturn. He admitted disappointment at missing a century at Lord's but remains grateful for the opportunity to play cricket professionally.
Shreyas Iyer will captain India A in the upcoming matches against Australia A, but Sarfaraz Khan's absence due to a quadriceps injury is a major talking point. Khan's injury also sidelined him from the Duleep Trophy. Iyer's leadership provides him a fresh opportunity after missing the Asia Cup squad.
Afghanistan's cricket captain, Rashid Khan, faced a personal tragedy with the recent passing of his elder brother, Haji Abdul Halim Shinwari. Despite his grief, Rashid led his team in the ongoing tri-series in Sharjah, receiving heartfelt support from the cricketing community. The Pakistan team paid their respects, and condolences poured in from teammates and former captain Asghar Afghan.
Robin Uthappa suggests Cheteshwar Pujara's retirement might have been delayed, pointing to his exclusion from the 2024 Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad as a potential turning point. Despite this, Uthappa lauded Pujara's unwavering dedication, recalling a Ranji Trophy match where Pujara's commitment to batting was evident. While the timing may be debated, Pujara's significant contribution to Indian Test cricket remains undeniable.
Suresh Raina supports KL Rahul's return to India's T20I team, despite his Asia Cup exclusion, citing Rahul's temperament and class. Raina highlighted Rahul's impressive IPL 2025 performance, where he scored 539 runs at a strike rate of 149.72. Rahul's T20I record includes 2,265 runs in 72 matches, though he hasn't played since the 2022 World Cup.
Despite their strong bond and memorable IPL partnerships for RCB, AB de Villiers didn't include Virat Kohli in his top five Test cricketers. De Villiers named Jacques Kallis, Andrew Flintoff, Mohammad Asif, Shane Warne, and Sachin Tendulkar. He praised Kallis as potentially the best cricketer ever and Asif as the best seamer he faced.
Saurabh Nawale made history as the first 'serious injury replacement' in Indian domestic cricket during the Duleep Trophy semi-final, stepping in for the injured Harvik Desai. The BCCI's new rule, implemented for the 2025-26 season, allows teams to replace players with like-for-like substitutes due to serious injuries sustained during a match.