37 mins. ago
New Delhi: As the Indian team awaits Jasprit **** rah's fitness reports ahead of the T20I series against Afghanistan next week and the subsequent Asian Games, the national selectors have identified Prince Yadav as a probable backup.
TOI understands that **** rah, Nitish **** ar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana are due to undergo match simulation tests over the course of this week before the Indian team **** embles in Delhi on Sept 10.
"The BCCI medical team at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) had shared a report with selectors last week, where it was mentioned that these four players were clinically fit but had to be **** sed in practice matches. The CoE has lined up the matches from Sept 4-9. The CoE is confident that the players should be ready for the Afghanistan series," a BCCI source said.
Prince made his international debut in the ODI series against Afghanistan at home in June. He too suffered a hamstring injury in the second T20I in Zimbabwe on July 25.
It is learnt that he has been declared fit by the CoE and is available for selection. Prince has been doing well in T20Is since this year's IPL and the selectors see him as a serious prospect going forward.
The selectors and the team management want **** rah to get some game time in a first-class match before the Test series in New Zealand. **** rah hasn't played a red-ball match since the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati last November. He has only played T20 cricket before injuring his knee after two ODIs in England in July.
"As it is, he has to skip Test matches because of his fitness. One has to be clear that his knee can take the load of a first-class game before he takes the field in a Test in New Zealand. It needs to be seen if he plays a Ranji Trophy game or a first-class game for India 'A' in New Zealand. He is likely to be rested for the T20I series against West Indies at home in October. But the 'A' games in New Zealand overlap with the ODI series there," a source said.
133754397
#series #test #prince #bumrah
TOI understands that **** rah, Nitish **** ar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana are due to undergo match simulation tests over the course of this week before the Indian team **** embles in Delhi on Sept 10.
"The BCCI medical team at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) had shared a report with selectors last week, where it was mentioned that these four players were clinically fit but had to be **** sed in practice matches. The CoE has lined up the matches from Sept 4-9. The CoE is confident that the players should be ready for the Afghanistan series," a BCCI source said.
Prince made his international debut in the ODI series against Afghanistan at home in June. He too suffered a hamstring injury in the second T20I in Zimbabwe on July 25.
It is learnt that he has been declared fit by the CoE and is available for selection. Prince has been doing well in T20Is since this year's IPL and the selectors see him as a serious prospect going forward.
The selectors and the team management want **** rah to get some game time in a first-class match before the Test series in New Zealand. **** rah hasn't played a red-ball match since the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati last November. He has only played T20 cricket before injuring his knee after two ODIs in England in July.
"As it is, he has to skip Test matches because of his fitness. One has to be clear that his knee can take the load of a first-class game before he takes the field in a Test in New Zealand. It needs to be seen if he plays a Ranji Trophy game or a first-class game for India 'A' in New Zealand. He is likely to be rested for the T20I series against West Indies at home in October. But the 'A' games in New Zealand overlap with the ODI series there," a source said.
133754397
#series #test #prince #bumrah
2 hours ago
Jasprit ***** rah availability update for 2026 Asian Games, Afghanistan T20Is as 'serious prospect' identified as backup: Report originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Jasprit ***** rah's participation in India's upcoming T20Is remains uncertain due to fitness.
Selectors have identified Prince Yadav as a serious backup option following his recovery.
Management wants ***** rah to play a first-class match before the New Zealand Test tour.
India's fast-bowling is back under the microscope as the national selectors await final fitness clearances for Jasprit ***** rah ahead of the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan and the Asian Games. With the squad set to ***** emble in Delhi on September 10, the medical team is taking zero chances with their marquee ***** ets.
#asian #selectors
Jasprit ***** rah's participation in India's upcoming T20Is remains uncertain due to fitness.
Selectors have identified Prince Yadav as a serious backup option following his recovery.
Management wants ***** rah to play a first-class match before the New Zealand Test tour.
India's fast-bowling is back under the microscope as the national selectors await final fitness clearances for Jasprit ***** rah ahead of the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan and the Asian Games. With the squad set to ***** emble in Delhi on September 10, the medical team is taking zero chances with their marquee ***** ets.
#asian #selectors
13 hours ago
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia on Thursday cleared the air over chief selector Ajit Agarkar's absence from the board's review meeting, while dismissing speculation about changes to the senior men's selection committee.
Agarkar was not present at the meeting, which focused on India's recent performances and the team's preparations for a packed international calendar leading up to the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Saikia explained that Agarkar was out of station when the meeting was called at short notice and was unable to join virtually because he was in an area with poor connectivity.
"Today he (Agarkar) was out of station, so he could not be a part of the meeting. Because this meeting was called at very short notice and our head of the selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, was not in town, he could not join it, and he was in such an area that he could not join online also, despite our best efforts," Saikia told to reporters after the meeting.
Saikia also rejected reports suggesting that Agarkar's tenure could be coming to an end or that the BCCI was considering changes to the senior men's selection committee.
"There was no such discussion on this in today's meeting. I do not comment on new rumours. We did not have any such discussions, nor did we have such intentions," he said.
The BCCI secretary also ruled out any discussion about appointing a director of cricket for the men's team. According to Saikia, the meeting was primarily focused on reviewing India's performances on recent tours and mapping out preparations for the next phase of the international calendar.
"There was no discussion on the selection committee. Our whole focus was on performances in England and Ireland, as well as the recent Test series in Sri Lanka and what we are going to do in the upcoming series before the ODI World Cup, which is our ultimate goal," he said.
The meeting, Saikia clarified, was not about deciding individual player selections or fixing format-wise combinations.
"We have not discussed all these things regarding the team selection, team combination, who will be playing in what format. For that, selectors will take a call. Today, the selectors were not part of the discussion. So when the selectors meet to select the team for the West Indies series, as well as thereafter for the New Zealand series, they will consider whatever parameters are to be considered by them," concluded Saikia.
India face a packed schedule over the next several months, with the team set to play Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series before the Asian Games in ****** an later this month. The West Indies will then tour India for three ODIs and five T20Is, followed by a demanding multi-format tour of New Zealand featuring two Tests, five ODIs and five T20Is.
India will subsequently host Sri Lanka for three ODIs and three T20Is before facing Zimbabwe in a three-match ODI series in January 2027. The marquee ****** ignment will be the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy again
Agarkar was not present at the meeting, which focused on India's recent performances and the team's preparations for a packed international calendar leading up to the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Saikia explained that Agarkar was out of station when the meeting was called at short notice and was unable to join virtually because he was in an area with poor connectivity.
"Today he (Agarkar) was out of station, so he could not be a part of the meeting. Because this meeting was called at very short notice and our head of the selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, was not in town, he could not join it, and he was in such an area that he could not join online also, despite our best efforts," Saikia told to reporters after the meeting.
Saikia also rejected reports suggesting that Agarkar's tenure could be coming to an end or that the BCCI was considering changes to the senior men's selection committee.
"There was no such discussion on this in today's meeting. I do not comment on new rumours. We did not have any such discussions, nor did we have such intentions," he said.
The BCCI secretary also ruled out any discussion about appointing a director of cricket for the men's team. According to Saikia, the meeting was primarily focused on reviewing India's performances on recent tours and mapping out preparations for the next phase of the international calendar.
"There was no discussion on the selection committee. Our whole focus was on performances in England and Ireland, as well as the recent Test series in Sri Lanka and what we are going to do in the upcoming series before the ODI World Cup, which is our ultimate goal," he said.
The meeting, Saikia clarified, was not about deciding individual player selections or fixing format-wise combinations.
"We have not discussed all these things regarding the team selection, team combination, who will be playing in what format. For that, selectors will take a call. Today, the selectors were not part of the discussion. So when the selectors meet to select the team for the West Indies series, as well as thereafter for the New Zealand series, they will consider whatever parameters are to be considered by them," concluded Saikia.
India face a packed schedule over the next several months, with the team set to play Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series before the Asian Games in ****** an later this month. The West Indies will then tour India for three ODIs and five T20Is, followed by a demanding multi-format tour of New Zealand featuring two Tests, five ODIs and five T20Is.
India will subsequently host Sri Lanka for three ODIs and three T20Is before facing Zimbabwe in a three-match ODI series in January 2027. The marquee ****** ignment will be the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy again
14 hours ago
NEW DELHI: BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has pushed back against growing speculation over Rohit Sharma's ODI future, insisting that the former India captain is continuing to perform at a high level and questioning why his place in the side is being debated.
Speaking after a high-level Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) review meeting in Mumbai on Thursday, Saikia offered a firm defence of the 39-year-old, whose future has again become a major talking point with the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching.
"He is playing superbly in all the matches. So, what more do you want? In the last match, he scored 138 runs. So, why there is a speculation? So, I don't want to give fodder to the speculations," Saikia said.
His comments came amid reports that selectors had considered moving on from Rohit in their ODI plans, potentially leaving his participation in the 2027 World Cup in doubt.
The speculation intensified during India's ODI tour of England earlier this year, with reports suggesting the Lord's ODI could be Rohit's final appearance in an India shirt.
Instead, Rohit responded in characteristic fashion — with a match-defining performance.
He smashed 138 at Lord's, becoming the oldest Indian to score an ODI century at the iconic venue, although his effort came in a losing cause. The innings once again demonstrated why questions over his future have been accompanied by equally strong arguments for his retention.
Following the England tour, Rohit made it clear that the constant speculation did not concern him.
"If there's no noise, there's no fun. My job is inside; their job is outside. That's how I look at it," he had said. "The noise since I made my debut was there. And till the time I'm going to stay here, it's always going to be there. It doesn't really matter too much. What matters is what I do on the field. I want to try and contribute to the success of the team. That's all my focus is."
Rohit retired from Test cricket in 2025 and from T20Is in 2024, leaving ODI cricket as his only remaining international format.
The latest comments from Saikia came after a meeting attended by head coach Gautam Gambhir, ODI captain Shubman Gill, T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, BCCI president Mithun Manhas and Saikia.
The secretary had already backed Rohit before the Lord's match, saying on July 17: "Rohit is a regular member of the Indian ODI team, and he will continue to represent the country as long as he is in the scheme of things. In other words, the Lord's ODI won't be his last match."
Rohit's age remains an unavoidable part of the discussion. He will turn 40 in 2027, the year of the next ODI World Cup, and India will inevitably have to consider succession planning.
#speculation
Speaking after a high-level Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) review meeting in Mumbai on Thursday, Saikia offered a firm defence of the 39-year-old, whose future has again become a major talking point with the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching.
"He is playing superbly in all the matches. So, what more do you want? In the last match, he scored 138 runs. So, why there is a speculation? So, I don't want to give fodder to the speculations," Saikia said.
His comments came amid reports that selectors had considered moving on from Rohit in their ODI plans, potentially leaving his participation in the 2027 World Cup in doubt.
The speculation intensified during India's ODI tour of England earlier this year, with reports suggesting the Lord's ODI could be Rohit's final appearance in an India shirt.
Instead, Rohit responded in characteristic fashion — with a match-defining performance.
He smashed 138 at Lord's, becoming the oldest Indian to score an ODI century at the iconic venue, although his effort came in a losing cause. The innings once again demonstrated why questions over his future have been accompanied by equally strong arguments for his retention.
Following the England tour, Rohit made it clear that the constant speculation did not concern him.
"If there's no noise, there's no fun. My job is inside; their job is outside. That's how I look at it," he had said. "The noise since I made my debut was there. And till the time I'm going to stay here, it's always going to be there. It doesn't really matter too much. What matters is what I do on the field. I want to try and contribute to the success of the team. That's all my focus is."
Rohit retired from Test cricket in 2025 and from T20Is in 2024, leaving ODI cricket as his only remaining international format.
The latest comments from Saikia came after a meeting attended by head coach Gautam Gambhir, ODI captain Shubman Gill, T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, BCCI president Mithun Manhas and Saikia.
The secretary had already backed Rohit before the Lord's match, saying on July 17: "Rohit is a regular member of the Indian ODI team, and he will continue to represent the country as long as he is in the scheme of things. In other words, the Lord's ODI won't be his last match."
Rohit's age remains an unavoidable part of the discussion. He will turn 40 in 2027, the year of the next ODI World Cup, and India will inevitably have to consider succession planning.
#speculation
1 day ago
Mumbai/New Delhi: The future of Rohit Sharma and the shape of India's ODI team for the next World Cup cycle are set to dominate discussions when the BCCI's top brass meets in Mumbai on Thursday for a wide-ranging performance review.
While recent defeats in Ireland, England and Sri Lanka will be ***** sed, board officials are understood to be more concerned about the lack of a clearly defined ODI roadmap at a time when preparations for the 2027 World Cup should be taking shape.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, president Mithun Manhas, head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and Centre of Excellence chief VVS Laxman will attend the meeting, with ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill and T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer also expected to be present.
At the centre of the discussions lies the most sensitive issue facing Indian cricket: Rohit's future. Though there is immense respect for the veteran opener's stature and achievements, selectors and members of the team management are increasingly aware of the need to prepare for a post-Rohit era.
According to sources, one option under consideration is to evaluate Rohit's role on a series-by-series basis rather than committing to a long-term plan through the entire World Cup cycle.
"It's very tough on a young captain like Shubman Gill when there is no clear direction. The dressing-room environment in the ODI team hasn't been the best, especially when it comes to dealing with stalwarts," a BCCI source said.
The uncertainty around Rohit reflects a broader concern. Of India's three national teams, the ODI side is regarded as the least settled. Injuries and workload management have prevented selectors from identifying a stable core, leaving several key positions unresolved.
The fast-bowling allrounder's role remains a particular headache. Hardik Pandya continues on a managed workload programme after recurring fitness issues, while Nitish ***** ar Reddy is yet to receive full clearance following rehabilitation.
"Hardik, at the moment, has been cleared to bowl six overs in a day. Reddy is still to clear his fitness tests. The ODI team doesn't have even half of the core ODI team ready. It has to be a joint effort between the CoE and the team management to zero in on players and formulate a roadmap to get them all on the park as soon as possible," the source said.
The review was initially planned after the Ireland and England tours but was postponed because of the subsequent Sri Lanka ***** ignment. It will now cover India's performances across multiple tours, including Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
India's 2-0 T20I series defeat in Ireland and the 4-0 drubbing in England raised alarm bells, with the 125-run loss at Nottingham viewed internally as one of the team's poorest performances in recent years. Gill's ODI side also lost the England series 2-1.
However, officials insist the exercise will focus on solutions rather than ***** igning blame, with particular emphasis on recurri
While recent defeats in Ireland, England and Sri Lanka will be ***** sed, board officials are understood to be more concerned about the lack of a clearly defined ODI roadmap at a time when preparations for the 2027 World Cup should be taking shape.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, president Mithun Manhas, head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and Centre of Excellence chief VVS Laxman will attend the meeting, with ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill and T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer also expected to be present.
At the centre of the discussions lies the most sensitive issue facing Indian cricket: Rohit's future. Though there is immense respect for the veteran opener's stature and achievements, selectors and members of the team management are increasingly aware of the need to prepare for a post-Rohit era.
According to sources, one option under consideration is to evaluate Rohit's role on a series-by-series basis rather than committing to a long-term plan through the entire World Cup cycle.
"It's very tough on a young captain like Shubman Gill when there is no clear direction. The dressing-room environment in the ODI team hasn't been the best, especially when it comes to dealing with stalwarts," a BCCI source said.
The uncertainty around Rohit reflects a broader concern. Of India's three national teams, the ODI side is regarded as the least settled. Injuries and workload management have prevented selectors from identifying a stable core, leaving several key positions unresolved.
The fast-bowling allrounder's role remains a particular headache. Hardik Pandya continues on a managed workload programme after recurring fitness issues, while Nitish ***** ar Reddy is yet to receive full clearance following rehabilitation.
"Hardik, at the moment, has been cleared to bowl six overs in a day. Reddy is still to clear his fitness tests. The ODI team doesn't have even half of the core ODI team ready. It has to be a joint effort between the CoE and the team management to zero in on players and formulate a roadmap to get them all on the park as soon as possible," the source said.
The review was initially planned after the Ireland and England tours but was postponed because of the subsequent Sri Lanka ***** ignment. It will now cover India's performances across multiple tours, including Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.
India's 2-0 T20I series defeat in Ireland and the 4-0 drubbing in England raised alarm bells, with the 125-run loss at Nottingham viewed internally as one of the team's poorest performances in recent years. Gill's ODI side also lost the England series 2-1.
However, officials insist the exercise will focus on solutions rather than ***** igning blame, with particular emphasis on recurri
2 days ago
A senior member of Pakistan's selection committee has questioned the seriousness of Imam-ul-Haq's calf injury and called for an inquiry after the opener did not bat in either innings during Pakistan's 194-run defeat to England in the second Test at Lord's.
Aaqib Javed, who is part of Pakistan's four-member selection panel, said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will investigate how Imam was managed after suffering the injury during the match.
"An inquiry will be conducted into this matter," Aaqib Javed told Pakistan's private news channel Geo TV during an interview aired on Tuesday night, as quoted by news agency AP.
Javed questioned how a player could miss both innings because of a muscle injury.
"How is it possible that you failed to come out to bat in both innings after pulling up a muscle?" Javed said.
He added that players have batted through injuries in the past and described Imam's case as a matter of concern.
"Injuries do occur and we have seen instances in the past where players -- even with casts -- have gone out and made an effort. This situation is different. It is a matter of great concern, and action will be taken regarding it."
Imam injured his calf while fielding on the opening day of the Lord's Test and took no further part in the match.
After former chief selector Mohammad Wasim questioned Imam's absence, the opener appeared on the outfield before play on the fourth day. He was seen shadow batting with his left calf heavily strapped but was visibly limping.
Imam was one of seven players recalled from England after Pakistan lost the first two Tests at Headingley and Lord's. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also sent back by the PCB.
Pakistan have appointed white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke to take charge of the team for the third Test, which starts in Birmingham on September 9.
The selectors have picked five uncapped players for the final Test, along with openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who have played a combined 10 Tests.
Javed also addressed reports of differences between the selectors and the team management over the playing XI for the Lord's Test.
According to Javed, he wanted the team to include fast-bowling all-rounder Ubaid Shah, wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori and another pace option instead of Mohammad Rizwan. Instead, only Salman Ali Agha was dropped after leading Pakistan in the first Test in Babar Azam's absence.
"We can't just keep waiting," Javed said. "I had actually spoken to both the captain and the coach after the first Test, suggesting they include Ubaid, who bowls at 140 kph. Agha was rightly rested, Ghazi Ghori was available on the tour and should have played instead of Rizwan."
#Pakistan #coach
Aaqib Javed, who is part of Pakistan's four-member selection panel, said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will investigate how Imam was managed after suffering the injury during the match.
"An inquiry will be conducted into this matter," Aaqib Javed told Pakistan's private news channel Geo TV during an interview aired on Tuesday night, as quoted by news agency AP.
Javed questioned how a player could miss both innings because of a muscle injury.
"How is it possible that you failed to come out to bat in both innings after pulling up a muscle?" Javed said.
He added that players have batted through injuries in the past and described Imam's case as a matter of concern.
"Injuries do occur and we have seen instances in the past where players -- even with casts -- have gone out and made an effort. This situation is different. It is a matter of great concern, and action will be taken regarding it."
Imam injured his calf while fielding on the opening day of the Lord's Test and took no further part in the match.
After former chief selector Mohammad Wasim questioned Imam's absence, the opener appeared on the outfield before play on the fourth day. He was seen shadow batting with his left calf heavily strapped but was visibly limping.
Imam was one of seven players recalled from England after Pakistan lost the first two Tests at Headingley and Lord's. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were also sent back by the PCB.
Pakistan have appointed white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke to take charge of the team for the third Test, which starts in Birmingham on September 9.
The selectors have picked five uncapped players for the final Test, along with openers Saim Ayub and Abdullah Fazal, who have played a combined 10 Tests.
Javed also addressed reports of differences between the selectors and the team management over the playing XI for the Lord's Test.
According to Javed, he wanted the team to include fast-bowling all-rounder Ubaid Shah, wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori and another pace option instead of Mohammad Rizwan. Instead, only Salman Ali Agha was dropped after leading Pakistan in the first Test in Babar Azam's absence.
"We can't just keep waiting," Javed said. "I had actually spoken to both the captain and the coach after the first Test, suggesting they include Ubaid, who bowls at 140 kph. Agha was rightly rested, Ghazi Ghori was available on the tour and should have played instead of Rizwan."
#Pakistan #coach
3 days ago
Marnus Labuschagne has been left out of Australia's ODI squad for the upcoming tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa, raising more questions about his future in the national team.
The batter had a poor run during Australia's recent ODI series in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Although he finished the Bangladesh campaign with an unbeaten 55 after being moved down the batting order, it was not enough to secure his place.
With Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh returning, Australia's selectors decided to leave Labuschagne out. His omission could also affect his chances of playing in the upcoming three-Test series against South Africa, especially after his disappointing performances against Bangladesh.
The six ODIs against Zimbabwe and South Africa are important for Australia's preparations for the 2027 World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Australia will be led by Mitchell Marsh in Zimbabwe, while Pat ****** mins will join the team for the South Africa leg. ****** mins and Marsh could share captaincy duties depending on ****** mins' workload. Mitchell Starc will return for the South Africa matches, while Josh Hazlewood has been selected for both series.
Australia's ODI squad:Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Pat ****** mins (SA only), Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc (SA only), Adam Zampa.
New South Wales all-rounder Joel Davies has received his first ODI call-up after impressing in the T20I series against Bangladesh. Left-handed batter Ollie Peake has also kept his place.
Australia have added fast bowlers Spencer Johnson and Billy Stanlake. Johnson returns after recovering from a lengthy injury, while Stanlake recently ended a more than seven-year wait for another international appearance.
Cooper Connolly will remain with the ODI squad after his impressive 149 against Bangladesh.
The Zimbabwe series starts on September 15 in Harare, followed by matches on September 18 and 20. Australia will then play South Africa on September 24, 27 and 30.
#bangladesh
The batter had a poor run during Australia's recent ODI series in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Although he finished the Bangladesh campaign with an unbeaten 55 after being moved down the batting order, it was not enough to secure his place.
With Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh returning, Australia's selectors decided to leave Labuschagne out. His omission could also affect his chances of playing in the upcoming three-Test series against South Africa, especially after his disappointing performances against Bangladesh.
The six ODIs against Zimbabwe and South Africa are important for Australia's preparations for the 2027 World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Australia will be led by Mitchell Marsh in Zimbabwe, while Pat ****** mins will join the team for the South Africa leg. ****** mins and Marsh could share captaincy duties depending on ****** mins' workload. Mitchell Starc will return for the South Africa matches, while Josh Hazlewood has been selected for both series.
Australia's ODI squad:Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Pat ****** mins (SA only), Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc (SA only), Adam Zampa.
New South Wales all-rounder Joel Davies has received his first ODI call-up after impressing in the T20I series against Bangladesh. Left-handed batter Ollie Peake has also kept his place.
Australia have added fast bowlers Spencer Johnson and Billy Stanlake. Johnson returns after recovering from a lengthy injury, while Stanlake recently ended a more than seven-year wait for another international appearance.
Cooper Connolly will remain with the ODI squad after his impressive 149 against Bangladesh.
The Zimbabwe series starts on September 15 in Harare, followed by matches on September 18 and 20. Australia will then play South Africa on September 24, 27 and 30.
#bangladesh
3 days ago
IND vs AFG T20I series 2026: Hardik Pandya unlikely to feature as India all-rounder suffers fresh injury originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
India star Hardik Pandya's comeback faces another setback after a fresh niggle emerged during training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
Selectors are set to meet this week, though Pandya's fitness timeline may rule him out of the Afghanistan T20Is.
Pandya hasn't featured for India since the T20 World Cup final on March 8.
Hardik Pandya's road back to the Indian team has reportedly hit yet another speed ****** p, with a fresh leg issue threatening to keep him out of the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.
#India #t20i #series
India star Hardik Pandya's comeback faces another setback after a fresh niggle emerged during training at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
Selectors are set to meet this week, though Pandya's fitness timeline may rule him out of the Afghanistan T20Is.
Pandya hasn't featured for India since the T20 World Cup final on March 8.
Hardik Pandya's road back to the Indian team has reportedly hit yet another speed ****** p, with a fresh leg issue threatening to keep him out of the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.
#India #t20i #series
3 days ago
'T20 players included for Tests': Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik slam Pakistan selectors over squad selection amid chaos in England tour originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Shahid Afridi criticised PCB for including T20 specialists in Pakistan's Test squad ahead of the Edgbaston decider.
Afridi also questioned the decision to sack head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed after just five Test matches in charge.
Seven players were released overall, with only two experienced additions among the new faces brought into the squad.
Shoaib Malik labelled PCB's decision 'ridiculous'.
#afridi #Cricket #players
Shahid Afridi criticised PCB for including T20 specialists in Pakistan's Test squad ahead of the Edgbaston decider.
Afridi also questioned the decision to sack head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed after just five Test matches in charge.
Seven players were released overall, with only two experienced additions among the new faces brought into the squad.
Shoaib Malik labelled PCB's decision 'ridiculous'.
#afridi #Cricket #players
4 days ago
MUMBAI: When the Duleep Trophy semifinals began at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Sunday, 19-time champions West Zone were conspicuous by their absence.
West crashed out after a 52-run defeat to North Zone in a low-scoring quarterfinal, with North posting 251 and 222, while West managed 187 and 234.
Former Mumbai first-class cricketer Amit Dani, who coached West Zone this season, believes the tournament's knockout format needs a rethink.
"I suggested to the BCCI that it should seriously consider not having knockout matches until the final in the Duleep Trophy. It's the first tournament of the season and players are often a bit rusty. Even if North Zone had been knocked out after just one game, it wouldn't have been fair on their players either," Dani told TOI.
Dani argued that the current format limits opportunities for players and selectors alike.
"The selectors wanted to watch Tanush Kotian, but they got to see him in only one match. It was a difficult wicket where the ball was gripping and turning, making batting tough. Players need more games. With the final scheduled only on Sept 6, there is room for one more league match," he said.
Despite the early exit, Dani found plenty of positives in West's campaign. He reserved special praise for Musheer Khan, whose 96 in the fourth innings was the highest score of the match.
"On that wicket, it was a top-quality knock. It wasn't easy to bat there, but Musheer showed superb temperament and skill," Dani said.
He felt Anshul Kamboj's brisk 60 in North's first innings and Ruturaj Gaikwad's run-out while batting on 66 in the chase proved decisive.
"For us, Musheer, Tanush and Tushar Deshpande stood out. Tushar bowled with real fire and intensity. I hope all three are considered for India A or the Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup," Dani added.
#west #musheer #first
West crashed out after a 52-run defeat to North Zone in a low-scoring quarterfinal, with North posting 251 and 222, while West managed 187 and 234.
Former Mumbai first-class cricketer Amit Dani, who coached West Zone this season, believes the tournament's knockout format needs a rethink.
"I suggested to the BCCI that it should seriously consider not having knockout matches until the final in the Duleep Trophy. It's the first tournament of the season and players are often a bit rusty. Even if North Zone had been knocked out after just one game, it wouldn't have been fair on their players either," Dani told TOI.
Dani argued that the current format limits opportunities for players and selectors alike.
"The selectors wanted to watch Tanush Kotian, but they got to see him in only one match. It was a difficult wicket where the ball was gripping and turning, making batting tough. Players need more games. With the final scheduled only on Sept 6, there is room for one more league match," he said.
Despite the early exit, Dani found plenty of positives in West's campaign. He reserved special praise for Musheer Khan, whose 96 in the fourth innings was the highest score of the match.
"On that wicket, it was a top-quality knock. It wasn't easy to bat there, but Musheer showed superb temperament and skill," Dani said.
He felt Anshul Kamboj's brisk 60 in North's first innings and Ruturaj Gaikwad's run-out while batting on 66 in the chase proved decisive.
"For us, Musheer, Tanush and Tushar Deshpande stood out. Tushar bowled with real fire and intensity. I hope all three are considered for India A or the Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup," Dani added.
#west #musheer #first
5 days ago
'What happened to Ruturaj Gaikwad': Fans react to Tilak Varma being considered as back-up option in India middle-order for 2027 ODI World Cup originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
India's team management is reportedly considering Tilak Varma as a backup middle-order option ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Selectors want a left-handed batter capable of bowling four overs, addressing a gap in bowling options up top.
Fans reacted angrily online, questioning why Ruturaj Gaikwad, who scored a century at No. 4, has been overlooked.
India's planning for next year's ODI World Cup has already sparked a fresh wave of debate, with Tilak Varma reportedly emerging as a potential backup option for the middle order.
#tilak #varma #middle #Cricket
India's team management is reportedly considering Tilak Varma as a backup middle-order option ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Selectors want a left-handed batter capable of bowling four overs, addressing a gap in bowling options up top.
Fans reacted angrily online, questioning why Ruturaj Gaikwad, who scored a century at No. 4, has been overlooked.
India's planning for next year's ODI World Cup has already sparked a fresh wave of debate, with Tilak Varma reportedly emerging as a potential backup option for the middle order.
#tilak #varma #middle #Cricket
5 days ago
New Delhi: India's team management and selectors are working on backups for the middle order ahead of the ODI World Cup next year. TOI has learnt that Tilak Varma's name has come up as a potential backup option for Shreyas Iyer in the top six of the batting lineup.
Tilak, being a left-handed batter, is seen as someone who can break the monotony of right-handers in the batting lineup. Tilak has been asked to work on his bowling since it is believed that his off-breaks have a lot of potential. The team management, in fact, has flagged the dearth of bowling options in the top order, citing it as a reason for extra pressure on the lower order and the bowlers.
The planning for the ODI World Cup will only begin in earnest when India reach New Zealand in October, since most of the first-choice players will not be available for the ODI series against West Indies at home from September 27. A full-strength T20 team is also scheduled to travel to ****** an for the Asian Games at the same time.
"Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill feel there isn't any backup ready for the middle order. With Hardik Pandya and Nitish ****** ar Reddy being ****** e to injuries, they want someone in the top order who can at least chip in with four overs in an ODI," a BCCI source said.
Over the last year, the team management has been compelled to play either Washington Sundar or Axar Patel at No. 5 or No. 6 to balance the playing XI. In the last series in England, Ishan Kishan was sent in ahead of vice-captain Iyer.
"The team has to be prepared for conditions in South Africa in the World Cup. Iyer got injured in Australia and his game against pace and bounce is untested of late. The team already has two ageing players in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. They are having niggles as well. KL Rahul too will be over 35 by the time the World Cup comes around. Ravindra Jadeja isn't a certainty either. The fielding of the team has suffered due to fitness issues. The team management feels that they need younger backups ready," the source said.
The selectors, it is learnt, are not comfortable with playing batters out of position. Last year, Ruturaj Gaikwad was played at No. 4 and scored a hundred against South Africa in Raipur. But he has not been picked in the ODI team since.
"Gaikwad was picked as backup opener since Gill was injured. The team management feels Tilak could have been tried in that place. That's why they don't want to rush Devdutt Padikkal in the ODI setup because he found his calling in white-ball cricket while opening the batting," the source said.
The team for the West Indies series, however, will be an anomaly since Iyer, Tilak, Ishan and Axar will not be available. The selectors are more focused on picking another wicketkeeper for the series.
The selection committee is due to meet by September 3 to pick the team for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in Delhi from September 13.
Sources said that the selectors are l
Tilak, being a left-handed batter, is seen as someone who can break the monotony of right-handers in the batting lineup. Tilak has been asked to work on his bowling since it is believed that his off-breaks have a lot of potential. The team management, in fact, has flagged the dearth of bowling options in the top order, citing it as a reason for extra pressure on the lower order and the bowlers.
The planning for the ODI World Cup will only begin in earnest when India reach New Zealand in October, since most of the first-choice players will not be available for the ODI series against West Indies at home from September 27. A full-strength T20 team is also scheduled to travel to ****** an for the Asian Games at the same time.
"Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill feel there isn't any backup ready for the middle order. With Hardik Pandya and Nitish ****** ar Reddy being ****** e to injuries, they want someone in the top order who can at least chip in with four overs in an ODI," a BCCI source said.
Over the last year, the team management has been compelled to play either Washington Sundar or Axar Patel at No. 5 or No. 6 to balance the playing XI. In the last series in England, Ishan Kishan was sent in ahead of vice-captain Iyer.
"The team has to be prepared for conditions in South Africa in the World Cup. Iyer got injured in Australia and his game against pace and bounce is untested of late. The team already has two ageing players in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. They are having niggles as well. KL Rahul too will be over 35 by the time the World Cup comes around. Ravindra Jadeja isn't a certainty either. The fielding of the team has suffered due to fitness issues. The team management feels that they need younger backups ready," the source said.
The selectors, it is learnt, are not comfortable with playing batters out of position. Last year, Ruturaj Gaikwad was played at No. 4 and scored a hundred against South Africa in Raipur. But he has not been picked in the ODI team since.
"Gaikwad was picked as backup opener since Gill was injured. The team management feels Tilak could have been tried in that place. That's why they don't want to rush Devdutt Padikkal in the ODI setup because he found his calling in white-ball cricket while opening the batting," the source said.
The team for the West Indies series, however, will be an anomaly since Iyer, Tilak, Ishan and Axar will not be available. The selectors are more focused on picking another wicketkeeper for the series.
The selection committee is due to meet by September 3 to pick the team for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in Delhi from September 13.
Sources said that the selectors are l
8 days ago
NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan has warned that the country could find it increasingly difficult to arrange bilateral series with top teams if the national side continues to struggle. Moin, who played 69 Tests and 219 ODIs for Pakistan, also criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the national selectors for the way the cricket system has been handled in recent years.
Moin said Pakistan have struggled across formats, particularly in Test cricket. He fears the situation could get worse if the team's poor results continue.
"We have been struggling in all formats but notably in test matches and if this trend continues I am afraid people will lose interest in Pakistan cricket," Moin said on a podcast.
He warned that Pakistan could slip down the cricketing order and face problems in attracting top teams for bilateral series.
"We might find ourselves relegated to the bottom half of the cricket world finding it difficult to get bilateral series with top teams.
"I blame the frequent changes being made by the board in the cricket system including appointments/removal of captains, coaches, players and the inexplicable calls made by the national selectors.
"Unless you don't have continuity, stability and faith in a captain, coach or players, how can you expect to achieve good results," he said.
Moin said repeated changes in domestic cricket and the national team have affected Pakistan badly. According to him, the uncertainty has also resulted in players losing confidence in the system.
The former wicketkeeper-batter also said the PCB often makes decisions based on the people in power at a particular time rather than following a consistent institutional approach.
"Whenever a chairman and management team is changed you see things change in our cricket system which are not necessarily productive. So where is the stability?," he asked.
Moin also held some of the players responsible for the current situation. He expressed disappointment with the approach of players who, according to him, are not spending enough time improving their skills and cricketing temperament.
"I don't want to harp on the past but to me it seems most players nowadays don't give enough time to developing their skills and cricket temperament. It is more about how much money we can make in leagues rather than setting and reaching personal goals of excellence as a cricketer."
He said financial rewards would follow if a player first focused on performing successfully for the national team.
"When I played we earned in lakhs. Nowadays players earn in crores but players must also remember nothing is greater than playing for your country with success."
Moin said he had given similar advice to his son, Azam Khan, who has played T20 internationals for Pakistan. He said representing the country should take priority over private leagues.
"I guess priorities have changed for players now. The PCB and selectors have not helped by devaluing the P
Moin said Pakistan have struggled across formats, particularly in Test cricket. He fears the situation could get worse if the team's poor results continue.
"We have been struggling in all formats but notably in test matches and if this trend continues I am afraid people will lose interest in Pakistan cricket," Moin said on a podcast.
He warned that Pakistan could slip down the cricketing order and face problems in attracting top teams for bilateral series.
"We might find ourselves relegated to the bottom half of the cricket world finding it difficult to get bilateral series with top teams.
"I blame the frequent changes being made by the board in the cricket system including appointments/removal of captains, coaches, players and the inexplicable calls made by the national selectors.
"Unless you don't have continuity, stability and faith in a captain, coach or players, how can you expect to achieve good results," he said.
Moin said repeated changes in domestic cricket and the national team have affected Pakistan badly. According to him, the uncertainty has also resulted in players losing confidence in the system.
The former wicketkeeper-batter also said the PCB often makes decisions based on the people in power at a particular time rather than following a consistent institutional approach.
"Whenever a chairman and management team is changed you see things change in our cricket system which are not necessarily productive. So where is the stability?," he asked.
Moin also held some of the players responsible for the current situation. He expressed disappointment with the approach of players who, according to him, are not spending enough time improving their skills and cricketing temperament.
"I don't want to harp on the past but to me it seems most players nowadays don't give enough time to developing their skills and cricket temperament. It is more about how much money we can make in leagues rather than setting and reaching personal goals of excellence as a cricketer."
He said financial rewards would follow if a player first focused on performing successfully for the national team.
"When I played we earned in lakhs. Nowadays players earn in crores but players must also remember nothing is greater than playing for your country with success."
Moin said he had given similar advice to his son, Azam Khan, who has played T20 internationals for Pakistan. He said representing the country should take priority over private leagues.
"I guess priorities have changed for players now. The PCB and selectors have not helped by devaluing the P
11 days ago
After BCCI dissolves national selectors' role in picking zonal teams, sanctity of the tournament comes under scanner
CHENNAI/NEW DELHI: A few days before the Duleep Trophy got underway at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru on Sunday, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced that the final will be shifted to MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The reason given was that there will be fans who will come to watch the match, which doesn't happen in the CoE.
Chennai is a cricket-crazy centre. But when you ask those who 'book' their IPL tickets long before the event, whether they would be interested in attending the Duleep final, the standard query is: "Will Shubman Gill play?"
Gill, in this case, stands for all the stars of Indian cricket. The Duleep final is from Sept 6-10, and it will be interesting to see that those who are not part of the Afghanistan T20 series starting on Sept 12 turn out at MAC.
That said, the primary purpose of the inter-zonal tournament is to check out the best performers in the Ranji Trophy go head-to-head against each other. The relevance of the tournament, especially after the inception of IPL, has diminished drastically. Yet, it remains a stepping stone for a lot of players.
The tournament's sanctity has been up for debate with the selection process. The BCCI, in the last decade, has often tried playing the tournament with national selectors picking the India 'A', 'B' and 'C' teams.
This year, the board has reverted to the inter-zonal format and has kept the national selectors out of the equation. The result? Delhi opener Sanat Sangwan, who scored 828 runs in seven Ranji Trophy matches, was on Sunday, benched by the North Zone management and instead middle-order batter Yash Dhull was played as an opener. The Central Zone team has only one player from semifinalist Uttarakhand while Madhya Pradesh was the only team from the zone to have qualified for the quarterfinals. There have been a few debatable selections in the South Zone team as well.
Former national selector Devang Gandhi believes that a national selector has to be involved in the selection process if the sanctity of the tournament is to be saved. "When we were selectors from 2016-2021, BCCI had given us the responsibility of picking the Duleep Trophy to maintain continuity in a player's development. If the opener with the highest runs in the country doesn't get to play Duleep Trophy, it defeats the purpose of the tournament. The board must at least ensure one selector from each zone is present in planning their respective zonal teams. Otherwise, politics at the state **** ociation level can crop up. There's no accountability if BCCI selectors are not used," Gandhi told TOI.
"Today we are seeing Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain as products of domestic cricket. If that structure is compromised, then it will be difficult to see such journeys," Gandhi added.
TOI understands that the selection committee has been asking for a greater role
CHENNAI/NEW DELHI: A few days before the Duleep Trophy got underway at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru on Sunday, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced that the final will be shifted to MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The reason given was that there will be fans who will come to watch the match, which doesn't happen in the CoE.
Chennai is a cricket-crazy centre. But when you ask those who 'book' their IPL tickets long before the event, whether they would be interested in attending the Duleep final, the standard query is: "Will Shubman Gill play?"
Gill, in this case, stands for all the stars of Indian cricket. The Duleep final is from Sept 6-10, and it will be interesting to see that those who are not part of the Afghanistan T20 series starting on Sept 12 turn out at MAC.
That said, the primary purpose of the inter-zonal tournament is to check out the best performers in the Ranji Trophy go head-to-head against each other. The relevance of the tournament, especially after the inception of IPL, has diminished drastically. Yet, it remains a stepping stone for a lot of players.
The tournament's sanctity has been up for debate with the selection process. The BCCI, in the last decade, has often tried playing the tournament with national selectors picking the India 'A', 'B' and 'C' teams.
This year, the board has reverted to the inter-zonal format and has kept the national selectors out of the equation. The result? Delhi opener Sanat Sangwan, who scored 828 runs in seven Ranji Trophy matches, was on Sunday, benched by the North Zone management and instead middle-order batter Yash Dhull was played as an opener. The Central Zone team has only one player from semifinalist Uttarakhand while Madhya Pradesh was the only team from the zone to have qualified for the quarterfinals. There have been a few debatable selections in the South Zone team as well.
Former national selector Devang Gandhi believes that a national selector has to be involved in the selection process if the sanctity of the tournament is to be saved. "When we were selectors from 2016-2021, BCCI had given us the responsibility of picking the Duleep Trophy to maintain continuity in a player's development. If the opener with the highest runs in the country doesn't get to play Duleep Trophy, it defeats the purpose of the tournament. The board must at least ensure one selector from each zone is present in planning their respective zonal teams. Otherwise, politics at the state **** ociation level can crop up. There's no accountability if BCCI selectors are not used," Gandhi told TOI.
"Today we are seeing Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain as products of domestic cricket. If that structure is compromised, then it will be difficult to see such journeys," Gandhi added.
TOI understands that the selection committee has been asking for a greater role
12 days ago
Bengaluru: India's Saransh Jain, Manav Suthar, Auqib Nabi and Sarfaraz Khan, who are all in Sri Lanka for the ongoing Test series, are proof that selectors don't deny consistent domestic performers. India's domestic cricketers can draw inspiration from such journeys as they head into the Duleep Trophy, the curtain-raiser for the domestic season, at the BCCI Centre of Excellence from Sunday onwards.
The spotlight will be on 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The Bihar boy has already made his T20 debut after a stunning IPL 2026 season. There have been questions about whether the big-hitting batter has the patience and composure to play in the longer format. His 207 runs in eight first-class matches do not justify his skill set. At this juncture, the upcoming domestic seasons in red-ball cricket ******* ume greater significance.
#Bengaluru #auqib
The spotlight will be on 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The Bihar boy has already made his T20 debut after a stunning IPL 2026 season. There have been questions about whether the big-hitting batter has the patience and composure to play in the longer format. His 207 runs in eight first-class matches do not justify his skill set. At this juncture, the upcoming domestic seasons in red-ball cricket ******* ume greater significance.
#Bengaluru #auqib
18 days ago
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Scrumhalf Noah Hotham will join the All Blacks in South Africa ahead of Saturday's first test as cover for injured halves Cortez Ratima and Cam Roigard.
Ratima suffered a knee injury during New Zealand's most-recent match against the Bulls in Pretoria while Roigard has yet to play on tour because of a calf injury.
Hotham was a contentious omission from the All Blacks' original 44-man touring squad as the selectors opted instead for his Crusaders understudy Kyle Preston.
Prop Ollie Norris also has been ruled out of the tour with a knee cartilage injury. Norris will return to New Zealand, and a prop replacement is set to be named in due course.
The South Africa tour has exacted a heavy injury toll before the first of four test matches between the world champion Springboks and second-ranked All Blacks.
#injury #hotham #south #africa
Ratima suffered a knee injury during New Zealand's most-recent match against the Bulls in Pretoria while Roigard has yet to play on tour because of a calf injury.
Hotham was a contentious omission from the All Blacks' original 44-man touring squad as the selectors opted instead for his Crusaders understudy Kyle Preston.
Prop Ollie Norris also has been ruled out of the tour with a knee cartilage injury. Norris will return to New Zealand, and a prop replacement is set to be named in due course.
The South Africa tour has exacted a heavy injury toll before the first of four test matches between the world champion Springboks and second-ranked All Blacks.
#injury #hotham #south #africa
24 days ago
NEW DELHI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has wasted little time getting back to work after a productive tour of Zimbabwe, sharing a glimpse of his batting preparations ahead of the new domestic season and the Duleep Trophy.
The teenage India batter posted a video on his official Instagram account showing him working in the nets, focusing on both defence and attacking strokes. "Preparation," Sooryavanshi captioned the post.
The session comes at an important stage in the 15-year-old's rapidly developing career. Sooryavanshi has been named vice-captain of East Zone for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, with experienced wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan set to lead the side.
Watch: Sooryavanshi gets ready for Duleep Trophy
Sooryavanshi's elevation to the leadership group has attracted considerable attention, given his age and meteoric rise over the past year.
However, East Zone selector Pravanjan Mullick said the appointment is intended to gradually prepare the teenager for greater responsibility rather than place the burden of captaincy on him immediately.
"He has not been made the captain. He has only been made the vice-captain. The captain is Ishan Kishan. Besides, Ishan is a wicketkeeper, so he will be actively involved throughout the day. It is not as though Vaibhav will be captaining the team all day. As he grows, he is maturing day by day. Giving him more responsibility will help him mature even further," Mullick told Cricbuzz after the squad announcement.
The selectors have also pointed to Sooryavanshi's previous experience in leadership roles. He has served as Bihar's vice-captain in first-class cricket and was part of India's leadership group during their Under-19 World Cup campaign.
"This is a great opportunity for him to take on the responsibility of being vice-captain in the Duleep Trophy. He wants to do well for the country, and we believe giving young players responsibility is important. Who knows? We are keeping our fingers crossed that one day he could even become India's captain. That is the thought behind giving him the vice-captaincy," Mullick had said.
Sooryavanshi's preparations come after an impressive tour of Zimbabwe, where he finished as India's leading run-scorer with 151 runs in three innings at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 196.10.
He scored two fifties, including an unbeaten 81, and was named Player of the Series as India secured their first T20I series victory under captain Shreyas Iyer.
That was a significant response after a difficult start to his international career. Sooryavanshi made his India debut during the England tour but failed to cross the 20-run mark in his three innings.
He now has six T20I appearances and 193 runs at an average of 32.16 and a remarkable strike rate of 189.21, including two fifties.
His next challenge will be markedly different. The Duleep Trophy will provide Sooryavanshi with an opportunity to test his batting in the longer format, with national selectors s
The teenage India batter posted a video on his official Instagram account showing him working in the nets, focusing on both defence and attacking strokes. "Preparation," Sooryavanshi captioned the post.
The session comes at an important stage in the 15-year-old's rapidly developing career. Sooryavanshi has been named vice-captain of East Zone for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, with experienced wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan set to lead the side.
Watch: Sooryavanshi gets ready for Duleep Trophy
Sooryavanshi's elevation to the leadership group has attracted considerable attention, given his age and meteoric rise over the past year.
However, East Zone selector Pravanjan Mullick said the appointment is intended to gradually prepare the teenager for greater responsibility rather than place the burden of captaincy on him immediately.
"He has not been made the captain. He has only been made the vice-captain. The captain is Ishan Kishan. Besides, Ishan is a wicketkeeper, so he will be actively involved throughout the day. It is not as though Vaibhav will be captaining the team all day. As he grows, he is maturing day by day. Giving him more responsibility will help him mature even further," Mullick told Cricbuzz after the squad announcement.
The selectors have also pointed to Sooryavanshi's previous experience in leadership roles. He has served as Bihar's vice-captain in first-class cricket and was part of India's leadership group during their Under-19 World Cup campaign.
"This is a great opportunity for him to take on the responsibility of being vice-captain in the Duleep Trophy. He wants to do well for the country, and we believe giving young players responsibility is important. Who knows? We are keeping our fingers crossed that one day he could even become India's captain. That is the thought behind giving him the vice-captaincy," Mullick had said.
Sooryavanshi's preparations come after an impressive tour of Zimbabwe, where he finished as India's leading run-scorer with 151 runs in three innings at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 196.10.
He scored two fifties, including an unbeaten 81, and was named Player of the Series as India secured their first T20I series victory under captain Shreyas Iyer.
That was a significant response after a difficult start to his international career. Sooryavanshi made his India debut during the England tour but failed to cross the 20-run mark in his three innings.
He now has six T20I appearances and 193 runs at an average of 32.16 and a remarkable strike rate of 189.21, including two fifties.
His next challenge will be markedly different. The Duleep Trophy will provide Sooryavanshi with an opportunity to test his batting in the longer format, with national selectors s
24 days ago
CHENNAI: With Australia's development squad sweating it out in Chennai, their next generation of spin bowlers are getting a taste of what it takes to succeed in conditions vastly different from home. For left-arm spinner Joel Davies, leg-spinner Lloyd Pope and off-spinner Jack Sinfield, the challenge is not just about making an impression in India but also pushing their claims for a place in the national setup. Still standing firmly in their way is veteran Nathan Lyon.
Davies, 22, recently made his T20I debut after a promising series in Bangladesh with four wickets in three games, and claimed 3-17 in his first match. However, the conditions there offered a different challenge from what he had expected.
"I don't think it was quite what I was expecting. It didn't spin as much as I was anticipating. But it was awesome to get exposure to different conditions. In terms of the temperature, it was very similar to Chennai," Davies told TOI.
While Lyon remains Australia's first-choice Test spinner, Davies believes the depth emerging through state cricket could eventually provide the selectors with several options.
"He is still doing a great job. So, I think he'll keep hanging around while he's still fit. But I think there are some very good options around state cricket at the moment," he said.
133146839
Australia selector Tony Dodemaide had earlier described Davies to TOI as "a very exciting prospect".
#conditions #lyon
Davies, 22, recently made his T20I debut after a promising series in Bangladesh with four wickets in three games, and claimed 3-17 in his first match. However, the conditions there offered a different challenge from what he had expected.
"I don't think it was quite what I was expecting. It didn't spin as much as I was anticipating. But it was awesome to get exposure to different conditions. In terms of the temperature, it was very similar to Chennai," Davies told TOI.
While Lyon remains Australia's first-choice Test spinner, Davies believes the depth emerging through state cricket could eventually provide the selectors with several options.
"He is still doing a great job. So, I think he'll keep hanging around while he's still fit. But I think there are some very good options around state cricket at the moment," he said.
133146839
Australia selector Tony Dodemaide had earlier described Davies to TOI as "a very exciting prospect".
#conditions #lyon
26 days ago
Rohit Sharma's 2027 World Cup future has become a talking point again, but former India teammate Ajinkya Rahane believes there should be no uncertainty surrounding the veteran opener's place in the squad.
Rahane, who retired from all forms of cricket last month, has called on the Indian team management to give Rohit a clear commitment over his World Cup future rather than ***** sing his place from one series to another.
The debate around Rohit's international career intensified during India's ODI tour of England last month. Speculation grew after a media report claimed that the former India captain could call time on his career at the end of the tour.
Those reports were subsequently dismissed by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and Rohit himself. The uncertainty, however, has not completely disappeared, with reports now suggesting that the selectors may have reservations about including the veteran in India's squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Rahane, though, feels there should be no discussion about Rohit's place if the opener is willing to continue until the tournament.
"I think it's important to tell Rohit Sharma that he's going to play the 2027 World Cup," Rahane said. "If you see his contribution throughout so many years, it's been amazing. So you need the experience of such a player in the World Cup. That discussion shouldn't even happen. If you say once, 'Rohit Sharma, you're going to play,' that's it. You can't go series by series because he's such a big player."
According to Rahane, constantly questioning an experienced player's position can have an impact on his mindset and rhythm. He believes players perform best when they know where they stand within the team.
"If you treat a big player like that, because as I said, it's about rhythm. Cricket is about rhythm. No matter how many matches you've played, whether you're a youngster or an experienced player in the team, it's about rhythm. If your mind is free, you can play with that mindset."
Rahane also insisted that Rohit's credentials and experience should not be up for debate, particularly with a major tournament such as the 2027 World Cup on the horizon.
"As for Rohit's quality, there's no need to even speak about it. Such experience is needed in the team, so this debate shouldn't even happen between the team management and the captain. Agar unko khelna hai 2027 World Cup, toh unko khelna hai," he added. (If he wants to play in the 2027 World Cup, then he should play.)
The latest round of speculation comes despite Rohit making a strong statement on the field during the England series.
Saikia had previously rejected reports that the third ODI against England would be Rohit's final match in the format. Rohit followed that up with a commanding century in the game, providing a timely reminder of his value to the Indian side.
Yet, the questions returned shortly afterwards. Some media reports claimed that the BCCI leadership and selectors were not completely
Rahane, who retired from all forms of cricket last month, has called on the Indian team management to give Rohit a clear commitment over his World Cup future rather than ***** sing his place from one series to another.
The debate around Rohit's international career intensified during India's ODI tour of England last month. Speculation grew after a media report claimed that the former India captain could call time on his career at the end of the tour.
Those reports were subsequently dismissed by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia and Rohit himself. The uncertainty, however, has not completely disappeared, with reports now suggesting that the selectors may have reservations about including the veteran in India's squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Rahane, though, feels there should be no discussion about Rohit's place if the opener is willing to continue until the tournament.
"I think it's important to tell Rohit Sharma that he's going to play the 2027 World Cup," Rahane said. "If you see his contribution throughout so many years, it's been amazing. So you need the experience of such a player in the World Cup. That discussion shouldn't even happen. If you say once, 'Rohit Sharma, you're going to play,' that's it. You can't go series by series because he's such a big player."
According to Rahane, constantly questioning an experienced player's position can have an impact on his mindset and rhythm. He believes players perform best when they know where they stand within the team.
"If you treat a big player like that, because as I said, it's about rhythm. Cricket is about rhythm. No matter how many matches you've played, whether you're a youngster or an experienced player in the team, it's about rhythm. If your mind is free, you can play with that mindset."
Rahane also insisted that Rohit's credentials and experience should not be up for debate, particularly with a major tournament such as the 2027 World Cup on the horizon.
"As for Rohit's quality, there's no need to even speak about it. Such experience is needed in the team, so this debate shouldn't even happen between the team management and the captain. Agar unko khelna hai 2027 World Cup, toh unko khelna hai," he added. (If he wants to play in the 2027 World Cup, then he should play.)
The latest round of speculation comes despite Rohit making a strong statement on the field during the England series.
Saikia had previously rejected reports that the third ODI against England would be Rohit's final match in the format. Rohit followed that up with a commanding century in the game, providing a timely reminder of his value to the Indian side.
Yet, the questions returned shortly afterwards. Some media reports claimed that the BCCI leadership and selectors were not completely
29 days ago
Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes Bhuvneshwar ******* ar's lack of regular 50-over and first-class cricket could prove to be a major hurdle if he is to force his way into India's plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
While praising the veteran seamer's performances in the IPL, Chopra said preparing for a 50-over World Cup requires sustained workload management, something that cannot be achieved by playing only T20 cricket.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra was asked about the World Cup prospects of both Bhuvneshwar ******* ar and Mohammad Shami.
"One thing goes against Bhuvi. I love him to bits, and I want him to play for India again, but when you don't play Ranji, your workload becomes limited. There are a handful of matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. In ODI cricket, you have to bowl 10 overs and field for 50 overs in a match. It's a lot of workload."
Bhuvneshwar has not featured in a first-class match since January 2024 and last played a List A game in December 2023. Despite that, he has enjoyed an impressive run with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, playing a key role in their back-to-back IPL ******* le-winning campaigns.
Chopra stressed that excelling in the IPL alone should not be the basis for selection in a 50-over World Cup.
"It's not easy in a tournament like the World Cup where you have to keep playing continuously. Not only the World Cup, but you will have to be a part of every ODI game from a year earlier. You will have to start playing him from now on."
According to Chopra, if the selectors are serious about including Bhuvneshwar in their long-term plans, they need to bring him back into the ODI setup immediately.
"He is not a bad option, but it will be a mistake unless we give him at least one year to get ready. If you pick someone for the 50-over World Cup based on him bowling four overs in the two months of the IPL and a month of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, no matter how good that person is, it will be wrong."
He also suggested that Bhuvneshwar should feature in the upcoming ODI series and even the T20I ******* ignments if he remains under consideration for the 2027 World Cup.
Comparing Bhuvneshwar with Mohammad Shami, Chopra felt the latter currently has a stronger case because he has continued playing red-ball cricket, including the Ranji Trophy, where he claimed 37 wickets. Shami is also set to feature in the upcoming Duleep Trophy.
However, Chopra maintained that Bhuvneshwar had the better IPL season.
"It's the same thing for Shami, although he has played the Ranji Trophy and picked up 37 wickets. He is going to play the Duleep Trophy now as well. So Shami has a slightly better case to make, but the truth is that if we do man-to-man marking in the IPL, Bhuvneshwar ******* ar is ahead of him in that respect."
Chopra believes the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand could provide a clear indication of India's plans.
"My understanding is that the selectors, captain, and coach
While praising the veteran seamer's performances in the IPL, Chopra said preparing for a 50-over World Cup requires sustained workload management, something that cannot be achieved by playing only T20 cricket.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra was asked about the World Cup prospects of both Bhuvneshwar ******* ar and Mohammad Shami.
"One thing goes against Bhuvi. I love him to bits, and I want him to play for India again, but when you don't play Ranji, your workload becomes limited. There are a handful of matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. In ODI cricket, you have to bowl 10 overs and field for 50 overs in a match. It's a lot of workload."
Bhuvneshwar has not featured in a first-class match since January 2024 and last played a List A game in December 2023. Despite that, he has enjoyed an impressive run with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, playing a key role in their back-to-back IPL ******* le-winning campaigns.
Chopra stressed that excelling in the IPL alone should not be the basis for selection in a 50-over World Cup.
"It's not easy in a tournament like the World Cup where you have to keep playing continuously. Not only the World Cup, but you will have to be a part of every ODI game from a year earlier. You will have to start playing him from now on."
According to Chopra, if the selectors are serious about including Bhuvneshwar in their long-term plans, they need to bring him back into the ODI setup immediately.
"He is not a bad option, but it will be a mistake unless we give him at least one year to get ready. If you pick someone for the 50-over World Cup based on him bowling four overs in the two months of the IPL and a month of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, no matter how good that person is, it will be wrong."
He also suggested that Bhuvneshwar should feature in the upcoming ODI series and even the T20I ******* ignments if he remains under consideration for the 2027 World Cup.
Comparing Bhuvneshwar with Mohammad Shami, Chopra felt the latter currently has a stronger case because he has continued playing red-ball cricket, including the Ranji Trophy, where he claimed 37 wickets. Shami is also set to feature in the upcoming Duleep Trophy.
However, Chopra maintained that Bhuvneshwar had the better IPL season.
"It's the same thing for Shami, although he has played the Ranji Trophy and picked up 37 wickets. He is going to play the Duleep Trophy now as well. So Shami has a slightly better case to make, but the truth is that if we do man-to-man marking in the IPL, Bhuvneshwar ******* ar is ahead of him in that respect."
Chopra believes the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand could provide a clear indication of India's plans.
"My understanding is that the selectors, captain, and coach
29 days ago
Pakistan avoided a series defeat by beating the West Indies by eight wickets in the second Test in Port of Spain on Wednesday. The win ended Pakistan's eight-match losing streak in away Tests and gave them their first Test victory outside home in three years.
The two-match series finished 1-1 after the West Indies had won the first Test by 90 runs.
It was Pakistan's first away Test win since July 2023, when they defeated Sri Lanka under Babar Azam's captaincy. Since then, Pakistan went through several changes in coaches, selectors and captains, with Babar stepping down from the role twice. This time, the combination of captain Babar Azam and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed helped Pakistan return to winning ways overseas.
Pakistan chased down the target of 75 runs on the fourth morning, reaching 77/2 shortly after the first session. Abdullah Shafique, who scored a century in the first innings, remained unbeaten on 24, while captain Babar Azam also finished unbeaten on 24.
Earlier, Pakistan bowled out the West Indies for 117 in their second innings inside the first half-hour of play on a wearing Queen's Park Oval pitch. Off-spinner Sajid Khan took 4/32 and left-arm spinner Ali Usman claimed 4/39 as the pair shared eight wickets.
The West Indies began the day on 106/3 with a lead of 60 runs, but their lower order could not add much. Ali Usman dismissed Kemar Roach and Shamar Joseph, while Justin Greaves, the last recognised batter, added only two runs before playing Mohammad Ali's delivery back onto his stumps while attempting a cross-batted shot.
The West Indies were also without opener Brandon King in the second innings. He could not bat because of a back injury suffered on Day 3 when he ran out Babar Azam with a direct hit from short cover.
Pakistan's previous away Test win had also come under Babar Azam against Sri Lanka in 2023. During Shan Masood's time as captain, Pakistan lost 3-0 in Australia, 2-0 in South Africa and 2-0 in Bangladesh.
Masood was removed as captain after Pakistan's poor run in Test cricket. Babar returned to the role but Pakistan lost the first Test against the West Indies in Tarouba, which became their eighth consecutive away Test defeat before bouncing back in Port of Spain.
The victory also changed the standings in the World Test Championship. Pakistan moved up to eighth place with 22.22% of points after two wins and four defeats in six matches. The West Indies dropped to ninth with 20.83% of points after two wins in 12 matches.
#test #Pakistan #babar #azam
The two-match series finished 1-1 after the West Indies had won the first Test by 90 runs.
It was Pakistan's first away Test win since July 2023, when they defeated Sri Lanka under Babar Azam's captaincy. Since then, Pakistan went through several changes in coaches, selectors and captains, with Babar stepping down from the role twice. This time, the combination of captain Babar Azam and head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed helped Pakistan return to winning ways overseas.
Pakistan chased down the target of 75 runs on the fourth morning, reaching 77/2 shortly after the first session. Abdullah Shafique, who scored a century in the first innings, remained unbeaten on 24, while captain Babar Azam also finished unbeaten on 24.
Earlier, Pakistan bowled out the West Indies for 117 in their second innings inside the first half-hour of play on a wearing Queen's Park Oval pitch. Off-spinner Sajid Khan took 4/32 and left-arm spinner Ali Usman claimed 4/39 as the pair shared eight wickets.
The West Indies began the day on 106/3 with a lead of 60 runs, but their lower order could not add much. Ali Usman dismissed Kemar Roach and Shamar Joseph, while Justin Greaves, the last recognised batter, added only two runs before playing Mohammad Ali's delivery back onto his stumps while attempting a cross-batted shot.
The West Indies were also without opener Brandon King in the second innings. He could not bat because of a back injury suffered on Day 3 when he ran out Babar Azam with a direct hit from short cover.
Pakistan's previous away Test win had also come under Babar Azam against Sri Lanka in 2023. During Shan Masood's time as captain, Pakistan lost 3-0 in Australia, 2-0 in South Africa and 2-0 in Bangladesh.
Masood was removed as captain after Pakistan's poor run in Test cricket. Babar returned to the role but Pakistan lost the first Test against the West Indies in Tarouba, which became their eighth consecutive away Test defeat before bouncing back in Port of Spain.
The victory also changed the standings in the World Test Championship. Pakistan moved up to eighth place with 22.22% of points after two wins and four defeats in six matches. The West Indies dropped to ninth with 20.83% of points after two wins in 12 matches.
#test #Pakistan #babar #azam
1 month ago
Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif believes Rohit Sharma has made up his mind not to retire from ODI cricket on his own and will instead leave it to the selectors to decide when his journey with the national team should end.
Rohit's future has been under intense scrutiny since India's ODI series against England. Reports ahead of the tour claimed that the senior selection committee had informed the veteran opener he was not part of India's plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with the selectors keen to invest in younger opening options, including Yashasvi Jaiswal.
The speculation gathered further pace after Rohit managed a slow-paced 26 off 47 ******* in the second ODI at Cardiff. Questions over his future intensified, with reports suggesting the series decider at Lord's on July 19 could be his final ODI appearance for India.
However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed those claims before the match, stating that no decision had been taken to make the Lord's fixture Rohit's farewell game. While the clarification ended immediate speculation, it did not confirm whether Rohit remained part of India's long-term plans leading up to the 2027 World Cup.
The veteran opener responded in style, smashing 138 from just 110 deliveries during India's chase of 388 at Lord's. His innings, featuring 17 fours and five sixes, made him the first Indian batter to score an ODI century at the iconic venue, although India eventually fell 27 runs short and lost the series 2-1.
Following the match, captain Shubman Gill said Rohit had not informed the team about any retirement plans, while Rohit himself insisted his only focus was on scoring runs for India.
Sharing his views on the situation, Kaif said Rohit's recent actions suggest he has no intention of stepping away voluntarily.
"Yes, one thing has become clear," Kaif said during a discussion. "Rohit Sharma is effectively saying, 'If I am not playing well, you take the call yourselves. Drop me.'
"The fact that he has not stepped away or announced his retirement, the enthusiasm he is showing, the way he is approaching his batting and the hundred he scored at Lord's — all of this shows that he is now focused entirely on playing. Whatever the selectors want to do after that is up to them. Perhaps earlier there was an attempt to convince him about certain things internally. The problem at the moment is that it is difficult to understand who stands where. There is a lot of confusion," Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
Kaif also questioned the lack of clarity from the team management regarding Rohit's long-term future. While coaches have repeatedly backed the opener to play with freedom, the former India batter believes the management should clearly state whether Rohit remains part of its World Cup plans.
"At times, members of the coaching staff come out and say, 'We have given Rohit Sharma complete freedom to play his natural game.' But ******* ody has yet made a clear statement saying, 'Ro
Rohit's future has been under intense scrutiny since India's ODI series against England. Reports ahead of the tour claimed that the senior selection committee had informed the veteran opener he was not part of India's plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with the selectors keen to invest in younger opening options, including Yashasvi Jaiswal.
The speculation gathered further pace after Rohit managed a slow-paced 26 off 47 ******* in the second ODI at Cardiff. Questions over his future intensified, with reports suggesting the series decider at Lord's on July 19 could be his final ODI appearance for India.
However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia dismissed those claims before the match, stating that no decision had been taken to make the Lord's fixture Rohit's farewell game. While the clarification ended immediate speculation, it did not confirm whether Rohit remained part of India's long-term plans leading up to the 2027 World Cup.
The veteran opener responded in style, smashing 138 from just 110 deliveries during India's chase of 388 at Lord's. His innings, featuring 17 fours and five sixes, made him the first Indian batter to score an ODI century at the iconic venue, although India eventually fell 27 runs short and lost the series 2-1.
Following the match, captain Shubman Gill said Rohit had not informed the team about any retirement plans, while Rohit himself insisted his only focus was on scoring runs for India.
Sharing his views on the situation, Kaif said Rohit's recent actions suggest he has no intention of stepping away voluntarily.
"Yes, one thing has become clear," Kaif said during a discussion. "Rohit Sharma is effectively saying, 'If I am not playing well, you take the call yourselves. Drop me.'
"The fact that he has not stepped away or announced his retirement, the enthusiasm he is showing, the way he is approaching his batting and the hundred he scored at Lord's — all of this shows that he is now focused entirely on playing. Whatever the selectors want to do after that is up to them. Perhaps earlier there was an attempt to convince him about certain things internally. The problem at the moment is that it is difficult to understand who stands where. There is a lot of confusion," Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
Kaif also questioned the lack of clarity from the team management regarding Rohit's long-term future. While coaches have repeatedly backed the opener to play with freedom, the former India batter believes the management should clearly state whether Rohit remains part of its World Cup plans.
"At times, members of the coaching staff come out and say, 'We have given Rohit Sharma complete freedom to play his natural game.' But ******* ody has yet made a clear statement saying, 'Ro
1 month ago
Rohit Sharma's chances of playing 2027 ODI World Cup: Doubt remains on India star's long-term future originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Ajit Agarkar's exit could reshape Rohit Sharma's 2027 World Cup chances.
The Indian selection committee reportedly wanted Rohit dropped.
Rohit's Lord's century complicates selectors' plans.
Speculation continues to swirl around Rohit Sharma's future in Indian cricket, with the 2027 ODI World Cup less than 16 months away.
#World #Cricket #preferred
Ajit Agarkar's exit could reshape Rohit Sharma's 2027 World Cup chances.
The Indian selection committee reportedly wanted Rohit dropped.
Rohit's Lord's century complicates selectors' plans.
Speculation continues to swirl around Rohit Sharma's future in Indian cricket, with the 2027 ODI World Cup less than 16 months away.
#World #Cricket #preferred
1 month ago
India's injury woes have opened the door for one of domestic cricket's most persistent performers, with Auqib Nabi named as Jasprit ****** rah's replacement in the Test squad for Sri Lanka.
The Jammu and Kashmir seamer earns a maiden senior call-up after years of prolific returns in red-ball cricket. ****** rah was ruled out of the two-Test series after failing to fully recover from the left-knee issue he sustained during the ODI series in England.
With the BCCI medical team advising caution, the selectors turned to a bowler whose weight of wickets had made him impossible to ignore any longer.
For the 29-year-old, the call represents the culmination of a long and often frustrating wait for recognition. Having dominated the Ranji Trophy for two seasons, Nabi now stands on the brink of a Test debut on turning tracks that could suit his disciplined seam bowling.
Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source
#jasprit #kashmir
The Jammu and Kashmir seamer earns a maiden senior call-up after years of prolific returns in red-ball cricket. ****** rah was ruled out of the two-Test series after failing to fully recover from the left-knee issue he sustained during the ODI series in England.
With the BCCI medical team advising caution, the selectors turned to a bowler whose weight of wickets had made him impossible to ignore any longer.
For the 29-year-old, the call represents the culmination of a long and often frustrating wait for recognition. Having dominated the Ranji Trophy for two seasons, Nabi now stands on the brink of a Test debut on turning tracks that could suit his disciplined seam bowling.
Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source
#jasprit #kashmir
1 month ago
NEW DELHI: The decision to name 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as East Zone vice-captain for the upcoming Duleep Trophy has raised eyebrows across the cricketing world, but the selectors believe they are investing in the future of Indian cricket.
With experienced wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan appointed captain, Sooryavanshi's elevation as deputy is not being viewed as an immediate leadership burden but as an opportunity to accelerate his development as a cricketer.
One member of the East Zone selection committee explained the thinking behind the move, saying the teenager was not being handed the captaincy but was being prepared for greater responsibilities in the future.
"He has not been made the captain. He has only been made the vice-captain. The captain is Ishan Kishan. Besides, Ishan is a wicketkeeper, so he will be actively involved throughout the day. It is not as though Vaibhav will be captaining the team all day. As he grows, he is maturing day by day. Giving him more responsibility will help him mature even further," former Odisha Ranji player and selector Pravanjan Mullick told Cricbuzz.
Mullick revealed that the selectors' decision was based on Sooryavanshi's rapid rise and his ability to handle responsibility despite his age.
"This is a great opportunity for him to take on the responsibility of being vice-captain in the Duleep Trophy. He wants to do well for the country, and we believe giving young players responsibility is important. Who knows? We are keeping our fingers crossed that one day he could even become India's captain. That is the thought behind giving him the vice-captaincy," he told Cricbuzz.
The selectors also considered Sooryavanshi's previous leadership experience. The teenage batter has already served as vice-captain of Bihar in first-class cricket and was part of India's leadership group during the Under-19 World Cup triumph.
"He has been doing very well for the country and also had an excellent IPL season with Rajasthan Royals. He is also the vice-captain of Bihar in first-class cricket," Mullick said.
The 15-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the last year. He became one of the youngest players to feature in the IPL and went on to top the batting charts during the tournament, earning widespread praise for his fearless approach. He was also named Player of the Series during India's tour of Zimbabwe.
The East Zone selection committee meeting was held at Eden Gardens, with representatives from the Cricket ***** ociation of Bengal, Jharkhand State Cricket ***** ociation, Tripura Cricket ***** ociation, Bihar Cricket ***** ociation and Odisha Cricket ***** ociation taking part.
Mullick clarified that there was no discussion with Sooryavanshi before the decision was made.
"No, none at all. It was a collective decision taken by all the selectors from the eastern states. He has the ability to handle responsibility and is capable of leading the team when required," he said.
Th
With experienced wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan appointed captain, Sooryavanshi's elevation as deputy is not being viewed as an immediate leadership burden but as an opportunity to accelerate his development as a cricketer.
One member of the East Zone selection committee explained the thinking behind the move, saying the teenager was not being handed the captaincy but was being prepared for greater responsibilities in the future.
"He has not been made the captain. He has only been made the vice-captain. The captain is Ishan Kishan. Besides, Ishan is a wicketkeeper, so he will be actively involved throughout the day. It is not as though Vaibhav will be captaining the team all day. As he grows, he is maturing day by day. Giving him more responsibility will help him mature even further," former Odisha Ranji player and selector Pravanjan Mullick told Cricbuzz.
Mullick revealed that the selectors' decision was based on Sooryavanshi's rapid rise and his ability to handle responsibility despite his age.
"This is a great opportunity for him to take on the responsibility of being vice-captain in the Duleep Trophy. He wants to do well for the country, and we believe giving young players responsibility is important. Who knows? We are keeping our fingers crossed that one day he could even become India's captain. That is the thought behind giving him the vice-captaincy," he told Cricbuzz.
The selectors also considered Sooryavanshi's previous leadership experience. The teenage batter has already served as vice-captain of Bihar in first-class cricket and was part of India's leadership group during the Under-19 World Cup triumph.
"He has been doing very well for the country and also had an excellent IPL season with Rajasthan Royals. He is also the vice-captain of Bihar in first-class cricket," Mullick said.
The 15-year-old has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the last year. He became one of the youngest players to feature in the IPL and went on to top the batting charts during the tournament, earning widespread praise for his fearless approach. He was also named Player of the Series during India's tour of Zimbabwe.
The East Zone selection committee meeting was held at Eden Gardens, with representatives from the Cricket ***** ociation of Bengal, Jharkhand State Cricket ***** ociation, Tripura Cricket ***** ociation, Bihar Cricket ***** ociation and Odisha Cricket ***** ociation taking part.
Mullick clarified that there was no discussion with Sooryavanshi before the decision was made.
"No, none at all. It was a collective decision taken by all the selectors from the eastern states. He has the ability to handle responsibility and is capable of leading the team when required," he said.
Th
1 month ago
NEW DELHI: As India enter a critical phase in their bid to stay alive in the World Test Championship (WTC) race, Jasprit **** rah and Shubman Gill are taking a cautious approach to regaining full fitness ahead of the two-Test series in Sri Lanka starting Aug 15.
TOI understands that **** rah will begin gradually increasing his bowling workload after suffering an impact injury during the ODI series in England, while Gill has sought help from specialists outside the BCCI for his chronic neck problem.
It is learnt that **** rah developed swelling in his knee before the final ODI at Lord's on June 19 but the medical team is confident he will be ready for the first Test in Galle. The selectors picked him for the Sri Lanka tour subject to fitness. The focus is now on preparing him to endure the rigours of Test cricket.
Bumrah has played little longer-format cricket since the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati last Nov. He has featured only in T20 cricket, apart from two ODIs in England last month. **** rah is currently at the Centre of Excellence (CoE).
"Bumrah will start bowling this week and his workload will be gradually increased. He needs to get used to bowling longer spells again. The medical team at CoE will be closely monitoring it, and the initial reports are that he should be good to start the first Test. These two Test matches are very important for India. Dropping even one Test here will put immense pressure on the team to qualify for the WTC final next year. That's why the team management wants **** rah to be available in prime shape for the series," a BCCI source told TOI.
As for Gill, it is learnt that he has been consulting specialists to address the neck pain that first flared up during his first innings in the opening Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens. The problem eventually ruled him out of the rest of the series, which India lost 0-2. He also missed an IPL match because of the recurring pain.
"Gill has been battling the neck pain for some time. It flares up every now and then, especially when he bats for a longer period. He has been consulting specialists outside BCCI for treatment and he is much better now. It's an ongoing process. India felt his absence in that South Africa series. That's why he has taken a cautious approach in addressing the chronic issue," the source said.
132729907
Sudharsan set to resume batting next week
Sai Sudharsan, India's No. 3 batter in Tests, has also been selected subject to fitness. He is recovering from a hamstring injury and will resume batting at the CoE next week. The BCCI medical team has shared a positive report regarding his availability for the first Test.
#test #first #south #africa
TOI understands that **** rah will begin gradually increasing his bowling workload after suffering an impact injury during the ODI series in England, while Gill has sought help from specialists outside the BCCI for his chronic neck problem.
It is learnt that **** rah developed swelling in his knee before the final ODI at Lord's on June 19 but the medical team is confident he will be ready for the first Test in Galle. The selectors picked him for the Sri Lanka tour subject to fitness. The focus is now on preparing him to endure the rigours of Test cricket.
Bumrah has played little longer-format cricket since the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati last Nov. He has featured only in T20 cricket, apart from two ODIs in England last month. **** rah is currently at the Centre of Excellence (CoE).
"Bumrah will start bowling this week and his workload will be gradually increased. He needs to get used to bowling longer spells again. The medical team at CoE will be closely monitoring it, and the initial reports are that he should be good to start the first Test. These two Test matches are very important for India. Dropping even one Test here will put immense pressure on the team to qualify for the WTC final next year. That's why the team management wants **** rah to be available in prime shape for the series," a BCCI source told TOI.
As for Gill, it is learnt that he has been consulting specialists to address the neck pain that first flared up during his first innings in the opening Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens. The problem eventually ruled him out of the rest of the series, which India lost 0-2. He also missed an IPL match because of the recurring pain.
"Gill has been battling the neck pain for some time. It flares up every now and then, especially when he bats for a longer period. He has been consulting specialists outside BCCI for treatment and he is much better now. It's an ongoing process. India felt his absence in that South Africa series. That's why he has taken a cautious approach in addressing the chronic issue," the source said.
132729907
Sudharsan set to resume batting next week
Sai Sudharsan, India's No. 3 batter in Tests, has also been selected subject to fitness. He is recovering from a hamstring injury and will resume batting at the CoE next week. The BCCI medical team has shared a positive report regarding his availability for the first Test.
#test #first #south #africa
1 month ago
Ireland have announced a 14-member squad for the first three ODIs of their five-match series against Afghanistan, beginning on August 5, with several first-choice players unavailable due to injuries. The selectors have opted to announce the squad only for the opening three matches, with the remaining two ODIs to be finalised after ****** sing the fitness of injured players.
One of the biggest talking points is the inclusion of Jai Moondra, who made his T20I debut against India earlier this month and impressed during Ireland's historic T20I series triumph over the reigning world champions. The youngster has now received his maiden ODI call-up and is one of two capped T20I players in the squad, alongside Ben Calitz, yet to make their 50-over international debut.
Ireland have also handed a first international call-up to medium pacer Byron McDonough. The 24-year-old enjoyed an impressive domestic campaign with Leinster Lightning, helping them win the Inter-Provincial Limited Overs Cup after claiming eight wickets in five matches. Across nine List A appearances, McDonough has picked up 15 wickets at an average of 29.33.
Captain Paul Stirling returns to lead the side after missing the recent T20I series against India through injury. However, Ireland continue to deal with a lengthy injury list, with Josh Little, Matt Hollard, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy, Jordan Neill and David Delany all unavailable due to injuries or return-to-play protocols. Cricket Ireland confirmed that the squad for the final two ODIs will be announced later, with changes possible depending on the recovery of the injured players.
The Afghanistan series will mark the first ****** ignment for newly appointed head coach Gary Wilson, who recently replaced Heinrich Malan. Former England batter Jonathan Trott will also join the Irish camp as a consultant for the first two ODIs against Afghanistan, having previously served as the Afghan national team's head coach.
The five-match series will also be Ireland's first men's bilateral ODI ****** ignment since hosting the West Indies in May 2025. The opening two matches will be played in Bready, while the remaining three fixtures will take place at Stormont.
Paul Stirling (captain), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, George Dockrell, Gavin Hoey, Andrew McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Byron McDonough, Jai Moondra, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker.
#ireland #t20i #squad
One of the biggest talking points is the inclusion of Jai Moondra, who made his T20I debut against India earlier this month and impressed during Ireland's historic T20I series triumph over the reigning world champions. The youngster has now received his maiden ODI call-up and is one of two capped T20I players in the squad, alongside Ben Calitz, yet to make their 50-over international debut.
Ireland have also handed a first international call-up to medium pacer Byron McDonough. The 24-year-old enjoyed an impressive domestic campaign with Leinster Lightning, helping them win the Inter-Provincial Limited Overs Cup after claiming eight wickets in five matches. Across nine List A appearances, McDonough has picked up 15 wickets at an average of 29.33.
Captain Paul Stirling returns to lead the side after missing the recent T20I series against India through injury. However, Ireland continue to deal with a lengthy injury list, with Josh Little, Matt Hollard, Craig Young, Barry McCarthy, Jordan Neill and David Delany all unavailable due to injuries or return-to-play protocols. Cricket Ireland confirmed that the squad for the final two ODIs will be announced later, with changes possible depending on the recovery of the injured players.
The Afghanistan series will mark the first ****** ignment for newly appointed head coach Gary Wilson, who recently replaced Heinrich Malan. Former England batter Jonathan Trott will also join the Irish camp as a consultant for the first two ODIs against Afghanistan, having previously served as the Afghan national team's head coach.
The five-match series will also be Ireland's first men's bilateral ODI ****** ignment since hosting the West Indies in May 2025. The opening two matches will be played in Bready, while the remaining three fixtures will take place at Stormont.
Paul Stirling (captain), Mark Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Ben Calitz, Curtis Campher, Cade Carmichael, George Dockrell, Gavin Hoey, Andrew McBrine, Liam McCarthy, Byron McDonough, Jai Moondra, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker.
#ireland #t20i #squad
1 month ago
New Delhi: On March 27 this year, Saransh Jain posted photos and videos on Instagram, thanking former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh for the valuable lessons he learnt during a five-day camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru.
In the caption, Saransh mentioned a line Harbhajan Singh told him that touched him the most. It read: "Kuch paane ke liye kuch khona nahi, kuch karna padta hai (To achieve something, you don't have to lose something, you have to do something)." Saransh further wrote: "These aren't just words. They were deeply felt and will stay with me."
Now, months later, the 33-year-old has earned his maiden India call-up.
"He is a very humble guy who knows exactly what he needs to do. I wish him all the very best because this is a special moment for him, his family and everyone who has supported him," Harbhajan told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.
Saransh, who has played extensive First-Class cricket and has been a regular for Madhya Pradesh, impressed the selectors with his consistency during the domestic grind and was recently rewarded with an India A call-up. In his outing for India A against Sri Lanka A, Saransh picked up seven wickets in the two unofficial Tests. In the second match, he claimed six wickets and scored an unbeaten 70 in the first innings, paving the way for India's 10-wicket victory.
"He has worked incredibly hard and spent many years in domestic cricket, which, in many ways, is tougher than people realise. Bowling long spells of 40 or 50 overs across a match teaches you a lot. The more you bowl, the more you learn," says Harbhajan, while lauding Saransh's domestic grind.
Washington Sundar's injury opened the door for Saransh. With Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar and Kuldeep Yadav in the squad, Saransh is the fourth spinner but the lone off-spinner. If he goes on to make his debut, Saransh will become the first India player to debut after the age of 33 since Robin Singh in 1998.
"At 33, he is still young for a spinner, but he now has the experience of bowling to some of the best players of spin in domestic cricket. I am grateful that I got the opportunity to spend four or five days with him," says Harbhajan, backing Saransh to do well.
Over the years, Saransh's flight, dip and high-arm action have proved difficult for batters to pick. Those are exactly the attributes that caught Harbhajan Singh's attention during the specialist camp for off-spinners at the CoE.
"The first thing I noticed was his action. He has a very good action and keeps things simple. He isn't trying too many fancy variations. He has a lot of experience, an excellent seam position and tremendous control. Those qualities make a big difference," says Harbhajan.
"Experience teaches you to trust your strengths and bowl the right line and length consistently. What impressed me the most was his attitude. His mindset is always about taking wickets. Today, many bowlers are focused on simply getting thr
In the caption, Saransh mentioned a line Harbhajan Singh told him that touched him the most. It read: "Kuch paane ke liye kuch khona nahi, kuch karna padta hai (To achieve something, you don't have to lose something, you have to do something)." Saransh further wrote: "These aren't just words. They were deeply felt and will stay with me."
Now, months later, the 33-year-old has earned his maiden India call-up.
"He is a very humble guy who knows exactly what he needs to do. I wish him all the very best because this is a special moment for him, his family and everyone who has supported him," Harbhajan told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.
Saransh, who has played extensive First-Class cricket and has been a regular for Madhya Pradesh, impressed the selectors with his consistency during the domestic grind and was recently rewarded with an India A call-up. In his outing for India A against Sri Lanka A, Saransh picked up seven wickets in the two unofficial Tests. In the second match, he claimed six wickets and scored an unbeaten 70 in the first innings, paving the way for India's 10-wicket victory.
"He has worked incredibly hard and spent many years in domestic cricket, which, in many ways, is tougher than people realise. Bowling long spells of 40 or 50 overs across a match teaches you a lot. The more you bowl, the more you learn," says Harbhajan, while lauding Saransh's domestic grind.
Washington Sundar's injury opened the door for Saransh. With Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar and Kuldeep Yadav in the squad, Saransh is the fourth spinner but the lone off-spinner. If he goes on to make his debut, Saransh will become the first India player to debut after the age of 33 since Robin Singh in 1998.
"At 33, he is still young for a spinner, but he now has the experience of bowling to some of the best players of spin in domestic cricket. I am grateful that I got the opportunity to spend four or five days with him," says Harbhajan, backing Saransh to do well.
Over the years, Saransh's flight, dip and high-arm action have proved difficult for batters to pick. Those are exactly the attributes that caught Harbhajan Singh's attention during the specialist camp for off-spinners at the CoE.
"The first thing I noticed was his action. He has a very good action and keeps things simple. He isn't trying too many fancy variations. He has a lot of experience, an excellent seam position and tremendous control. Those qualities make a big difference," says Harbhajan.
"Experience teaches you to trust your strengths and bowl the right line and length consistently. What impressed me the most was his attitude. His mindset is always about taking wickets. Today, many bowlers are focused on simply getting thr
1 month ago
Chennai: As India look to usher in a new generation of fast bowlers, Australian great Glenn McGrath believes Prasidh Krishna has all the ingredients to become Jasprit ****** rah's long-term pace partner.
The legendary fast bowler, who is the director of coaching at the MRF Pace Foundation, has closely followed Prasidh's rise and feels the tall Karnataka seamer has transformed his potential into performances.
"I'm a big fan of Prasidh," McGrath said. "If he gets his length right, he's got everything going for him."
"He has really matured. He's tall, bowls in good areas, generates bounce and has genuine pace. Occasionally he's a little short, but apart from that, I think he's the whole package. He's really developed and put his potential into performance," he said.
India have handed opportunities to several young quicks during the recent tours of the UK and Zimbabwe as they prepare for a demanding cycle of white-ball cricket, with the ODI and T20 World Cups to be played in South Africa and Australia-New Zealand respectively. It means India will need a strong pace attack firing on all cylinders, and McGrath believes the transition phase they are going through will not be easy.
"You've got ****** rah, who's a class bowler, and Mohammed Shami, who's world-class as well. Mohammed Siraj has been around for a long time too. You can't just expect to pick up straight where you left off. It's always going to be a transitional period," he said, referring to the Australian team, which will also go through a similar phase.
"Other than Pat ****** mins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, hardly anybody gets a chance... So it's not going to be easy for Australia either."
McGrath also pointed out that ****** rah's unconventional action demands careful workload management.
"The way he powers through those last few steps probably puts more stress on his body than most bowlers. It'll be interesting to see how he manages himself," McGrath said.
While India appear keen to fast-track younger bowlers, McGrath insisted experienced pacers still have an important role to play.
"It's always good to have experience there. Young bowlers learn by playing alongside senior guys. I was fortunate to watch Craig McDermott and Merv Hughes. That's where you really learn. I'd always pick an experienced team over a potential team," he said.
On whether veterans such as Shami or Bhuvneshwar ****** ar could still mount a comeback, McGrath said the decision rested on their bodies, motivation and the selectors.
"If they're prepared to put the work in and their body allows it, then why not? As fast bowlers get older, the work only gets tougher. Ultimately, it's up to them and the selectors."
McGrath also called for a rethink in the way fast bowlers are rehabilitated after injuries, arguing that modern systems often "wrap bowlers in cotton wool" instead of making them physically stronger.
132677427
"The best way is to get stronger. Even when you're in
The legendary fast bowler, who is the director of coaching at the MRF Pace Foundation, has closely followed Prasidh's rise and feels the tall Karnataka seamer has transformed his potential into performances.
"I'm a big fan of Prasidh," McGrath said. "If he gets his length right, he's got everything going for him."
"He has really matured. He's tall, bowls in good areas, generates bounce and has genuine pace. Occasionally he's a little short, but apart from that, I think he's the whole package. He's really developed and put his potential into performance," he said.
India have handed opportunities to several young quicks during the recent tours of the UK and Zimbabwe as they prepare for a demanding cycle of white-ball cricket, with the ODI and T20 World Cups to be played in South Africa and Australia-New Zealand respectively. It means India will need a strong pace attack firing on all cylinders, and McGrath believes the transition phase they are going through will not be easy.
"You've got ****** rah, who's a class bowler, and Mohammed Shami, who's world-class as well. Mohammed Siraj has been around for a long time too. You can't just expect to pick up straight where you left off. It's always going to be a transitional period," he said, referring to the Australian team, which will also go through a similar phase.
"Other than Pat ****** mins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, hardly anybody gets a chance... So it's not going to be easy for Australia either."
McGrath also pointed out that ****** rah's unconventional action demands careful workload management.
"The way he powers through those last few steps probably puts more stress on his body than most bowlers. It'll be interesting to see how he manages himself," McGrath said.
While India appear keen to fast-track younger bowlers, McGrath insisted experienced pacers still have an important role to play.
"It's always good to have experience there. Young bowlers learn by playing alongside senior guys. I was fortunate to watch Craig McDermott and Merv Hughes. That's where you really learn. I'd always pick an experienced team over a potential team," he said.
On whether veterans such as Shami or Bhuvneshwar ****** ar could still mount a comeback, McGrath said the decision rested on their bodies, motivation and the selectors.
"If they're prepared to put the work in and their body allows it, then why not? As fast bowlers get older, the work only gets tougher. Ultimately, it's up to them and the selectors."
McGrath also called for a rethink in the way fast bowlers are rehabilitated after injuries, arguing that modern systems often "wrap bowlers in cotton wool" instead of making them physically stronger.
132677427
"The best way is to get stronger. Even when you're in
1 month ago
Abhishek Sharma's struggles in T20Is have come under renewed focus following another disappointing series against Zimbabwe, with former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth calling on the selectors to make a difficult decision if the opener's poor run continues.
The left-handed batter endured a forgettable three-match series, failing to register a double-digit score. His recent numbers have also become a concern, with Abhishek unable to cross 20 in each of his last six T20I innings. Since India's T20 World Cup triumph, he has managed just one half-century, putting his place in the side under the scanner as competition for the opening spot continues to grow.
The debate has intensified further after Sanju Samson, India's Player of the Tournament during the T20 World Cup-winning campaign, was left out of the Zimbabwe series despite his impressive performances. With several opening options available, Abhishek's extended lean spell has only added to the pressure on the ICC's former top-ranked T20I batter.
Reacting to the opener's dip in form, Srikkanth said rival teams have worked out a way to contain Abhishek and believes the selection panel may soon have to make a bold call. He also expressed confidence that Samson would return to the Indian setup.
"Abhishek Sharma has been sorted out (by opponents) in international cricket, right from the World Cup. I think a tough call has to be taken against him now. I feel Sanju will get his chance again now. He will receive a call back 100%. The selectors will have to take a tough call," he said in a video on his YouTube channel.
While Abhishek's form emerged as a talking point, India also found plenty to celebrate through the return of Mayank Yadav. The fast bowler made his comeback after a lengthy injury break, featuring in his first international match since October 2024.
Mayank made an immediate impact by claiming two wickets in the opening T20I before ending the series with a three-wicket haul in the final game. Bowling with genuine pace throughout the tour, he consistently troubled Zimbabwe's batting line-up and looked close to his best.
Srikkanth was delighted to see the pacer complete all three matches without any fitness concerns and urged the team management to continue investing in young talent.
132677455
"It was good to see Mayank Yadav playing all three games. So happy for him. Look at how consistent this boy was. The Indian future is very good. You have to back the right youngsters. I don't mind Ashok Sharma either," he said.
#three #World
The left-handed batter endured a forgettable three-match series, failing to register a double-digit score. His recent numbers have also become a concern, with Abhishek unable to cross 20 in each of his last six T20I innings. Since India's T20 World Cup triumph, he has managed just one half-century, putting his place in the side under the scanner as competition for the opening spot continues to grow.
The debate has intensified further after Sanju Samson, India's Player of the Tournament during the T20 World Cup-winning campaign, was left out of the Zimbabwe series despite his impressive performances. With several opening options available, Abhishek's extended lean spell has only added to the pressure on the ICC's former top-ranked T20I batter.
Reacting to the opener's dip in form, Srikkanth said rival teams have worked out a way to contain Abhishek and believes the selection panel may soon have to make a bold call. He also expressed confidence that Samson would return to the Indian setup.
"Abhishek Sharma has been sorted out (by opponents) in international cricket, right from the World Cup. I think a tough call has to be taken against him now. I feel Sanju will get his chance again now. He will receive a call back 100%. The selectors will have to take a tough call," he said in a video on his YouTube channel.
While Abhishek's form emerged as a talking point, India also found plenty to celebrate through the return of Mayank Yadav. The fast bowler made his comeback after a lengthy injury break, featuring in his first international match since October 2024.
Mayank made an immediate impact by claiming two wickets in the opening T20I before ending the series with a three-wicket haul in the final game. Bowling with genuine pace throughout the tour, he consistently troubled Zimbabwe's batting line-up and looked close to his best.
Srikkanth was delighted to see the pacer complete all three matches without any fitness concerns and urged the team management to continue investing in young talent.
132677455
"It was good to see Mayank Yadav playing all three games. So happy for him. Look at how consistent this boy was. The Indian future is very good. You have to back the right youngsters. I don't mind Ashok Sharma either," he said.
#three #World
