Wednesday, May 06
Sanju Samson's long-awaited T20 World Cup opening spot comes after a decade of uncertainty and a revolving door of wicketkeepers. Despite strong performances, he faced confusion and batting order shifts, highlighting the team management's struggle for consistency in selecting their T20I wicketkeeper and openers.
Hardik Pandya's stellar comeback from injury in the T20I series against South Africa has cemented his status as India's T20 MVP. His explosive batting and crucial wickets, including a 16-ball fifty, were instrumental in India's 3-1 series win. South Africa's coach lauded Pandya's impact, highlighting his vital role in the series.
Former India captain Virat Kohli is set to play for Delhi in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, marking a return to domestic cricket. His presence, alongside experienced players like Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini, adds significant buzz to Delhi's campaign. Kohli enters the tournament in strong ODI form, aiming to reconnect with the domestic grind and lead by example.
India T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube will play two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches for Mumbai in January, as directed by chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Rohit Sharma and Shardul Thakur will also feature early, while Yashasvi Jaiswal is set to return after illness. Ajinkya Rahane will miss the initial games due to injury.
Pakistan's chief selector Aaqib Javed revealed he's studied India's white-ball success to improve Pakistan's cricket structure. He stressed that quality talent, fostered by robust infrastructure and competition, is key to sustained success, not just individual brilliance. Javed expressed optimism about Pakistan's current team, especially with the upcoming T20 World Cup in familiar conditions.
Spinner Amit Mishra reflects positively on his relationship with former captain MS Dhoni, refuting claims that Dhoni hindered his career. Mishra credits Dhoni for his consistent comebacks and support, recalling a specific instance where Dhoni's advice led to a game-changing five-wicket haul. He emphasizes Dhoni's understanding of the game and his role in maximizing opportunities.
Former India captain Rohit Sharma revealed he considered quitting cricket after the 2023 ODI World Cup final loss to Australia. The emotional toll of the defeat, after investing heavily since becoming captain, left him feeling drained. It took months of recovery and self-reflection to regain his passion for the sport.
Yuzvendra Chahal went viral after sharing an emotional post about buying a new BMW Z4 M40i with his parents, as he called their presence “the real luxury.” Retained by Punjab Kings for IPL 2026, Chahal has been out of India’s plans since 2023. He recently missed the SMAT final due to dengue and chikungunya, but the spinner promised a strong return.
Andrew Strauss says sacking Ben Stokes or Brendon McCullum will not solve England’s repeated Ashes failures in Australia. The former captain, England’s last Ashes winner Down Under, believes deeper structural changes are needed. With England 3-0 down again, Strauss warned against knee-jerk reactions and urged reforms to fix a long-standing system problem.
Karnataka all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham has retired from all forms of cricket after a 14-year career. Known for power-hitting and off-spin, he took over 320 domestic wickets, played one T20I for India, and featured for several IPL teams. His standout moment came with a stunning all-round show in the 2019 Karnataka Premier League.
