Thursday, June 11
Mohammed Siraj's stellar performance in the fifth Test against England propelled him to a career-best 15th position in the ICC Test rankings. His nine-wicket haul helped India level the series. In other rankings updates, Matt Henry reached a career-best fourth, while Joe Root strengthened his top batting position.
Following Mohammed Siraj's stellar performance at The Oval, Virat Kohli's sister, Bhawna Kohli Dhingra, lauded his efforts in India's victory against England. Siraj, the series' leading wicket-taker, received praise from Virat Kohli and a warm welcome upon his return to Hyderabad. His crucial nine-wicket match haul at The Oval secured a narrow win for India, drawing the series 2-2.
Harry Brook, despite being named Player of the Series by Gautam Gambhir, believed Joe Root was more deserving due to his consistent performance throughout the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series. Brook acknowledged Root's higher run tally and overall impact, highlighting his teammate's enduring class. The series concluded in a 2-2 draw, showcasing a thrilling battle between England and India.
The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy concluded in a 2-2 draw, marked by the controversial handshake refusal by Jadeja and Sundar in the fourth Test. Sachin Tendulkar has strongly defended the Indian team's decision, emphasising the strategic advantage of tiring out England's bowlers before the crucial fifth Test. He lauded Sundar's adaptability and reiterated his full support for the team's approach.
Afghanistan has announced a 22-member preliminary squad led by Rashid Khan for the upcoming tri-nation T20I series against Pakistan and the UAE, followed by the ACC Men's T20 Asia Cup. The squad blends experienced players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Mohammad Nabi with promising uncapped talents.
Sanju Samson will remain with Rajasthan Royals. He will not be traded before the 2026 Indian Premier League. Recent speculation linked him to Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings. Rajasthan Royals have decided to retain Samson. He is an integral part of the team. Samson is also the captain. He aims for a strong performance in the upcoming season.
Following Mohammed Siraj's impressive performance in England, RP Singh cautioned against overworking him, emphasising the need for careful workload management akin to Jasprit Bumrah to prevent potential burnout. Singh highlighted Siraj's indispensable role and partnership with Bumrah, advocating for strategic team selections and like-for-like injury substitutions to maintain team balance and player well-being.
Following cloudbursts and continuous rainfall in Uttarakhand, cricketer Rishabh Pant expressed his concern for those affected and urged them to stay strong. The rising water level in the Ganga River prompted alerts, while Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami surveyed affected areas and initiated large-scale rescue operations involving multiple agencies to save stranded individuals amidst flooding and landslides.
Rashid Khan marked his return to competitive cricket with a historic milestone, becoming the first player to reach 650 T20 wickets. Playing for Oval Invincibles in The Hundred 2025, he took 3/11 against London Spirit, showcasing his spin mastery. His performance, combined with Sam Curran's, led the Invincibles to a comfortable victory, starting their title defense strongly.
Abhinav Bindra supports India's ambition to host the 2036 Olympic Games, emphasizing its potential to inspire a generation and drive national development. He stresses the importance of focusing on athlete development and building robust sports systems. Bindra believes that investing in athletes and grassroots participation is crucial for India to be competitive by 2036.
