Saturday, July 11
Sunil Gavaskar urges BCCI to reduce the squad size for the Test series in England, suggesting a limit of 16 players to avoid uncertainty. He advocates for additional bowlers for practice but not awarding them the India cap unless necessary. Gavaskar stresses the need for practice matches and eliminating optional sessions for better preparation.
Virat Kohli's performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy fell short of his usual standards, struggling with the Australian bowlers' tactics. His average dipped to 32.29 over the last 40 tests. Although his on-field altercations added entertainment, experts Michael Vaughan and Adam Gilchrist rated his overall impact at 7 and 7.5 out of 10 respectively.
Rishabh Pant is set to return for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra beginning January 23 in Rajkot, while Virat Kohli's participation remains uncertain. Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri suggest struggling players like Rohit Sharma and Kohli should play red-ball cricket. Delhi's probables include Pant, Kohli, and Harshit Rana, though final squad depends on availability.
Steve Smith admitted that the pressure of nearing 10,000 Test runs affected his performance during the Sydney Test against India. Despite falling short by just one run, Smith highlighted the significance of the milestone and its impact on his mindset. He now looks forward to achieving this feat in the upcoming Test against Sri Lanka.
Nitish Kumar Reddy visited the Tirupati temple after returning from Australia, sharing videos of him climbing the temple stairs on his knees. Following his outstanding performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he was warmly welcomed with celebration, petals, and a parade through his hometown Visakhapatnam. The SRH player scored a century in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
Yashasvi Jaiswal will play for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy against Jammu & Kashmir on January 23. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma trained with Mumbai's team, but it's unclear if he will play in the Ranji match, focusing on preparation for the Champions Trophy. Head coach Gautam Gambhir stressed the importance of domestic cricket for player development.
Pretoria Capitals secured their first win of the SA20 2025 season by defeating Sunrisers Eastern Cape by 6 wickets. Sunrisers were bowled out for 113, with Bosch and Dupavillon playing key roles. Capitals overcame early setbacks during their chase and reached the target, thanks to Ackerman and Livingstone's crucial partnership.
Kapil Dev addressed the retirement speculation surrounding Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, expressing confidence in their ability to make the right decision about their careers. The retirement rumours have arisen following their underwhelming performances in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia and previous retirement from T20Is.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will replace defective medals from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The Monnaie de Paris, responsible for manufacturing the medals, has already replaced damaged ones reported since August. The medals' varnish issues stem from new regulations. Over 100 medals have been returned, and replacements will continue as needed, ensuring quality and consistency.
The BCCI is deliberating on India's next Test captain, with potential candidates including Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Shubman Gill. Performance in the upcoming Champions Trophy and IPL will influence the decision. Former England spinner Monty Panesar highlights the importance of choosing a captain who can lead India to victory, emphasizing stability and experience.
