Author: Staff Reporter

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed his displeasure for leaving out Shreyas Iyer from the Asia Cup squad. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin praised Iyer for his contributions in the Champions Trophy while batting for his inclusion in the squad. “Shreyas Iyer has solid credentials. He was out of the team, but he made you win the Champions Trophy,” Ashwin said. “If you argue that Shubman Gill is in blasting form, then Shreyas is also in some fine form. Who will answer all these questions? What Shreyas has done wrong.” Iyer was the highest scorer for India in…

Former India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has called Hardik Pandya one of the most important players for Team India, describing him as an integral part of the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. According to Nayar, Pandya not only contributes with bat and ball but also brings confidence and leadership, which are vital in pressure situations. Pandya, who played a crucial role in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, has been included in the Asia Cup squad and is expected to lead the charge as the team’s main all-rounder. Speaking to Star Sports, Nayar praised Pandya’s rare skill set.…

South Africa began the three-match ODI series with a commanding win, defeating Australia by 98 runs in the first match at Cairns. Batting first, the visitors posted 296, thanks to half-centuries from Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke, and captain Temba Bavuma. Keshav Maharaj claimed 5 for 33 as Australia were bowled out for 198 in the run-chase. The game saw several momentum shifts. Markram (82) gave South Africa a solid platform as an opener with a 92-run stand alongside Ryan Rickelton (33). Breetzke (57) added valuable runs in the middle, while Bavuma steadied the innings with a patient 65. Although Travis…

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, has said that they want Jasprit Bumrah to be available for “all the big games”, after India’s pace spearhead was named in the 15-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup. When asked about Bumrah’s inclusion during the press conference, Agarkar clarified that there is no “written plan” for how the 31-year-old pacer will be managed in the future. “I don’t think there’s any written plan. It has been a nice break after the England series,” said Agarkar. “The physios and team management have been in touch, and…

The Cincinnati Open 2025 final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz didn’t go the way everyone hoped for. The match lasted just 23 minutes as the Italian was forced to exit due to feeling unwell. Sinner was trailing 0-5 in the first set against Alcaraz, and eventually, the Spaniard went on to win his maiden Cincinnati Open title. The Spaniard finally got his redemption for his Wimbledon 2025 loss against Sinner, but it was not the way he wanted. During the on-court ceremony, Alcaraz offered his apology to Sinner for how the match ended and wished him a strong comeback.…

Former Australian speedster Brett Lee has praised India’s all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, saying that he possesses all the qualities a complete cricketer should have. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Lee even described Jadeja as a “factory-made cricketer.” “The term we like to use, factory-made cricketer. He has everything that a cricketer needs, and I think he ticks every single box. He does the basics right, he’s got a simple technique, no fuss. He runs in and bowls accurately, he bowls the correct line and length when needed, and gets through his overs quickly,” he said. In the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy,…

Former Team India cricketer Ambati Rayudu has lauded Virat Kohli, calling him a rare personality in Indian cricket history. Rayudu, who played under Kohli’s captaincy for India, said the star batter’s influence goes far beyond runs and records Speaking on the Unplugged podcast, Rayudu said: “The kind of things he has done for Indian cricket, I don’t think anyone else has. And his value, many people don’t realise.” Kohli has often been credited for changing the fitness culture in the team. Rayudu highlighted this, saying, “It’s not just about his batting. Yes, batting is there, but fitness. Before him, players…

Chetan Sharma, the pacer who claimed India’s first ODI hat-trick in the 1987 World Cup, has backed Jasprit Bumrah on the workload management issue. Talking to PTI, Sharma said that guidance from physios regarding workload must be respected. “If the medical team advises, if the doctor tells me that I have to take antibiotics, then I have to consume them. If our physios are telling a player to manage workload, I think we should listen to them because they are the better judges.” When Bumrah was rested for two Test matches in the recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England, he…

Australian all-rounder Beau Webster is fully determined to keep his place in the Test squad by performing well in the Sheffield Shield. The right-hander, who has already played seven Tests and scored four fifties, knows that competition for spots in the squad will only get tougher ahead of the Ashes. “When you’re at the top level, you’re fighting to hang on to your spot,” Webster said in Hobart after returning from a county stint following the West Indies series. He admitted that with Cameron Green resuming bowling, his own place in the lower middle order could face extra scrutiny. “With…

Both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been left out of Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. Former Pakistani cricketer Tanvir Ahmed has come up with a bold statement, saying that both players should consider retirement from international cricket if they feel disrespected, while giving the example of India’s Virat Kohli. The former Indian captain shocked the world with his retirement from Test cricket in May ahead of the England tour. On his X account, Ahmed wrote: “Meri Babar Azam aur Rizwan say request hai ager ap log yeh samajhtey hain ap logon ke izzat nahi ha tou…