Author: Subhayan Chakraborty

Subhayan Chakraborty in Dubai India are set to stick to their no-handshake policy with the Pakistan team as they gear up for a critical Super Four Asia Cup encounter. A week ago, at the same venue, India enjoyed a thumping win against their arch-rivals. As part of their preparation, Salman Ali Agha’s team received a surprise visit from PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who was at their training session on Saturday. Naqvi, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chairman as well, walked straight to the Pakistan nets to meet the players and support staff at the ICC Academy in Dubai. That led…

More than ten years ago, Jiten Ramanandi and a young Hardik Pandya competed together in Gujarat’s club-level cricket tournaments. Now, destiny brought them face-to-face once more, this time as opponents in the Asia Cup game at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, as Oman took on India for the first time on the international stage. Jiten, a former Baroda all-rounder, earned a spot in Oman’s national team for the Asia Cup, setting up a remarkable reunion. Oman’s performance was impressive, holding India to under 200 runs, with Jiten shining by claiming two wickets in his four overs and contributing…

Subhayan Chakraborty in Dubai The fervour for the India-Pakistan match isn’t what it once was, dampened by the chilling Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent Operation Sindoor, which have left millions of Indians in a contemplative mood. Unlike past tournaments, players from both teams have kept their distance, and both sides have downplayed the clash by sending lesser-known figures to pre-match press conferences, a reflection of the sombre context. India’s coaching staff, led by Gautam Gambhir, delivered a clear message as per sources close to the team. “Treat it as just a game,” they told the players. “Block out the…

Subhayan Chakraborty in Dubai The anticipation for the India-Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 clash, seen as the pinnacle of cricket rivalry, carries a unique intensity. Set against the backdrop of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor – India’s response to it in April-May – this high-stakes match on September 14 is one that neither team would want to lose. Pakistan faced Oman in their Asia Cup opener at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, while India held an intense training session at the nearby ICC Academy to gear up for the showdown. The entire Indian squad, led by T20I…

As the Asia Cup 2025 kicks off on September 9 in the UAE, India’s team management faces a tough call on their starting wicket-keeper for the T20I tournament opener against UAE on September 10 in Dubai. The 15-member squad includes Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma, two players with contrasting styles and roles as debates continue on who should don the gloves. Jitesh looks favourite to start the game against UAE after impressing many in the IPL followed by a disciplined off-season routine curated by Basu Shanker, RCB’s Strength and Conditioning Coach and former Team India trainer. Sanju Samson, a regular…

Afghanistan have been a hot-bed for spin bowlers, producing world-class tweakers in the international circuit. Since the emergence of Rashid Khan, Afghanistan have also given world cricket the likes of Mujeeb-ur-Rahman and Noor Ahmed. Next in the line, who has already become a household name in franchise leagues across the world, is mystery spinner Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar. Ghazanfar is an IPL champion already, having been part of the Kolkata Knight Riders’ squad in the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the IPL 2025 auction, Mumbai Indians roped in the young spinner for a mammoth Rs 4.80 crore…

India’s cricket ecosystem, a multi-billion-dollar property, has long been fuelled by high-stakes partnerships with fantasy sports platforms. Brands like Dream11, My11Circle and MPL have become synonymous with the sport, driving fan engagement and pouring crores into sponsorships. However, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025, soon to become law, is set to disrupt this landscape by banning real-money gaming (RMG) platforms. The legislation’s impact is already being felt, with fantasy sports companies pulling out of sponsorship deals, costing some of the Indian Premier League franchises and other sports teams in tens of crores. The bill classifies online money…

Subhayan Chakraborty Shubman Gill’s rise in international cricket has been phenomenal. Hailing from a small town of Fazilka, Punjab, Gill has emerged as one of India’s top batters, blending grace and power. Nicknamed ‘Prince’, Gill’s rise reflects hard work, top notch work ethic, family support and timely breakthroughs. He is currently India’s Test captain and a key figure in all formats, with leadership roles solidifying his status, and is being seen as India’s next all-format skipper. Gill’s passion ignited early on his family’s farm, where his father, Lakhwinder, a cricket enthusiast, bowled endless deliveries to him from a very young…

Subhayan Chakraborty The announcement of India’s 15-man squad for the Asia Cup 2025, set to commence on September 9, has sparked discussions, particularly around the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, one name that stands out in the squad is Vidarbha and Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma, whose T20I recall signals the selectors’ confidence in his ability to deliver as a finisher. This selection, backed by captain Suryakumar Yadav and chief selector Ajit Agarkar, could be a potential masterstroke, given Jitesh’s recent form and potential to bolster India’s lower-order firepower. Jitesh’s inclusion alongside Sanju Samson as one…

Subhayan Chakraborty Pakistan’s 17-member squad for the upcoming Asia Cup marks a significant departure. Big names are excluded, like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Salman Ali Agha will lead the team. The decision shows Pakistan want to move in a new direction under white-ball head coach Mike Hesson. Hesson’s emphasis on high strike rates in T20 cricket has clearly shaped this squad, sidelining the former captains due to ongoing concerns about their slower scoring rates at the top of the order. Neither Babar nor Rizwan has featured in a T20I this year, and their absence signals Pakistan’s intent to embrace…