Author: Subhayan Chakraborty

Subhayan Chakraborty in Dubai It’s all but over for Mohammed Shami as far as his international career is concerned. One of the great servants of Indian cricket, the fast bowler is no longer in the scheme of things of the selectors and the team management. Shami’s career deserved to saunter into a golden sunset. Sport, however, doesn’t follow the script of a Manmohan Desai film. Shami is still an active cricketer. He played the Duleep Trophy and will turn up for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. But on the wrong side of thirty, he is unlikely to make a comeback…

Subhayan Chakraborty in Dubai With the Pakistan match now a thing of the past, India geared up for their second Super 4 game against Bangladesh, set to be played on Wednesday at Dubai International Stadium. While the focus remained on Suryakumar Yadav and his team, chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s presence added intrigue during India’s practice session. Although it is not the first time Agarkar has attended an India practice, with many instances during previous tours, this time the focus was also on the team selection for the two-Test series against the West Indies and the roadmap for India’s ODI squad,…

Subhayan Chakraborty in Dubai India continued their dominant run in the Asia Cup 2025, brushing aside Pakistan in the Super 4 stage with a commanding six-wicket victory. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian side showcased their batting prowess, overcoming some fielding lapses to outclass Salman Agha’s Pakistan team for the second time in a week. Having already defeated Pakistan by seven wickets in the group stage, India’s focus now shifts to their next challenge: Bangladesh, who are coming into the clash on the back of a stellar win against Sri Lanka in the first Super 4 encounter. The highly anticipated…

Subhayan Chakraborty in Dubai After previously targeting match referee Andy Pycroft, Pakistan have shifted focus from their lacklustre performances in the 2025 Asia Cup by pointing fingers at another official. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have lodged a formal complaint with the ICC against Ruchira Palliyaguruge, who was the TV umpire during the India-Pakistan match at the Dubai International Stadium on September 21. The grievance stems from the dismissal of Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman in the third over, bowled by Hardik Pandya. Zaman edged the ball to wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, and while the on-field umpire was uncertain about the catch,…

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…