Author: Subhayan Chakraborty

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…

Jasprit Bumrah, India’s ace fast bowler, faced unwarranted criticism for playing only three of the five Tests during India’s recent tour of England for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Former cricketers like Sandeep Patil and Sanjay Manjrekar dismissed the BCCI’s workload management theory as “nonsense,” urging Bumrah to prioritise national duty. The critical take, however, fails to account for the gruelling demands of modern cricket, the unique physical toll of Bumrah’s bowling action, and the necessity of preserving a once-in-a-generation talent for India’s future. Fast bowling is brutally taxing, with the high-impact cycle of sprinting, leaping, and bowling at over 140 kmph…

The Pakistan Cricket Board is gearing up for a crucial training camp at the ICC Academy in Dubai to prepare the players for two upcoming tournaments, a tri-nation T20 series against Afghanistan and the UAE, and the Asia Cup 2025. The camp is slated to begin on 22 August, allowing the team to adapt to the UAE’s conditions ahead of the high-stakes competitions. However, it remains to be seen whether the preparatory camp will help the out-of-form Pakistan side save their blushes against a red-hot Indian team on 14 September in Dubai. The tri-nation T20 series, featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and…

The Indian Premier League stands as a T20 colossus, drawing global talent and serving as a potential springboard for players eyeing India’s T20I squad, including for prestigious tournaments like the Asia Cup. However, its role as a definitive benchmark for national selection has sparked debate, with compelling arguments on both sides. The IPL stage of high-stakes matches, packed arenas, and relentless media focus closely mimics international cricket’s intensity. Stellar performances, whether piling up runs or picking wickets in clutch moments, signal a player’s readiness for the global stage. Players like Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Mayank Yadav catapulted…

Subhayan Chakraborty The recent third ODI between Pakistan and the West Indies painted a grim picture for the Men in Green. Bowled out for a meagre 92 while chasing 295, Pakistan suffered a crushing 202-run defeat, marking their first ODI series loss to the West Indies in 34 years. This collapse also saw Pakistan dismissed for under 100 runs in an ODI for the first time since 2018, when they were skittled for 74 against New Zealand in Dunedin. This unwanted milestone was the 10th instance in Pakistan’s ODI history where their batting lineup crumbled to a sub-100 total, and…

Subhayan Chakraborty The future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in ODIs is a subject of much debate. Having hung up their boots from Test and T20I cricket, the two greats have now focused their attention solely on ODIs, with their eyes possibly on the 2027 ODI World Cup to be held in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. But their future in the format has raised a debate, regarding their form and experience against the factors of age, fitness, and the rise of young talent. Kohli and Rohit are inarguably ODI titans, with records that put them among all-time greats.…

With the Asia Cup 2025 scheduled to start on September 9 in the UAE, there is much discussion about who will make the cut for the Indian squad, which is likely to be announced in the final half of August. With the Indian cricket calendar at a standstill following a gruelling five-Test series against England, there has been speculation about which players will be selected in the squad. Suryakumar Yadav is set to be fit for the tournament, which will be played in a T20 format this year, after undergoing sports hernia surgery a few weeks ago. The dynamic batter…