Virat wants to retire from Test cricket also; BCCI reportedly asks him to rethink
Virat has told the BCCI that he wishes to retire from Test cricket ahead of the England Test series, but top officials have asked him to reconsider his decision! According to a report by The Indian Express, Kohli’s decision came just days after Rohit Sharma decided to retire from Test cricket. According to media reports, the selectors will be meeting in a few days to determine the squad for the five-match Test series against England, and if both Virat and Rohit are not available, they will have a huge task at hand. The report further claimed that Kohli has been contemplating retirement since the end of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where his disappointing show earned him a lot of criticism. “He has made up his mind and has informed the board that he is moving on from Test cricket. The BCCI has urged him to rethink as the crucial England tour is coming up. He is yet to revert on the request,” sources told the Indian Express. If Kohli doesn’t change his mind, and with Rohit out of the picture, it will leave India with a largely inexperienced middle-order to join forces with KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top, and Rishabh Pant later down the order. Besides, the team will be left without the guiding hands of two veterans who, between them, have led the Test team for nearly 11 years till now. Kohli became India’s Test captain in December 2014, followed by Rohit in February 2022.
Indian Premier League suspended for a week due to India-Pakistan’s ongoing clash
The Indian Premier League has been suspended for one week in the wake of the rising tensions along the border between India and Pakistan. After the dramatic events of Thursday, the scheduled match between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings had to be suspended in the middle of the game. BCCI’s official statement read: “The decision was taken by the IPL Governing Council after due consultation with all key stakeholders following the representations from most of the franchisees, who conveyed the concern and sentiments of their players, and also the views of the broadcaster, sponsors and fans, while the BCCI reposes full faith in the strength and preparedness of our armed forces, the Board considered it prudent to act in the collective interest of all stakeholders.” Royal Challengers Bengaluru were scheduled to play Lucknow Super Giants in Bengaluru at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday. However, Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Mumbai Indians occupy the top four spots before the remainder of the league was suspended. Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad have officially been out of the race, while Kolkata Knight Riders, too, are practically out of play-off contention. Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants are still fighting for the fourth (last) spot. India’s former Test captain Rohit Sharma supported the decision and wrote on his social media page, ‘With every passing moment, with every decision taken I feel extremely proud of our Indian Army, Indian Airforce & Indian Navy. Our warriors are standing tall for our nation’s pride. It’s important for every Indian to be responsible and refrain from spreading or believing any fake news. Stay safe, everyone! Virat Kohli also welcomed the decision and wrote on his social media page, ‘We stand in solidarity with, and salute our armed forces for fiercely protecting our country in these difficult times. We are forever indebted to our heroes for their unwavering bravery and heartfelt gratitude for the sacrifices they and their families make for our great nation.’ Significantly, former England international Michael Vaughan has offered an alternative thought for the IPL organizer writing on his social media page, ‘I wonder if it’s possible to finish the IPL in the UK .. We have all the venues and the Indian players can then stay on for the Test series, just a thought?’
Rohit Sharma calls KL Rahul his crisis man!
Rohit Sharma has termed KL Rahul as his crisis man! Rohit says the 33-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has been an important player for him over the last few years. Rahul was a vital player for Rohit in ODIs during his captaincy as the right-handed batter stepped up in the middle-order and acted as the wicketkeeper during the ODI World Cup in 2023. The Indian captain when asked by India Today about the criticism he faced, Rohit said that whenever the team needed something, Rahul always steps up and raises his hand. The India captain pointed out that the 33-year-old never shies away from responsibility and is ready to bat anywhere and keep wickets if needed. “In the last two-three years, he has been an important player for me. I look at him as a crisis man. Wherever we needed KL to do something, he raised his hand. He has to do the keeping, he will do it. Have to bat anywhere, he will do it,” said Rohit. Rohit said that criticism doesn’t affect him or the players anymore. The Indian captain said that if it did affect someone, then that player would be sitting at home. “I am tired of this. If it affected, then the player would be sitting at home. He would be on his bed thinking I am being criticized, I cannot play with all this is happening with me. The whole world is against me. Being thick-skinned is inbuilt in players.” “I cannot say that it does not affect at all. It may affect some, and it may not affect others. Nothing happens to me. It has been a long time since I have been playing,” said Rohit.
Drone damages Rawalpindi stadium hours before Pakistan Super League match: Sources
The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium was hit by a drone hours before a match of the Pakistan Super League scheduled at 8 pm today, sources told India Today TV on Thursday. A match between PSL teams Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings was scheduled for today at the stadium. The development came hours after Islamabad attempted to strike 15 military targets in India, and in response, India destroyed the air defense radar systems in Lahore on Thursday. Pakistan Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry earlier claimed that some drones were neutralised in Lahore, Gujranwala, Chakwal, Bahawalpur, Mianwali, Karachi, Chhor, Rawalpindi, and Attock, news agency PTI reported. According to sources, Pakistan’s HQ-9 missile defence system units, developed by China, were hit by Israeli-made HAROP drones, effectively rendering the Pakistani army defenceless in Lahore. In a statement on India foiling Pakistan’s bid to escalate tensions, the Army said, “India’s response has been in the same domain with the same intensity as Pakistan.” According to the Army, Pakistan has increased the intensity of its unprovoked firing across the Line of Control in Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri, Poonch, Mendhar, and Rajouri sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.
Shikhar Dhawan Steps into entertainment with music video ‘Besos’ Featuring Jacqueline Fernandez
Cricket’s beloved Gabbar, known for his thunderous cover drives and infectious smile, is set to steal hearts once again–this time, not on the field, but in front of the camera. Shikhar Dhawan is expanding his presence in the world of entertainment with a brand-new avatar: a performer in a high-energy music video titled ‘Besos’. And he is not alone. Bollywood’s dazzling actress, Jacqueline Fernandez has joined him in the music video. The two are collaborating for the first time, and the pairing has already sparked excitement among fans, according to a release. The track, described as funky, vibrant, and full of flair, is expected to bring out a playful, rhythmic side of Dhawan that fans have not seen before, according to the media release. Whether it is matching steps with a Bollywood superstar or bringing his signature swagger to the screen, Shikhar seems ready to show that his talents go well beyond cricket stadiums. Set to release on YouTube on May 8, 2025, Besos promises to be more than just a song–it is an experience, a vibe, and perhaps the beginning of a new chapter for the cricketer-turned-entertainer. This is not Dhawan’s first foray into entertainment. Fans may remember his brief cameo in the 2022 Bollywood film Double XL. But Besos marks his most prominent role yet in front of the camera, the release said. Dhawan played 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, 68 T20Is, and scored 10,867 runs in international cricket. He has played 222 Indian Premier League (IPL) matches and scored 6,769 runs. He retired from international cricket and all forms of Indian cricket last year.
AB de Villiers retorts to the critics of Kohli after his blistering knock against CSK
His former teammate, South African star AB de Villiers, has taken a bold stand against Virat Kohli’s critics, particularly targeting remarks made by legends Sunil Gavaskar and Virender Sehwag. After Kohli’s sparkling 62-run innings against Chennai Super Kings, helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a narrow two-run victory and the top of the IPL points table, De Villiers remarked, “Virat is always there. He is Mr. Safety for RCB. When he is there, you don’t have to fear. Never fear when Virat is near. That is the story. Nothing has ever changed, and what I want to tell all of you media people, I haven’t forgotten. I have the brain of an elephant. To all my journalist friends out there, I love you guys. But remember when you said Virat bats too slow, right? Virat was batting at almost a 200-strike rate last night. Eat that.” In an Instagram post, Gavaskar and Sehwag questioned Kohli’s strike rate. Sehwag had notably criticized Kohli for scoring the joint-slowest century in IPL history, suggesting he should have accelerated after reaching his half-century. Gavaskar, too, had engaged in a well-documented back-and-forth with Kohli over his scoring pace. Kohli’s performance this season has been nothing short of stellar. He has surpassed the 500-run mark in an IPL season for a record eighth time, amassing 505 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 143.47. His tally of seven fifty-plus scores is his third-best in an IPL season, following 11 such scores in 2016 and eight in 2023. This dominance has placed him at the forefront of the Orange Cap race, narrowly leading over Gujarat Titans’ Sai Sudharsan.
SRH ropes in ‘history-maker’ in Ranji Trophy as a replacement of Smaran Ravichandran
Vidarbha all-rounder Harsh Dubey has joined the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for the remainder of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). The 22-year-old replaced Smaran Ravichandran, who is already ruled out of the injury. Dubey will join the Sunrizers at Rs 30 lakhs. Earlier, Ravichandran was roped in as a replacement for Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who played two games before missing out due to injury. Dubey represents Vidarbha in domestic cricket, having taken 127 wickets and scored 941 runs across 16 T-20s, 20 List-A, and 18 first-class matches. Dubey scripted history after setting the record for most wickets in a single edition of the Ranji Trophy. In the 2024-25 edition of the first-class tournament, Dubey took 69 wickets from 10 matches at an economy rate of 2.66 with seven five-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket hauls to show for his efforts. Based on his stupendous performance, Vidarbha went on to become the Ranji champions for the third time. They won the final against Kerala in February at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. In the previous edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Dubey took only four wickets from six games at an economy rate of 7.50. The Maharashtra-born Dubey also has nine half-centuries to his name in first-class and List-A cricket with a top score of 76 to his name.
Greg Chapell advises BCCI to protect prodigies like Vaibhav Suryabangshi; says child psychologists must for elite youth program
Former India head coach Greg Chappell has warned the BCCI against managing 14-year-old cricket prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The young left-hander shot to fame after being selected by Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2025 auction, and later with his thrilling century against Gujrat Titans last month. Chapell warned that while Suryavanshi bats with the authority of a man twice his age, he is “still a child – physiologically, neurologically, emotionally.” “His brain is still wiring itself, his values still forming, his identity still fragile. In that context, such acclaim, such expectation, such public adulation, can become a double-edged sword.” Chapell noted in his column for ESPNCricinfo. He added that child prodigies can be a ‘double narrative’, giving hope and a sense of wonder to fans but also being forced to carry burdens that they are not equipped to handle. To make his point, Chapell gave the example of Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli, one of them succeeded while the other failed to balance fame with discipline. “ Sachin Tendulkar succeeded as a teenager not simply due to talent but because of a solid support system – a stoic temperament, a wise coach, and a family that protected him from the circus. On the other hand, Vinod Kambli who was equally talented and more flamboyant, struggled to balance fame and discipline. His fall was as dramatic as his rise,” explained the former India coach. Prithvi Shaw is another wunderkind who has fallen but may yet find a way back to the pinnacle,” Chappell added. Chapell added that it was up to the cricket board, along with other stakeholders, to protect the young cricket prodigy. He noted, “It is incumbent on the cricketing ecosystem – the BCCI, the franchises, mentors, and the media – to protect him. Talent can’t be bubble-wrapped, but it can be provided as a buffer. It must be guided, not glorified; nurtured, not just marketed,” The former India coach suggests a few ways to protect young and emerging talent in cricket. First, he says, there should be licensed child psychologists as part of every elite youth program.
Love for RCB? Or a new business approach? Content creator’s entertaining poster across Bangalore; ‘Donate Rs 10 for RCB’
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) remains one of the most talked-about franchises, with a massive fan base and some of the biggest names in cricket. Still, the franchise has yet to win an IPL title, and its struggle has become both a rallying cry and a meme. Riding that wave of fandom and humor, content creator Sarthak Sachdeva devised a social experiment that quickly went viral. He printed QR codes linked to his payment account with the words “Donate Rs.10 for RCB Goodluck” and pasted them across public places, walls, poles, and random street corners. The video starts with Sarthak quietly sticking the QR codes around the city. What begins as a seemingly silly idea takes a surprising turn as people actually start noticing the codes, scanning them, and making payments, all for the love of RCB or perhaps just for the laugh. By the end of the day, he had received Rs.1,200 from random strangers. The quirky video racked up 3.5 million views online. Many took to the comments section to react. A user wrote, ‘Naya business idea.’ Another added, “Iske baad agr RCB na jeete toh ro dungi” RCB is currently second on the points table with 7 wins from 10 matches, all of which have come in away games, a testament to their ability to perform under pressure. However, their only losses this season have been at home, raising concerns as they enter the final stretch of the league. With four matches left, including three at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB will need to overcome their inconsistent home record to maintain momentum.
S Sreesanth pays the price of a three-year ban for favoring Samson!
The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) has suspended former India pacer S Sreesanth for three years for allegedly making false and derogatory statements against it in connection with the controversy surrounding Sanju Samson’s omission from the Indian team for the Champions Trophy. According to reports from PTI, the KCA in a statement said the decision was taken at its special General Body meeting held in Kochi on 30th April. Sreesanth is currently a co-owner of Kollam Aeries, a franchise team in the Kerala Cricket League. Earlier, in relation to his controversial remarks, show-cause notices had been issued to Sreesanth as well as to the franchise teams Kollam Aeries, Alappuzha Team Lead, and Alappuzha Ripples. “Since the franchise teams gave satisfactory responses to the notices, no further action will be taken against them. However, the meeting decided to advise greater caution when appointing members to team management,” the statement said. The General Body also resolved to file a compensation claim against Sanju Samson’s father, Samson Vishwanath, and two others for making baseless allegations using Sanju Samson’s name, it added. The KCA had issued a show-cause notice to Sreesanth–who was part of the India squad that won two World Cup titles–for his remarks linking the state cricket body and Samson during a panel discussion on a Malayalam television channel. In a statement, the KCA clarified that the notice was not issued for supporting Samson but for making misleading and defamatory comments against the association. During the televised discussion, Sreesanth allegedly pledged his support to Samson and vowed to protect him and other Kerala players, while leveling accusations against the KCA. His remarks came amid criticism of the KCA for dropping Samson from the Kerala squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which was believed to have affected his chances of being selected for India’s Champions Trophy team.
