Ashwin backs Bumrah and Jadeja for India’s Test captaincy role
Shubman Gill might be the frontrunner to succeed Rohit Sharma as India’s next Test captain. However, R. Ashwin feels that other experienced names such as Jasprit Bumrah and Rabindra Jadeja should not be overlooked for the role. The India squad for their five-Test series against England, which begins on 20th June, could be picked at the end of this month, and the run-up to the selection process is dominated by the talks around the possible new captain. “First of all, everyone is saying that Gill is the captain. Everyone is going in that direction. But there is a loud option in Jasprit Bumrah, and why do we forget about Ravindra Jadeja,” Ashwin said during a chat with former Tamil Nadu opener Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan on his YouTube channel. “If you are willing to go for a new person as captain, I would say why not make him [Gill] an understudy of an experienced guy for two years before handing him the job on a full-time basis.” After Rohit and Virat Kohli retired from Tests, Jadeja is the most experienced player in the Indian side with 3370 runs and 323 wickets from 80 Tests. He, however, does not have any captaincy experience in Test cricket, while Bumrah has also led India in only three Tests, most recently in the first and last Tests of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. “I would say, why not get all three to four candidates and make them do a presentation and ask them each to detail the vision for the team,” Ashwin said. “It happens in countries like Australia. Why won’t we go down that road?” Ashwin, who retired from all forms of cricket after the third BGT Test late last year, said Bumrah too should be considered seriously, and his recent back injury should not be a hindrance. “Look at Pat Cummins, he also had a back stress fracture, but he is now captaining Australia in Tests and ODIs,” Ashwin said. “Like that, Bumrah is our national treasure, and he should be in the discussion. “He should be asked, will you be able to play five Tests? Can you be a full-time captain? I know he had a stress fracture, but I am sure he will think about it. I think the hat with his name should be number one in that ring.”
BCCI considers Gavaskar’s advice about the ‘no-entertainment’ part in the remainder of the IPL
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is seriously considering Sunil Gavaskar’s advice of rejecting the entertainment part in the remainder of the IPL, resuming from 17th May. Gavaskar urged the BCCI to organize the remaining 17 matches without cheerleaders and DJs. According to a report from India Today, the BCCI is now seriously considering the suggestion made by Gavaskar. IPL 2025 was suspended for a week on 8th May amidst cross-border tensions with Pakistan following the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. The heinous attack claimed the lives of as many as 26 civilians. “The Indian cricket board will make a decision after Sunil Gavaskar urged the BCCI to stage the remaining 17 matches without cheerleaders and DJs,” the report said. As a gesture for those who died during the Pahalgam attack, Gavaskar felt that there should not be any entertainment (apart from the sport on display) in the remaining IPL matches. “What I would really like to see is these are the last few matches. I think we have had about 60 games or thereabouts. I think it will be around 15 or 16 matches in the remaining phase of the League. I would sincerely apologize for what has happened, and some families have lost their near and dear ones. I would like all the show-sha baji that goes with it not to be there. It should be just a game to be played. Let there be a crowd but no music. Let’s not have the DJs screaming in the middle of an over. None of that,” Gavaskar told Sports Today. He also stated, “Let’s just have a tournament, the balance of a tournament. No dancing girls, nothing. Just cricket would be a nice way to respect the sentiment of the families who have lost their near and dear ones.”
Report says Rohit retired due to pressure from selectors, BCCI didn’t persuade Kohli
Former India cricket team Test captain Rohit Sharma was forced to retire as he was under pressure from the selectors, a Times of India report has revealed. The Hitman took everyone by surprise by abruptly retiring from the longest format of the game last week. In what was another blow to India, Virat Kohli also followed the former’s footsteps and decided to step away from Tests as well. According to TOI report, the selectors weren’t in favor of taking Rohit to England, which prompted him to announce his retirement. The report states that the selectors weren’t sure about his spot in the side after he informed them that he would only play a couple of Tests in the series. Brushing aside reports of the BCCI asking a former cricketer to convince Virat to reconsider his decision, the source claimed that no such move was made by the BCCI. Echoing earlier reports, the source claimed that Kohli’s move to retire abruptly was his decision alone. But despite their retirement from Test, both Rohit and Kohli will now only be active in ODIs. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that the duo’s Grade+ contract will continue.
Kohli forced to retire from Tests? Former Team India selector drops a shocker
Former Team India selector and Delhi’s Ranji Trophy coach Sarandeep Singh has dropped a bombshell: He claims that Virat Kohli had no plans to retire from Test cricket and was aiming to score at least three to four hundreds in the upcoming Test tour of England! Was Kohli’s decision to retire from Test cricket forced? We may never know what happened behind the scenes, but Delhi’s Ranji Trophy coach and former Team India selector Sarandeep has confirmed that Kohli has no plans to retire until at least February. Sarandeep, who expressed shock to have heard about Virat’s retirement, claimed during their conversation at the time, Kohli confirmed plans to play for India ‘A’ team in England to prepare for the five-match Test series that starts on 20 June. “Only he knows the reason (for his retirement). Everyone is shocked,” Sarandeep said while speaking to Star Sports. He added, “There was no sign of it. Neither did I hear from anyone else about this. Look at the way he is performing in the IPL. He is in good form. The Delhi coach was shocked because Kohli has been in sublime form in the Indian Premier League (2025), scoring over 500 runs in 11 innings at an impressive strike rate of 143.47. Sarandeep further revealed that the last time he had a conversation with Kohli, he was keen on doing well on the England tour. He had laid out a plan to succeed in the upcoming Test series.” Sarandeep continued, “He wanted to play a couple of India A matches to get ready for this all-important series. “I asked him if he would play a couple of County Cricket matches before the England tour. He said, ‘No Paaji, I am looking to play India A matches. Two India A matches where I will prepare for the Test series.’ He had a settled plan. Suddenly, seeing him end his red-ball career is surprising. He doesn’t have any fitness issues, no form issues,” he revealed.
Rajkumar Sharma’s emotional tribute to Virat Kohli after Test retirement
As the cricketing world comes to terms with the end of an era following Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, heartfelt tributes have poured in from every corner. Kohli’s childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, who played a pivotal role in shaping the cricketer’s early years, penned an emotional message. Sharma posted on Instagram, reflecting on Kohli’s journey from a spirited young boy to one of the finest Test players of the modern era. ‘From a young boy with dreams in his eyes to a legend who conquered the red-ball arena — your journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, Virat. Watching you grow, fight, lead, and inspire has been the greatest joy of my life. You redefined passion and dedication. Test cricket will miss your fire, but your legacy will live forever. Grateful for every moment shared in this incredible journey.’ In his Test career, the 36-year-old made 123 appearances in white clothing, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries and 31 fifties in 210 innings and the best score of 254*. He is India’s fourth-highest run-getter in the format, behind Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs), Rahul Dravid (13,265 runs), and Sunil Gavaskar (10,122 runs). He ended last year with just 382 runs in 10 Tests at a shocking average of 22.47, with just one century and fifty in 19 innings. His last Test outing was the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour to Australia from November-January, where he made just 190 runs in nine innings at an average of 23.75, with his century at Perth being a highlight. That century was his first since July 2023, when he hit a ton against the West Indies at Port of Spain in 2023. Also, his last century at home came against Australia in early 2023 during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Ahmadabad.
The players who can replace Virat Kohli at number four in Tests
Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket came up just one month before India’s tour to England. The team now face the challenge of replacing Kohli at number four. Here are the contenders for the spot. Sarfaraz Khan Sarfaraz Khan’s prolific run-scoring in domestic cricket earned him a Test debut against England in Rajkot in 2024. The 27-year-old notched up his first Test century later that year against New Zealand. Despite warming the bench during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, Sarfaraz remains a strong contender for the number four spot in the long run. KL Rahul India’s perennial crisis man in recent years, KL Rahul has shuffled between the top and middle order based on the team’s needs. With the departure of the team’s best batter, Rahul, known for his compact technique, could now be a natural choice for the number four spot. Shubman Gill Shubman Gill has long been touted as the future of Indian Test batting. At 25, he’s already played 32 Tests since his debut in Australia in 2020. Although he’s mostly batted at the top of the order or number three, Gill’s shot-making ability makes him a strong contender for the number four spot. A move to this position could be the spark needed to elevate his Test career, which has so far shown promise. Sai Sudharsan The only player on this list yet to make his red-ball debut, Sai Sudharsan has been steadily establishing himself as a future all-format star for India. The left-handed batter made his international debut in the ODI format against South Africa in 2023 but has since played just four international matches. However, his strong performances during the India A tour of Australia late last year, along with another standout IPL season, could prompt selectors to hand him a Test cap in the upcoming series against England.
Kohli says goodbye to test cricket finally
After days of speculation, Indian cricket great Virat Kohli has confirmed his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect in an emotional post on Instagram. After India Test captain Rohit Sharma confirmed his retirement from the longest format of the game, reports of Kohli communicating the same intent to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) emerged, sending shockwaves across the cricketing spectrum. It was reported that the board is in talks with Kohli to make him change his mind, but it seems that the outcome was unsuccessful. “It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life. There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever,” he wrote on social media. Virat also said that the decision to call it quits wasn’t an easy one, but it felt ‘right’ to him. “As I step away from this format, it’s not easy – but it feels right. I’ve given it everything I had, and it’s given me back so much more than I could’ve hoped for. I’m walking away with a heart full of gratitude – for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for everyone who made me feel seen along the way.” Kohli played 123 Tests for India, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties, with the highest score of 254. Be it home or away, Virat ruled the roost with his bat, making his runs do the talking. However, he will probably have one regret, not reaching the 10,000 run mark in Tests. Kohli’s retirement from the longest format of the game adds to the exodus of Indian veterans. Ravichandran Ashwin (in December) and Rohit Sharma (last week) have already called it quits, and now Virat has become the third one to follow suit. There have been talks over the future of senior pacer Mohammed Shami in the Test team too.
BCCI to wait for next few days before trying to resume IPL this may!
Amidst the rumors about resumption of the deferred IPL a new report by Cricbuzz has revealed that BCCI is committed to conducting the IPL in May and is on the watch-out for next three days. “We have suspended the league for one week. We are not looking beyond that at this stage,” a BCCI source on 9th May was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. The source added, “We are serious about it. Watch out for the next three days.” The Cricbuzz report suggests that in case there is a ceasefire in the next few days, then BCCI will fast track the schedule of IPL with a few double headers. The availability of overseas players could be an issue during a resumed IPL, given most of these players have already departed for their country or are set to leave. Reportedly, BCCI will leave this matter to the franchises to handle. The Indian cricket board is not keen on cancelling the Bangladesh series in August to conduct the remaining leg of IPL, given that it would overlap with The Hundred (nine English players are part of IPL squads). Meanwhile, conducting the IPL in September would make it clash with the Caribbean Premier League (Eight West Indies players are currently in the IPL).
Malan predicts IPL will resume in September after the Test-series against England
Former England cricketer Dawid Malan predicts the remainder of the IPL can resume in September after the five-test series between India and England gets over. The ongoing Indian Premier League has been suspended due to tensions between India and Pakistan. However, this is not the first time IPL has been suspended mid-way through. During the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in 2021, the tournament was halted and resumed in September later in the year. Malan stated while speaking on Al Arabiya, “If it doesn’t happen in India or Sri Lanka in a week like that, I suppose they will start in September. They got a massive Test series coming up against England in a few months, and the IPL has to finish before that or start after that; logistically, it is quite a headache for the organizers. I guess they have to wait and see how next week plays out in terms of the safety concerns of players and people of both countries.” The five-match Test series is beginning on 20th June makes it one of the earliest starts for India in the English summer, with their last two Test tours mostly being played in the months of August. The five Tests will be played at Headingley, Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford and the Oval from 20th June to 4th August.
ECB says they are ready to host remainder of the IPL
The England Cricket Board (ECB) has agreed to host the remainder of the 18th season of the Indian Premier League in September, according to a report in The Guardian. The world’s most popular cricket league was suspended for a week on Friday amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Ahead of the league’s official cancellation, an IPL match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala on Thursday was called off as a precautionary measure. ECB chief executive Richard Gould has come forward and offered the BCCI his support if India fails to resume the IPL after a week-long suspension. The report goes on to say that there are currently no “active discussions” between the two boards. However, a similar offer was reportedly made by the ECB in 2021, when the IPL was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the UAE eventually stepped in as the stand-in hosts. Meanwhile the former India captain, Sourav Ganguly is optimistic that BCCI will be able to complete the IPL despite it has been paused for a week. “I have seen today that the IPL is suspended for 7 days. The BCCI will complete this. They are efficient. During COVID, it was another emergency. I am sure the BCCI will complete it. A COVID-like situation is different. BCCI will work as per Indian government guidelines,” stated Ganguly while speaking to India Today.
