‘Retirement of Ro-Ro will totally depend on their decision’: Rajiv Shukla
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla dismissed speculation that the upcoming ODI series against Australia would be the last One-Day international appearance of India’s last two iconic batsmen, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. While speaking to ANI after India registered a Test series victory against West Indies, Shukla said, “As far as this being their last series is concerned, it is nothing like that. We should never get involved in these things. It is up to the players when they will retire. To say this would be their last series is absolutely wrong.” Rohit and Virat have been selected for the Australia tour with the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup in mind. However, the promotion of Shubman Gill to ODI captaincy and the recent performances of new players like Abhishek Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh, and Tilak Verma in the India-A series against Australia have prompted discussions about the future roles of Rohit and Virat. The emergence of these players raises questions about how team selection dynamics could change as Rohit and Virat, who will be 40 and 39 respectively by the 2027 tournament, approach the later stages of their careers. Shukla added, “Inclusion of Rohit and Virat in the team is always an advantage as both of them are great batsmen, and in the presence of both of them, I think we will be successful in defeating Australia.” Rohit is India’s fourth-highest ODI run-scorer, with over 11,000 runs, an average of nearly 49, and 32 centuries. In eight ODIs this year, he has one century and one fifty. Virat ranks second for India in ODI runs, with over 14,000 runs, averaging nearly 58, and 51 centuries. This year, he has scored one century and two fifties in seven ODIs. Both will be in action during the ODIs in Australia, starting from 19th October, having retired from Tests and T20Is and now being exclusively ODI players.
First time in 14 years; Two West Indian centuries against India!
West Indian batsman Shai Hope scored his first Test hundred in over eight years, during his side’s second Test against India in New Delhi on Monday. This was Hope’s third Test hundred, the first two having come against England in the same match at Leeds in 2017. Hope was eventually dismissed for 103, bowled by Mohammed Siraj. The 31-year-old’s effort came with the West Indies following on against India. Hope put on a 177-run partnership for the third wicket with opener John Campbell, who smashed a hundred as well. This is the first time in 14 years that two West Indian batters have scored centuries in a Test innings against India. The partnership between Hope and Campbell helped the visitor stave off an innings defeat. John Campbell especially, broke a 20-year drought, scoring his first century against India as an opener. But significantly, legendary batsman Brian Lara still made it a point to visit the visitors’ dressing room after the second day’s play in the second Test. The 56-year-old Lara is in New Delhi alongside another legend, Sir Vivian Richards, as a part of the ‘Mission India’ campaign as they are trying to help the cash-strapped Cricket West Indies get some extra funds, which will help them revive the dilapidated structure of their long-form game. Lara was in the West Indies dressing room after the end of the day’s play. He did not make any general address to the players but spoke (separately) to coach Darren Sammy and captain Roston Chase, and a couple of players, as reported by PTI.
Kohli’s non-renewal attitude with RCB sparks IPL-retirement rumors!
In a surprising turn of events, a report from Rev Sportz has created rumors in the cricket fraternity about Virat Kohli’s retirement from IPL! Sources have also revealed that Kohli has turned down the renewal of his contract with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the team he has been with since the league’s inception in 2008. Kohli’s tenure with RCB has been marked by numerous unforgettable performances and a strong fan following. His leadership qualities and exceptional batting skills have played a crucial role in the team’s journey over the years, and his potential absence would undoubtedly leave a significant void. Beyond the pitch, Kohli has inspired young cricketers and fostered a professional environment within the franchise. According to the report, Kohli was expected to review his contract ahead of upcoming season, but he has opted not to pursue it, shedding uncertainty over his future in the IPL. Cricket analysts suggest that Kohli’s potential departure could usher in a transition period for RCB, prompting the franchise to reassess its strategy and leadership ahead of future seasons. However, neither Kohli nor RCB has issued any formal statement on the matter.
Marufa Akter: From Ploughing paddy fields to the country’s best promising speedster
Bangladesh women’s cricket has found a ‘new kid on the block’. Her name is Marufa Aktar. Marufa has already stolen the limelight. The speedster’s brilliant bowling, especially the controlled swing and correctness in length, helped Bangladesh to earn a convincing victory against Pakistan in their opener at Premdasa Stadium in the ongoing Women’s ODI World Cup. A fan of Australian great Mitchell Starc, Marufa has chosen a fitting role model. Adding to her team’s momentum, her in-swinger to right-handers left Pakistan gasping when she removed Omaima Sohail and the in-form Sidra Amin off successive deliveries, reducing them to ruins in the very first over. The effort drew praise from several leading voices in world cricket, including Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga, who posted a clip of her twin strikes with the words: “Pure skill, excellent control. So far, she had the best delivery in this tournament.” This remarkable moment was a far cry from her humble beginnings. But initially, life was not easy for Marufa. The dream to establish her as a cricketer was distant. One of her mentors in Bangladesh cricket, Arifa Jahan Bithi, a cricketer-turned-coach, posted videos showing that wearing a yellow puffer jacket, Marufa and her father are seen ploughing their paddy field. By then, she had already been scouted, but the pandemic halted training and funding, threatening to end her career before it began. Though Arifa never formally trained her, she has remained a constant supporter and sounding board. Marufa was a wiry teenager who roared at every wicket and hurled herself at the ball in the field. The passion remains, but the foundation has strengthened—built on structured fitness, power training, and technical refinement. That shift came under the guidance of Bangladesh’s former strength and conditioning coach Ian Durrant. Her newfound discipline and growing strength soon started to show results. “Earlier, I used to bench press 25–30kg. Now I do around 42–44kg, and squats with 30–35kg have now gone up to 60kg,” an excited Marufa said in a video shared by the Bangladesh Cricket Board. This increase in strength contributed to her growing impact on the field. The young pacer made a strong early impression, finishing as Bangladesh’s top wicket-taker at the 2023 U-19 T-20 World Cup and putting in notable performances at the 2022 Asian Games. While speaking to Sportstar, Arifa Jahan exclaimed, “Marufa has a background of working very hard in the fields since childhood. She is a good athlete, a natural athlete, and that amount of hard work is normal for people like her, and has held her in good standing. Watching her remove those two batters in the first over gave me goosebumps. That kind of pace bowling I have not seen from a player from this nation.”
Srikkanth’s explosion on ODI selection: ‘Best is to be like Harshit Rana and be a constant yes-man to Gambhir to be selected!’
Former India chairman of selectors Krishnamachari Srikkanth lambasted the team management for the inclusion of Harshit Rana in the ODI squad for the Australia tour on Saturday. Srikkanth sharply questioned the selectors for repeatedly changing the ODI squad, particularly pointing out the omission of Sanju Samson as back-up wicket-keeper, while including Harshit Rana, who debuted across formats in just four months since November 2024. Srikkanth argued that such changes create confusion and insecurity among players, highlighting Rana’s rapid rise as emblematic of inconsistent selection policies. “Constant, unpredictable selections are confusing the players and even the public. One day, Yashasvi Jaiswal is in, the next, he’s out. The only fixture seems to be Harshit Rana, whose continuous selection is unexplained. This inconsistency undermines player confidence,” Srikkanth stated. “You don’t pick some players even if they do well and take others even if they don’t. Best is to be like Harshit Rana and be a constant yes-man to Gambhir to be selected. You should start building towards the 2027 World Cup. But I feel they have not. If you pick Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy among the probabilities, then you can wave goodbye to the trophy,” an unfiltered Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel. “Some players are overlooked despite strong performances, while others like Harshit Rana remain favored regardless of form. It seems following Gambhir is the only path to selection now. India should be building for the 2027 World Cup, but current choices—like picking Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy—signal we’re far from winning,” Srikkanth told his YouTube audience. Rana made his Test debut during India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour to Australia last year, picking up four wickets in two matches. He later made his ODI debut against England before featuring in the ODI Champions Trophy squad in the United Arab Emirates. Rana had a forgettable Asia Cup, conceding 79 runs for two wickets in as many games. Srikkanth had also slammed the Delhi pacer after he ended up leaking 54 runs for a solitary wicket against Sri Lanka in the Super 4s. “Harshit Rana does too many filmy gimmicks. All these filmy reactions aren’t of any use, you’ve to actually bowl well. He also exhibits these dramatic reactions in the IPL. This is not a good attitude; it’s just showboating. He drives after the ball is already past him. Why dive after the goal has already been scored? Aggression is different, but showing so much at a young age is why he got punished today,” the former India captain had said.
BCCI likely to select Shubman Gill as captain; Virat and Rohit likely to be in the squad for the ODI series
All eyes will be on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ahead of Team India’s selection for the forthcoming T-20 and three One Day Internationals series against Australia. According to the Indian Express, there is no doubt about the selection of Rohit and Virat for the ODI series, but BCCI is likely to continue with Shubman Gill as Team India’s captain for the forthcoming ODI and T-20 series in Australia. According to reports, the reason behind BCCI plans to choose Gill as captain is that the Board also wants Gill to lead Team India in the ICC ODI World Cup, to be held in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe in 2027. Gill was also in the selection committee meeting. According to the Indian Express, the coach Gautam Gambhir has also been informed about the change of leadership in ODI captaincy from Rohit Sharma to Shubman Gill. Team India’s Test captain has scored 2775 runs in 55 ODIs at an average of 59.04, including a 208 against New Zealand in Hyderabad in 2003. However, Rohit and Kohli remain in the scheme of things for ODIs for now but will be playing their first competitive matches in eight months. Their last game was the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, which India won under Rohit’s captaincy by beating New Zealand by four wickets in Dubai. Rohit captained the Indian white-ball team to two ICC trophies, the T20 World Cup in the West Indies last year and the Champions Trophy title this year. However, Rohit and Kohli remain in the scheme of things for ODIs for now but will be playing their first competitive matches in eight months. Their last game was the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, which India won under Rohit’s captaincy by beating New Zealand by four wickets in Dubai. Rohit captained the Indian white-ball team to two ICC trophies, the T20 World Cup in the West Indies last year and the Champions Trophy title this year. However, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s inclusion does not have any doubt so far but both the cricketers will be participating in an international match after a gap of eight months. Their last match was the Champions Trophy final against New Zealand, which they won by four wickets in Dubai. Rohit Sharma stepped down from captaincy after a poor show against Australia. While remembering that, Rohit commented recently, “Runs are not coming but there is no guarantee that you won’t be able to score two months down the line or six months down the line. I am mature enough to know what I am doing.”
Nepal stun West Indies in their maiden win against a full-member nation
They have failed to earn qualification for the Asia Cup. Still, Nepal created the biggest moment in their cricketing history on Saturday night in Sharjah. They pulled off a 19-run victory over two-time T-20 World Cup champions West Indies to register their first-ever win against a Full Member nation. It was Nepal’s first T-20I meeting with the West Indies, their first bilateral series against a full member nation of the ICC, and they made it unforgettable by outplaying the West Indies in every department. Six of their batters cleared the ropes, six of their bowlers picked up wickets, and the fielding, marked by direct hits and bullet throws, never let the Caribbean side settle. Opting to bowl first, West Indies made early inroads through Jason Holder and Akeal Hosein, reducing Nepal to 12 for 2. But captain Rohit Paudel (38 off 35) and Kushal Malla (30 off 21) stitched together a vital 58-run stand. Their partnership gave Nepal momentum after a sluggish start, while Gulsan Jha and Dipendra Singh Airee added valuable runs in the middle overs. Holder was outstanding with 4 for 20, and debutant Navin Bidaisee impressed with 3 for 29, but sloppy catching meant Nepal still finished with a competitive 148 for 8. Chasing 149, the West Indies innings never took shape. Kyle Mayers was run out early, debutant Ackeem Auguste’s cameo ended quickly, and the spinners tightened the screws. Kushal Bhurtel starred with 2 for 17, while Paudel, Lalit Rajbanshi, Karan KC, Dipendra Airee, and Nandan Yadav all chipped in. Despite a late charge from Fabian Allen (19) and Akeal Hosein (18 off 9), West Indies, folded to 129 for 9 in 20 overs. Nepal’s discipline was the story of the night. Their bowlers held their nerve, the fielders pulled off crucial run-outs, and when Hosein threatened at the death, Karan KC snuffed out the fight. Paudel was named Player of the Match for his 38 with the bat and the wicket of Jewel Andrew.
‘Let them do whatever, we will follow our protocol,’ says Salman Agha before the Asia Cup final
For the first time, ahead of the Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan today in Dubai, Pakistan captain Salman Agha opened up about the ‘no handshake’ controversy that has already rocked the cricket fraternity. While speaking at the media conference, Salman described the situation as ‘unprecedented’ and stated that he has not seen or heard anything like this before in his life. “I have been playing cricket since 2007, and I have never seen two teams don’t shake hands. All I have heard is that such an incident has never occurred.” He added, “Previously too, India and Pakistan matches have taken place, when situations were worse than this one, and then also handshakes used to happen. This is not good for cricket.” Rumors are also there that there will be no ‘captain’s photo shoot’ ahead of the final. While reacting to this question, the Pakistan skipper had a simple response. “Let them do whatever, we will follow our protocol. It is up to them. We can’t do anything about that.” Meanwhile, there is still no clarity on the captain’s photo shoot, anyway. Coming to the cricket aspect, India and Pakistan have played two matches so far in the Asia Cup, where India have won both, convincingly. Still, it is not going to be simply a cricket match. The electric game in Dubai will be treated as a proxy war. For all those naive people who say, ‘sports should not mix with politics,’ they also realize that they have already been drawn into the warmth of this high-voltage match. India must be desperate to clinch the title, as both teams will be playing in the final for the first time in the Asia Cup.
Suryakumar Yadav faces ‘caution’ only by the ICC referee
Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav has only been cautioned by the ICC against Pakistan’s complaint after Yadav dedicated India’s Super-Four victory to India’s armed forces and the victims of Pahalgam terror attack. On Thursday, India skipper Suryakumar Yadav was summoned by the ICC after a formal complaint from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). According to those present, Suryakumar, accompanied by BCCI COO Hemang Amin and Cricket Operations Manager Summer Mallapurkar, appeared before match referee Richie Richardson. The Indian captain “pleaded not guilty,” arguing that his words were in solidarity with his countrymen rather than political messaging. According to PTI, Richardson, however, reminded the 34-year-old to steer clear of comments that could be construed as political. A Level 1 offence under the ICC code of conduct usually carries a warning or a fine of 15% of match fees. For now, Surya has escaped with just a caution. If India’s skipper had to defend his words, Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Shahibzada Farhin must defend their actions. The BCCI has lodged a separate complaint, citing their provocative gestures during Super-Four clash on 21st September 21. Rauf allegedly mimicked the shooting down of an aircraft, a gesture that instantly reminded Indian supporters of past military confrontations. Farhan, after his fifty, went a step further as he wielded his bat like a machine gun in celebration. All this was quite bewildering considering the two nations went into a war a few months ago. It was apparent, for Indians, as a mockery. Farhan later shrugged it off as “something that came to mind,” but the ICC is unlikely to be so forgiving. Their hearing, slated for Friday, could set an important precedent on how far on-field theatrics can go before they cross the line.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi breaks Unmukt Chand’s record with most sixes in Youth ODI
India’s teenage prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi set another record for the maximum sixes in Youth ODI cricket during India’s second Under-19 One Day International match against Australia Under-19 at the Ian Healy Oval in Brisbane on Wednesday. The 14-year-old surpassed compatriot Unmukt Chand’s previous record by hitting his 39th Youth ODI six. Chand had struck 38 maximums across 21 matches, while it took Suryavanshi only 10 innings to reach the milestone. The attacking left-hander smashed six sixes during his 70-run knock against Australia before falling to Australian skipper Yash Deshmukh, courtesy of a remarkable catch by Aryan Sharma. Suryavanshi who has already set multiple records, now scored 540 runs in Youth ODIs. 26% of the run came out of boundaries. He currently has 41 sixes to his name. Among Indians, after Suryavanshi and Chand, Yashasvi Jaiswal has the most maximums in Youth One-Day cricket. Jaiswal, now an established name in the Indian set-up, struck 30 sixes in the 27 matches he played between 2018 and 2020.
