Rohit, bumrah attend yo-yo test, kohli uncertain
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who now only play one format for India—ODIs—are anticipated to take part in the three-match series against Australia in October 2025. Their future in international cricket is still up in the air though. According to a recent report, Rohit and Virat may play their final series in Indian colors in October as the present team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, may overlook the duo for the 2027 World Cup. The same report added that the two stalwarts of the game might be asked to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy if they harbour the dream of winning the World Cup in South Africa. Amid all the chatter, Rohit and Virat have started preparing for their next big assignment. India’s ODI captain Rohit is one of seven players who will undergo a pre-fitness test at the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru. Rohit will be joined by Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammad Siraj, and Shardul Thakur, who will all undergo the Yo-Yo Test. These players will also undergo the Dexa Can to determine their bone density. These tests are a part of the pre-season tests. However, there is no clarity on Virat Kohli, who retired from Tests in May this year. It remains unclear when the former India captain will undergo the fitness Test. This is also the first time Rohit will undergo the fitness Test since announcing his retirement from Tests. A representative of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed to the Indian Express that all players under central contract are required to take a fitness test before to the season. According to the board’s rules, this is mandatory. “All players have to undergo a pre-season fitness Test, it’s mandatory as per the contract. These tests help the COE understand the areas the players have to work on or where they are lacking. As there was a big break (after the England Test series), the players were given sets of exercises to do at home,” the BCCI official stated. Prior to the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series against England, both Virat and Rohit quit Test cricket. After India won the 2024 World Cup, the duo also stopped playing Twenty20 Internationals. Adrian le Roux, the current strength and conditioning coach for the Indian team, has already suggested including the rugby-focused Bronco Test in the fitness evaluations. The Indian Express claims that later in the season, the Bronco Test will be included in the regimen. Ahead of the Asia Cup, which starts on September 9, India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Kuldeep Yadav have already shown up for the fitness test.
Binny to quit; rajiv shukla likely to fill the post
Indian Cricket returns to making headlines once again, as this time it’s within the top management that a change has taken place. The latest reports coming out of BCCI are that they have a new interim president, Rajeev Shukla, after the serving one, Roger Binny, stepped aside from his position. Sources close to the information have revealed that Shukla will assume charge till the next BCCI elections, expected in September. While the BCCI unanimously appointed Shukla as the IPL chairman in 2015, he was elected unopposed as the BCCI’s vice-president in 2020. Meanwhile, upon being re-elected, Binny shall continue in his role as the board’s president; however, should he fail to get enough votes, a new face will lead the Indian Cricket Board. During the BCCI Apex Council meeting on Wednesday (Aug 27), Shukla took charge as the acting chief, a report in Dainik Jagran read. The meeting’s agenda was to finalise Team India’s lead sponsor following Dream11’s departure, with the 2025 Asia Cup also starting in ten days; however, fixing one before the T20 tournament gets underway in the UAE remains a massive challenge. “We don’t even have two weeks left. We are trying, but floating a new tender, completing legal processes, and handling technicalities will take time. As for a short-term sponsor only for the Asia Cup, we are not going that way. Our focus is on securing a sponsor for the next two-and-a-half years, until the 2027 ODI World Cup in October-November,” the report read. Although the new National Sports Governance Act was passed in the parliament earlier, the Indian Cricket Board shall continue to conduct its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and elections (in September) under the existing rule, as it will take close to five months for the new bill to come into effect. Despite BCCI operating under the constitution drafted after the Supreme Court’s verdict on the Lodha Committee recommendations, the elections for the cricket board or any state association that are due shall be held under the existing rule. Regarding the age cap, with the Lodha Committee recommendations setting it at 70 for all office bearers, the revised act stretches it till 75 to contest elections, allowing Binny, who turned 70 recently, to fight for the post once again. The report also claims that BCCI office bearers would be forced to step down after the completion of nine years in total or six consecutive years in office. “If BCCI President Roger Binny had to step down, then state associations will also have to accept the same,” the report highlighted.
Lalit Modi reveals secret video on Sreesanth-Harbhajan slapgate
After 17 years in the IPL archives, former commissioner of the league Lalit Modi finally released the video footage of Harbhajan Singh slapping S Sreesanth. For almost 18 years, the video footage of the infamous IPL slapgate incident between Harbhajan Singh and S Sreesanth stayed hidden. It was archived. All these years, no one quite knew what had happened, except the fact that Harbhajan slapped Sreesanth after Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) defeated the Mumbai Indians in a match from the first-ever edition of the Indian Premier League. When the incident took place, the coverage had cut to commercials, and when the live streaming came back on, the visuals of Sreesanth crying sent absolute shockwaves through the cricketing world. These were Indian teammates, playing for the same team. What could have happened that senior pro Harbhajan was forced to raise his hand on his younger teammate? Of course, a lot of water has flown under the bridge since. Harbhajan and Sreesanth have since buried the hatchet and gone on to become good friends. However, after 17 long years, the clip that sent ripples through the tournament is finally released when former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi aired it on Michael Clarke’s Beyond23 podcast. The year 2008 was unforgettable in Indian cricket. It saw the birth of the Indian Premier League which has, since then, went on to become the world’s biggest T20 cricket tournament. But, beyond the novelty of the format and tournament, what stayed in the minds of the viewers was an infamous incident on the field after a match between the Punjab Kings XI and Mumbai Indians in Mohali. KXIP pacer S. Sreesanth, reportedly, got under the MI spinner’s skin to such an extent during the match, that after the game, when the players were shaking hands, Harbhajan allegedly slapped Sreesanth. The incident was not caught on camera then, but footage minutes later showed Sreesanth in tears and other players consoling him. Harbhajan was suspended for the remainder of the season, banned for 11 games and his match fees forfeited. In a podcast with Australian World Cup-winning captain Michael Clarke, Lalit Modi shared the video, saying, “The game was over, cameras were shut off. One of my security cameras was on. It caught the incident between Sreesanth and Bhajji (Harbhajan), and Bhajji just gives him a back-hander. “I hadn’t put it out for so long. We have 18 years behind us for this,” said Lalit Modi, on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast. Interestingly, Harbhajan had recently expressed regret over the slapgate, in an interaction with Ravichandran Ashwin on the latter’s YouTube channel. Admitting what he did was wrong, he said he wished he could remove the incident from his career and life. He added that he had apologised over “200 times” for the incident. “What hurt me even after many years was when I met his daughter and I was talking to her with a lot of love and she said, ‘I don’t want to talk to you. You hit my father’,” Harbhajan told Ashwin. “My heart was shattered and I was on the verge of tears. I was asking myself what is the impression I have left on her? She must be thinking of me in a poor light, right? She sees me as the guy who hit her father. I felt so bad. I still apologise to his daughter.”
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke diagnosed with skin cancer
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke took to Instagram on Wednesday (August 27) to share a post in which he confirmed that he underwent surgery to treat skin cancer. “Skin cancer is real! Especially in Australia, Another one cut out of my nose today. A friendly reminder to schedule a skin check. Prevention is better than a cure, but in my case, regular check-ups and early detection are key. So grateful that @drbishsoliman_ got it early. @australianskincancerfoundation,” captioned the post. According to 7news, the 44-year-old former Australian captain received his first diagnosis in 2006 and has had about a dozen cancers removed in the years since. He required surgery to remove a dangerous basal cell carcinoma from his chest last year. He had cancers cut out of his forehead and face on separate occasions in 2023. In 2023, he teamed up with the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation and told Sunrise that he tries to get checked twice a year. “Just about every time I need to get things zapped off my body, particularly my face, because I’ve spent so much time in the sun,” Clarke said. “I’ve probably had 20 skin cancers cut out of my body. I get nervous, but I think the advantage is I went from quite a young age, so now I know, minimum twice a year, I’ll make sure I go and get checked.” “Peace of mind is so important. Australian summer, this sun here is as strong as anywhere in the world.”
Ajit Agarkar’s two senior national selectors lose jobs
The BCCI on Friday invited applications to fill two vacancies in the five-member senior men’s national selection committee, as well as four positions in the women’s panel. The eligibility criteria remained unchanged from previous years. Applicants must have played either a minimum of seven Test matches or 30 first-class games. Alternatively, candidates with experience in at least 10 One Day Internationals (ODIs) or 20 first-class matches will also be considered. “The contracts of selectors are renewed annually. We have not yet identified which selectors will be replaced, but that process will be undertaken soon,” a BCCI official told PTI. The current men’s selection committee, which recently picked the squads for next month’s Asia Cup, is currently headed by former India pacer Ajit Agarkar and comprises SS Das, Subroto Banerjee, Ajay Ratra, and S Sharath. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially invited applications for positions across its national selection committees, including the high-profile Senior Men’s Selection Committee. The announcement confirms that two members of the current men’s panel, led by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, will be replaced, with one of them being South Zone selector S Sharath, who has already completed his four-year term. In a press release issued on Thursday, the BCCI called for applications to fill two vacancies on the Senior Men’s Selection Committee. The eligibility criteria for these roles include having played a minimum of seven Test matches, or 30 First-Class matches, or a combination of 10 ODIs and 20 First-Class games. Additionally, applicants must have retired from professional cricket at least five years prior and must not have served on any BCCI cricket committee for a cumulative period of five years. Earlier media reports suggested that the current selection committee — comprising Ajit Agarkar, SS Das, Subroto Banerjee, Ajay Ratra, and S Sharath — was under scrutiny. It was reported that changes to the panel could be made at the BCCI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in September. According to a report in Hindustan Times, Sharath is likely to be replaced by former India spinner Pragyan Ojha. Sharath, in turn, is expected to take over as the chief of the junior men’s selection committee. While two members of the senior men’s committee are set to be replaced, Ajit Agarkar is likely to receive an extension on his tenure till 2026. Agarkar’s Tenure and Achievements Appointed in July 2023, Agarkar has overseen several key achievements for the national team, including: • Reaching the final of the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup • Winning the ICC T20 World Cup in 2024 • Winning the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025 These milestones are believed to be major reasons behind the BCCI’s decision to retain him. “Under his tenure, the Indian team won titles and saw transitions in the Test and T20 formats too. The BCCI extended his contract till June 2026, and he accepted the offer a few months back,” a BCCI official told The Indian Express. In addition to the men’s selection roles, the BCCI has also opened four positions in the women’s national selection committee, and one position in the junior men’s cricket selection committee.
Iyer as ODI captain? BCCI says discussion not yet made
A day after reports suggested that the BCCI was considering Shreyas Iyer as the successor to Rohit Sharma in ODIs, the board has firmly dismissed such claims. On Thursday, a report in Dainik Jagran alleged that Iyer was the frontrunner to take over once Rohit decided on his future in the format. However, BCCI officials have clarified that no such discussion has taken place and instead highlighted Shubman Gill as the natural choice for the role. It is a period of transition for the Indian national cricket team, with a young coach and a team that has seen wholesale changes in the last 12 months as many of its veterans step away and make space for fresh blood. This has been particularly true when it comes to the leadership contingents of the team across the board, with the decisions regarding who the leader of India’s brave new world will be holding a lot of importance for its immediate future; this is not a string of decisions to be taken lightly. If the first half of the year was dedicated to question marks over the Test captaincy for India’s men’s national team, the second half has begun with questions regarding captaincy in ODI cricket. With rumours swirling regarding the oncoming retirement of incumbent ODI captain Rohit Sharma, a fair few names have been thrown around as candidates for limited-overs leadership in recent days. High amongst those is Shreyas Iyer, whose stock as a captain in white-ball cricket is at an all-time high after reaching two consecutive IPL finals with two different franchises. Iyer’s mixture of experience, leadership, and x-factor has made him a sudden crowd favourite to take over the captaincy mantle from Rohit, as and when Team India reaches that bridge. According to the report, a BCCI source told Hindustan Times that there is no reason why Shubman Gill should not be the frontrunner to lead India in ODIs when the time comes. The 25-year-old opener, who was recently appointed as India’s Test captain, also served as vice-captain in the Champions Trophy and is deputy to Suryakumar Yadav in the Asia Cup T20 squad. For now, India continues with a three-captain setup: Rohit Sharma in ODIs, Gill in Tests, and Suryakumar in T20Is. “He averages 59 in ODI cricket and is already the vice-captain of the team. There is no way someone who has recently been appointed Test captain, found some success and has age on his side should not take over leadership in ODI cricket, when the time comes,” stated the source. Whichever player is chosen will have to wait, with Rohit holding on to captaincy as India head to Australia for a three-match series this October.
Rugby-centric Bronco Test for Indian cricketers
The BCCI has reportedly introduced a rugby-centric Bronco fitness test for Indian players in an effort to ensure consistently high fitness standards. It will now be used alongside the established Yo-Yo test and 2-kilometer time trial to assess players’ readiness for international competition. To ensure top Indian cricketers maintain a high level of fitness and improve their aerobic capacity, the rugby-centric Bronco Test — involving multiple shuttle runs of 20 metres, 40 metres and 60 metres — has been introduced. the Indian team’s strength and conditioning coach Adrian le Roux who also wants the fast bowlers to clock more running miles instead of being gym-focused. Head coach Gautam Gambhir is also on the same page. For starters, the Bronco test does not replace the existing Yo-Yo test and the 2-kilometre time trial. India head coach Gautam Gambhir and strength and conditioning coach Adrian le Roux have instead introduced the Bronco test, originally developed for rugby which measures aerobic endurance and pushes cardiovascular limits. What is the Bronco test? The Bronco test is a high-intensity aerobic running drill which involves shuttle runs of 20, 40 and 60 metres respectively. So an athlete must run 20 metres and cover as much distance on the way back, totaling 40 metres. Going by this rule, the player effectively covers 80m and 120m respectively for the other two shuttle runs. The three distances form a set, and in the Bronco test, a player must complete five sets, effectively covering 1,200 metres, without taking rest. The time taken to complete the five sets is then noted as a measure of a player’s fitness, with the team currently setting six minutes as the benchmark. Why the Bronco Test? “The Bronco Test has been introduced at the Centre of Excellence. Some of India’s contracted players have travelled to Bengaluru and have taken the test. The Bronco Test is being used to ensure there are clear fitness standards. Also, it was noticed that Indian cricketers, more so the fast bowlers, were not running enough and spending too much time in the gym. Players have been told that they will have to do more running,” a source said. In the 2-km time trial, the benchmark for fast bowlers was 8 minutes and 15 seconds. For batsmen, wicket-keepers and spinners, it was 8 minutes and 30 seconds. The Yo-Yo-Test involves running between markers placed 20 meters apart, at increasing speeds, with a 10-second break between each 40-metre run. The minimum Yo-Yo level for the Indian team was set at 17.1. According to The Indian Express, several players have already undergone the Bronco test at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Additionally, le Roux had recommended the test in response to concerns over players, especially fast bowlers, spending too much time in gyms instead of endurance training. Le Roux had rejoined the Indian team as their s&c coach in June this year, having previously worked with the Indian team from January 2002 and May 2003 under then-captain Sourav Ganguly and head coach John Wright. He has also worked with Cricket South Africa as well as Indian Premier League franchises Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings.
Virendra Kambli clarifies his brother Vinod never claimed to be better than Sachin Tendulkar
Vinod Kambli, who rose to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, was widely seen as a naturally gifted batter. Around the same time, Sachin Tendulkar also came into the spotlight, sparking endless debates about who was the more talented of the two. While many believed Kambli had greater flair, others backed Tendulkar. In the end, however, it was Tendulkar who turned his potential into record-breaking performances, while Kambli struggled to live up to the promise of his early years. Virendra, the brother of former India cricketer Vinod Kambli, has revealed what kind of relationship the latter shared with Sachin Tendulkar. Kambli’s brother, Virendra, speaking in an interview about the talent and the relationship between Kambli and Tendulkar. “Both had the same talent. You can’t say my brother was greater than Sachin or vice versa. They were both the same. I never heard my brother say he was better than Sachin,” Virendra said in an interview with Vickey Lalwani. “Both had the same talent,” Virendra declared to Vickey Lalwani in an interview. “You can’t say my brother was greater than Sachin or vice versa. They were both the same. I never heard my brother say he was better than Sachin.” Virendra was also asked about reported rifts between the two cricketers, and about statements from Kambli (which he later took back) that Tendulkar let him down when he needed support. “No, that’s not true,” Virendra said. “Sachin dada has always supported Vinod. Their friendship is still very strong. Sachin calls and checks on him with Andrea (Kambli’s wife).” Later, pushed about players that Kambli respected the most, Virendra again named Tendulkar. “Sachin Dada. He was closest to him,” he said. “I don’t know about others, but I saw them together when I would go to watch Ranji Trophy matches. I would go to the dressing room to eat, and Sachin Dada, Vinod, and I would sit together and have fun. We would joke around and have a good time.” Virendra tip-towed around the subject of indiscipline about Kambli, but did mention that he got too carried away in the glamour of the sport. Virendra added that he still advises his students not to ‘go overboard’. “I will give this message: If you play cricket and get glamour, learn to be grounded. Be down-to-earth. I have also been playing cricket for many years. I have learned by watching Sachin Dada and Vinod Dada. I have learned by watching their batting on TV. I have seen their hard work since childhood. I tell the kids to work hard. If you get success after working hard, then hold on to that success. Don’t go overboard, as we say. Don’t get carried away,” he said in the interview. Virendera, too, played some cricket growing up and now runs an academy. Nasa Hussain, now in his 50s, works as the head groundsman at the Park Avenue ground in Bradford, England — a locality with a strong South Asian community, particularly people with roots in Pakistan and India. Back in the early 1990s, much like Vinod Kambli, he too was a young cricketer chasing big dreams. Kambli was 19 but he had the swagger of a Test veteran. “As a South Asian, Sachin joining Yorkshire was big news. I’ll tell you what was better, he brought along with him his friend Vinod Kambli, who played in our league. I’ve never-ever met a person who hits the ball as hard as he used to,” he said. Nasa still remembers the first ball he bowled to him. “He just runs down the track and hits the first ball for six, and you think, ‘well okay’. Young man from India, never seen before, never heard of before, and he just comes and smashes it. Subsequently, he went on to score two double-hundreds against England. That was some talent,” he says before seamlessly switching to a rueful tone. “In today’s day and age, that guy would have been a multi-millionaire.”
Shardul backs Kuldeep, Easwaran after missing England Test series
Team India fast-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur shared his honest opinion on warming the bench in recent matches and drawing parallels with the situations faced by Abhimanyu Easwaran and Kuldeep Yadav. Shardul was picked in the squad for the five-match Test series against England, but he played only two matches. He got the chance in the first Test at Leeds but failed to impress with both bat and ball and ended up losing his spot in the XI for the next two matches. Shardul revealed that he can relate to what Kudeep and Easwaran are going through and said that in these situations, the players start getting bored. Speaking to Boria Majumdar on Revsportz, Shardul said “On a few occasions, I was also in the same boat. As a player, you go through a lot of emotions, and it’s not easy to sit out, questioning yourself about what you are doing, not getting a game. There are two things. As I mentioned earlier, not everyone is privileged enough to be on the Indian side. The second thing is, unfortunately, the competition is high in India, and only 11 of them get to be a part of the actual playing team.” He added, “We need to understand that this is likely the best 11 that management is considering, based on the pitch and weather conditions. You’ll have to tell your mind that this was not my game, and it’s also a lot to be able to travel with the team and share the dressing room with the rest. I don’t have many answers to this one, but one just needs to wait around for that one chance.” Meanwhile, Kuldeep and Easwaran didn’t get even a single match on the tour. Despite heavy backing from experts, Kuldeep was overlooked as Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill opted for Washington Sundar due to his batting depth. Easwaran, meanwhile, who had also travelled to Australia earlier, still awaits his Test debut. Both Kuldeep and Eswaran are expected to feature next in the 2025 edition of the Duleep Trophy, with Kuldeep playing for Central Zone and Easwaran for East Zone. Kuldeep Yadav has not featured in Test cricket since the first Test against New Zealand in October 2024. Since his debut in the longest format of the game in 2017, he has played just 13 games, taking 56 scalps at an average of 22.16 and four five-wicket hauls. The decision not to play Kuldeep has attracted criticism as he is a wicket-taking spin bowler, as suggested by his strike rate of 37.3, which is the highest among all spin bowlers with at least 50 Test wickets. In 13 matches, he has taken 56 wickets, with four five-wicket hauls. Easwaran, meanwhile, has been a domestic cricket stalwart for Bengal, with 101 first-class games, 7,674 runs at an average of 48.87, 27 centuries and 29 fifties behind him. Yet, he continues to wait for his Test debut.
Shubman Gill may not feature in India’s Asia Cup squad
The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) selection committee, headed by Ajit Agarkar, is set to meet in Mumbai on Tuesday to finalise India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025. India’s Test captain Shubman Gill might find it difficult to get into the Asia Cup T20 side, with selectors struggling to find a way to slot him into the squad of 15. According to a report by Cricbuzz, Gill may not find a place in the Asia Cup roster, with the committee in the Asia Cup roster, with the committee as the first-choice opening pair. Yashasvi Jaiswal is being considered as the third opener, ahead of Gill. However, Gill’s inclusion could still depend on head coach Gautam Gambhir’s inputs. If Gambhir pushes for Gill, Jaiswal might have to make way. There has been much talk about vice-captaincy in recent times. Shubman Gill as possible vice-captain for the Asia Cup is something that has been doing the rounds. The truth is that vice-captaincy isn’t something that is very relevant to the selection meeting. Gill as player will indeed be discussed, and a call taken. It is equally true that his inclusion or non-inclusion will not depend on him being a possible vice-captaincy option. Gill has already proved that he is captaincy material in Test cricket. Vice-captaincy isn’t going to tilt the scales for or against him on August 19. Indian team management and selectors are of the opinion that Gill at the moment doesn’t fit into their T20 scheme of things. Which means there are chances of Gill not boarding a flight to Dubai as the Indian team management want to stick to players whom they have backed post the 2024 T20 World Cup. the selectors will convey this to the Indian board bosses before the selection committee assembles on August 19, to make them aware of the situation. The Indian team will continue to be led by Suryakumar Yadav, who has cleared his fitness. It is understood that in a series of informal talks before the selection, there was discussion on Gill’s inclusion in the playing eleven. If India’s Test captain makes it in the squad the team management would have to open the innings with him. However, with Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson having done well in the top order, the team wants to stick with their tried and tested openers in whom they have invested so far. There was also a discussion informally on whether to drop Tilak Varma and accommodate Gill. However, the team management felt that it would be unfair on the left-handed batsman, who is holding the number two ranking in International Cricket Council (ICC) T20I’s batting rankings. The team doesn’t want Gill to be seen warming the bench. This means recent success in England, where a young Indian cricket team without stars earned a 2-2 draw, might not have much of an impact on the upcoming selection, given it’s two different formats. However, with recent success in Test cricket, Gill is pushing his case hard for inclusion in white ball formats. In the IPL, Gill was the fourth highest run getter after Sai Sudharsan (759), Surya (717), Kohli (657) with 650 runs. Shreyas (604) and Jaiswal (559) were 6th and 7th respectively. With his success in the red ball format, the buzz had risen to make him the all-format captain of the Indian team. However, selectors are not jumping the gun after the England success and have decided to carry on with their old captain who is yet to lose a series in his leadership stint. Finally, it will be interesting to see if the selectors decide to try out someone new. With the T20 World Cup just five months away, the Asia Cup is perhaps the final opportunity to check out on a new player. As the cup comes closer and India contest T20 games against South Africa and New Zealand in December-January, you would want to play your best XI and get the combination right. In fact, the time for experimentation is now. If Gill is in your World Cup plans, play him in Dubai. If Samson and Abhishek are the designated openers, they should be persisted with.
