Bumrah informs selectors he is ready to take part in the Asia Cup
The Ajit Agarkar-headed selection committee will pick the 15-member squad for the forthcoming Asia Cup on 19th August. The majority of the first-choice players are available for selection, and the selectors will have their task cut out during the meeting. The chief selector is likely to address a press conference along with the captain, Suryakumar Yadav, after the meeting. All eyes will be on whether Jasprit Bumrah is selected in the team or not. Bumrah’s back issues have seen him miss multiple series. Bumrah only played three Tests against England. The right-arm pacer hasn’t played a T20I since the 2024 World Cup final. The 2023 ODI World Cup final remains his last appearance in the 50-over format. According to a report published by The Indian Express, Bumrah spoke to selectors a few days ago to confirm his availability for the continental tournament. Bumrah’s availability is a big boost to Team India. Suryakumar Yadav, who underwent a sports hernia surgery in June, has cleared the fitness test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, and he will attend the selection meeting. The right-handed batsman won’t be playing the Duleep Trophy. Shubman Gill, who was appointed white-ball teams’ vice-captain, is likely to retain that position. He has not featured in a T-20 International match since July 2024. Gill is India’s present Test captain.
Allan Border remembers his ‘sergeant major’ after his demise on Saturday
Former Australian captain Allan Border hailed former captain and coach Bob Simpson as the “sergeant major and a disciplinarian”, which allowed him to do what he did best. Simpson passed away at the age of 89 in Sydney, according to a report by Cricket Australia (CA) on Saturday. Speaking to News Corp, as quoted by SEN Cricket, Border, who he coached for the majority of his international career, the high points of which were the 1987 World Cup and the 1989 Ashes series win in England said, “Behind the scenes, he was the sergeant major and disciplinarian, and that allowed me to do what I did best.” “Occasionally, I would blow up, but it never lasted for long. I suppose we were a bit of an odd couple, but it just sort of worked,” he added. Border recalled spending time playing golf with his coach and also spending time with Ian Chappell, who did not get along with Bob. “So I found myself in the middle of that one, constantly defending Simmo to Ian. I am not sure I got that far! Simmo was the perfect man for the time. He was not everyone’s best mate, but that was not his role. Everyone who played under him, whether they liked him or not, would accept that they were better players for his influence. He was as good as any coach we have ever had. He had a fantastic cricket brain,” he concluded. Simpson was a key figure in Australia’s rise to the top of the cricketing world in the 1990s, and his impact lasted long after he left as a head coach in 1996. Simpson became the full-time coach for the Aussies when the Allan Border-led side was facing a massive decline in fortunes and was in the middle of a winless run that stretched out for three years, as per cricket.com.au. It was the Simpson-Border duo that instilled their mindset in the upcoming crop of Aussie stars such as Steve Waugh, David Boon, Dean Jones, and Craig McDermott. Simpson’s commitment to training as a coach, in batting and in fielding, helped the Aussies eventually mark a turnaround and become one of the best sides in the game. According to Border, one of the biggest highlights of Simpson’s coaching tenure was winning the 1987 Cricket World Cup hosted by India and Pakistan, defeating arch-rivals England in a closely contested final by seven runs at the Eden Gardens. During his playing career from 1957 to 1978, he represented Australia in 62 Tests, scoring 4,869 runs at an average of 46.81, with 10 centuries and 27 fifties in 111 innings and a best score of 311. He also took 71 wickets with the best figures of 5/57. He led Australia in 39 Tests, winning 12, losing 12, and drawing 15. He also played two ODIs, scoring 36 runs and taking two wickets.
Devang Gandhi believes “Time Doesn’t wait for Anybody casting doubt on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s ODI futures
Former India batter and ex-selector Devang Gandhi believes it will be difficult for senior pros Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to keep youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan out of India’s ODI setup for long. Gandhi pointed out that they have already proven themselves in Test cricket and could excel in the 50-over format if given the opportunity. Gandhi told TOI “How will you make players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudharsan, among others, sit out when they have shown how well they can adapt? The bigger transition is from T20s to Tests. Once a player has done well in Test cricket and has the power game, ODIs should come easier to them. It is very important that the selectors and the team management sit together and take a call,”. Gandhi stressed that regular game-time is crucial and urged the selectors to honestly assess whether Virat and Rohit can remain at their peak over the next two years. “If, say, in a year’s time, we come to a situation where one of them is not firing and we need a replacement, the team management may not have enough time to prepare a player for the job. There’s absolutely no doubt about the contribution of Rohit and Virat. But time doesn’t wait for anybody.” The captaincy question is equally important, and the selectors must make a decision. Gill has already proven himself ready to lead in Tests and, given his current form, is arguably India’s best ODI batsman, averaging 59.04 with a strike rate of 99.56. with a strike rate of 99.56. With the rapid evolution of the game, the selectors face a crucial decision regarding the balance between experience and youth. Gandhi noted that if Kohli and Rohit struggle to perform, the team management may not have enough time to prepare a replacement. The captaincy issue also looms large, as Shubman Gill has shown he is capable of leading the team, further complicating the decision-making process. His performances have earned him the team’s respect, making the ODI captaincy a natural fit. “There’s absolutely no doubt about the contribution of Rohit and Virat. But time doesn’t wait for anybody,” Gandhi added. With Rohit and Virat — who retired from T20Is in 2024 and stepped away from Test cricket earlier this year — the speculation about their ODI future has been rife. For now, though, it appears they may give one final push to the format they dominated for over 15 years. If they wish to extend their ODI careers beyond October, both may need to feature in domestic one-day competitions like the Vijay Hazare Trophy in December, as well as the ‘A’ series against Australia and South Africa, in addition to international fixture. t this stage of their careers, however, there remains uncertainty over whether these legends would be willing to endure the grind of domestic one-day cricket in far-flung venues once again.
Karun Nair also played with a fractured finger in manchester
India would win at The Oval to draw the series. England’s hopes of beating India in a Test series for the first time since 2018 was not to be. India’s dream of winning a Test series in England after 18 years too was not realised but a draw was better than a defeat. When one considers that the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Shreyas Iyer were not in the squad, a drawn series is something to write home about. India saw some brave cricket by Rishabh Pant in the Manchester Test vs England. Despite suffering a very bad foot injury, Pant walked out to bat and scored some crucial runs after having retired hurt. The southpaw hit a half-century and helped the visitors go past 350. He was also available to bat in the second innings if needed. Luckily he was not and India drew the game. Of course, it meant he was out of the final Test at The Oval. As is always the case with famous Test series away from home, India’s 2-2 against England was sprinkled with many brilliant stories of individual valor and team brilliance. One such story has emerged about Karun Nair, the middle-order batter who made a comeback after eight years for the country. As per a report in the Times of India, Karun Nair too suffered an injury while batting in the second innings at The Oval. It happened when he faced a rising delivery and he suffered a finger fracture. So not just Pant, Nair too batted with an injury. He made 17 in the second innings after scoring an impressive 57 in the first innings. India eventually won by six runs. The injury has now ruled him out of the 2025 Duleep Trophy. As one of the most in-form batters (863 runs at an average of 53 for Ranji Trophy champions Vidarbha) on the domestic circuit in the past few years, he was likely to be a sure-shot selection in the Central Zone, but will now use the time for rehab and recovery. From next season onwards, he’d be up for selection in the South Zone as he has moved allegiances from Vidarbha to Karnataka, his home state, which he left a few years ago. Nair is one of two active Test triple centurions in the world at the moment. The other one is a man who tormented India throughout the Test series in England and that’s Harry Brook. Nair’s triple ton came against England itself. This was back in Chennai in 2016 when he made 303 not out and India made their highest Test score of 759/7. His 57 at The Oval was his first 50-plus score since that knock.
Dhoni says Kohli is a proper entertainer, a full package
Former India captain MS Dhoni has heaped unexpected praise on Virat Kohli—not for his cricketing prowess, but for his off-field charisma. Speaking at an event, Dhoni spoke about that off the field, Kohli is a proper entertainer, a full package, who can dance and sing revealing a lighter side of the modern-day great that fans rarely get to see. “Virat is a very good singer, a very good dancer, great at mimicry, and very funny,” Dhoni said with a smile. “If he is in the mood, he is very, very entertaining.” The admiration between the two legends has always been mutual, with Kohli frequently crediting Dhoni for mentoring him during his early years in international cricket. Kohli has also revealed that Dhoni was the only person who messaged him after he unexpectedly stepped down as Test captain following the series loss in South Africa. “Let me tell you one thing: when I left the Test captaincy, I got a message from only one person I had played with previously, and that was MS Dhoni,” Kohli had said. “Many people have my number. On TV, they give lots of suggestions and have a lot to say. But none of the people who had my number sent me a message.” Kohli’s immense respect for his ‘first captain’ Dhoni was evident in his words. “That respect for Dhoni, that connection—when it’s genuine, it shows, because there is no insecurity between us. He doesn’t need anything from me, nor do I need anything from him. Neither of us suffers from insecurity. I can only say: if I truly want to say something to someone, I reach out to that person individually, especially if I want to help.” One of the defining moments of their bond came during the 2016 T20 World Cup against Australia, where Kohli played a masterclass innings and credited Dhoni’s presence for guiding him through the tense chase. Time and again, Kohli has spoken about Dhoni’s unwavering support, especially during phases when his form dipped or when he faced criticism. In return, Kohli showed immense loyalty and gratitude, famously saying, “He will always be my captain.” Even after Dhoni’s retirement, Kohli has continued to praise his former captain for shaping Indian cricket and setting high standards. Their relationship, built on trust, respect, and shared experiences, stands as a benchmark of leadership and teamwork, a rare and cherished bond in the world of competitive sports.
Brendan Taylor breaks 21st century record with comeback in Test after 4 years
Zimbabwe cricketer, Brendan Taylor, made a successful comeback at the international level after four years in the ongoing second Test of the series between the hosts, Zimbabwe, and the visitors, New Zealand. Taylor served a three-and-a-half-year ban given by the ICC, and the veteran marked his return for the first time since 2021. Taylor was suspended by the ICC on corruption charges, and the former Zimbabwe captain marked his return in the crucial game for the hosts, who lost the first Test in a one-sided battle. With his long-awaited return, Taylor also broke a massive record. He is now the earliest Test debutant amongst all the active cricketers. He first played a Test match in 2004 against Sri Lanka, and has served his nation for almost 21 years. Appearing in his 35th Test, Taylor surpassed England pace legend James Anderson for the longest Test career (in terms of years) among all cricketers who have debuted in the 21st century. Since 1989, only India legend Sachin Tendulkar has recorded a longer Test career than Taylor, having appeared in 200 Test spanning across 24 years and 1 day. Opening the batting for the first time since 2005, Taylor registered his first runs with a boundary off New Zealand seamer Jacob Duffy after the hosts opted to bat first.
MS Dhoni hints about his future with Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
MS Dhoni has once again dropped a massive hint about his future with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and his potential availability for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. MS Dhoni turned 44 last month. It’s been now five years since he called time on his international career. However, the legendary wicketkeeper-batter continues to play in IPL for Chennai Super Kings, a franchise that won all of their five trophies under the maverick cricketer’s captaincy. In 2024, he stepped down from CSK captaincy and passed the baton to Ruturaj Gaikwad. They missed out on a playoffs spot by a whisker, but the last season was a forgettable affair as they endured a historic low – for the first time, CSK finished bottom of the standings. “I have always said that there is a lot of time for me to decide, but if you are asking about coming back in a yellow jersey I will always be in a yellow jersey, whether I am playing or not, is a different matter.” “Me and CSK, we are together,” Dhoni said during an event recently. “You know, even for the next 15-20 years (crowd cheers). I hope they don’t think I’ll be playing for another 15-20 years.” His playing days could be numbered but Dhoni has cleared that he will continue to be in CSK’s camp. “It’s not about one year or two years. I will always be sitting in a yellow jersey. You know whether I’ll be playing or not in a while, but yeah, you know yourself,” Dhoni said. Dhoni noted CSK’s role in shaping his career and helping him grow as a person. “I feel the relationship over the years has grown. It helped me improve as a person. It helped me improve as a cricketer. CSK just happened. I think it’s good for Chennai. So, today it’s good for me also,” he said. Earlier this year, Dhoni had remarked that playing in the IPL is the next best thing to representing the Indian team. “It’s a very good feeling, and I’ve always said it’s a big thank-you from the fans. That’s what I believe—for whatever years I keep playing, it’s their way of saying, ‘Thank you very much for everything you’ve done.’ And it’s amazing. “Especially when you play a sport, what you want is the appreciation of the fans. And when it comes to cricket, India is the place to play,” Dhoni said in an interview with Star Sports. “Being part of the Indian cricket team is one of the biggest things. I’m not playing international cricket anymore, so IPL is the next best thing. “I don’t get goosebumps, but it’s a special kind of feeling—every time you walk in, everyone’s excited. They’re waiting for you. They want you to do well. “Even when you’re playing against the team they support, they still want you to perform, contribute—whatever it may be. So yeah, it’s an amazing feeling,” he added. It was a forgettable season for CSK in IPL 2025 as they finished last in the points table. Dhoni opened up about the season and said that they need to learn from their mistakes. “Yes, the last couple of years have not been good for us. We have not been up to the mark. But what is important is for you to see the learnings. Yes, you had a bad season. But what went wrong? And that was the question for us last year also,” Dhoni concluded.
Greg Chappell backs Mohammed Siraj as the leader of India’s pace attack
Former India coach Greg Chappell feels that Mohammed Siraj is ready to be the actual leader of the Indian attack, with or without Jasprit Bumrah in the side. Siraj produced a stunning performance on Day 5 of the Oval Test to hand India the win and help them level the series. This happened in the absence of Bumrah, as the star pacer was rested for the game as part of his workload management. Mohammed Siraj returned home as a national hero after India drew the England tour 2-2, with a thrilling 6-wicket win in the final Test at the Oval. The Hyderabad pacer bagged a 9-wicket match haul in the fifth Test, bagging the Player of the Match award for his match-winning spell on the final day. Siraj ended the tour as the highest wicket-taker of the series, picking up 23 scalps in 5 matches. While Jasprit Bumrah was available for just three out of five Test matches, Siraj played throughout the tour and bowled a total of 185.3 overs. In fact, whenever the World No. 1 missed out, Siraj stepped up and made a valuable contribution. Writing in his column on ESPNCricinfo, Former India head coach Greg Chappell has lauded Siraj said that the 31-year-old’s performance at the Oval was a true coming-of-age performance. “To be fair, he has turned in many fine performances before, at the MCG, the Gabba, Perth, Lord’s, Cape Town and Birmingham, but what he did at The Oval was his true coming of age. With or without Bumrah, he is ready to be the spiritual as well as actual leader of Gill’s attack,” said Chappell. “To bowl more than 185 overs in five Test matches over six weeks in any conditions is a physical, mental and emotional marathon. To do so with consistent intensity, while carrying the attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah for stretches, is bordering on heroic. Siraj’s final-innings spell at The Oval – culminating in nine wickets for the match – sealed the game. But it was what led to that moment that truly stood out,” Chappell wrote in his latest column, ‘India’s win at The Oval might herald a golden era for them’ He added While the Indian batters, led by Shubman Gill, scored a lot of runs, Chappell said that Siraj was the reason India looked competitive in the series. Chappell wrote that the Indian quick began the series as a second fiddle and was low on confidence, but he grew with every game and ended up being a hero. “I don’t think it is unfair to say that, despite the many wonderful batting efforts, Siraj was the main reason that India was competitive in the series,” Chappell wrote.
Sanju Samson kicked aside as Tilak Varma named South Zone captain
The Duleep Trophy 2025 will mark the commencement of India’s upcoming domestic season. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that the tournament will be return to be played in zonal formats, with teams divided across six zones — North, East, West, South, North East and Central. To lead the South Zone, the selectors have picked Tilak Varma as the captain for the 2025 edition of the premier red-ball tournament. Star India and Rajasthan Royals wicketkeeper Sanju Samson was omitted from the Duleep Trophy South Zone squad that will interestingly feature five players from Kerala. Sanju, who played just two Ranji Trophy matches during Kerala’s historic run to their maiden final last year, remained on the fringes for the better part of the previous season, owing to injury concerns and international commitments. Tilak’s finalization as a leader was done formally after a meeting by the zonal selection committee during their recent meeting in Pondicherry. Meanwhile, Mohammad Azharuddeen, who led Kerala to their rare Ranji Trophy final appearance last year, has been picked as the vice-captain of the squad. A notable Kerala player missing from the Kerala squad is star cricketer Sanju Samson. The wicketkeeper-batter, however, had suffered injury issues during the IPL 2025 and may not have recovered yet, which led the selectors to look ahead of him. “Sanju was not selected because he was unavailable for much of last year’s Ranji Trophy season, when Kerala made their historic run to the final,” Thalaivan Sargunam Xavier, the chairman for South Zone selection committee, told TOI. “This squad was picked based on players who have consistently performed well in the Ranji Trophy and during India A tours. N Jagadeeshan, the wicketkeeper-batter, who was added as cover for the injured Rishabh Pant during the ongoing England series, was selected due to his standout performances in domestic red-ball cricket. This is the blueprint set by the national selectors. Consequently, we decided to include Jagadeeshan and Andhra’s Ricky Bhui as the stand-in gloveman,” Xavier added. In the last season, the Duleep Trophy featured India A, B, C, and D teams that were picked by national selectors. But this season, the tournament will be held in the traditional format next month. The decision to appoint Tilak Varma as the captain was made during the South Zone selection meeting held at the Siechem Stadium in Pondicherry on Saturday, July 26. However, Tilak Varma missed the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season due to international duties, but he is currently in sensational form. The 22-year-old has been making headlines during his debut County Championship stint with Hampshire, scoring a century on debut against Essex, followed by impressive knocks of 56, 47, and another 100 in his next few matches. The Duleep Trophy 2025 kicks off on August 28 in Bengaluru, with North Zone facing East Zone and Central Zone taking on Northeast Zone in the quarterfinals. South Zone will play the winner of the first quarterfinal in the semifinal on September 4, while West Zone will meet the winner of the second quarterfinal of the tournament. South Zone Squad for Duleep Trophy 2025: Tilak Varma (c) (Hyderabad), Mohammed Azharuddeen (vc) (Kerala), Tanmay Agarwal (Hyderabad), Devdutt Padikkal (Karnataka), Mohit Kale (Pondicherry), Salman Nizar (Kerala), Narayan Jagadeesan (Tamil Nadu), Tripurana Vijay (Andhra), R Sai Kishore (Tamil Nadu), Tanay Thyagarajan (Hyderabad), Vijaykumar Vyshak (Karnataka), Nidheesh MD (Kerala), Ricky Bhui (Andhra), Basil NP (Kerala), Gurjapneet Singh (Tamil Nadu), Snehal Kauthankar (Goa). Stand-by players: Mohit Redkar (Goa), R Smaran (Karnataka), Ankit Sharma (Pondicherry), Edhen Apple Tom (Kerala), Andre Siddarth (Tamil Nadu), and Shaikh Rasheed (Andhra).
Mohammed Siraj’s journey is fuelled by his father’s dream and his mother’s Prayer’s
Mohammed Siraj’s journey from playing street cricket to becoming an international fast bowler is deeply rooted in his family’s unwavering support. His father, Mohammed Ghaus, drove an auto-rickshaw in Hyderabad for over three decades. Despite financial hardships, he was committed to nurturing Siraj’s cricketing aspirations by providing the best gear possible. Siraj’s mother, Shabana Begum, has been a steadfast source of emotional strength. After her husband’s passing, she continued to guide Siraj with love and faith. Her encouragement has been instrumental in helping him navigate both personal and professional challenges Siraj lost his father, Mohammed Ghouse, in 2021 while he was on tour to Australia. Since then, this ritual has helped him stay connected to his father, who was an auto-rickshaw driver and played a huge role in supporting Siraj’s dream of becoming a cricketer. Before leaving for England in June, Siraj packed his bags, hugged his mother, and told her, “Ammi, mere liye dua karna. Main achha karun aur India ko jitau [Mom, pray for me. I want to do well and win for India].” As per ritual, he then went to his father’s grave to pray before heading to the airport. “Apne abbu se bahot pyar karta hai [Siraj loves his father dearly]. And his father loved him just as much — he would have done anything for him. My prayers are always with Siraj. May Allah bless my bachha with success in everything,” his mother Shabana Begum told to news. Shabana never misses a match when Siraj is playing. She watched every game of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, clapping, cheering, and offering five prayers every day. In Islam, these daily prayers happen at dawn (Fajr), noon (Dhuhr), afternoon (Asr), sunset (Maghrib), and night (Isha). She didn’t miss a single one during the England tour. Her prayers seemed to be with him throughout. Siraj played a key role in India’s dramatic win in the fifth Test at The Oval, helping level the series 2-2. “Ammi always prays for bhai. There’s a lot of power in a mother’s prayer. I believe it’s because of both our parents’ blessings that he’s in a good space and doing well for India. He video calls Ammi every day to get her blessings. She always tells him, ‘Hamesha tarakki kar, naam roshan kar’ (Keep growing, make us proud),” said his brother, Mohammed Ismail. Ismail added, “Abbu used to say, ‘Beta, ek din tujhe bahut naam kamana hai. India ke liye khelna hai.’ When he passed away during the Australia tour, Siraj was shattered. But Ammi told him, ‘Jo ho gaya, so ho gaya. Ab game pe dhyan do (What’s done now focus on your game).’” The story of Mohammed Siraj is one of determination and familial sacrifice. His achievements are not solely his own; they reflect the dreams and sacrifices of a family that believed in him wholeheartedly. Their unwavering support transformed a street-cricket enthusiast into an international sensation.
