BCCI and players will follow government's decision on IND vs PAK: Sunil Gavaskar
'If the government has taken a call, I don't see how the players can be criticised or commented upon, because the players at the end of the day are contracted to the BCCI and they will be taking the instructions from the government of India. And so it entirely depends on that,' Gavaskar said.'The players are helpless in this. They've been selected to play in the Asia Cup, and if the government says you have to play, then they will go out and play. If the government says you don't, then the BCCI will act accordingly,' he added.On whether India could still pull out of their clash against Pakistan or even the tournament, Gavaskar did not rule it out, again underlining that the final decision rests with the government.'Like I said, it is entirely up to the government of India to tell the BCCI what to do,' he remarked.Turning his focus to cricketing matters, Gavaskar praised the squad selected for the tournament, describing it as one of India's strongest in recent years.'This is a fabulous squad. It has depth in batting, variety in the left and right-hand combinations, and terrific balance in bowling as well. It's a fantastic team,' he concluded.India will open their campaign against hosts United Arab Emirates on September 10.- EndsMust Watch
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
13 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
BCCI changes Ajit Agarkar's contract two days after Asia Cup squad selection, one selector to lose job: Report
Just two days after unveiling India's squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, Ajit Agarkar has received a significant vote of confidence from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), with his contract as chairman of selectors extended until June 2026. The contract extension, which came to light on Thursday, was reportedly finalised much earlier, ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League. The chairman of the BCCI selection committee, Ajit Agarkar(Anshuman Poyrekar/Hindustan Times) According to a report in The Indian Express, the BCCI had already decided to retain Agarkar a few months ago, impressed by his handling of a challenging transitional phase for Indian cricket. Since taking charge in June 2023, the former India pacer has overseen a period marked by both success and generational change. Under his leadership, India broke its long-standing drought at ICC events, winning the T20 World Cup in 2024 and the Champions Trophy in early 2025, while also reaching the final of the ODI World Cup in 2023 on home soil. Agarkar's tenure has also been defined by strategic leadership transitions. The selectors, under him, handed Test captaincy to Shubman Gill and put Suryakumar Yadav in charge of the T20I side. The team has also had to manage the phased retirement of stalwarts such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin, with Kohli and Rohit now only featuring in ODIs and Ashwin stepping away from all formats. One selector in Agarkar's committee to lose his job The current selection committee includes SS Das, Subroto Banerjee, Ajay Ratra and S Sharath alongside Agarkar. However, changes to the panel are likely to follow at the BCCI's annual general body meeting scheduled for September. According to the report, Sharath, who previously chaired the junior selection committee before being elevated in January 2023, is expected to be replaced as he nears the four-year mark in selection roles, the maximum period permitted under BCCI norms. The board is reportedly preparing to invite fresh applications for a replacement, although no final decision has been taken on the futures of Das and Banerjee. Officials are said to be broadly satisfied with the current panel and may limit changes to just one position. BCCI will also open applications for new appointments to the senior women's and junior men's selection committees. Neetu David, chair of the women's panel, along with Arati Vaidya and Mithu Mukherjee, will complete their five-year tenures this season. The junior selection panel, currently comprising Thilak Naidu, Ranadeb Bose, Harvinder Singh Sodhi, Pathik Patel and Krishen Mohan, could also see a shake-up, with discussions underway to refresh the committee ahead of a busy international calendar.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
13 minutes ago
- First Post
News18 SheShakti 2025: Spotlighting women shaping India's sporting and entertainment legacy
From cinema to sports, women in India are reshaping the country's achievements on the global stage India's sports and entertainment industries are undergoing a significant transformation, with women playing a key role in breaking barriers and redefining the meaning of success. This year, Lions International presents News18 SheShakti 2025, aims to highlight the journeys of Indian women who are powering the entertainment & sports landscape with record breaking achievements on the field, and remarkable performances on screen. From cinema to sports, women in India are reshaping the country's achievements on the global stage. In the entertainment industry, women creators and actors are delivering unforgettable performances, with Sanya Malhotra standing out this year for being an integral part of three films that won the National Film Awards. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Similarly, in Sports, Indian women are making headlines by setting national records, winning medals at the World Games, and securing the Women's Chess World Cup. These are shining examples of what women can accomplish, inspiring and encouraging the next-generation of young girls to pursue their ambitions with confidence and determination. More from Business How Indian fintech startups are driving Malaysia's UPI-like digital payments revolution Celebrating these success stories, this year's News18 SheShakti will go a step further to highlight women who are not just setting records but actively building a legacy in the new India by creating opportunities, challenging stereotypes and redefining ambitions. Building on the momentum, the Delhi edition of SheShakti is set to spotlight the entertainment & sports achievers such as, Kriti Sanon, Actor and Entrepreneur; Sanya Malhotra, Actor; legendary playback singer Kavita Krishnamurti Subramaniam; Mira Erda, Formula 4 racer; and Loitongbam Ashalata Devi, member of the Indian national football team, embodying the spirit of women who are reshaping India's cultural and sporting narrative. Join us on August 21 for News18 SheShakti 2025 and be part of discussions that influence the future of women in sports and entertainment. Know more at
India.com
13 minutes ago
- India.com
Shreyas Iyer To Replace Rohit Sharma As India's Next ODI Captain? BCCI Considers Bold Move Ahead Of 2027 World Cup
The winds of change continue to sweep through Indian cricket. With the team in the middle of a major transition, leadership roles across formats are being reshaped. While Shubman Gill appeared to be the obvious choice for an all-format captaincy, fresh reports suggest that the BCCI is considering middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer as the next leader of the ODI side. BCCI Considering Iyer as Long-Term Option According to a report in Dainik Jagran, the selectors and board officials see Iyer as a strong candidate to guide India in ODIs, potentially until the 2027 World Cup. Although no official decision has been made yet, his consistent performances and experience in the middle order have boosted his case. Iyer played a vital role in India's Champions Trophy 2025 triumph, scoring 243 runs in five matches with valuable contributions of 15, 56, 79, 45 and 48. His ODI numbers also back his leadership claim — 2845 runs in 70 matches at an average of 48.22 with five centuries. Rohit Sharma's Future Key to Decision The timing of Iyer's elevation depends largely on Rohit Sharma's international future. The 38-year-old opener, who continues to lead in ODIs, has already stepped away from T20Is and Tests along with Virat Kohli. Reports suggest that the October ODI series against Australia could be the last time Rohit and Kohli feature in international cricket. BCCI is expected to hold discussions with both seniors after the Asia Cup to decide on the roadmap. If Rohit steps aside, Iyer could take charge immediately; otherwise, the transition may be delayed. Why Shubman Gill Is Not in Contention Shubman Gill was once considered a strong candidate for the all-format captaincy, but the selectors have now ruled him out for the ODI role. The reasoning is straightforward workload management. Gill is already carrying heavy leadership responsibilities. He led the Test side against England earlier this year and has been appointed vice-captain under Suryakumar Yadav for the upcoming Asia Cup T20Is. He is also set to captain the Test team against West Indies in October. With a jam-packed schedule that includes tours to Australia and South Africa immediately after the Asia Cup, selectors believe making Gill an all-format captain would risk burnout. Transition Period in Indian Cricket Indian cricket is clearly in the middle of a transition phase, balancing the experience of seniors with the rise of a new leadership group. While Gill looks set to anchor the Test side and play a big role in T20s, Iyer's steady batting and maturity make him the board's preferred choice to guide the ODI team into the next cycle. If approved, his appointment will mark another big step in reshaping India's cricketing future ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
