Young Indian brigades summer explosion in England narrows the path of seniors Kohli, Rohit
Mohammed Siraj bowled close to 200 overs, dragging his knackered body through five Tests, Washington Sundar never took a backward step, Yashasvi Jaiswal contributed when it mattered the most, Akash Deep and Prasidh Krishna were all heart and Sai Sudharsan gave fleeting glimpses of his long-term utility.
But this coming of age effort has another dimension to it.
Where does it leave the venerable seniors such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, who have retired from T20Is and ODIs, and Jasprit Bumrah, whose injury-prone body needs careful handling?
Kohli is 36 and Rohit is 38, and they will possibly be seen in action next during the away three-match ODI series against Australia, followed by another three one-dayers at home against South Africa.
Thereafter they have a chance to appear in six ODIs against New Zealand (home) and England (away) between January-July 2026.
But is that a good enough build up to keep them ready for the 50-over World Cup in 2027 in South Africa?
Will the distinguished duo have the desire to continue that long on the back of just one format and the IPL?
"Yes, it will be discussed soon. We still have more than two years for the next World Cup (November 2027). Both Kohli and Rohit will be pushing 40 by then, so, there has to be a clear plan ahead for the big event as our last win was in 2011. We also need to try out a few youngsters in time,' a source indicated to PTI.
Though they went out of the T20Is basking in the glory of a World Cup win in 2024, both Kohli and Rohit had to make a rather silent retirement from Tests.
So, will the former captains be allowed to choose a place and time on their own to move out or will they be phased out with future in mind?
"Look, both Kohli and Rohit have made huge contributions to white ball cricket for the team and the sport in general. They have achieved almost everything.
"So, I don't think nobody's going to force their hand, but there will be some honest and professional conversations before the next ODI cycle starts to see where they stand mentally and physically. It depends on that,' he added.
The other issue is the lack of match time for Kohli and Rohit as they have not appeared in any matches since the Champions Trophy in March early this year, and there are no domestic white ball competitions prior to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20s in November followed by the Vijay Hazare Trophy in December.
As per the existing BCCI diktat, a player cannot skip domestic matches when he is fully fit, and a non-compliance can lead to omission from national squads.
Even though the stature that Kohli and Rohit enjoy might just give them an exemption, if it comes to that.
But Bumrah offers a different case, as the physios have laid out a certain roadmap for his international future which saw him playing only in three Tests in England.
Many feel that the time has come to chalk out a definite plan on how to utilise the premier pacer.
"There is no question on the value that he brings to the side. But the management and board need to discuss how to use him — as an all format bowler or should he be asked to concentrate only on one or two formats,' a former player, who has seen Bumrah from close quarters, told PTI.
'Siraj, Akash Deep and Prasidh have shown us that they can win Tests for India. Let's back them fully. We have two important tournaments (T20 and ODI WC) coming our way, and we need Bumrah ready for them. For home matches (vs West Indies, SA), we have Washi and Kuldeep along with Jadeja, and Bumrah's role will not be that big here.
"So, if you ask me, he should be asked to focus more on white ball formats for now as there are enough T20s and one-dayers for him to play in the next two years. Yeah, IPL too is there. It's better to have him play all matches in one format rather than him playing a few matches in all formats. It adds value to the team," he noted.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
7 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Nikhat Zareen's journey back from Paris Olympics heartbreak - Hyderabad's boxing sensation eager to start fresh
'Hyderabad is known for two things: the delicious biryani and its very own boxing ki rani.' Nikhat Zareen's wit, razor-sharp, like her punches, was on full display at a recent event in her hometown, where she cheekily corrected the emcee's introduction. It made the crowd laugh. But beneath the jest was something more: a glimpse into how Nikhat sees herself, and a gentle reminder that the confidence once shaken in Paris has been slowly and deliberately rebuilt. A year ago, Nikhat left the Paris Olympics with her dreams bruised. Her early exit was unexpected, and the sting of disappointment lingered. But time and introspection have worked their quiet magic. This version of Nikhat is steadier, wiser, and, crucially, more forgiving of herself. But despite the setbacks, Nikhat isn't someone who stays down for long. Every obstacle, she says, is fuel. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement 'There are a lot of things that have happened in the past. I don't want to focus on negatives. I just want to focus on the positive things that I have learned from Paris. It was a memorable competition for me. Not everyone gets the chance to represent India at the Olympics. I count myself lucky that at least I had the opportunity to go to the Olympics,' she said in a chat with Sportstar. ALSO READ | Anurag Thakur once again declared ineligible for BFI elections Not written in the stars If Paris taught her anything, it was that medals aren't won by hard work and belief alone. Bigger forces often come into play. 'Paris was my first experience at the Olympics. I used to hear a lot about the Olympics from my seniors, about how it is not an easy event, how winning other competitions is easier. It's not easy because once you go there, there are a lot of expectations from you and a lot of pressure from everyone,' she said. 'But when I went to the Olympics, what I experienced is that it's not just about working hard and having that belief in you that you can win medals. Sometimes it's also about destiny, it's also about luck. Sometimes that also matters a lot in your journey.' Her eyes had been on two specific contenders: China's Wu Yu and Turkey's Buse Naz Cakiroglu. Nikhat wasn't afraid to face them, but she had hoped to meet them only at the tail end of the draw. Fate, of course, had other plans. ALSO READ | From chubby kid to champion: World Cup medallist Hitesh Gulia 'had no aim of making a career out of boxing' A series of unfortunate events 'My only hope was that these two boxers should not face me in the initial rounds and that they should face me in the semifinals or the final. Unfortunately, I faced one of them, the Chinese girl, in the early rounds. It was bad luck,' she said, recalling her defeat to the then reigning Asian Games champion. And that wasn't the only factor working against her. 'That bout was in the morning at 11 o'clock. There was no time for recovery, and we also had no air conditioning in Paris. If you take everything, it was quite clear that it (succeeding there) was not written in my destiny,' Nikhat brushed off with a laugh. For someone known for her bindaas, steely exterior, it was a rare glimpse behind the armour. The Olympics had clearly left their mark — and not just physically. File | China's Wu Yu being declared winner in the women's 50kg Round of 16 boxing match against India's Nikhat Zareen at the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. | Photo Credit: PTI 'As soon as I came back from Paris, I ate everything at home. I ate everything that I do not usually eat. I gained seven kgs as soon as I came back, within one month. I know that's very unhealthy, but what can I do? That time, my mindset was like that. I didn't care about anything. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I didn't want to go anywhere,' she explained. It was Bella, the golden retriever she and her sister had adopted, and a timely escape from routine that helped her find her footing again. 'I sat and thought that this was not going to help me. It would only spoil me. I needed to get out of that zone. I do not want to overthink and stay in the shadow of disappointment. I didn't want to be in that disappointment phase. I want to move on and come back stronger. I'm in that phase of life. So, I decided to go on a trip to Kashmir, which really helped me to come back.' ALSO READ | Dwight Muhammad Qawi, boxer who went from prison to champion, dies at 72 The comeback began with conviction — but too much, too fast. In pushing herself harder, she picked up a meniscus injury and spent nearly four months recovering. Her return came at the Elite Women's Boxing Tournament in Hyderabad last month, with one goal: re-enter the elite national camp. The two-time World Champion and home favourite made it to the final in the 51kg category but had to withdraw before her bout with Jyoti due to a minor injury. Nikhat is not trading ambition for ease. But she's not letting boxing monopolise her life either. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement 'Sometimes I feel like meri kismat hi kharaab hai (I'm just unlucky). Maybe no one is as unlucky as I am.' But despite the setbacks, Nikhat isn't someone who stays down for long. Every obstacle, she says, is fuel. 'These challenges break me, but they also make me stronger. Each obstacle makes me stronger and hungrier to achieve my goals. It's an interesting journey going on in my life right now. I am enjoying whatever life is throwing my way. I always tell myself, 'Nikhat, you are stronger. You are stronger than ever. You can handle this.' Always.' Much of her recent progress, she says, is thanks to Sunny, a coach from the Sports Authority of India with whom she began working this year. 'I spoke to the federation and TOPS about needing a coach and finally decided to work under Sunny. I was training in ASI Pune for five months under him, and he has helped me regain my fitness levels. He has played a major role after the Paris Olympics in helping me get back into the national team.' ALSO READ | BFI panel bars personal coaches for National campers Present perfect At 29, Nikhat has only one Olympics under her belt — but the lessons have been profound. Chief among them: live in the moment, both inside and outside the ring. 'I know what I want in my life. At the same time, I just don't want to be blindly focused on that because when you don't get that, then you're totally shattered. That is what happened in Paris. Every time in my mind, there was only the thought of winning a medal. I left everything for it. I didn't eat junk food for so long. I didn't focus on eating sweets because I followed a strict diet. But what happened in Paris? I got broken. Literally broken.' 'I'm pushing myself every day, telling myself that whatever has happened in the past is in the past. Let's see what the future holds for me. Paris has taught me to focus on the present. I don't care what the future holds for me, what it brings in my life.' Two major events now dominate her calendar: the World Boxing Championships and the Boxing World Cup. The 2028 Olympics are on the horizon, but she's careful not to get consumed by it. 'I just don't want to put pressure on myself like, 'Oh, what will happen in the World Championship? What will happen in LA?' No, I just want to live in the present and give my 100% in training and just enjoy my workouts, enjoy the game. I don't want to ruin my present thinking about the future. I just want to enjoy my training, enjoy my life.' ALSO READ | Former world champion Julio César Chávez Jr arrested by ICE, faces deportation She's not trading ambition for ease. But she's not letting boxing monopolise her life either. 'Being an athlete, you have to be focused and disciplined. But at the same time, I have my life also. I know that once I leave boxing, when I look back, I'll regret that didn't do this and that. At the same time, I also want to live to the fullest. I want to do everything. I want to win a medal, I want to work hard, and I want to enjoy life. Because you only live once.' Nikhat has now made it to the Indian team heading to Liverpool, England, for the World Boxing Championships in September. It will be her first international bout since the heartbreak in Paris. 'I'm working hard again. I am seeing this as the start of my Olympic cycle. So I'll keep pushing myself. This is my first competition after the Paris Olympics, and I'll have butterflies in my stomach when I go there. But once I enter the ring, my mind will be set only on winning that match and the competition.' Nikhat stormed into public view as a teenager, carving a path through the youth ranks, braving the politics of challenging Mary Kom, and refusing to wilt under pressure. She's still doing exactly that. 'I'm still that Nikhat Zareen who has that hunger to achieve and make the country proud. I'm happy that I'm finally back in the national team. Now the focus is on winning the medal.'.
NDTV
7 minutes ago
- NDTV
Australia Star Sam Konstas, Who Once Had A Spat With Virat Kohli, Named In Squad Against India A
Australia openers Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney were on Thursday named in the 'A' squad bound to India to play two four-day matches in Lucknow in September, with an eye on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2026-27. Konstas had replaced McSweeney during the last India-Australia series Down Under but has failed to nail his spot at the top of the order, having endured a disappointing outing in Caribbean even as his side thoroughly dominated the West Indies. The 19-year-old Konstas is the only current Test player to be named in the 'A' side while the other capped players include McSweeney, Cooper Connolly and spinner Todd Murphy. Murphy, who has so far featured in seven Tests, played each of the four matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy during their India tour in 2022-23, which Australia lost 1-2, claiming 14 wickets. Australia's chairman of selectors George Bailey was quoted as saying by 'The subcontinent provides many unique challenges and the opportunity to utilise different skills with bat and ball.' "We hope repeated experiences in these conditions will assist players in developing an effective method and understanding of their game for future subcontinent tours." "For many of these players we remain interested in the development of their short-form cricket as well, but balancing out priorities meant we wanted them back and available for the start of the Sheffield Shield season,' he added. A notable miss in the red-ball squad are Jason Sangha, who scored 202 not out against Sri Lanka A in Darwin last month, and Matthew Renshaw, who too has the experience of playing Tests in India. Sangha, however, has been named in the one-day squad for the three matches to be played in Kanpur. The two four-day matches will be played in Lucknow from September 16-19 and September 23-26, while the three one-day games will be on September 30, October 3 and 5 respectively. Squads: Four-Day matches: Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Jack Edwards, Aaron Hardie, Campbell Kellaway, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Fergus O'Neill, Oliver Peake, Josh Phillippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Liam Scott. One-Day squad: Cooper Connolly, Harry Dixon, Jack Edwards, Sam Elliott, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Mackenzie Harvey, Todd Murphy, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Lachie Shaw, Tom Straker, Will Sutherland, Callum Vidler.
Mint
7 minutes ago
- Mint
Pakistan's tour of West Indies: Check full schedule, PAK vs WI ODI squads, dates, venue, time in IST & more
After securing the T20I series 2-1, Pakistan will be aiming for a similar scoreline as the Men in Green take on West Indies for a three-match ODI series, starting from August 8 in Trinidad. Led by Salman Agha, Pakistan won the first T20I before jason Holder inspired West Indies to make it 1-1. However, it was Pakistan who clinched the series with a 13-run win in the final game of the series. West Indies, who are ranked below Pakistan in the ODI series, didn't had great 2025 so far. In six ODIs so far, West Indies have been able to win just one game while one ended in no result. The series against Pakistan serves a perfect opportunity for the Shai Hope's side side to change the statistics and secure automatic qualification for 2027 ODI World Cup. Pakistan are led by Mohammad Rizwan in ODIs while T20I skipper Salman Ali Agha will act as his deputy. The Pakistan team also features the likes of Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Nawaz, besides promising talents such as Hasan Nawaz and Sufyan Muqeem. West Indies: Shai Hope (captain), Jewel Andrew, Jediah Blades, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Matthew Forde, Justin Greaves, Amir Jangoo, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Gudakesh Motie, Sherfane Rutherford, Jayden Seales, Romario Shepherd Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Muqeem.
