"India has talent and determination to take on toughest challenges": Irfan Pathan to new Test team ahead of England Test series
New Delhi [India], May 28 (ANI): Ahead of the five-match test series between England and India, former cricketer Irfan Pathan said that the current Indian Test team has the 'talent and determination' to face the toughest challenges in the longest format of the game.
The series against England will take place from June to August 2025, with matches at Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Lord's (London), Old Trafford (Manchester), and The Oval (London).
This will be India's first bilateral series since both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from Test cricket earlier this month.
Speaking on the Indian Test squad for the England series, Irfan Pathan said it as a part of the Sony Sports network campaign - Naya India, Dhakad India, 'Test cricket in England is the ultimate examination of skill, temperament, and character. With a new generation stepping up, Team India is not just carrying forward a legacy--they are writing a new chapter in our cricketing history. I am confident that this team has the talent and determination to take on the toughest challenges and inspire a new wave of fans across the country.'
Earlier on Saturday, right-hand batter Shubman Gill was appointed as the new Test captain for India, while wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will serve as his deputy in the longest format, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the highly anticipated five-match Test series.
India has added Abhimanyu Easwaran to the Test squad. He 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. He had a disappointing tour to Australia last year, where he scored just 36 runs in four innings.
Following Kohli's retirement from the longest format of the game, a couple of budding and solidified figures like Sai Sudarshan and Karun Nair have been added to the middle-order.
In the bowling department, right-arm seamer Jasprit Bumrah will be leading the unit on English soil. Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh and Shardul Thakur are the other fast bowlers in the squad.
India's Test squad for England series: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav. (ANI)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
14 minutes ago
- Mint
Punjab stand in way of Kohlis IPL dream as new winners await
Punjab Kings stand in the way of Virat Kohli's dream of finally winning the Indian Premier League in Tuesday's final at the world's biggest cricket stadium. No matter which team prevails at the 132,000-capacity venue in Ahmedabad it will be a first -- neither Punjab nor Kohli's Royal Challengers Bengaluru have won the IPL since it launched in 2008. Punjab booked their place in the decider with a five-wicket victory over five-time champions Mumbai Indians on Sunday. Shreyas Iyer played a captain's knock with an unbeaten 87. Kohli and Bengaluru will have a psychological edge after thrashing Punjab by eight wickets at the start of the playoffs last week. It is the fourth time that Kohli and his team have reached the final of cricket's richest tournament, but they have never been able to take that last step. The vast majority in attendance will be cheering on Kohli, the 36-year-old superstar batsman and icon to Indian cricket fans. Kohli, who last month retired from Test cricket alongside Rohit Sharma, has again been Bengaluru's go-to batsman with 614 runs, including eight half-centuries, in 14 innings this season. He has made no attempt to hide his desperation to win the IPL at the 18th attempt and add it to a long list of accolades that includes two World Cup crowns. He has talked about his "heartbreak" of failing to win the IPL, and celebrated last week's win against Punjab saying: "One more to go." Punjab's fast bowling coach James Hopes said Monday his team will be "recovering and getting mentally prepared" for what he anticipates will be a "pretty big crowd, and a pretty big pro-Kohli crowd as well". As well as Kohli, Bengaluru boast the significant threat of Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood. The 34-year-old returned following a shoulder injury and a stint back home to put in a man-of-the-match performance in the win over Punjab in the qualifier. He returned figures of 3-21 to help bundle Punjab out for 101. Hazlewood spearheads a seam-bowling attack alongside Bhuvneshwar Kumar and left-armer Yash Dayal. Punjab, coached by Australia great Ricky Ponting, recovered from defeat to win the rain-delayed second qualifier in Ahmedabad. Skipper Iyer, who cost $3.17 million in November's auction, is narrowly behind Kohli in the batting charts with 603 runs from 16 innings. His latest chase masterclass off 41 balls, laced with five fours and eight sixes, is a reminder that he is lethal on his day. "I love such big occasions," Iyer said after the win over Mumbai. "I always say to myself and my colleagues that the bigger the occasion, the calmer you are, and you'll get the best results." Former Australia medium-pace bowler Hopes said that Iyer "doesn't get flustered very easily". "He knows what he has to do and he's prepared to take that risk," said Hopes. "He is a sensational captain and a sensational player," he added. Punjab openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh are in good form, and they have another potential match-winner in Australia's Josh Inglis. All-rounders Marcus Stoinis from Australia and Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai can also threaten Kohli's long-awaited dream.
Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma finds new surprises in familiar Dubai
HighlightsThe Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing has launched a new campaign titled 'Dubai, Ready For a Surprise', featuring Indian cricketer Virat Kohli and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma. The campaign film showcases Kohli and Sharma exploring Dubai's unique experiences, highlighting the city's vibrant culture, culinary offerings, and thrilling adventures, while emphasizing their personal connection to the destination. Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, stated that Kohli and Sharma's genuine affection for Dubai makes them ideal ambassadors for promoting the city. The Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Visit Dubai), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), has unveiled its new campaign – 'Dubai, Ready For a Surprise' – starring Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma . Kohli and Sharma share a personal connection with the city, inspiring them to embark on their first-ever destination-focused collaboration. Marking the first phase of this partnership, the film at the heart of the campaign highlights Dubai as the perfect destination for all travellers, as Kohli and Sharma unveil a series of surprises while exploring the city's diverse experiences. The film ends with a twist leaving the audience wondering if there's more to discover. Rich in colour, culture and energy, the campaign film encapsulates the vibrant essence of the city through a blend of varied culinary experiences, spontaneous cultural interactions, thrilling adventures and musical interludes. The story begins with Kohli planning a thoughtful and personalised experience for Sharma, creating memorable moments that go beyond the expected. He reveals a new side of the city – one that matches her vibe, emotions and preferences. He chooses each experience to align with her wishes, creating a deeper and more intimate connection with Dubai. As long-time friends of Dubai, Kohli and Sharma's fondness for the destination emerges naturally on screen as they wander through hidden corners, laugh together, explore and uncover experiences that reveal the city's soul in new and surprising ways. Whether it's an intimate moment admiring the Dubai skyline or the thrill of parasailing over beaches, the campaign film showcases a side of Dubai that even seasoned visitors like them find delightfully surprising. Kohli said, 'Dubai holds a special place for Sharma and me –This campaign has let us see the city through fresh eyes, and we can't wait for others to do the same.' Sharma said, 'We're happy to be a part of this collaboration with Dubai and to uncover fresh, exceptional experiences and personalised ways to fall in love with the city.' Issam Kazim, chief executive officer of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Visit Dubai), said, 'This collaboration with Kohli and Sharma is a natural fit – their genuine affection for Dubai and the way they engage with audiences make them ideal champions for the city.' The campaign's hero film is supported by a 360-degree rollout across social media, digital platforms and targeted offline activations. Watch the video here:
India Gazette
17 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Hardeep Puri, Kiren Rijiju hail Gukesh's historic win over Carlsen at Norway Chess
New Delhi [India] June 2 (ANI): The 19-year-old Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh's remarkable comeback has drawn widespread praise, highlighting the rising dominance of India's youth in global sports. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju lauded Gukesh's achievement. Hardeep Singh Puri posted on X, 'In one of the most spectacular comebacks, India's @DGukesh plots his way to his first classical win against World No.1 Magnus Carlsen at the Norway Chess 2025 tournament in Stavanger! The epic comeback shocked his opponent and has established the dominance of India's youth in whichever sports they choose. Heartiest congratulations, Gukesh. We are all proud of you!' Kiren Rijiju also took to X, stating, 'Well done @DGukesh! This first win over Magnus Carlsen at Norway Chess 2025 is the beginning of achieving another milestone. Proud of you, Gukesh! You've shown the world what quiet confidence & fierce focus can achieve!' The fierce and epic comeback of Gukesh marked the first-ever classical win over the Norwegian grandmaster. The 19-year-old also became the second Indian player to beat Carlsen in the competition's history after Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa. Carlsen had an upper hand over Gukesh for most of the match, but in the end, he couldn't control his nerves, and the teenager turned the tables and went on to win the match. With this win, D Gukesh jumped to third spot in the Norway Chess 2025 points table with 8.5 points, just one point behind Carlsen and American Fabiano Caruana. Earlier on May 27, the marquee clash of Round One at Norway Chess 2025 lived up to expectations as Magnus Carlsen launched a classic king hunt to defeat reigning World Champion D Gukesh in a thrilling encounter. This was their first classical match since Gukesh won the world title, and it also marked Carlsen's return to individual classical chess after nearly a year. (ANI)
