Latest news with #Agarkar
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Left out, not down! Sarfaraz Khan silences critics again with gritty 92 vs England Lions
Sarfaraz Khan NEW DELHI: Sarfaraz Khan showcased his ability to perform in overseas conditions, responding strongly after being overlooked for the Australia tour and subsequently dropped from the Test squad for the England series. The right-hander silenced his critics with a composed 92 off 119 balls for India A against England Lions in the first unofficial Test at the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury. His knock included 13 boundaries and was a timely reminder of his red-ball prowess. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Earlier this year, Sarfaraz impressed on Test debut against England in February 2024, scoring two half-centuries. He later struck a valiant 150 against New Zealand in Bengaluru, though in a losing cause. However, a dip in form followed, as he managed just 21 runs in his next four innings, leading to his exclusion from the playing XI. Despite his early promise, Sarfaraz did not feature in any of the five Tests during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where India went down 3-1. His omission continued into the England series, with the selectors opting for Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair instead. The decision raised eyebrows, given Sarfaraz's consistent domestic performances. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025: Steel Suppliers From Mexico At Lowest Prices (Take A Look) Steel Suppliers | search ads Search Now Undo The BCCI, led by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, recently announced an 18-member squad for the five-Test series in England. Shubman Gill has been appointed India's new Test captain, with Rishabh Pant named as his deputy. Why no Shreyas Iyer for England tour? Coach Gautam Gambhir opens up Sarfaraz, however, was a notable absentee. When asked about the decision to leave Sarfaraz out, Agarkar responded: 'Sometimes you just have to make good decisions. Sarfaraz, I know he got a 100 in the first Test and then didn't get runs. Sometimes it's decisions the team management takes,' Agarkar said. He further explained the inclusion of Karun Nair over Sarfaraz: 'At the moment, Karun has scored heaps of runs in domestic, has played a bit of Test cricket, played a bit of county cricket. With Virat not there, clearly we're lacking a bit of experience. We felt his experience could help," added Agarkar. On the limited spots available in the squad, he stated: "We can't pick 50 players now, so naturally when you have to pick 18 players, some players will be missing out." India's five-Test series in England kicks off in Leeds on June 20.
NDTV
25-05-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Who Will Replace Virat Kohli At No. 4 Against England? Ajit Agarkar Says "Once They Get..."
Right-handed batter Shubman Gill has been appointed as India's 37th Test captain as chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced the 18-member squad on Saturday for the crucial five-match tour of England, starting on June 20. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been named as the vice-captain. The Agarkar-led selection committee, along with BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia as the meeting convener, picked the squad in a meeting at the BCCI HQ in Mumbai, before announcing it in a formal press conference addressed by him and Shiv Sunder Das. "We discussed every option that's there, over the last year or so, we've looked at Shubman at various times. Taken a lot of feedback from the dressing room. Very young, but there's been improvement.' 'We're hopeful he's the guy. He's a terrific player, our best wishes to him. You don't pick captains for one tour or two tours. We've seen some progress over the last year or two with him. No doubt it's going to be as tough as it gets," said Agarkar on Gill's elevation as captain. Gill has played as an opener and number three batter for India in Tests, and he now takes up the leadership role after Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the format earlier this month. In 32 Tests, Gill has scored 1893 runs at an average of 35.1, with five centuries and seven fifties against his name. Gill's previous leadership experiences in the Indian team have been overseeing 4-1 T20I series win in Zimbabwe last year and being the white-ball vice-captain, including when the side won the 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai. In first-class cricket, Gill has been the captain just five times – with his record reading a win, two defeats and as many draws. Gill, 25, is currently leading Gujarat Titans, who are on top of IPL 2025 points table, and are set to feature in the playoffs. His GT teammates and coaching staff members have lauded Gill for his proactiveness, calmness and tactical nous. In the squad, Karun Nair returns to the Test team after seven years, while Arshdeep Singh and B Sai Sudharsan get their maiden Test call-ups. There's no place for veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, who Agarkar said is not fully fit to handle the rigours of playing Test cricket. "He's had a little bit of a setback over the past week, got some MRIs done. Wasn't going to be able to play five Tests. Don't think his workload is where he needs to be. Medical guys told he'll be ruled out. We were hoping he'll play some part, but if he's not fit, we'd rather pick guys fit and available rather than waiting," he said. Agarkar also said Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir will take a call on batting make-up after reaching England. 'They might take a call on opener once they get there. But once they get there, they'll have a think about that." Agarkar also revealed Bumrah won't play all five Tests in England, adding that the fast bowling spearhead is more important to the side in his primary role instead of taking over the leadership mantle. "Don't think he'll be available for all five Tests. Whether it's four or three, we'll see based on how the series goes and his workload is. Even if he's fit for 3-4 Tests, he'll be an asset for us. Just happy he's part of the squad. He's more important to us a player.' 'Once you're managing people, there's a lot that takes out of you. We've had a chat with him, he's okay with it. He knows where his body's at. KL not really, he's captained a while back, he's a quality player and hope he has a big series. With Booms, it was more about his workload management." India's all-important Test series against England runs from June 20 to August 4, with Headingley, Edgbaston, Lord's, Old Trafford and The Oval being the venues. India are aiming to win a Test series in England for the first time since 2007. India's squad for England Tests: Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc & wk), Yashasvi Jasiwal, KL Rahul, B Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav. Listen to the latest songs, only on
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
New Test era begins: Shubman Gill takes the helm as selectors bet on youth to navigate England Tour
Rishabh Pant and Shubhman Gill (ANI Photo) MUMBAI: Shubman Gill was officially named India's new Test captain on Saturday, tasked with steering the team through a 'massive transition' phase. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been named vice-captain for India's five-Test tour of England in June-July. The tour promises to be a trial by fire for the youthful leadership duo. At 25, Gill becomes India's fifth-youngest Test captain after Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi (21), Sachin Tendulkar (23), Kapil Dev (24), and Ravi Shastri (25). He is also the first Test captain from Punjab since spin great Bishan Singh Bedi, who led India during the 1978-79 series in Pakistan. The five-match series kicks off on June 20 in Leeds. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said, 'For the last year or so, we've been looking at Shubman (for leadership). We are hopeful he is the guy who is going to take the team forward. It is a high-pressure job, but he is a terrific player. We wish him all the best.' Who's that IPL player? Gill's only notable drawback has been his modest performances in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) countries. Nevertheless, the selectors are backing the talented batter to guide India through this phase. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรดทองCFDs กับโบรกเกอร์ที่เชื่อถือได้ | เรียนรู้เพิ่มเติม IC Markets สมัคร Undo 'It is a massive transition. Both Rohit and Virat were around for a long time,' Agarkar added, alongside co-selector SS Das. Though out of form in IPL 2025, the 27-year-old Pant brings more experience to the table with 43 Tests. 'Pant is one of our best batters in Test cricket over the last four-five years. A wicketkeeper can read the game well, and that's why he's Shubman's deputy,' Agarkar explained. Shubman Gill story: From a remote village near the border to India's Test captain A notable omission is veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, who has been ruled out due to fitness concerns. 'He's had a bit of a setback last week and underwent some MRIs. I don't think he was going to be available for all five Tests anyway. His workload is not where it needs to be,' said Agarkar. Seamer Harshit Rana and Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan, both of whom toured Australia in 2024-25, have been dropped. Shreyas Iyer, another Mumbai batter, has also been overlooked. Maiden Test call-ups for Sai, Arshdeep Twenty-three-year-old left-hander B Sai Sudharsan , currently the leading run scorer in IPL-2025, and Punjab left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh have earned maiden Test call-ups. Agarkar clarified that Sudharsan's inclusion wasn't based on IPL form alone: 'Sai has shown the right temperament and has the game to succeed. We've been tracking him for a while.' India Test squad for England tour: Shubman Gill to lead, Rishabh Pant his deputy Karun Nair, Shardul Thakur recalled There was also a long-awaited recall for Karun Nair, who last played a Test in March 2017. Pace-bowling allrounder Shardul Thakur also returned to the Test squad following an impressive domestic season. Representing Mumbai in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, he claimed 35 wickets at 22.62 and scored 505 runs at 42.08, including four fifties and a century. His last Test was against South Africa in Dec 2023. Bumrah unavailable for full series Premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah will not be available for all five Tests. 'According to the physios and doctors, he might play three or four matches. He's crucial, so even if available for a few games, he can win us matches,' Agarkar said. On the retirement of Kohli and Rohit, Agarkar admitted that their absence leaves a void: 'They are stalwarts of Indian cricket. It's tough to replace them but it's also an opportunity for others. ' INDIA'S SQUAD FOR FIVE-TEST TOUR OF ENGLAND Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, B 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. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
NDTV
25-05-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Ajit Agarkar Fires Blunt 'Pressure' Warning To Shubman Gill After Rohit, Virat's Test Exit
Transition was the buzzword as chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar spoke about the challenges that Shubman Gill will face as India's newest Test captain but insisted that the batting star has what it takes to revel in the "tough" role. Agarkar announced an 18-member squad in which Rishabh Pant will be Gill's deputy for the five-Test rubber starting on June 20 in Leeds. It will be the country's first Test assignment after stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's retirements from the format. "Whether it's a tough experience, or, we have a really good series, whichever way you look at it, it is going to be tough and experience can only help going forward," Agarkar said in the press conference to announce the squad. "At the moment, from what we're it franchise cricket, you can see that he's relishing the role. This is obviously going to be a lot harder. But those are the challenges you face playing international cricket," he added. While both Kohli and Rohit pulled the plug in days leading up to the squad announcement, veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had called it quits midway through the tour of Australia last year. Seamer Mohammed Shami was, however, not picked owing to his fitness issues. Agarkar expressed confidence that the 25-year-old Gill is the one to take Indian Test side forward. "It's a big job; it's a big transition. Two of your big players are retiring. But we're all confident that he's the guy to take us forward and hopefully, in time, that proves it. He's a terrific player and we're all very hopeful," Agarkar said. "It's a massive transition. Rohit (had) been around for a while now. Before that, Virat (had) been around. It is the start of a new cycle and the experience can only help." Agarkar said Gill is in for a long haul as leader and his selection committee has full faith in his ability to rise to the challenge. "You don't pick captains for one or two tours. You want to try and invest in something that's going to help us going forward. We were hoping that it's the right call. We've seen some progress over the course of the last year with him," he said. "There's no doubt it is going to be as tough as it gets doing (the captaincy job in) a five-match series in England. Maybe he'll have to learn on the job a little bit, but we are very confident with what he has to offer and that is the reason we picked him," he explained. "Captaincy can inspire him to do better" The old adage goes that captains are expected to lead from the front and Gill, who has had his share of success and failures in Test cricket, will be expected to do the same. He averages a little over 35 after 32 Tests. Agarkar said he doesn't want to read much into Gill's statistics so far. "Everyone's going to be tested in England. I don't think any batsman is going to feel at home, like it was in Australia. These are tough places to tour. But we have the confidence that he's got the goods," he said. "As far as his batting is concerned, from our side at least, there's no real issue. Hopefully, he can only do better as a captain." Agarkar said captaincy can be both a "burden" or a thing to be looked at "positively" but he expects the role to inspire Gill. "You can look at it as a burden (or) you can look at it positively that it could inspire him to do better," he said. "He's been around now for two or three years in all formats so that experience, I'm sure he can fall back on," Agarkar added. And for times he would feel more challenged than usual, Agarkar said, Gill will always have help at hand starting with head coach Gautam Gambhir. "There are guys around in the team. The coach is there to help him as well. I'm sure he's relishing the opportunity. Who wouldn't want to captain India in Test cricket? I'm sure he's looking at it positively with the chats that I've had," Agarkar said. "And there will be pressure, there's no doubt. There won't be anyone away from it." "Pant can help Gill with his experience" Jasprit Bumrah was the choice for captaincy when Rohit wasn't available to lead in Australia but for the Agarkar-led selection panel, Pant was the ideal deputy for Gill once it became clear that the pacer won't play all five Tests in England. "He's been one of the best batters in Test cricket over the last four-five years, I think. (He has played) 40-odd Tests, at the moment. Always (as a) wicketkeeper (he) can see the game well (from) behind the stumps," Agarkar said. "(He) has got the experience at the moment. That's why he's Shubman's deputy and can help him out with all the experience that he's got. "He's an incredible player. You're obviously looking at guys who can take the team forward over the next few years. At the moment, these two are the guys that we feel that can do that," he added.
Kuwait Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
India name Shubman Gill as new Test captain before England series
Mohammed Shami out of the 18-member squad due to fitness concerns: Agarkar MUMBAI: India named top-order batsman Shubman Gill as the new Test captain, the cricket board said Saturday, as it announced the team for next month's all-important tour of England. Gill, 25, succeeds Rohit Sharma, who retired from Tests recently along with Virat Kohli. He will take charge in the five-Test series in England starting June 20. Gill will lead a team in transition after Rohit, 38, and Kohli, 36, walked away from the five-day format in the space of six days this month to leave a big void. 'Shubman Gill-led TeamIndia are READY for an action-packed Test series,' the Board of Control for Cricket in India said in a statement. His vice-captain will be Rishabh Pant. Gifted with a wide range of shots, Gill has led Gujarat Titans into the playoffs of the current Indian Premier League T20 tournament. 'Obviously, he's very young but we've seen the improvement,' chief selector Ajit Agarkar told reporters after the team announcement in Mumbai. He said that, as well as Gill's IPL performances, the board 'take feedback from a lot of people' and the choice was a 'unanimous decision'. 'It's obviously going to be a high-pressure job. But we're hopeful that we've picked the right guy. I mean, he's a terrific player,' Agarkar said. 'It's a big job, big transition,' he said, especially with 'two of our big players retiring'. 'We were all confident that he is the guy to take us forward', he said. Shami 'setback' However, pace bowler Mohammed Shami has been left out of the 18-member squad due to fitness concerns, Agarkar said. 'He's had a little bit of a setback over the last week or so,' Agarkar said, adding medical scans had ruled Shami out for the series. Pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah is in the squad, although he will not be able to play all five Tests. Bumrah's workload is being managed while he recovers from a career-threatening back injury—a key reason for him not getting the Test captaincy. Bumrah was Rohit's deputy in India's last Test tour of Australia. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj returns after he was dropped from the ODI team for the Champions Trophy this year. Batsman Karun Nair, who hit an unbeaten 303 against England in Chennai in 2016, will make a comeback eight years after he last played a Test for India. Gill's opening partner at Gujarat, Sai Sudharsan, who leads the IPL batting chart with 638 runs, also made the cut. Agarkar said coach Gautam Gambhir and Gill will decide the batting order and who will replace Rohit and Kohli as opener and number two batter. Gill has played 32 Tests, scoring 1,893 runs at an average of 35.05, with five hundreds, since his debut in Melbourne in 2020. He has been a mainstay of India's batting in Test and ODI cricket and played a key role in the team's 50-overs Champions Trophy title in Dubai this year. The Tests in England will be India's first in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. The opener is at Headingley, followed by the second Test at Edgbaston from July 2. Lord's hosts the third Test from July 10, with the fourth at Old Trafford beginning July 23 and the final Test at The Oval from July 31. Squad: Shubman Gill (capt), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (vice-capt, wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Arshdeep Singh. — AFP
