Latest news with #ChampionsTrophy-winning
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Shreyas Iyer's Test omission despite 68.57 average in Ranji Trophy raises eyebrows: ‘There was space for him'
The All India Selection Committee picked the squad for the five Tests against England, in which a couple of omissions did raise some eyebrows, one of which was Shreyas Iyer's absence. The middle-order batter, who played a crucial role in India's Champions Trophy-winning campaign, was left out of the squad as the selectors went ahead with Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair for the big tour. Iyer, who was once touted to replace Ajinkya Rahane in the middle-order, last played a Test for India in May 2024 against England. He was left out of the Test set-up after his weakness against short balls was exposed on the big stage, but the Mumbaikar worked on it during the domestic season and bounced back well in the Champions Trophy with some tweaks in his technique. However, chief selector Ajit Agarkar asserted that Iyer has to prove himself more in red-ball domestic cricket to get a call-up to the Test team. Former India batter Robin Uthappa was stoked not to see Iyer in the Test squad despite his fine Ranji campaign last season, during which he scored 480 runs at an average of 68.57 in seven innings. "He [Iyer] played five matches in Ranji Trophy in this past season, averaging about 58 or 60, 450-odd runs. So, dominant force in Indian cricket. We know his leadership ability and quality. I really felt that there was space for him as a backup batter in the middle order," Uthappa said on his YouTube channel. He further said that Iyer should be the first one picked in case of injury on the tour. "If there's any injury, I'm hoping that he's the one who gets picked. I don't think you can keep him away from those whites for too long," he added. Agar also claimed that premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who was also one of the contenders to become the next Test captain, might not play all five Tests against England due to workload management. Uthappa advised that when Bumrah is unavailable, Arshdeep Singh should be the automatic choice to replace him. "If Bumrah is not playing, I will certainly play Arshdeep Singh because I think he will be more than a handful in Test cricket with the red ball. I think he's very underrated as a red-ball bowler, and we will see the full depth of his prowess in Test cricket. I'm happy that he's getting to play as a filler to Bumrah because he'll bring the same level of effectiveness as far as I'm concerned, my gut," he remarked.
NDTV
25-05-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Shubman Gill's 1st Reaction After Becoming India Test Captain: "As A Young Kid..."
India's newly-appointed Test captain Shubman Gill opened up about the opportunity and called it a huge honour. Gill was appointed captain for the upcoming Test series against England with Rishabh Pant becoming his deputy. Gill, who has played as an opener as well as No. 3 for the Indian cricket team in the format, will succeed Rohit as the India captain. Gill said that it was his dream as a young kid to captain India in Tests one day and added that it will be a massive responsibility for him. 'As a young kid, when anyone starts playing cricket, they want to play for India. Not just play for India, but play Test cricket for India for a very long time. To be able to get this opportunity is a great honour and like you said, it's a big responsibility," Gill said in a short video posted by the BCCI. Earlier, Ajit Agarkar explained the reason behind Gill's appointment as Test captain. "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 chief selector Ajit Agarkar on Gill's elevation as captain. Gill's previous leadership experiences in the Indian team included a 4-1 T20I series win in Zimbabwe last year and the white-ball vice-captain of the 2025 Champions Trophy-winning side in Dubai. 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. The 25-year-old is currently leading Gujarat Titans who are on top of the 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.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Credit for Shubman Gill's success goes to his father and Yuvraj Singh: Yograj Singh
Yuvraj Singh and Shubman Gill NEW DELHI: As Shubman Gill begins a new chapter in his career as India's Test captain, former India cricketer Yograj Singh has lauded the pivotal figures behind the young batter's success — his father and former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh . Speaking to ANI, Yograj credited Gill's strong foundation and guidance for his meteoric rise in Indian cricket . Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "The credit for Shubman Gill's performance goes to his father and Yuvraj Singh," he said. Who's that IPL player? Gill, 25, will lead India in a five-Test series against England. While his appointment marks a generational shift, Yograj believes Yuvraj's mentorship will be key to Gill's longevity as a leader. "If Shubman Gill has become the captain today and will stay for a long time, Yuvraj Singh's guidance will play and has played an essential role in that," he noted. Shubman Gill story: From a remote village near the border to India's Test captain Yuvraj, one of India's greatest match-winners, has worked closely with Gill over the years. Yograj believes his son's cricketing wisdom has significantly influenced Gill's development. "Someone like Yuvraj Singh, the greatest cricketing brain in the world, taking Gill under his wing is a big thing," Yograj said. Gill, who has 1,893 runs in 32 Tests with five centuries, has shown leadership potential as captain of Gujarat Titans in the IPL. He also led India in a T20I series in Zimbabwe and was Rohit Sharma's deputy in the Champions Trophy-winning squad earlier this year. India Test squad for England tour: Shubman Gill to lead, Rishabh Pant his deputy 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. 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.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
India Test squad for England tour: Five burning questions
India's Shreyas Iyer during a practice session ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy match between India and Pakistan in Dubai. (PTI) NEW DELHI: The wait is finally over. Team India has a new Test captain — Shubman Gill . The 25-year-old will take over the red-ball leadership when India begin their five-Test tour of England on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. Gill will lead the side, with the dynamic Rishabh Pant his deputy. At 25, Gill becomes India's fifth-youngest Test captain, following in the footsteps of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi (21), Sachin Tendulkar (23), Kapil Dev (24), and Ravi Shastri (25). Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! As is often the case with team selections, the announcement by chief selector Ajit Agarkar brought a mix of elation and disappointment. While young left-hander B Sai Sudharsan and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh earned their maiden Test call-ups, the squad also marked the return of Karun Nair to the national setup after eight years. India Test squad vs England: Ajit Agarkar full press conference Among the notable omissions was veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, who was deemed unfit for the five-match series. Harshit Rana and Sarfaraz Khan, who were part of the Australia tour, were also left out. Here are five burning questions following the selection of India's squad for the England Tests. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [부산 한정] 빠진 치아 1개도 10개도 33만원에 임플란트 해드려요! 플란치과 더 알아보기 Undo India Test squad for England tour: Shubman Gill to lead, Rishabh Pant his deputy Shreyas Iyer's exclusion from the 18-member squad has emerged as the biggest surprise among the omissions. Despite an impressive run in the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy season — scoring 480 runs at an average of 68.57 in seven innings — and playing a key role in India's Champions Trophy-winning campaign, Iyer's omission has raised several eyebrows. A proven match-winner, leader, agile fielder, and potential game-changer in England's challenging conditions, Iyer wasn't even considered for the India A squad. Iyer last played a Test in 2024 against England in Visakhapatnam. In the ongoing IPL 2025 season, Iyer has also led Punjab Kings to the playoffs for the first time in eleven years, showing strong form and leadership. When asked about his omission, chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that there simply isn't a place for him in the Test setup at the moment. "Shreyas had a good one-day series, played well in domestic as well but right now there's no room in Test cricket." Another notable absentee from the squad is Sarfaraz Khan. Once seen as a promising prospect for India's red-ball future, his omission from back-to-back Test series has now become a major talking point. Sarfaraz, who made a strong impression with back-to-back fifties on debut against England in Rajkot in 2024, also scored a 150 in India's first Test against New Zealand last year. However, he was dropped for the subsequent tour of Australia and has once again been left out of the squad for the upcoming England series. What went wrong for Sarfaraz after the New Zealand series remains unclear. That said, Sarfaraz has been included in the India A squad for the series against the England Lions. Chief selector Agarkar backed Karun Nair over Sarfaraz, citing Nair's consistent domestic form as the reason for his inclusion. "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. Shubman Gill story: From a remote village near the border to India's Test captain When the young pacer was included in the Test side for the series Down Under, his selection was termed a 'bold move'. Harshit Rana made an impressive start to his Test career in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, picking up four wickets on debut. However, he struggled to maintain that impact in the latter stages of the series. With India now set to tour England, the selectors have prioritised bowlers suited to swing-friendly conditions, opting for Akash Deep, Shardul Thakur, and Arshdeep Singh, while leaving Rana out. The captain and team management will certainly face a major headache while finalising the Playing XI for the opening Test. Who will open the innings for India - that's one of the key questions. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Karun Nair, and KL Rahul are among the current options. However, with the retirements of two stalwarts — Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli — India's batting line-up is set for a significant reshuffle. Undoubtedly, under Gill's leadership, the team is on the brink of a "massive transition." 'Shubman Gill used his brains a lot more than the other guys' Will Gill open the innings? Or will he bat at No. 4? If Shubman Gill shifts to the No. 4 spot, it could mark a significant change in his career trajectory. With several contenders vying for the opening slots, the selectors might back Gill to step into Virat Kohli's shoes — at the crucial No. 4 position, where Kohli anchored the innings for years. 'Last year or so we have looked 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,' said chief selector Ajit Agarkar after announcing the 18-member squad. Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, K L Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhurv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep singh and 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.
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
‘Much easier to work with one captain in all formats but…': Gautam Gambhir's subtle hint about Rohit's Test replacement
India head coach Gautam Gambhir would prefer to have one captain for all formats because it is much easier to plan and strategise with one individual, but he also realises that in modern-day cricket, it is extremely difficult to expect one cricketer to play all formats right throughout the year, let alone captain the sides. Gambhir's remarks come at a time when India are days away from announcing their new Test captain. Gambhir is part of the decision-making process and for the first time, it is likely that India will officially have three different captains for Tests, ODIs and T20Is. India have had the two-captain theory ever since MS Dhoni decided to quit Test cricket in 2014-15, but never in the past were there three different captains. Currently, the T20 side is led by Suyrakukar Yadav. The tests and ODIs were with Rohit Sharma but now that he has announced his retirement from Test cricket, making it clear that he would continue to play ODIs, it seems a matter of time before India get different captains for different formats. Unless India do the unexpected of sacking the Champions Trophy-winning captain (Rohit). "Ideally, as a coach, it is much easier to work with a guy if you have one captain for all formats but that hardly happens because you've got to realise in today's day and age, you can't have a captain captaining for 12 months a year," Gambhir told CNN News18. Gambhir said it is mentally and physically taxing for a cricketer to lead a team for 12 months. "You play 10 months of international cricket and then you have IPL. The one who is leading India would definitely be leading a franchise. Imagine putting a young guy, captaining sides for 12 months, is putting a lot of toll on his mental health and on his game as well. Ideally, it is one but in today's day and age, it is always better to have two because that pressure can be distributed and it gets much easier for a player to be free when he's not captaining," he added. Shubman Gill is currently the frontrunner for the India Test captaincy. He reportedly has met with coach Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar before they finalise the squad for the five-match Test series against England. Jasprit Bumrah is currently India's Test vice-captain, but the pace spearhead is unlikely to be considered for the leadership role because of his fitness issue. As the country's premier fast bowler in all three formats, Bumrah's fitness needs to be monitored carefully. The gruel of a five-Test series can be too much on Bumrah's body, which has already undergone surgeries.
