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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Where does Kuldeep Yadav go from here?
Mumbai: He is good. He could've been great. But at the moment, Kuldeep Yadav is just plain unlucky. Or is he? Cricket - International Test Match Series - First Test - India Practice Session - Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds, Britain - June 19, 2025 India's Kuldeep Yadav during practice Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough (Reuters) He was in the playing 11 discussions right through the England series, but never got a game. The odds were quite good for Kuldeep to play. In four of the five Tests, pitches were on the drier side, batting friendly and England's batting isn't at its best against wrist spin. But India's left-arm wrist spinner had to warm the benches because head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill felt his coming in as the fourth specialist bowler would extend the tail. It would be easy to flay Gambhir's tactics. But look at it this way: Kuldeep has played in only two Tests outside the sub-continent over eight years. And none after the 2019 Sydney Test where the then head coach Ravi Shastri said, going forward, Kuldeep would become the first choice spinner overseas. It's a reflection of how Ravindra Jadeja, being an automatic pick overseas, has so often canceled the scope for a specialist spinner. The home Tests coming up in October should present Kuldeep an opportunity to press his case. But even there, who is to rule out the team going with an all-round spin-trio of Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel as a combination based on the pitches they chose to go with. It wouldn't be amusing anymore, perhaps prudent, if Kuldeep started spending more time in the batting nets. The T20 question 'Over to T20 cricket then', Kuldeep might be telling himself. The upcoming T20 Asia Cup will serve as an audition for the 2026 T20 World Cup. That's where a left-arm wrist spinner should be of value, like he was in the previous edition. But nothing is straightforward in cricket anymore unless you have earned yourself the badge of being undroppable across conditions. Kuldeep knows that he isn't there yet. While he was recovering from a groin injury and later focused on the ODI Champions Trophy, Varun Chakravathry emerged as India's premier T20 spinner. The mystery bowler has been the leading wicket-taker in India's last three bilateral series, picking up 31 wickets in 12 T20Is. With his large assortment of deliveries and variations, Chakravarthy has been able to cast a spell over quality batters of late in a format where dot balls sometimes carry the same weight as wickets. There is a silver lining, though, for Kuldeep. There may still be a chance for his guile to shine. India's bowling plans have seen a distinct change under Gambhir's watch, with a lot more spin being employed than before. In the previous three series, Chakravarthy and Ravi Bishnoi played several matches together. Neither of them are much of a batting resource. This, even as one of Washington Sundar and Axar Patel also got game time. If India sticks to this spin-heavy approach, Chakravathry and Kuldeep could combine in Dubai and try to repeat the dose in the Asia Cup, like in the Champions Trophy. That's if Kuldeep makes the squad ahead of Bishnoi, which he should, for his superior strike rate. Other than Gambhir being a big believer in mystery spin - think of Sunil Narine-Chakravarthy bowling in tandem at KKR - the other reason India have relied heavily on spinners recently is because of Jasprit Bumrah's absence. They have even made do with Hardik Pandya as the second pacer to accommodate an additional spinner. With Bumrah returning to the T20 fold, there could yet be a tweak in strategy. The moment they go back to squad balancing with spin-all rounders Washington and Axar, Kuldeep is likely to become the first casualty. Besides, both the leading pacers Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh are unidimensional, elongating the tail. Which leaves the UP spinner with only one choice, to make every opportunity he gets... count. A prerequisite for wrist spinners is to have a big heart; of being able to bounce back after being taken to the cleaners. Of trying to land the ball on the target area, immediately after missing the mark. Kuldeep has done it before - learned to impart more revolutions on the ball at a greater speed, changed the trajectory of his bowling run-up. Those were technical changes that came after months of rehearsal. All he now wants is a chance to play. And when he gets one, he must be able to showcase his USP. Like in the ODI format, where he is one of the few spinners who holds his own when the slog is on. Chakravarthy may be competition for Kuldeep, less experienced. But if he wanted to draw inspiration, there is much to admire from his career path - come in as a late bloomer with no reputation with the bat or in the field, but by dint of his knotty bowling to become a crucial piece in India's T20 gameplan.
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Shubman Gill in charge as India's Test future takes shape
For most of the last decade, the Indian Test team was about Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, R Ashwin and Mohammed Shami. They were the pillars that the team was built around and the stars the youngsters looked up to. But as the team for India's tour of England was named on Saturday, they were all missing. The transition, as they say, is well and truly upon us. A new era is beginning and it is being spearheaded by the 25-year-old Shubman Gill who was named as India's new Test captain. The selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar said his committee was 'unanimous' that Gill, who has played just 32 Tests, was the right man for the job. Gill will become the fourth youngest Indian Test captain, behind Tiger Pataudi (21 yrs), Sachin Tendulkar (23 yrs) and Kapil Dev (24 yrs). It had been building up for a while but the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have hastened the need for change and this is a leap of faith that the selectors had to take. It is also a decision that could have major repercussions on India's Test future. 'You don't pick captains for one or two tours,' Agarkar said after chairing a selection meet at the BCCI headquarters here. 'We want to invest in something that's going to help us going forward. We've seen some progress over the last year or two with him. There's no doubt that it is going to be as tough as it gets, in a five-match series in England. Maybe he will have to learn on the job a little bit.' Bumrah was Rohit's deputy in Australia and led the team to a win in the Perth Test. But as HT reported in April, the selectors were averse to the idea of the pacer becoming a long-term captain once it became known that his body would not take the workload of too many successive Tests. 'Once he was not going to be available for all the Test matches, I think he is more important to us as a player,' Agarkar said. 'We want him fit. I think there is always that extra burden as a leader, managing 15–16 other people. There's a lot that it takes out of you. We would rather have him bowling well rather than putting that extra burden on him.' The calls for change had begun when India lost the series to New Zealand at home late in 2024. It was their first defeat at home in 12 years. The campaign then started to gather even more steam when most of the senior batters struggled in Australia as India crashed to another series defeat. The point most experts made was a simple one: could youngsters have done any worse? After the losses, the selectors made up their mind to pick a young captain for the new World Test Championship cycle – beginning with the England Tests – and their plans remained unchanged despite India's triumph in the ODI Champions Trophy under Rohit Sharma. In the past two months, the selectors had conversations with Rohit and Kohli on their future. Both retired a fortnight back, within days of each other. And just like that the combined experience of 190 matches went out of the line-up. It also means that India now has a team that features players who have grown up in the T20 era. Gill's challenge Gill is yet to hit the high notes in Test cricket (he averages just 35), but the selectors were willing to give him their vote of confidence because of not just his potential but also because of his stable mindset. Still, Gill will need to step up as batter and hope to inspire the other youngsters in the batting group — Yashasvi Jaiswal is 23, Sai Sudharsan is 23 too, Rishabh Pant has been around for a bit but he's 27. It's been a while since India have sported such a youthful look in the red-ball game. 'Everyone is going to be tested in England, like it was in Australia,' said Agarkar. 'We are confident he has got the goods. It's a massive transition with Rohit and Kohli not being around. It's a new cycle, experience can only help. It is going to be tough. [But] as far as his batting is concerned, there's no real issue.' But the youngsters sometimes like to play a different game. Pant, who has been named vice-captain, certainly does. It will be interesting to see whether Gill, as skipper, tries to rein them in or gives them the freedom to be themselves. Early results may decide how assertive he will be as skipper and for that he will also need Bumrah at his very best. India's pace battery will be working with limited ammunition in England. In addition to Bumrah's limited availability – he has been advised to play not more than four of the five Tests – Shami had to be left out after being ruled not ready for the rigours of Test cricket by the medical team. So, the selectors have provided six pace options that include Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Shardul Thakur and the young swing bowler Arshdeep Singh. The returning bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur will act as cover for the inexperienced Nitish Reddy, whose bowling is not as sharp. But most of all, this tour will be about Gill and youth. Beginnings can be difficult, but at the end of the day it will be the results that will count.
Express Tribune
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Rohit Sharma: Leader of India's dreams
Rohit Sharma's highest Test score was 212 he posted against South Africa in Ranchi in 2019. Photo: AFP/File Rohit Sharma rose from humble beginnings to captain cricket-mad India and redefined Test batting with his ability to score big hundreds as he dominated opposition attacks. The 38-year-old called time on his Test career on Wednesday after playing 67 matches and scoring 4301 runs including 12 centuries since his debut in 2013. Rohit quit T20 international cricket in 2024 after lifting the World Cup and earlier this year led India to an ODI Champions Trophy title in Dubai. He will continue to play the ODI format but his declining batting form in the five-day format prompted his decision to call time on a career divided into two halves. As a youngster Rohit studied on a scholarship because his family was unable to afford monthly fees of a few dollars. He overcame all odds to become a cricketing superstar, especially in the white-ball game, his feats including taking his country to World Cup glory in 2024. He is also the only batsman to have scored three double-centuries in one-day internationals. Prior to his drop-off in form, Rohit gave India real firepower at the top of the innings and his selfless approach allowed the rest of the batsmen to play freely. But the man dubbed the "Hitman" for getting to big scores quickly in spectacular style failed to get past 10 runs in any of his five innings during India's tour of Australia late last year. He described his performances as "disturbing" while there was also mounting criticism about his decisions as captain. With India trailing 2-1 in the series, vice-captain Bumrah was named to lead the team at the Sydney Cricket Ground as the visitors battled to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Indian media mockingly noted that Rohit's 31 runs in three Tests was only one more than the Bumrah's 30 wickets. "Rohit, because of captaincy and reputation... managed to hang on longer than he should have," the Times of India wrote. Rohit was also way below his brilliant best in the 3-0 Test series whitewash at home to New Zealand in November. Just months before that, he lifted the World Cup in Barbados after India edged out South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling final to finally deliver the cricket-crazy nation a global title again. Rohit signed off as India's highest scorer in the shortest format, plundering 4,231 runs including five centuries in 159 matches since his T20 debut in 2007. A five-time IPL winner for Mumbai Indians, Rohit took over the captaincy of the white-ball national team in 2021 from Virat Kohli. A year later, Rohit became Test skipper too. He left a lasting legacy in the shortest format, having featured in all nine editions of the T20 World Cup. afp
Fox Sports
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
India captain Rohit Sharma retires from test cricket ahead of England tour
Associated Press MUMBAI, India (AP) — India captain Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from test cricket Wednesday ahead of the squad's upcoming tour of England. The 38-year-old Sharma added that he will continue representing India in one-day internationals. 'It's been an absolute honor to represent my country in whites," he wrote on Instagram. 'Thank you for all the love and support over the years.' Sharma struggled during the 2024-25 season, averaging just 10.93 runs in 11 innings over eight tests. Overall, he scored 4,301 runs in 67 tests, an average of 40.57, with 12 centuries for the national team. Sharma replaced Virat Kohli as captain in March 2022 and guided India to 12 wins, nine losses and three draws, while scoring 1,254 runs during that time. It was a captaincy that ended with back-to-back series losses — a record 3-0 home defeat to New Zealand and a 4-1 loss to Australia that knocked India out of the 2025 World Test Championship. 'Thank you, Captain … End of an era in whites! ... We are proud of you, Hitman,' India cricket said in a statement. Most recently, Sharma captained India to victories at the 2025 ODI Champions Trophy and the 2024 T20 World Cup, after which he announced his retirement from that format. India opens its five-test tour of England on June 20. ___ AP cricket: in this topic
France 24
07-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
'Hitman' Sharma: Big-hitting leader of India's cricket dreams
The 38-year-old called time on his Test career on Wednesday after playing 67 matches and scoring 4301 runs including 12 centuries since his debut in 2013. Rohit quit T20 international cricket in 2024 after lifting the World Cup and earlier this year led India to an ODI Champions Trophy title in Dubai. He will continue to play the ODI format but his declining batting form in the five-day format prompted his decision to call time on a career divided into two halves. As a youngster Rohit studied on a scholarship because his family was unable to afford monthly fees of a few dollars. He overcame all odds to become a cricketing superstar, especially in the white-ball game, his feats including taking his country to World Cup glory in 2024. He is also the only batsman to have scored three double-centuries in one-day internationals. Prior to his drop-off in form, Rohit gave India real firepower at the top of the innings and his selfless approach allowed the rest of the batsmen to play freely. But the man dubbed the "Hitman" for getting to big scores quickly in spectacular style failed to get past 10 runs in any of his five innings during India's tour of Australia late last year. He described his performances as "disturbing" while there was also mounting criticism about his decisions as captain. Rohit missed the first Test in Perth for the birth of his second child, with Jasprit Bumrah assuming the captaincy and playing a starring role with the ball in a big India win. With India trailing 2-1 in the series, vice-captain Bumrah was named to lead the team at the Sydney Cricket Ground as the visitors battled to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Indian media mockingly noted that Rohit's 31 runs in three Tests was only one more than the Bumrah's 30 wickets. "Rohit, because of captaincy and reputation... managed to hang on longer than he should have," the Times of India wrote. 'Hero' Rohit was also way below his brilliant best in the 3-0 Test series whitewash at home to New Zealand in November. Just months before that, he lifted the World Cup in Barbados after India edged out South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling final to finally deliver the cricket-crazy nation a global title again. Rohit signed off as India's highest scorer in the shortest format, plundering 4,231 runs including five centuries in 159 matches since his T20 debut in 2007. A five-time IPL winner for Mumbai Indians, Rohit took over the captaincy of the white-ball national team in 2021 from Virat Kohli. A year later, Rohit became Test skipper too. He left a lasting legacy in the shortest format, having featured in all nine editions of the T20 World Cup. He was part of M.S. Dhoni's winning team in the inaugural event in 2007, before clinching his second T20 crown 17 years later. Rohit, who has been criticised for not having the athletic physique of some other players, has also amassed 11,168 runs at an average of over 48 in 273 ODIs. But his Test record is less prolific as he only came into his own in 2019 when he revived his stop-start five-day career as an opener, hitting 176 and 127 against South Africa in the first Test in Visakhapatnam. In the third match of the same series in Ranchi, Rohit hit 28 fours and six sixes in a blistering innings of 212 which remained his highest Test score. However his recent shortcomings have not detracted from Rohit's stature around the world. Former England captain Michael Vaughan lauded him as the "man who has changed the culture" of the India team -- and a "genuine hero". © 2025 AFP
