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Hindustan Times
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
‘Considering white-ball criteria for one but not the other': BCCI's Shreyas Iyer decision slammed for double-standard
The non-selection of Shreyas Iyer for India's upcoming Test tour of England has disappointed many in the Indian cricket fraternity, who believed that the Mumbai batter had earned a spot in the Test team after a hot run of form across formats in recent months. Despite his importance to India's triumphant ICC Champions Trophy campaign and excellent form across domestic, First Class and IPL cricket, Iyer continues to be on the outside of India's plans in Test cricket. Another individual who voiced his disappointment regarding this situation was former international Mohammed Kaif, who pointed out the double-standard of the IPL being used as a basis of form for certain selections in the Test team, but not being a consideration for Iyer despite his own strong IPL season. Kaif highlighted the pick of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat Titans batter Sai Sudharsan. "Sai Sudharsan is a brilliant player, no doubt. But he was picked in the Test squad after a good IPL season (679 runs and counting),' said Kaif on his YouTube channel. 'Iyer, meanwhile, has been doing well for so long. He scored some 550 runs in the 2023 ODI World Cup and in the Champions Trophy as well. He is still doing a terrific job with the bat for Punjab Kings – 514 runs and counting. He is captaining too. So on one hand, you are considering white-ball criteria for one player and not for the other,' said Kaif regarding the selection. Iyer was one of the players who was in-demand amongst fans and pundits to be on the tour of England despite his struggles against the red ball in SENA conditions, particularly due to his improvements in technique against the short ball, as well as the experience and the leadership quality he could bring to the table. In the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both recently retired from Test cricket, this was seen as a must-have. Nevertheless, despite his average of 68.57 in this prior season's Ranji Trophy campaign as well as his streak of run-scoring in white ball for India and Punjab Kings, Iyer missed out on Gautam Gambhir's team yet again. This follows after he was removed from the BCCI's central contract list in 2024, and although he was reinstated this year, his absence has caused a response from many within Indian cricket.
Mint
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Yuvraj Singh gets credit after Shubman Gill's appointment as India Test captain: ‘Greatest cricketing brain'
Young Indian batting star Shubman Gill was elevated to the position of India Test captain as the BCCI announced the squad for the England tour on Saturday. After Gill's official appointment, former India cricketer and Yuvraj Singh's father, Yograj Singh, credited his son for the success of Shubman Gill. In a statement to ANI, Yograj said, "The credit for Shubman Gill's performance goes to his father and Yuvraj Singh... 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... Someone like Yuvraj Singh, the greatest cricketing brain in the world, taking Gill under his wing is a big thing." Notably, Yuvraj Singh is often given credit for training and grooming young Indian players like Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma, who have gone on to become mainstays in the Indian team. At the age of 25, Shubman Gill has become the youngest-ever Indian Test captain after his successful IPL captaincy stint with the Gujarat Titans. While Gill doesn't have much experience leading the national team, he will have a lot of learning to do on the job—especially with the first assignment being a five-match Test series in England. Moreover, Gill has a poor batting record in England, having played three matches with a highest score of 28 and an average of 14.67. The young batter's numbers aren't exactly impressive in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) countries either, scoring 481 runs in 10 matches at an average of 25.32 and a highest score of 91 in Australia. The young Indian batter could now replace Virat Kohli in the number 4 spot for India, a position that was earlier held by Sachin Tendulkar as well. Moreover, he will also carry the major responsibility of rebuilding the Indian team after the retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
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.
India Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Shubman Gill, India's first accidental Test captain of the 21st century
India has had many accidental Prime Ministers. On Shubman Gill will be conferred the epithet of the first accidental captain of Team India in the 21st wasn't born to lead, nor has he acquired the skills yet. Like all leaders who have leadership thrust upon them, he is a beneficiary of circumstances—the serendipity of being the wrong man in the right place. Because all the right men are currently in the wrong place in Indian J Peter famously said every person rises to their level of incompetence. In Gill's case, incompetence has stooped to find the right competence has been X-rayed enough to reveal an unfulfilled promise, and flaws exposed. To recap, his batting average of 35.05 in 32 Tests is the lowest amongst the top-order batters to have played for India in the past decade. Forget Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara or Rishabh Pant—even Ajinkya Rahane has a better average. For perspective, Hanuma Vihari, batting at 5 and 6, scored at 33.56 in the limited opportunities he Read: Give captain Shubman Gill a full Test season before judging him: Sunil GavaskarA closer look at Gill's performances in challenging conditions abroad highlights his struggles. In SENA countries, Gill hasn't scored a century. His average of 25.70 is only slightly higher than Manoj Prabhakar's 24.2—and that's an insult to the wannabe all-rounder who batted mostly in the lower order. His scores in the three Tests he has played in England: 28, 15, 1, 0, 17, 4. Looking at them, Geoffrey Boycott would be tempted to say, 'Even my mum could bat better with a toothpick.' Shubman Gill has never captained India in Tests before. Courtesy: PTI advertisementThe problem with Gill isn't just his record. His weakness against the moving ball has been exploited consistently by fast bowlers. In the 21 innings in SENA countries, he has been caught eight times by the keeper, and five times in the slips or the gully. Experts have pointed at his tendency to push with hard hands early in the innings, and his weakness against outswingers. Because of these flaws, he has already abdicated the opener's slot. Nobody knows how far down the batting order he will fall before finding his level of appraisal card screams, 'Erratic performances, unproven credentials—Rating: poor.' If part of a corporate hierarchy, he'd be on a performance-support programme. But he is rewriting Peter's Principle. Sometimes your name is your destiny. And Gill seems to be a really Shubh man.A struggling captain takes the boat down with him. Gill is already under pressure to perform as a batter, cement his place in the side. Putting him at the wheel with the weight of an inexperienced team on his shoulders is a huge risk—it may break not just him but the entire squad. In hindsight, it would've been better to make Jasprit Bumrah the captain, and Pant or KL Rahul as his deputy. But the BCCI seems to have been swayed by Gill's IPL performance—an illusion that has blinded many in the man's luck is cricket's tragedy of circumstances. Indian cricket is, unfortunately, going through a phase that has conspired to push Gill to the forefront. Rohit Sharma's form disappeared, forcing him to retire. Selectors weren't willing to hand Virat Kohli the captaincy because they didn't want to rewind the clock. Rishabh Pant's luck seems to have run out after that tragic accident. And KL Rahul, it seems, is too old for a long-term plan—all in all, all the right men in the wrong place. Shubman Gill will make his Test captaincy debut on the England tour. Courtesy: PTI In the long run, as John Maynard Keynes said, we are all dead. But Gill's promotion casts doubts over India's short-term longevity. If a batsman with a poor record, an iffy technique and a doubtful position in the team has been made the captain, something must be wrong with Indian is apparent the team is in transition with limited talent available for Tests. Yashasvi Jaiswal had a good outing in Australia, KL Rahul had a stop-start-stop tour, Pant blew hot and cold, and Nitish Kumar Reddy played some excellent knocks in the lower order. Jasprit Bumrah, unfortunately, lives on a razor's edge—we never know which straw might tilt the balance. Apart from these five, most other players in the England squad, including Gill, are there because someone invented luck. Had the seniors not retired or some others been fit, half of the squad would've been sitting at elevation isn't an isolated decision; it reflects broader changes in Indian cricket under Gautam Gambhir's leadership. Ashwin retired mid-series; Rohit Sharma and Virat left when they seemed willing to stay on; and senior members of the coaching staff were booted out unceremoniously. Even in the shorter format, Hardik Pandya—once seen as India's future captain—has been is it about Gambhir that has created major disruptions in the team in the past six months? Is Gambhir building a team that best suits his style, or is he selecting the best team for India?advertisementGill's unexpected rise echoes past instances in Indian cricket when unlikely leaders were thrust into the spotlight. In the late '80s, after Sunil Gavaskar retired, the captaincy changed hands frequently. At the turn of the decade, it passed into the hands of Krishnamachari Srikkanth—perhaps the last accidental captain of the previous the next ten years, Indian cricket remained in transit—hobbled by mediocre players, team intrigues, and match-fixing scandals. That era ended with the emergence of Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid in cricket, and an accidental PM in politics—HD Deve captaincy, like Srikkanth's, risks prolonging India's transitional struggles unless he defies Sharma, our guest author, likes to write on cricket, cinema, music and politics. He believes they are In
NDTV
24-05-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Rishabh Pant's Appointment As Test Vice-Captain Explained: BCCI Says "Wicket-Keeper..."
Batting star Shubman Gill was on Saturday entrusted with India's Test leadership to steer through a "massive transition" phase with the swashbuckling Rishabh Pant as his deputy for next month's tour of England that is expected to be nothing short of a trial by fire. At 25 years of age, Gill will be India's fourth youngest Test captain after Sachin Tendulkar (23), Kapil Dev (24) and Ravi Shastri (25). The five-match series against England will begin on June 20 in Leeds. "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 squad, which offered no major surprises. "Pant is one of our best batters in Test cricket over the last four-five years. A wicketkeeper can see the game well and that's why he is Shubman's deputy," Agarkar added while explaining the 27-year-old Pant's role. The selectors' decision on the team's leadership was on expected lines following the retirement of senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom called it quits within a week of each other earlier this month. Young left-hander B Sai Sudharsan and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh earned their maiden Test call-up. "Sai has not been picked based on IPL, he has shown the right temperament and has the game to succeed at the top have been looking at him for a while," Agarkar said, referring to Sudharsan's fine IPL form. Persistent Nair in; unfit Shami out The squad also features Karun Nair, who returns to the national set-up after eight years. Having last played in 2017, Nair was dropped from the team soon after becoming the second triple centurion in Tests from India. A notable exclusion was pacer Mohammed Shami, who was deemed not fit enough for the long series. "His workload is not where it needs to be. We were hoping he will be available but it is unfortunate. At the moment he is not fully fit," Agarkar said in the press conference. From the tour of Australia, Harshit Rana and Sarfaraz Khan have been dropped. Besides Gill, Bumrah was another strong contender for the captaincy job but the selectors decided to hand over the leadership responsibility to the 25-year-old batterfrom Punjab. Gill's rare talent is undisputed but he is yet to prove himself in Test cricket, especially in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) countries. "It is a massive transition. Both Rohit and Virat were around for a long time," added Agarkar who was sitting alongside his selection panel colleague S S Das. India's Squad for Test tour of England: Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, K L Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun nair, Nitish Redddy, Ravindra Kadeja, Dhurv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep singh and Kuldeep Yadav.
