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India’s humiliating loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series has sparked widespread debate about the future of senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. After winning the first Test in Perth, India lost three of the remaining four matches, missing out on a spot in the World Test Championship final. This performance, combined with Kohli’s inconsistent run and Rohit’s decision to drop himself from the final Test, has raised questions about their roles in the team. As the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) prepares for its Special General Meeting, new secretary DevajitSaikia has been instr”cted to convey a “strict message” to chief selector AjitAgarkar regarding the need for a fresh approach. Kohli managed only 190 runs in nine innings during the series, while Rohit scored just 31 runs across five innings, leading to calls for a new direction. Former BCCI officials have emphasized that no player should consider themselves bigger than the game, suggesting that both Kohli and ...

Jay Shah, alongside Cricket Australia and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), is engaged in discussions to restructure Test cricket into two divisions. This initiative aims to facilitate more frequent matches between cricketing powerhouses India, Australia, and England, enhancing the competitive landscape of the format. The proposed division would allow these nations to play each other more regularly, addressing concerns about dwindling interest in Test cricket. By creating a system where top teams face off more often, the stakeholders hope to rejuvenate the format and attract larger audiences. Shah’s leadership has been pivotal in these talks, reflecting his commitment to prioritizing Test cricket alongside the growing popularity of T20 leagues. The plan also seeks to ensure that players from countries outside the “Big Three” receive fair compensation for their participation in Test matches, potentially introducing a dedicated fund for match fees. This move comes at a crucial t...

Rishabh Pant delivered an explosive performance on Day 2 of the fifth Test against Australia, scoring a quickfire 61 runs off just 33 balls. His half century included six boundaries and three sixes, showcasing his aggressive batting style and ability to dominate the Australian bowling attack. Pant’s half-century was particularly notable as it was the second-fastest fifty by an Indian in Test cricket, achieved in just 29 deliveries. Despite Pant’s heroics, India faced challenges, losing wickets at regular intervals. He was eventually dismissed, caught behind off the bowling of Pat Cummins, leaving India at 124 for 5 and leading by 128 runs. His departure added pressure on the Indian batting lineup as they aimed to build a substantial lead. The match remains finely poised, with India looking to capitalize on their first-innings total of 185. Pant’s innings provided crucial momentum for the team, especially in a match where they are striving to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. As play c...

Saurashtra’s experienced wicketkeeper-batter Sheldon Jackson has announced his retirement from white-ball cricket. Over his career, Jackson played 86 List A matches, amassing 2,792 runs, including nine centuries and 14 fifties. He was instrumental in Saurashtra’s victory in the Vijay Hazare Trophy during the 2022-23 season. In T20s, Jackson scored 1,812 runs in 84 matches, featuring one century and eleven fifties. His contributions to Saurashtra have been significant, and he has been recognized for his dedication and hard work throughout his career. Jaydev Shah, president of the Saurashtra Cricket Association, praised Jackson’s commitment to the game, stating, “His dedication and passion for cricket have made him a key player for Saurashtra. As he bids farewell to white-ball formats, his contributions will continue to inspire budding cricketers.” While Jackson steps away from limited-overs cricket, he will continue to participate in red-ball cricket, remaining active in the ongoing Ran...

Steve Smith redeemed himself spectacularly on Day 4 of the third Test between Australia and India at the Gabba, pulling off a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss KL Rahul. Earlier in the day, Smith had dropped a simple catch off the very first ball, allowing Rahul to continue his inning on 33. This mistake left Smith visibly frustrated as Rahul added 51 more runs, pushing his total to 84. The moment of redemption came in the 44th over when Nathan Lyon bowled a delivery that spun sharply. Rahul attempted a cut shot but edged the ball, which seemed destined to fly past Smith at slip. However, showcasing his lightning-fast reflexes, Smith dived low to his right and snatched the ball just before it hit the ground, leaving Rahul in disbelief. Watch the video here . Smith’s catch not only ended a crucial 67-run partnership but also provided Australia with a vital breakthrough. His reaction after taking the catch reflected immense relief and joy. With this catch, Smith moved closer to Ricky ...

Mumbai clinched their second Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title by defeating Madhya Pradesh by five wickets in the final held at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday. Led by Shreyas Iyer, Mumbai successfully chased down a target of 175 runs with over two overs to spare, marking their second title win in three years, following their triumph in 2022. This victory places Mumbai among the select few teams to have won the SMAT title twice, joining Tamil Nadu, who has won it three times. The match was significant for Madhya Pradesh as well, as they reached the final for the first time in 14 years but ultimately fell short. Key contributions came from Suryakumar Yadav and SuryanshShedge, who played crucial roles in the chase. Mumbai’s consistent performance throughout the tournament showcased their dominance in T20 cricket. With this win, they reaffirmed their status as a powerhouse in domestic cricket, further enhancing their legacy in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy history.

Before the IPL Auction last month, there was widespread anticipation that Rishabh Pant would become the most expensive player in history, with estimates ranging from ₹20 crore to ₹30 crore. Ultimately, he was sold to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for a record ₹27 crore, surpassing all expectations. Despite Delhi Capitals using their Right to Match (RTM) card, they couldn’t match LSG’s final bid. SanjivGoenka, the owner of LSG, revealed in a podcast that they had strategically calculated their bid for Pant, anticipating that Delhi would be eager to retain him. “There was science behind going at ₹27 crore for Rishabh Pant,” Goenka explained, noting that they had prepared for various scenarios and deemed Pant essential for their team. Watch the video here . Goenka also shared insights into the decision-making process behind the high bid, emphasizing the importance of having an Indian anchor like Pant around whom the team could be built. He expressed confidence that no other franchise would m...