2025

Shubman Gill is poised to be named India’s Test captain for the upcoming England tour, with KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant as his deputy. Selectors are likely to overlook Mohammed Shami and Shreyas Iyer, while considering Sai Sudharsan and Karun Nair. The squad will feature a mix of experienced players and fresh faces in pace and spin departments.

Dilip Vengsarkar expressed surprise at Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Test retirements, expecting them after the England tour. He acknowledged their significant contribution and the void they leave. Vengsarkar highlighted the opportunity for domestic players to step up and praised Shreyas Iyer’s consistent performance across formats, deferring to selectors on replacements.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, a 14-year-old batting prodigy, impressed in the IPL 2025 with Rajasthan Royals, scoring 252 runs in seven innings, including a blazing century. His coach, Ashok Kumar, believes that if Suryavanshi focuses on fitness and fielding, he could be fast-tracked into India’s senior T20I team within two years. Ashok Kumar, who coached Suryavanshi at the Bihar U19 and senior men’s teams, believes the youngster has what it takes to be fast-tracked into the senior T20I setup within two years — provided he focuses on fitness and fielding.

Gautam Gambhir has addressed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Test retirements, terming them personal decisions deserving respect. Speaking before the England tour starting June 20, Gambhir acknowledged the void but highlighted the chance for younger players to step up. He referenced India’s Champions Trophy win without Bumrah, emphasising the team’s ability to succeed despite senior players’ absence.

Lucknow Super Giants defeated Gujarat Titans by 33 runs, powered by Mitchell Marsh’s stunning century. Despite the victory, LSG captain Rishabh Pant acknowledged the team’s inconsistency and injury concerns that prevented them from reaching the playoffs. Pant highlighted that the team delivered a complete performance against GT, with Marsh’s explosive innings and bowlers dismantling GT’s top order.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, aiming for a top-two finish for the first time since 2016, will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Lucknow. Aakash Chopra anticipates a low-scoring affair at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, favoring RCB despite SRH’s potential to disrupt the playoff race. Virat Kohli’s consistent form bolsters RCB’s chances as they seek to regain momentum after a disrupted season.

Delhi Capitals’ IPL campaign faltered after a promising start, winning only one home game at Kotla. Lack of homework on the home ground and inadequate pre-season training at the venue proved costly. Management’s unclear strategies regarding batting order and bowler utilization, including Kuldeep Yadav’s sporadic usage, further contributed to their struggles.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, eyeing a top-two IPL finish for the first time since 2016, will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Lucknow. RCB, currently second, aims to capitalize on Virat Kohli’s form and contributions from Patidar and Shepherd. SRH, positioned eighth, seeks a strong end to their season, relying on their aggressive batting lineup.