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Tag: Rohit Sharma

R Ashwin on Rohit Sharma’s critics: ‘When will they stop? When he performs’
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R Ashwin on Rohit Sharma’s critics: ‘When will they stop? When he performs’

Former India off-spinner R Ashwin has raised concern over Rohit Sharma’s current form and said the Team India captain must silence his critics with his performance with the bat. After an abysmal Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he dropped himself from the final Test in Sydney. However, Rohit’s poor form continues as he managed on two runs in the opening game of the three-match ODI series in Nagpur. “This is not easy. If you look at it from Rohit’s point of view, then obviously, it is frustrating form him,” Ashwin said on his Youtube channel. “He needs to concentrate on the series. He thinks that he have done well in the format and he’d like to continue that. Story continues below this ad “But people will ask questions. The ones who are watching will obviously ask. “It’s a...
IND vs ENG | It’s time to put ODI cricket in the limelight again
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IND vs ENG | It’s time to put ODI cricket in the limelight again

India’s captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Shitanshu Kotak during a practice session ahead of the first ODI between India and England, at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on February 5, 2025. | Photo Credit: PTI It has been a challenging few months for the superstars of Indian cricket. The twin Test series defeats to New Zealand (0-3 at home) and Australia (1-3 away) have raised a lot of questions about the road ahead for some of those.As the big names gather again to don the national colours for the three-match ODI series against England starting in Nagpur at the VCA Stadium on Thursday (February 6, 2025), they will want to burnish their reputations.The ODI format i...
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s form will be key to India’s success in Champions Trophy: Raina
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Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s form will be key to India’s success in Champions Trophy: Raina

They may have struggled in recent times but the form of skipper Rohit Sharma and his longtime colleague Virat Kohli will be key to India’s success in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, reckoned former batter Suresh Raina | Photo Credit: PTI They may have struggled in recent times but the form of skipper Rohit Sharma and his longtime colleague Virat Kohli will be key to India's success in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, reckoned former batter Suresh Raina on Tuesday (February 4, 2025). The Champions Trophy starts in Pakistan from February 19 and will concluded on March 9 but India will play all their matches in Dubai as per the hybrid model agreement signed by the concerned parties. Speaking to broadcaster St...
Champions Trophy: Rohit Sharma not to travel to Pakistan for photoshoot
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Champions Trophy: Rohit Sharma not to travel to Pakistan for photoshoot

The suspense over whether India captain Rohit Sharma will travel to Pakistan for the opening ceremony and a photo shoot ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy is all but over. The Indian Express understands that because of the logistical challenges involved which sees teams arriving in Pakistan on different dates, there won’t be any opening ceremony, nor will there be any official photoshoot involving captains from the eight participating teams. With India not travelling to Pakistan, there were questions as to whether Rohit will travel across the border for a photoshoot that was being planned alongside the opening ceremony. However, it is now understood that no such plans are in place and only a small ceremony is being planned by the hosts ahead of their opening match against New Zealand on Feb...
Wives are easy targets, they distract from the real failings
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Wives are easy targets, they distract from the real failings

At the turn of the century, England cricketer Darren Gough said that international cricket had become a single man’s game. Since then tours may have got shorter, but tournaments have increased, and careers have expanded. The work-life balance remains skewed. To rephrase something an Indian CEO said recently, how long can you stare at a cricket bat on a weekend? Sport and family life have an uneasy relationship. ‘Cricket widow’ is part of the game’s lexicon. As the sport makes greater demands on players, enlightened administrators permit a semblance of family life while on tour. Gambhir’s view Indian coach Gautam Gambhir has conveyed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India that the presence of wives on tour was a reason for the poor showing in Australia. This is an effe...
Rohit and Agarkar differ in views on BCCI’s SOPs for national players
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Rohit and Agarkar differ in views on BCCI’s SOPs for national players

Rohit and Agarkar during the press conference in Mumbai. | Photo Credit: Emmanual Yogini Captain Rohit Sharma and selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar had contradictory reactions to the recent circulation of modified standard operating procedures (SOPs) for India cricketers that have surfaced in the aftermath of India’s disappointing season of Test cricket.In a two-page document shared with cricketers last week, accessed by The Hindu, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had put out various curbs, including restricted stay of players’ families on long tours and disallowing personal staff of players along with the squad.While Rohit snapped at a journalist when asked about the new policy, Agarkar...
Why was Mohammed Siraj dropped from India Champions Trophy squad? Captain Rohit Sharma explains
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Why was Mohammed Siraj dropped from India Champions Trophy squad? Captain Rohit Sharma explains

India pacer Mohammed Siraj was a surprise omission from the 15-member Champions Trophy squad unveiled in Mumbai on Saturday as senior pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami were named alongside left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh. The 30-year-old Siraj who has picked up 71 wickets in only 44 appearances over the years was one of India’s main pace workhorses in the format over the last three years. Siraj powered India to the Asia Cup win in 2023 after ripping through Sri Lanka in the final with career-best figures of 6/21 and followed it with 14 wickets in the ODI World Cup at home. Despite shepherding the attack in the absence of Bumrah and Shami who is marking a return to the fold for the first time since the last World Cup, Siraj was snubbed for left-armer Arshdeep who has only played eight...
Rohit Sharma confirms availability for Mumbai’s next Ranji game, says ‘you need time off cricket’
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Rohit Sharma confirms availability for Mumbai’s next Ranji game, says ‘you need time off cricket’

Captain Rohit Sharma during a press conference to announce the ODI squad for England and Champions Trophy at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on January 18, 2025. | Photo Credit: Emmanual Yogini\ India captain Rohit Sharma on Saturday (January 18, 2025) confirmed his availability for Mumbai's next Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir, but stressed on the need to take time off from a busy calendar amid the clamour for star players' participation in domestic cricket. Rohit also said that no player takes premier domestic red ball tournament for granted. Mumbai will play Jammu and Kashmir at the MCA-BKC Ground when the Ranji Trophy resumes on January 23. Asked about his availability for the game during a press co...
ICC Champions Trophy 2025 India squad announcement : BCCI chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma announces the 15-man squad
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ICC Champions Trophy 2025 India squad announcement : BCCI chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma announces the 15-man squad

Captain Rohit Sharma and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar during a press conference to announce the ODI squad for England and Champions Trophy at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on January 18, 2025. | Photo Credit: Emmanual Yogini The BCCI announced the 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, in Mumbai on Saturday (January 18, 2025).BCCI chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar announced the 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy. Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav make a comeback in the Indian ODI squad. Mohammed Shami played white-ball cricket during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023.Jasprit Bumrah was also named in the ICC Champions Trophy squad.Harshit Rana will be the back-up reserve for the England ODI seri...
Harbhajan questions non-selection of Karun Nair: ‘those who are playing and scoring runs…ignoring them?’
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Harbhajan questions non-selection of Karun Nair: ‘those who are playing and scoring runs…ignoring them?’

Karun Nair is having a dream run in the Indian domestic cricket. The 33-year-old has been churning runs across all formats irrespective of the conditions. His run-scoring has coincided with Indian batting struggling in recent Test match series both against Australia and New Zealand at home. As a result of the poor form of both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma former players and pundits have urged the duo to play domestic cricket time and again. However, Harbhajan Singh on his YouTube channel said,” “Many are selected on the basis of just two games, some are just selected basis the IPL. So, why are rules different for him? People say Rohit and Virat are out of form, and you’re sending them to Ranji. But those who are playing Ranji and scoring runs… why are you ignoring them? When will these guy...
Gavaskar slams Rohit Sharma for missing first Test in Australia, urges India to not give caps ‘just like that’
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Gavaskar slams Rohit Sharma for missing first Test in Australia, urges India to not give caps ‘just like that’

India’s large contingent and the absence of captain Rohit Sharma in the early days of Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia has not gone down well with batting legend Sunil Gavaskar. Gavaskar lamented that Rohit’s absence in the Perth Test due to the birth of his second child did not help the side, after having opined in October that the Mumbaikar be replaced by Jasprit Bumrah as the captain for the entire tour. With Rohit’s horror series also ending in an embarassing 3-1 defeat for India that also knocked them out of the ICC World Test Championship, Gavaskar has launched a fresh attack on the captain and the team management. In his latest column for Sportstar, Gavaskar remarked that India must make overhauls before the next WTC cycle begins in England with five Tests between June and...
Rohit Sharma to turn up for Mumbai Ranji Trophy practice on Tuesday
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Rohit Sharma to turn up for Mumbai Ranji Trophy practice on Tuesday

INDIAN captain Rohit Sharma has informed the Mumbai team management that he will be turning up for the practice session for Ranji Trophy which is scheduled to be held on Tuesday morning at the Wankhede Stadium. Sharma has resumed his training at the MCA-BKC ground in order to prepare for the upcoming Champions Trophy. The Mumbai team will make use of a centre-wicket practice session for their next Ranji Trophy league round which is scheduled to be played in Mumbai against Jammu & Kashmir. A source in the MCA informed that Sharma hasn’t given his availability yet and is still mulling whether to play the Ranji Trophy league game or not. “He will be coming for practice sessions with the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team and it is still not decided whether he will be playing the next Ranji Trophy g...
‘Virat Kohli didn’t liked him’: Robin Uthappa reveals Ambati Rayudu’s snub from 2019 ODI World Cup
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‘Virat Kohli didn’t liked him’: Robin Uthappa reveals Ambati Rayudu’s snub from 2019 ODI World Cup

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa accused the then captain Virat Kohli for “shutting the door” on Ambati Rayudu’s face just before the squad was picked for the 2019 ODI World Cup. “If Virat dislikes anyone or he feels someone is not good then they ara out,” Utthappa said on ‘The Lallantop’ in an interview. “Ambati Rayudu is a prime example. You feel bad for him. Every player works hard to reach at that level. “Everyone has there own preferences I agree but you can’t take a player to the house and close the door on his face, in my opinion it’s wrong,” he said. Uthappa also revealed World Cup clothes, suits, and kitbags were sent to Ambati Rayudu’s home and then he was not picked from the squad. As a player, Ambati Rayudu represented both MI and CSK franchises in the IPL. (PHOTO: Am...
BCCI meets Gambhir, Rohit, other key members
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BCCI meets Gambhir, Rohit, other key members

India’s coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma. File | Photo Credit: AFP The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) met with key members of India’s men’s cricket team’s management to take a stock after a disastrous season of Test cricket and planning the way forward.The meeting was attended by Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, joint secretary Devajit Saikia (who on Sunday will take over as the BCCI secretary) and former secretary Jay Shah.Also Read | Shami returns to India squad for England T20Is; Axar appointed as Suryakumar’s deputyAll the personnel were huddled together at a south Mumbai hotel, before Shah’s felicitation by the BCCI for ha...
People forget what Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli have achieved, says Yuvraj Singh
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People forget what Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli have achieved, says Yuvraj Singh

Former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has come out in support of stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after the duo was at the receiving end of a lot of criticism after India’s 1-3 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy “We are talking about our greats, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma; we are saying very bad things about them,” Yuvraj told PTI. “People forget what they have achieved in the past. They are one of the greatest cricketers of this time. Okay, they lost; they did not play good cricket. They are getting hurt more than us,” he added. Rohit and Virat Kohli couldn’t find form in the five-match Test series against Australia, which ended on Sunday. Virat Kohli played all five matches and scored 190 runs, whereas Rohit could only manage a paltry 31 runs in five innings of the t...
Whitewash at home bigger failure than BGT loss; not fair to target Rohit, Virat: Yuvraj Singh
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Whitewash at home bigger failure than BGT loss; not fair to target Rohit, Virat: Yuvraj Singh

Former cricketer Yuvraj Singh. File | Photo Credit: PTI World Cup-winning former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has said that being whitewashed at home by New Zealand was a bigger low for Team India than the loss of Border-Gavaskar Trophy but refused to join the chorus of criticism against embattled veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. India have endured a difficult last few months in the five-day format, going down 0-3 to an under-strength New Zealand at home, which was a first in the team's Test history. This was followed by a 1-3 drubbing by Australia in the away edition of the Border Gavaskar series. Both the debacles have been largely attributed to the team's batting frailties, especially those of Rohit and Ko...
‘Aussie tactic to break skipper (Rohit Sharma) and make him anonymous empowers them and worked’ – Kerry O’Keefe
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‘Aussie tactic to break skipper (Rohit Sharma) and make him anonymous empowers them and worked’ – Kerry O’Keefe

Former Australian spinner Kerry O’Keeffe said the age-old Australian tactic “to look to bring down the opposition captain” had worked once again, as the Baggy Greens humbled India 3-1. In a blunt assessment of how the ploy works, recalling how Ajinkya Rahane and Jasprit Bumrah had thwarted them, O’Keeffe declared the Aussies succeeded in pulling down Sharma though. Other captain scalps he flaunted were of Pakistan, West Indies and New Zealand. “They couldn’t get Ajinkya Rahane the last time and he won the series,” O’Keeffe told foxsports.com.au at the SCG on Sunday night. “But if you look at the captains they’ve brought down in recent times, Sharma. Tick. Shan Masood with Pakistan. It was three-nil. Kraigg Brathwaite, it was one-all, but they were on top of Kraigg. They went to New Zeala...
India tour of Australia: India vs Australia Test series; Australia reclaims Border-Gavaskar Trophy; India to face tough decisions
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India tour of Australia: India vs Australia Test series; Australia reclaims Border-Gavaskar Trophy; India to face tough decisions

Australian team pose for a photo in the dressing room after reclaiming the Bordewr-Gavaskar trophy by defeating India 3-1 in Sydney. | Photo Credit: Getty Images Late on Sunday night, Mitchell Starc and some of his teammates got into a sports utility vehicle and left the Sydney Cricket Ground. The celebrations in the Australian dressing room stretched long and spilled onto the turf. Some ambled near the ropes and a few went close to the pitch.Reclaiming the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade, the host has to thank the players who made this possible, and above all respect is owed to Pat Cummins. He bagged the wickets (25), scored vital runs (159), led well and Australia won by a 3-1 margin. The Indians, m...
India tour of Australia: India vs Australia fifth Test day 3 border gavaskar trophy head coach gautam gambhir press conference
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India tour of Australia: India vs Australia fifth Test day 3 border gavaskar trophy head coach gautam gambhir press conference

Virat Kohli reacts with his teammates during the presentation ceremony. India lost the final and fifth Test against Australia, in Sydney on January 5, 2025. With this win Australia reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and also entered the WTC finals. | Photo Credit: AFP Twice over seven days, Gautam Gambhir has turned up for press-conferences. The first time, he did not commit on whether Rohit Sharma, the regular captain, would play. And during the second time he met the media at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney on Sunday (January 5, 2025), the Indian coach refused to reveal a clear road-map for seniors Rohit and Virat Kohli.“I can’t talk about the future of any player, it’s up to them. But yes, they s...
BREAKING: Rohit Sharma says he is not retiring from the game, has belief that form can change in ‘2 months or 5 months’
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BREAKING: Rohit Sharma says he is not retiring from the game, has belief that form can change in ‘2 months or 5 months’

Rohit Sharma firmly stated he is not retiring from the game, after he “stood down” from the Sydney Test purely because his batting form hasn’t been good. In a freewheeling interview with Star Sports during the lunch-time show in Sydney on Day 2, Rohit said his decision to sit out of Sydney was difficult but sensible, but that doesn’t change anything for his future. “Like I told you this decision is not a retirement decision nor am I going to step aside from the game, there is no such decision. I am out of the game because bat nahi chal raha hai,” Rohit said. “There is no guarantee that the bat will not work after five months, there is no guarantee that the bat will not work after two months. We have seen a lot in cricket, every minute. every second, everyday life changes. So I have this b...
Rohit Sharma opts to ‘rest’ for Sydney Test
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Rohit Sharma opts to ‘rest’ for Sydney Test

Rohit Sharma. File. | Photo Credit: PTI Finally there was closure to the question around Rohit Sharma. The ‘will he play or won’t he play’ question was emphatically answered when Jasprit Bumrah strode out to the toss ahead of the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday (January 3, 2025). As if to drive home the point, the BCCI’s note on the playing eleven and the entire squad did not have Rohit’s name.After winning the toss and electing to bat, Bumrah said: “Our captain has shown leadership by opting to rest in this game. That shows there is a lot of unity in this team.” Until Bumrah spoke, there was no official word on the manner of Rohit’s exit and the entire issue reveals a shocking lack of grace a...
Ind vs Aus 5th Test | Gill departs as India slips to 57/3 at lunch on Day 1
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Ind vs Aus 5th Test | Gill departs as India slips to 57/3 at lunch on Day 1

Scott Boland of Australia appeals unsuccessfully against Rishabh Pant of India for LBW during day one of the Fifth Men’s Test Match in the series between Australia and India at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 03, 2025 in Sydney. | Photo Credit: Getty Images India reached 57 for three at lunch on day one of the fifth and final Test against Australia here on Friday, January 3, 2025.KL Rahul (4), Yashasvi Jaiswal (10) and Shubman Gill (20) were the Indian batters to be dismissed in the session. Virat Kohli (12 batting), who got a reprieve on the first ball he faced, survived the session but Gill fell at the stoke of lunch. India captain Rohit Sharma rested himself from the series finale with Jasprit Bum...
Ind vs Aus 5th Test | Boland, Starc shine as India bowled out for 185
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Ind vs Aus 5th Test | Boland, Starc shine as India bowled out for 185

Australia’s Scott Boland reacts after delivery during day one of the Fifth Men’s Test Match against India at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 03, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. | Photo Credit: Getty Images Friday dawned to the wet streaks of rain, just about enough to accentuate the green on leaves. When the dampness paused, it was time for cricket’s annual pilgrimage to the Sydney Cricket Ground. India turned up with Jasprit Bumrah at the helm while Rohit Sharma, according to the former, opted to rest. A change in leadership, however, did not usher in a difference in the manner the visitors batted on a pitch that seemed more Perth and less Sydney.There was movement and some bounce, and as the fifth Test’s o...
Rohit Sharma opts to ‘rest’ for Sydney Test, Jasprit Bumrah to lead India in BGT finale
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Rohit Sharma opts to ‘rest’ for Sydney Test, Jasprit Bumrah to lead India in BGT finale

India Test captain Rohit Sharma is set to be ‘rested’ for the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. In his place, paceman Jasprit Bumrah is likely to walk out for the toss on Friday morning at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The Indian Express understands that Rohit has informed coach Gautam Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar of his decision to opt-out. The duo, it is learnt, have agreed. This could also mean that the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne could have been Rohit’s last for India given he might not be in the scheme of things for the next World Test Championship Cycle, which begins with a tour to England in the summer. It is unlikely that India will qualify for the WTC final in the current cycle. Shubman Gill, who was dropped from the Melbou...
Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Akash Deep likely to miss Sydney Test, deliberation over Rishabh Pant
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Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Akash Deep likely to miss Sydney Test, deliberation over Rishabh Pant

With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the line, India are pondering changes to the XI with one forced change expected at Sydney. The Indian Express understands that seamer Akash Deep is struggling with back issues and is set to miss the fifth and final Test. But the biggest deliberation at this stage is over Rishabh Pant’s place with the team management pondering the inclusion of Dhruv Jurel over the southpaw. India’s selection choices for the XI have been surprising throughout the tour as they started at Perth by benching both Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin for Washington Sundar. Harshit Rana, who made his debut at Perth, was included in the Adelaide Test as well but was clearly seen struggling to get used to the rigours of playing back-to-back matches and bowling long spells. The pattern cont...
Wives are easy targets, they distract from the real failings
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When sentiment trumps form, the team is in trouble

When you hope to bat through a day to draw a Test match, more than two batters need to get into double figures. And neither of them ought to give it away. In the end, there were some 12 overs remaining in the Melbourne Test, the new ball was due, and India had got it wrong. Again. If it isn’t team selection, they get wrong the decision on winning the toss; if it isn’t keeping the flock together — Ashwin might be missed in Sydney — it is the struggling captain’s manner of reacting to situations rather than making things happen. If it isn’t loss of patience, it is stretching the improbable. Virat Kohli, with a hundred in the first Test, looked like he had overcome some of his problems outside the off stump while making 36. Then the run out of Yashasvi Jaiswal when he was non-striker ...