Wednesday, April 23
With the ICC Champions Trophy just over a month away, significant construction work at key Pakistani stadiums remains incomplete. The ICC are set to conduct status checks and discussing contingencies, due to the ongoing infrastructural delays and challenging weather conditions in Pakistan. The tournament begins on 19 February.
Ravi Shastri suggests Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma return to domestic cricket to hone their Test skills and mentor younger players. Following India's performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Shastri believes domestic play can help them overcome technical issues and contribute to the team's transition. He emphasises the importance of hunger and desire in their careers.
The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi visited Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on January 6 to look at the unfinished work as the Champions Trophy begins on February 19. Pakistan will host matches in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, while India will play in Dubai. Naqvi expressed confidence in meeting the January 25 deadline.
The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi visited Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, highlighting concerns about the unfinished work just weeks before the Champions Trophy begins on February 19. Pakistan will host matches in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi, while India will play in Dubai. Naqvi expresses confidence in meeting the January 25 deadline.
Aakash Chopra critiqued Rohit Sharma’s inconsistent Test career in comparison to Virat Kohli, noting Rohit’s drastic form decline in late 2024. Despite scoring six centuries from 2020 to 2024, injuries and inconsistency marred Rohit’s performance, especially during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This analysis raises questions about his role in the Indian Test team.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape, led by Aiden Markram, aim for a third consecutive SA20 title when the 2025 season gets underway on 9 January. The squad includes first-to-SA20 faces like David Bedingham and Zak Crawley. Key players also feature Richard Gleeson and Roelof van der Merwe. The season kicks off against MI Cape Town, promising intense competition.
South Africa triumphed over Pakistan by 10-wickets in the second Test at Cape Town, securing their seventh consecutive World Test Championship victory and matching India's record. This win helped Temba Bavuma's team clinch the series and guaranteed a top-place finish in the 2023-25 WTC edition. South Africa's winning streak began in August last year.
Sunil Gavaskar called Rohit Sharma’s decision to step aside in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy’s final Test a 'brave decision', acknowledging Rohit’s struggles during the series. Questions now arise about the Test futures of both Rohit and Virat Kohli, as their recent performances were underwhelming.
Following India's loss of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli faced criticism for their performances. Yuvraj Singh defended them, highlighting their past achievements and stressing the importance of support during tough times. He acknowledged the role of selectors and BCCI in shaping the future while emphasizing leadership quality even in adversity.
BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla criticised Cricket Australia for excluding Sunil Gavaskar from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy presentation after the Sydney Test. This omission occurred despite the trophy bearing Gavaskar's name. Social media and commentators also expressed disappointment, highlighting Gavaskar’s absence as a significant oversight. The series loss also ended India’s hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, with Australia securing their spot.
