Shikhar Dhawan praised Shubman Gill for his exceptional form in the ICC Champions Trophy, highlighting his elegant batting and professionalism. Dhawan also commended Rohit Sharma's leadership. He acknowledged Jasprit Bumrah's absence but saw it as an opportunity for Harshit Rana to prove himself. India has secured a semi-final spot with wins against Bangladesh and Pakistan.from Sports News: Live Scores, Latest Updates on Cricket, Football, NBA, NFL, WWE, NHL, MMA, F1 & More https://ift.tt/QaoLSTg
Australia and Afghanistan face off in a crucial match in Lahore, with the semifinal spot on the line. Australia, aware of Afghanistan's strength and spin prowess, are focused on a solid performance. Both teams need a win to advance, with a washout favoring Australia.
Pakistan's poor performance in the ICC Champions Trophy, failing to win any matches, has drawn criticism, especially towards former captain Babar Azam. Despite underperforming, former captain Salman Butt defended Azam, citing his impressive career statistics and urging fans to support him. Pakistan's leadership and team structure now face scrutiny following their dismal showing.
Afghanistan's head coach Jonathan Trott praised his team's resilient performance in their eight-run victory over England, which keeps them in contention for the ICC Champions Trophy semifinals. The win demonstrates Afghanistan's progress under Trott's guidance and sets the stage for a crucial match against Australia.
Shikhar Dhawan commends Rohit Sharma's growth as a leader, noting his experience and strong rapport with teammates. The partnership began under Dhoni's guidance in 2013 and has flourished, with both sharing a deep bond. India's Champions Trophy semifinal placement is confirmed.
England captain Jos Buttler is contemplating his role in the team's performance following their early exit from the Champions Trophy and sixth consecutive ODI defeat. Their latest setback came with an eight-run loss to Afghanistan, eliminating them from the race to semi-finals.
Jasprit Bumrah, who missed the Champions Trophy due to a back injury, received accolades from ICC for his stellar 2024 season. He won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, ICC Men's Test Player of the Year, and was included in the ICC Men's Test and T20I Teams of the Year.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan criticized the decision-making in Pakistan cricket after the team's early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy. He specifically pointed out Mohsin Naqvi's leadership, accusing him of consistently mishandling responsibilities. Pakistan's elimination came after consecutive losses to New Zealand and India, with a final group stage match against Bangladesh having no stakes.
England must defeat Afghanistan in their crucial Champions Trophy match to stay in the tournament. Following a disappointing loss to Australia, England's inconsistent batting and weak bowling performance need improvement. Afghanistan's strong spin attack poses a challenge. Both teams are at risk of elimination, making this a high-stakes match.
Former England captains Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain praise Virat Kohli's remarkable ODI records after his unbeaten century against Pakistan in a Champions Trophy match. They consider him potentially the greatest ODI batsman ever, highlighting his 51st century and rapid achievement of 14,000 runs.
Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik expressed his frustration after Pakistan's six-wicket loss to India by singing a classic song during a panel discussion. The legendary pace trio of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar criticised Pakistan's poor batting and lack of discipline. Pakistan are now on the brink of elimination from the Champions Trophy.
Pakistan's Champions Trophy campaign is in jeopardy after a six-wicket loss to India, prompting top-order batsman Saud Shakeel to call for significant changes. Despite a 104-run partnership, Pakistan's batting collapsed, leading to an underwhelming total of 241. With bottom placement in Group A and a crucial match against Bangladesh next, their tournament future looks bleak.
Jasprit Bumrah received ICC Awards and Team of The Year caps at the Dubai International Stadium in recognition of his exceptional 2024 performances. Despite a back injury from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy keeping him out of the 2025 Champions Trophy, Bumrah's accolades highlight a remarkable year in Test and T20 cricket.
Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and chose to bat first against India in their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 clash. Pakistan made one change with Imam-ul-Haq replacing the injured Fakhar Zaman. India fielded an unchanged lineup. This crucial match at Dubai International Cricket Stadium will see both teams vying for a chance to advance in the tournament.
India's batting line-up and young spinners have dominated recent matches against Pakistan, creating intimidation among Pakistan fans. With Pakistan's depleting bowling reserves and inconsistent batters, an upset win against India in their Champions Trophy match appears unlikely unless Pakistan can perform exceptionally well.
Jasprit Bumrah will miss India's crucial Champions Trophy match against Pakistan due to a back injury, impacting India's bowling attack. His replacement, Harshit Rana, joins the team as India aims for a semi-final berth. Pakistan faces must-win pressure after a defeat to New Zealand. Despite Bumrah's absence, an exciting contest is expected.
Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria thinks Pakistan will struggle against India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He cites Pakistan's recent losses and India's strong performance with key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami as factors. Kaneria also highlights India’s superior spin attack and Pakistan's weak response on Dubai's slow, dry pitches.
Sunil Gavaskar is concerned about Virat Kohli's recurring issues with getting out due to an open bat face. Kohli's recent struggles include a disappointing performance in India's first Champions Trophy match.
Mumbai Indians unveiled their IPL 2025 jersey with captain Hardik Pandya and key players vowing to honour the team's legacy. The new blue and gold jersey signifies trust, confidence, and the pursuit of excellence. The team, aiming to bounce back from a poor 2024 season, will face Chennai Super Kings in the opening match on March 23.
Indian bowler Harshit Rana credited Jasprit Bumrah and coach Morne Morkel for his development after making debuts in all formats. Speaking after India's six-wicket win against Bangladesh, he highlighted the influence of their guidance on his consistency and performance, including ahead of the upcoming India-Pakistan match.
Imam-ul-Haq replaces Fakhar Zaman in Pakistan's Champions Trophy squad after Fakhar sustained an oblique injury. The ICC approved the replacement, and Imam will join the team for their match against India on February 23. Fakhar previously replaced Saim Ayub, who was injured. Pakistan need a victory after their defeat to New Zealand in the opening match.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, renowned cricketer, shares life advice emphasizing simplicity, gratitude, and forgiveness. He advocates for maintaining a forgiving attitude, managing stress by being somewhat careless, and not giving undue attention to others' opinions to live a happier life.
Veteran Indian pacer Mohammed Shami admits to doubting his international cricket future after a severe ankle injury and 14-month recovery period. Despite the challenges and pain, Shami's determination led to his recent return, now poised to lead India's pace attack in the Champions Trophy.
India vice-captain Shubman Gill has surpassed Babar Azam to become the top-ranked ODI batter, following his impressive performances against England. His rise in the ICC ODI Rankings comes ahead of the Champions Trophy. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana has claimed the top spot for bowlers, replacing Afghanistan's Rashid Khan. India's Rohit Sharma is currently ranked third in batting.
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 begins in Pakistan and the UAE from February 19 to March 9. Defending champions Pakistan host, with India playing in Dubai. World champions Australia, with a depleted squad, rely on experienced batters amidst setbacks in bowling. Their group stage matches include facing England, South Africa, and Afghanistan.
India's cricket team is gearing up for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, with matches hosted in Dubai due to security concerns of travelling to original hosts Pakistan. They start against Bangladesh on February 20. India has a strong record in Dubai, with significant performances from players like Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan.
New Zealand's fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a foot injury. Pacer Kyle Jamieson has been named his replacement. Ferguson's absence is a significant loss for the Black Caps. The team will begin their campaign against Pakistan on Wednesday in Karachi.
Pakistan is hosting its first major cricket tournament in nearly three decades, the Champions Trophy, which starts on Wednesday. The event's successful execution could significantly improve the country's international reputation. Despite India's refusal to play in Pakistan due to political tensions, seven other nations will participate. Security has been heightened to ensure a smooth and safe tournament.
Fomer cricketer Suresh Raina highlights the significance of skipper MS Dhoni's tactical brilliance and the formation of the successful Rohit Sharma-Shikhar Dhawan opening partnership in India's victorious 2013 ICC Champions Trophy campaign. Raina also elaborates on his own contributions as a part-time bowler in crucial moments that played a key role in their success.
India and Pakistan are set to clash in Dubai on February 23, with key players Rohit Sharma and Mohammad Rizwan leading their teams. The absence of Jasprit Bumrah significantly impacts India's chances, with Mohammad Shami expected to shoulder much of the bowling responsibility. India are placed in Group A alongside Bangladesh, Pakistan, and New Zealand. They will begin their campaign in Dubai on February 20 against Bangladesh, followed by the much-anticipated showdown against Pakistan on February 23, before taking on New Zealand on March 2.
Former Bangladesh cricketer Imrul Kayes highlights the absence of Jasprit Bumrah as an advantage for Bangladesh in their Champions Trophy opener against India. With Mohammed Shami leading India's pace attack, alongside Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh, Kayes emphasizes the importance of stepping up in Shakib Al Hasan's absence, particularly for vice-captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
Former India pacer Laxmipathy Balaji backs Mohammed Shami to lead India's pace attack at the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai. Balaji highlights Shami's crucial role in making early breakthroughs, mentoring younger pacers, and exploiting Dubai's conditions. Shami's experience and skills are expected to be pivotal in India's quest for Champions Trophy success.
The ninth edition of the Champions Trophy will feature the top eight ODI teams. Hosted by Pakistan and the UAE, the tournament begins on February 19, 2025. Teams are split into two groups, with the top two from each advancing to the semi-finals. The final is set for March 9, contingent on India's participation.
Mumbai Indians signed 18-year-old Afghan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman to replace Allah Ghazanfar, who is sidelined due to a vertebra fracture. Ghazanfar, who sustained the injury during Afghanistan's tour to Zimbabwe, will also miss the Champions Trophy. Mujeeb brings his experience of over 300 T20 matches to the team.
The Champions Trophy is returning for the first time since 2017. India and Pakistan will face off in Dubai on February 23 in a Group A clash. Experts predict top performances from players like Shubman Gill, Babar Azam, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, with Yuvraj Singh, Shahid Afridi and others providing insights.
India will start their Champions Trophy campaign on February 20 in Dubai, facing Bangladesh. They have included five spinners in their squad, which has raised concerns about being too spin-heavy. Former off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin suggests that India might have one or two spinners too many in their 15-member squad.
Ravichandran Ashwin emphasizes the need to stop treating Indian cricketers as superstars and urges for normalization in the sport. He believes players should be seen as relatable sportspersons. Ashwin, who recently retired, advocates considering top performances as routine and aims for higher collective goals in Indian cricket.
Aakash Chopra speculates the 2025 Champions Trophy might be the last ICC event for Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja due to the upcoming changes in the Indian team. The trio's participation in future tournaments is uncertain. With the next T20 World Cup in 2026 and ODI World Cup in 2027, the team might look different.
New Zealand fast bowler Ben Sears has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 due to a hamstring injury. Jacob Duffy will replace him. Head coach Gary Stead highlighted Sears' potential and expressed confidence in Duffy's readiness for the tournament. New Zealand’s campaign starts against Pakistan on February 19, 2025.
The Sports Ministry debunked claims of converting cricket players into baseball players to win medals at international events. Baseball, unrecognised by the ministry, was never discussed at Mission Olympic Cell meetings. A BCCI official noted the impracticality of such a switch, given cricket's lucrative paths like IPL and T20 leagues, while baseball lacks governmental support.
Virat Kohli congratulated Rajat Patidar on being named the new captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, praising his growth and performance. Despite rumours of Kohli's return to captaincy, RCB chose Patidar, with Director of Cricket Mo Bobat emphasising Kohli's influence and support for the decision. Former RCB skipper Faf du Plessis also heaped praise on Patidar for earning the job.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir emphasized Shreyas Iyer's critical role in India's ODI set-up ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy. Iyer performed consistently during the three-match series against England, helping India secure a 3-0 whitewash.
Varun Chakravarthy missed India's third ODI against England due to a sore right calf. The Indian team rested key players and made several lineup changes. Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, and Arshdeep Singh were given opportunities. India aimed to test their bench strength before the 2025 Champions Trophy. England also made a change, bringing in Tom Banton.
India's Champions Trophy selection faces scrutiny with the injury of key pacer Jasprit Bumrah and opting for a spin-heavy attack. Coach Gautam Gambhir's risky strategy includes five spinners and a new pacer Harshit Rana, raising questions about the balance and experience of the squad in the upcoming tournament.