India captain Suryakumar Yadav said that Powerplay overs will be crucial in the five-match T20 International series against Australia.
Assessing Sai Sudharsan's temperament and Nitish Kumar Reddy's utility in home conditions would be topmost on India's checklist when the high-on-confidence hosts take on a floundering West Indies
'I've never seen anything like it in my life.'
Abhishek Nayar has rejoined the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mid-season in IPL 2025, just days after reports emerged of his exit as the Indian men's batting coach.
With Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid at the helm, India bounced back from their heartbreak of losing in the final of 2023 ODI World Cup at home to Australia by winning the next two ICC events -- the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 75, wishes poured in from across the country, with sporting icons Gautam Gambhir, R Praggnanandhaa, and Olympic medallist shooter Manu Bhaker sending their heartfelt messages.
The series promises a fascinating duel between the two modern-day pace greats.
India captain Shubman Gill threw his weight behind Gautam Gambhir following the latter's fiery exchange with The Oval's chief curator Lee Fortis, firmly asserting that the India coach was well within his rights to inspect the square.
'He was disturbed after not being picked for the fifth Test, he was expecting that call.'
Ashwin warned that England may have 'poked the bear' with their recent behaviour, pointing to the post-match tensions in Manchester and now the Oval pitch spat as signs that India are being pushed into a corner - a place where they historically thrive.
India's newly-appointed ODI skipper Shubman Gill on Thursday said senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain a part of the team's 2027 World Cup plans as their skill levels and voluminous experience cannot be ignored.
The gathering also saw all-rounder Washington Sundar being given the 'Impact Player of the Series' award, handed to him by senior player Ravindra Jadeja.
Defending champions India had a full-fledged practice session at the ICC Academy in Dubai on Friday as they put the finishing touches to their Asia Cup preparations.
As India head into a series-deciding fifth Test, questions over Gambhir's tactics and temperament are growing louder.
Who do you think should be part of the Indian team for Thursday's second ODI against Australia?
'The Asia Cup is coming up, and for the white-ball players, they have got a good break after the IPL. I did play TNPL (Tamil Nadu Premier League), but still I have got a one-month break right now.'
In 242 international appearances, Gambhir scored 10,324 runs at an average of 38.95, with 20 centuries and 63 fifties in 283 innings. He is amongst 14 Indians to have 10,000 international runs.
After the proceedings began with light warm-up and catching, the action shifted to the nets where all batters had long stints in the nets while the other pace bowlers too put in the hard yards.
Just as India threatened to take full control before lunch, a costly fielding lapse by Mohammed Siraj handed England a lifeline - and it couldn't have come at a worse time.
'When your coach is backing you so strongly, it builds inner belief -- and that showed on the field.'
Former wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel on Wednesday said India head coach Gautam Gambhir "had all the right of just losing it" following a fiery confrontation with Lee Fortis, Surrey's head of ground staff at The Oval.
In a series finale defined by pressure and fine margins, the Indian dressing room found its anchor in an unexpected source - the Shri Shiva Rudrashtakam.
Over four decades, the India-Australia ODI rivalry has mirrored the evolution of both teams, from Australia's supremacy in the 2000s to India's resurgence post-2010. Come Sunday, this rivalry will be renewed as Shubman Gill will commence his first assignment as ODI captain in the opening game of the three match series, at the Optus stadium in Perth.
Ravindra Jadeja's omission from the India ODI squad for Australia tour raised a few eyebrows but the veteran all-rounder was not surprised as the selection committee and team management had "communicated" to him about their inability to pick him.
The ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2009, Gambhir went on to thank his family, friends and current Australia coach and former opener Justin Langer for helping him with his batting in 2015.
Beginning of Gambhir era: Coach becomes most powerful figure in Indian dressing room
Gautam Gambhir has always been against the mega-star culture prevailing in Indian cricket but Mohammed Siraj's Herculean effort throughout the English summer has definitely given the Indian head coach a real shot in the arm.
The 'Impact Player' in IPL might have restricted Chennai Super Kings' Shivam Dube's role but 'India's Shivam Dube' aspires to be a full-fledged all-rounder backed by head coach Gautam Gambhir and helped by bowling coach Morne Morkel.
Kuldeep Yadav's artistry was too much for a clueless UAE to comprehend as India hardly broke a sweat in an emphatic nine-wicket victory in their Asia Cup opener in Dubai on Wednesday.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has admitted that dealing with the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be a significant challenge for the team.
'Will any coach think of keeping out Rohit and Kohli from the ODI team? That means there is something going on within the team against the two players.' Manoj Tiwary, who played 12 ODIs and three T20Is for India, said iconic players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli deserve greater respect.
'GG, if life is short then you can smile also'.
Gautam Gambhir, wife Natasha and daughters Aazeen and Anaiza, were seen soaking in the scenic beauty of France's snow-capped mountains.
Yashasvi Jaiswal etched another batting record to his name as he became the joint-fastest Indian to go past 2000 Test runs.
Despite "nervousness" creeping into the camp, Rajput is assured that his side will be ready, but it will come down to the manner in which they execute their game.
For Gambhir, the Oval Test isn't just about levelling the series, it's about reaffirming his credentials as a long-term leader of this talented Indian squad.
'Should a player with such deep understanding of the ODI format be removed from captaincy when neither age nor performance has dimmed his brilliance?', asks veteran cricket correspondent K R Nayar.
Hours after Rohit made his understated retirement announcement on Instagram, Gambhir put the speculation to rest with a glowing tribute
Will Jasprit Bumrah be ready to play the second Test at Edgbaston? That is the biggest question confronting the Indian team management as the visitors look to draw parity against England after losing the series opener from a commanding position at Leeds.
Bumrah has been at the heart of India's success in recent years. He spearheaded India's title-winning run in the T20 World Cup last year, finishing with 15 wickets, and overall has 89 scalps in 70 matches at a remarkable average of 17.74.