'Ashwin himself was asking from the field as well, and we had discussed it just before that, as to what we would do.'
Despite living in close proximity to the series venues, Kohli is expected to remain absent not just on the field, but off it too.
As Team India gear up for the much-anticipated Test series against England starting on Friday, several players in the squad will draw confidence from their county cricket experience.
The 25-year-old Shubman Gill is a clear favourite to land the high-profile job as Indian embarks on a new World Test Championship cycle.
Cheteshwar Pujara was the cornerstone of the Indian batting line-up in Tests, featuring in 103 matches in which he scored 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, with 19 centuries.
England head coach Brendon McCullum believes India have arrived well-prepared and full of belief for the upcoming five-match Test series
IMAGES from the IPL match between Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings in Mullanpur on Tuesday
With India conceding more than 600 runs for the first time since 2014, the case for including a wicket-taking spinner like Kuldeep Yadav is stronger than ever for the must-win fifth and final Test against England.
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke believes India is in "safe hands" and has "enough talent" to trounce England, but it will all come down to how the young-looking squad will leave a mark in the series on a territory known for being "tough".
Former batting coach Vikram Rathour is expecting a tough England tour for a young Indian side that is now without three stalwarts, who left the Test arena in quick succession.
Coming into the match with two low scores and mounting pressure, Arya responded with a fearless knock that flipped the script for Punjab and sent a clear message to the league: A star is born.
The Indian cricket team's upcoming tour of England will be an examination for new Test leader Shubman Gill, and his success as captain will depend on his own batting performance, reckons former India selector Saba Karim.
The series marks the beginning of a new cycle for both India and England in the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC).
Although he termed it as Indian team's internal matter, Cummins was a touch surprised with Rohit Sharma's decision to drop himself from the playing eleven on account of poor form.
India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir finds himself caught between a rock and hard place.
Dhoni took on Sri Lankan pace sensation Matheesha Pathirana and sent the ball flying with a vintage finish.
There are some speculations over some rejigging in the A+ category following the retirement of stalwarts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja from T20 Internationals.
India could field three spinners against Australia in the final.
Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer were left out from the list of centrally-contracted players last year, after failing to show up for domestic cricket despite a directive from the BCCI.
Despite the challenging build-up, Gambhir said he is "extremely confident" of retaining the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The players will hope to be as confident as they prepare for the fight to keep their World Test Final chances alive.
Jasprit Bumrah emerged as the lone bright spot with a record haul of 32 wickets.
'For a person like me, it's all about how I feel in my mind, what kind of prep I'm having before each game, and how I'm feeling about myself.'
Team India vice-captain Rishabh Pant on Wednesday said that he has effected a slight change to his stance -- from open in white ball formats to more side on in Test cricket to meet the demands of the swing-friendly England conditions.
Gill, Rahul, Pant and the irrepressible Yashasvi Jaiswal will now have a chance to script the next glorious chapter in Indian cricket.
Kuldeep Yadav is one match-winner India can't afford to leave out for the upcoming Test series in England and the wrist spinner should be picked ahead of batting all-rounders, reckon former selectors and coaches.
'In the 2023 World Cup, we lacked batting depth from No. 8 onwards. These are the crucial questions that need to be addressed.'
Here's a look at the biggest disappointments of IPL 2025 -- the players who've cost crores but delivered crumbs.
Chennai Super Kings might feel more 'at home' against an equally clueless Rajasthan Royals on a slow turner expected to be on offer in their next IPL game in Guwahati.
Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid acknowledged concerns about the team's death bowling performance in the ongoing IPL but expressed confidence in their ability to improve execution in upcoming matches.
Gujarat Titans will be aiming for a top-two spot even as Chennai Super Kings continue planning for the future when the two teams meet in the Indian Premier League match in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Sachin Tendulkar, whose batting records and impact on international cricket have stood the test of time, was on Saturday conferred with the Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award
As Ravichandran Ashwin prepares to step onto the field for his 100th Test in the upcoming Dharamsala fixture on March 7, he is poised to join a prestigious group of 14 Indian cricketers
Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth predicted another successful Indian Premier League season for five-time champions Chennai Super Kings
England tour may go either way, pressure on Gill but experience will help: Agarkar on transition
'When people look at Kohli, they see a boy from Delhi who is taking on the Aussies in their own backyard and aspire to be like him.' 'Players like Jadeja and Ashwin lack this quotient.'
Beginning of Gambhir era: Coach becomes most powerful figure in Indian dressing room
Rohit Sharma's decision-making has come under intense scrutiny, especially after the team's failure to contain Australia's innings in the first session of Day 2.
India's young guns are fearless and mentally hardened by the IPL exposure. But true mettle will be tested when adversity strikes -- and this time, there will be no Kohli to stir up the crowd, no Rohit to deliver a captaincy masterstroke, and no Ashwin to conjure wickets out of nowhere.
Babar Azam's approach drew heavy criticism from fans
Shubman should focus on his decisions and not how outside world perceives him: Tendulkar
