Rishabh Pant's absence from India's ODI playing XI has sparked debate, with many questioning the team's strategy of promoting Axar Patel ahead of the explosive wicketkeeper-batter. While Axar's contributions in the first two ODIs against England have been lauded, critics argue that Pant's potential impact in crucial phases of the game cannot be overlooked. The team's reliance on a left-right batting combination has also been questioned, with some questioning the effectiveness of placing KL Rahul at No. 6, a position perceived as unsuitable for his style of play. Former players and experts have weighed in on the matter, highlighting the complex situation and raising concerns about the long-term implications of these tactical decisions.
IMAGES from the IPL match between SunRisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals, in Hyderabad, on Monday.
Rahul expertly rotated the strike, absorbed pressure, and provided guidance to Gill as he neared his century.
With a five-match T20I series in October-November in Australia, five T20Is against South Africa at home in December and five T20Is against New Zealand at home in January 2026, Team India will now look to test itself, its combinations and youngsters against some of the world's best T20I teams ahead of the T20 WC 2026, which will start in early 2026.
India need a draw in the final Test, also in Ahmedabad from March 4, to reach the WTC final against New Zealand.
India captain Suryakumar Yadav said that Powerplay overs will be crucial in the five-match T20 International series against Australia.
Left-arm spinner Axar Patel and top-order batsman Karun Nair put up impressive performances as India 'A' comfortably beat Afghanistan 'A' by seven wickets to register their first-win in the tri-nation 'A' tournament in Pretoria.
Mumbai Indians were the first team to leave the field while Delhi players stayed back doing light training but were eventually forced to call it off.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam has attained a career-best second position after notching two half-centuries in the final Test series against England in Karachi.
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 India vs Bangladesh rivalry has gotten bitter in recent years, thanks to the partisan young fans, many of whom perceive India as an adversary.
The plus point for Kuldeep Yadav is his ability to extract turn and bounce.
Axar Patel took two wickets before he smashed a swashbuckling 65 off just 31 deliveries in the second T20 against Sri Lanka in Pune on Thursday.
IMAGES from the 1st T20I played between India and England at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday.
KL Rahul and Athiya Shetty will exchange wedding vows on January 23.
India spinner Axar Patel has admitted that he was upset after missing out on the ODI World Cup at home due to an injury and it took him about a week to get over the disappointment and focus on recovery.
DC's downfall was marked by unstable opening partnerships, inconsistent middle-order performances, and poor execution in pressure moments-both with bat and ball.
Shaken by the abrupt suspension of their previous match due to the India-Pakistan conflict, a struggling Delhi Capitals will look to regroup and address bowling concerns when they face table-toppers Gujarat Titans in a reverse-leg IPL clash in Delhi on Sunday to keep their play-off hopes alive.
Former India spinner R Ashwin has called for a shift away from the superstar culture prevalent in Indian cricket, urging for a more grounded approach.
Axar has come of age as a batter, coming up with crucial performances across formats in the last three months.
England were cruising at nearly nine runs per over after the powerplay when Chakravarthy turned the game around.
The Capitals sit pretty at the top with 10 points from six games, while the Titans trail close behind with eight from as many outings.
An excited Ricky Ponting said he can't wait to get working with Delhi Capitals trio Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel and Rishabh Pant in the IPL later this year after the trio's match-winning performances for India in the recent-concluded four-match Test series against England.
DC still not sure of Axar Patel's availability for Punjab Kings tie.
'Jaiswal has an avg of 36 & a strike rate of 164 in T20Is and he got dropped for Gill who has avg of 30 and a strike rate of 139.' 'There is no place for merit anymore.'
The Indian team management has asked Axar Patel to be mentally ready as he could be asked to bat in the top six.
Labuschagne was the lone player from the Australian national side who was included in the list.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar is of the view that young left-arm spinner Axar Patel is not Test cricket material and, at best, 'a roller of the ball'.
Delhi Capitals and India all-rounder Axar Patel has rejoined his Indian Premier League side after staying in a medical care facility in Mumbai for nearly three weeks following a positive test result for COVID-19.
Purnendu Maji and Srinivas Bhogle present Rediff's Most Valuable Player Index of Asia Cup 2025.
IMAGES from the Champions Trophy Group A match played between India and New Zealand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, in Dubai on Sunday
I learned a lot from Sunil Narine when I was with KKR: Kuldeep Yadav
It could also open the door for in-form Andhra all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who scored a historic maiden Test century during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
In a high-pressure clash against India in the Champions Trophy semi-finals, Steve Smith seemed to have destiny on his side.
Images from Day 4 of the first Test between Bangladesh and India, in Chottogram, on Saturday.
IMAGES from the 3rd T20I between India and England in Rajkot on Tuesday.
Price tag pressure? Poor season continues for KKR's Venkatesh Iyer
'But at least I'm contributing with the ball, and I'm positive about it.'
Seldom has an India vs Pakistan clash played with such a volatile backdrop, where cricket seems inseparably knotted with off-field tension, provocative gestures, and fines slapped on both camps.
