The No. 4 slot is considered the most vital position for any successful ODI side, yet India are struggling to find a solution to their revolving door conundrum for some time now.
'I still enjoy playing it and think a lot of young guys coming through still see it as a good opportunity to play for your country.'
Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood received his reward for some fine domestic form on Wednesday when he was included in a pace-heavy 13-man squad for the first two One-Day Internationals against South Africa next month.
India has snatched the number one rank from England in One-dayers, courtesy their impressive 3-2 series-win over the visitors.
Left-arm spinners, all-rounders, and pacers who mastered their craft and left a mark in Test cricket.
Bavuma believes this group, unbeaten in full-strength Test series since coach Shukri Conrad took charge in 2023, has the maturity and belief to mount a serious challenge and win their only second series in India after 25 years.
It was sweet revenge for India as they clinched the ODI series against England by taking an unassailable 3-0 lead after a comprehensive five-wicket victory in the third one-dayer in Mohali on Thursday.
In the spin department, while seasoned campaigner Deepti Sharma is an automatic choice, it remains to be seen whether India go with both Radha Yadav and Sneh Rana or opt for either one of them.
With the twin home Test series against West Indies and then against South Africa, Gaikwad's resurgence comes just at the right time, giving selectors another reminder of his ability after a difficult few months.
Gambhir also backed Shubman Gill and urged people not to mix-up formats while comparing performances.
The Proteas arrive high on confidence, having fought out a hard-earned 1-1 draw in Pakistan last month under challenging conditions.
Gill's highest score in the three Asia Cup matches has been an unbeaten 20 with the Test skipper failing to click in the games against Pakistan and Oman after a fruitful red-ball away series against England.
England are an ageing side alright, but few will dare to bet against Jos Buttler's men successfully defending their World Cup title in a few weeks time.
Nair's runs have powered Vidarbha into the final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy tournament, where they will take on Karnataka in Vadodara on Saturday.
Former India left-arm fast bowler Rudra Pratap Singh and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha are set to become national selectors with the exit of S Sharath and Subroto Banerjee.
Mohammed Shami, who has been out of action since IPL 2025 and is not part of India's ongoing Test tour of England, was named in Bengal's 50-member list of probables for the upcoming domestic season.
'There is always a plan. Whenever you can give him a break, you will.'
Axar Patel, once known as the 'poor man's Jadeja', has transformed into a crucial batting asset for India.
Domestic veterans Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rajat Patidar and Rinku Singh could keep the team management interested going forward in Test cricket.
Pakistan's Sohail to return home after injury ends England tour
Sykes, who has been contributing to cricket operations as a volunteer at Edgbaston for more than a decade, narrated his Dhoni moment to PTI.
Moeen Ali warming the bench during the Twenty20 series against India was "circumstantial" and the all-rounder remains a vital white-ball player for the team, captain Eoin Morgan said on Monday.
Since making a comeback to the T20 team for the Asia Cup, Shubman Gill has struggled to tally just 184 runs in 10 innings.
This was India's fourth defeat in the last six Tests at home and in all four Tests -- including three against New Zealand -- their batters have flopped against spin.
Sanath Jayasuriya has been appointed on a two-year contract till March 31, 2026.
In 42 first-class matches, Kuldeep has taken 161 wickets at an average of 29.14.
So, will Rahul allow Gill to continue his good form at the top of the order or perch himself out there at the onset with one eye on the Asia Cup?
KKR players have begun checking-in for a week-long mandatory quarantine.
Julian Fountain, front-runner for Pakistan's fielding coach position, is likely to join the team ahead of its departure for the forthcoming Test and ODI series against England in the United Arab Emirates.
England opener Jason Roy smashed his way back into form with 113 from 91 balls but the tourists lost from a commanding position as South Africa claimed victory by 27 runs in the first One-Day International at Manguang Oval in Bloemfontein, on Friday.
India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni lauded the "overall good performance" of his players as they took an unassailable 3-1 lead over England in the five-match ODI series with a comprehensive five-wicket victory in the fourth and penultimate match in Mohali.
Shubman Gill is the flavour of the season after his stupendous show in the recent Test series against England but he will face a contender in Axar Patel for vice-captaincy
Cricket Ireland confirmed that India will travel to Ireland in August for a three-match T20 International series.
India's next international assignment is Asia Cup T20 tournament and it would be a surprise if Bumrah opts to play the tournament considering that the next Test series against West Indies will start in less than a week's time after the event in the UAE.
Shaheen Afridi has been left out of Pakistan's squad for a two-Test series in South Africa in a bid to keep him fresh for the Champions Trophy at home next year
The 2025 Champions Trophy promises to be a battleground for the world's top cricketers, with several players ready to leave their mark on the tournament.
I certainly get drained mentally quicker than I've probably used to: Smith
Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar believes Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have struggled in recent Test matches, will find their form in the upcoming ODI series against England and the Champions Trophy.
With Bumrah out of commission, speedsters Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana will have to take responsibility.
South Africa are within touching distance of a place in next June's World Test Championship final at Lord's but must win at least one of their two Tests against Pakistan
