Irfan Pathan says the IPL 2026 clash between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Wankhede Stadium will be the biggest match of the tournament's opening phase.
Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed his maiden ODI hundred to power India to a 2-1 series win after they thrashed against South Africa by nine wickets in the third and final ODI.
One of the factors that contributed to the downfall of the Indian team was the shambolic batting display throughout the series. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and Ravindra Jadeja thoroughly underperformed.
Virat Kohli on Sunday said his spectacular journey so far has been nothing sort of a dream come true as he is able to "give so much happiness and smile to so many people"
'There are 3-4 people who wasted 10 years of my son's vital career...captains like Dhoniji, Viratji, Rohitji and coach Dravidji.'
'He will have no problems playing under any captain, he will still give his 100 percent for the team.'
Cricketing legends Kapil Dev, Wasim Akram and Sourav Ganguly have heaped praise on Virat Kohli with one comparing India's batting mainstay to tennis great John McEnroe and another saying that his value in the team is more than his teammates.
India would want the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer to get into ODI mode as soon as possible.
Security beefed up for Kohli's Ranji comeback
Rohit Sharma wilted under the traditional Australian tactic of mentally breaking down the opposition captains
At the highest level, one can't think too much about these things as the focus is on trying to guide the side to victory.
Ten Doeschate admitted that, in hindsight, India would have preferred playing a third spinner instead of Reddy, given how effectively New Zealand's spinners exploited the conditions.
'What is the use of talent if that player plays so many Tests and averages below 35 after a few years of being in the Indian team?'
Rohit Sharma and Co, started prepping in right earnest for the ODI series starting on Thursday.
Even as the rain poured, the mood in the stands never did. Ponchos, cheers and chants filled the arena as fans danced through the drizzle, refusing to let the weather wash away their excitement.
Former West Indies skipper Brian Lara on Sunday backed Indian stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to play ICC T20 World Cup to be held next year in the West Indies and USA, saying that the duo has a lot of experience of Caribbean conditions.
Former Pakistan player Basit Ali believes the experience of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli gives India the edge in the blockbuster February 23 game.
'I saw him quite emotional on the field yesterday.' 'That's unusual for us to see Rohit like that.'
Rahul Dravid had backed Shubman Gill to become India's all-format captain four years ago.
Indian superstar Virat Kohli will play his first Ranji Trophy game since 2012 after making himself available for Delhi's tie against Railways scheduled from January 30.
'The players careers are going to get longer, and in that process, if it benefits the Indian team, nothing like it.'
"There is plenty of talent...": Vaughan on Virat, Rohit,Jadeja retiring from T20Is
Who has scored the most runs in Asia Cup? Who has taken the most wickets?
India captain Rohit Sharma moved up two places to third in the latest ICC ODI batter rankings following his stellar performance in the Champions Trophy final, while teammate Shubman Gill held on to the top spot.
'Two of your best players are not available for either of your series is really serious for India. They have been the mainstay of your Indian batting, and the board must find out where the problem is, if at all there is any, rather than its member tweeting that there might be a rift in the side. It is not good for the morale of the side and South Africa is a good team, especially when you are playing on good hard tracks. It's altogether different from playing in any part of the world. The wickets are different.'
'...than the youngsters who are playing currently and Rohit Sharma as T20 batter and captain versus Hardik Pandya, the T20 batter, all-rounder and captain.'
India's Test captain Virat Kohli clarified regarding his relationship with teammate Rohit Sharma, saying 'there is no rift' between the two.
As India approaches a new year of cricketing action, former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan questioned that with ODI-exclusive stalwarts in such impressive form, why there are no more five-match ODI series or any triangular/quadrangular series taking place.
K L Rahul takes over the captaincy after regular skipper Shubman Gill missed the series because of a neck injury.
"This time it's Rohit, not Virat....if you know you know," Stokes tweeted.
Save Shreyas Iyer, who will take a lot more time to get fit, others are expected to represent their state teams.
Former South African captain Graeme Smith discusses the Indian Premier League's impact on global cricket, highlighting its role in discovering young talents like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and shaping T20 leagues worldwide.
Shubman Gill's unbeaten 129 in Delhi wasn't just another century; it was history etched in numbers and intent.
Virat Kohli is now the fifth highest run-scorer for India in Test cricket.
'Rohit's knock was the defining moment in Chennai'
He finished the decade with 20,960 international runs -- 5,775 more than anybody else -- and 69 hundreds -- 22 more than anybody else. This is a player performing at an extraordinarily high all-format level unseen in the history of cricket.
'Rohit is undoubtedly skilled, yet a surge in aggression is essential.'
Former West Indies batsman Chris Gayle has come out in support of Virat Kohli, who has been struggling for runs in recent times, saying the Indian batter is still the "best player in the world". Gayle said that Kohli's current form is just a "patch" and that the Indian captain will "pick himself up" and come back stronger.
'...with the Champions Trophy ahead, they have a great opportunity to showcase their abilities and prove how they can still win matches for India.'
