'The stakes are too high and it would have been a complete embarrassment had Bumrah broken down in a match.'
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for their first Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh on Thursday?
Gautam Gambhir has enlisted Kolkata Knight Riders Assistant Coach Abhishek Nayar's expertise for the role of assistant coach with Team India.
Axar also patted fellow spinner Varun Chakravarthy (5/42) for coming up with a match-winning spell.
With the pitch at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) expected to offer some grip to the spinners, the Indian batters did not want to leave anything to the chance.
With recent matches indicating that chasing teams have fared slightly better, the toss-winning captain may opt to bowl first.
Lucknow Super Giants spin bowling all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed has expressed confidence in captain Rishabh Pant despite his poor form in IPL 2025, saying the "chilled and relaxed" skipper will come good in crunch moments.
Shami last played for India in the 2023 World Cup final in Ahmedabad after which he was sidelined because of an ankle injury which needed surgery.
IMAGES from the 1st T20I between India and Bangladesh played in Gwalior on Sunday
Architect-turned-cricketer Varun Chakravarthy, with a base price of Rs 20 lakh, went to Kings XI Punjab for a massive Rs. 8.4 crore, while Rajasthan Royals retained Jaydev Unadkat for the same amount.
Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins said his hard hitting batters might need to alter their approach after three consecutive defeats.
Indian captain Virat Kohli arrived two hours early for practice ahead of the crucial Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan, focusing on his struggles against spin bowling.
Kolkata Knight Riders wrist spinner Varun Chakravarthy on Friday said team owner Shah Rukh Khan has made a "huge impact" with his motivational speeches when the chips were down in the ongoing IPL.
'Well, there is always excitement when India plays. So I am looking forward to the series. Lots of young talent in the spin bowling department. Am looking forward to seeing the spinners doing really well.'
With the Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh just around the corner, India's star batsman KL Rahul focused on power-hitting during a training session in Dubai.
Harry Brook said that England's batters will look to apply constant pressure on India's bowlers during the second T20I in Chennai on Saturday.
RCB will have to tweak their team composition to suit the demands of the Chepauk pitch in their second IPL match against CSK, said Shane Watson.
'Even the best of the best -- there is news that they are going to sideline that person, so who am I?'
Harshit Rana has been part of India's white-ball squads since his impressive 2024 IPL season with the Kolkata-based franchise, where he claimed 19 wickets at an average of 20.15 over 13 matches.
'Obviously we're going to get on the plane this morning and we'll take our learnings from this game but also understand the conditions when we go to Pakistan.'
Taking a strong exception to pubic criticism of their curator by Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has red flagged the two cricket experts.
IMAGES from the IPL match played between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday
Kuldeep and Noor have been in good form for their respective teams and a lot will hinge on them when Delhi Capitals take on Chennai Super Kings in an away game in Chennai on Saturday.
In Thursday's IPL auction in Kolkata, his base prize was Rs 30 lakh but eventually was sold for Rs 4 crore to Kolkata Knight Riders.
Narine stars as KKR keep playoff hopes alive with 14-run win over DC
It is also learnt that the physios at the BCCI Centre of Excellence has not set a specific time frame for him to return to action, even though Bumrah has been steadily increasing his workload at nets and match simulations.
Co-owner Shah Rukh Khan was not present at the Eden Gardens but his kids Suhana and AbRam cheered for the Knights from the stands.
Sanju Samson will look to continue his domination of the bowlers but India need more stability in the top order
India captain Suryakumar Yadav was very pleased with his men for "walking the talk" in terms of executing whatever was decided at the team meeting, following an emphatic seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the opening T20I in Gwalior on Sunday.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji present Rediff's Most Valuable Player Index of IPL 2025 after Game 39.
'That is something I really wanted, to have six bowling options and then batting till No. 8 as well.'
India's Champions Trophy squad has raised eyebrows with a number of bold selections, including a spin-heavy attack and the exclusion of experienced pacer Mohammed Siraj.
Chennai Super Kings are officially out of the play-off race in Indian Premier League 2025, but their spirit remained intact as they secured their third victory of the season, beating Kolkata Knight Riders by two wickets at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday.
Cheteshwar Pujara elieves that a shift in playing philosophy is the need of the hour for CSK even if it means scoring at a quicker clip.
Assistant Coach Abhishek Nayar has spearheaded the establishment of a temporary training facility in bustling Mumbai.
Tilak Varma smashed an unbeaten half-century to steer India to a thrilling two-wicket victory against England in Chennai on Saturday.
Images from Saturday's IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals, in Abu Dhabi.
Rinku Singh attempted the falling reverse lap scoop and reverse pull by using the pace off Ravi Bishnoi's googlies, similar to Rishabh Pant's audacious stroke-making.
The first T20I between India and England at Eden Gardens was a significant event for multiple reasons.
Playing in their first home game of the season, KKR clinched a crushing 81-run win over RCB.
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