Kuldeep was instrumental to India's success at the Asia Cup, topping the wicket-taking chart with 17 wickets. Chopra explained the rationale behind dropping the left-arm wrist spinner, attributing it to batting depth.
'...We are very happy that he is leading Punjab kings & happier we could get him in the auction as he was our first & only choice for captaincy...'
Playing his first game for India in more than six months, Shreyas Iyer stroked a quickfire 59 from 36 balls, to put India on course for an easy victory.
Shashank later revealed Iyer's unselfish mindset, stating, "From ball one, Shreyas told me not to worry about his hundred and just play freely."
Suryakumar Yadav will turn up for Mumbai in their Buchi Babu match against TNCA XI, aiming to get his Test career back on track.
A review of the IPL 2026 season, highlighting the successes of Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans, while noting the disappointing performances of Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants, setting the stage for significant changes.
Under Rohit Sharma, India won the 2018 and 2023 ODI Asia Cup, runners-up position in the 2023 World Cup at home and triumphed in the the ICC Champions Trophy in March.
A recap of the action of the second week of IPL 2026.
Faf du Plessis acknowledges Gautam Gambhir's competitive leadership style, highlighting its positive impact on teams like Kolkata Knight Riders. He emphasises Gambhir's high standards and accountability, noting the importance of strong leadership beyond just the captain's role in franchise cricket.
Delhi Capitals' bowling coach James Hopes also said that Iyer's return has allowed the franchise to play an ideal line-up.
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene has expressed his support for Jasprit Bumrah, despite the bowler's recent struggles. Jayawardene also highlighted the team's overall bowling ineffectiveness, particularly in the Power Play overs, as a key area for improvement.
The contrast between Iyer's selflessness and Kohli's perceived self-interest fuelled online discussions, with many interpreting Shastri's comment as a veiled critique of Kohli's actions.
Talented India batsman Shreyas Iyer has been ruled fully match-fit and cleared by the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to return to competitive cricket, which is set to take place when the IPL resumes in the UAE from September 19.
With an impressive blend of composure and aggression, Iyer has been a standout performer in the 50-over format, particularly against the Blackcaps.
Newly-appointed Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain Rajat Patidar on Thursday said he would want to pick talisman Virat Kohli's brains to learn the nuances of leadership and stressed on the importance of "standing with players" in all circumstances.
For most IPL teams, the 2026 mini auction will be all about strategic buys and role-specific additions, while for a couple of others, it is going to be a captain-centric affair.
Shreyas Iyer played a crucial knock of 43 from 32 balls to lift Delhi Capitals to a 33-run victory against Rajasthan Royals in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
India's recent T20 World Cup victory signals a new era of dominance in the format, driven by strategic gameplay, exceptional talent, and the financial power of the BCCI, while other teams struggle to compete.
K L Rahul takes over the captaincy after regular skipper Shubman Gill missed the series because of a neck injury.
With Mahendra Singh Dhoni being the same player and no one to "bell the cat", CSK are in unusual mess with a mis-firing top-order where the skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has had to give up his opening slot.
Who do you should be part of India's playing XI for the first Test against Sri Lanka?
The Indian squad, which is expected to comprise 16 members, will be one of the trickiest ones in recent times as there is a debate around who the new captain should be.
Pat Cummins captured the sentiment perfectly, calling this potentially the 'last chance' for fans Down Under to witness these legends in action. With both stalwarts set to be 39 and 40 respectively by the 2027 World Cup, every appearance carries added significance. Ro-Ko have been the heartbeat of Indian cricket for over 15 years. Their return brings an emotional lift to the team and raises expectations for the series against the world champions.
Gujarat Titans skipper Gill is expected to captain India on the Test tour of England following the retirement of Rohit Sharma. Rishabh Pant is likely to be his deputy.
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.
Gibbs said leadership develops with time, and Gill possesses the composure to grow into the role.
Shubman Gill might just want to be fit enough to bat, as even a half-fit skipper is seen as more effective than Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran or Sarfaraz Khan.
'At the moment it's 90% confirmed that Ajinkya will be the new KKR captain. He was bought by KKR specifically for the purpose of being a viable captaincy option.'
KKR had bought Shreyas Iyer for Rs 15.25 crore
The JioStar expert also analysed KKR's buys at the auction, saying that getting NZ all-rounder Rachin Ravindra at base price was smart and there is "serious batting power" in the squad.
It was a decision that not many saw coming but once it did, Jasprit Bumrah's elevation as India's ODI vice-captain, albeit as a stop-gap arrangement, seemed a perfectly justified reward for his terrific all-format consistency.
It's a bit of a shock to see Rohit not going to Australia as captain: Harbhajan
India on Sunday recorded their eighth successive win in a bilateral series and stand-in captain Rohit Sharma said the team needs to maintain the consistency in the upcoming tours overseas.
Despite enduring severe cramps that had him hopping in pain and necessitated physio attention, Gill played a key role in anchoring India's chase on a tricky, two-paced surface at Nagpur's Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium.
Rohit Sharma's request to the BCCI for a break from white-ball cricket in South Africa despite being offered T20 captaincy has been accepted, while Jasprit Bumrah has been named his deputy for the two Tests starting December 26.
KKR's most successful leader Gautam Gambhir is back in his second innings as a mentor. His partnership with head coach Chandrakant Pandit, a shrewd tactician in domestic circuit, will be the key to their revival.
Skipper Shreyas Iyer led from the front on his debut for Punjab Kings with a scintillating knock, while Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler fought bravely for Gujarat Titans.
With a power-packed batting line-up, match-winning spinners and a solid pace attack, champions KKR are once again the team to beat.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, two sides chasing their first IPL title, will square off in a tantalising Qualifier 1 encounter on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Ravichandran Ashwin found himself hilariously enforcing that rule on-air - shushing a co-host mid-sentence as talk of Mahendra Singh Dhoni crept into the conversation.
