India’s squad for T20I series against England announced

The Men’s Selection Committee has picked India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming IDFC First Bank five-match T20I series against England starting from 22nd January in Kolkata.

India has announced its squad for the upcoming five-match T20 International series against England, scheduled from January 22 to February 12, 2025. Key updates include:

• Jasprit Bumrah's Absence: Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will miss the series due to back spasms sustained during the recent Test against Australia.

• Mohammad Shami's Return: Mohammad Shami makes a comeback to the T20 squad after over a year, having recovered from ankle surgery.

Wicketkeeper Selection: Rishabh Pant is not included in the squad. Sanju Samson and Dhruv Jurel have been selected as the wicketkeepers.

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International games

Sri Lanka struggled again, being bowled out for 142 after a shaky start of 22/4, not much of an improvement from 23/4 start in the previous game. Kamindu fought valiantly, scoring 66 runs off 64 balls, but a lack of support and two expensive run-outs hampered their pursuit.

The Kohli - Rohit Dilemma

TAs Indian cricket reaches a critical juncture, selectors, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and the BCCI face crucial decisions regarding two of the nation's most iconic players—Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Following a challenging 3-1 Test series loss in Australia and the advancing ages of Rohit (37) and Kohli (36), discussions about their roles ahead of pivotal tournaments, such as the ICC Champions Trophy in February 2025, have taken centre stage.

Rohit and Kohli have been vital to India’s performance in the past. Their excellence helped secure an unbeaten run to the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup and was key to India's title-winning campaign in the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, recent batting struggles—exemplified during the Australia series where Rohit averaged 6.2 and Kohli 23.75—have raised concerns regarding their future. Rohit's acknowledgement of captaincy errors during the 3-0 test series defeat against New Zealand further complicates matters.

The fundamental question is whether to retain the experienced duo for the Champions Trophy or to initiate a transitional phase now. While their contributions to the team provide stability and expertise, the emergence of young players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal—viewed as a left-hander with potential across all formats—presents tempting alternatives. Jaiswal's name has been mentioned as a potential addition to the ODI squad, suggesting his inclusion alongside Shubman Gill, who has successfully partnered with Rohit in ODIs, could be an effective strategy for future-proofing India’s batting. However, with Rohit and Gill averaging an impressive 72.16 as an opening pair, any reshuffle is bound to be complex.

Leadership is another area under scrutiny. Rohit's captaincy has transformed India's approach across formats, but indications suggest that the Champions Trophy could mark the end of his captaincy, if not his playing career. Shubman Gill, considered a future leader and recently appointed vice-captain, is under examination after a lean performance in Australia. Patience may be required before a full leadership role is bestowed upon Gill.

The selectors must also address team balance. Questions regarding the inclusion of younger, multi-skilled players like Riyan Parag and Tilak Varma versus specialists like Shreyas Iyer could greatly influence team composition. This discussion reflects a broader need to establish strategic priorities for reviving the core team before the next ODI World Cup.

The Indian cricket hierarchy stands at a crossroads. Whether they choose to rely on the experience of their seasoned veterans or hasten transformation by investing in emerging stars, their decisions will carry implications that extend beyond the Champions Trophy—ultimately shaping the future of Indian cricket in the years to come.

Domestic cricket + T20 leagues

Maharashtra, batting first, posted an impressive total of 275 runs, thanks to stellar contributions from Arshin Kulkarni and Ankit Bawne, who scored 107 and 60 runs, respectively. In reply, Punjab struggled as they lost early wickets and failed to build a solid partnership in the middle order. Interestingly, it was tailender Arshdeep Singh who emerged as their top scorer with a fighting 49 runs.

It was a nail-biting contest that went down to the wire, with Karnataka emerging victorious through a remarkable team effort. Batting first, they posted a competitive total of 281 runs. In the second innings, their bowlers rose to the occasion and worked together to successfully restrict Baroda, sealing the win.

Paarl Royals effortlessly chased down a target of 176 runs on a wicket that was anticipated to pose challenges. Lhuan-dre Pretorius led the innings with an explosive 97, demonstrating a remarkable array of strokes despite being given a chance. Joe Root provided stability in the middle order with a composed fifty, while David Miller added17 runs to secure the victory.

Tamim Iqbal Announces Retirement from International Cricket

Tamim Iqbal, one of Bangladesh's most distinguished cricketers, has officially retired from international cricket. In a heartfelt message, Tamim stated, "My chapter in international cricket is over."

Debuting in 2007, Tamim's career spanned 243 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), 70 Test matches, and 78 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). He amassed over 15,000 runs across all formats, including 25 centuries—the highest by any Bangladeshi batter.

Tamim's journey was marked by significant achievements:

• First Bangladeshi Centurion at Lord's: He became the first Bangladeshi player to score a century at the historic Lord's Cricket Ground.

• Wisden Accolades: In 2011, he was named one of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack's four Cricketers of the Year and was also honoured as Wisden's Test Player of the Year, becoming only the second Bangladeshi to receive this recognition.
   

• Consistent Performer: Tamim was the highest run-scorer in the 2016 T20 World Cup, accumulating 295 runs. He remains the only Bangladeshi cricketer to have scored centuries in all three formats of the game.
  

Despite stepping down as ODI captain in August 2023 due to a back injury, Tamim continued to be a pivotal figure in Bangladesh cricket. His final appearance for the national team was in an ODI series against New Zealand in September 2023.

As Bangladesh prepares for the upcoming Champions Trophy in February 2025, Tamim expressed his desire not to be a distraction for the team, stating, "I do not want to be the focus of anyone's attention, which could lead to the team losing their focus."

On This Day

1973

When Sourav Ganguly made a hundred in his first Test innings, at Lord's in 1996, Rahul Dravid, who was born today, made 95 - nearly the first instance of two new caps scoring hundreds in the same innings. The two went on to share a record one-day stand of 318 against Sri Lanka at Taunton in the 1999 World Cup. In 2002, Dravid made four consecutive Test hundreds, including a masterful 148 in tough conditions at Headingley to set India up for a rare overseas victory. That was followed by his awesome display on the 2003-04 tour to Australia: in the second Test he batted 835 minutes, scoring 233 and an unbeaten 72, and steered India to a famous win. He went on to feature in memorable overseas wins in Pakistan and the West Indies, and captained India to their first win in South Africa and first series win in England for 21 years. In March 2008 he became the third Indian to get to 10,000 runs in Tests, and by 2011 he was the second-highest Test run-maker after Sachin Tendulkar. That year he was the top Test run-scorer in the world, with five hundreds, including three on a tough tour of England, and four half-centuries, but he retired after a poor series in Australia in 2011-12. Dravid was the first player to take 200 catches in Tests. After retirement, he had spells coaching India men's Under-19s and senior national sides.

Coming tomorrow

What else is happening

• Jasprit Bumrah Sidelined; Mohammad Shami Returns: India's fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah will miss the five-match T20I series against England due to back spasms suffered during the last Test against Australia. Mohammad Shami returns to the squad after more than a year of absence due to an ankle injury that required surgery.

• James Anderson to Continue Playing for Lancashire: James Anderson, the 42-year-old former England cricketer, is in positive discussions with Lancashire about extending his cricket career into this summer. Despite retiring from international cricket, Anderson is keen to contribute in both T20 and 50-over formats domestically.

• Alex Hales Accuses Opponent of Personal Insult: In the Bangladesh Premier League, former England cricketer Alex Hales, now playing for Rangpur Riders, accused Fortune Barishal captain Tamim Iqbal of making personal insults related to Hales' past drug ban. The incident occurred after Rangpur's dramatic win, leading to a heated exchange between the players.

Question for you

Who will qualify for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-2025?

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