As India's Test coach, Gautam Gambhir faces a crucial test in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, as his position could be at risk if the team fails to perform well. There have been reports that the BCCI is considering making a change in the coaching position if India disappoints once again. Gambhir has recently faced criticism for Team India's poor performance in Tests against New Zealand and there have been discussions about potential replacements, including VVS Laxman. These issues were discussed in a 6-hour long meeting between Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar, and Rohit Sharma. However, the presence of disagreements between Gambhir and the team's think-tank raises concerns ahead of the crucial Test series.
Mohammed Siraj's impressive performance in the Australia vs India Test match not only helped the team gain a lead of 83 runs, but also catapulted his career to new heights. The right-arm medium-fast bowler from Hyderabad has established himself in the international arena with his debut in 2018 and subsequent participation in the Indian Premier League. As per the recent BCCI annual retainership, Siraj is now a Grade A cricketer earning a salary of Rs. 5 crore, in addition to his IPL salary of Rs. 7 crore. With the recent T20 World Cup victory in 2024, Siraj and other team members are also set to receive a cash prize of INR 125 crore.
The Indian cricket team's decision to retain Devdutt Padikkal for the Border-Gavaskar trophy series may prove to be a game changer if Shubman Gill's thumb injury sidelines him. In a video shared by the BCCI, Padikkal expresses his excitement and readiness to take on the challenge of facing Australia in his second Test match. His impressive performance in India A's tour Down Under, including a score of 88 in the first unofficial Test, has earned him a spot on the national team. Mayank Agarwal's advice to Padikkal to maintain the right mindset will be crucial in making the most of this opportunity.
After a dominating performance by India in the T20 series against South Africa, the young Indian cricketer Tilak Verma received the "impact fielder of the series" award in the final match. With his brilliant performance in the series, Verma left everyone in awe and even impressed coach VVS Laxman with his catch of South African captain Aiden Markram. In a comical turn of events, captain Suryakumar Yadav revealed the winner in a unique and entertaining manner, leading to a moment of celebration for the team. The video of this moment was shared by BCCI, showcasing the camaraderie and talent of Team India.
In a piece of positive news for Indian cricket fans, Rohit Sharma might travel to Perth in the lead-up to the first Test. The BCCI is making all arrangements to ensure Rohit reaches on time, if the captain makes himself available to be part of the series opener, starting November 22. This development follows the newly elected United States' President-Elect, Donald Trump, announcing his cabinet nominees, including two individuals known for their pro-India stance. Meanwhile, in Rajasthan, independent candidate Naresh Meena was arrested for slapping an election official during bypolls in Tonk district. Back in Maharashtra, the Ladki Bahin scheme, which has benefited over 2 crore women, is the center of discussion in the ongoing election campaign.
The announcement of Pakistan's plan to conduct a trophy tour of the ICC Champions Trophy through PoK has caused a stir, with India registering a strong protest with the ICC. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has condemned the move and urged for appropriate action to be taken. The controversy has also sparked tensions on social media, with BJP leader Amit Malviya calling out Pakistan's "loss of face". There are concerns that the strained relations between India and Pakistan could affect the hosting of the tournament.
With the highly anticipated return of ICC Champions Trophy after 8 years, a resurfaced video has added fuel to the ongoing rift between Pakistan and India. The video shows the infamous incident of 1997 where Indian players walked off the field after reported incidents of stone pelting by the Pakistani crowd. This has only heightened the concerns for the upcoming tournament in Pakistan and raised questions about the security of Indian team.
The BCCI has informed the ICC that the Indian team will not be participating in the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan, allegedly due to political directives. This decision has sparked outrage on social media, with memes poking fun at the Jay Shah-led ICC and criticism for being selective in patriotic stances. While the PCB chairman has ruled out a hybrid model for the series, fans have suggested expanding the Wagah border or creating a replica stadium for an India vs Pakistan match.
The relationship between Pakistan and India in the world of cricket has always been intense, with the latest development being BCCI's decision to not travel to Lahore for the upcoming Champions Trophy. The PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, however, has stated that they have not received any formal communication from BCCI on this matter. While some reports suggest that India has opted for a 'Hybrid Model' in which their matches will be played in Dubai, Naqvi remains adamant that all teams will be playing in Pakistan. With tensions rising between the two sides, the fate of this highly anticipated tournament remains uncertain.
Amidst security concerns, BCCI has announced that the Indian cricket team will not be traveling to Pakistan for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. The Board has asked for their matches to be shifted to Dubai, citing the successful record of hosting high-profile cricket events in the city. Sources indicate that the BCCI's stand on not touring Pakistan remains unchanged, even after consulting with the Indian government. As of now, no official statement has been made by the BCCI regarding India's participation in the tournament.