Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday blamed the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) for Sanju Samson's exclusion from Team India's squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. In December 2024, Samson was left out of Kerala's squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 after he failed to participate in the preparatory camp before the tournament, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. Taking to X, Tharoor attacked KCA and said that the state cricket board dropped Samson from their squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy which resulted in Sanju's exclusion. The four-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram added that because of the "egos" of cricket administrators in KCA, Samson's career has been "destroyed". "The sorry saga of the Kerala Cricket Association and Sanju Samson -- the player wrote to KCA, in advance, regretting his inability to attend a training camp between the SMA and the Vijay Hazare Trophy tournaments, and was promptly dropped from the squad -- has now resulted in Sanju's exclusion from the Indian team," Tharoor wrote on X. The sorry saga of the Kerala Cricket Association and Sanju Samson -- the player wrote to KCA, in advance, regretting his inability to attend a training camp between the SMA and the Vijay Hazare Trophy tournaments, and was promptly dropped from the squad -- has now resulted in… — Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 18, 2025 "A batsman who has a highest score of 212* in the Hazare, who averages 56.66 in ODIs for India (including a century in his last outing, against South Africa) is having his career destroyed by the egos of cricket administrators. Doesn't it bother the KCA bosses that by leaving Sanju out, they ensured Kerala didn't even reach the quarter-finals of the Hazare? Where does this leave him?" he further added. Earlier, Samson led Kerala in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25, where his team narrowly missed out on qualifying for the knockouts. Kerala won four of six matches in the tournament. According to ESPNcricinfo, Samson had written to the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA), where he stated the reason behind his unavailability for the camp. However, KCA stuck to their rule of only including players who have taken part in the preparatory camp. Batter Salman Nizar led the Kerala squad in the 50-over domestic tournament after Sachin Baby was ruled out of the tournament as he suffered an injury during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Meanwhile, a new challenge awaits Team India in the ICC Champions Trophy, starting from February 19 till March 9. It will be hosted by Pakistan and UAE, with India playing its matches in UAE under a hybrid model. The eight-team tournament will feature 15 fifty-over matches and will be played across Pakistan and in Dubai. The biggest match of the tournament between two arch-rivals India and Pakistan will be played on February 23. India will start its campaign against Bangladesh on February 20. India's last league match will be against New Zealand on March 2. The Rohit Sharma-led side will play all their matches in Dubai. India announced its squad for the ICC event today. The Rohit Sharma-led side will feature the likes of Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Shubhman Gill as his deputy. Mohammed Shami and Rishabh Pant marked their return to the side, while Mohammed Siraj missed out. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 January,2025 09:04 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIIndia captain Rohit Sharma on Saturday showered praise on seamer Mohammed Shami and called him the "stalwart" of white-ball cricket. Ajit Agarkar and skipper Rohit Sharma held a press conference on Saturday to announce the 15-member squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 and ODI series against England. Shami was named to the ODI squad after more than a year as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named the 15-member squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. Last year, Shami returned to domestic cricket with Bengal after undergoing ankle surgery that kept him sidelined for nearly a year. Shami had also been a part of Bengal's squad for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Shami had made an impressive comeback to competitive cricket, having last featured in the ODI World Cup 2023 final. Following ankle surgery and overcoming a series of setbacks, he returned to action for Bengal in a Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh in November. Speaking at the press conference, Rohit lauded Shami's performance in the ODI World Cup 2023 and said that it was superb to watch him. "Shami is a stalwart of white ball cricket. What he did recently in the World Cup was superb to watch... if you talk about everyone, you can't please everyone. So, at the end of the day, you try and make the best team and best possible squad to win games under different situations...," Rohit told reporters. Earlier on January 11, Shami was added to the India squad for the upcoming T20I series against England. The freshest challenge awaiting for Team India is the ICC Champions Trophy, starting from February 19 till March 9. It will be hosted by Pakistan and UAE, with India playing its matches in UAE under a hybrid model. The eight-team tournament will feature 15 fifty-over matches and will be played across Pakistan and in Dubai. The biggest match of the tournament between two arch-rivals India and Pakistan will be played on February 23. India will start its campaign against Bangladesh on February 20. India's last league match will be against New Zealand on March 2. The Rohit Sharma-led side will play all their matches in Dubai. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 January,2025 09:03 AM IST | Mumbai | ANISpin wizards Noman Ali and Sajid Khan guided Pakistan to a strong position against the West Indies after another spin dominated second day’s play in the opening Test in Multan on Saturday. The senior pair shared nine wickets between them to dismiss the West Indies for a paltry 137, in reply to the home team’s 230 all out earlier in the day. By the close of play, Pakistan stretched the 93-run lead to 202 by scoring 109-3 in their second innings. For the tourists, left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican (2-17) did the bulk of the damage in the second innings. He dismissed Muhammad Hurraira for 29, after an opening stand of 67, before trapping Babar Azam leg-before for five. Skipper Shan Masood looked solid for his 52 before being run-out. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 January,2025 07:09 AM IST | Noman Ali. Pic/AFP | AFPDhruv Shorey’s third consecutive hundred went in vain as Karnataka rode on unfancied Smaran Ravichandran’s stylish ton to win their fifth Vijay Hazare Trophy title, defeating Vidarbha by 36 runs in a high-scoring final here on Saturday. Karnataka has an unprecedented record of reaching five finals and winning all of them. Left-handed Smaran smashed 101 off just 92 deliveries, while the unheralded keeper-batter Krishnan Srijith chipped in with a plucky 78 off 74 balls. T20 star Abhinav Manohar provided the final flourish with a blistering 79 off 42 deliveries, propelling Karnataka to a commanding total of 348 for 6 in 50 overs. In reply, Vidarbha, who had reached the final without losing a single game in the group stage, paid the price for most of their batters outside the top three failing to get significant time at the crease. Also read: Performances like these don't just happen...": Tendulkar hails Karun Nair as batter nears all-time Vijay Hazare Trophy record However, all-rounder Harsh Dubey’s explosive 63 off 30 balls, which included five sixes and as many fours, gave the winners a scare before Vidarbha were all out for 312 in 48.2 overs. Shorey, who scored a century in both the quarter and semi-final, looked classy en route his 110 but there was no support at the end once Player of the Tournament Karun Nair (27) had a rare failure. Brief scoresKarnataka 348-6 in 50 overs (R Smaran 101, A Manohar 79, K Shrijith 78; D Nalkande 2-67, N Bhute 2-68) beat Vidarbha 312 all out in 48.2 overs (D Shorey 110, H Dubey 63; V Koushik 3-47, A Shetty 3-58, P Krishna 3-84) by 36 runs This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 January,2025 07:02 AM IST | Vadodara | PTIRohit Sharma, who will be leading India in the three-match home ODI series against England starting February 6 and the February 19-March 9 Champions Trophy in the UAE, has confirmed his participation in a Ranji Trophy match for Mumbai against Jammu & Kashmir at the MCA-BKC ground on January 23. Rohit, who dropped himself due to poor form in the recent Sydney Test against Australia, had his first red-ball practice session during the Mumbai Ranji team’s match simulation exercise at Wankhede recently. However, it is learnt that, as of Saturday afternoon, he was yet to confirm his availability to the Mumbai Cricket Association for the Ranji game, raising concerns about whether the preparation was ideal to play a first-class game ahead of the 50-over Champions Trophy. Also read: Virat Kohli along with this player pull out their names from Ranji Trophy second round matches When Sunday mid-day asked Rohit during a press conference addressed by him and chief selector Ajit Agarkar whether he sees it as a challenge to switch between red-ball and white-ball formats while preparing for a 50-over tournament, he said on Saturday: “I’ve done this all my life — playing red ball on some days and white ball on others. It’s nothing new for me. I’m used to these kinds of changes. It’s been happening for a long time. When you play all three formats, you have to adjust. Sometimes you prepare for a red ball [tournament] and then suddenly there’s a T20 format. There’s nothing new about it.” Rohit last played a Ranji Trophy match in the 2015-16 season (against Uttar Pradesh).
19 January,2025 06:51 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh MayureThough pacer Jasprit Bumrah is yet to recover fully from the back spasm he suffered during the recent Sydney Test against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee picked him in the 15-member squad for the February 6-12 ODI series against England and Champions Trophy (February 19-March 9). Fit-again pacer Mohammed Shami, who missed the BGT series Down Under due to a knee injury, also found a place for the England ODI series as well as in the Champions Trophy squad. India lost their last Champions Trophy final to Pakistan at London in 2017 with Virat Kohli in charge. Rohit Sharma, who led India to the T20 World Cup crown in the West Indies six months ago, will lead India’s challenge in ODI cricket with top-order batter Shubman Gill as his deputy. Big break for Jaiswal Mumbai opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has represented country in 19 Tests and 23 T20Is, was picked in the ODI team for the first time. “We are waiting to hear about his [Bumrah] fitness and when he’s likely to be available, so [Delhi pacer] Harshit Rana will be part of the one-day squad against England right now. At the moment, I don’t think he’s likely to be fit for the first couple of games [against England] at least from what we gather,” Agarkar said during a press conference after selection committee meeting at the Wankhede Stadium on Saturday. “I know he was asked to offload for five weeks of bowling, which is early first week of February, if I’m not wrong. And hopefully, he’s okay after that. So, we are very hopeful,” Agarkar remarked. When asked about the exclusion of experienced pacer Mohammed Siraj for a crucial tournament, Rohit explained: “We wanted to pick a squad where we have options of both, somebody to bowl with the new ball and somebody to bowl at the back end. Obviously, with Bumrah missing, we’re not sure. “We wanted [left-arm pacer] Arshdeep [Singh] to come and play that role of bowling at the back end and Shami, obviously we saw what he did with the new ball, and that is where we feel that Siraj’s effectiveness comes down a little bit — if he’s not going to take the new ball.” Focus on spin quartet India have four spinners — wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, left-arm spinners Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja and off-spinner Washington Sundar. Except Kuldeep, the other three are good all-rounders too. Vidarbha skipper Karun Nair, who scored 779 runs with the help of five centuries in the Vijay Hazare Trophy which concluded in Vadodara on Saturday, didn’t find a place in India’s ODI squad. Agarkar said: “Unfortunately, you can’t fit everyone in. It’s a squad of 15. But those performances certainly make you take notice.” On the same page Meanwhile, Rohit clarified that he and head coach Gautam Gambhir are on the same page. “Both of us are very clear in what we want to do. I’m not going to sit here and discuss what goes behind every game tactically, but it’s very clear in my mind [that] Gambhir is somebody… once we enter the field he trusts what the captain is doing on the field. Once we take the field, it’s all about what I do on the field. That’s the kind of trust we have in each other and that’s how it should be,” the captain stressed. Also Read: Given Bumrah's fitness record, selection committee might not think of him as long-term Test captain India squad for CT, England ODIs: Rohit (captain), S Gill (vc), V Kohli, S Iyer, KL Rahul, H Pandya, Axar, W Sundar, K Yadav, J Bumrah, M Shami, Arshdeep, Y Jaiswal, R Pant, R Jadeja, H Rana (only for England series)
19 January,2025 06:38 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh MayureAhead of the Champions Trophy 2025, the Men's Selection Committee chairman Ajit Agarkar opened up on the fitness of Team India's lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah. Ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025, Ajit Agarkar and skipper Rohit Sharma conducted a press conference to announce the Indian squad for the marquee event. In the final Test match against Australia in Sydney, Jasprit Bumrah didn't bowl a single ball. The pacer rushed into the hospital for scans and was advised to not feature in the remainder of the Sydney Test by medical professionals. Following the advice from the medical experts, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided the Indian spearhead should rest for at least five weeks (the Sydney Test finished on January 5 after which he will undergo another scan. Also Read: Rohit Sharma confirms availability for Mumbai's next Ranji game Speaking at the press conference, Agarkar said that the team management is still waiting to hear about Jasprit Bumrah's fitness and when he will be available to be a part of the first eleven. "With Jasprit Bumrah we are waiting to hear about his fitness and when is he likely to be available so Harshit Rana is going to be a part of the ODI squad against England right now...I don't think he is likely to be fit for the first couple of games," Ajit Agarkar told reporters. During the squad announcement, Ajit Agarkar confirmed that young seamer Harshit Rana will be in place of Jasprit Bumrah for the ODI series against England. The freshest challenge awaiting for Team India is the ICC Champions Trophy, starting from February 19 till March 9. It will be hosted by Pakistan and UAE, with India playing its matches in UAE under a hybrid model. The eight-team tournament will feature 15 fifty-over matches and will be played across Pakistan and in Dubai. The biggest match of the tournament between two arch-rivals India and Pakistan will be played on February 23. India will start its campaign against Bangladesh on February 20. India's last league match will be against New Zealand on March 2. The Rohit Sharma-led side will play all their matches in Dubai India squad for ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja. (With ANI Inputs)
18 January,2025 06:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTeam India captain Rohit Sharma confirmed his availability for Mumbai's Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir. He also opened up about the need to take time off from a busy calendar amid the noise of star players' participation in domestic cricket. Rohit Sharma also said that no player takes the premier domestic tournament for granted. Mumbai is set to play their Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir at the MCA-BKC ground on January 23. Asked about his availability for the game during a press conference at the BCCI headquarters here, Rohit Sharma responded in the positive. Days after the BCCI conducted a review meeting to assess the debacle Down Under, the Board has come out with 10 guidelines for India's centrally-contracted players, including making participation in domestic tournaments mandatory for selection in the national team. The focus since then has been on the likes of Rohit and his longtime India teammate Virat Kohli. Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: Ajit Agarkar, Rohit Sharma announce Indian squad at Wankhede Stadium The India skipper said, "Last 6-7 years, if you go back and look at our calendar, there hasn't been a time where we were sitting at home for 45 days and there is (domestic) cricket going on. You do get that time when you finish IPL and if there's nothing happening (in domestic cricket) right after that..." Rohit said. "But if you see our domestic season, it starts in October, maybe September, and it gets over by February-March and that is the time India plays a lot of cricket as well. So, guys who are not playing certain formats and have time, and then there is domestic cricket happening, then they will play. "But (in) the last 6-7 years, I can at least tell about what has happened with me since I've started playing Test cricket regularly, which is from 2019, you hardly have any time in hand and then, when you play so much international cricket through the year, you need some time off as well as a cricketer just to refresh, get your mind right, just to be ready for the upcoming season." The 37-year-old, who endured a horror run with the bat in the national team's tour of Australia recently, trained with the Mumbai squad at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday ahead of the second phase of the Ranji Trophy. Rohit Sharma last represented Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy in November 2015 against Uttar Pradesh. He added, "We have addressed it now and nobody takes it (domestic red-ball cricket) for granted or anything like that. It is just ben based on looking at how one has gone through the season, how much rest he needs," he said. "Based on all of that, we decide what is going to happen with certain players. Now it's been made mandatory that if there is time, you have to play domestic cricket." The past few weeks have been tumultuous for Rohit. He managed just 31 runs across three Tests during his time Down Under and was forced to drop himself from the series-deciding fifth and final Test in Sydney due to his poor form. Rohit handed over the leadership duties to Jasprit Bumrah in that game, sparking widespread speculations about his future. However, in an interview to the host broadcaster of the series, Rohit asserted that he was not going anywhere. (With PTI Inputs)
18 January,2025 06:09 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAhead of the Champions Trophy 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief selector Ajit Agarkar and Team India captain Rohit Sharma made their appearance at the press conference to announce the squad. Team India's rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal who has not yet made his debut in One-Day Internationals made the cut in the national squad for the Champions Trophy 2025. Also Read: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis congratulates MCA on Wankhede Stadium's 50th anniversary Jasprit Bumrah has been added to the Champions Trophy 2025 squad but his feature in the mega event will heavily rely on his fitness."We are waiting on Jasprit Bumrah's fitness and will know his status in early February from BCCI's medical team", Chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Rishabh Pant is the first-choice wicketkeeper batter in the Champions Trophy 2025 and England ODI squads. As the selector and skipper announced the squad, Team India's star pacer Mohammed Siraj missed the cut for the marquee event's squad. Mohammed Shami has made a comeback to the ODI squad after the 50-over World Cup in 2023. Karun Nair, despite 752 runs in domestic cricket, missed out and Agarkar said: "It was difficult to find a place and all those who have been picked have averaged in mid 40s." India's squad for the Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja. Earlier, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar arrived to attend the team selection meeting for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Taking to X: #WATCH | Maharashtra | Men's Selection Committee Chairman Ajit Agarkar arrived to attend the team selection meeting for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 #iccchampionstrophy2025 pic.twitter.com/AxrebWwGr9 — ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2025 (With PTI Inputs)
18 January,2025 03:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis congratulated the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) and fans as Wankhede Stadium completed its 50th anniversary, according to the release from MCA. MCA is hosting a week-long celebration, starting January 12, to mark this historic milestone with the grand spectacle scheduled to take place on Sunday. "I am really happy about the celebration of Wankhede Stadium's golden jubilee. I congratulate all cricket fans and the Mumbai Cricket Association on this occasion. The golden jubilee of Wankhede Stadium's glorious cricketing legacy is significant in many ways. This stadium is not just a ground but an emotion for Indian cricket fans. The name of the stadium is etched in the minds of not only cricket fans but every Mumbaikar as well as Indian," CM Fadnavis wrote in a letter as quoted in a release from MCA. Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah likely to be selected for Champions Trophy 2025 "Be it retirement of Sachin Tendulkar, who has a place in the hearts of Indians, India's World Cup win in 2011, Ravi Shastri's six sixes in six balls, Wankhede Stadium has witnessed many such historical moments. Several Ranji Trophy matches, which has produced many players in Indian cricket, have been played at this stadium. Best wishes to all on the golden jubilee of Wankhede Stadium, which has witnessed historic moments of Indian cricket," Chief Minister further added. Earlier, the MCA feliciated all men's and women's captains of the Mumbai team, organised by Polly Umrigar Health Camp and special lunch for the groundsmen and felicitated them. The board also feliciated the Mumbai players who played the first first-class match at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in 1974. The players were also rewarded with Rs. 10 lakh each. "On behalf of the MCA, I thank the honourable Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ji for his kind and encouraging words. This golden jubilee is a special moment for all of us. The goal behind hosting this celebration is to showcase Mumbai's cricketing legacy to the next generation and inspire them," MCA President Ajinkya Naik said. Mumbai cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Diana Edulji, Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav will make their presence for the grand event at the Wankhede Stadium to witness the performances by Ajay-Atul and Avadhoot Gupte, followed by a breathtaking laser show. (With ANI Inputs)
18 January,2025 02:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThere are chances of Team India pacer Jasprit Bumrah making the cut in India's squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 which is set to kick start on February 19 in Pakistan and United Arab Emirates, according to ESPNcricinfo. Jasprit Bumrah's selection will rely on his game fitness. In the final Test match against Australia in Sydney, Jasprit Bumrah didn't bowl a single ball. The pacer was rushed to the hospital for scans and was advised by the Australian doctors to not participate in the Sydney match. After the advice from the medical experts, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took the call of resting Jasprit Bumrah for at least five weeks after which he will undergo another scan, the report added. Also Read: Virat Kohli along with this player pull out their names from Ranji Trophy second round matches If everything falls in place for Jasprit Bumrah, then his fitness will be tested during the third ODI against England on February 12. The last date to announce the final squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 is February 11. In a challenging tour for the Indian team, Bumrah emerged as the lone warrior for India consistently delivering match-defining performances. His exceptional contributions not only earned him the Player of the Series award but also cemented his reputation as one of the finest bowlers in world cricket. Jasprit Bumrah showed his mettle in the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy in which he got 32 wickets in five matches at a stunning average of 13.06, with three five-wicket hauls and best figures of 6/76. He achieved a significant milestone during the series by taking his 200th Test wicket, becoming the fourth-fastest player to reach this landmark in terms of balls bowled. Remarkably, he also became the first bowler in history to claim 200 Test wickets at an average below 20. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar and team India skipper Rohit Sharma will hold a press conference in Mumbai on Saturday to announce the squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as well as for the three-match ODI series against England. The freshest challenge awaiting India is the ICC Champions Trophy, starting from February 19 till March 9. It will be hosted by Pakistan and UAE, with India playing its matches in UAE under a hybrid model. The eight-team tournament will feature 15 50-over matches and will be played across Pakistan and in Dubai. The biggest match of the tournament between two arch-rivals India and Pakistan will be played on February 23 in Dubai. India will start its campaign against Bangladesh on February 20. India's last league match will be against New Zealand on March 2. Group A of the tournament features current Champions Trophy holders and hosts Pakistan, along with India, New Zealand and Bangladesh, while Group B features Cricket World Cup 2023 champions Australia, alongside Afghanistan, England and South Africa. (With ANI Inputs)
18 January,2025 01:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
