Author: Virat Verma

Pakistan cricket has faced significant turmoil for quite some time. The team’s disappointing performances in the ODI and T20 World Cups sparked widespread criticism, resulting in numerous changes in both leadership and administration. The situation worsened after the Shaan Masood-led Test team suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Bangladesh, followed by a loss to England in Multan. In response to these poor results, the Pakistan Cricket Board appointed a new selection committee, reducing its size from seven to five members. The committee, headed by former pacer Aaqib Javed, includes Aleem Dar, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, and Hassan Cheema. Notably,…

Former Indian batter Venugopal Rao, who played 16 ODIs for India between 2005 and 2006, is likely to replace Sourav Ganguly as the Director of Cricket for Delhi Capitals in the upcoming 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Meanwhile, his former India teammate, Hemang Badani, is expected to take over as the franchise’s new head coach. According to a report from Cricbuzz on Wednesday, October 16, the search for new support staff has concluded, and Badani will replace Ricky Ponting as head coach. Badani, who previously worked alongside Brian Lara with Sunrisers Hyderabad, will be assuming his first…

South African cricket legend AB de Villiers has been inducted into the prestigious ICC Hall of Fame, honoring his exceptional contribution to the sport. Known as “Mr. 360” for his ability to play shots all around the ground, de Villiers has left a lasting impact on cricket. He scored more than 20,000 international runs across all formats and was admired for his innovative and destructive batting style. His inclusion in the Hall of Fame celebrates not only his talent but also his influence on the game. Following this announcement, Virat Kohli wrote a heartfelt letter to de Villiers, praising his…

Cricket Australia (CA) has unveiled the schedule for the 2025-26 Ashes series, introducing notable changes to the traditional lineup. The series will kick off at Optus Stadium in Perth from November 21-25, followed by a day-night Test at Brisbane’s Gabba from December 4-8, marking the second Test of the series. The third Test will take place at Adelaide Oval from December 17-21, but unlike previous series, it will be played as a day game instead of the usual day-night format. The iconic Boxing Day Test is set for the MCG from December 26-30, and the fifth and final Test will…

Babar Azam’s exclusion from Pakistan’s Test squad for the second match against England shocked the cricketing world. The star batter was dropped due to inconsistent performances as the newly appointed national selection committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board took swift action. However, Pakistan cricket legend Ramiz Raja criticized the selectors, calling it a ‘knee-jerk reaction.’ According to Ramiz, Babar’s absence is illogical, as he is not only a key player but also a major draw for Pakistan cricket, helping generate revenue. “I think it was a knee-jerk reaction by the new selectors. The general opinion was that he needed rest,…

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has informed State cricket associations that the Impact Player rule will not be implemented in the upcoming edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), India’s domestic T20 competition. “Kindly note that the BCCI has decided to do away with the provision of the ‘Impact Player’ for the ongoing season,” the BCCI stated in a communication to state units on Monday. However, this rule will still be in effect for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Impact Player rule was initially introduced in the Syed Mushtaq Ali…

Pakistan has decided to exclude Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah from their squad for the remainder of the Test series against England following a humiliating innings defeat in the first Test. This marks the first significant decision made by the team’s management since the selection team was overhauled shortly after their loss in Multan. Both England and Pakistan have announced their playing elevens for the second Test, with England captain Ben Stokes returning to the side after missing the first match due to injury. During a media interaction, Stokes was asked about the absence of Pakistan’s three key…

India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Australia in a crucial ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday. The loss to the defending champions has put India’s chances of reaching the semi-finals in jeopardy. Australia batted first and posted 151/8 in their 20 overs. India started their chase well but crumbled under pressure in the final over, ending at 142/9, falling short by 9 runs. Harmanpreet top-scored with a valiant 54 but was left stranded at the non-striker’s end for much of the final over. With this victory, Australia secured…

Mumbai Indians have named former Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene as their new head coach for IPL 2025. The franchise, which holds a record five IPL titles, will aim to replicate its success in the upcoming season. Jayawardene replaces Mark Boucher, who coached the team in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Notably, Jayawardene had previously served as Mumbai Indians’ coach from 2017 to 2022, guiding the team to IPL championships in 2017, 2019, and 2020. Last year, Mumbai had a disappointing season, finishing at the bottom of the points table with Hardik Pandya taking over captaincy from Rohit Sharma. “We…

India has announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against New Zealand, as they prepare for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The squad features some changes, with Jasprit Bumrah named as vice-captain. In a surprising decision, Mohammed Shami was left out of the squad. The experienced pacer has been sidelined since the 2023 ODI World Cup final in November due to an injury that required surgery. Shami is hopeful of making his comeback in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With the matches taking place in India, captain Rohit Sharma will rely heavily on his spin department, which includes R. Ashwin,…