One of the few Indian batters who have consistently delivered for the country on overseas assignments, Ajinkya Rahane hasn’t just been another victim to the talent pool the country has. Once the most reliable No. 4 batter in Test cricket, Rahane’s stocks have fallen so hard over the last 2 years that he is no longer in the national team’s scheme of things in any of the three formats. Though not the most outspoken cricketers India have produced, Rahane did expose a flaw in the current selection committee, saying no communication took place from the bosses over his exit from the Test team after the 2023 World Test Championship final.

“When I was dropped a few years ago, I made runs and was picked for the World Test Championship final and then was dropped again. But what is in my control? To play. I did well in domestic cricket and in the IPL and was called again. Whenever an experienced player makes a comeback, one knows that he will get 2-3 series. I knew that South Africa was a challenging series and I was expecting a call, but I wasn’t picked. I felt bad because I have been serving for so long,” Rahane said in an intervie with Indian Express.

Rahane revealed that he was advised by many to speak to the management and the selectors about his situation but he couldn’t do that as the ‘other person’ wasn’t ready to talk. The veteran batter expected himself to be picked for India’s next assignment, after the World Test Championship final in 2023, but was shown he door, without any explanation.

“I’m not the person who will go and ask why I’m being dropped. There was no communication. Many said ‘go and talk’ but one can only talk when the other person is ready to talk. If he is not ready, there is no point fighting. I wanted to talk one on one. I never messaged. I felt odd when I was dropped after the WTC final because I had worked hard for it. I thought I would be there for the next series. There is no point cribbing. I can only do what is in my hands. There is a belief that I will make a comeback,” said the 36-year-old.

Players’ PR teams also play a big role in creating fan pressure over selection or non-selection. Rahane, however, revealed that he doesn’t have a PR team to push his case.

“I was always shy, now I have opened up. My focus has been to play cricket and go home. Nobody told me that going ahead, certain things will be needed. Today also, sometimes I feel ki bas cricket khelo, ghar jao. Now I am told I need to speak up, talk about my hard work. People say you need to be in the news … I don’t have a PR team, my only PR is my cricket. I have now realised that staying in the news is important. Otherwise, people think that I’m out of the circle,” said Rahane.

Rahane wasn’t in the best of form for Mumbai in the ongoing Ranji Trophy campaign but found his Midas touch again, as he scored a ton in the quarterfinal against Haryana at Eden Gardens. In the process, the veteran batter also hit a hundred in his 200th first-class match.

India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy due to a lower back injury, the BCCI said on Tuesday, putting to rest all the speculation over his participation in the premier tournament. The senior men’s team selection committee has named Harshit Rana as Bumrah’s replacement for the mega event starting February 19 in Pakistan. India will open their campaign against Bangladesh in Dubai on February 20.

The selectors have also included Varun Chakaravarthy in the team, the mystery spinner replacing batter Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was named in the provisional squad.

India will play all their matches of the tournament in Dubai under a hybrid model agreement.

Bumrah, who has already undergone a lower back surgery in 2022, sustained another stress-related injury while bowling in the final Test against Australia at Sydney, where he pulled out after sending down 10 overs in the first innings.

“Bumrah was asked to off-load for five weeks after which his rehabilitation at NCA happened under strength & conditioning trainer Rajnikanth and physio Thulasi.

“The report sent by NCA head Nitin Patel clearly states that while he has completed his rehabilitation and scan reports seemed to be okay, it couldn’t be concluded that whether he would be bowling fit by the time the tournament starts. Hence the selectors didn’t take any risk,” a top BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

“Nitin left the ball in Ajit’s (chief selector Agarkar) court and hence no one would want to stick their necks out and take the risk of putting an unfit player in squad. If medical team doesn’t green-light fully, how can the selection committee take that risk,” the official said.

During a meeting between the chairman of selector Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma in Ahmedabad, it was deliberated whether they would take an unfit Bumrah to the Champions Trophy or go for the inexperienced Rana.

“The stakes are too high and it would have been a complete embarrassment had Bumrah broken down in a match. The NCA led by Nitin Patel had once burnt their hands in 2022 when they pushed Bumrah for the bilateral series against Australia before the T20 World Cup and he had broken down to be out for one year.

“That was Chetan Sharma’s committee and so Agarkar didn’t want to take a chance.” It is understood that the main bone of contention was that Bumrah is yet to start bowling full tilt and those in the know of things said that it is very difficult to get match-fit in such a short time.

Rather, he can come back for Mumbai Indians in the IPL and then lead India in England as Rohit Sharma is unlikely to be picked for Tests again.

However, the selection committee picked a fifth spinner in the squad in Varun Chakravarthy, who was also added for the England series. The fall guy this time was young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who wouldn’t be finding a place in the playing XI with Rohit and Shubman Gill opening the innings.

Jaiswal is among the non-travelling reserves along with Shivam Dube (like-for-like for Hardik Pandya) and Mohammed Siraj (like-for-like for Mohammed Shami).

Chakravarthy, who has been very successful in T20Is, made his ODI debut in Cuttack based on his T20 form and the KKR bowler is a personal favourite of head coach Gambhir.

Two picks in this Champions Trophy squad are based on Gambhir’s recommendations — Rana and Chakravarthy — both of whom coincidentally are also part of IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders.

Team: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy. PTI KHS KHS AH KHS AH AH

Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy 2025, a BCCI released confirmed on Tuesday night. The BCCI said that the bowler failed to recover from a lower back injury that he sustained during the final India vs Australia Test in Sydney. According to a report by news agency PTI that came right before the official announcement, the Sports and Medical Science team of National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru had left it on the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee to decide on Jasprit Bumrah‘s selection for the Champions Trophy.

The report said: “There are two parameters of fitness that the NCA checks before clearing a player’s return to action. It is understood that once Bumrah completed his rehabilitation for his lower back injury under strength & conditioning coach Rajnikanth and physio Thulasi, he was declared medically fit. However, doubts still remain over whether he is bowling fit or not before a tournament as big as the Champions Trophy.”

The ball was then put in Agarkar’s court. The news agency said the chairman of selection committee, who is in Ahmedabad, had a chat with skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir on the issue on Tuesday.

“Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy due to a lower back injury. The Men’s Selection Committee has named Harshit Rana as Bumrah’s replacement. Team India have also named Varun Chakaravarthy in the squad. The spinner will replace Yashasvi Jaiswal who was initially named in the provisional squad,” the BCCI said in a release.

Updated Team India Squad for Champions Trophy: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohd. Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravindra Jadeja, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Non Travelling substitutes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj and Shivam Dube. The three players will travel to Dubai as and when required.

With PTI inputs 

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has cast doubt on Yashasvi Jaiswal’s inclusion in India’s final 15-man squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy, suggesting that the young opener may no longer fit into the team’s plans. Chopra believes that with India’s batting order settling down, Jaiswal might not be needed, and Mohammed Siraj could instead be drafted in as a replacement, particularly if Jasprit Bumrah fails to recover in time.

Jaiswal, who made his ODI debut in the series opener against England in Nagpur on February 6, looked promising before falling to Jofra Archer for 15. However, with Virat Kohli returning to the XI for the second game, the 22-year-old was immediately dropped, raising questions about his role in India’s long-term plans.

Chopra, speaking on his YouTube show, stated that India’s top-order is looking stable with Rohit Sharma back in form, Shubman Gill as vice-captain, and Virat Kohli an immovable presence. He further added that Shreyas Iyer’s match-winning 59 off 36 balls in the first ODI had potentially reshaped India’s approach to squad selection.

“The batting order is looking set. Rohit has started scoring runs. Shubman Gill is our vice-captain, and he is in good form. Virat Kohli will eventually return to form. Even if he doesn’t, god forbid, India are not going to drop him,” Chopra said.

“Shreyas Iyer is at No. 4. At No. 5, whether it’s KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, or Axar Patel, the slot is settled. One of the two—Rahul and Pant—will have to be left out. And then you have an extra batter. You might not require Yashasvi Jaiswal. That’s a possibility.”

Chopra hinted that India initially wanted a left-right combination in the top order but have seemingly abandoned that approach after Iyer’s impact innings.

“You wanted to maintain a left-right combination in the batting order. Now, you won’t be able to do it. You have played your hand, and that has backfired,” he added.

With Bumrah’s availability for the Champions Trophy still uncertain, Chopra suggested that Siraj could find a way back into the squad. Siraj was not included in the ODI squad against England or the preliminary Champions Trophy squad, but his experience could be crucial if India requires three frontline fast bowlers.

“You can’t play Yashasvi. So, if you can’t play him, why take him to the Champions Trophy? I think Mohammed Siraj’s chances of playing are higher than Yashasvi Jaiswal’s,” Chopra explained.

“I see a strong chance for Mohammed Siraj to be included, especially if you feel the need for experience in the bowling attack against Pakistan. You might want to go in with three fast bowlers—Siraj could come in. Then, Yashasvi might have to make way.”

India’s strike bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who sustained a back injury during the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in January, is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru. While he was named in India’s preliminary squad, his participation hinges on a final fitness assessment.

R Ashwin has sympathised with Ajit Agarkar, the chairman of BCCI’s selection committee.© AFP

Virat Kohli (L) and Rohit Sharma© AFP

Ajit Agarkar (L) and Rohit Sharma© AFP

Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir was overruled on two major decisions regarding the Champions Trophy 2025 team selection, according to a report by Dainik Jagran. The report claimed that the difference of opinion led to a long meeting between Gambhir, skipper Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar ahead of the team announcement. According to the report, Gambhir wanted Hardik Pandya to be vice-captain but Rohit and Agarkar insisted on Shubman Gill‘s name. The other bone of contention was the wicket-keeper slot as Gambhir was in favour of including Sanju Samson but Rishabh Pant was ultimately chosen thanks to the backing of Rohit and Agarkar.

Meanwhile, chief selector Ajit Agarkar on Saturday said Jasprit Bumrah may not get fit for the first two ODIs against England, forcing them to name Harshit Rana as a replacement as they await an update from the medical team on the lead pacer.

The peerless fast bowler though was named in the squad for the Champions Trophy that follows the three-match rubber against England.

“Bumrah has been told to off-load for five weeks after and he won’t be available for the first two ODIs against England. We are waiting on his fitness and will know his status in early February from the medical team,” Agarkar said during a press conference which he addressed alongside India captain Rohit Sharma.

Bumrah broke down at the end of the long Border-Gavaskar Trophy and missed the second innings of the final Test in Sydney due to a back spasm, following which he had undergone scans.

“We’ll probably hear more over the next week or so about his fitness. It would have been nicer if BCCI had (gievn the update)… I might say the wrong thing here. I know he was asked to offload for five weeks of bowling, which is early first week February, if I’m not wrong,” Agarkar said.

He continued, “We’ll probably find out a bit more around that time. What exactly (it is) and with regards to what his medical condition is, I’m sure BCCI might just put something out from the physio itself.” After India’s loss in the Brisbane Test, skipper Rohit had demanded answers from the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru on Mohammed Shami‘s fitness status last month. On Saturday, Agarkar too made the same point.

“It’s better it comes from the medical department than me trying to explain what exactly is wrong with him (Bumrah), but that’s the time frame that we’ve been told and hopefully, he’s okay after that. We are very hopeful,” he added.

The final squad for the Champions Trophy must be submitted to the ICC by February 11.

India play three bilateral ODIs against England on February 6, 9 and 12 — their first 50-over games since the tour of Sri Lanka in August last year — before the Champions Trophy begins on February 19.

(With PTI inputs)

Team India announced their 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 on Saturday, choosing to ignore Karun Nair despite his red-hot form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Nair has slammed 752 runs in seven innings in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and made a serious case to be a late inclusion. However, the selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar did not pick Nair even for the ODI series against England, instead maintaining continuity. This decision came under tremendous flak from one of Virat Kohli‘s former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) teammates.

Shreevats Goswami, who played at RCB with Kohli from 2008 to 2010, and also played under Gautam Gambhir at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2011, was livid with the decision to leave Nair out.

Karun nair not getting picked is like going against your own rule of making domestic cricket mandatory.  for him! #ChampionsTrophy2025

— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) January 18, 2025

Goswami implied hypocrisy on part of the BCCI making domestic cricket mandatory in their 10-point guideline but then leaving out Nair.

“Karun Nair not getting picked is like going against your own rule of making domestic cricket mandatory,” Goswami wrote on X.

Goswami reasoned that Karun Nair could’ve at least been taken as a travelling reserve with Team India.

“Why not make an exception for someone who has scored 752 runs in seven games, I mean use his form! Take an extra player and go. India did take 4 reserves including Gill for the recent T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. 2015 World Cup too Dhawal Kulkarni was a part of WC as travelling reserve. Jaiswal as an extra opener? Just add him as the 16th!,” Goswami stated.

Why not make exception for someone who has scored 752 runs in 7 games , I mean use his form! Take a extra player and go. India did take 4 reserve including gill for recent t20 wc in the Caribbean .2015 wc too Dhawal kulkarni was a part of WC as travelling reserve. Jaiswal as…

— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) January 18, 2025

Goswami reasoned that India do not have a middle order back-up, which is why Karun Nair should’ve been picked.

Meanwhile, Agarkar defended not picking Karun Nair.

“Karun Nair is playing well but it was difficult for him to get a place in this team,” Agarkar said in the press conference for the team announcement.

“It was difficult to find a place and all those who have been picked have averaged in mid 40s,” Agarkar says, defending the choice of batters in the 15-man squad.

Rohit and Agarkar during the press conference in Mumbai.
| Photo Credit: Emmanual Yogini

Captain Rohit Sharma and selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar had contradictory reactions to the recent circulation of modified standard operating procedures (SOPs) for India cricketers that have surfaced in the aftermath of India’s disappointing season of Test cricket.

In a two-page document shared with cricketers last week, accessed by The Hindu, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had put out various curbs, including restricted stay of players’ families on long tours and disallowing personal staff of players along with the squad.

While Rohit snapped at a journalist when asked about the new policy, Agarkar explained the rationale behind it.

“Who told you about these rules? Has it come from the official handle of (the) BCCI? Did it come officially?” Rohit asked.

The 10-point document states that non-adherence of the new rules may lead to sanctions, including ban from competing in the Indian Premier League. However, Agarkar stressed the rules are primarily aimed at maintaining team unity.

“Every team has some rules in place. We have spoken about various things over the last few months, where we can improve as a team and get a bit closer as a team. We have seen in the last few months the need for some changes, more bonding in the team. It’s not a school, it’s not a punishment. It’s just you have some rules and when you are playing for the national team, you just follow the rules. These are mature individuals. They are superstars in their own right in international sport. They know how to handle themselves,” Agarkar said.

“But at the end of the day, you are eventually representing your country and there are certain things that you inherently follow as every team does. A lot of them have been in place, maybe we have spoken about it now and it has been put out but a lot of them have been in place in any case. You keep on refining it as you go along, eventually what suits the team, you want to try and do that.”