A file image of former India head coach Rahul Dravid.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Feeling the ‘Yellove’: After 11 seasons with Rajasthan Royals, Sanju Samson already looks at home in Chennai colours.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Virat Kohli and Ruturaj Gaikwad greet each other during their third-wicket stand in the 2nd ODI against South Africa in Raipur on December 3, 2025
| Photo Credit: R. Ragu

When Jasprit Bumrah bowls, batters’ individual agency is in a state of suspended animation. They can rarely choose what happens to them. Bumrah inevitably decides.

Friday at the Eden Gardens was one such day as the maverick pacer blew South Africa away with a mesmerising performance (five for 27) on a lively pitch with not-so-consistent bounce.

The 31-year-old’s third five-wicket haul at home – out of 16 overall – helped dismiss the visitors for 159 paltry runs. And by stumps on day one, India had reached 37 for one, with opener K.L. Rahul (13 batting, 59b, 2×4) and one-drop Washington Sundar (six batting, 38b) — who replaced B. Sai Sudharsan in the slot, in what is becoming a musical chair of sorts — keeping vigil.

The hosts did have one less thing to worry about, for star pacer Kagiso Rabada missed out because of a rib injury.

The day’s proceedings seemed like a cruel joke on Temba Bavuma’s men. India lined up with a four-pronged spin attack — for the first time since 2012 — comprising Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington and Axar Patel, only for the punch in the gut to come from Bumrah’s incredible sleight of hand.

In fact, South Africa prospered for an hour in the morning. After winning the toss, Aiden Markram (31, 48b, 5×4, 1×6) and Ryan Rickelton (23, 22b, 4×4) put on 57 convincing runs, with the former’s astonishing six off Axar, after walking down two steps, the standout shot.

But it proved brief, illusory, and in hindsight, conditional to Bumrah’s brilliance. First to go was Rickelton, who played inside the line and lost his off stump. In Bumrah’s next over, the speedster surprised Markram with a delivery that rose awkwardly, and it flew off the bat straight into Rishabh Pant’s safe hands.

Kuldeep, who toiled hard on an unresponsive pitch last week in Bengaluru in the India-A versus South Africa-A ‘Test’, found the Kolkata strip more to his liking. There was turn, and not of the slow variety, and both these facets played a part in his dismissal of Bavuma, caught sharply by Dhruv Jurel at leg-slip.

Wiaan Mulder (24, 51b, 3×4) and Tony de Zorzi (24, 55b, 1×4, 1×6) attempted to nurse the wounds and were successful for nearly 14 overs. But a moment’s rush of blood from Mulder, as he attempted a reverse-sweep off Kuldeep, proved fatal as he was adjudged leg-before.

Bumrah, who had bowled a superb first spell (7-4-9-2), returned for a second burst which read 5-0-14-1. He alternated between being a fiery expressionist and a subtle purveyor of the art of fast bowling as he mixed up searing yorkers with clever changes of pace.

de Zorzi was pinned to the crease and trapped in front, and Kyle Verreynne was toyed with and never allowed to settle. Mohammed Siraj took advantage of the softening up and duly removed Verreynne and Marco Jansen in the span of four balls.

It was not long before Bumrah applied the finishing touches by getting rid of Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj with some furious wicket-to-wicket bowling, eliciting a thunderous applause from the 36,000-odd fans present.

Scoreboard

South Africa 1st Innings: Aiden Markram c Pant b Jasprit Bumrah 31 Ryan Rickelton b Jasprit Bumrah 23 Wiaan Mulder lbw b Kuldeep Yadav 24 Temba Bavuma c Dhruv Jurel b Kuldeep Yadav 3 Tony de Zorzi lbw b Jasprit Bumrah 24 Tristan Stubbs not out 15 Kyle Verreynne lbw b Mohammed Siraj 16 Marco Jansen b Mohammed Siraj 0 Corbin Bosch lbw b Axar Patel 3 Simon Harmer b Bumrah 5 Keshav Maharaj lbw Bumrah 0 Extras (b 8, lb 4, w 2, nb 1) 15

Total (In 55 Overs) 159

Fall of wickets: 1-57, 2-62, 3-71, 4-114, 5-120, 6-146, 7-147, 8-154, 9-159

Indian bowling: Bumrah 14-5-27-5, Siraj 12-0-47-2, Axar Patel 6-2-21-1, Kuldeep Yadav 14-1-36-2, Ravindra Jadeja 8-2-13-0, Washington Sundar 1-0-3-0.

India 1st Innings: Yashasvi Jaiswal b Marco Jansen 12 KL Rahul not out 13 Washington Sundar not out 6 Extras: (LB-2, NB-4) 6

Total: (For 1 wkt, 20 Overs) 37

Fall of Wickets: 1-18

South Africa bowling: Marco Jansen 6-2-11-1, Wiaan Mulder 5-1-15-0, Keshav Maharaj 5-1-8-0, Corbin Bosch 3-2-1-0, Simon Harmer 1-1-0-0.

Published – November 14, 2025 11:05 am IST

India’s Arshdeep Singh. File. Photo: Action Images via Reuters

READ MORE

Cricketer Arshdeep Singh. File photo
| Photo Credit: RAGU R

Harshit Rana has been the flavour of the season as far as India’s emerging crop of fast bowlers is concerned but one of head coach Gautam Gambhir’s finds is unlikely to start in India’s playing eleven in the Champions Trophy with Arshdeep Singh still considered way ahead in terms of talent and quality.

The Indian team management gave Harshit all three ODIs against England, and if one is absolutely fair to the burly 6-feet-2-inch tall Delhi speedster, he has not looked out of place.

While Arshdeep enjoys a better economy rate of 5.17 compared to Harshit’s 6.95 per over, it is the former’s ability to bring the ball back into the right-handers during the Powerplay overs that will tilt the scales in his favour in the tournament starting February 19.

Arshdeep, who also has only nine ODIs since he made his debut in a short ODI series in New Zealand in 2022, will be ahead on most counts when one looks at the parameters that would be taken into account based on the conditions available at the Dubai International Stadium.

“Harshit has improved by leaps and bounds in terms of reducing his weight and has become sharper in terms of speed. But if I had to choose one among the two as Mohammed Shami’s partner, it has to be Arshdeep as he can swing the ball both ways and is a left-armer.

“I would be a trifle surprised if Harshit starts ahead of Arshdeep,” former national selector Devang Gandhi, who has also seen Rana from close quarters as Delhi Ranji coach, told PTI.

India will start with a clash against Bangladesh on February 20 here.

It is understood that Harshit started in all three games against England because the team management, currently helmed by Gautam Gambhir, wanted to check out if his protege could be considered as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement, and also this was the only series where Shami’s fitness could also have been tested in real terms.

Hence, Arshdeep was rested in the first two games and only got a chance when the think-tank decided to rest Shami, who had played back to back ODIs.

Former India opener WV Raman, one of the most respected coaches in the country, feels experience will be a key factor which should go in favour of the Punjab pacer.

“Arshdeep, due to his relative experience and the left arm being a different dimension, has an advantage. The Dubai track will be decent for the pacers,” Raman observed.

He also raised a key point about playing multi-nation event compared to bilateral series.

“A bit more experience always helps in ICC events, which is a different ball game from bilaterals. In ICC event, you will play different opposition every day and accordingly an experienced bowler changes his plans,” said Raman, who has also been India U-19 batting coach and head coach of the national women’s team.

Gandhi, on his part, also pointed out the options Arshdeep brings to the table in various phases of the match.

“Harshit hits deck and gets it to move a bit both ways after pitching along with those effective occasional heavy balls in the range of mid 140s. But when you have Arshdeep, he can swing the new ball and also use angles of the crease effectively when he comes round the wicket during death overs,” he explained.

An NCA Level 2 coach, who had watched the India U-19 team play in Dubai during the Asia Cup, had observed that there is at least five to six inches more bounce on offer at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

“If you have that shade extra bounce for a swing bowler then playing Arshdeep is a no-brainer. Harshit is a good talent but if Shami is fit, then Arshdeep, for variation, experience and game awareness partners him,” the former NCA coach said.

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.”

Cracking the whip on the Indian cricket team’s “star culture”, the BCCI on Thursday (January 16, 2025) unveiled a 10-point policy to promote “discipline and unity”, making domestic cricket mandatory, imposing restriction on the presence of families and personal staff on tours and banning individual commercial endorsements during ongoing series.

It is learnt that the restrictions were sought by head coach Gautam Gambhir in a review meeting of the team’s recent poor run.

Also read | Has T20 cricket deskilled Indian batting? 

Non-compliance would invite sanctions, including cuts in the players’ retainer fee from central contracts and a bar on participating in the cash-rich Indian Premier League.

The measures have been announced in the wake of the team’s disastrous tour of Australia during which it surrendered the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade. The debacle was preceded by a series whitewash against a relatively under-strength New Zealand at home.

The 10 diktats make it mandatory for players to seek Gambhir and chairman of selectors’ Ajit Agarkar’s approval for any relaxation, including the duration of stay for their families on tour.

The Board has approved only a two-week window for families to stay with the players during overseas tours that exceed 45 days, besides imposing restrictions on personal staff, and commercial shoots.

By the look of things, the BCCI seems to have completely backed Gambhir’s stance during the review meeting that took place last weekend.

Terming the measures as a way of “ensuring professional standards and operational efficiency during tours and series”, the policy, which is in possession of PTI, could prove to be a landmark document.

“Any exceptions or deviations must be pre-approved by the Chairman of the Selection Committee and Head Coach. Non-compliance may lead to disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the BCCI,” the Board has warned.

“Additionally, the BCCI reserves the right to take disciplinary action against a player which may include sanction against the concerned player from participating in all BCCI conducted tournaments including the Indian Premier League deduction from retainer amount/match fees under BCCI Player contract,” it added.

Participation in Domestic Matches

The Board said it is mandatory for players to remain available for domestic matches.

“This policy ensures that players remain connected to the domestic cricket ecosystem, fostering talent development, maintaining match fitness, and strengthening the overall domestic structure,” the BCCI stated Any exceptions to this mandate will require formal notification and approval from Agarkar.

The reason behind this instruction is the absence of stars from the Ranji ciruit. Virat Kohli hasn’t played a Ranji Trophy match since 2012, that was one year before Sachin Tendulkar played his last Ranji match in 2013.

Embattled skipper Rohit Sharma last played Ranji in 2015.

Players Traveling Separately with Families

Players would be expected to travel with the team to and from matches and practice sessions.

The BCCI said that separate travel arrangements with families are being discouraged to maintain “discipline and team cohesion”.

Exceptions, if any, must be pre-approved by Gambhir and Agarkar.

This is after one superstar player travelled separately on tours, including last year during the South Africa assignment.

Two big stars, during the recent tour of Australia, refused to travel with teams and one of them hired a charter flight for travelling from one Australian city to another.

Excess Baggage Limit

Players would now be required to adhere to specified baggage limits shared with the team. Any excess baggage costs will need to be borne by the individual. The baggage weight limit for long tours has been placed at 150 kg.

This was necessitated after the players, who were travelling with their families, included their partners, children and personal staff’s bags to their account.

Restriction on Individual Staff on Tour/Series

Personal staff, including managers, chefs, assistants and security, are to be restricted on tours or series unless explicitly approved by the BCCI.

It started with Gautam Gambhir’s personal manager raising eyebrows with his presence in the team hotel.

While Gambhir has accepted to keep his secretary away, he has ensured that chefs of certain younger star players would also not be readily allowed into the set-up.

Sending Bags Separately to the Centre of Excellence

Players have been told to co-ordinate with the team management on the equipment and personal items sent to the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

“Any additional costs incurred due to separate arrangements will be the player’s responsibility.” Some senior players have been known to send their equipment or kits much before they arrive for rehab at the NCA and most of them have earned notoriety for not paying for the excess costs.

Leaving Practice Sessions Early

All players would be mandated to stay for the entire duration of scheduled practice sessions and travel together to and from the venue to promote “commitment” and “foster a strong work ethic within the team.” The move would ensure that star players, who have become used to a separate car to leave the nets as per their wishes, will have to stay for the full duration.

Besides, the Board has barred players from engaging in personal shoots or endorsements during an ongoing series or tour to avoid “distractions” and has allowed families to join them on overseas tours which are longer than 45 days.

The last two points of the document make it mandatory for players to be available for the Board’s official shoots and functions, besides staying put with the team even when the match or the series in question has ended early.

India’s coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma. File
| Photo Credit: AFP

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) met with key members of India’s men’s cricket team’s management to take a stock after a disastrous season of Test cricket and planning the way forward.

The meeting was attended by Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, joint secretary Devajit Saikia (who on Sunday will take over as the BCCI secretary) and former secretary Jay Shah.

Also Read | Shami returns to India squad for England T20Is; Axar appointed as Suryakumar’s deputy

All the personnel were huddled together at a south Mumbai hotel, before Shah’s felicitation by the BCCI for having been elected as the International Cricket Council (ICC) chair.

It is understood that the meeting discussed the role of coaching staff and contemplated on charting out the transition of the longer format squads. Neither Rohit nor Virat Kohli – both out of form – are in danger of their place being questioned for the Champions Trophy.

A lot of feedback was sought about Gambhir and his coaching staff, who had drawn flak from legends including Sunil Gavaskar, after India’s poor strategic planning in the last two Test series.

After beating Bangladesh at home, India suffered a humiliating whitewash in a three-Test series at home and then conceded five-Test series in Australia 3-1 and lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a decade.

The sorry losses meant India for the first time will not feature in the final of the ICC Test Championship in June.

With captain Rohit – who dropped himself for the final Test – and veteran batter Kohli suffering a woeful run with the willow, their future in Test cricket was not discussed in the meeting.

The BCCI hierarchy had met with the team hierarchy prior to the departure to Australia in November. It will be interesting to see if the selection committee is forced to pull the plug during the long break in international cricket between the Champions Trophy and the tour to England.

Rohit Sharma of India looks dejected after being dismissed by Pat Cummins of Australia on day five of the fourth Test in the series between Australia and India at Melbourne Cricket Ground on December 30, 2024
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

Rohit Sharma sat down and grimaced a little. Post-defeat inquisitions can be macabre even if the queries are couched in euphemisms, and the Indian captain answered all at the Melbourne Cricket Ground here on Monday (December 30, 2024) evening.

Reflecting on the fourth Test’s defeat against Australia, Rohit said: “Obviously, we had the opportunity to bring the game (fourth Test) to us or to draw it. We tried, but again, many boys who made runs could have played longer but the new guys will learn.”

The questions then centred around him: “Obviously, few results have not gone our way and as a captain, it is disappointing. As a batter, a lot of the things I am trying to do are not falling in place. Mentally, look, it is disturbing.”

Looking ahead, the batter said: “There is still a game (Sydney) to go. If we can play that well, a (series) draw will be really nice. [We will] make sure that when we turn up at Sydney we try and move that momentum towards us.”

Asked about Rishabh Pant’s manner of dismissals, Rohit explained: “Pant has had a lot of success doing what he does. As a captain, you want to back that thought of him playing the way he plays. Sometimes when things don’t look good, it frustrates everyone.”

Queried about managing Jasprit Bumrah’s spells, the skipper admitted: “To be honest, he has bowled a lot of overs. But again, every Test we play, we keep that in mind, the workloads of all the bowlers. If somebody is in such great form, you want to try and maximize. But there comes a time when you need to give him that extra breather as well.”

Rohit also lauded Nitish Kumar: “We saw there is a lot of potential which is why he is here. With the bat he was brilliant, read the situation pretty well and has a solid technique and super mind.”

The captain also appreciated the efforts put in by Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep. “It’s just that they have been unfortunate not to be seen (often) in the wicket’s column.”