Lucknow Super Giants’ captain Rishabh Pant and Mumbai Indians’ Rohit Sharma during a the practice session ahead of their IPL 2026 match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
| Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI

England players are seen during a practice session ahead of the first Twenty20 international match in Kolkata on January 21, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI

With the change in colours of the ball and clothing, India, mostly with a different set of personnel, will be keen to live up to its World champion’s tag in the five-match T20I series against England, dubbed as ‘SKYball’ vs ‘Bazball,’ and redeem some pride following its Test series debacle in home and away against New Zealand and Australia respectively.

As the two sides need to switch fast from T20 to ODI cricket through eight matches over 22 days before taking a plunge in the prestigious Champions Trophy, a 50-over competition, in less than a month’s time, the Suryakumar Yadav-led home side will have a few challenges in hand when the series begins at the Eden Gardens here on Wednesday (January 22, 2025).

Pace ace Mohammed Shami’s return to international cricket after 14 months’ lay-off due to injury is much-awaited. As Jasprit Bumrah is doubtful for the Champions Trophy, Shami’s fitness will be closely watched.

T20 heroes Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill have been rested, whereas Nitish Reddy, the find of the tour Down Under, seamer Harshit Rana and wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel have a chance to shine.

Proven hands Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh in batting and Shami, Arshdeep Singh and first-time vice-captain Axar Patel in bowling may play key roles.

The focus will also be on coach Gautam Gambhir, who has faced some criticism after the two Test series defeats. The doughty Delhiite, who coached India to T20 series wins over Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, has captained and mentored Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to title wins in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and will look forward to his familiar turf and format to guide India to some positive results and revive his credibility.

England coach Brendon McCullum, a former KKR player and coach and the England Test team’s coach for more than two years, has taken over as the white ball coach of an international side for the first time and will be up for a new test.

McCullum’s entry has triggered the expectation of ‘Bazball’ cricket spicing up England’s limited overs game and reviving its fortune in limited-over World Cups.

While Phil Salt, Ben Duckett, skipper Jos Buttler and Harry Brook will be the leading batters for the visiting side, the bowling department will have the likes of Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson and Adil Rashid. Promising all-rounder Jacob Bethell with the experienced Liam Livingstone will provide balance.

Several English players’ IPL exposure should help the side.

While Eden has a reputation of staging exciting high-scoring duels, evening dew may impact decision-making and the course of the play.

Teams (from)

India (from): Suryakumar Yadav (capt.), Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel (v-capt.), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammad Shami, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel (wk).

England: Jos Buttler (capt.), Ben Duckett, Phil Salt (wk), Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

Match starts: 7pm.

File photo of Axar Patel.
| Photo Credit: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

Openers are the only ones with a fixed slot in the Indian T20 line-up and the batting order that follows will be made up of “multiple floaters”, new vice-captain Axar Patel said on Monday (January 20, 2025) while spelling out the team’s strategy ahead the five-match series against England.

India will start their campaign against England in a five-match T20I series at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday (January 22, 2025).

Asked about being a floater in batting order, the all-rounder replied: “…it’s not just about me; it applies to everyone in the team.

“Right from the start of 2024, we had decided to have a fixed opening slot, and from No. 3 to No. 7, everyone has been told to be flexible based on the situation, combinations, and match-ups.” Axar, who is now a part of the team management for the series, spoke in a manner that reminded one of Rohit Sharma’s interaction before the 2023 ODI World Cup where he called for flexibility in the middle-order.

“There is no fixed position where a particular batter will always play…it’s the same for everyone in that range (between Nos 3 to 7), depending on who is having a great day, which we assess during practice sessions.

“In T20 cricket, it’s all about utilising the right batter in the right situation.” There is not much that changes for Axar as Suryakumar Yadav’s deputy except for the fact that he will now also be a part of certain hard calls that are taken by the team management.

“It’s been only one day. Yes, we (skipper Surya, head coach Gautam Gambhir and myself) have had a discussion. There is an extra responsibility on the leadership group. There is not much of a change. Obviously, we have a settled T20 side, there is not much pressure.”

“When you come into the leadership group, obviously you have to take some harsh decisions. Those also we have spoken about. It is about having a genuine opinion and keeping trust on each other.” This is the national team’s first game after the Test debacle in Australia and the all-rounder doesn’t want to fret on the bygones.

“Hum yeh bhi baat karte hain ki, jo ho gaya woh ho gaya, woh wapas nahin aanewala (Let bygones be bygones). It is about taking the positives into our next series,” he said.

Axar also welcomed veteran pacer Mohammed Shami’s return to the national set-up for the first time since ODI World Cup final on November 19, 2023. Shami had been struggling with a knee niggle after recuperating from an ankle surgery.

“It’s a very positive thing for the team. The last time he (Shami) played was in the ODI World Cup final, and since his recovery, he has performed well in both the Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare tournaments,” he said, referring to Shami’s recent comeback in the domestic circuit.

“Whenever a senior player makes a comeback, it gives a big boost to the team. We all know what Shami bhai brings to the table, whether it’s with the new ball or in the death overs.

“His presence, especially with the new ball, is a huge advantage for the team. Hopefully, he continues the same form he showcased in the World Cup.”

File photo of Mohammed Shami.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Questioning Mohammed Shami’s injury management, former greats Ravi Shastri and Ricky Ponting feel the veteran pacer could have tilted the series in India’s favour had he been added to the squad in the second half of the five-match Border-Gavaskar series.

India’s decade-long stranglehold on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ended after they went down by six wickets in Sydney to lose the series 1-3.

The pacer, after recovering from an ankle injury, returned to action for his home state Bengal and impressed in all the three formats — Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 and Vijay Hazare one-dayers –, raising hopes of a late inclusion.

But he was officially ruled out before the fourth Test in Melbourne with the BCCI medical team citing a knee swelling, though both Ponting and Shastri believe a trip to Australia and a return late in the series could have been pushed.

“To be honest, I was very surprised with the communication going on in the media as to what exactly happened to Mohammed Shami,” the former Indian head coach stated in The ICC Review.

“Where is he when it comes to recovery? He’s been sitting in the NCA for I don’t know how long. Why can’t proper communication come out on where he stands? A player of his ability, I would have brought him to Australia.

“Absolutely, there’s no question about that (Shami could have tilted the series in Melbourne or Sydney),” Shastri added.

The 62-year-old further said it would have been beneficial if Shami had, at least, travelled with the group in Australia.

“I would have kept him part of the team and made sure that his rehabilitation was done with the team,” said Shastri.

“And then if we thought by the third Test match that no, this guy can’t play the rest of the series, I would let him go. But I would have brought him with the team, kept him, monitored him with the best of the physios and best of the advice even from international physios who are in Australia and seeing how he went. But I would have kept him in the mix.” Shastri believes the fast bowler could have provided adequate help to Jasprit Bumrah, who too struggled with fitness at the end of the series and could not bowl in the second innings of the Sydney Test.

“It got so tight at 1-1 going into Melbourne,” he said.

“You just needed that experience and support. For all you know, he might have raised the bar as well. And it would have been the two guys there (Bumrah and Shami).

“Pat Cummins couldn’t have done it on his own, Scotty Boland had to step in. So you needed a bowler of his experience. You know, as hard as Mohammed Siraj tried, you needed Shami’s experience there.” Echoing Shastri’s views, Australian World Cup-winning captain Ponting said: “I was really surprised when he wasn’t flown out even halfway through the series, two Test matches in.” “India’s make-up obviously had Nitish Reddy there. So you had another seam bowling all-rounder anyway.

“So, if Shami, even if he wasn’t fully fit, if he had to bowl fewer overs in a day, you had a backup seam bowling option to help him out and I think he could have been the difference.

“When you asked me (in an earlier The ICC Review) at the start about what I thought the result would be, I said 3-1 Australia because Shami wasn’t there. That was the first thing I said. That’s how important I felt he was to India.

“If Shami, Bumrah and Siraj were in their starting team, I think things could have been completely different here in Australia.” Shami is currently playing in the domestic one-dayers for the Vijay Hazare Trophy and it remains to be seen if he’s included for the England home series ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy in February.

File photo of Mohammed Shami
| Photo Credit: PTI

India pacer Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the last two Tests against Australia as he is yet to regain full fitness, the BCCI said on Monday (December 23, 2024).

Shami, who last played for India in the ODI World Cup final in November, 2023, made a comeback from his right heel surgery during Bengal’s Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh last month.

With calls for his selection growing, Shami played all nine games for Bengal in the subsequent Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. He is also part of Bengal’s squad for the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy but did not play the opening game on Saturday against Delhi.

His fitness has been a subject of intense debate and speculation, so much so that India skipper Rohit Sharma had asked the physios at the National Cricket Academy to provide clarity on the matter following the Brisbane Test.

Shami had developed swelling in his knees while playing the SMAT, and the clarification in that regard finally came on Monday.

“Based on the current medical assessment, the BCCI Medical Team has determined that his knee requires more time for controlled exposure to bowling loads. Consequently, he has not been deemed fit for consideration for the remaining two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy,” said the BCCI in a release.

“Shami will continue to undergo targeted strength and conditioning work under the guidance of the medical staff at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence and build his bowling loads needed to meet the demands of the longest format of the game. His participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy will depend on the progress of his knee.” The medical team said the veteran fast bowler has fully recovered from the heel injury that kept him out of action after the ODI World Cup.

“The BCCI Medical Team at the Centre of Excellence has been working closely with Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami on his recovery and rehabilitation after his right heel surgery. Shami has completely recovered from this heel problem.

“However, his left knee has exhibited minor swelling due to increased joint loading from his bowling workload. The swelling is on the expected lines, owing to the increased bowling after a prolonged period,” the BCCI said.

Shami bowled 43 overs in his comeback game in the Ranji Trophy.

Following that, he played in all nine games of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), where he also “engaged in additional bowling sessions on the sidelines to build his bowling volume in order to get ready for the Test matches.” The 34-year-old has taken 229 wickets in 64 Tests, 195 scalps in 101 ODIs and 24 wickets in 23 T20 Internationals.

With India relying heavily on Jasprit Bumrah in Australia, Shami’s presence in the bowling attack would have provided a much needed boost.

Madhya Pradesh Captain Rajat Patidar in action during Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match between Madhya Pradesh and Bengal at Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot
| Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI

Madhya Pradesh continued its unbeaten run and put one step into the knockout stage after a thrilling win over Bengal in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Group ‘A’ fixture at the Niranjan Shah Stadium Ground C on Friday, November 29, 2024.

Venkatesh Iyer and Harpreet Singh Bhatia hit 13 runs in the final over to complete the 190-run chase with two balls and six wickets remaining.

Rajat Patidar (68 off 40) and Subhransu Senapati (50 off 33) set up the game for Madhya Pradesh with their 114-run stand for the third wicket. Patidar was given a reprieve early in the innings when he was dropped at deep square leg and took the game away from Bengal.

His effortless stroke-making was the highlight of the innings where he hit six fours and four sixes while Senapati played second fiddle.

Sayan Ghosh brought Bengal back into the game in the 17th over when he cleaned up Senapati and had Patidar caught at long-on three balls later. But Venkatesh and Bhatia held their nerve to take MP home.

Earlier, Bengal batters began aggressively after opting to bat. Openers Abishek Porel and Karan Lal hit 46 runs in four overs before the former was caught trying to play a slog sweep off Kumar Kartikeya. Lal hit six fours and a maximum during his 30-ball 44 before Shivam Shukla trapped him in front.

Shukla later broke a 42-run stand between Shakir Gandhi and Sudip Gharami, removing both batters in the same over.

Shahbaz Ahmed’s quickfire 37 gave the final boost but his dismissal in the 19th over restricted Bengal’s total to 189/9.

Earlier in the day, Hyderabad defeated Bihar by nine wickets to get back to winning ways.

Both Tilak Varma and Rohit Rayudu hit fifties and completed the 119-run chase in the 13th over. Hyderabad didn’t break a sweat despite Tanmay Agarwal’s dismissal in the fourth over.

Hyderabad got the priced wicket of opener Sakibul Hussain inside the PowerPlay and the bowlers controlled the rest of the innings. Ravi Teja got Ayush Loharuka and Sraman Nigrodh before wrapping the lower order to finish with four for 26. Kumar Rajnish top-scored with 22, taking Bihar to a modest total of 118/9.

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami will be returning to competitive cricket in the Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh after a hiatus of nearly a year.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Premier India pacer Mohammed Shami will make his much-anticipated return to competitive cricket after a hiatus of nearly a year through Bengal’s Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh in Indore from Wednesday, announced Cricket Association of Bengal.

Shami, who has been out of action since the 2023 World Cup final on November 19 due to an ankle injury and the subsequent surgery, will aim to prove his fitness in a real match situation after undergoing intense rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

“In a major boost to Indian cricket and the Bengal Ranji Trophy team, star pacer Mohammad Shami will make a comeback into competitive cricket for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match in Indore starting on Wednesday,” CAB secretary Naresh Ojha said in a statement.

Ojha said Shami will spearhead the Bengal pace bowling unit and the Indian thinktank in Australia too will closely follow Shami’s outing.

India have opted for a largely untested pace attack for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with rookies such as Akash Deep, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Prasidh Krishna backing senior pros Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

Mukesh Kumar, Navdeep Saini, and Khaleel Ahmed are in the reserves, but all of them come with minimal exposure to Test cricket.

There was intense speculation surrounding Shami’s inclusion in the Indian squad to tour Australia but skipper Rohit Sharma struck down such thoughts saying he did not prefer taking an “undercooked” senior pacer Down Under.

Shami had played a big role in India’s historic 2-1 Test series victory in 2018-19 against Australia, claiming 16 wickets at an average of 26.18.

Instead, Shami focused on regaining optimum fitness at the NCA and he also bowled at full tilt at nets while India bowling coach Morne Morkel kept a close watch.

The nearly one-hour session took place at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru after India’s first Test against New Zealand last month. Later Shami also said during a promotional event that he was feeling “100 per cent” about his fitness and bowling levels.

Shami was also impressive during his outing for India in the ODI World Cup last year. The 34-year-old was the top wicket-taker in the ICC showpiece with 24 wickets in seven matches at an average of 10.70.

Since then, he was out of action with an Achilles tendon injury on his right leg, for which the pacer underwent surgery in March.

Pranab Roy receiving Kartik Bose lifetime achievement award at CAB annual awards function in Kolkata.
| Photo Credit: CAB Media

International cricketers Pranab Roy and Runa Basu were awarded the Kartik Bose Lifetime Achievement Award at the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) annual awards function in Kolkata.

Roy, a right-handed batsman, played 72 first-class matches, including two Tests, and gathered 4056 runs. He also captained Bengal in domestic cricket.

“This is a special moment to get an award in the name of my coach,” said Roy.

Runa, who played five Tests and six ODIs, thanked the CAB for promoting the game. “We took guidance from Kartik (Bose) da. We played when women’s cricket was not recognised well. I am happy that CAB is doing so much for Bengal cricket,” said Runa.

Apart from Roy and Runa, India pacer Mohammed Shami was given a special award for his excellent performance in the ODI World Cup 2023.

The CAB also felicitated former India all-rounder Ajay Jadeja for his illustrious contribution to the game.

Other award winners

Cricketer of the year: Anustub Majumdar

Gentleman cricketer of the year: Abhishek Porel

Best fast bowler: Suraj Singh Jaiswal

Best under-19 cricketer of the year: Chandrahas Dash

Best under-19 bowlers: Yudhajit Guha and Priyanshu Patel

Highest run-getter for Bengal in senior women’s T20 meet: Deepti Sharma

Highest wicket-taker for Bengal in senior women’s one-day tournament: Mita Paul

Highest wicket-taker for Bengal in senior women’s T20 meet: Saika Ishaque

Lucknow Super Giants captain K.L. Rahul
| Photo Credit: AP

Star pacer Mohammed Shami has termed Sanjiv Goenka’s “public reprimand” of his India teammate KL Rahul as “shameful” and said the Lucknow Super Giants team owner’s reaction to a loss in front of TV cameras “does not have any place in sports”.

Goenka’s animated chat purportedly reprimanding Rahul after Lucknow Super Giants’ record demolition at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad has gone viral on social media and Shami was the first Indian cricketer to criticise the act.

“Crores of people are watching you and learning from you. If these things happen in front of cameras, and you see such reactions on screen, it’s shameful,” a blunt Shami said on ‘Cricbuzz Live’.

“Aapka ek dayra hona chahiye baat karne ka, yeh message bahut galat jaata hai. (You should have boundaries, there’s a way to talk. This sends a very wrong message).” SRH openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma smashed fiery fifties as the home side chased down the target of 166 in just 9.4 overs, which also became the record 10-over score in any T20 match.

But what followed after the result has become a big talking point.

The video of a furious RPSG Group chairman and Kolkata-based billionaire, Goenka apparently losing his cool on Rahul, has gone viral on social media .

TV commentators Graeme Smith and Scott Styris remarked that such discussions should occur privately, not in front of cameras.

“It’s very important to note that players have respect, and you are a respectful person too, as an owner. It’s not that you’re talking suddenly,” Shami said.

“If you have to do that, there are many different ways. You could’ve done the same thing in the dressing room or the hotel. It wasn’t necessary to do it on the field. Aise reaction de ke koi lal quile pe jhanda toh gaad nahi diya aapne (you didn’t hoist a flag on Red Fort by doing what you did),” Shami said.

Shami, who is currently recovering from an injury and is not taking part in the IPL, said such actions send a wrong message to the public.

“He’s the captain, not a normal player. It’s a team game; it isn’t a big thing if the plan isn’t successful. Anything is possible in the game. I understand there can be good or bad days, but every player has respect, and there’s a way to talk,” he said.

“There are a lot of moments in the game when tempers flare up, and players quarrel with each other. It should not happen in cricket or any sport, but it does happen.

“A player talking to another player is different, but someone from the outside discussing something with the player is different. We are only speculating from what we are seeing, and only KL Rahul can tell what the conversation was about, but these kinds of reactions do not have any place in sports.”

Amroha, UP:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday praised Team India pacer Mohammed Shami during an election rally here. Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said, “The whole world has seen the amazing feat that bhai Mohammed Shami did in the Cricket World Cup. The central government has given Arjuna Award to bhai Mohammed Shami for his excellent performance in sports.” “Yogi ji’s government has moved two steps forward. Yogi ji is also building a stadium for the youth here. I congratulate the people of Amroha very much for this,” PM Modi said.

Shami had grabbed seven wickets in the World Cup semifinal against New Zealand in Mumbai. He is currently ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) owing to a left ankle injury.

The prime minister also praised the ‘dholak’ (a musical instrument) of Amroha.

Situated on the banks of Mother Ganga, this land has witnessed the footprints of Lord Shri Krishna, PM Modi said.

“This is the land of brave people like Raja Gaj Singh and Thakur Jairam Singh. I have been given dholak, another identity of Amroha and the beat of the dholak here resonates far and wide. Due to the efforts of our Yogi ji, the BJP government has given the GI tag to Amroha’s dholak and given it an identity in the entire world,” PM Modi said.

Voting in the second phase will take place on April 26 and it will cover eight parliamentary constituencies of Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautambuddh Nagar, Bulandshahr (SC), Aligarh and Mathura.

In Amroha, the main electoral contest is between Kanwar Singh Tanwar of the BJP and Kunwar Danish Ali of the Congress. BSP’s Mujahid Husain is also in the poll fray. There are a total of 12 candidates contesting from Amroha. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)