June 26, 2025
Headlines

Rohit Sharma

Not Virat Kohli! Rohit Sharma credits this player for T20 World Cup title win: 'That knock was a game changer' | Cricket News

Not Virat Kohli! Rohit Sharma credits this player for T20 World Cup title win: ‘That knock was a game changer’ | Cricket News

Danijones04 mins

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma celebrating the victory in the T20 World Cup final over South Africa (Image by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) Rohit Sharma, who bid farewell to T20Is following India’s historic ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 title win, has opened up about the key player that paved the way for India’s triumph over South Africa in the final. In a heartfelt interaction with Star Sports, the Indian skipper lauded his team’s grit and composure under pressure, singling out one particular player for his defining role. While the skipper handed Virat Kohli praise, it was Axar Patel that was deemed the ‘game changer’ in the tense final. India ended an 11-year wait for an ICC title by defeating South Africa in a tense final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, on June 29, 2024. The Men in Blue were crowned T20 world champions for the first time since the inaugural edition in 2007, and it marked their first ICC trophy overall since the 2013 Champions Trophy. Batting first in a high-stakes contest, India posted 176/7, thanks to a composed knock from Kohli and a crucial counterattack by Axar Patel in the middle overs. South Africa, despite a strong start and being favourites heading into the death overs, fell just short in a nerve-wracking chase, finishing on 169/8. Reflecting on the final, Rohit said, “Not many people are talking about his (Axar’s) knock. But, that knock was a game changer. To get 47 off 31 in that time was very very crucial.” India Outplayed at Headingley | England Go 1-0 Up in the Series | IND vs ENG 1st Test Axar’s 47 off 31 balls, including timely boundaries when India were wobbling, shifted the momentum in India’s favour. His partnership with Kohli stabilised the innings before Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube added finishing touches. Sharma also hailed Kohli for anchoring the innings, saying, “And then obviously we needed one guy to stick around. Virat did that job perfectly. Batted the entire innings throughout, which was really good, because Shivam, Axar, Hardik, they can come and play their role.” Poll Do you believe that Axar Patel’s innings was the turning point in the final? Kohli’s 76 from 59 balls, a crucial display in the most important game earned him the Player of the Match. The bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, then held their nerve in the death overs to seal a long-awaited ICC title and end India’s trophy drought in global tournaments.

Read More
Axios

How Ravi Shastri’s booming voice made Rohit Sharma forget toss coin, batter reveals

Danijones03 mins

India’s ODI captain Rohit Sharma recently revealed how Ravi Shastri made him forget the toss coin during the high-voltage clash against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2024. The highly-anticipated clash was played at Nassau County Stadium in New York where the two teams produced an edge of the seat thriller as India emerged victorious by six runs. Ahead of the match, Rohit hilariously forgot that he has the toss coin and was reminded by Pakistan captain Babar Azam. Recently, Rohit revealed that he was so lost in watching Ravi Shastri turning the toss into a spectacle that he forgot everything else. “Look at Ravi Shastri, I’m enjoying that. In the middle of everything, Ravi Shastri’s energy, I forgot that the coin was with me. Even Babar Azam was laughing. In the blue, it’s Rohit Sharma, who’s ready to punch. In the green Babar’s ready to counter punch, it was all fun,” said Rohit in an interview with JioStar. Coming back to the match, India registered a thrilling win after Jasprit Bumrah delivered one of the performances of his career. After being put in to bat first, India were bundled out for 119 in 19 overs with Rishabh Pant top scoring with his knock of 42 (31). In reply, Pakistan got off to a measured start as openers Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan started cautiously against the new ball. However, Indian bowlers continued to mount on the pressure, with everyone bowling tight lines and not allowing Pakistan batters to get away. Jasprit Bumrah turned the game on its head by dismissing a well-set Mohammad Rizwan. He further got rid of Iftikhar Ahmed in the penultimate over and registered figures of 3/14 in four overs. Pakistan were eventually restricted to 113/7 in their allotted 20 overs, handing India a victory by six runs. Bumrah was adjudged Player of the Match for his game-changing spell. – Ends Published By: Rishabh Beniwal Published On: Jun 25, 2025 Tune In

Read More
KL Rahul's 'hurtful' admission after going past Rahul Dravid with Leeds knock: 'When I look at my average...'

KL Rahul’s ‘hurtful’ admission after going past Rahul Dravid with Leeds knock: ‘When I look at my average…’

Danijones05 mins

KL Rahul has suddenly found himself bearing far more responsibility in the Indian Test team, as he graduated into being a senior player with a lot more on his table than even just 6 months prior. The retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have converted him into the veteran leader of the batting unit, and that is certainly a tag he lived up to at Headingley, as he scored a graceful, in-complete-control 137 in the third innings. KL Rahul rests his head against his bat as he walks off after having scored a memorable 137 in the third innings at Leeds.(Action Images via Reuters) While Rahul’s talent and top-end quality is beyond reproach, he has often struggled with consistency and reliability through his career. Rahul is attempting to solve that issue in his game, and after a 2025 that has seen him find his groove in ODI cricket and now possibly Tests, he seems to have found the mental key for that edge. “I am just getting runs now. There was a time when I would get starts but not convert them into big scores, especially in Tests,” said KL Rahul straightforwardly to Sky Cricket after the fourth day’s play in Leeds. “I am much calmer in my head and not chasing numbers anymore. I just want to enjoy my cricket as much as I can.” KL Rahul prioritises creating an impact for India over personal accolades While Rahul’s mind may no longer be on numbers, they do now say that eight of his nine Test centuries have been scored overseas. Rahul’s opening role wasn’t nailed down, with criticism over his poor average despite repeated in the Test team often lobbed at him. However, he will have hoped to have turned a page, given the showcase he put on at Headingley. While the numbers might not be make-or-break for Rahul, he does have the distinction of being the player with the most centuries as an opener in England, this being his third of his career. He outdoes Rahul Dravid, who previously had two, as well as Sunul Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri. Rahul isn’t happy with where his average is, but he has also realised that if he plays well and finds a zone for himself, the runs and that average will follow.  “Of course, it hurts when I look at my average. But at this stage, I don’t want to think about numbers. I want to make an impact whenever I get a chance and enjoy playing Test cricket for India and it’s what I grew up loving,” explained Rahul. With all the talent to be a gamechanger of a player in this Test series, it goes over to the Indian bowling unit to try and produce a result in the first Test match, with England needing a further 350 runs and India needing all 10 wickets in an incredibly balanced contest heading into day 5.

Read More
IND vs ENG: Rishabh Pant equals Sachin Tendulkar's record, now only behind Rahul Dravid | Cricket News

IND vs ENG: Rishabh Pant equals Sachin Tendulkar’s record, now only behind Rahul Dravid | Cricket News

Danijones04 mins

Rishabh Pant (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) Rishabh Pant continued to cement his reputation as India’s most fearless wicketkeeper-batter, notching up twin centuries in the Headingley Test and matching multiple records along the way. After scoring a fluent 134 in the first innings, Pant added another 118 in the second, becoming the first Indian to score centuries in both innings of a Test in England. He now joins India’s twin centuries club which includes Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar (three times), Rahul Dravid (twice), Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma. Pant’s consistency in England is fast earning him a special place among India’s batting greats. His four Test hundreds in England put him alongside Sachin Tendulkar and Dilip Vengsarkar, both of whom have four Test centuries in the country. Only Rahul Dravid has more for India, with six Test tons in England. Pant’s twin hundreds also made him only the second designated wicketkeeper to achieve this feat in Test history after Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower. His match aggregate of 252 runs is the highest by an Indian wicketkeeper in a Test, breaking Budhi Kunderan’s record of 230 against England in Chennai in 1964. It is also the fourth-highest match aggregate by any wicketkeeper in Test cricket, with only Flower ahead of him. KL Rahul press conference: On his role, being elder brother in team, role clarity and match Pant’s power-hitting was on full display at Headingley as he struck nine sixes in the second innings, equalling the record for the most sixes in a Test in England alongside Andrew Flintoff and Ben Stokes.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player? Pant has also joined an elite list of visiting batters with five consecutive fifty-plus scores in England, putting him in the same bracket as Don Bradman, Hansie Cronje, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kumar Sangakkara and Daryl Mitchell. Only Steven Smith has more, with seven. The Headingley Test was historic for India too, as the team produced five centuries in the same match for the first time. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and Pant scored centuries in the first innings while KL Rahul and Pant added two more in the second. After bringing up his second century, Pant brushed off Sunil Gavaskar’s playful suggestion to celebrate with a somersault, saving it for another day and instead launching a quick counterattack on Joe Root before falling for 118. Pant’s record-breaking spree in England underlines his growing stature as one of India’s most impactful batters in overseas Tests.

Read More
‘Drank, ate and left!’ Harbhajan Singh shares Shikhar Dhawan anecdote from his wedding, leaves Rohit Sharma in splits | Cricket News

‘Drank, ate and left!’ Harbhajan Singh shares Shikhar Dhawan anecdote from his wedding, leaves Rohit Sharma in splits | Cricket News

Danijones03 mins

Rohit Sharma and Ritika Sajdeh speaking on Harbhajan Singh’s podcast Who’s The Boss? (Image via YouTube/@WhosTheBossShow) Shikhar Dhawan’s fun-loving side came under the spotlight when Harbhajan Singh and Rohit Sharma recounted a hilarious episode involving the southpaw at Harbhajan’s wedding. Appearing on Harbhajan’s YouTube talk show ‘Who’s The Boss?’, co-hosted by wife Geeta Basra, the couple shared how Dhawan had gatecrashed their wedding festivities in Jalandhar back in October 2015, and left a cheeky surprise behind. “Shikhar came to our wedding. He danced, ate, drank, had a blast. While leaving, he slyly put an envelope in my pocket. When I opened it later — forget 101 rupees, it didn’t have even one rupee! It was empty!” Harbhajan laughed, sending co-guests Rohit Sharma and Ritika Sajdeh into a burst of laughter. Rohit Sharma also shared a hilarious incident regarding Dhawan. Asked if Dhawan had gifted him anything at his wedding, the Mumbai Indians stalwart, joined by wife Ritika Sajdeh said, “Nothing! He danced, ate, drank — and left!” Jasprit Bumrah press conference: Lashes out at critics, dropped catches and no balls Amid the laughter, Rohit praised Dhawan’s heart and the deep bond they share since their junior cricket days. From India A tours to forming one of India’s most prolific opening pairs in white-ball cricket, the Rohit-Dhawan relationship remains legendary. Dhawan retired from all forms of competitive cricket in August 2024, while Rohit, now focused solely on ODIs, has pledged to stay fit for the 2027 World Cup. The laughter, though, proves some partnerships never retire. Poll What aspect of Shikhar Dhawan’s personality do you find most entertaining? He announced his retirement from red-ball cricket on May 7, 2025, after which another stalwart from India’s Test squad – Virat Kohli – also called time on his Test career a few days later, on May 12.

Read More
IND vs ENG: Sanjay Manjrekar forgets Virat Kohli as Shubman Gill’s celebration sparks déjà vu!- Watch | Cricket News

IND vs ENG: Sanjay Manjrekar forgets Virat Kohli as Shubman Gill’s celebration sparks déjà vu!- Watch | Cricket News

Danijones05 mins

Sanjay Manjrekar, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli Shubman Gill, India’s new Test captain, displayed intense emotions reminiscent of Virat Kohli’s leadership style during Day 2 of the first Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy match against England at Headingley on June 22, 2025. The 24-year-old captain celebrated animatedly when Mohammed Siraj appeared to dismiss Joe Root, though the decision was later overturned on DRS review. Gill also marked his captaincy debut with a century, becoming the fifth Indian captain to achieve this feat. The celebration moment caught the attention of the commentary box, particularly former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar, who drew parallels between Gill’s passionate display and previous Indian captains. “Who is this—Shubman Gill or someone else? When he bats, he seems so calm, composed—a completely different personality. Captain Gill, we are seeing this version for the first time. His celebration… it reminded me of someone, but I’m struggling to place it. MS Dhoni never celebrated like that from mid-on, and it’s definitely not Rohit Sharma’s style. Could be a No. 4 batter… My third guess would be Ajit Wadekar,” Manjrekar said during commentary.The incident occurred when Siraj bowled to Root, and the umpire raised his finger. Gill charged toward Siraj in celebration, pointing with purpose. However, the celebration proved premature as Root’s review showed the ball had missed the edge, leading to the decision being overturned. Gill’s century in his first Test as captain placed him in an elite group of Indian cricketers. He joined the ranks of Sunil Gavaskar, Virat Kohli, Vijay Hazare, and Dilip Vengsarkar, who all scored centuries in their debut matches as Test captain. The young captain also reached the milestone of 2,000 Test runs in his 60th innings, matching Virat Kohli’s achievement during his captaincy debut. Gill’s century made him the 23rd player in Test cricket history to score a hundred in their first match as captain. He also became the fourth-youngest player to achieve this feat, following Herbie Taylor, Alastair Cook, and Steve Smith. Quiz: Who’s that IPL player? The transformation in Gill’s on-field demeanor, from his typically calm batting style to an energetic captain, sparked discussions in the commentary box, with experts like Navjot Singh Sidhu and Varun Aaron joining the conversation. The celebration, though ultimately unfulfilled due to the DRS reversal, showcased a new dimension to Gill’s leadership style at Headingley, marking a significant moment in his early captaincy career. The incident highlighted the growing comparisons between Gill’s captaincy style and that of his predecessor Virat Kohli, known for his passionate on-field celebrations and aggressive leadership approach. The Day 2 proceedings at Headingley demonstrated Gill’s evolution as a leader, combining his batting prowess with a more expressive leadership style as he guides the Indian Test team in this series against England.

Read More
Virat who? Ex-cricketer forgets Virat Kohli's name after Shubman Gill's animated celebration - WATCH | Cricket News

Virat who? Ex-cricketer forgets Virat Kohli’s name after Shubman Gill’s animated celebration – WATCH | Cricket News

Danijones05 mins

NEW DELHI: Shubman Gill burst into an animated celebration after Mohammed Siraj dismissed Joe Root during a crucial phase of the match. The Indian Test captain charged toward Siraj, pointing at him in a way that clearly signaled their well-executed plan had worked perfectly. But the joy was short-lived. Root immediately reviewed the decision, and the DRS showed a faint edge was missing — the on-field call was overturned, and the former England skipper survived.Watching Gill’s exuberance, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar couldn’t help but draw comparisons. He said Gill’s reaction reminded him of someone familiar — someone who used to bat at No. 4. Without naming him, the hint was obvious: Virat Kohli.“Who is this — Shubman Gill or someone else?” Manjrekar said on air. Yashasvi Jaiswal credits Shubman Gill after maiden Test ton in England: ‘I love it’ “When he bats, he seems so calm, composed — a completely different personality. Captain Gill, we are seeing this version for the first time. His celebration… it reminded me of someone, but I’m struggling to place it. MS Dhoni never celebrated like that from mid-on, and it’s definitely not Rohit Sharma’s style. Could be a No. 4 batter… My third guess would be Ajit Wadekar,” he added, sparking laughter in the commentary box, with Varun Aaron and Navjot Singh Sidhu joining in.Gill’s day wasn’t just about fiery reactions. It was also a record-setting one.The 24-year-old became only the fifth Indian to score a century on Test captaincy debut, joining the elite company of Sunil Gavaskar, Virat Kohli, Vijay Hazare, and Dilip Vengsarkar. His composed 100 came off 140 balls, laced with 14 boundaries, anchoring India to a strong position.This match also marked the start of the 2025–27 World Test Championship cycle for both teams, and Gill made the occasion count. He also crossed the 2,000-run milestone in Test cricket, achieving the landmark in his 60th innings — the same match in which Virat Kohli also reached 2,000 runs during his captaincy debut.Gill now becomes the 23rd player to score a hundred in his first Test as captain, and the fourth youngest to do so, behind Herbie Taylor, Alastair Cook, and Steve Smith.His act in the commentary box led to big laughter among other commentators, including Varun Aaron and Navjot Singh Sidhu. Gill joins the elite list of Indians, which includes Sunil Gavaskar, Virat Kohli, Vijay Hazare and Dilip Vengsarkar to score 100 on Test captaincy debut. This is also the start of the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle for both nations.Gill also completed 2000 runs in Test cricket, the batter took 60 innings to achieve this feat. Both Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli completed 2000 Test runs in their first match as captain. India lose momentum on Day 2 | England Fight Back at Headingley Gill is the 23rd player to score a century in a debut innings as captain and the fourth youngest among those behind Herbie Taylor, Alastair Cook, and Steven Smith.Gill brought up his 100 in 140 deliveries in an innings peppered with 14 boundaries as he kept India steady.

Read More
2027 ODI World Cup: Sourav Ganguly makes a big statement on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's future - 'won't be easy' | Cricket News

2027 ODI World Cup: Sourav Ganguly makes a big statement on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s future – ‘won’t be easy’ | Cricket News

Danijones04 mins

Dubai: India’s Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli during the ICC Champions Trophy semi-final cricket match between India and Australia, in Dubai, UAE. (PTI Photo/Arun Sharma) *** Local Caption *** Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly believes it will be challenging for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to maintain their fitness and secure spots in India’s ODI World Cup squad in 2027, as they will have limited playing opportunities with only 15 international games per year until then.The next ODI World Cup is set to take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. By then, Kohli will be 38 years old, and Rohit will be approaching 40.India has 27 ODIs scheduled across nine bilateral series before the World Cup, averaging about 15 international games annually for both players. Virat Kohli’s love for ‘dhaba’ food, priority for family & more | RCB bus driver shares stories “All of us must understand, just like everyone, the game will go away from them and they will go away from the game,” Ganguly told PTI.“It won’t be easy, with 15 games a year,” he added.Both Kohli and Rohit, who have accumulated 25,000 runs and 83 international hundreds between them, have expressed their desire to play in the 50-over global event after recently retiring from Test cricket.When asked if he had any advice for them, Ganguly responded, “I have got no advice. I think they know the game as much I do. They will take a call.” Nick Knight EXCLUSIVE: On Shubman Gill and absence of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma in England Ganguly acknowledged that finding a replacement for Kohli would take time but expressed no concerns about Indian cricket’s future after their retirement.“I was not concerned at all. Virat is a class player. Finding his replacement will take time. But the rest, I wasn’t surprised,” he stated.Speaking about former player Yuvraj Singh, Ganguly praised his exceptional white-ball cricket career while noting his limited opportunities in Test matches.“I remember seeing Yuvraj for the first time in Nairobi and saw that he is special. What he went on to do for India after that in one-day cricket is unreal. He was 2007 World T20 player of the series, 2011 World Cup, player of the series, runs, wickets fielding, he was special,” Ganguly recalled.“Unfortunately he did not get many opportunities in Test matches. He played about 30 odd Test matches, he got stuck between Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Ganguly and VVS Laxman, but a special player,” he concluded.

Read More
'My proposal was quite romantic': Rohit Sharma opens up about proposing to Ritika Sajdeh - Watch | Cricket News

‘My proposal was quite romantic’: Rohit Sharma opens up about proposing to Ritika Sajdeh – Watch | Cricket News

Danijones05 mins

Rohit Sharma and Ritika Sajdeh India’s ODI captain Rohit Sharma recently shared the story of his romantic proposal to wife Ritika Sajdeh during a conversation with former cricketer Harbhajan Singh and his wife Geeta Basra Singh on the YouTube channel “Who’s The Boss?” The cricketer revealed how he orchestrated a surprise proposal by taking Ritika to his childhood cricket ground under the pretense of getting ice cream, where he went down on one knee in the middle of the pitch while his friend captured the moment. The cricket star recounted the details of the memorable evening, explaining how the proposal unfolded along Mumbai’s familiar landmarks. Rohit Sharma Unplugged: Funniest Press Conference Moments “My proposal was quite romantic. I took her to the place where I started playing cricket. We were here only (somewhere along Marine Drive apparently). She had brought food from home. We ate it. So, I was just sitting. Then I told her let’s go out to eat ice cream, I’m bored. Then we took the car out, we left. We left from Marine Drive, crossed Haji Ali, Worli. So, she asked where is the ice cream shop? She does not know anything after Bandra. I told her there’s a good one in Borivali, where I live. You’ve never come, so let me show you,” Rohit shared during the conversation. The cricket captain continued describing the actual proposal moment at the ground. “It was a ground and it was pitch dark and she didn’t realise it was a ground. Then I had already told my friend to set up something there at the ground and just be there to capture the moment. We parked the car. Then I went on my knees, in the middle of the pitch. Then, I proposed to her,” Rohit revealed. India lose momentum on Day 2 | England Fight Back at Headingley The revelation comes amid significant changes in Rohit’s cricket career, as he recently announced his retirement from T20 internationals following India’s victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup held in the West Indies and the USA. In May 2025, Rohit also stepped away from red-ball cricket, making the announcement just before the squad selection for the England Test series. Quiz: Who’s that IPL player? Following Rohit’s retirement, Shubman Gill has taken over as the new captain of the Indian Test team. Under Gill’s leadership, the Indian team has shown promising performance in their first Test at Headingley, managing to post a substantial total of 471 runs in the first innings. The strong batting display included centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Gill, and Rishabh Pant, setting a solid foundation for the match. The success of the team under new leadership demonstrates the continuing strength of Indian cricket as it transitions into a new era following Rohit’s partial retirement from international cricket. The timing of Rohit sharing this personal story coincides with these significant changes in his career, offering fans a glimpse into both his personal life and the evolving landscape of Indian cricket.

Read More
Emotional scenes! Shubman Gill breaks down after scoring 147 in his debut Test as India captain | Cricket News

Emotional scenes! Shubman Gill breaks down after scoring 147 in his debut Test as India captain | Cricket News

Danijones03 mins

Shubman Gill (BCCI Photo) NEW DELHI: Shubman Gill delivered a captain’s knock in his very first outing as India’s Test skipper, scoring a magnificent 147 in the first Test against England at Headingley, Leeds. This was his maiden Test century as captain, and it came in a crucial moment as India looked to assert dominance early in the five-match series.Gill looked poised for a double hundred but fell short when he attempted an aggressive slog-flick off England spinner Shoaib Bashir. With mid-wicket left open, Gill tried to target the deep, but the ball caught the inner half of his bat and went straight into the hands of Josh Tongue at deep square leg. He appeared to be eyeing his 150 in style, but mistimed the stroke, ending a stellar innings. Dominant India on Day 1! Jaiswal & Gill Hit Centuries | ENG vs IND 1st Test – Sahil from Leeds As Gill walked off the field, Headingley rose in applause. His teammates and fans gave him a standing ovation, appreciating not just the runs but the temperament he showed under pressure. Photographers lined the boundary to capture the emotional moment of the young Indian captain heading back to the pavilion — bat raised, eyes filled with tears after a career-defining knock. Poll Will India win the Test series against England under Shubman Gill’s captaincy? Gill has taken over the Test captaincy following Rohit Sharma’s retirement from the longest format just before the England tour. With a young squad under his leadership, Gill’s men are on a mission to end a long drought — India’s last Test series win in England came in 2007 under Rahul Dravid. Before that, historic triumphs were recorded in 1971 under Ajit Wadekar and in 1986 under Kapil Dev.Now, under the leadership of a calm yet expressive Gill, India are aiming to script a new chapter in their Test history — and his emotional 147 may well be the first step toward that goal.

Read More