Hardik Pandya Could Replace Rohit Sharma as India's Captain for 2025 Champions Trophy

Hardik Pandya might become the new captain for India, taking over from Rohit Sharma, and this is causing several talks. The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is just around the corner, and everyone is excited. People think a change could really be major for Indian cricket, so you have fans and experts discussing it.

ALSO READ:Taskin Ahmed Shatters BPL Record with Stunning 7-Wicket Haul

Hardik Pandya: A Strong Contender to Lead India in the 2025 Champions Trophy

Hardik Pandya might be the new captain because he plays cricket extremely well and knows how to lead a team. As we are almost at the 2025 Champions Trophy, people are conversing about possibly picking a new captain. Rohit Sharma, today, is the captain for India in some cricket formats and he's really amazing at it. Sharma played a strikingly large part in India grasping the win at the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

Hardik Pandya is the captain of the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, which is a very good team. He's a great leader, doing especially well in shorter cricket games, such as T20Is, where he's led India before. Because he masters under pressure and tries his best, a large number of people in the Indian cricket scene look up to him. This was very clear when, under his leadership, India grasped the win in the 2022 Asia Cup, showing everyone he's amazing at leading a team.

Hardik really shines in cricket, whether he's hitting balls really far or throwing them quickly past batters. His group looks up to him not only because he's bold in the game but also because he leads by example, not simply words. This attitude of his excites everyone, making them feel more confident, especially when major tournaments like the Champions Trophy roll around.People really admire him because he's great at both batting and bowling when things get intense, and his natural way of leading is seen as perfect for the team.

Furthermore, by guiding younger players and helping them shine, Hardik could be vitally key for India's win in the industry. Many people think he can bring a new way to how India's team is led, all thanks to his wonderful thinking and sharp and informed strategies.

Before deciding to make Hardik Pandya the captain over Rohit, the team deciders really need to think carefully about the pros and cons. It's important not to forget how much Rohit has brought to the team with his great guidance and many wins, particularly in major competitions. This choice could really be scary and risky.Even though Hardik's nice and everything, Rohit's obtained a substantial amount of experience and many think he can still give a lot as the captain.

"Reports: Hardik Pandya to Lead India in 2025 Champions Trophy if Rohit Sharma is Out""Reports: Hardik Pandya to Lead India in 2025 Champions Trophy if Rohit Sharma is Out"Hardik Pandya might be the leader of the Indian cricket team for the 2025 Champions Trophy but a substantial amount of factors will decide that such as how the team gels together, how good his game is, and what they want to achieve in the long run. Either way, whether Hardik becomes the captain or not, he's definitely going to be vitally important in shaping what Indian cricket looks like down the road.

Indian stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah had a verbal fight with the young Australian opener Sam Konstas in the final over of the first day of the Sydney Test. This new battle isn't going to end soon.

The thrilling Australia vs India five-match Test series, Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, has entered its final period. As Australia are leading the series by 2-1, it is a must-win game for India to save this Test series as well as to stay in contention to reach the ICC World Test Championship Final for the third straight time.

India were all out for 185 runs

Indian stand-in Test captain Jasprit Bumrah chose to bat first in the tough overcast condition. The visiting batters once again failed to impress as they were all out for only 185 runs. Apart from Rishabh Pant, who scored the highest runs in the innings with 40 off 98 balls, Shubman Gill (20), Ravindra Jadeja (26), and the skipper Bumrah (22) reached the 20-run mark in the innings.

Watch: Rishabh Pant takes hit on body to save Indian team in Sydney Test

Last over drama in a tricky period

Australia batted three overs of the day, which is always known as a tricky period for any batting side. The hosts had to bat for about 15 minutes of the day as Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas started the innings. While Indian cricketers were busy delivering more balls in the tricky period, Khawaja's finger injury was delaying their plan. The left-handed batter took a little more time before the fifth ball of the third over of the innings, which ensured that the hosts wouldn't have to play another over of the day.

The delay frustrated the Indian fast bowler Bumrah. Moreover, young Konstas got involved and triggered a verbal fight with the Indian stand-in captain. The bowling end umpire Sharfuddoula intervened in the situation quickly. 

While Bumrah delivered the final ball of the day, Khawaja had an outside edge that traveled to the second slip and KL Rahul took a sharp catch to dismiss the Aussie opener. After that dismissal, while the home openers were returning to the pavilion, most of the Indian fielders charged Konstas with the celebration, while Bumrah also did it instead of celebrating the wicket. Australia ended the opening day of the Sydney Test at 9/1. Khawaja lost his wicket for only two runs.

A heated argument between Sam Konstas and Jasprit Bumrah. #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/0exzEvDV6s

— 𝐀𝐦𝐨𝐥 (@tomuchfun111) January 3, 2025

Fiery scenes in the final over at the SCG!

How's that for a finish to Day One 👀#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/BAAjrFKvnQ

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2025

The second day of the Test match is going to be crucial for both teams regarding the Test series status. 

Scott Boland was the standout performer on day 1 of the fifth Test match between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The pitch, which was more helpful for bowlers than usual, gave Boland the perfect opportunity to shine. While he may not bowl as fast as some of Australia’s other bowlers, like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, Boland's accuracy and skill made a big impact.

Read Also: Rohit Sharma’s Reaction When Kohli Was Given Not Out on the First Ball

Boland, 35 years old, has often been seen as a backup bowler behind the likes of Cummins and Starc. He was even replaced by Josh Hazlewood in the second match of this series after Hazlewood returned from injury. But Boland proved his value by stepping up when Hazlewood was injured again, making a huge difference with his steady and effective bowling. Despite not having the pace of his teammates, Boland has consistently been a threat with his ability to bowl in the right areas and move the ball effectively.

A key moment in the match came when Boland took two wickets in back-to-back deliveries. First, he dismissed Rishabh Pant, who had been batting well and had scored 40 runs. Boland bowled a short ball, and Pant tried to pull it but mistimed the shot, sending the ball high in the air. Pat Cummins caught it at midwicket. This wicket was crucial, as Pant had been one of India’s main threats with the bat.

Sunil Gavaskar’s to Rishabh Pant....!!

"Stupid Stupid Stupid" pic.twitter.com/I801TlKlxt

— ICC Asia Cricket (@ICCAsiaCricket) January 3, 2025

Just one ball later, Boland struck again, removing Nitish Kumar Reddy for a duck. Reddy was facing his first ball and was bowled out by Boland, putting India in further trouble. These two quick wickets shifted the momentum in Australia’s favor and highlighted Boland's skill and composure.

💥WICKET:🎳🎯
Boland to Nitish Reddy, out Caught by Smith!! From the highs of Melbourne to a first-ball duck at Sydney. That is Test cricket for you *Nitish Reddy c Smith b Boland 0(1)🎯🇮🇳🔰#AUSvsIND #RohitSharma #ViratKohli𓃵 #Rishabpant pic.twitter.com/rfAYHGlv66

— Prince sanu🇵🇰 (@princesanu_56) January 3, 2025

Before these wickets, Boland had already taken the important wickets of Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Kohli was caught after edging a ball from Boland, and Jaiswal was out for just 10 runs.

Taskin Ahmed Claims 7 Wickets for 19 Runs, Setting a New BPL Record

Taskin Ahmed's sensational bowling performance stole the show in the latest Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) match, where he set a new BPL record by claiming 7 wickets for just 19 runs. His brilliant spell was a standout moment in the tournament, as Durbar Rajshahi dominated their opponents thanks to his exceptional fast bowling.

The right-arm pacer was in devastating form, dismantling the opposition's batting lineup with pinpoint accuracy and sheer pace. Taskin's ability to pick up wickets at crucial moments of the game proved to be the difference-maker. His spell not only restricted the opposition but also set a new benchmark for bowling excellence in the BPL.

What made Taskin’s performance even more remarkable was his control over the game. Despite the pressure of the match, he maintained a tight line and length, ensuring that the batsmen had no room to settle. His 7-wicket haul broke the previous BPL record, and the cricketing world was quick to acknowledge his contribution.

ALSO READ:WATCH: Pant’s Massive Six Forces Ground Staff to Use Ladder; Video Goes Viral

The performance came at a vital time for Durbar Rajshahi, as Taskin's brilliant bowling effort played a key role in his team's victory. His 7 wickets, which included several top-order batsmen, left the opposition with no answer and swung the game in Rajshahi’s favor.

Taskin’s record-breaking feat has made waves not only in the BPL but also across international cricket circles, where his performance is being hailed as one of the most outstanding bowling displays in recent times. His achievement has cemented his reputation as one of the most exciting fast bowlers in the region, with many expecting him to continue his stellar performances in future matches.

This remarkable achievement by Taskin Ahmed has added a new chapter to BPL history and is sure to be remembered as one of the tournament's defining moments.

The best bowling figures in BPL history!

Taskin Ahmed takes 7 wickets!#BPL2025 #Cricketpic.twitter.com/DmVdgNOA8O

— Abdullah Neaz (@cric___guy) January 2, 2025

In January 2025, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) during the fifth Test match between India and Australia, there was an absurd moment that made everyone very happy. Rishabh Pant was batting in the 46th against Beau Webster, who was playing his first match, when he hit a very big hit that went over the boundary. The ball went flying deep into the stands, and it was both incredible and silly because the ground staff actually had to get a ladder to go obtain the ball back.

ALSO READ:Afghanistan's Playing XI Featuring Rashid Khan: Roles and Players Breakdown

Pant's hit was not only extremely strong but also really accurate.

The shot from Pant was so powerful and perfectly done, it clearly demonstrated how he's noticeably about attacking when he bats. All the people on social media were discussing it, saying how brave Pant is and how amazing he played. A few people even thought it was the best moment of the year.

Pant proved he's utterly tough and difficult, despite taking hits from Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, he didn't quit. He faced some hard times during the season but what really shined was his determination and batting skills.

Pant repeated the action! A major hit he just smacked down has definitely stretched his record of exceptionally wonderful performances, really showing us he's not only any player in cricket he's seriously brave and very exciting to watch. By just performing his role on the field, he manages to pull all eyes towards him every time he plays.Moves like that simply show his style of playing is characterized by bravery.

Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul were dismissed for scores of 10 and 4 runs, respectively. Shubman Gill contributed 20 runs to the total, while Virat Kohli made 17 runs. With four wickets lost early, star batter Rishabh Pant has been working hard to steady the innings for his team.

A six so big the ground staff needed a ladder to retrieve it!#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/oLUSw196l3

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2025

While the Indian top-order batters once again failed to set up the Indian innings in the first innings of the Sydney Test, the wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is playing an important role in setting the innings along with Ravindra Jadeja.

In the tough overcast conditions, Indian stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah chose to bat first after winning the toss. The top-order batters once again failed to provide a good start as the visitors were struggling at 72/4 after losing both the openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, and the next two batters, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli, all cheaply. 

Pant-Jadeja fought hard

Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja tried to fight back in the innings. Due to coming in early to bat in the challenging moment, Pant had to take the defensive option, which is definitely not his playing style. Pant was clearly struggling to defense but the left-handed batter tried his best to handle the situation.

Rishabh Pant received multiple blows to his body 

During his hard-fought innings, Pant faced multiple deliveries on his body. Mitchell Starc’s one delivery hit Pant’s left bicep, which put a bruise. Later, Pant got a blow on his helmet in Starc’s another delivery. Also, Scott Boland’s one delivery hit Pant’s uncomfortable area. Despite several hits on the body, Pant fought hard. 

Rishabh Pant took a number of heavy hits to the body.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/TdyJ1qhm9C

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2025

Pant and Jadeja set a valuable 48-run partnership for the fifth wicket before Pant was dismissed by Boland for 40 runs off 98 balls.​

Rishabh Pant scored a lot of 20s in the ongoing Australia tour

In the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia, while the Indian batters failed to fight against the Aussie bowlers, Pant scored 21, 28, 9, 28, and 30 runs before scoring 40 runs in the first innings of the ongoing Sydney Test. Although he got some starts, including some patience knocks, he lost his wickets in important times.

Afghanistan's cricket group had to make some moves to change things after facing big challenges. For their match in Bulawayo against Zimbabwe, they decided to change the order and made five changes to their lineup. They're working very hard to get that win now. In addition, they're welcoming back their captain, Rashid Khan, who missed the first test due to some personal matters he had to deal with.

ALSO READ:Virat Kohli's first-ball survival creates controversy

After making it to the semi-finals for the first time ever at the T20 World Cup, Afghanistan faced a tough loss, losing to South Africa with nine wickets to spare. The group was really hoping to bounce back from that hard time, and Rashid stepping up as a leader gave them new energy. When the match was over, Rashid showed how much he and the team felt about it all - they were proud but knew they had to be better for the next time.

The game against Zimbabwe isn't simply any match it's a chance for Afghanistan to really prove how tough they are and how far they've come in cricket. They're mixing up who is playing, bringing in some new players, and it's a smart and informed play to uncover new talent and make the team better.

The team can't wait to get Rashid Khan back they're excited and it's making them want to try harder and improve. A series attempts them to demonstrate how skilled they are and to put in the hard work, all while making cricket a larger issue in Afghanistan. As they hit the field, it's not only just about them - they're also carrying the hopes of their country and shooting for a brighter future in cricket.

The 4th and final match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is being played in Sydney. India won the toss and decided to bat first. The pitch had a green top, making it favorable for bowlers. India's batting lineup once again collapsed, struggling against the conditions. However, the biggest surprise of the day was Rohit Sharma being dropped from the playing XI. This raised many questions and led to a lot of discussions. Rohit, the captain, looked quiet in the dressing room, sitting calmly on a chair and not engaging in much activity.

The most dramatic moment came when Virat Kohli faced the first ball of the match. The umpire gave him out, believing it was a clean catch by Steve Smith in the slips. Kohli walked back to the dressing room, but the decision was reviewed. The third umpire declared it not out, ruling the catch as invalid. This created a bit of controversy in the morning and sparked debates among fans and experts.

Read Also: RIP Gautam Gambhir trending on X: Here’s the reason.

Rohit Sharma’s Reaction
Rohit Sharma’s reaction to the incident stole the spotlight. As the replay played on the big screen, he jumped from his chair and stood up to watch it closely. His excitement and disbelief were clear, showing a side of him that was full of emotion despite being dropped from the team. It was a moment that caught everyone’s attention, with cameras capturing his animated response.

As the TV umpire was reviewing Virat Kohli's catch, Captain Rohit Sharma was seen looking worriedly at the big screen on the field from the Indian dressing room.🥹❤️ #INDvsAUS

The selfless man who always thinking about team @ImRo45 🐐🙇🏼‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/uzc5OZxRVT

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) January 3, 2025

After surviving the first scare, Kohli tried to stay at the crease and play carefully. He faced a few balls with focus, trying to get used to the conditions. However, Scott Boland bowled a perfect good-length ball that moved slightly after pitching. Kohli tried to defend it with a straight bat, but the ball hit the edge of his bat.

Read Also: Gautam Gambhir Likely to Step Down as India Head Coach Due to Poor Team Performance and Player Concerns

The ball went towards the slip fielders, and one of them caught it cleanly. This time, there was no review or question about the dismissal, and Kohli had to walk back to the dressing room. He scored only 17 runs, leaving India in trouble early in the match.

In the first innings of the Sydney Test, former Indian captain Virat Kohli survived first-ball dismissal as the third umpire gave the not out verdict after closely looking at the incident. 

Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah chose to bat first in the overcast conditions at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul were dismissed cheaply as Virat Kohli came to bat early. 

On the very first ball that Kohli faced, Scott Boland challenged the no.4 batter as he had an outside edge. The ball went down while the slip fielder Steven Smith went for a tough catch. The former Aussie skipper scooped that, and Marnus Labuschagne successfully took that catch. 

The decision went to the third umpire while the Aussie players were celebrating Kohli’s dismissal. After observing closely through several replays, third umpire Joel Wilson declared not out by saying, "Clearly see the ball roll off the grass.” 

See Also: Rohit Sharma's Test future revealed

What did Steven Smith say?

At the lunch break, Steven Smith showed his full confidence about that catch. He said to Isa Guha, "100%. No denying it whatsoever, 100%. But the umpire has made the decision. We'll move on." Meanwhile, the decision brought much confusion as there were two different views between experts.

"100%. No denying it whatsoever."

Steve Smith weighs in on whether he got his hand underneath the ball in the biggest moment of the morning. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/bqIy8iGIRm

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2025

Despite that survival, Kohli once again failed to score big runs as he was caught out at the slip in the second session after scoring only 17 runs off 69 balls.

Mark Waugh and Allan Border felt it was out

Former Aussie cricketer Mark Waugh told Fox Cricket, “I think that’s out; I think that’s very close to touching the grass, but I think he rolled underneath it with his finger.”

Legendary Aussie cricketer and ODI World Cup-winning captain Allan Border said, “I think he’s got away with one there Kohli, but that’s the way the game goes. I suppose you can look at it two ways, beauty’s in the eye of the beholder. I think evidence suggests he just had his finger underneath it. It looks like he had enough hand underneath the ball … it’s so close, it’s hard to tell.”

Simon Taufel explained

Meanwhile, the legendary umpire Simon Taufel brought his important views. He said, “I think you described it very well when you said that depending upon which side of the fence you sit on you could probably build a case for either decision to be given.

“Listening to Joel Wilson’s language there, where he said the fingers were underneath the ball and then he’s seen it roll on to the ground, by his own language he is telling us that he believes he’s seeing that ball on the ground.

“So, there are two things that the TV umpire here is looking for. One is fingers underneath the ball. He was satisfied there. But then he believes through those pictures that he’s clearly seen the ball on the ground.

“And here’s the challenge, slowing it right down with slow-mo. Play it at real speed and it looks pretty good.

“I can certainly understand what the third umpire’s done there. He believes he’s seen the ball on the ground and called it way he’s seen it. Normally the ICC protocol on fair catches is if you see the fingers underneath the ball, that’s good to maintain a fair catch.

“But here’s the problem: the on-field umpire’s no longer have the soft signal and make the decision, it’s purely in the hands of the television umpire now.”

Irfan Pathan supported the decision

Meanwhile, the former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan felt that the third umpire took the right decision. 

Virat Kohli was not out which was rightly called NOT OUT. will explain during the break.

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 3, 2025

The Indian cricket team has arrived in Sydney, Australia, for the fifth and final match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. While the series has had its fair share of ups and downs, the focus this time is not on the players’ performances but on the drama unfolding within the Indian dressing room. Reports, rumors, and speculations have been circulating nonstop for the past two to three days, especially after India’s loss at Melbourne.

The latest and most shocking news involves the team captain, Rohit Sharma. Reports suggest that Rohit will not play the Sydney Test, a decision that has sparked outrage and confusion among fans. Officially, it is stated that Rohit has been "rested," but many believe that head coach Gautam Gambhir had a significant role in this decision. This has led to widespread backlash, particularly from Rohit’s fans, who feel he has been unfairly treated.

Rohit Sharma’s recent performance in the series has been far from impressive. In five innings, he has managed to score only 31 runs, averaging just 6.20. From a purely performance-based perspective, dropping him might seem justified. However, what makes this decision controversial is the fact that he is the captain of the team. A captain being dropped from the playing XI is not just unusual—it’s almost unheard of, and for many, it sounds disrespectful to his stature as a senior player.

Fans, however, see this as more than just a cricketing decision. They believe there’s internal politics at play, with Rohit being made the scapegoat for the team’s overall poor performance. Many are questioning if this is truly about cricket or if personal differences between Gambhir and Rohit are influencing team decisions.

Read Also:Gautam Gambhir Likely to Step Down as India Head Coach Due to Poor Team Performance and Player Concerns

Reports of Dressing Room Disputes

Rumors of a rift between Gambhir and Rohit have been making rounds for weeks. Sources suggest the two have different ideas about how the team should play, which has caused tension in the dressing room. During a recent practice session, the two reportedly avoided interacting, with Rohit focusing on his batting while Gambhir worked with other players.

There’s also talk of a senior cricket official urging Gambhir to allow Rohit to play the final Test so he could retire from Test cricket on a positive note. However, Gambhir allegedly refused, prioritizing the team’s chances of winning the match and securing a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

Fans Take to Social Media

The decision to drop Rohit has not gone down well with his fans, who have taken to social media to express their anger. The hashtag “RIP Gautam Gambhir” has been trending on X (formerly Twitter), with fans accusing Gambhir of being unfair and blaming him for creating unrest within the team. This kind of public reaction shows how deeply cricket fans in India feel about their favorite players and the decisions affecting them.

We will show them what toxicity looks like.
RIP GAUTAM GAMBHIR. Start the counting.

Only TRUE ROHIT FANS are allowed of Like and Rt this tweet

RIP GAUTAM GAMBHIR#ripgautamgambhir #GautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/wr5hugToL5

— ✰Muຮαfir✰ (@musafir216) January 2, 2025

Fight between #RohitSharma vs #GautamGambhir Supporters for 5th Test & #ShubmanGill replace to #RohitSharma𓃵 💔

RIP GAUTAM GAMBHIR
INDIA SUPPORTS GAMBHIR pic.twitter.com/SQT2e3vg9z

— Mr.Dk (@Dk_Singh31) January 2, 2025

It's trending no 1 #RIPGAUTAMGAMBHIR pic.twitter.com/TiPSgbd48p

— Brahma Koli (@BrahmaKoli86502) January 2, 2025

Read Also:Rohit Sharma Will Be Dropped from the Sydney Test: Strong Hints Here

India is in a tough spot. With Australia leading the series 2-1, the Sydney Test is a must-win for India to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and keep their WTC final hopes alive. Shubman Gill will replace Rohit Sharma in the playing XI, with KL Rahul expected to open the innings. While the team focuses on the upcoming match, the controversy surrounding Rohit’s exclusion has added immense pressure.