The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is reportedly considering retiring the Pataudi Trophy, contested between England and India in Test series played in England. Sources indicate that the Pataudi family has been brought up to date on the issue, which appears to have divided the cricket community.

The Pataudi Trophy’s Legacy

Pursuant to Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, one of India’s most remembered captains, the trophy was created in 2007 to commemorate the 75th year since India’s inaugural Test tour to England. Over the years, it showcased the intense competition between the two cricketing superpowers, like India’s historic series victory in 2007, England’s supremacy in the game in 2011 and India’s revitalisation in 2018. 

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Why Retire the Trophy?

The ECB has yet to make an announcement about the initiative or provide any reasoning. Nevertheless, some have speculated that the ECB has opted to change the branding of the series as the context of cricket changes rapidly in light of T20 leagues. Another consideration could be that the cup naming of "trophy" is asymmetric and appears odd as to where one would play for the Pataudi Trophy in England while playing for the Anthony de Mello Trophy in a series in India.

If the old trophy is indeed retired, then a trophy could be reinserted that would simply rescale the naming and signify something juxtaposed with a common historical milestone.

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This move comes with a scheduled five-Test tour for India to England in June of 2025, making an announcement likely given its positioning within the calendar. Regardless of whether there is a trophy, the series contest will likely personify one of the greatest rivalries in cricket between England and India.

Joe Root has confirmed he is not in the running to become England’s next white-ball captain following Jos Buttler’s resignation after the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The 34-year-old batter, who led England’s Test team from 2017 to 2022, stated that his time as captain is over.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Root said, “I think that ship has sailed. I’ve done my time as a captain in an England shirt. I’m sure whoever gets the opportunity will be extremely proud and do a brilliant job.”

While Root never captained England in limited-overs formats, he returned to the ODI side this year and finished as one of the top performers in the Champions Trophy. He was England’s leading batter in the tournament, finishing as the fourth-highest run-scorer overall, and nearly took his team over the line in their final match against Afghanistan with a gritty century.

Despite his personal success, England endured a disappointing campaign, failing to reach the semifinals. Jos Buttler stepped down as captain shortly before their final group game against South Africa. Since then, England has yet to announce a new leader for the ODI side.

Among the contenders, vice-captain Harry Brook is currently seen as the front-runner. However, managing director Rob Key has hinted that Ben Stokes could be considered for the white-ball captaincy, potentially uniting both red and white-ball leadership under one figure. Brendon McCullum has not ruled out the option of having separate captains for ODIs and T20Is.

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Root acknowledged England’s recent struggles but remains confident in the squad’s potential. “We didn’t play anywhere near what we’re capable of. But there’s so much talent and so much more to come. This is a good opportunity to reset and move forward as a group.”

Despite not being a regular in England’s T20I squad since 2019, Root's form in franchise cricket has drawn attention. He impressed in this year’s SA20 tournament with the Paarl Royals, scoring 279 runs at an average of 55.80 and a strike rate of 140.20.

Looking ahead, Root turned his focus to the upcoming Test summer, starting with a five-match series against India at home from June 20. The series will kick off the new cycle of the World Test Championship.

“India coming over means there’s no hiding place. It’s a long series, and we’ll need to deliver match-winning performances consistently,” Root said.

With Root stepping aside from the leadership conversation, England’s white-ball future now rests on the next generation to take the team forward.

As England’s white-ball team attempts to revamp its structure, keeper batsman Sam Billings has made himself available for the captaincy. After Jos Buttler’s rough tenure post the England T20 World Cup victory in 2022, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) may seek new leadership in the limited overs after England's dismal performances in other competitions alongside his own underwhelming performance as a captain.

Billings is 32 years old and has been a part of the England white-ball setup for almost ten years. While it is true he has been ousted by some more famous players, his captaincy of Kent combined with other domestic and franchise leagues gives him ample experience. His strong mental fortitude with the ability to cope with an array of different match situations makes him suitable for the captaincy.

England's ODI World cup defense was lackluster at best, and their title as champions was stripped from them. This early exit placed further scrutiny on captain Buttler, who may consider one of the best white-ball played currently.If the ECB decides to make any changes, Billings would be a prime target after strongly reiterating his desire for increased responsibility.

🚨 SAM BILLINGS EYES ENGLAND CAPTAINCY! 🚨

- The wicketkeeper-batter has expressed his desire to lead England in white-ball cricket. (BBC Sport) 🏏🔥#SamBillings #EnglandCricket #WhiteBallCaptaincy #BBCSport pic.twitter.com/CmLXQTyHBR

— Akaran.A (@Akaran_1) March 15, 2025

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Moeen Ali, Liam Livingstone, and even fresh talents like Harry Brook are also options, so Billings is not the only name in dispute. For now, however, the obvious option is Billings, as his experience, tactical understanding, and leadership credentials can distinguish him from the others in the pack.

Everyone is focused as to what decision will be made in terms of Billings and the rest of the squad and the role he will play for the England team as they prepare in advance for their two assignments involving fifty over matches. If his appointment comes to pass, he will have an opportunity to change the current England philosophy of white ball cricket and reinvigorate the team with new energy.

Now, all that is left to see is the announcement, but it is certain that Sam Billings has come forward for the position.

ECB director Rob Key has been disappointed with England's recent performance in the Champions Trophy where they couldn't able to a single match. England had found themselves back to the conceptual era before 2015 despite having talented players in their squad. It was the man Eion Morgan and his co-supporter Ben Stokes who just reshaped England cricket after an early exit from the 2015 ODI World Cup.

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Morgan inspired us that we are still playing old-fashioned cricket where it has developed a lot, we have to change our thinking and be more aggressive. And they just revamped their brand of cricket which suited and helped them too. That resulted in them winning their first ODI World Cup title in 2019. But after that when their former players retired everything changed drastically. 

Rob Key Highlighting About Key Member

Key has highlighted that bringing back Ben Stokes will be an ideal solution for this and can be named as Captain for the team who can groom these players with his experience. He brings that quality and value to the team. The team needs some inspiration. After a poor outing in the Champions Trophy, their captain Jos Butler has resigned from captaincy. He tented and thanked the management for the opportunity. Now after him, there are several names aroused but Key is more worried about the quality because captaincy comes with added pressure. 

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Stokes is considered an inspiration in England who played a major role in the triumph of two world titles. Players like Stokes are generational, Stokes left limited-overs cricket after the 2023 World Cup.  Though he hinted at revoking back the retirement and being available in the Champions Trophy a sudden Hamstring injury during the New Zealand test series had penetrated him to do so. Stokes after his limited overs retirement has fully focused on test format. 

Mccllum And Stokes Partnership In Need For Odi

Former New Zealand player and explosive batsman Brenden McCullum was appointed as England test team coach and the combination of Bazzball has been surreal which revamped the English test cricket too. This was tried in the ODI too after a successful test regime Mccllum was handed over the ODI coaching, here it was a bit different for him and he wasn't able to produce the desired results despite having world-class players. 

11 out of 10 matches Mccllum has lost which includes the recent India series. It's been an idea to bring back Ben to calm the guys and to show them the path how it has to handle the pressure in most difficult times. 

Fast bowler all-rounder Brydon Carse has been ruled out due to a toe injury and replaced by Rehan Ahmed. He had been struggling with an injury on his left foot, which got worse during England’s loss against Australia on February 22. Carse tried to push through the pain but had a tough time, giving away 69 runs in seven overs. His struggles raised concerns about his fitness and he has been ruled out in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.  

He missed training on February 24, and after medical tests, doctors confirmed he couldn’t continue in this tournament. The injury first troubled him in England’s recent series in India, where he had to miss the last two ODIs due to stitches on his toe. Unfortunately, the problem didn’t heal in time, forcing him out of the Champions Trophy 2025.

Young leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed has been named as Brydon Carse's replacement for the remainder of the Champions Trophy for England. pic.twitter.com/C5PcBFemvj

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) February 24, 2025

Brydon Carse’s replacement for the Champions Trophy 2025

With Brydon Carse ruled out, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that young leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed will replace him in the squad after getting approval from the ICC Tournament.  

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“The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 has approved Rehan Ahmed as a replacement for Brydon Carse in the England squad. Ahmed, who has played six ODIs, was named as a replacement after Carse was ruled out due to a toe injury. A player replacement requires the committee’s approval before the player can officially join the squad,”. 

At just 19 years old, Rehan Ahmed will strengthen England’s spin attack, which previously depended only on Adil Rashid. He has already shown his skills in ODIs, taking 10 wickets at an average of 23.3. He also made history in 2022 by becoming England’s youngest male Test debutant and impressed with a five-wicket haul against Pakistan.

James Anderson Set to Resume Playing Career with Lancashire at 43

James Anderson is conversing with Lancashire about getting back into playing this summer when he's going to be 43. It's been almost a year since his last game, but he's ready to get back and play in every type of match with Lancashire. Even though he's not playing in international Test cricket anymore, Anderson truly desires to continue and help out his favorite county cricket team.Mister Anderson's known as one of the top fast bowlers in cricket ever, and he's not done yet.

A Year After His Farewell Test at Lord’s

Anderson still thinks he has many things to offer, and his passion for cricket is making him consider returning to play with Lancashire, the team he started with when he was just a teenager. Since that special farewell match at Lord's against the West Indies in July 2024, he hasn't played at all. His incredible trip got him 704 test wickets, but then the England team leaders decided it was time to look ahead without him.

🚨 43 YEAR OLD JIMMY ANDERSON TO PLAY COUNTY. 🚨

- Anderson will be representing Lancashire in the County Championship. (Telegraph). pic.twitter.com/87tm0H70Ze

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 10, 2025

Fitness and Readiness

Anderson has been keeping himself fit by regularly bowling in the nets and doing conditioning work with England's strength and fitness coaches, during their tours to Pakistan and New Zealand, before Christmas. He believes he can continue performing well and have a strong season with Lancashire when it begins in April. This might be his goodbye season with his county team—but if things go well, he might think about playing for more time.

Balancing Playing and Coaching Duties

Anderson has decided to keep playing into his 40s because he really loves cricket, similar to how Sir Alastair Cook kept playing for Essex for five years after he retired, in 2018, from international Test cricket. Besides just playing, Anderson will also keep his job as a bowling coach for the England Test team. The result? He must handle playing for Lancashire, his coaching responsibilities with England, and any work he does with the media.

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Lancashire’s Hopes for the Season

Lancashire is very eager to return after getting bumped down from Division One of the County Championship last year, and having Anderson around is going to be a major boost for them to reach that level again. They want the experienced bowler, Anderson, to play in at least five rounds of the County Championship before he has to join up with the England team again for the Test summer. The team's management is eager to have him return.

A Return to Lord’s and Old Trafford

Anderson might play his last season in domestic cricket, starting with Lancashire's first game at their home ground, Old Trafford, against Northants on April 11. The season begins at Lord's on April 4, where Anderson can go back to the place where he started playing for England.

The Legacy Continues

Anderson coming back to play county cricket is very important news, not simply for him but also for the team. Young players get a great opportunity to bat against Anderson, who's a legend when it comes to fast bowling, especially with the Dukes ball in red-ball cricket. His being there is a big positive for Lancashire--but it's also wonderful for young hitters in the County Championship because they get to go against facing a very good bowler.

Despite being unsold at the IPL auction in January, Anderson’s passion for the game remains undiminished. The prospect of playing white-ball cricket again is not ruled out, and his return to Lancashire could mark the beginning of a final, memorable chapter in a career that has already spanned over two decades.

James Anderson Career Stats

Bowling

The third edition of the iconic ILT20 is about to commence on January 11, 2025. MI Emirates, the defending champions will take on Dubai Capitals in the season opener at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The tournament will comprise 34 games and a total of six teams will be vying to get their hands on the prestigious ILT20 trophy. This T20 carnival from the UAE promises to bring a lot of thrill and entertainment to fans within the country and overseas. ILT20 will be in direct clash with the ongoing SA20 edition which is currently being held in South Africa.

In the league stage, teams will compete with one another and the top four teams based on points will advance to the playoffs. Moving on, the playoffs will feature Qualifier 1 which will be played between the top two teams, and the Eliminator which will see the battle between 3rd and 4th position teams.

See also: SA20 2025: Schedule, Team Venues, Live Streaming & Squad Details - Cricket Winner

ILT20 Squads

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: New Signees: Gudakesh Motie, Hassan Khan, Ibrar Ahmed, Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase, Shahid Iqbal Bhutta and Terrance Hinds, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Aditya Shetty, Ali Khan, Alishan Sharafu, Andre Russell, Andries Ghous, Charith Asalanka, David Willey, Joe Clarke, Laurie Evans, Michael Pepper, Sunil Narine.

Desert Vipers: Dan Lawrence, David Payne, Dhruv Parashar, Fakhar Zaman, Kushal Malla, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, Lockie Ferguson, Max Holden, Sam Curran, Adam Hose, Alex Hales, Ali Naseer, Azam Khan, Luke Wood, Michael Jones, Mohammad Amir, Nathan Sowter, Sherfane Rutherford, Tanish Suri, Wanindu Hasaranga. 

Dubai Capitals: Adam Rossington, Aryaman Varma, Ben Dunk, Brandon McMullen, Garuka Sanketh, Farhan Khan, Gulbadin Naib, Jeffrey Vandersay, Joe Burns, Joe Weatherley, Najibullah Zadran, Obed McCoy, Scott Kuggeleijn, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Shai Hope, Zeeshan Naseer, Dasun Shanaka, David Warner, Dushmantha Chameera, Haider Ali, Raja Akif, Rovman Powell, Sam Billings, Sikandar Raza, Zahir Khan, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Oliver Stone. 

Gulf Giants:  Adam Lyth, Dominic Drakes, Daniel Worrall, Ibrahim Zadran, Mark Adair, Tom Curran, Tymal Mills and Wahidullah Zadran, Aayan Afzal Khan, Blessing Muzarabani, Chris Jordan, Dipendra Singh Airee, Gerhard Erasmus, Jamie Overton, James Vince, Jamie Smith, Jordan Cox, Mohammad Zuhaib Zubair, Rehan Ahmed, and Shimron Hetmyer

MI Emirates: Romario Shepherd, Tom Banton, Fareed Ahmad, Thomas Jack Draca, Ben Charlesworth, Akeal Hosein, Andre Fletcher, Daniel Mousley, Dwayne Bravo, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jordan Thompson, Kieron Pollard, Kusal Perera, Muhammad Rohid Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Nicholas Pooran, Nosthush Kenjige, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and Waqar Salamkheil

Sharjah Warriorz: Adam Milne, Adil Rashid, Ashton Agar, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Daniel Sams, Gus Atkinson, Harmeet Singh, Jason Roy, Karim Janat, Keemo Paul, Matthew Wade, Virandeep Singh and Tim Seifert, Dilshan Madushanka, Johnson Charles, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Jawadullah, Kusal Mendis, Luke Wells, Peter Hatzoglou and Tom Kohler-Cadmore

When and where to watch ILT20 in India?

ILT20 will run from January 11 to February 9 and the Indian viewers can catch all the live-action on Zee Network while watching it on TV. Additionally, the tournament will also be streamed on the Zee5 app/website. 

Full Schedule for ILT20 2025

Virat Kohli Likely to Play County Cricket Ahead of England Test Series 2025

Kohli's decision to play county cricket before the 2025 Test series against England is starting from the beginning, a lot of excitement. The IPL 2025 finals wrap up on May 25, and the first Test match against England is set for June 20, giving Kohli a tight window to get used to the conditions there. Getting some valuable game time in England will be really useful for Kohli, especially if his team, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), doesn't get to the playoffs.

Which County Team Will Virat Kohli Play For?

Kohli has to pick from a lot of county teams. He's never currently facing some very hard competitors before, so finding a team that gives the right balance of being difficult and preparing is key. The teams he can choose from are: Worcestershire, Derbyshire, Essex, Durham, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, Sussex, Warwickshire, Yorkshire, Kent, Leicestershire, Middlesex, and Surrey.There are lots of options.

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Suggested Team: Surrey Cricket Club

One of the strongest options for Kohli could be Surrey. The club has a reputation for high-quality cricket and offers excellent facilities for players to prepare for international tours.

Why Surrey?

Strong Competitors: Surrey is known for its competitive nature, often featuring top-class cricketers, making it a great platform for Kohli to test his skills ahead of the Test series.Ideal Preparation: The county's conditions would suit Kohli’s style of play, especially as he looks to adapt to the English pitches. Surrey’s experience with international players would also ensure that Kohli receives quality opposition and expert coaching. Coaching and Support: With a strong coaching structure led by Richard Johnson, Surrey could provide Kohli with personalized guidance, refining his technique for the Test series.

🚨 VIRAT KOHLI IN COUNTY CRICKET 🚨

- Virat Kohli is likely to play County Cricket to prepare for the Test series against England 2025. (Republic World). pic.twitter.com/Mv7BT3LrFY

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) January 9, 2025

Other Potential Options

• Essex: Under the leadership of Chris Silverwood, Essex has a history of producing top-quality bowlers, and playing here could help Kohli test himself against challenging conditions.
• Yorkshire: Known for its rich cricketing heritage, Yorkshire offers a strong team environment, making it a good choice for a player of Kohli’s stature.
• Durham: Another solid option with competitive play, Durham has consistently proven to be a top choice for international cricketers to prepare for tours.

For those who can't wait to watch Kohli play, you can see the games on TV channels that show cricket or on specific streaming services. These places have the rights to county cricket, so they'll show everything as it happens for fans who want to see Kohli excelling ready for the major matches.

While many teams could benefit from having a player like Kohli in their ranks, Surrey stands out due to its competitive environment and experienced coaching staff. Whichever team Kohli ultimately chooses, his participation in County Cricket is bound to boost his readiness for the Test series against England. This strategic move, if confirmed, will certainly attract the attention of cricket fans globally, eager to see how Kohli adapts to English conditions ahead of one of India’s most important tours.

Virat Kohli Career Stats

Batting & Fielding

England Test captain Ben Stokes recently shared an update on his recovery journey after suffering a torn left hamstring. The injury occurred during England’s final match in New Zealand in 2024, forcing him to leave the game mid-over. Following a detailed medical scan, it was confirmed that Stokes would need at least three months to fully recover.

Stokes took to Instagram to inform his fans about the surgery. In his post, he shared a picture of himself resting in the backseat of a car, his leg in a brace and cushioned with pillows. Alongside the image, he humorously referred to himself as the “Bionic Man.” He wrote, “Surgery done. In a bit…” reassuring fans that he is on the road to recovery.

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Ben Stokes (@stokesy)

The injury has ruled him out of England’s squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy. With no Test matches scheduled until May, Stokes has a clear window to focus entirely on his rehabilitation. He remains optimistic about returning stronger and regaining his peak performance.

Speaking about the injury, Stokes expressed his determination. "Every time you step on the field, there’s a chance of injury. You can’t hold back because of fear," he told BBC Sport. He added, “It’s disappointing, but I always come back stronger from setbacks. I’ll be working hard to return to the level I was at before.”

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England is set to play a one-off Test against Zimbabwe in May, followed by a five-match series against India starting in June. This timeline gives Stokes sufficient time to prepare for his comeback.

Stokes' injury resurfaced during the final Test in Hamilton, New Zealand, when he experienced a recurrence of the hamstring issue. The demands of his role as an all-rounder have taken a toll, but Stokes remains committed to pushing through challenges.

As England looks ahead to the busy cricket season, the team will undoubtedly miss their captain in tournaments like the Champions Trophy 2025.

The harsh treatment of women in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan has drawn sharp condemnation and outrage from various pockets of the world. Western nations have largely been vocal about this sensitive topic and have consistently highlighted this grave issue time and again on a global scale. This also includes England as well and there are countless voices within the country who have urged the national cricketing body to boycott England's match against Afghanistan in the upcoming Champions Trophy which is scheduled to take place on February 26.

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Plea to boycott England's upcoming CT 2025 fixture with Afghanistan 

It is reported that as many as 160 politicians have reached out to the ECB in writing advising them to boycott the fixture. Moreover, they also urged the management to speak up on the atrocities that are being committed against women in Afghanistan and not turn a blind eye to the horrendous crimes that are being committed by the brutal Taliban regime. 

"We strongly urge the England men's team players and officials to speak out against the horrific treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban. We also urge the ECB to consider a boycott of the upcoming match against Afghanistan… to send a clear signal that such grotesque abuses will not be tolerated."

Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi also echoed the same sentiments and wrote to the ECB chief executive Richard Gould about standing up for the Afghan women and advised the ECB to deliver a powerful message to the Taliban government. 

"We must stand against sex apartheid, and we implore the ECB to deliver a firm message of solidarity and hope to Afghan women and girls that their suffering has not been overlooked."

ECB denies calls to boycott Afghanistan game

In response to growing discontent among several politicians in the UK, the ECB chief recognized the issue and strongly expressed his concerns about women's rights in Afghanistan. But at the same time, he refrained from the possibility of boycotting England's match with Afghanistan as he expects a uniform approach from all member nations rather than acting solo.

"ECB strongly condemns the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. We understand the concerns raised by those who believe that a boycott of men's cricket could inadvertently support the Taliban's efforts to suppress freedoms and isolate Afghan society."

ICC expects all full member nations to make adequate provisions for the growth and development of women's cricket in its own jurisdiction. But since that requirement has not been met by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), the ECB has distanced itself from scheduling bilateral events with them for the foreseeable future. However, the two teams will continue to face each other in ICC events.

England is not the only member nation to voice their concerns over Afghinstan's gross women's rights issue. Australia have also withdrawn from playing several men's series against Afghanistan in the last couple of years because of the Taliban regime's harsh treatment of women.