India’s preparations for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth suffered a significant blow as Shubman Gill sustained an injury to his left hand during a simulated match at the WACA. Gill, fielding in the slips on the second day, was forced off the field after the incident and did not return for the rest of the session.

While the severity of the injury is yet to be assessed, concerns loom over Gill’s availability for the crucial first Test, which begins on November 22 at the Optus Stadium. This development adds further uncertainty to India’s top-order lineup, already in flux with captain Rohit Sharma potentially unavailable for the game due to personal commitments.

A growing batting dilemma

Gill’s versatility has made him a key part of India’s plans, with the management considering him both as a No. 3 batter and an opening option alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, with Rohit Sharma absent owing to the birth of his second child, India might need Gill at the top of the order.

Rohit’s wife, Ritika Sajdeh, gave birth to their second child on Friday, and the Indian captain had informed selectors of his likely unavailability for the Perth Test. There was speculation that Rohit might travel to Australia early to train with the team before returning for the child’s birth, but he ultimately chose to remain in India.

Compounding the issue, another opening option, KL Rahul, sustained an elbow injury on the first day of the training match and has not participated in subsequent sessions. Rahul was hit by a short ball and did not bat or take the field on Saturday, leaving his fitness in question.

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India’s backup plans and the road ahead

With injuries piling up, Abhimanyu Easwaran remains India’s only fully fit opening option in the squad. However, Easwaran’s inexperience at the international level makes him a gamble for the high-stakes Border-Gavaskar opener.

Gill, who batted twice on the first day of the simulation match, showcased his potential by scoring an unbeaten 42 in his second innings after managing 28 in the first. His absence would leave a significant void in India’s batting order, particularly given their recent struggles.

India are already reeling from a 3-0 whitewash in their T20I series against New Zealand, and the batting lineup’s fragility was a glaring issue. Without their captain and with Gill’s fitness uncertain, India’s top order faces a stern test against Australia’s pace-heavy attack in Perth.

The waiting game

As the Indian camp anxiously awaits updates on Gill’s condition, fans and selectors alike will hope for good news. Gill’s injury scare has highlighted the fragility of India’s squad depth, especially in overseas conditions where resilience and experience are crucial.

With less than a week to go before the series opener, India’s management faces tough decisions. Will Gill recover in time? Can Rohit Sharma make a last-minute appearance to stabilize the lineup? And will KL Rahul regain fitness?

For now, all eyes are on the medical updates and last-minute adjustments that could determine India’s fate in the series opener of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

India bounced back strongly in the series with a resounding 100-run victory over Zimbabwe in Harare. Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad led the charge as India leveled the series on Sunday, July 7th.

In a thrilling comeback, the young Indian team dominated Zimbabwe in the second T20I. Abhishek Sharma played a stellar innings, smashing a sensational century to propel India to a massive total of 234 runs. Zimbabwe struggled right from the start, managing to score only 134 runs in response, thanks to outstanding bowling performances by Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi, and Mukesh Kumar.

Zimbabwe’s early charge and subsequent collapse

Zimbabwe began their chase aggressively, with Brian Bennett hitting boundaries early on. However, his departure after a quickfire 26 marked the start of Zimbabwe’s downfall. They lost wickets consistently, finding themselves at 76/7 by the 12th over. Luke Jongwe and Wessley Madhvere tried to revive the innings, but Zimbabwe eventually succumbed, getting all out in the 18.4 overs.

Ravi Bishnoi and Avesh Khan stood out with their superb bowling. Bishnoi conceded just 11 runs in his spell and took crucial wickets, while Avesh Khan troubled the batsmen with his pace and aggression.

Abhishek Sharma’s explosive century

The match belonged to Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who played pivotal roles with their contrasting yet effective batting styles. Abhishek Sharma, after a slow start unleashed his aggression to score a maiden T20I century. He hit 8 sixes and 7 boundaries in his explosive innings, dominating the Zimbabwean bowlers.

Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad showcased his class with an unbeaten 77 off 47 balls, paying homage to MS Dhoni on his birthday. The duo’s partnership of 137 runs set India on course for their highest-ever T20I total against Zimbabwe.

Rinku Singh also made a significant contribution, smashing 48* off just 22 balls towards the end of the innings, further bolstering India’s formidable total.

With this win India has tied the series 1-1 there are still three matches to go.

NEW DELHI: The fierce rivalry between India and England took center stage during the second day of the 5th Test match, highlighted by a heated verbal altercation between James Anderson and Shubman Gill.

While Gill chose to keep mum about the details of their conversation in a post-match interview, Anderson has since revealed insights into the incident during his appearance on BBC’s Tailenders podcast.

Anderson’s Milestone moment: The journey to 700 wickets

Anderson, having achieved the significant milestone of 700 Test wickets during the match, reminisced about his exchange with Gill after dismissing the Indian batsman for 110 runs. “I posed a question to him, something along the lines of, ‘Do you manage to score runs outside of India?’ and he retorted, ‘Perhaps it’s time for you to consider retirement.'”

“Then, just two balls later, I managed to dismiss him,” disclosed the seasoned England cricketer, shedding light on the on-field banter.Anderson’s clever retort and Gill’s spirited reaction garnered widespread attention from cricket fans globally. Achieving the milestone of 700 Test wickets marked a momentous occasion in Anderson’s distinguished career.

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During the podcast, Anderson also disclosed a fascinating detail regarding Kuldeep’s prediction, unveiling that the Indian spinner had foreseen himself becoming Anderson’s 700th dismissal.

“He said, ‘I’m going to be your 700th wicket.’ He wasn’t suggesting he wanted to get out; it was more of a hunch. We both chuckled about it,” remarked the 41-year-old. He clinched his 700th wicket by dismissing India’s Kuldeep Yadav during the Dharamshala match, securing the distinction of being the first pace bowler to achieve this milestone.

India’s cricket captain, Rohit Sharma, is not just a leader on the field but also a beloved figure among his teammates. Recently, after India clinched a series victory against England, Rohit was seen enjoying a night out with some of the younger players from the team. The fun-filled evening was captured in a viral Instagram post by Rohit, where he was seen hanging out with Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Rohit captioned, “Garden mein ghoomne wale bande”

Rohit posted a group image on social media and captioned “Garden mein ghoomne wale bande.” He captioned the post, prompting replies from former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh, as well as current star Suryakumar Yadav.

While Yuvraj reacted with a laughing emoji, Suryakumar wrote: “Gill and Jaiswal definitely”.

Rohit Sharma’s bond with teammates reflect the future

In the midst of celebrations, Rohit took a moment to reflect on his future in the sport, expressing his commitment to retire when he feels he can no longer contribute to the team’s success.

Rohit told Jio Cinema after the end of the match, “One day, when I wake up and feel, I am not good enough then I will retire straightaway. But in the last few years I am playing the best cricket of my life.”

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He also praised the team’s efforts in the series win, highlighting the importance of everything coming together for such victories. He added, “These (young) guys are maybe short of experience, they have played a lot of cricket and I can stand here and see that these guys responded pretty well under pressure. The credit goes to the entire team and it was pleasing to see.”

Looking ahead, Rohit is gearing up for the upcoming IPL 2024 season with the Mumbai Indians, aiming to continue his stellar performance on the cricket field.

In a stunning display of batting prowess, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill showcased their brilliance on the second day of the fifth Test against England in Dharamshala. Both players reached the coveted milestone of scoring centuries, much to the delight of cricket fans worldwide.

Rohit Sharma, known for his elegant stroke play, mesmerized spectators with his impeccable timing and commanding presence at the crease. His innings were a masterclass in patience and aggression, as he meticulously built his innings while punishing the English bowlers for any loose deliveries. Rohit’s century was a testament to his skill and determination, solidifying his reputation as one of the premier batsmen in the world.

Meanwhile, young prodigy Shubman Gill once again showcased why he is considered one of the most promising talents in international cricket. Gill’s innings were a blend of grace and power as he effortlessly manoeuvred the ball to all parts of the ground. His century was a statement of intent, as he stamped his authority on the match and announced his arrival on the big stage.

Sachin Tendulkar twitted to appreciate their performance  

Their outstanding performances did not go unnoticed, as cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar heaped praise on both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. Tendulkar, widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, commended the duo for their exemplary display of batting skill and temperament under pressure.

Rohit and Gill’s century is buzzing in social media

Speaking to reporters after the match, everyone praised Rohit Sharma’s ability to dominate the opposition and admired Shubman Gill’s composure and maturity beyond his years. He expressed his confidence in the future of Indian cricket with such talented players leading the charge.

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As the match progresses, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill’s centuries will undoubtedly be remembered as a highlight of this Test series against England, showcasing the depth and talent of Indian cricket.

In anticipation of the IND vs ENG first Test match in Hyderabad, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to revive the prestigious Naman Awards ceremony after a four-year hiatus. The ceremony, dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of Indian cricketers, returns for its latest edition before the much-anticipated match.

Notable awardees include Shubman Gill, named Cricketer of the Year, and former India head coach Ravi Shastri, honored with the Lifetime Achievement award. The Naman Awards also shine a spotlight on emerging talents in Indian cricket who have excelled in domestic competitions.

With the BCCI Naman Awards making a comeback after 2020, the board decided to honor players for their exceptional performances during the 2020-23 period.

Here’s the full list of winners for the BCCI Naman Awards 2024:

Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy:

• Most runs in U16 Vijay Merchant Trophy: Uday Saharan (Punjab) in 2019-20 and Vihaan Malhotra (Punjab) in 2022-23
• Most wickets in U16 Vijay Merchant Trophy: Nirdesh Baisoya (Meghalaya) in 2019-20 and Anmoljeet Singh (Punjab) in 2022-23
• Best woman cricketer in Senior domestic WODI: Saee Puandare (2019-20), Indrani Roy (2020-21), Kanika Ahuja (2021-22), Nabam Yapu (2022-23)
• Best woman cricketer in Junior domestic: Kashvee Gautam (2019-20), Soumya Tiwari (2021-22), and Vaishnavi Sharma (2022-23)

MA Chidambaram Trophy:

• Highest run-scorer in Col CK Nayudu Trophy (U23): Parth Palawat (2019-20), YV Rathod (2021-22), and Kshitij Patel (2022-23)
• Highest wicket-taker in Col CK Nayudu Trophy (U23): Ankush Tyagi (2019-20), Harsh Dubey (2021-22), and Vishal B Jayswal (2022-23)
• Highest run-scorer in Cooch Behar Trophy (U19): P Kanpillewar (2019-20), Mayank Shandilya (2021-22), and Dinesh Malewar (2022-23)
• Highest wicket-taker in Cooch Behar Trophy (U19): Harsh Dubey (2019-20), AR Nishad (2021-22), and Manav Chothani (2022-23)

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Madhav Rao Scindia Award:

• Most runs in the Ranji Trophy: Rahul Dalal (2019-20), Sarfaraz Khan (2021-22), and Mayank Agarwal (2022-23)
• Most wickets in the Ranji Trophy: Jaydev Unadkat (2019-20), Shams Mulani (2021-22), and Jalaj Saxena (2022-23)

Lala Amarnath Award:

• Best All-Rounder in Ranji Trophy: MB Murasingh (2019-20), Shams Mulani (2021-22), and Saransh Jain (2022-23)
• Best All-Rounder in Limited Overs format: Baba Aparajith (2019-20), Rishi Dhawan (2020-21, 2021-22), and Riyan Parag (2022-23)

Best Performance in Domestic Tournaments:

• Mumbai in Ranji Trophy 2019-20
• Madhya Pradesh in Ranji Trophy 2021-22
• Saurashtra in Ranji Trophy 2022-23

Best Umpires in Domestic Cricket:

• A Padmanabhan (2019-20)
• Vrinda Rathi (2020-21)
• Jayaraman Madangopal (2021-22)
• Rohan Pandit (2022-23)

Highest Run Scorer in ODIs (Women):

• Poonam Raut (2019-20)
• Mithali Raj (2020-21)
• Harmanpreet Kaur (2021-22)
• Jemimah Rodrigues (2022-23)

Highest Wicket-Taker in ODIs (Women):

• Poonam Yadav (2019-20)
• Jhulan Goswami (2020-21)
• Rajeshwari Gayakwad (2021-22)
• Devika Vaidya (2022-23)

Dilip Sardesai Award:

• Most runs in a Test series: Yashasvi Jaiswal vs West Indies in 2023
• Most wickets in a Test series: Ravichandran Ashwin vs West Indies in 2023

Best International Debut (Women):

• Priya Punia (2019-20)
• Shafali Varma (2020-21)
• Sabbhineni Meghana (2021-22)
• Amanjot Kaur (2022-23)

Best International Debut (Men):

• Mayank Agarwal (2019-20)
• Axar Patel (2020-21)
• Shreyas Iyer (2021-22)
• Yashasvi Jaiswal (2022-23)

Best International Cricketer (Women):

• Deepti Sharma (2019-20, 2022-23)
• Smriti Mandhana (2020-21, 2021-22)

Polly Umrigar Award (Best International Cricketer Men):

• Mohammed Shami (2019-20)
• Ravichandran Ashwin (2020-21)
• Jasprit Bumrah (2021-22)
• Shubman Gill (2022-23)

Col. C.K. Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award:

• Farokh Engnineer (2019-20)
• Ravi Shastri (2022-23)

The BCCI Naman Awards 2024 acknowledges the remarkable contributions and performances across various categories, celebrating the essence of Indian cricket excellence.

Gujarat Titans have named Shubman Gill as their captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season, filling the void left by Hardik Pandya’s move to Mumbai Indians. The announcement was made by Vikram Solanki, the director of cricket for Gujarat Titans, who praised Gill’s growth both as a batsman and a leader.

Solanki highlighted Gill’s significant role in the team’s success during the 2022 championship and their strong performance in the 2023 season.Shubman Gill, expressing his delight and pride in leading Gujarat Titans, acknowledged the trust the franchise has placed in him. Having played 33 games for the Titans in the past two IPL seasons, Gill has amassed an impressive 1373 runs.

Despite his remarkable contribution of 890 runs in 16 games, the franchise finished as runners-up in the 2023 season.Simultaneously, Mumbai Indians extended a warm welcome to Hardik Pandya, who is returning to the team after his stint with Gujarat Titans. Akash Ambani, expressing his happiness about Pandya’s return, highlighted the all-rounder’s crucial role in providing balance to the team.

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Pandya’s association with Mumbai Indians dates back to 2015, and his return marks a homecoming to the OneFamily. The MI release emphasized the reunion of Pandya with key players like Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, and Ishan Kishan.

Akash Ambani reminisced about Pandya’s initial successful stint with Mumbai Indians, expressing hope for even more success in his second tenure. Pandya, a vital asset for MI, had previously led Gujarat Titans to a title in their inaugural campaign in 2022 and secured a runners-up position in 2023. With 92 games played and over 1400 runs scored, Pandya’s return to Mumbai Indians is anticipated to bolster the team’s performance in the upcoming IPL season.

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s fortunes were bright. Virat Kohli was giving looks at his 2016 structure. RCB’s hopes of qualifying for the playoffs for the fourth time in a row were high and bright after two centuries in four days. Ultimately, the fates didn’t arrange in perfect order.

Once more Kohli was denied. What’s more, the player, to stop his expectations in IPL 2023 was the one accepted to be his likely successor, Shubman Gill. In the final league game of the season, Gujarat Titans defeated RCB by six wickets to prevent a fan-favorite rematch between Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator. Like his “idol,” he scored a second consecutive century. LSG later attacked Kohli with a Gill reference.

The two IPL 2023 games between RCB and LSG, one in April and one on May 1, are probably still the most talked-about

Also, doubtlessly none of it relates to cricket. After winning the first match, Gambhir burst into a wild celebration before shoving the Chinnaswamy crowd. Kohli gave back in the Lucknow release of the contention prior to taking part in a heated disagreement with Naveen-ul-Haq and afterward Gambhir.

As a result, fans and even some seasoned cricketers wanted to see RCB and LSG compete against each other in the playoffs. After defeating Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday, Lucknow contributed by reaching the playoffs for the second consecutive year. In any case, RCB flopped in their bid. They fell to GT and finished sixth in the table.

Following the win, LSG took a dig at Kohli using the name that fans beloved hail him as – ‘King’. With Gill being Kohli’s heir-apparent, he is referred to as ‘Prince’. But Lucknow instead hailed Gill as the ‘King’. Posting a picture of the GT opener, they wrote, “Prince? He’s already a King (used emoticon of crown).”

Twitter fans were not very pleased at the move:

LSG will now play Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator on May 24 at the Chepauk, and Gujarat will play Chennai Super Kings, the four-time champions, in the Qualifier 1 match on Tuesday at the same location.