India’s batter Shubman Gill has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for February 2025, adding another proud moment to his career. He won the award after beating Australia and New Zealand, thanks to his outstanding performances in ODIs throughout the month and crucial runs in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Shubman Gill has been in outstanding form, scoring 406 runs in just five ODIs at an incredible average of 101.50 and a strike rate of 94.19. His consistency and getting runs in Crucial times were key to India’s 3-0 series win over England, where he scored three half-centuries in a row.

Gill played a good innings of 87 runs in Nagpur, followed by a steady 60 in Cuttack. He finished the series in style with a superb century in Ahmedabad, smashing 112 off 102 balls, including 14 fours and three huge sixes. His brilliant knock not only helped India secure a dominant win but also earned him both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards in that series.

Shubman Gill thanked his fans and teammates, saying, “It’s always special to contribute to the team’s success and to be recognised for it. My focus has always been on playing positively and making every opportunity count.”

SHUBMAN GILL WINS ICC PLAYER OF THE MONTH AWARD...!!! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/0GQ4rSaX0c

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 12, 2025

Shubam Gill’s fantastic form didn’t stop there, He carried his confidence and good rhythm into the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. In India’s first match against Bangladesh in Dubai, he played a calm and classy knock, scoring an unbeaten 101 to guide India to victory. He followed it up with a brilliant 46 against Pakistan, ensuring India stayed unbeaten in their opening games in group matches.  

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His consistent performances were a big reason behind India’s success, as they went on to win the Champions Trophy 2025. His brilliant batting has kept him at the top of the ICC ODI rankings, a position he has held strongly since his outstanding run in 2024.  

India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, also climbed the ICC rankings, moving to third place after his match-winning performance in the Champions Trophy final against Newzland. This is the third time Gill has won the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award, having previously won it twice in 2023 (January and September). With his hunger for runs and consistency, he is already one of the biggest stars in world cricket, and he is in great form, there’s a lot more to come for him in the future.

 Part Time Phillips Dismisses Gill  

Phillips started out well with the bat, scoring confidently along with Rohit Sharma. With a well built score of 29 runs, Gill looked set and even ready to score more. But Phillips, known for his batting was introduced as a part time bowler. Instead of helping the Indians, his strike rate and scoring ability got him in trouble. Phillips delivered a well directed bowl and the resultant dance from Gill was what the New Zealand team needed.  

Glen Philips - You fucking beautiful man
What a brilliant catch 🔥🔥#INDvsNZ pic.twitter.com/taoUFmQAoR

— Sachin ( Modi Ka Parivar ) (@SM_8009) March 9, 2025

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Current Situation & Score of The Match

India are currently situated at 113/2 out of a possible 251 runs in a span of 18 overs. Sharma is striking well and has crossed the 60 mark with shreyas iyer . At this point in time, the match seems like an exact tie simply beaten by the number of runs needed from overs. 152 runs requiring in 32 overs, even the Indians are back into the match.

The astounding eccentricity of Phillips showcases something unique to cricket, a whole new player with a whole new type of talent who does not play professional cricket can enter the field and steal the astounding nature of the game with open arms. It is now and forever has been the complete design for a game so many people built around all over the world for the demo all of us are yet to witness.

Watching teams play harder, is the treated wonder yet to come in our world. The trophy awaits ‘Champions’

Indian batsman Shubman Gill has labeled the current batting line-up of India as the best he has ever been a part of. He cited the availability of all-time greats such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, along with other main batters, as a reflection of India's phenomenal batting depth.

Shubman Gill said - "This is the Best Indian batting line-up I have been part of. All time Greats Virat bhai & Rohit bhai. Rohit bhai is one of the Best openers, Virat bhai all time Great. So much depth in our batting, Everyone KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya & Shreyas Iyer". (Sahil… pic.twitter.com/MwQ4KQuYJv

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) March 8, 2025

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"This is the strongest Indian batting line-up I have played with. All-time greats Virat bhai & Rohit bhai. Rohit Bhai is one of the finest openers, Virat bhai an all-time great. So much depth in our batting—everyone, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya & Shreyas Iyer," Gill stated.

With seasoned players and match-winning hitters in the team, India's batting line-up appears more formidable than ever. Supporters will be expecting this fire power to serve the team well in future tournaments.

Shubman Gill has brushed aside the rumors regarding the retirement of Rohit Sharma, saying that there has been no talk of it in the dressing room or with him as well.

Gill pointed out that everyone is presently thinking about the Champions Trophy Final and even Rohit Sharma would be thinking about the same tournament like everyone else.

"No talk in the dressing room or with me. Even Rohit bhai will be dreaming of the Champions Trophy Final, as all of us. So nothing like that now," Gill mentioned.

The remarks are made as there is mounting speculation over the future of Rohit Sharma in international cricket. But with this statement, Gill has indicated quite clearly that for the moment at least, the Indian team is completely focused on their aspirations from the Champions Trophy.

For nearly a decade, cricket fans worldwide admired the legendary 'Fab Four': Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root. These four players were the biggest faces in international cricket, across formats, for almost a decade, bombarding records with great consistency, technique, and leadership. However, as time passes, the once-invicible quartet is now showing signs of fading away, raising questions about the next era of cricketing greats.

The Fab Four In Tests
Test cricket has been the ultimate proving ground for these four marstros. Kohli's dominant captaincy and stroke play, Smith's unorthodox but very effective technique, Williamson's calmness, and Root's classical style make them a force to reckon with. However, with age comes a different team dynamic, slowly nearing the edge of this sheer joy. Though Root and Williamson continue to be key players for their teams, Smith and Kohli have, in more recent years, struggled to provide that consistency.

The Fab Four In ODIs
The Image in below post a noticeable shift - Smith has turned black and white, suggesting that he is no longer capable of using his own skills. While modern-day cricket embraces power-hitting and aggressive strike rates, the dominance of the Fab Four in ODIs has been challenged by rising stars such as Babar Azam and Shubman Gill. While Kohli is still as formidable as ever, his role continues to evolve, while Williamson and Root seem to be throwing in the towel and unable to maintain their high standards in ODIs.

The Fab-four are fading away 😢 pic.twitter.com/4bWDFpsdDP

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 5, 2025

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The T20I Scenario of the Fab Four 
If there is one thing to take away from this image of T20 cricket, it is that the influential players of the format—Captain Kohli, Captain Smith, and Captain Root—all have reduced influences on T20. Power hitters and batting with a focus on the strike rate have largely edged out these players. Even though Williamson is hailed as an astute captain, he has not been hitting it big in terms of strike rates. As for Root, he has rarely made an appearance on the T20I stage.

The Future of the Fab Four 
Now as the Fab Four slowly dissolve, they leave behind unanswered questions: who will be winning these winks instead? Enter Babar Azam, Marnus Labuschagne, and Shubman Gill, who are already making their presence felt. But Kohli, Smith, Williamson, and Root will be an impossible feat to replicate. Cricket is in a state of transition.

Although the Fab Four show every sign of no longer being in their prime, their endeavors have forever inscribed them into history. Whether they will have a second innings or leave the scene gracefully will still play out. For now, it is the fans who can only turn back the pages of history and reminisce about the golden age they created.

India just won the T20I series and is now getting ready to play England in 50-over format. These matches are crucial for India as they look to fine-tune their preparations for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. When they play the 50-over format , they will have different players than the ones who played in the T20I matches. India is expected to use this series to experiment and find the ideal combination for the Champions Trophy, so we may see several changes in the playing XI over the course of the three matches.

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are going to open the match . They picked Yashasvi Jaiswal for the team, but he probably won't play unless Gill can't because he was injured. Shubman is also the Vice captain, which is another reason he will play. After those two, Virat Kohli will bat next, and then it's Shreyas Iyer's turn. It's hard to guess who will bat after them, Rishabh Pant or KL Rahul. However, since Rishabh Pant can win games and bats with his left hand, he might just be able to play.

Kuldeep Yadav is going to be our best player for spinning the ball. There might be times when you think Axar Patel should play instead of Ravindra Jadeja. But if Jadeja is with the team, he'll probably play before Axar does. Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Washington Sundar are the three players who can bat and bowl. The players, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami, are going to play too.

The ODI series will begin on February 6 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, with the second and third ODIs scheduled for February 9 and 12 in Cuttack and Ahmedabad, respectively.

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Jasprit Bumrah Set to Be Named Rohit Sharma's Deputy for Champions Trophy

In a move that underscores the leadership depth in Indian cricket, reports suggest that Jasprit Bumrah is set to be named Rohit Sharma's deputy for the highly anticipated ICC Champions Trophy. The tournament, scheduled to be held later this year, will see Bumrah's role expanded beyond his match-winning abilities as a bowler, placing him in a critical leadership position.

Bumrah's Leadership Evolution

Jasprit Bumrah has long been one of India's most dependable players across formats. His remarkable consistency, calm demeanor, and tactical understanding make him a natural choice for the vice-captaincy. Bumrah has already showcased leadership qualities during his tenure as captain in select matches, earning praise from teammates and management alike. Entrusting him with the vice-captaincy highlights the faith the team management has in his ability to guide the squad both on and off the field.

Shubman Gill: The Standby Leader

While Bumrah remains the primary candidate for the vice-captain's role, fitness concerns could alter plans. Bumrah has faced setbacks in the past due to injuries, and should any issues resurface, Shubman Gill is likely to take over the role. Gill, who has emerged as one of India's most reliable top-order batters, has displayed exceptional maturity and composure in his performances. His leadership potential has been evident through his captaincy roles in domestic cricket and his ability to handle pressure situations with confidence.

ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma set to lead India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Balancing Experience and Youth

This decision reflects the Indian cricket team's approach of balancing experience with youth. Rohit Sharma brings years of leadership experience, while Bumrah and Gill represent the next generation of Indian cricket. Grooming them for leadership roles ensures a seamless transition for the team's future.

With the Champions Trophy on the horizon, the focus will be on maintaining the fitness and form of key players. Bumrah's return to international cricket after an extended injury layoff has been a major boost for India. His experience and strategic thinking will be crucial in guiding the team through high-pressure situations in the tournament. Should Bumrah lead alongside Rohit or Gill step into the deputy's role, the Indian team will be well-equipped with a blend of experience, talent, and leadership to aim for the trophy. All eyes will now be on the official announcement and  fans eagerly await to see how this leadership dynamic shapes up for Team India in their quest for glory.

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.