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R Ashwin believes that other seasoned candidates like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja are still valid choices for the position. Even though Shubman Gill is the clear favorite to replace Rohit Sharma as India's next Test captain. The lineup for India's Five-Test series against England. Which begins on June 20, may be chosen in the last week of May. The selection process is dominated by discussions over a potential new captain. "First of all, Gill is regarded as the captain by everyone. They're all heading that way. But why do we overlook Ravindra Jadeja? Jasprit Bumrah is a noisy alternative," Ashwin stated in a YouTube video interview with former Tamil Nadu opener Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan. I would suggest that if you are open to hiring a new captain. Why not assign Gill as an experienced man's understudy for two years before giving him a full-time position? With 3370 runs and 323 wickets from 80 Test matches, Jadeja is the most seasoned player in the Indian squad following the retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit from the game. However, Bumrah has only captained India in three Test matches, most recently in the opening and final Tests of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He has no prior experience as a Test cricket captain. R. Ashwin "Why don't we gather all three or four candidates, have them give a presentation, and ask them to explain the team's vision?" Ashwin said. "It takes place in nations like Australia. Why don't we take that route? Following the third BGT Test late last year, Ashwin announced his retirement from all cricket-related activities. He stated that Bumrah should also be given serious consideration and that his recent back issue shouldn't be a barrier. "Look at Pat Cummins, who is currently captaining Australia in Tests and ODIs after having a back stress fracture as well," Ashwin said. In that sense, Bumrah is a national treasure and need to be discussed. He needs to be questioned about his ability to play five Test matches. Can you s

India won the 2025 Champions title in Dubai on Sunday, defeating New Zealand by four wickets. It was their third victory in this eight-team competition and their eighth ICC title. Having advanced to the knockout stages on numerous occasions, including the 2003 ODI World Cup, the 2017 Champions Trophy, the 2023 ODI World Cup, and two appearances in the World Test Championship finals in the 2019-21 and 2021-23 cycles, India has proved itself as one of the top teams in cricket. To date, Australia has won six ODI World Cups (1987, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2015, and 2023), one T20 World Cup in 2021, two Champions Trophies in 2006 and 2009, and one WTC in the 2021-2023 cycle, making them the most successful team across all formats. The PTI examines the previous ICC competitions that the Indian squad has won: 1983 ODI World Cup: In a low-scoring summit match at Lord's, Kapil Dev's squad overcame all odds to defeat the formidable West Indies, who had won the championship twice in a row, and record India's first-ever victory in a global cricket event. 2002 Champions Trophy (shared with Sri Lanka): Even though they co-hosted the 1996 ODI World Cup, India lost in heartbreaking fashion in the semifinals and left with the determination to improve. India and the hosts Sri Lanka had to share the trophy because of the continuous rains in Colombo on September 29 and 30 (reserve day), even though the squad captained by Sourav Ganguly went into the final undefeated. 2007 ICC World T20: India and other cricket boards may not have taken the shortest format seriously at the time, but a young team led by MS Dhoni made history by defeating bitter rivals Pakistan in a nail-biting final to win the competition's first edition. 2011 ODI World Cup: The Indian team was under a great deal to win the ODI World Cup trophy after a protracted and elusive wait. After a 28-year wait, Dhoni's squad finally achieved their goal when they defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in the Mumbai final to win the

In a significant move ahead of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025 season, David Wiese has been officially appointed as the captain of the Saint Lucia Kings. The franchise announced this leadership change earlier today, generating excitement among fans and pundits alike. Wiese, the seasoned all-rounder from Namibia, is set to bring his vast T20 experience and tactical acumen to the forefront as the team gears up for another competitive season. A Proven T20 Veteran Wiese is no stranger to high-pressure situations in franchise cricket. With over a decade of T20 experience spanning leagues such as the IPL, PSL, BBL, and international appearances for both South Africa and Namibia, the 39-year-old has built a reputation for being a reliable match-winner. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball, coupled with his on-field leadership skills, makes him a natural fit for the captaincy role. In CPL seasons past, Wiese has delivered consistent performances, especially with his death bowling and powerful late-order hitting. His familiarity with Caribbean pitches and understanding of the league's demands will be invaluable to the Kings' campaign in 2025. Leadership Goals and Team Outlook Upon accepting the role, Wiese expressed his excitement and commitment to leading the team: "It's a huge honour to captain a team with such passionate fans and talented players. I look forward to working with the coaching staff and teammates to build a winning culture. We're aiming for the title this year." The Saint Lucia Kings have come close in previous editions but are yet to secure their maiden CPL title. With Wiese at the helm, the franchise is aiming to blend experience with emerging talent, creating a balanced and aggressive side that can go all the way. Support from Management The team management, including head coach Andy Flower, has expressed full confidence in Wiese's appointment. In a statement, Flower noted: "David brings a calm, composed approach, combined with

In the tea break, Shubman Gill reached his first Test double-hundred and walked off unbroken on 265 after driving England into the ground with the highest-ever total by an Indian captain. Joe Root removed Washington Sundar for 42 as England's bowling attack grew weary. Allowing them to take just one wicket for the second straight session. India sped beyond 500 after lunch after cruising past 400 on the second morning at Edgbaston. Their strategy of filling their batting lineup with all-rounders following their lower-order collapses at Headingley drew a lot of opposition. But it has so far paid off handsomely, as they have partnerships of 203 and 144 for the sixth and seventh wickets. At number four, Gill was all class as he batted through a third straight session with little hope for England. Picking gaps with accuracy and finding reward for playing late. He persistently milked Shoaib Bashir, who had bowled 21 overs without reward on the second day, for singles and struck boundaries all over the park. After cleaning Washington up just before the tea break with an offbreak that turned past the outside edge. Root celebrated his dismissal with remarkable vigor. Curiously, Ben Stokes underbowled him, attempting every other possible way to get a wicket, including Harry Brook's less well-known medium pace. After the half, Washington took on Josh Tongue, hooking him over the long leg for six. After being concerned by his bouncer ploy before lunch. While Shubman Gill glided past several benchmarks, notably the best score by an Indian on English soil (previously 221) and the highest score by an Indian captain (previously 254*). He otherwise gave excellent support. India is well-positioned to achieve the highest total against England in the Stokes-McCullum era. Which stands at 579 (by Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 2022). There were no clear indications of a coming declaration at the tea break. England has won the last three times they have let up more over 550 runs while Sto

South African spinner Keshav Maharaj has stormed back to the top of the ICC Men's ODI Bowling Rankings. After a scintillating five-wicket haul against Australia, reaffirming his status as one of the most lethal spinners in world cricket. In the opening ODI of the three-match series held at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns on August 19. Keshav Maharaj delivered a masterclass in spin bowling, claiming 5 wickets for just 33 runs in his 10-over spell. His performance dismantled Australia's middle order, turning what looked like a promising chase into a dramatic collapse. From 60/0, the hosts crumbled to 89/6 within nine overs, thanks largely to Maharaj's relentless accuracy and guile. The 35-year-old left-arm orthodox spinner removed key batters including Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey, and Aaron Hardie. His spell not only earned him the Player of the Match award. But also propelled South Africa to a commanding 98-run victory, setting the tone for the series. This performance catapulted Maharaj to the №1 spot in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings, overtaking Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana and India's Kuldeep Yadav. Maharaj now holds 687 rating points, reclaiming a position he briefly held in late 2023. Ranking Shake-Up The latest rankings reflect a significant reshuffle. Kuldeep Yadav. Who had been holding the top spot, slipped to third due to India's lack of ODI fixtures since the Champions Trophy. Theekshana now sits second with 671 points. Other notable movers include West Indies' Jayden Seales. Who surged 17 places after a six-wicket haul against Pakistan, and Pakistan's Abrar Ahmed, who climbed 18 spots to joint-43rd. Interestingly, despite not playing ODIs recently, Indian pacers Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj have all gained a spot each, now ranked 13th, 14th, and 15th respectively. Ravindra Jadeja remains India's highest-ranked spinner at ninth with 616 points. Keshav Maharaj's Rise: A Testament to Consistency Maharaj's