Team India unveiled their 15-member squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the three-match ODI series against England. The announcement was made by skipper Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar during a press conference.

A major highlight was Shubman Gill's appointment as vice-captain, reflecting his growing stature in the team. Jasprit Bumrah, included in the squad, is under close monitoring, with Agarkar stating that more clarity on his fitness will emerge by February.

Sanju Samson was omitted, with KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant chosen as the squad’s wicketkeepers. Mohammed Siraj’s exclusion also raised eyebrows, with the selectors opting for a balanced mix of experience and youth.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir was absent from the announcement but had contributed to discussions with Rohit and the selection panel earlier.

The squad includes a mix of seasoned players and emerging talent, aiming to reclaim the Champions Trophy. Alongside Rohit and Gill, the batting lineup features Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shreyas Iyer. All-rounders Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel provide depth, while Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar strengthen the spin department. The pace attack comprises Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Arshdeep Singh.

Mohammed Shami has made a much-anticipated return to the Indian cricket team for the five-match T20I series against England, starting January 22. The seasoned pacer, who last played in the ODI World Cup final against Australia on November 19, adds depth to India’s bowling attack.

However, the squad announcement by the BCCI featured some notable surprises. Rishabh Pant, a regular in the shorter format, has been left out, with no official explanation provided. Instead, the wicketkeeping responsibilities will be shared by Dhruv Jurel and Sanju Samson. Another notable omission is all-rounder Shivam Dube, despite his consistent performances. Rising star Nitish Kumar Reddy, who impressed in domestic cricket, has been included in the squad.

In addition to Shami, the pace attack will feature Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh. The spin department includes Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, and Washington Sundar, offering a mix of experience and youth.

Suryakumar Yadav will lead the squad, with Axar Patel serving as his deputy. The batting line-up boasts a mix of power and finesse, with names like Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, and the in-form Rinku Singh.

The series will be a test of India's depth and new combinations, as the team aims to fine-tune its strategy ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year.

India's Squad for the T20I Series Against England:

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Axar Patel (VC), Sanju Samson (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Shami, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar.

Australia ended India's decade-long dominance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a six-wicket victory in the fifth and final Test in Sydney, sealing the series 3-1. Chasing a modest target of 162, Travis Head (34*) and Beau Webster (39*) guided the hosts to a comfortable win on Day 3.

India's batting woes persisted as they resumed at 141/6 in their second innings but collapsed for 157, losing their last four wickets for just 16 runs. Scott Boland shone with a six-wicket haul, supported by Pat Cummins, as Australia dominated with the ball.

This defeat caps a series of disappointments for India under head coach Gautam Gambhir. After losing the ODI series to Sri Lanka, a historic 0-3 Test whitewash at home, and now the BGT, India's cricketing fortunes have taken a sharp downturn.

Yashasvi Jaiswal was the standout performer for India, scoring 391 runs at an average of 43.44, showing composure and skill. KL Rahul and Nitish Kumar Reddy had flashes of brilliance, while Rishabh Pant lit up moments in the series. However, frequent unforced errors from the batting unit proved costly.

The struggles of India's senior players were glaring. Rohit Sharma averaged just 6.20 in five innings, while Virat Kohli's recurring flaw—edging behind—led to his dismissal in eight of nine innings. Tactical missteps compounded India’s woes. Poor team selections, like opting for two spinners on a green SCG pitch, left them vulnerable.

Australia’s disciplined approach, particularly their potent bowling attack, highlighted India's inconsistency. Though not at their peak, Australia capitalized on India’s errors to reclaim the trophy after eight years and secure a spot in the World Test Championship final.

For India, it’s a moment for introspection as they face hard questions about form, leadership, and strategy.

Indian pace sensation Jasprit Bumrah reached a remarkable milestone in his career, claiming his 200th Test wicket on Day 4 of the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Bumrah dismissed Travis Head to achieve this historic feat, solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest bowlers of all time. His exceptional performance in the series saw him leading the wicket charts, and with this milestone, he surpassed legends like Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner, and Curtly Ambrose in terms of bowling averages.

Bumrah’s career average of 19.5 in Test cricket is now the best among all bowlers with 200 or more wickets, edging out the likes of Marshall (20.9), Garner (21.0), and Ambrose (21.0). Notably, he is the first bowler in the history of Test cricket to achieve 200 wickets while maintaining an average below 20.

Adding to the milestone, Bumrah quickly claimed his 201st and 202nd Test wickets, further showcasing his dominance on the field. His relentless accuracy, searing pace, and ability to adapt to any condition have made him a formidable force in world cricket. Bumrah's achievement cements his legacy as a modern great and a game-changer for Indian cricket. 

Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh made history on Thursday by becoming the youngest-ever World Chess Champion at just 18 years old. Gukesh triumphed over China's reigning champion Ding Liren in a thrilling final game of the 2024 World Chess Championship held in Singapore. Securing victory in the 14th game of the match, Gukesh achieved 7.5 points to Ding's 6.5, claiming the title and a significant share of the $2.5 million prize purse.

The final game was a tense battle of wits, lasting 58 moves over four hours. Initially appearing destined for a draw, Gukesh's strategic precision ultimately secured him the decisive win. As the match concluded, the typically stoic teenager celebrated with a rare, wide grin and raised arms, marking a momentous occasion in his budding career.

Gukesh's victory breaks a longstanding record held by Russian legend Garry Kasparov, who became the youngest World Chess Champion at 22 in 1985 by defeating Anatoly Karpov. Gukesh also becomes the second Indian to hold the prestigious title, following in the footsteps of five-time champion Viswanathan Anand, who last won the title in 2013.

Gukesh entered the championship as the youngest challenger in history, having secured his spot by winning the Candidates Tournament earlier this year. Throughout the match, Gukesh showcased exceptional skill, winning the third and 11th games before clinching the title in the final round. Ding Liren, 32, had previously taken the first and 12th games, setting up a high-stakes finale.

Had the final game ended in a draw, the championship would have been decided through rapid tiebreak matches. However, Gukesh's clinical performance left no need for such measures, solidifying his place in chess history as the 18th World Chess Champion.

Australia delivered a resounding 10-wicket victory over India in the second Test at Adelaide Oval, leveling the five-match series 1-1 with a clinical performance in all departments. Chasing a paltry target of 19, openers Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney comfortably sealed the win on day three of the pink-ball Test.

India, resuming on 128-5, crumbled under the relentless pace of Australia’s attack, folding for 175. Mitchell Starc struck early, dismissing Rishabh Pant for a duck in the opening over. Pat Cummins then accounted for Ravichandran Ashwin (7) and Harshit Rana (0), while Nitish Kumar Reddy offered resistance with a gritty 42 before falling to Scott Boland.

Boland wrapped up the tail, dismissing Mohammed Siraj (7), as Australia’s pace trio wreaked havoc. Cummins finished with 5-57, Boland claimed 3-51, and Starc’s eight wickets across the match included a first-innings 6-48, his career best.

The defeat reignited painful memories for India, who suffered a similar three-day collapse in Adelaide in 2020 when they were skittled for a historic low of 36.

India’s troubles began on the first ball of the match, with Starc trapping opener Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw. Bowled out for 180 in the first innings, India lacked discipline with the pink ball as Travis Head’s explosive 140 and Marnus Labuschagne’s 64 powered Australia to 337 and a commanding 157-run lead.

Australia’s bowlers capitalized on the twilight conditions, dismantling India’s top order on day two and leaving the visitors with an insurmountable deficit.

The hosts now boast an impeccable 8-0 record in day-night Tests at Adelaide, while India’s struggles under lights persist. The series moves to Brisbane for the third Test, where both teams will aim to seize the upper hand.

India tightened their grip on the first Test against Australia in Perth, ending Day 3 on a high with a commanding all-round performance. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj led India’s bowling charge, leaving Australia tottering at 12/3 in their pursuit of an improbable 534-run target.

Bumrah was at his fiery best, dismissing Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne, while Siraj cleaned up Pat Cummins with a sharp delivery. Usman Khawaja (3*) managed to survive the testing final session but faces a daunting challenge as Australia still require 522 runs to win.

Earlier in the day, India piled on the runs with a declaration at 487/6, thanks to stellar contributions from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli. Jaiswal continued to impress with a magnificent 161, displaying remarkable composure and shot selection. Kohli, meanwhile, rolled back the years, scoring an unbeaten 100 off 143 balls—his 30th Test century and first in 16 months. The milestone also saw Kohli surpassing the legendary Sir Donald Bradman on the all-time list of Test centuries.

Kohli’s innings was a masterclass in patience and timing, anchoring India’s innings as they built an insurmountable lead. Supported by aggressive cameos from Shreyas Iyer (42) and Ravindra Jadeja (37*), India’s declaration put the pressure squarely on the Australian batters.

Australia’s response got off to a disastrous start. Bumrah’s lethal spells underlined why he is one of the world’s premier fast bowlers, while Siraj provided the perfect foil with his consistent accuracy. With three wickets down and an uphill task ahead, Australia faces an almost insurmountable challenge going into Day 4.

India, buoyed by their dominant performance, will look to wrap up the game and take an early lead in the series.

In a thrilling finish, New Zealand triumphed over India by 25 runs in the third Test of their series, completing a clean sweep with a 3-0 victory. Played in Mumbai, the match showcased intense competition, but ultimately, India fell short while chasing a target of 147 runs.

New Zealand posted scores of 235 and 174, setting a challenging target. India started their second innings on a shaky note, losing wickets rapidly under pressure. Rishabh Pant emerged as the standout performer for India, scoring 64 runs, but he found little support from his teammates. Washington Sundar was the second-highest scorer with just 12 runs, highlighting the batting struggles of the Indian lineup.

The New Zealand bowling attack, spearheaded by Ajaz Patel, was relentless. Patel's remarkable performance saw him take 11 wickets in the match, with figures of 5 for 59 in the first innings and 6 for 40 in the second. His ability to dismantle the Indian batting order proved crucial to New Zealand's success.

As the match progressed, the Indian innings fell apart, unable to build partnerships or recover from early setbacks. The Kiwis, buoyed by their bowlers' exploits, celebrated their series victory as India succumbed to pressure.

This win not only secures New Zealand’s dominance in the series but also reflects their growing strength in Test cricket. For India, it’s a disappointing result at home, raising questions about their batting resilience and strategy moving forward. With the series concluded, both teams will look ahead to their upcoming fixtures, aiming to improve and build on their experiences from this tightly contested series.

India cruised to a dominant seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the second Test on Tuesday, securing a record 18th consecutive home series win. Despite losing over 200 overs to rain, India’s bowlers shined, dismissing Bangladesh for 146 on the final day before chasing down a target of 95 in just 17.2 overs.

The match saw standout performances from India’s bowlers. Ravichandran Ashwin (3/50), Ravindra Jadeja (3/34), and Jasprit Bumrah (3/17) wreaked havoc on Bangladesh’s batting lineup. Starting the day at 26 for two, Bangladesh quickly lost key batters, including first-innings centurion Mominul Haque, dismissed early by Ashwin. Although opener Shadman Islam (50) showed resistance, the rest of the lineup collapsed under India's relentless pressure.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (19) threw away a promising partnership with Shadman by playing a reckless reverse sweep off Jadeja, triggering a middle-order collapse. Jadeja's tight spell accounted for three crucial wickets, including the dangerous Litton Das and Shakib Al Hasan, both falling for low scores.

Bumrah then wrapped up the innings, dismissing Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Mushfiqur Rahim (37) to bring Bangladesh's innings to a close, leaving India with a modest target of 95 runs.

India’s chase, though briefly troubled by the loss of Rohit Sharma (8) and Shubman Gill (6) to off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz, was steered by a composed Yashasvi Jaiswal. The Player of the Match, Jaiswal scored a mature 51, his second half-century of the game, and partnered with Virat Kohli (29*) in a steady 58-run stand. Jaiswal fell with only three runs needed, but Rishabh Pant finished the game in style with a boundary.

India’s clinical performance, which saw them win comfortably in just six sessions of play, underscored the vast gap between the two teams. Bangladesh’s inability to counter India’s bowlers, particularly Jadeja, proved costly. The defeat extended Bangladesh’s winless streak against India in Test cricket.

The victory also bolstered India’s lead at the top of the ICC World Test Championship standings with 74.24 percentage points. For Bangladesh, the lack of fight in crucial moments, especially in their second innings, will be a point of reflection.

India secured a historic victory against Bangladesh in the first Test of a two-match series at Chennai’s Chepauk Stadium, marking a monumental moment in their cricketing journey. With this 280-run win, India not only took a 1-0 lead in the series but also achieved a significant milestone: for the first time in its 92-year Test history, India's tally of Test wins surpassed its tally of losses. The team has now won 179 matches, with 178 losses, out of a total of 581 Tests since its debut in 1932.

India’s dominance in this match was driven by a stellar all-round performance, particularly by veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who took 6 wickets for 88 runs in Bangladesh's second innings. Ashwin's contribution with both bat and ball was pivotal as he tore through Bangladesh’s lineup on the fourth day, helping India bowl them out for 234, well short of the 515-run target. Ravindra Jadeja also played a crucial role, taking 3 wickets for 58 runs.

Bangladesh had started day four at 158 for 4, but India's bowlers quickly wrapped up the innings, with only skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto offering resistance through his fighting 82 from 127 deliveries. Despite Shanto’s efforts, Bangladesh faltered, unable to handle the spin duo of Ashwin and Jadeja.

India’s batting brilliance in the second innings set the tone for this massive victory. Declaring at 287 for 4, India built a commanding 514-run lead, thanks to centuries from Rishabh Pant (109) and Shubman Gill (119). Both batsmen exhibited aggressive stroke play, with Pant leading the charge and Gill showing maturity in his approach. The strong second-innings display followed India’s solid first-innings total of 450, where Ashwin’s century had been another highlight.

Bangladesh struggled from the outset, managing only 195 in their first innings, with Ashwin once again in the thick of the action, scoring a century and claiming key wickets. The Chepauk victory reflects India's dominance at home, particularly in spin-friendly conditions, and Ashwin’s heroics, playing at his home ground, underscored his value as one of India’s greatest match-winners in Test cricket.