aikidogs.com – Local Reports & Special Coverage

Former Kerala cricketer, Raiphi Gomez, suggested that Sanju Samson is more than flexible to bat lower down the order if the team needs it considering the return of Shubman Gill in the Asia Cup 2025 squad.

Pakistan's bowling coach, Ashley Noffke, assures that Shaheen Afridi is regaining his top form before the Asia Cup, after battling a back injury in 2023. Afridi's pace is improving, with more balls reaching 140km/h during the West Indies series. He is working on his technique and swing to challenge the stumps consistently, aiming to hit speeds close to 150km/h.

Former India cricketer, Virender Sehwag, believes that the upcoming Asia Cup will serve as the perfect testing ground for the Indian team to build their team for the T20 World Cup, slated to take place next year.

Fast bowler Mumhammad Imran, who went viral for his Shoaib Akhtar-like action and nuance, will play for Oman in the Asia Cup 2025 to be held from September 9 in the UAE.

Dhruv Jurel has praised Gautam Gambhir for the way he motivates players in the dressing room. He also values Gambhir's personal support and advice, which gives him confidence and keeps him determined to make the most of future opportunities.

Oman became the sixth team to announce their squad for the Asia Cup. The side announced a 17-member team, with opener Jastinder Singh leading the side.

Afghanistan’s rise from ICC’s lower divisions to Asia’s No. 2 white-ball team is cricket’s most remarkable story of the last decade. From inspiring World Cup campaigns to a T20 semifinal run, they’ve surpassed Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, uniting a nation through hope, resilience, and a fearless brand of cricket.

Oman has announced their 17-member squad, led by Jatinder Singh, for their debut in the Asia Cup, commencing on September 9 in the UAE. They are scheduled to play their first match against Pakistan on September 12 in Dubai. Following this, Oman will face the UAE and India later in the tournament.

Bazid Khan analyzed India's Asia Cup squad, noting the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will impact the team's intensity. He highlighted Suryakumar Yadav's struggles against Pakistan and emphasized Ravindra Jadeja's all-round contribution and fielding prowess will be missed. India faces the challenge of finding the right combination to compensate for these key players.

India and Pakistan are set to clash in the Asia Cup and Women's ODI World Cup. Mohsin Naqvi advocates for equal footing in negotiations with India. Despite reservations in India, engagement is expected in multi-nation tournaments. Earlier agreement involved neutral venues. Pakistan secured concessions, including hosting rights for a future ICC Women's tournament.

Shardul Thakur voiced his support for Shreyas Iyer after his Asia Cup 2025 squad omission, emphasizing the selectors' decision and Iyer's resilience. Thakur expressed confidence in Iyer's ability to make a strong comeback in future matches. He also highlighted the Asia Cup's significance as a confidence booster ahead of the World Cup, particularly the high-stakes India-Pakistan match.

Pakistani legend Wasim Akram has urged both Indian and Pakistani players and fans to maintain discipline during their Asia Cup clashes. Akram acknowledged India's strong form, highlighting that the team which handles pressure best will emerge victorious. He also expressed his desire for the resumption of India-Pakistan Test series, emphasizing the global appeal and historic significance of such encounters.

Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised the Indian selection committee's approach of rewarding players for Test performances with T20I spots, deeming it illogical. He questioned Shubman Gill's inclusion in the Asia Cup squad while expressing shock over Shreyas Iyer's exclusion despite his outstanding IPL form and recent displays of maturity in other formats.

Indian cricketer Rinku Singh and politician Priya Saroj surprised fans with their engagement news. Rinku revealed they connected in 2022 after he saw Priya's photo on a fan page and gathered the courage to message her. While their wedding is postponed due to Rinku's cricket commitments, he also expressed pride in Priya's political achievements.

Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary has said that he won't be watching the upcoming India vs Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2025, saying that human life is more important than sports.

Virender Sehwag expressed strong belief in India's chances at the upcoming Asia Cup in September, highlighting the team's skill, balance, and mindset for high-pressure situations. India, with a record eight Asia Cup titles, begins their campaign against UAE on September 10. The tournament serves as crucial preparation for the T20 World Cup, with Suryakumar Yadav leading a strong squad.

Vijay Dahiya acknowledges Shreyas Iyer's unfortunate Asia Cup omission, highlighting India's strong bench strength. Despite Iyer's and Siraj's omission, Dahiya believes India faces minimal threat in the Asia Cup, but emphasized the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. Jasprit Bumrah's return is welcomed, with cautious workload management expected, while Mohammed Siraj's absence is attributed to post-Test series fatigue.

Manoj Tiwary questions the India-Pakistan Asia Cup match appropriateness after the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, emphasizing human life's value over sports. He also expressed surprise over Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal's exclusion from the Asia Cup squad, despite their strong performances.

Mohammad Rizwan's struggles continue as he faces setbacks, including being dropped from the Asia Cup squad and demoted in PCB contracts. His poor form extended to the CPL, where he was dismissed for just 3 runs, leading to social media trolling. Pakistan cricket is facing a decline across formats, marked by inconsistent performances and early exits from major tournaments.

The selection of India's Asia Cup 2025 squad is creating controversy. Yashasvi Jaiswal is surprisingly left out. Shubman Gill makes a comeback to the T20I team. He is also appointed as the vice-captain. Experts are questioning Jaiswal's exclusion despite his strong performance. Sai Sudharsan's omission is also raising concerns. Subramaniam Badrinath highlights potential recency bias in the selection process.