aikidogs.com – Local Reports & Special Coverage

Former Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has responded to Sunil Gavaskar after the former Indian great criticised overseas cricketers for commenting on Indian cricket matters.

Robin Uthappa suggests Shubman Gill's selection for the T20I Asia Cup and his vice-captaincy might be influenced by star power and marketing considerations, despite his recent strong Test performance. Uthappa believes that India has a history of backing superstars, and Gill's inclusion aligns with this trend, especially after a successful IPL 2025 season.

Indian cricketers including Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma have successfully cleared the pre-season fitness test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

Cheteshwar Pujara announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on August 24. PM Narendra Modi praised his calm temperament and key role in India's historic Test wins overseas.

Sunil Gavaskar strongly criticised AB de Villiers for questioning Shreyas Iyer's Asia Cup omission, asserting that foreign players should not interfere in Indian cricket matters. Gavaskar emphasised that Indian cricketers refrain from commenting on other nations' selections and accused the Indian media of seeking validation from overseas opinions, reigniting the debate over external influence in Indian cricket.

Former India chief selector Kris Srikkanth has voiced his disappointment over the manner in which Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Cheteshwar Pujara bid farewell to Test cricket. He criticised the BCCI for lapses in communication, saying that the lack of proper coordination overshadowed the send-offs of these stalwarts.

The Royal Premier League kicked off in Pulwama as Royal Goodwill defeated Sultan Springs Baramulla in a thrilling opener, with thousands of fans celebrating the start of Kashmir's biggest local cricketing platform.

Sachin Tendulkar recently engaged with fans on Reddit, reminiscing about his prediction of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma carrying his legacy. He acknowledged their contributions to Indian cricket and highlighted the promising future with emerging talents. Kohli and Rohit, now focused on ODIs, are set to play a crucial series against Australia in October, bridging experience with the next generation.

Shreyas Iyer declined West Zone captaincy in the Duleep Trophy, leading to Shardul Thakur's appointment. Iyer, anticipating an Asia Cup call-up, focused on white-ball training but was surprisingly excluded from the squad. Meanwhile, Thakur is expected to lead Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, following Rahane's departure, after his strong red-ball performance and recent Test recall.

Cheteshwar Pujara, known for his resilience and unwavering defense, retires from Indian cricket, marking the end of an era defined by grit and patience. Over 103 Tests, he amassed 7,195 runs, becoming a symbol of steadfastness at the No. 3 position.

Wimbledon is targeting India to grow its brand, tapping into cricket’s popularity and engaging young audiences through collaborations, influencers, and technology. Indian cricketers like Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rohit Sharma have become key figures in this strategy. With key partnerships, Wimbledon aims to blend tradition with innovation for global appeal.

Prithvi Shaw, once hailed as a future star, candidly admits to making poor choices and losing focus on cricket, leading to a decline in his career. After being dropped due to fitness issues and going unsold in the IPL, Shaw seeks a fresh start by leaving the Mumbai Cricket Association to play for Maharashtra.