BCCI is expected to make a few changes in India’s ODI squad and the central contracts. The board has backed Gautam Gambhir, contrary to rumours that would have you believe otherwise. Shreyas Iyer has been given a clean bill of health. Smriti Mandhana has entered the history books. And Virat Kohli has been urged to reconsider his Test retirement.
Gambhir to continue as Test coach
Devajit Saikia has labelled reports suggesting Gautam Gambhir’s potential removal as India’s Test coach as baseless. It was reported that BCCI had approached VVS Laxman, asking about his desire to coach India. It also suggested that BCCI might take a call on Gambhir depending on the T20 World Cup results.
BCCI central contracts 2025-26
BCCI is expected to announce central contracts for the 2025-26 season in the next couple of days. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be demoted from Grade A+. On the other hand, Shubman Gill will be promoted from Grade A to A+. Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar are expected to be removed.
Shreyas Iyer fit for selection
Shreyas Iyer is on track to make his ODI comeback for India against New Zealand. The 31-year-old has been at the Centre of Excellence for the last couple of days and has been cleared to play. Shreyas will play two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches for Mumbai as preparation.
Latest on Cricket
- Vijay Hazare Trophy live streaming: Which matches will be streamed live by BCCI on December 29?
- Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood & Tim David to be part of Australia’s T20 World Cup team despite injuries
- England lose Gus Atkinson due to hamstring injury for fifth Ashes Test
Selectors to pick Kishan over Pant?
BCCI will drop Rishabh Pant from India’s ODI squad. The wicketkeeper warmed the bench against South Africa as KL Rahul captained and kept the wickets. After Ishan Kishan’s excellent domestic show, the selectors are expected to drop both backup keepers, Pant and Dhruv Jurel, to bring in Kishan.
Kohli should reconsider Test retirement
Navjot Singh Sidhu hopes Virat Kohli will reconsider his decision to retire from Test cricket. The former Indian opener is certain that having Kohli in the whites will bring ‘joy and ecstasy to a country of 1.5 billion’ and that his ‘fitness is that of a twenty-year-old.’
Mandhana enters elite league
Smriti Mandhana has become just the fourth batter to scale the 10,000-run mountain in women’s cricket. Her 80-run knock against Sri Lanka took her to the league of Mithali Raj, Suzie Bates, and Charlotte Edwards. India went on to score 221, their highest-ever total in T20Is.
