Virat Kohli is set to make his much-awaited return to the Ranji Trophy after 12 years. The star batter will represent Delhi in their final league match against Railways, starting January 30. Kohli, who was unavailable for Delhi's match against Saurashtra due to neck stiffness, has confirmed his participation, according to sources within the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).Kohli last played in the Ranji Trophy during the 2012-13 season, scoring 57 runs against Uttar Pradesh. In his 23 Ranji appearances, Kohli has amassed 1,574 runs at an impressive average of 50.77, including five centuries. His standout season was in
India’s squad selection for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 reflects a bold reliance on spinners, a tactic helmed by captain Rohit Sharma and the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee. With games scheduled at the Dubai International Stadium, a venue historically favoring pacers, the decision to include four specialist spinners—Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar—over additional pacers is a strategic gamble. The spin-heavy approach builds on the success of last year’s ICC Trophy campaign, where Kuldeep and Axar were pivotal with their performances. Rohit emphasizes the versatility of the spinners, branding them as “spinning all-rounders” capable of contributing with
India has announced its 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, led by Rohit Sharma with Shubman Gill as vice-captain. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Hardik Pandya, all returning from injuries, are the key inclusions. Notably, Yashasvi Jaiswal, yet to make his ODI debut, has been selected as a potential opening option, adding left-handed versatility to the squad.Bumrah's inclusion remains conditional on his recovery from a back spasm, which he suffered during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he impressed with 32 wickets at an average of 13.06. Meanwhile, Harshit Rana has been drafted as his replacement for the preceding three-match
Rishabh Pant, the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, has opted out of leading the Delhi team in the upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra in Rajkot, starting January 23. This will mark Pant’s first Ranji game since 2018. Despite his credentials as an international player and former IPL franchise skipper, Pant suggested that Ayush Badoni should continue as captain to maintain the team's balance. Delhi currently stands in joint second position in the Elite Group D table with 19 points.Sources close to the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) revealed that Pant conveyed his decision to the Gursharan Singh-led selection committee, stating that disrupting
The spotlight shifts to star players Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and KL Rahul as the Ranji Trophy resumes on January 23. Delhi, Saurashtra, and Karnataka await confirmation on their participation. Jadeja, recently back from a family vacation in Australia, is expected to feature in Saurashtra’s match against Delhi in Rajkot. If both Kohli and Jadeja play, this game could become a marquee clash. Kohli, who hasn’t played a Ranji game in 12 years, might train with the Delhi team even if he doesn’t play. Delhi's squad announcement is due, and Rishabh Pant is set to captain the side.In Bengaluru, Karnataka
Shreyas Iyer has been named the captain of Punjab Kings for the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The announcement comes after his stellar leadership in the 2024 season, where he led Kolkata Knight Riders to the title. Following his release by KKR, Punjab Kings acquired Iyer for a record-breaking INR 26.75 Crore, making him the second most expensive buy of the auction.Iyer, aged 30, has had a phenomenal year, winning four major domestic titles, including the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Ranji Trophy, and Irani Trophy with Mumbai, alongside his IPL triumph. He expressed his excitement about the
The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to commence on March 21, 2025, at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens, which will also host the final on May 25, 2025. This marks a slight delay from the earlier communicated schedule of March 14 to May 25. According to reports, the delay is attributed to broadcasters seeking a later start due to the Champions Trophy final on March 9, although broadcasting sources have denied making such a request.Eden Gardens, home to the 2024 IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), will host both the opening game and the final, maintaining
Tamil actor Ajith Kumar showcased his exceptional versatility by excelling at the Dubai 24H 2025 race. His team, Ajith Kumar Racing, secured third place in the 991 category, while Ajith himself earned the prestigious "Spirit of the Race" recognition in the GT4 category. The Dubai 24H, hosted annually at the Dubai Autodrome, is a renowned event for high-performance GT and touring cars competing in a 24-hour endurance format.Ajith's remarkable achievement drew widespread praise from his industry peers:Kamal Haasan lauded Ajith's extraordinary feat, calling it a proud moment for Indian motorsports.R Madhavan praised Ajith for proving that "dreams do come true"
At just 11 years old, Vhenisa Sree from Tamil Nadu is making a name for herself in Indian archery. She is poised to become the youngest competitor in the upcoming National Games in Uttarakhand after qualifying by reaching the quarterfinals of the National Championships in Jharkhand. Vhenisa impressed with a seventh-place finish in the qualification stage, outscoring reigning world champion Aditi Gopichand Swami.Starting archery at the tender age of six, Vhenisa transitioned to senior-level competitions by the age of nine, showcasing remarkable maturity and skill. Her coach, Joyal Ezekiel, credits her success not to innate talent but to her unwavering
