Mohammed Shami is back! Yes, you read that right. According to reports, the star Indian pacer is likely to be included in India’s squads for the white-ball series against England and for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Apart from this, the calls for the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play Ranji Trophy continued to grow. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav, who has not been in any sort of action since T20 World Cup 2024, recently updated his fans about his road to recovery. As for the ICC Champions Trophy, the PCB did something to show confidence about their preparedness to host the mega event. On that note, let us look at the top stories from January 8 (Wednesday).
Mohammed Shami in ICC Champions Trophy?
Mohammed Shami is likely to be included in India’s squads for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and the ODI series against England. Shami, who last played for India in November 2023, has been performing well in the domestic circuit and is set to play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. According to reports, the selection committee members will attend his match on January 9 to assess his progress. If he continues to perform well and remain fit, he may be considered for the ODI series against England.
Virat Kohli hits an all-time low!
Virat Kohli’s struggles with the bat have hit a new low. He’s plummeted to 27th in the ICC Test batting rankings, a position he last found himself in back in 2012. His dismal performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he managed a mere 190 runs at an average of 23.75, has been well documented. To make matters worse, Rohit Sharma has slipped to 42. He began Test season at number six!
Kuldeep Yadav ready to roar!
It looks like Kuldeep Yadav is leaving no stone unturned in his preparation for the upcoming cricket tournaments! The Indian spinner recently shared a sneak peek of his intense net practice on social media, and it’s got everyone talking about his potential inclusion in the India vs England series and the ICC Champions Trophy. He last played for India at the T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa. India would definitely need his left-arm wrist spin on Dubai surfaces.
Akash Deep to go to NCA
Indian pacer Akash Deep is facing a spell on the sidelines due to a back injury. He’s expected to miss the upcoming VHT knockouts & T20 series against England, which kicks off on January 22. Akash Deep will head to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for rehab, which will keep him out of action for at least a month. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are also likely to sit out the England series due to workload management.
ICC Champions Trophy venues to be ready on time!
The PCB has relocated the ODI tri-series with New Zealand and South Africa from Multan to Lahore and Karachi, showing confidence in venue readiness for the ICC Champions Trophy. The Gaddafi Stadium and National Bank Stadium have undergone major upgrades, including increased seating, new digital replay screens, and improved lighting. This move dispels doubts about meeting the February 12 deadline. The Champions Trophy will follow a hybrid model, with most matches in Pakistan and key games in Dubai.
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli to play Ranji Trophy?
It’s clear that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are going through a tough patch, and former India coach Ravi Shastri has some advice for them. He thinks they should take a step back and play some domestic cricket to get their mojo back. Shastri believes that playing against younger bowlers and on different pitches will help them regain their form and confidence. Plus, it’ll give them a chance to pass on their expertise to the next generation of players.
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