News regarding the India cricket team headlined February 17. We had some squad updates regarding the XI for the India vs Bangladesh match at the ICC Champions Trophy. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana’s names were mentioned. A new development regarding what sort of pitches Team India will play on also emerged. Also, KL Rahul may have broken an important BCCI rule. The Ranji Trophy semifinals started, and both games hang in the balance as of now. The PCB Chairman doesn’t need luxury treatment for the India vs. Pakistan match, and Alex Wales has decided to skip the entire English domestic season for KKR.
Arshdeep Singh over Harshit Rana
Arshdeep Singh is all set to play in the India vs. Bangladesh match. The left-arm played just 1 ODI in the recently concluded England series but will feature in the XI ahead of Harshit Rana, who played all three matches and came in as Jasprit Bumrah’s replacement. Head coach Gautam Gambhir rates Rana highly but won’t play him over Arshdeep or Mohammed Shami.
Fresh pitches for Team India
Team India may not have to play on sluggish wickets in Dubai. Not too long ago, ILT20 matches were played at the venue. However, it is learnt that it was already instructed that only 8 of the 10 strips available on the ground can be used. This means for Team India’s matches at the ICC Champions Trophy, two fresh pitches are available.
KL Rahul flaunts BCCI rules?
KL Rahul disregarded BCCI rules. According to the new mandates, all the players must travel in the team bus together. However, after landing in Dubai for the ICC Champions Trophy, Rahul didn’t travel to the hotel with the team but instead arrived in a car by himself. The team waited for Rahul, but he exited the airport 20 minutes late, by which time the team bus had left.
Latest on Cricket
- Ananya Panday set to perform in MI vs KKR IPL 2025 match in Wankhede
- “Things are slipping away”: Manjrekar on Rohit Sharma’s woes with Mumbai Indians in IPL 2025
- All you need to know about RR vs CSK IPL 2025 match
PCB Chairman wants the real India vs Pakistan experience
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was offered a $400,000 (Rs 3.47 crore) VIP hospitality box with 30 seats by the Emirates Cricket Board to enjoy the India vs. Pakistan match on February 23. But he rejected the offer. Instead of the luxury treatment, Naqvi has decided that he wants the real experience of the high-octane clash.
Ranji Trophy semifinals, Day 1 in brief
The Ranji Trophy semifinals kicked off yesterday. Winning the toss proved good for both Vidarbha and Kerala. The former ended the day with 308 and five wickets still in hand against Mumbai. Kerala batted a little slow but did well to lose just four wickets. Gujarat remains in the game, having given away 206 runs in 89 overs.
Alex Hales picks KKR over ECB
Alex Hales has gone all in on franchise cricket. The English opener has decided he won’t play for Notts in the T20 Blast and Trent Rockets in The Hundred this English season. Instead, the 36-year-old will play for the Los Angeles Knight Riders in the Major League Cricket (MLC) and Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
