The good news is that the speculation of Mohammed Shami coming back to the India squad has sparked again as the pacer has given a major update, and fans are waiting to see him in the Champions Trophy. Meanwhile, the bad news is that India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrah is likely to miss the ODI series against England next month. Also, after a tough loss, BCCI’s new president could think about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s future in the Indian team. Also, Steve Smith and Kane Williamson, two heavyweights who went unsold in the IPL, have now pulled out from the PSL draft too. They were supposed to be there in the list of probable for PSL which is happening simultaneously with IPL in the months of April and May.
Shami to make a comeback at ICC Champions Trophy?
Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has given a big update on his fitness, sparking hopes of his return to the national team. Shami, who has been out of action since the 2023 World Cup final due to injury issues, shared a video of himself bowling at full pace. This comes after skipper Rohit Sharma expressed frustration over the lack of clarity on Shami’s fitness. With the Champions Trophy 2025 around the corner, Shami’s return could be a big boost for Team India.
Jasprit Bumrah to be rested for England series
Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness for the Champions Trophy 2025 remains uncertain due to a back injury. Although he might miss the initial matches, there’s a possibility he’ll be available for the knockout stages. Bumrah is currently in Australia and will undergo further scans upon his return to India. Despite the uncertainty, his name is expected to be in the squad, which will be announced on January 12.
MI owners give warning to players over Hardik Pandya
Mumbai Indians’ poor performance last season was allegedly due to a rift between players following the captaincy change from Rohit Sharma to Hardik Pandya. The team was reportedly divided into two factions, with some players supporting Rohit and others backing Hardik. To address this issue, the MI owners recently held a meeting to warn key players not to undermine Hardik’s leadership.
WPL final likely to happen in Baroda
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering Baroda and Lucknow as host cities for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. The tournament is scheduled to commence on February 6, with Baroda’s Kotambi Stadium potentially hosting the final. This marks the third edition of the WPL, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru defending their title. Official details are awaited from the BCCI.
Smith & Williamson pulled out of PSL
Steve Smith and Kane Williamson have withdrawn from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 draft. The two marquee players were part of the platinum category. Smith cited other commitments while Williamson’s decision is still being persuaded. Their withdrawal is a significant blow to the PSL, which overlaps with the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. English players’ participation is also uncertain due to No Objection Certificate (NOC) issues from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Also, PCB’s draft is rescheduled from 11th January to 13th January and now to be held in Lahore.
BCCI to discuss Rohit and Kohli’s future
The BCCI is dissatisfied with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s poor performances in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The board has tasked new Secretary Devajit Saikia to send a stern message to the duo, emphasising that no player is bigger than the game. With India’s next Test series against England in the summer, the selection committee will decide their fate in the Test team. The move marks a significant transition, with seniors likely to be dropped to make way for youngsters.
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Mohammed Shami set to be included in ICC Champions Trophy & IND vs ENG ODI squads: Reports
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