And after a few weeks, Gautam Gambhir finally represented Team India as head coach for the first time. He addressed media houses alongside chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the duo answered to all the questions related to the Indian squad selected for Sri Lankan series. From clearing the air with his relation with Virat Kohli, to revealing on why Suryakumar Yadav was selected as T20I captain over Hardik Pandya, Gambhir and Agarkar answered to many questions. However, the exclusion of Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhishek Sharma still remain unanswered. Following the press conference, the entire team even landed in Colombo for the series.
Gautam Gambhir ignores Sanju Samson question?
Quite a few eyebrows were raised when Team India didn’t select Sanju Samson for the ODIs against Sri Lanka. While he is in the team for T20Is, Samson made a century the last time he played the 50-over format. However, when reporters asked Gambhir and Agarkar about the snub, they sneakily dodged the question and said that ‘Sometimes it’s just the way things go.’
Virat Kohli – Rohit Sharma to play 2027 WC?
Gautam Gambhir expects pillars of Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, to be available for most ODIs and Tests after retiring from T20Is. He hopes they will maintain their fitness to be in contention even for the 2027 50-over World Cup in Africa. Despite announcing their T20I retirement, both Rohit and Kohli were named in India’s squad for the upcoming ODIs in Sri Lanka, with an eye on the Champions Trophy next year.
Anti-sex beds in Paris Olympics?
Paris 2024 Olympics buzzed with talk of “anti-sex” beds. Made from recycled cardboard, these eco-friendly beds sparked rumors of a crackdown on athlete intimacy. Thankfully for athletes, it’s a myth! The beds, used in Tokyo 2020 too, were built for sustainability, not to be celibacy enforcers. Officials confirm their sturdiness, so athletes can compete and go green, worry-free.
New India assistant coaches finalized!
Gautam Gambhir has chosen his preferred support staff for the series against Sri Lanka, but the final selection will be made after the series concludes. Gambhir will now have Abhishek Nayar and Ryan Ten Doeschate as part of his support staff, with their designation being as ‘Assistant coaches’. Sairaj Bahutule is an interim bowling coach while T Dilip will continue his stint as fielding coach. The remaining support staff will be finalized during the one-month break before the Bangladesh series.
ICC annual meet conclude; no CT talks
ICC’s 4-day conference ended with highs and lows. Women’s cricket got a major boost with a 16-team T20 World Cup in 2030. However, USA Cricket faced suspension after hosting the Men’s T20 World Cup. The big question mark hangs over the Champions Trophy in 2025. As we all know, India wants a neutral venue, and tensions with Pakistan remain. No official meeting to resolve the dispute took place, leaving the tournament’s location uncertain.
World Record Alert!
Scotland’s Charlie Cassell made a dream ODI debut, taking a record-breaking 7 wickets for just 21 runs against Oman. Drafted in as a late replacement, Cassell wasted no time. He claimed a wicket with his first ball and two more with his second over! Despite completing his fifer, he wasn’t done. Cassell etched his name in history as the first bowler ever to take seven wickets on ODI debut. He broke Kagiso Rabada’s record for the best figures on ODI debut in men’s cricket.
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