Team India’s assistant coach, Ryan ten Doeschate, shared a big update on Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the fourth Test, which starts on July 23 at Old Trafford in Manchester. Before the tour began, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had already said that Bumrah would play only three Tests to manage his workload. Bumrah missed the last match at Edgbaston, which India won.

Big Update on Jasprit Bumrah’s Return for 4th Test from Team India’s Coach

Speaking to reporters, ten Doeschate said, “No, we’ll take that decision in Manchester.” He added, “He’s available for one of the last two Tests. With the series on the line, we’re more likely to play him in Manchester. But we’ll have to look at everything how the weather will be, what gives us the best chance to win, and how both the remaining matches fit together.”

🚨 GOOD NEWS FOR INDIA 🚨

- Jasprit Bumrah is set to play in the 4th Test against England. [Express Sports] pic.twitter.com/vBaulOfdh6

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 17, 2025

The coach also praised England captain Ben Stokes for his strong performance in the Lord’s Test. Stokes bowled 18 overs in the final innings and helped his team win by 22 runs. “It was really impressive to see Ben bowl so many overs on the last day with full effort, and then also contribute with the bat and in the field. But we’re not trying to compare our bowlers with anyone else,” he said.

ALSO READ: Afghanistan Cricket Board releases 2025 Central Contract list of emerging players

Talking about Bumrah, ten Doeschate explained that the star pacer is most effective in short spells. “Jasprit is at his best when he bowls in short bursts that’s what suits him.” He also mentioned that not all bowlers are the same. “For example, Siraj starts to bowl at his best after the 7th or 8th over. Some bowlers are like that. But each one is different. We’ve spoken with Jasprit, and the way we’re managing him is what we believe is best for the team.”

The Indian Cricket Team's highly anticipated test tour of England is almost around the corner. The bumper five-test rubber marks the beginning of the new World Test Championship Cycle (WTC) for 2025-27. The teams will be playing for the 'Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy' as the name of the mega series has been changed from the original 'Pataudi Trophy'. The five matches are slated to be played at Headingley in Leeds, Edgbaston in Birmingham, Lord's in London, Old Trafford in Manchester, and The Oval in London. The first of the marquee clashes commences on Friday, 20th June, and fans are eagerly waiting to witness some exhilarating red ball cricketing action. 

The India Test Team enters this new cycle while being in a transitional phase. With the retirement of stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin, a new era beckons for the young group of players in the UK. It's up to the next generation, surrounded with only a few notable senior players currently, to carry forward the legacy and build further. With Shubman Gill being handed over the skipper duties, and some new additions in the squad, it will be interesting to see their blueprint for a healthy transition ahead. 

India's time on the British shores began with an unofficial test series between the England Lions and India A. The purpose of this series was to provide some match practice to the players entering the test arena from IPL T20 cricket. The two 4-day encounters served as red ball game time for a lot of First-Class (FC) cricketers in the reckoning for the senior team. With a few chances of impressing the coach and national selectors by their cricketing skills on English soil, players like Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Harshit Rana, Anshul Kamboj, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Sarfaraz Khan took the field against the Lions. Both matches ended in draws, however, there was a bigger picture associated with the outcome of the games. Understanding the conditions and analyzing a few players for some potential spots and backups in the main starting XI against England in Leeds were at the topmost of the agenda.

See Also - ENG vs IND: Michael Vaughan feels Jasprit Bumrah might trouble Joe Root once more

An intra-squad warm-up match was organised in Beckenham to precede the series opener. All the players from the touring party were divided into two teams for one final simulation and to decide on players staying back. In a surprising and unexpected selection move, Harshit Rana was favoured and added to the test squad for the first game as a bowling cover. The rest of the 'India A' players were on their way back home. In a move that has faced backlash since, it is seen as an unfair one on Anshul Kamboj, potentially the most deserving candidate to be included in the squad, but not to be for now. Both of them, originally, were not in the squad, but Harshit, a 23-year-old right-arm Delhi pacer, got the nod over Anshul, a 24-year-old quick from Haryana. The former debuted in Australia in late 2024 and picked up just four wickets from two 'Border-Gavaskar Trophy' tests. However, the decision of his current inclusion hasn’t gone down well with a former Indian cricketer, who reprimanded the team management for their obsession with Rana.

Anshul Kamboj should have been added to the squad. Don’t understand this obsession with Harshit Rana #ENGvIND

— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) June 16, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

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Standing on the right side of numbers in First-Class (FC) cricket, and in the recently played series against the England Lions, Anshul has produced better returns than Harshit. A statistical comparison between the two, in red ball cricket, upholds this fact. 

Keeping the stats under scrutiny and then considering this bizarre decision, speculations have arisen over bias. Fans and former cricketers have spoken out against the team management, selectors, and head coach, Gautam Gambhir, for their favouritism towards Harshit Rana. Anshul Kamboj deserved to stay back and get added to the main squad for the series. It will be interesting to see if Rana can pay back the faith shown in him. Regardless of that, as Shubman Gill takes guard at the dawn of India's next test, unless batters don't play responsibly, much can't be expected from the outcome of the series. India has a great arsenal in their bowling ranks, and they will certainly deliver the goods from the word go. 

Ajit Agarkar Likely to Continue as Chief Selector as Indian Cricket Enters New Phase

Indian cricket is going through big changes. Ravichandran Ashwin has retired from international cricket. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have stepped away from both T20Is and Test matches. Ravindra Jadeja has also retired from T20 cricket. With Shubman Gill now taking over as Test captain, it’s clear a new era has begun.

During this time of transition, the BCCI wants to maintain stability, especially when it comes to team selection. That’s why the board has decided to give chief selector Ajit Agarkar an extension of at least one more year. A BCCI official told CricBlogger, “Agarkar is expected to continue. A final decision will be made after following the proper process.”

Agarkar’s Strong Start as Chief Selector

Since taking over in July 2023, Ajit Agarkar has done a solid job. His experience as a former Indian cricketer, a coach with Delhi Capitals, and a selector for Mumbai has helped him make smart decisions. Under his leadership, India won the T20 World Cup in 2024 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025. The team also reached the ODI World Cup final in 2023 and lost the match in the crucial match.

ALSO READ: “He Was Broken.." Wiaan Mulder Reveals Emotional Post-WTC Final Call with Travis Head

Backing Performers and Making Bold Calls

Agarkar has brought clarity to team selection. He has rewarded players who performed well, and he hasn’t been afraid to make bold choices. Even though there were a few disagreements with the team management especially about senior players stepping down his overall decisions have been fair and focused on the future.

For example, he backed Sarfaraz Khan after his strong domestic performances and gave him a chance in the Test team. He also gave Nitish Kumar Reddy his debut in Australia, where he scored a century after wickets down frequently. Karun Nair was brought back after eight years, and Yashasvi Jaiswal also made his Test debut during Agarkar’s time.

With the T20 World Cup 2026 coming up, the BCCI wants Agarkar’s steady hand to guide the selection process. His ability to spot talent and make clear decisions has been a big plus. As Indian cricket moves forward with new faces and fresh energy, Agarkar’s role will be more important than ever.

India is gearing up for a five-Test series against England that starts on June 20. Discussions have ramped up on how to manage star pacer Jasprit Bumrah's workload. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has made the position clear on Bumrah's involvement & workload management: Bumrah will not participate in every Test of the series, and Agarkar has stated it will be managed because the priority is keeping Bumrah fit for the duration of the tour. The approach to using Bumrah has been debated by various experts, including Australian great Brad Hogg, who has recently suggested something quite alarming.

Speaking to RevSportz this week, Hogg suggested Bumrah should be rested for the first Test, and the following Tests should be managed to be played in strategic positions based on what he considered the most important games for the series. "You've got to be very strategic with those three Test matches," Hogg said. "Where are you going to get the most benefit out of him?" Because he can turn the game, he can turn the series on its head. So you want to make sure that you play him at Lord's, definitely, and probably Warwickshire." He added that throwing England off guard by not playing Bumrah early could work in India’s favor.

"I probably wouldn't even play him in the first Test match, actually. I'd just go, 'Right, England, we don't have Bumrah.' And you could just see England thinking, 'Oh, they don't have Bumrah—that's good; we don't have to face him.' But then they're going to start worrying about him in the second Test match. And if he turns the tide in the second match, then all of a sudden England is playing catch-up. So I'd add a bit of byplay there," Hogg added.

Gill Begins New Chapter as Test Captain

Shubman Gill, who takes over as India’s 37th Test captain following Rohit Sharma’s retirement, is gearing up for his first major challenge in the red-ball format. The upcoming England series will mark the start of India’s new World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle. With Rishabh Pant as his vice-captain, Gill will lead a relatively fresh-faced side into this crucial phase.

'Wouldn't play Jasprit Bumrah in first Test": Shubman Gill, Gautam Gambhir receive stunning advice#ShubmanGill #GautamGambhir #INDvsENG https://t.co/tsVb1gbblX

— CricketNDTV (@CricketNDTV) June 16, 2025

See Also: Dale Steyn emotional reaction after South Africa's WTC final win

Addressing the expectations around his leadership, Gill said that both head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar have given him full freedom. "There are no expectations from them. They want me to express myself as a leader and not expect me to do something I can't," Gill stated, underlining the management’s supportive approach as he steps into this new role.

Team India without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will travel to England for a 5-match Test series. When Ajit Agarkar, chief of the selection committee, faced reporters during the squad announcement press conference, questions were naturally there about Rohit and Virat's retirement for Tests, just ahead of the crucial series, and both of them shared their official decision unceremoniously and suddenly, which led the cricket fans only to amuse.

Agarkar finally broke his silence about the retirement of two legends. He personally shared information about Kohli, which was not disclosed before.

The head of the selection committee, BCCI said in the press conference, "When guys like that retire, there are always big holes to fill. (Ravichandran) Ashwin also retired. Those three have been stalwarts. Always difficult. One way of looking at it is an opportunity for someone else. Had conversations with both of them."

Read More: IND vs ENG: Sarfaraz Khan lost 10 kg but was dropped—what mistake ruined his England dream?

Virat already made his mind about retirement

Agarkar said that Virat informed them early about his decision to leave the format, and he had already made up his mind about retiring from Tests. "Virat reached out to us early in April and said he had made up his mind to retire from Test cricket." 

In his long, emotional retirement note, Virat Kohli said through his Instagram post on May 12, 2025, "It’s been 14 years since I first wore the baggy blue in Test cricket. Honestly, I never imagined the journey this format would take me on. It’s tested me, shaped me, and taught me lessons I’ll carry for life. There’s something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no one sees but that stay with you forever"

Indian squad for England series:

Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said that Jasprit Bumrah might not play all five Test matches on the England tour, which starts on June 20. Bumrah had recently led the Indian team when Rohit Sharma was not available, but this time, he has not been named captain. Instead, Shubman Gill will lead the side, with Rishabh Pant as the vice-captain.

Agarkar explained that the main reason behind this decision is to manage Bumrah’s workload. Since Bumrah has had injury issues in the past, the team doesn’t want to take any risks by making him play every game. To give the team more options, left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh has been added to the squad.

“Arshdeep is a quality bowler. He’s played county cricket, does well in domestic matches, and can swing the new ball. He’s tall and has done well in red-ball cricket over the last few years. Since Bumrah may not play all the matches, we wanted a bit of variety in the attack,” Agarkar said during the press conference.

ALSO READ: ENG vs IND: 5 Indian players to watch out for england series

Agarkar also spoke about why Karun Nair was picked over Sarfaraz Khan. Even though Sarfaraz scored a century in his debut Test, he hasn’t performed well since then. With Virat Kohli missing the tour, the team needed someone experienced in the middle order. Karun has been in good form recently and has played Test and county cricket as well.

“Sometimes, you have to make tough choices. Sarfaraz got a hundred in his first Test, but didn’t score much after that. Karun has scored a lot of runs in domestic cricket and has experience. With Virat not in the squad, we felt Karun’s experience would be helpful,” Agarkar explained.

Within 9 months, Team India, led by captain Rohit Sharma, uplifted the ICC T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy. Now, BCCI and Team India are preparing for another World Cup and other upcoming ICC events. Prior to this, the board can take several decisions that can make a long-term impact on the Men in Blue Brigade.

Read More: New Zealand captain out of Pakistan ODIs

A recent media report suggests BCCI honorary secretary Devajit Saikia is likely to meet head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief of selectors Ajit Agarkar, though it is unclear whether this possible meeting will be official or on a personal stance. Saikia, Agarkar, and Gambhir can hold their discussion on March 30 in Guwahati, the scheduled date for the Rajasthan Royals vs. Chennai Super Kings clash at the Barsapara stadium.

The report further claimed that the BCCI apex committee held a discussion table on the 22nd, the day marked for the inauguration day for IPL 2025. BCCI is yet to make a decision about the central contract, where a lot of changes can be seen. Not only that, officials can make some bold steps about staff reshuffle during the possible meeting between Saikia, Agarkar, and Gambhir on March 30. Gambhir has started his journey as the team India head coach with bowling coach Morne Morkel, Rayn Ten Doeschate (assistant coach), and Abhishek Nayar (assistant coach).

Other staff, like T. Dilip, who is the fielding coach of the men's team, and many others in the staff room, have been associated with the team for a long time. It is speculated that BCCI can take crucial decisions about staff reshuffle to allow some fresh air in the team.

The ICC Champions Trophy is set to make its much-anticipated return after an eight-year hiatus, commencing on February 19, 2025, with matches hosted in Pakistan and the UAE (for India's fixtures). India, known for its remarkable consistency and dominance on the global stage, enters the tournament as one of the strongest contenders, ready to stake its claim in this ultimate test of cricketing excellence. But the recently released Indian squad for the forthcoming tournament has sparked a lot of talk and discussion amongst the game's followers.

Though it had its own set of positives, some aspects could hinder their chances to scalp their second title of the tournament. Keeping in mind the team's recent performances post their triumphant 2024 T20 World Cup has been alarming for their future performances. Here, we look at the three factors that could not lead India to a victorious 2025 Champions Trophy run.

India 15-man squad for Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana (Reserve)

Rohit Sharma's Hilarious Quip at Champions Trophy Press Conference Goes Viral

cricket fans are speaking a lot about the important 2025 Champions Trophy, but not because of which players are playing or the game plans. After they told everyone which players were going to be in the tournament, Rohit Sharma, who is the captian of India's OneDay and Test cricket for india, said something extremely funny that caused everyone to laugh.

On January 18, Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar addressed the media to reveal the India’s squad for the upcoming ODI series against England and the much anticipated Champions Trophy. While the conference largely revolved around questions on player selection, exclusions, and strategies, it ended on an unexpectedly humorous note.

As the duo wrapped up the session, a moment caught on camera went viral. Rohit, visibly relieved the press conference had concluded, turned to Agarkar and quipped, “Yaar BC ekdum boring tha PC (Man, the press conference was absolutely boring).” The light hearted remark left fans and social media abuzz, with many appreciating Rohit’s down to earth personality and sense of humor.

“Yaar BC ekdum boring tha PC (Press conference) [Man, the press conference was absolutely boring]."

Rohit to ajit agarkar:

Yaar benc#od ek dum boring tha press conference 😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/HJf7GI2jDK

— ADITYA (@140OldTrafford) January 18, 2025

Fans React to the Viral Moment

A large number of cricket fans saw the video on the Internet very quickly, and they started sharing it on places such as Facebook and Instagram. People liked what Rohit said and thought it was acceptable that he was being honest when things were tough. They said good words about him because he was just being himself.

One fan commented, “This is why we love Rohit Sharma! He speaks his mind and keeps it genuine.” Another added, “Rohit is not just a captain; he’s the entertainer we didn’t know we needed.”

ALSO READ: Steve Smith sustains an injury to his elbow ahead of the Sri Lanka Tour

Rohit Sharma is the captian  of the India Cricket Team in all the ways they play, which means he has to be really responsible for the team. But, even with such a major job, he still behaves like everyone else and is kind. When people speak seriously about cricket, he often tells funny stories, which is acceptable and makes everyone feel more relaxed.

With India set to play England in the ODI series followed by their Champions Trophy campaign, all eyes are now on how Rohit and his squad perform on the field. But for now, his candid remark has given fans a reason to smile and proved once again why he remains one of the most beloved persons in Indian cricket.

Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar Arrive Late for Press Conference 

On Sunday, Rohit Sharma, who leads the India team, and Ajit Agarkar, who picks the players, were late over two hours to press conference for champions trophy squad announcement  in Mumbai. They were supposed to tell us who's going to play in the important games against England and the very popular Champions Trophy in 2025. But  they were so late, we were all waiting and extremely eager to hear what they would say!

As the two finally took their seats and adjusted their microphones, an intersting off the record moment between Rohit and Agarkar caught attention. In a hushed tone, Rohit was overheard sharing his concerns about the new guidelines introduced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding players’ families traveling with them. A video of the candid exchange quickly went viral on social media, with Rohit’s casual yet relatable comment sparking widespread interest. In his typical laid-back manner, Rohit leaned toward Agarkar and remarked, “I will have to sit (with the BCCI officials) for one or one and a half hours after this. Will have to sit with the secretary to discuss regarding all this family and all, all are saying to me.”

💀💀 pic.twitter.com/4nn17QKemt

— Priyanshu (@cricketwalaldka) January 18, 2025

The genuine comment showcased the human side of the captain, who is not only balancing on-field responsibilities but also managing concerns raised by his teammates about their families. The moment resonated with fans, reflecting the unique pressures cricketers face beyond the boundary. The delay and Rohit’s remarks added a touch of drama to the otherwise straightforward press conference. Once proceedings began, the focus shifted to cricket, with Agarkar and Rohit answering questions about team selections, strategies, and the road ahead. However, the viral snippet of their press conference conversation ensured that the day’s buzz extended beyond cricketing decisions. Fans on social media appreciated Rohit’s honesty and straight forwardness , with many praising him for addressing off-field concerns in his calm and composed manner. The moment served as a reminder of the captain’s role in bridging the gap between the team and the board, proving that leadership often extends beyond just the game.

ALSO READ: Reason behind dropping Mohammed Siraj from ODI squad revealed

Vice-Captain and Wicketkeeper Choices:  Discussions Behind the Scenes

There was a major discussion before press conference discussing who gets to be the vice captian for the team . They spoke a lot about the important choices they had to make. Gautam Gambhir really wants Hardik Pandya to be the assistant captain because he has captaincy skills and experience over the years  and might help the new young ones play better. But Ajit Agarkar and Rohit Sharma think Shubman Gill should get the job because he is very good at playing and he could be a great leader later on.

Another point of contention was the selection of the team’s wicketkeeper. Gambhir pushed for the inclusion of Sanju Samson, arguing that he has technique and temperament make him a reliable choice. On the other hand, Agarkar and Rohit leaned towards Rishabh Pant, praising his explosiveness and match winning capabilities. These differing viewpoints highlighted the challenges of selecting a balanced team while accommodating diverse perspectives. While the final decisions were not disclosed during the conference, the intense discussions underscored the importance of finding the right combination for upcoming tournaments.

India squad for champions trophy:

Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill (vice captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja.