The former England legendary batter, Kevin Pietersen, has drawn a comparison between the current Indian Test captain, Shubman Gill, and the former South Africa all-rounder, Jacques Kallis, after the former played two sensational knocks to set the platform for the Blue Brigade in their 336-run victory of the second Edgbaston Test to level the series at 1-1. 

Pietersen reckoned that just like Kallis didn’t perform at the start of his career and the management decided to give him a long rope, it was important for the selectors and coaches to stay calm with Shubman Gill, who couldn’t crack the red-ball formula at the beginning of his career. However, KP was trolled several times for making this comparison, and he reminded us of the same.

SEE ALSO: 'I think he will...' - Former England legend predicts whether Jofra Archer will play or not at Lord's Test

“I haven’t seen him bat. I haven’t watched any cricket. But I am not surprised to see his numbers. And I put my head on the block a few years ago saying that please back Shubman Gill. I said Jacques Kallis started very slowly and turned out to be an absolute superstar. And in Vizag, I told him on Star that he should please relax, chill, and back him. And he got a hundred the next day. He just oozes quality.” Pietersen expressed in London during a dinner party.

Kevin Pietersen compares Shubman Gill with Jacques Kallis

Shubman, before the start of the England series, was averaging 35 in the red-ball format. He had his issues due to various technical failures and batting on tough surfaces against quality bowlers. But once he has taken on the leadership responsibility, the 25-year-old has looked like a different campaigner with the bat. His average after four innings has flown up to 42.

In the first innings of the opening Leeds Test of the series, Gill cracked 147 with the bat. That was a period when India lost two successive wickets in the first session and had to bear with some fabulous bowling from the home side without losing any wickets. Gill’s change of stance has brought success for him, and it could bring more joy to his numbers.

#WATCH | London | On Team India test captain Shubman Gill's performance, Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen says, "...I am not surprised to see his numbers. I put my head on a block a few years ago, saying please back Shubman Gill. Jacques Kallis started very slowly and… pic.twitter.com/po0PTyYjHz

— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2025

The Gujarat Titans’ captain extended the purple patch in the second fixture with 269 in the first innings, followed by a 161 in the second at Edgbaston. Whether it’s about attacking the bowlers or soaking pressure, he was equally good on all occasions. Now his challenge moves to hold this form in the third clash at Lord’s.

Legendary Sri Lankan cricketer Kumar Sangakkara has expressed strong criticism over India’s decision to rest star pacer Jasprit Bumrah for the second Test against England. Despite earlier announcements that Bumrah wouldn’t be playing all five matches of the series, many experts and fans believed his inclusion in the second Test was crucial—especially after India’s defeat in the series opener. Sangakkara, speaking on Sky Sports, was visibly surprised and questioned the logic behind the decision.

"Interesting to understand how the decision is being made and who makes it.? Is it after a consultation with the players or the physios? It depends on whether the Lord's Test is more important than the series. The series is on the line," he said. According to Sangakkara, with India under pressure after losing the first match, this was the time when someone like Bumrah was needed to give the team a push.

"If we see the score, it's an even day, perhaps a little bit more tilted towards England with the five wickets down. So I would have expected the coach to have gone to Bumrah and said, 'Yes, we thought you might play the 3rd and the 5th Test, but we're going 1 and 2. Take a look if you can play the third; if you can, because then you've got two weeks off before the next one," he added, suggesting India should have adapted based on the situation.

Sangakkara Also Questions Omission of Kuldeep, Points to Recent Test Struggles

Sangakkara also touched upon the exclusion of spinner Kuldeep Yadav, which didn’t sit well with fans or pundits. He felt the decision-making reflected a reactive approach and was influenced by India’s recent poor run in Test matches.

See Also: [WATCH]: 'I Was Having My Dinner....' - Shubman Gill trolls BCCI after double ton in 2nd Test

“It’s not just a reaction to the last Test. I think there is a bit of chat about the last 9–10. Seven losses, one win, and one draw. There is a little bit of baggage as well to turn that pattern around. So there was a lot of pressure, and they were looking at this game and thinking, ‘alright, what can we do?’ and they rang in all the changes," Sangakkara said, pointing to the team’s recent record and the weight it carries into current selections.

Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami has been directed by the Calcutta High Court to pay Rs 4 lakh per month as maintenance to his estranged wife, Hasin Jahan, and their daughter. This amount marks a significant rise from the Rs 1.30 lakh monthly figure that was previously set by a district sessions court in 2023. The revised sum is meant to account for Shami’s financial standing and ensure the welfare of his daughter and wife.

The court ruling drew strong reactions on social media, with many of Shami's fans expressing sympathy, arguing that the cricketer should not have to pay such a steep amount. However, the judge clarified that the maintenance amount was fair, given the lifestyle Hasin Jahan had prior to separation and her current needs. The court noted that Jahan has remained unmarried and is living independently with the child, entitling her to a maintenance level that reflects her previous standard of living.

“The opposite party/husband’s income, financial disclosure, and earnings established that he is in a position to pay a higher amount,” the court said, according to Bar and Bench. “While it is true that the question of awarding an excessive amount of monetary relief does not arise, awarding a very low amount also cannot be accepted,” the judge explained further, as quoted by the Times of India.

Legal Battle and Background

Hasin Jahan expressed her gratitude after the order, saying the increased amount will now allow her to provide better opportunities for their daughter. “I have lost almost everything while fighting for my rights in the last seven years. I couldn’t admit my daughter to a better school. I am thankful to the court,” she told the Times of India. Initially, Jahan had demanded Rs 10 lakh per month—Rs 7 lakh for herself and Rs 3 lakh for her daughter.

See Also: Team India forced to stay indoors due to security alert before 2nd Test: Reports

The case dates back to March 2018 when Jahan filed an FIR at the Jadavpur police station against Shami and his family. Married in April 2014, she accused the pacer of "enormous physical and mental torture" under the PWDV Act, 2005, along with dowry harassment, match-fixing allegations, and neglecting financial responsibilities toward their daughter.

India commenced their England tour with an early setback, losing the first Test match at Headingley by 5 wickets. Despite centuries from Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, missed opportunities with the bat in the lower-order batting, sloppy fielding, and ineffective bowling cost them the game. With the victory, England has taken a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Shubman Gill’s side now faces tough decisions ahead of the second Test at Edgbaston, starting July 2. Here are three players who may be dropped:

1. Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur had a poor day with both bat and ball. He got out for 1 and 4 in his two innings, to almost similar dismissals in the slips. With the ball, he took 0/38 in 6 overs and 2/51 in 10, conceding runs at more than 5 an over on aggregate. With his poor performances and India having the option to replace him with Nitish Kumar Reddy, Thakur might be dropped from the next game.

2. Ravindra Jadeja

The experienced all-rounder could not impose himself in Leeds. He was out for 11 and 25* and did not deliver any concrete breakthroughs, taking just 1/79 off 22 overs in the game. With the lack of turn from the pitch and his batting performance average, doubts surround his place in English conditions. India may opt to play a specialist batsman or a true pacer instead.

See Also: Former India skipper urges Gautam Gambhir's team India to stop 'Optional Practice' after loss against England in 1st Test

3. Jasprit Bumrah (Possible Rest)

Bumrah was India's top bowler in the first Test, taking 5/66 in the first innings and 2/40 in the second. But with only a three-day break between the second and third Tests at Lord's, India may opt to leave him rested at Edgbaston. It is of key importance that his workload is managed, particularly given his injury record and his value to the team.

Ravi Ashwin, never one to shy away from an honest opinion or a clever observation, had a lot to say about Rishabh Pant’s recent heroics with the bat. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the veteran off-spinner praised Pant for his incredible attacking knock but also cheekily nudged him to aim higher quite literally. Ashwin's message was clear: Pant’s brilliance is unmatched, but with a little more patience, it could turn into something historic.

“If I was Gautam Gambhir, I would tell Rishabh Pant that the way you batted was outstanding,” Ashwin said. “It’s a blessing to have a batter like you. But also, can we please expect a 200 next time when you’re on 130? Because you know your lower order can’t contribute much.” It was part admiration, part constructive feedback and totally Ashwin.

Pant, who smashed a brilliant century in the Leeds Test, once again proved why he’s one of the most dangerous wicketkeeper-batters in world cricket. But like many times before, he got out before turning it into a double — something fans, and clearly teammates like Ashwin, feel he’s more than capable of doing.

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Turning 100s into 200s —A Challenge Only Pant Can Accept

Ashwin’s comment was more than just praise. It was a challenge. He knows how important Pant is in India’s new batting setup, especially now that the middle and lower order isn’t as strong as it once was. A double century from someone like Pant can shift a match and series in India’s favor.

And with Gambhir now at the helm of India’s coaching setup, Ashwin’s words may not be far from reality. If Pant can channel his aggression with a little more discipline, there’s no doubt that 200 is just a matter of time. As Ashwin rightly said players like Pant are rare blessings. It’s time to see how far that blessing can take Team India.

Ravindra Jadeja has slipped out of the top 10 in the latest ICC Test bowler rankings following a quiet outing in the Leeds Test against England. His performance — just one wicket for 172 runs across 27 overs  didn’t help India’s cause as the visitors fell to a five-wicket defeat on Day 5. For someone expected to lead the spin attack, especially in English conditions with no other frontline spinner in the XI, the numbers were underwhelming.

Prior to the rankings update on June 25, Jadeja held the No.10 spot among Test bowlers. However, the lack of impact in Leeds saw him drop three places to 13th. While that’s a setback, the left-arm all-rounder continues to hold onto the No.1 position in the Test all-rounder rankings  a title he’s retained through consistent performances over time. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah remains India’s bowling spearhead, climbing higher thanks to his first-innings five-wicket haul.

The game at Headingley highlighted not just England’s smart batting but also India’s missed opportunities with the ball  and Jadeja’s lack of penetration was a major talking point. On a Day 5 pitch that was offering rough patches tailor-made for a left-arm spinner, Jadeja struggled to extract bite or control, leading to criticism from former cricketers and analysts alike.
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Missed Opportunity in Leeds as Jadeja Fails to Capitalise on Conditions

Former India cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar didn’t hold back in his assessment of Jadeja’s effort. He pointed out that while the pitch wasn’t classic English seamer-friendly territory, it did offer something for the spinner especially the rough areas outside the right-hander’s off stump. Jadeja, according to Manjrekar, failed to target that consistently, particularly against Ben Duckett, who batted freely through the final session.

Manjrekar noted that Jadeja did eventually make some adjustments against Ben Stokes but felt it came too late. In high-pressure games and on final-day pitches, experience is expected to shine  and that, many felt, was missing. With the second Test starting July 2 in Birmingham, all eyes will be on how Jadeja responds to the criticism and whether he can bounce back with a performance more worthy of his reputation.

India's vice-captain of the Test team and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has announced a big makeover of the team batting order for the first Test against England, to begin on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. With the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from red-ball cricket in May, the team is making a big transition, particularly in the top-order batting ranks.

Pant unveiled that skipper Shubman Gill will play at No. 4 in the first game of the series. The spot was earlier occupied by Kohli, and Gill's elevation indicates a tactical change in India's batting lineup. Pant himself will remain at No. 5, while the No. 3 slot is not yet decided and will be determined near the match.

See Also: 'I would take 4-1..' - Former English legend predicts series scoreline ahead of ENG vs IND Test series

Gill, who started his Test career as an opener, was earlier moved to No. 3 to accommodate Yashasvi Jaiswal. Now, with Gill moving to the middle order, the Indian team aims to add more stability in the absence of experienced batters. Pant mentioned that the No. 3 slot is still open, suggesting continued experimentation.

🚨Rishabh Pant confirms that Shubman Gill will drop to No.4 and he'll stay at No.5. The identity of the No.3 is yet to be decided #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/6nuHZkPhPb

— Kaushik R (@kaushik_cb) June 18, 2025

Starting of new age under Shubman Gill as skipper

The reshuffle marks India's wider bid to reassemble their red-ball backbone after losing two of their modern-day greats. With or without major stars Bumrah, Ashwin, and Pant, the team has not won a Test series in England since 2007. Their closest call was in 2021, when they were 2-1 up before the last Test was cancelled because of COVID-19 and then lost in 2022.

The new five-Test series—renamed the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy—is a fresh chapter in the legendary rivalry. Both sides are in transition, and new leaders are rising, so the competition will be a fierce trial of depth, flexibility, and upstart talent.

Weeks after T Dilip was shown the exit doors by the BCCI,  Dilip has returned to his original duties and is back as the fielding coach for Team India ahead of the England tour. It's been learnt that Rohit's strong backing for the fielding coach compelled the BCCI to reconsider its decision. The former Indian Test skipper played a pivotal role behind the scenes, urging the support staff and the governing body to incorporate him in the grand scheme of things. Dilip was previously sacked following a disappointing Test tour to Australia, which saw India concede the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series for the first time in a decade. 

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T Dilip is all set to join the Indian team ahead of the upcoming England tour

As per the latest reports from Cricbuzz, Rohit had personally intervened in the matter to bring Dilip back. The former Indian red-ball skipper reminded the BCCI and the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir of his expertise as a fielding coach and had full faith in his capabilities. With the crucial five-match Test series drawing near, Rohit urged the management to persist with Dilip. 

Early on this year, the BCCI dismissed batting coach Abhishek Nayar and fielding coach T. Dilip, along with several other members of the coaching staff, following India's disappointing performance during the tour of Australia, referencing the board's policy regarding the tenure of coaches and support personnel.

Furthermore, the report also stated that Rohit had gone a step forward by personally requesting Gambhir to bring Dilip back. His plea was accepted as India prepares to brace for one of the fiercest challenges in Test cricket in recent times. Despite communicating to Dilip that his stint was over, the BCCI has agreed to bring him back on a temporary deal.

No foreign coach to replace him

In addition to Rohit's intervention, the BCCI also failed to find a suitable foreign candidate who could fill Dilip's shoes. Their inability to recruit a foreign coach in such a short space of time made them stick with T Dilip on an interim basis.

In the meantime, the India A team, accompanied by several members of the Test squad, has reached England and has checked into the team hotel located in Kent. Conversely, the primary Test squad is scheduled to depart from Mumbai to London on June 6.

Guwahati, Assam, is set to become the 30th venue in India to host a Test match when it stages the second Test between India and South Africa from November 22 to 26. The BCCI announced the schedule for the 2025-26 home international season on Wednesday, which includes home series against the West Indies and South Africa as part of India’s World Test Championship commitments. The season will kick off with India facing West Indies in a two-Test series, with matches scheduled in Ahmedabad from October 2 to 6 and in Kolkata from October 10 to 14.

Following the series against West Indies, India will host South Africa for two Tests, starting in Delhi from November 14 to 18, followed by the historic Test match in Guwahati. After the Tests, the two teams will compete in three ODIs, set to take place in Ranchi (November 30), Raipur (December 3), and Visakhapatnam (December 6).

Also Read: https://www.cricketwinner.com/cricket-news/india-to-face-india-a-in-closed-door-warm-up-match-ahead-of-england-test-series/

The series will conclude with five T20Is, which will be played in Cuttack (December 9), Mullanpur (December 11), Dharamsala (December 14), Lucknow (December 17), and Ahmedabad (December 19). All ODIs will be day-night encounters starting at 1:30 PM IST, while the T20Is will be night matches beginning at 7 PM IST. In addition to these two men’s bilateral series, India will also host the Women’s ODI World Cup during this home season, further adding to an exciting cricketing calendar.

India Cricket team to play closed-door warm-up match against India A before England series

India will begin their England tour with a closed-door warm-up match against India A on June 13 at Beckenham. India A will also play two four-day matches against England Lions before the five-Test series. Indian players will get a two-week break after IPL 2025 before traveling to England in mid-June for preparations.

The England Test squad is expected to be announced in May, during the peak of IPL 2025. A key discussion will be whether Rohit Sharma continues as captain, with his IPL performance playing a crucial role in the selectors' decision. Beckenham, a well-equipped ground in southeastern London, will be used for practice sessions ahead of the series.

Karun Nair, the Indian cricketer, has had a rollercoaster career: from becoming only the second Indian to score a Test triple-century to battling for a place in the national team. On the one hand, his recent performance in domestic cricket could mean another national call from selectors.

The Tweet That Started It All On December 10, 2022, Karun Nair made an emotional post on the social media platform: "Dear cricket, give me one more chance."  Fast forward to the 2024-25 domestic season, and in some way, it seems cricket has given him one more chance. Having done exceptionally well in all formats, it gives some fresh hope for national selection consideration.

Dominating the Domestic Circuit   

In light of outstanding performances across all the formats, Nair makes an apt case for a comeback into the Indian side: His Ranji Trophy form reads ''863 runs in 16 innings at 53.94 with four tons and two fifties'', implying that he has had a successful red-ball career.

In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he has done even better with ''779 runs in just eight innings at a crazy average of 389.59, including five centuries and one fifty.''

His form in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was equally impressive, accumulating ''255 runs from six innings at 42.50, including three fifties''.

The myriad of accomplishments listed above thus proves that at this point in the tournament, the player has proved himself adaptable, proving that he still possesses the talent and hunger to compete at the highest level. 

A statement season for Karun Nair, will it open the doors for an India return? 🤔🇮🇳#KarunNair pic.twitter.com/FW5Dcr0yRQ

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 6, 2025

Also Read: Mitchell Santner: The Part-Time Cricketer Who Led New Zealand to the Champions Trophy Final

The Selection Coundrum

The BCCI selection committee, under Ajit Agarkar, has, however, never found Nair worthy enough for India, despite his stupendous domestic performances. According to Agarkar, Nair's form is very impressive, but there are other competitors as well, and his name was not discussed for the Champions Trophy or the Sri Lanka series. This decision had mixed reactions, with former cricketer Harbhajan Singh calling it an "unfair" move. Some fans on social media believe Nair is being overlooked due to favoritism or a lack of PR appeal. Some say that age might be a factor, but given that players such as Pujara and Rahane are in the picture, the question arises as to what really went behind the decision.

A Case for India Comback?

with such splendid domestic showings behind him, stand a chance to get back to India? The Indian Test side has been on a lookout for instability in the middle order; experience might be on his side, and his recent form gives him an edge to be a good contender. Also, with white-ball cricket in India actually going through a transition, someone like Nair an established performer across all three formats of the game could be an exciting and suitable inclusion too.

Karun Nair's revival in domestic cricket speaks of his persistence and ability. Whether he actually gets a chance back in the Indian side will be seen with time, but relentless big scores might just leave no option with the selectors. 

Will we see him in the India jersey again? Time alone will tell.