In a heartwarming intersection of Bollywood and cricket, actors Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi recently participated in an entertaining on-camera challenge where they named their favorite cricketers and shared humorous moments around the sport. The feature, a part of a promotional campaign for an upcoming movie or digital offering, unleashed the sporting spirit of the two actors and provided fans with a fix of laughter, nostalgia, and admiration for Indian cricket.

The quiz started with a series of quick-fire questions, from cricket trivia to personal preferences. The two actors were quick with their wits and loved the segment to pieces, displaying a lot of camaraderie and energy. Asked to name their favorite cricketers, the responses put smiles on the faces of many fans.

The fans adored the video for its creative mix of sports and cinema, and the sheer affection that both actors had for cricket. The skit went viral immediately on social media platforms. It is always warming to see celebrities from various sectors bond over a common interest. Not only did this playful exchange provide fans a look behind the curtain of their beloved celebrities' sporting interests, but it also reflected the national passion for cricket that brings together millions in the country.

Watch the video here

King Kohli’s cover drive or Hitman’s pull shot? 🤔

Watch @RajkummarRao and @iWamiqaGabbi share their picks in a fun 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 & 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 challenge!#IPLonJioStar 👉 #RRvGT | MON, 28th APR, 6:30 PM on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi & JioHotstar! pic.twitter.com/mk5BnR1I5b

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 28, 2025

Also read: IPL 2025: Look how cricketing fraternity reacted to Vaibhav Suryavanshi's iconic knock against GT

Rajkummar Rao and Wamiqa Gabbi shared their favorite cricketers

Rajkummar Rao, known for his versatility and grounded personality, named MS Dhoni as his all-time favorite. He spoke fondly of Dhoni’s calm demeanor and leadership style, saying, “I’ve always admired how Dhoni handles pressure. Whether it’s the World Cup final or a tough IPL game, he’s unshakable. That sort of calmness is admirable not only in cricket, but in life as well." He also named Virat Kohli for his aggression and passion, terming him "a true modern-day legend."

Wamiqa Gabbi, on the other hand, introduced a new point of view by mentioning Smriti Mandhana as her favorite. "She's fiery, fashionable, and incredibly talented," Wamiqa stated. "I believe that women's cricket needs so much more attention, and Smriti is an amazing role model." She also enjoyed Rohit Sharma's batting with ease, calling his timing and class poetry in motion.

Indian cricket icon Ravichandran Ashwin has been conferred the highly regarded Padma Shri Award by the Indian government for his invaluable contributions to Indian cricket. One of the most successful spinners in the game's history, Ashwin has been a perpetual performer in all formats and a key figure behind many of India's record-breaking wins.

His home performances have been specially impressive, where he has consistently torn apart top batting orders with ease.In addition to his bowling, Ashwin is also a consistent lower-order batsman, with five Test hundreds to his credit — a distinction few bowlers enjoy. His all-round abilities have turned matches around for India numerous times, for which he has received several "Player of the Series" awards.

Ashwin's contribution to Indian cricket is more than just statistics. His survival skills, innovative mindset, and leadership have been an example to future generations.His own contribution to Indian success overseas, especially the landmark series victory over Australia in 2020-21, underlined his importance to the side.The Padma Shri award is well-deserved accolade for Ashwin's dedication, excellence, and contributions to Indian cricket. It is an occasion of pride for Ashwin, his admirers, and the whole sporting fraternity.

Watch the video here

Congratulations to @ashwinravi99 on being conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award by the Hon'ble President of India @rashtrapatibhvn, honouring his remarkable achievements and an illustrious career with #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/8HlYQx3Dsl

— BCCI (@BCCI) April 28, 2025

Also read: WATCH: Mohammad Amir charges towards Viv Richards after dismissing Babar Azam in PSL 10

Ravichandran Ashwin’s records and achievements

Ravichandran Ashwin was awarded the Padma Shri Award by the Government of India, in consideration of his achievements and great service to Indian cricket. His impressive career is littered with records and awards which amply qualify him for this prestigious award.Ashwin is one of the all-time great off-spinners in cricket history. India's second-most successful wicket-taker in Test cricket history, he had more than 490 Test wickets as of 2024. He achieved several of his key milestones ahead of any other Indian bowler:

• Fastest Indian to claim 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, and 400 Test wickets.
• Second quickest in the world to reach 400 Test wickets, having done so in only 77 Tests.
• First bowler in more than 100 years to dismiss more than 200 left-handers in Test cricket.

Ashwin boasts a mind-boggling record of 34 five-wicket hauls and 8 ten-wicket match hauls in Tests, which puts him among the greats of all time across the world. His bowling averages and strike rates are among the highest for bowlers who have appeared in over 100 Test innings.Apart from his bowling, Ashwin is also a very skilled batsman. He has 5 Test centuries and 13 Test fifties to his name, becoming only the third Indian cricketer after Kapil Dev and Harbhajan Singh to have the rare double of 400 wickets and 5 Test centuries — a genuine sign of an elite all-rounder.Ashwin has played a key role in many of India's record Test series victories, including:

• The 3-0 series triumph against Australia in 2013 when he picked 29 wickets.
• The 2016-17 home season when he picked 82 wickets and was instrumental in India's unbeaten campaign.
• The 2020–21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, when his bowling and a heroic batting performance in Sydney helped save India from possible defeat and ensured India's record series victory.

Globally, Ashwin has also been instrumental in:

• 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, in which he was a part of the winning team.
• 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, with key spells in India's victory.

He has been designated as ICC No. 1 Test Bowler and All-Rounder several times, especially from the years 2015-2017. He was also honored with the high-profile ICC Cricketer of the Year Award in 2016 and was only the third Indian to have won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy.Other than statistics, Ashwin's capacity to thrive in diverse conditions, his strategic awareness of the game, and his leadership skills have left a lasting impact on Indian cricket. His off-the-field and on-the-field efforts have raised the standards of excellence and professionalism for the sport.With such remarkable records and his dedication to Indian cricket, the Padma Shri Award is well-deserved acclaim of Ravichandran Ashwin's colossus impact on the sport. His rags-to-riches story inspires up-and-coming cricketers throughout the country.

On April 27, 2025, the Indian government went ahead and banned 17 Pakistani YouTube channels, most of them centered around cricket, after the recent Pahalgam terror attack. This has created a lot of discussions, as these channels had over 83 million subscribers collectively, indicating a significant number of cricket fans worldwide viewed content from these ten creators or creators who broadcasted these channels. 

The Pahalgam terror attack, which preceded this action, raised tensions between India and Pakistan and came in good form for the Indian government, as several forms of Pakistani media endured measures and a rationale was created to take down the offending or anti-India media. This included YouTube channels and hundreds of media outlets in Pakistan, to which the usage of false information was used as justification for bans on media channels. The channels banned included a lot of known names in cricket journalism and commentary, inclusive of Geo News, ARY News, and SAMAA TV, as well as individual creators such as Irshad Bhatti and Raufar. 

List of Banned Channels

Below is a detailed list of the banned YouTube channels, their handles, and their subscriber counts at the time of the ban. These are a few other YouTube channels that have also been banned in India.

Total Subscribers: 33.623M

Watch the video here

Pakistani YouTube Channel which got Banned in India .
Thread 🧵-

1. Rizwan haider pic.twitter.com/w9CDXQIrl4

— JosD92 (@J0SD92) April 28, 2025

Also Read: IPL 2025, Match 46: Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Full Match Highlights

Impact on Cricket Fans

A cricket fan will be adversely affected in this case if a more subjective form of viewing or supporting is seen from channels and creators that received reliance, ideas, support, context, updates, summaries, and commentary in terms of Pakistan cricket news updates that included a heavier cargo channel such as Geo News (31.8M subscribers) and ARY News (14.6M subscribers) will be truly important as they received live updates for sports news and coverage of pressing ideas or coverage of some Pakistan cricket news, social media from players, pre- and post-match interviews, and highlights for every significant game they would have taken the time to broadcast and prepare in front of audiences. Small creators such as Muneeb (16K subscribers) and Samaa Sports (73.5K subscribers) had smaller audiences, but this did not matter to their niche study as creators in the cricket fan community.

The decision has generated mixed reactions. Some support the Indian government's position and say that these channels usually disseminated slanted commentary. Some, such as cricket fans and digital rights activists, argue that the ban is an abuse of power and that sport should remain apolitical. As well, the ban calls into question the access to content in a digital age, given that many of these channels were popular not just among people in Pakistan but also among Indian viewers and the diaspora around the world.

On Tuesday afternoon, a terrible terror attack took place in Pahalgam, a popular tourist spot in South Kashmir. Armed terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in the Baisaran valley, also known as "mini Switzerland" because of its green meadows and scenic beauty. The attack killed several people and injured at least 20 others. 

According to reports, the shooting started around 3 PM when the attackers came down from the nearby mountains and began firing. A video from the area shows people lying injured on the ground, while others were crying and searching for family members. Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the number of people killed is still being confirmed. He also said that this attack is one of the worst in recent years against civilians.

Leaders Across India Strongly Condemn the Attack

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said he was deeply saddened by the attack. He posted on X, saying, "Those involved in this act will not be spared." He also said he had spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held a meeting with top security officials. Shah is expected to travel to Srinagar to review the situation closely. A meeting was also held at his home in Delhi, attended by senior officials, including the heads of the Intelligence Bureau, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police.

ALSO SEE: [WATCH] IPL 2025: Mukesh Kumar's pin-point yorker that destabilized LSG batting structure

Many political leaders strongly condemned the attack. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called it an “act of cowardice” and said his prayers are with the victims. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the government must take responsibility and take strong steps to stop such violence in the future. Sajad Lone, leader of J&K People's Conference, said the terrorists are enemies of Kashmir’s future. “They don’t want tourists to come here. They want to destroy our peace and economy,” he said. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the violence and said such acts must be rejected by all.

Indian Cricket Community Stands United Against Terrorism

This tragic attack has hurt not just the families of the victims but also the people of Kashmir, who depend on tourism for their income. Just when Kashmir was beginning to see more visitors, this attack has brought fear and pain again. The country now waits for strong action and justice for those who lost their lives in this cruel act of terror.

Indian cricketers also expressed their sorrow. Shubman Gill posted, “Heartbreaking to hear about the attack in Pahalgam. My prayers are with the victims and their families.” Gautam Gambhir wrote, “Those responsible will pay. India will strike. #Pahalgam.”

Heartbreaking to hear about the attack in Pahalgam. My prayers are with the victims and their families. Violence like this has no place in our country.

— Shubman Gill (@ShubmanGill) April 22, 2025

Targeting innocent tourists is an act of absolute cowardice. Heart goes out to all the victims and their families. Just when it should’ve been the start of a beautiful summer in paradise. Hope the perpetrators are dealt with in the severest manner .. #PahalgamAttack

— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) April 22, 2025

Shocked and angry to hear what happened in Kashmir today. While those responsible will be punished, and I’m sure they will, right now there’s a numb disbelief at the terrible acts and the manner in which it all happened. Praying for the souls of those who lost their lives in…

— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) April 22, 2025

Unimaginable atrocity in Pahalgam.
Heart goes out to the victims and their families. 🕉️ शान्ति।
Hope the perpetrators (and their sympathisers) are identified, caught and given the punishment they deserve.

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 22, 2025

Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly has officially stepped down from hosting the popular show Dadagiri on Zee Bangla. In his recent interview to News18 Bangla, he informed that from now on he will be heard in a different avatar with Star Jalsha as Sourav allegedly signed a Rs 125 crore four-year contract with them. According to the report, he will also be hosting Bigg Boss Bangla, another new quiz program on the channel, soon. 

The erstwhile Indian cricket captain was keen about the new assignment and announced, "I am very happy to be with Star Jalsha. We are beginning a new journey together with an emphasis on storytelling through engaging non-fiction programs."

He further stated, "I have always been a firm believer in the potential of relating to people outside of cricket. This partnership will enable me to do that by offering fresh formats and real-world stories that will entertain and inspire."

Sourav Ganguly accepts new roles off and on camera: From Bigg Boss Bangla to ICC cricket committee

While talking about the power of television, Sourav Ganguly told Indiatimes, “I’ve always believed in the power of connecting with people beyond the cricket field, and this collaboration allows me to do just that — by exploring fresh formats and real stories that inspire and entertain.” Bigg Boss Bangla is slated for a primetime launch in July next year and production will commence in a few months. Sourav was also featured in an advertisement clip for OTT show Khakee: The Bengal Chapter. He had been featured as a policeman in the clip for Netflix show, where Saswata Chatterjee, Ritwik Bhowmik, Aadil Zafar Khan, Pooja Chopra, Aakanksha Singh, Mimoh Chakraborty, and Shraddha Das starred.

Also read: Michael Slater suspended jail term for domestic violence

For the unknown, cricketer Saurav Ganguly was recently re-appointed as chairperson of the ICC men's cricket committee, and VVS Laxman has also been re-elected among the panelists.

The BCCI has announced its central contracts for the 2024–25 season, and they include a mix of expected names, some surprises, and a few great comeback stories. At the top, there are no changes: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja stay in the Grade A+ group. These four are still key players for India, even though Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja have stepped away from T20Is after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup.

One big name missing is R Ashwin, who retired from international cricket last year. His name being removed from the top group is the only major change there. One of the most inspiring stories this year is Rishabh Pant's return to Grade A. Just over a year ago, Pant was recovering from a serious car accident. He missed more than a year of cricket and was dropped from Grade A to Grade B.

But in IPL 2024 and after, Pant made a strong comeback. He played 10 Test matches, 1 ODI, and 10 T20Is. His return shows his strong will, good form, and the trust the team has in him. Now, he is back in Grade A, joining Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Hardik Pandya.

Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan were dropped from the contracts list last year. It wasn’t just because of poor performance they were also criticized for not playing domestic cricket. Kishan skipped Ranji Trophy to play in a T20 tournament, and Iyer said he had back pain but didn’t make himself available for his state team. The BCCI was clear: if you don’t play domestic cricket when you’re free, you won’t get support.

ALSO SEE: [WATCH] What is Maverick award Rohit Sharma achieved as Mumbai Indians player during IPL 2025

But both players worked hard. Iyer had a great season. he led KKR to an IPL win, won the Ranji Trophy, Irani Cup, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with Mumbai, and did well in India’s Champions Trophy win. He is now back in Grade B with Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Kishan has also returned to Grade C after a strong season with Jharkhand.

New Beginnings for Some, Harsh Exits for Others

Seven new players have received central contracts, all in Grade C. These are Nitish Kumar Reddy, Dhruv Jurel, Abhishek Sharma, Sarfaraz Khan, Akash Deep, Varun Chakravarthy, and Harshit Rana. They have done well in domestic cricket and IPL, and this shows that India is preparing a strong bench for the future.

Not everyone got good news. Shardul Thakur, KS Bharat, Jitesh Sharma, Avesh Khan, and some others have been dropped. Some were not in good form. Others, like Avesh Khan, did well in T20Is and IPL but still lost their place. Avesh last played for India in November 2024 and has taken 27 wickets in 25 T20Is. But with many new options, he has been left out this time.

What These Contracts Mean

The BCCI has not officially announced the salary amounts, but reports say the payments are the same as last year:

• Grade A+: ₹7 crore
• Grade A: ₹5 crore
• Grade B: ₹3 crore
• Grade C: ₹1 crore

These numbers are not just about money, they show how much the team trusts a player and how important they are for the future.

ALSO SEE: Rohit Sharma: "I was not allowed inside Wankhede Stadium" – gets emotional after winning Man of the Match vs CSK

Full List of 2024–25 BCCI Central Contracts

• Grade A+: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja

• Grade A: Rishabh Pant, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya

• Grade B: Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Yashasvi Jaiswal

• Grade C: Ishan Kishan, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Ravi Bishnoi, Washington Sundar, Mukesh Kumar, Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Rajat Patidar, Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abhishek Sharma, Akash Deep, Varun Chakravarthy, Harshit Rana

New Names: Iyer, Kishan, Jurel, Sarfaraz, Abhishek, Nitish, Akash, Varun, Harshit
Out: Ashwin (retired), Thakur, Jitesh, Bharat, Avesh, Umran, Vyshak, Yash Dayal, Kaverappa
Promoted: Rishabh Pant (B to A)
Retired: R Ashwin

The BCCI has sent a clear message: If you perform well and respect domestic cricket, your place in Indian cricket is never lost. These contracts are more than just a list. They show who the board trusts and who the future stars might be.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is ready to release the central contract list for the 2025-26 season, and the announcement will be made in the next one or two days. Sources say that the final list has been decided, and the BCCI will release it soon in public. The attention will mainly be on the A+ category, in which the best players of Indian cricket fall. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah are expected to remain in this category. Even though Rohit and Virat have retired from T20Is following the T20 World Cup 2024, their remarkable performances in Tests and ODIs keep them well within the A+ category. Bumrah, India's finest fast bowler, is also set to retain his place due to his impact in all three varieties of the game.

The final contracts list will depend on how well Indian cricketers perform in their upcoming international assignments, including the five-Test series against England, starting on June 20. Player performances in these key matches will have a big say in determining the final list. Additionally, selectors and coaches will be expected to review recent domestic performances, which may result in changes to the categories, depending on the form of players in the build-up to the announcement.

ALSO SEE: Karun Nair's Dismal IPL Return: Three-Ball Duck and Another Run-Out for DC

A+ Category: Top Stars to Make No Major Changes

The A+ category, which is known to accommodate the best-performing players in the nation, is also expected not to change much, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah holding their positions at the top level. Rohit and Kohli, even after relinquishing the T20I captaincy, are crucial in Tests and ODIs and thus are expected to remain at the A+ level. Bumrah, with his excellent bowling displays, will also hold on to being one of India's most important players in all formats. Though the A+ list will not undergo significant alterations, the likelihood of including some new names later is there.

Shreyas Iyer, who was left out of the central contract list earlier because of his non-participation in domestic cricket, appears to be coming back. Iyer's excellent show in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where he finished as the tournament's highest scorer, has favored his chances. His performances domestically have again been in contention for a contract. Ishan Kishan's future remains uncertain as he is a wicketkeeper-batter. Kishan, who was also left out earlier for failing to meet the domestic cricket standards, is not likely to be included this time because of his fluctuating form and failure to play regularly in domestic cricket.

India’s Cricket Schedule Till the 2026 T20 World Cup

India celebrated a major victory by winning the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, defeating New Zealand by four wickets in the final. This was India’s third Champions Trophy title and their first in 12 years. But now, the attention is given to the future matches and tournaments.

India did not make it to the WTC 2023-25 final after losing to New Zealand and Australia. But they will now start their journey towards the next phase of the WTC with a Test series against England.

Key Highlights

• India will play 9 Test matches and 12 ODIs over the next year.

• The T20I team, led by Suryakumar Yadav, will play 18 T20 matches in addition to the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup.

• India aims to win the Pataudi Trophy against England after 18 years.

• With possible leadership changes, a new captain could take charge in red-ball cricket.

• India will defend its T20 World Cup title in February March 2026.

India’s Upcoming Series

ALSO SEE: Lucknow Super Giants Playing 11 vs Mumbai Indians IPL 2025 Match 16

Before the England series, Indian players will participate in the IPL 2025. The tournament starts on March 22 at Eden Gardens, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing Kolkata Knight Riders in the opening match. The final will also be held at Eden Gardens on May 25.

The next year promises exciting cricket for Indian fans, with key tournaments and series lined up before the big T20 World Cup

The Indian cricket team will begin its England tour with a warm-up match against India A. The match will be played on June 13 at Beckenham, which is a ground under Kent County Cricket Club. There were intentions to telecast the match, but the decision was reversed, and it will now be played behind closed doors.

Practice Matches Before the Test Series

Before the five-match Test series, India A will also tour England and will have two four-day matches against England Lions. The first of these will be between May 30 and June 2 at Canterbury, and the second from June 6 to 9 at Northamptonshire Cricket County Club.

ALSO SEE: IPL 2025: How the CT 2025 Winning XI are performing Individually

Indian Cricket Team Travel plans and Preparations

After IPL 2025 is over, Indian players will get two weeks of rest and then go to England during the second week of June. There may be a few players going earlier based on their time table. Beckenham ground, located in southeastern London, is good and being used for practice before the Test series.

Issues related to selection and captaincy

The England series squad is expected to be announced in May, when the IPL will be at its peak. A part of the controversy is whether Rohit Sharma will continue to be the captain, subject mostly to how he performs during the IPL to assist the selectors in making their decision.

England vs India Test Series Schedule

This will be India's only practice game before the first Test at Headingley. As there are no practice games against local county teams, the intra-squad match will become the only preparation for the team.

The Indian cricket team is going on a tour of Australia in 2025 that is filled with a lot of action and entertainment. It will be a battle of three ODIs and five T20Is. The series, no doubt, is going to be very interesting. Both teams are up for some fierce contests at Australia's most iconic venues. Here are the details of the schedule and what to expect from such a high-profile tour.

ODI Series Schedule:

• First ODI – Perth (October 19)
• Second ODI – Adelaide (October 23)
• Third ODI – Sydney (October 25)

The ODI series will be very crucial for both teams, as it will enable them to have a detailed look at their respective squads in preparation for forthcoming international tournaments. The adaptability and resilience of the Indian team are to be severely tested at the different locations across the vast land of Australia.

T20I Series Schedule:

• First T20I – Manuka Oval (October 29)
• Second T20I – MCG (October 31)
• Third T20I – Bellerive Oval (November 2)
• Fourth T20I – Gold Coast (November 6)
• Fifth T20I – Gabba (November 8)

This five-match T20I series, given that the T20 World Cup is just around the corner, will be the most important platform for both sides of India and Australia to experiment with their strategies, the performance of the players, and the combination of the squad. The MCG and Gabba would also be the venues where the fans worldwide, as well as the players, will enjoy engaging in a whole new spectacle.

🚨India Tour Of Australia 🎫 pic.twitter.com/EGSNIRgxFo

— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) March 30, 2025

Also Read: IPL 2025: Suryakumar Yadav hit on helmet by Prasidh Krishna’s fiery bouncer

What to Expect?

This tour will be seen as the battle between the two strongest cricket teams in the world. While Australia will be enjoying the benefit of playing at home, India will be looking to retain their form in this kind of condition. This series will keep the fans fixated with high-scoring games, big-hitting displays, and fierce rivalries all around.

The cricket fans globally are watching the upcoming India-Australia match with bated breath. Keep in touch for reports from the game and series analysis as the matches continue.