The former Indian opening batter, Kris Srikkanth, lauded the spinner of the Blue Brigade, Varun Chakravarthy, for another brilliant spell of bowling during the ongoing five-match T20I series against Australia down under. During the fourth fixture in Gold Coast, the mystery spinner finished with 1/26 in four overs with the massive wicket of Glenn Maxwell. 

Srikkanth specifically pointed out the struggling battle of Maxwell, who was shaking in his boots at the thought of facing the Tamil Nadu spinner. The latter dismissed the Australia all-rounder for a record fifth time in T20s in just 33 deliveries as the right-handed batter gave himself room but couldn’t get it on the blade.

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“Glenn Maxwell shakes in his boots whenever Varun Chakaravarthy comes on to bowl. Varun picks up certain batters like a rabbit. Especially when he sees Maxwell, he gobbles him up like a piece of cake. The T20 World Cup is around the corner. So he doesn't have much time. He has to regain his form and get used to the No. 3 position.” Srikkanth expressed during a video on his YouTube channel.

Kris Srikkanth roasts Glenn Maxwell’s battle against Varun Chakravarthy during AUS vs IND 4th T20I  

India posted 167/8 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to small contributions from several batters in the line-up. In reply, the hosts were bundled out for just 119 runs as the three spinners- Varun, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar shared a combined figures of 6/42 in 9.2 overs.

“You cannot keep on shifting and rotating the order. There has to be a set order with the limited time before the World Cup. They escaped today, and the trial-and-error philosophy is fine for now. But at some point, there has to be a conclusion. Maybe from the South Africa series, as it's in India.” The former Indian opener reckoned.

“What I don't understand is that he is playing as a spin-bowling all-rounder. He is a spinner who can bat and not a batter who bowls spin. He first came into the Indian side for his spin-bowling, but only with his opening spells for Pune in the IPL. That's how Washington Sundar came into prominence.” Srikkanth reflected after the fourth T20I.

Former Indian cricketer Kris Srikkanth has shared a strong opinion about Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, saying that the franchise should release him instead of considering a trade. According to Srikkanth, Iyer’s performances over the last two IPL seasons have been disappointing, and no team would trade for him at his current value. He believes teams would prefer to buy him at a much lower price in the next auction.

The three-time IPL champions had secured Iyer for a massive INR 23.75 crore during the IPL 2025 mega auction. However, the 30-year-old failed to live up to expectations, scoring at an average of only 20.28 across 11 matches in the season. “He’s not a tradeable asset. He’ll be released. No team will trade for him and look to buy him. Instead, in the auction, he can be bought easily for Rs. 3 crores. The last two years he hasn’t been great. He only scored in the semi-final and final. Throughout the tournament, he didn’t score much. When he came into KKR, he was an explosive opening batter. His best position is opening,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

Srikkanth further added that Iyer’s inconsistency has cost him value as an IPL player, and KKR might need to look for fresh options to strengthen their top order in the upcoming season.

Srikkanth’s Advice to MI and SRH Before IPL 2026

Along with his comments on KKR, Srikkanth also suggested that Mumbai Indians (MI) should release Deepak Chahar ahead of the IPL 2026 auction. The pacer, bought for INR 9.25 crore, struggled through the 2025 season, taking only 11 wickets at an economy rate of 9.17. “MI should definitely release Deepak Chahar. He struggles to run or field. Half the time, he walks off the field unfit as well. Why will I keep him in the squad? MI is a set team as is,” Srikkanth said.

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The former Indian opener also spoke about Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and their South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen. Klaasen, who was bought for INR 23 crore, had a decent season with an average of over 44 but lacked consistency. “Why would you release Heinrich Klaasen? The year before, he only scored big for them. Last season, they messed with his batting position too much. He batted at 5 at times and played as a finisher after 16 overs a few times. Instead, they should let him bat at 3 from the 3rd over itself. And you don’t even have to give him any instructions, plus he’s still keeping superbly too. If you release him, then it’ll be difficult to get him back,” Srikkanth concluded.

The former Indian chief selector, Kris Srikkanth, has targeted the head coach of the national side, Gautam Gambhir, for the latter’s decision to demote Sanju Samson from the opening position to the middle-order. The veteran feels that Samson has been unlucky but optionless to bat wherever the team demands him due to the desired combination of the eleven.

The former Indian selector also took a step forward to comment that the management might start sending the wicket-keeper batter at number 11 as well in the future. Samson has smashed 993 runs in 42 T20I innings at an average of 26.13 and a strike rate of 147.98 with three fifties and three centuries at the best score of 111.

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“The most unlucky guy is Sanju Samson. He was scoring centuries as an opener. But now they send him everywhere — from No. 3 to No. 8. If given an opportunity, they may send him at No. 11 also! A person like Sanju will naturally feel bad after doing so well at the top, but he has no option but to be tight-lipped and bat wherever the team asks him to.” Srikkanth expressed this during a YouTube video.

Kris Srikkanth blames Gautam Gambhir for wrong batting position in AUS vs IND Canberra T20I

Samson didn’t enjoy a great time in the recent Asia Cup 2025, with just one half-century coming against Oman in Abu Dhabi. He also got 54 against Maharashtra during the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 clash at the Green Park Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.

Just before the start of the Canberra T20I of the five-match series, the right-handed batter opined that he would be happy to contribute in different roles from the opening position to the middle order of the line-up.

“To be honest, I have played a lot of different roles for a lot of different teams. I have been part of this team for a long time now and have done different roles. I have opened the batting. I have finished matches. Now, I am batting in the middle order. Only the openers are fixed in this team. The rest of the batters have to be ready to bat at any time and in any situation.” Samson addressed in an interaction.

The former Indian captain, Krishnamachari Srikkanth, has requested the BCCI selection committee to show full support to Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the veterans, confidently, and stop doubting their future in ODI cricket. His remarks came after they experienced success with the ball decently during the three-match 50-over series against Australia down under.

Since the end of the IPL 2025, Rohit and Virat have not played any competitive cricket, and they were under pressure to deliver with the bat. The opening batter smashed a fine fifty during the second game at the Adelaide Oval and a century in the third clash in Sydney, while Kohli nailed an unbeaten 74 runs in Sydney after two ducks.

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“Ro-Ko set for 2027. Rohit, in my opinion, has to surely play the 2027 World Cup. Don't bring the age factor. Don't say 'he is touching 40, brushing 40, reaching 40'. Stop all these. He is fit, he is playing well, taking slip catches cleanly. What else do you want? He is scoring in every match. He played effortlessly in Sydney. It felt similar to the way he played in the 2019 World Cup. Yes, he didn't go to the sixth, seventh gear.” Srikkanth expressed on his YouTube channel.

Kris Srikkanth urges this to BCCI on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s future

Rohit and Kohli‘s next assignment will now come during the home three-match ODI series against South Africa by the end of November. After that, they will face New Zealand for three 50-over clashes at home.

“Don't spook them. Don't instill fear. Leave them alone. I think you have to tell them that they are important to the team. Tell them to look after themselves. 'We will form the team around you. You two are very important. Please make sure you are fit enough. I think this should be the thought process and communication. If they do it this way, it will be good for Team India and the two players.” Srikkanth added.

“If I were the chairman of the selection committee, today itself I will go to them and say, 'Just be fit for the 2027 World Cup and win us the trophy.” The former BCCI chief selectors concluded.

The India head coach, Gautam Gambhir, came into the post-match press conference after the second Test of the two-match series against the West Indies, which they sealed by 2-0 after the seven-wicket victory at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. He slammed the trolls, the young pacer of the Blue Brigade, Harshit Rana, faced for his consistent selection to the national side.

Rana made his international debut last year during the opening Perth Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 before playing ODIs and T20Is in early 2025. He was also part of the Asia Cup 2025 and will be part of the white-ball series against Australia down under. However, he hasn’t been a consistent member of the eleven.

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“It's shameful that someone wanting to run his YouTube channel is targeting a 23-year-old. If you want to target me, do it. I can handle it, but trolling a 23-year-old kid for YouTube views is shameful. Criticize me, I can handle it; he is just 23. It is not just him; it is about every young player.” Gambhir expressed during the post-match press conference in Delhi.

Gautam Gambhir slams trolls of Harshit Rana for ODI selection in Australia series

Rana has picked up 19 wickets in 11 innings across international cricket at an average of around 30, with the best of 3/31 during a 50-over encounter. The right-arm pacer also featured in the unofficial ODI game against the Australia A side, where he ended with figures of 3/61. Gambhir claimed that it’s a responsibility for others to look after the young players.

“Stop targeting them. I know it is important to perform, but you just can’t go after these kids. It is everyone’s moral responsibility to keep a check on this, you (media) and us.” Gambhir addressed the press conference.

Kris Srikkanth, the former opening batter of the Indian side, blasted the selection of the Delhi pacer for the national side. “Harshit Rana is a permanent because he is Gautam Gambhir's favourite. He is always a certainty and the first name on the team sheet after Shubman Gill.”

The former Indian chairman of the selection committee, Kris Srikkanth, has slammed the management’s decision to include the medium pacer, Harshit Rana, in their ODI squad for the trip to Australia, which starts two weeks later. The opening contest will take place on October 19 at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

Rana was also part of the Asia Cup 2025 squad and featured in one of the games when the management decided to rest Jasprit Bumrah for a couple of games. Srikkanth, along with Sanju Samson’s absence, also highlights Rana’s inclusion in the squad.

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“By making such selections constantly, they are confusing the players themselves. We aren't sure every day what the selection will be. Suddenly, Yashasvi Jaiswal is there, and then the next minute, he won't be there. There is only one permanent member - Harshit Rana. Nobody knows why he is on the team. By chopping and changing all the time, they'll dent the confidence of the players.” Kris Srikkanth expressed in a video on his YouTube channel.

Kris Srikkanth criticizes Harshit Rana’s inclusion in India’s squad for Australia ODIs

Srikkanth expressed concerns about the selection process for the future events. Rana’s career began during the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-2 when he claimed four wickets in two games before playing the home series against England in ODIs and the following Champions Trophy 2025.

“You should start building towards the 2027 World Cup. But I feel they've not. If you pick Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy among the probabilities, then you can wave goodbye to the trophy. Harshit Rana does too many filmy gimmicks. All these filmy reactions aren't of any use, you've to actually bowl well. He does all these filmy reactions in the IPL as well.” The former Indian chief selectors remarked in the video.

“This is not a good attitude; it's just showboating. He drives after the ball is already past him. Why dive after the goal has already been scored? Aggression is different, but showboating so much at a young age is why he got punished today.” Kris Srikkanth concluded.

Former Indian captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes Pakistan have no chance of winning against Team India in the Asia Cup 2025 final in Dubai on Sunday, September 28. India have beaten Pakistan in their last four T20I games, including twice in this tournament.

India are in great T20I form, winning 35 of their last 38 matches. But they struggled in their last Super Four match against Sri Lanka and won only in a Super Over.

Giving his prediction for the India-Pakistan final on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said (21:50):

"I won’t give Pakistan even a 1% chance. You may ask what happened against Sri Lanka and how India almost lost. Don’t forget Jasprit Bumrah did not play that match. And Harshit Rana, who is an average bowler, played. He is just a film bowler. The Sri Lankan batters got confidence only after hitting him. There is a big difference between Bumrah and Harshit Rana."

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Srikkanth says India will crush Pakistan

Former opener Kris Srikkanth believes India will beat Pakistan easily in the Asia Cup 2025 final, even if star batter Abhishek Sharma does not score.

"India will absolutely clobber Pakistan. Yes, Abhishek Sharma is the main man for India. But people ask me what will happen if he fails. Even if he fails tomorrow, we have Shubman Gill, Sanju Samson, and Tilak Varma in good form. They can score runs," said Srikkanth.

He also added: "Pakistan are playing with Shaheen Afridi as their main batter. Even if Abhishek fails, Pakistan has no chance. But I don’t see Abhishek getting out early unless he throws his wicket away."

Abhishek Sharma has been the batter of the tournament with 309 runs in six matches. He averages over 51 and has a strike rate of 204.63.

Srikkanth on Bumrah’s bowling

Kris Srikkanth also spoke about India’s use of Jasprit Bumrah. He feels Bumrah should not bowl three overs in the powerplay.

"Bumrah has to be used in a 2+1+1 way. Two overs in the powerplay, then the 11th over, and then the 19th or 20th over. He should not bowl three in the powerplay. The problem is India play only two pacers, so they fear giving spinners the ball in the powerplay," Srikkanth said.

He added: "Against Pakistan, India should give the ball to spinners early. I don’t trust Axar Patel much in the powerplay compared to Kuldeep and Varun, because Axar bowls flat. But Axar can also get a wicket, as Pakistan may try to slog him. The theory that left-arm spinners can’t bowl to left-handers is wrong. Axar has taken many left-handers out in his career."

Bumrah has not been at his best in this Asia Cup, but he still has five wickets in four matches with an average of 22 and an economy of 7.33.

Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has backed explosive opener Abhishek Sharma to deliver a swashbuckling innings if he overcomes the early jitters in India’s crucial Asia Cup 2025 clash against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday, September 14. Both teams began the tournament on a high note, registering convincing wins against the UAE and Oman, respectively.

Abhishek gave fans a glimpse of his stroke-making ability during India’s chase against the UAE, scoring 30 off just 16 balls. The youngster has adapted seamlessly to T20Is, averaging over 33 at a strike rate of 193.49 across 18 matches, showcasing his ability to change games in a matter of deliveries.

On his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said, “He scored even against England. But we have to wait and see. I won't hype him up too much already. Though it happens to all attacking batters, he does occasionally mishit the short delivery on his body and get caught. Even in the IPL, he got out two or three times at square leg against that delivery. Pakistan will try bowling at his chest and into his body. But if he gets over the initial stage, Abhishek Sharma will smash the bowling.” Earlier this year, Abhishek also recorded the second-fastest T20I century by an Indian, reaching the milestone in 37 deliveries against England.

Srikkanth Questions India’s Batting Strategy Against Pakistan

Srikkanth also raised questions about India’s decision to go with eight specialist batters in the T20 format. In their opener against the UAE, India dropped all-time leading T20I wicket-taker Arshdeep Singh and played only three specialist bowlers—Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Jasprit Bumrah—to extend their batting depth to No. 8.

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“I said Arshdeep should play in the first match itself. Does India need eight batters for playing 20 overs? Especially against a team like Pakistan, do you need eight batters? We don't even know if more than four batters will get an opportunity. The problem is everything has become spin-oriented and there is little assistance for medium pacers. Pakistan themselves have gone spin-heavy, dropping Haris Rauf,” Srikkanth said. In recent T20I encounters, India has won three out of the last five games against Pakistan, though Pakistan has claimed two of the three T20Is held in Dubai, the venue for the upcoming clash.

While the Indian team is ready to start their journey in the Asia Cup 2025, a former Indian captain and one of the heroes of the Indian cricket team that won the 1983 Cricket World Cup, is unhappy with the team and feels that the Men in Blues can't defend the Men's T20 World Cup trophy in the upcoming edition. 

Suryakumar Yadav-led India are ready for the Asia Cup 2025, which will be played in T20I format, a preparation for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which India and Sri Lanka will host in next year's February and March. Apart from co-hosting the next T20 World Cup, India will also defend the title, as they won the last T20 World Cup (2024) in West Indies and USA, which was their second T20 World Cup title after winning its inaugural edition in 2007. 

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There is no chance of winning the T20 World Cup with this bunch: Krishnamachari Srikkanth

Former Indian captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth, who was the highest run-scorer in India's victorious 1983 World Cup Final against West Indies, feels that India may win the upcoming Asia Cup, but they can't win the next T20 World Cup with this team.

Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel, “We might win the Asia Cup with this team, but there is no chance of winning the T20 World Cup with this bunch. Are you going to take this team to the World Cup? Is this the preparation for the T20 World Cup, which is hardly six months away?” 

While Indian Test captain and ODI vice-captain Shubman Gill has been included in the Asia Cup squad as a vice-captain, Srikkanth is unhappy with the vice-captaincy exclusion from the all-rounder Axar Patel. He is also unhappy with the selections of Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, and Harshit Rana.

Srikkanth questioned, “They have gone backwards. Axar Patel has been axed from vice-captaincy. I don’t know how Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, and Harshit Rana have come in. IPL is considered the main criterion for selection, but the selectors seem to have considered performances before that.” 

Who will bat at No. 5? 

The former Indian captain has questioned the no.5 batting position, while he is also disappointed with the non-inclusion of the Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Srikkanth added, “Who will bat at No. 5? Five has to be either Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma or Shivam Dube or Rinku Singh. Hardik Pandya usually bats at No. 5, so now, Axar cannot bat at six. I can’t understand how they picked Dube. Yashasvi Jaiswal has performed in international cricket and IPL as well. What does he do?” 

The former chief selector of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Kris Srikkanth, has slammed the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee and the T20I captain of the Blue Brigade, Suryakumar Yadav, for removing Axar Patel from the vice-captaincy for the Asia Cup 2025. He also questioned the presence of Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh, and Shivam Dube.

Srikkanth has struggled to find a reason for the removal of vice-captaincy for Axar, who was in charge during the home five-match T20I series against England earlier this year. Shubman Gill replaced the left-arm spin all-rounder in that position, as Srikkanth also predicted that even if the national side went on to the Asia Cup 2025, they might not do the same with the T20 World Cup 2026.

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“We might win the Asia Cup with this team, but there is no chance of winning the T20 World Cup with this bunch. Are you going to take this team to the World Cup? Is this the preparation for the T20 World Cup, which is hardly six months away?” The former opening batter of India expressed on his YouTube channel.

Kris Srikkanth questions India’s decision to appoint Shubman Gill as vice-captain for Asia Cup 2025

In the press conference, Suryakumar added that Gill was always in the position of vice-captaincy. But they had to change it because the Punjab-born couldn’t play many T20Is due to the Champions Trophy 2025 and several other ODI and Test series, including the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 and recently concluded Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy (ATT) 2025.

“They have gone backwards. Axar Patel has been axed from vice-captaincy. I don’t know how Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, and Harshit Rana have come in. IPL is considered the main criterion for selection, but the selectors seem to have considered performances before that.” The former Tamil Nadu opener reckoned.

India’s opening contest of the Asia Cup 2025 will be against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on September 10 before they lock horns with the arch-rivals, Pakistan, on September 14, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.