Team India Champions Trophy 2025 Squad To Be Announced Soon
As per reports, the Team India’s squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 and England ODI’s is expected to be announced today, ie – Saturday, January 18, 2025. Team India Captain And Chief Selector To Address The Media As per reports, Team India Captain, Rohit Sharma and the BCCI Chief Selector, Ajit Agarkar are set to address the media today, ie – Saturday at 12.30 pm IST. Team India is scheduled to kickstart their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against Bangladesh on February 20, 2025 before taking on arch rivals Pakistan three days later. Team India is supposed to play their last fixture of the group stage against New Zealand on March 02, 2025. Dubai will host all the Champions Trophy 2025 games for the men in blue. Sanju Samson Likely To Be Dropped Out Of Team India Squad It is understood that wicket-keeper batter, Sanju Samson won’t make it to the Team India squad for the Champions Trophy 2025 and for the ODI series against England. BCCI had asked their players to feature in the domestic circuit however Sanju Samson remained unavailable for Kerala in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Jasprit Bumrah’s Selection Depends Upon Injury As per reports, the medical team from BCCI had asked Jasprit Bumrah to at least have a 5 week rest post the Sydney test which ended on January 05, 2025. Jasprit Bumrah is however expected to be up and running before Team India starts their campaign for the Champions Trophy 2025. Jasprit Bumrah’s selection currently completely depends upon his recovery and fitness. Team India would be hoping to have Bumrah in their white-ball set up if not for the England ODI’s then for the Champions Trophy 2025. KL Rahul May Feature For Team India As per reports., KL Rahul is expected to feature for Team India during the Champions Trophy 2025. KL Rahul was pretty decent for Team India during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 where Team India played the final against Australia. However, it is also understood that KL Rahul won’t be featuring during the England ODI’s. He would be rested for the series. Kuldeep Yadav Looks Uncertain For Team India Kuldeep Yadav is still recovering from a sports hernia. Therefore his selection for the England ODI’s and the Champions Trophy 2025 looks uncertain. Kuldeep has been brilliant with the ball for Team India. Varun Chakravarthy will probably replace Kuldeep if he fails to make it to the Team India squad. Will Mohammed Shami Feature For Team India? The National Cricket Academy (NCA) had recently declared Shami fit. He also played three 50 over domestic games in the Vijay Hazare Trophy bowling 26 overs in total. As of now, it seems that Mohammed Shami is set to return to Team India’s ODI set up. Varun Chakravarthy Might Get A Team India Surprise Call It is also understood that spin bowler, Varun Chakravarthy might be included in Team India squads for the England ODI’s as well as for the Champions Trophy 2025. Chakravarthy has been impressive with the ball in the domestic games picking up 18 wickets from six games he played in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Will Karun Nair And Devdutt Padikkal Make It To Team India Squad? Karun Nair and Devdutt Paddikkal have been fantastic with the bat during India’s recent domestic season. As of now, the Team India top order looks full, so it’s very unlikely for them to get picked. However, they might get a chance to feature in the 15 member squad. Team India Champions Trophy And England ODI’s Squad The Team India squad for the Champions Trophy and England ODi’s is expected to be out anytime today. Till then, let us know whom do you think can put on the India blue and hit the field. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
SA vs IND: Sanju Samson Becomes The 1st Indian To Do This
While no one ever doubted his ability to score, concerns were only about him grabbing the opportunity. And boy, did Sanju Samson do it in style. Sanju Samson smashed his second T20I hundred in as many games, putting the South African attack to sword at Kingsmead with some extraordinary hitting. Samson Delivers It Back-To-Back Sanju Samson continued his scorching form as he completed two consecutive T20I centuries, taking India to a commanding position in the on-going series against South Africa at Kingsmead. The wicketkeeper-batter who had made an explosive 111 off 47 balls against Bangladesh in his previous outing, produced another masterclass in aggressive batting when he amassed a scintillating 100 off just 47 balls to lead India to set a daunting target. Samson Gives A Fiery Start To The Innings Samson’s scorching knock off 47 balls came as an onslaught from the very start. He raced to 35 runs from just 20 balls in the Powerplay, displaying excellent timing and power. Even after the field spread out, Samson’s intent remained clear as he launched into Nqaba Peter, smashing back-to-back sixes in the eighth over. The South African bowlers had little answer as Samson continued accelerating, cruising past the 50-run mark before setting his eye on three figures. Samson Breaks New Records Blistering hundred by Samson sets new records for Indian cricket. He became the first Indian to hit back-to-back T20I centuries and also registered the highest T20I score for India against South Africa. His performance included a devastating display of power hitting, smashing 10 sixes and 7 fours, at an astonishing strike rate of 214.00. Samson’s Shift From Middle-Order To Opening A transformation has been real for Samson after being seen largely as a middle-order batter. The 29-year-old batsman was patchy for some time and then was given the responsibility of opening the batting for India in T20 Internationals where he has produced rich dividends in matches played thus far. The adaptability with which he has performed in the top order has been worth gold, while even the fact that he managed consecutive centuries speaks to how crucial he is becoming for India’s T20I team. It is, in fact, one of his best plays that has sealed his place as one of the most thrilling T20 talents in India. He has raised himself to greater heights simply because of his fearlessness and now refuses to take on the bowlers around the globe; thus, making his remarkable strides in the shortest format of the game worth noticing by the cricketing world. Samson Sets Benchmark Other than being the first Indian to score successive T20I hundreds, Samson also set a new benchmark for Indian players against South Africa with his hundred standing as the highest ever hundred scored by an Indian in T20Is against the Proteas. He also registered the second-fastest T20I hundred against South Africa, thereby making it crystal clear that he is capable of delivering in high-pressure situations. What’s In Store For Samson Sanju Samson is the bright star India is looking for, for them to extend their dominance in T20I cricket. His splendid form is the glimpse of what he may become, however more importantly, a pronouncement of things to come in Indian T20 cricket, with Samson now firmly established as one of the leaders to watch out for in cricket. With the series on, all eyes would be glued to Sanju Samson as he looks to possibly continue that kind of form in this series and carry India further up the T20I leaderboard. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL 2025: Rajasthan Royals Likely To Retain Four Players
The Rajasthan Royals (RR) are likely to retain four players ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction, including Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag and Sandeep Sharma. Surprisingly, wicketkeeper-opening batter, Jos Buttler and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal are not part of the initial retention list, however the Royals have the right-to-match for both and can try bringing them back at the auctions, as per reports. Rajasthan Royals Deliberating On Jurel Another name that has been deliberated is the wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, picked up for INR 20 lakhs in an auction conducted to pick a team for the 2022 season. Recently, Jurel received his first India test cap playing a home test against England. It has been revealed that Jurel has been quite influential from the bottom end. For 22 innings, Dhruv Jurel has shown his excellence to hit at a strike rate of 151.52 for scoring 347 runs. Budget Implications For Rajasthan Royals These four retentions would take a minimum of INR 47 crore from the budget for the Royals. Including Jurel, that could take it to a higher INR 65 crore that would leave only INR 55 crore available to spend in the auction. As Sandeep is an uncapped player having not played international cricket over five years, there’s also the factor of regulations imposed by the IPL regarding a player’s status as one who has never represented any national team in any International Cricket match. Retained Player Performances This retained player group was crucial to the Royals’ making it to the IPL 2024 playoffs. Samson had his best IPL season with 531 runs, while Parag also had his most successful IPL season with 573 runs and earned a T20I debut with India. Sandeep, who was bought during the 2023 auction at INR 50 lakh, picked up 13 wickets at an economy of 8.18 and performed well in the powerplay and death overs. Although Jaiswal’s 2024 season was a bit subdued (435 runs at a 152 strike rate), he is one of India’s most promising young openers. RR Uncertain For Buttler And Chahal Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal, who have done so well in the past, have been considered to be in the retention list after their recent form and fitness issues. Buttler scored 359 runs with a strike rate of 141 in IPL 2024 but has been out since the T20 World Cup semi-final due to injuries. Chahal, on the other hand, stands as the highest wicket-taker in IPL’s history with 18 last season with an economy of 9.41 on most occasions when he bowls as an Impact Player to the Royals. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Is Sanju Samson Caught Between Opportunities and Expectations?
Another opportunity, same old result. That’s how someone can probably describe Sanju Samson’s cricketing stint so far in the Indian jersey. Sanju Samson’s journey in T20I internationals has become a tale of missed opportunities and mounting pressure. Despite the fervent support from his fans and his long-standing presence in the Indian cricket circuit, Samson’s recent performances have left much to be desired. The stark reality of his recent innings—a golden duck followed by another zero in just four balls—has only intensified the debate about his place in the squad. A Decade In Indian Cricket Having been part of the Indian Cricket Team for nearly a decade, one would expect Samson to have made a more significant impact. Unfortunately, the numbers haven’t been kind to him. His struggle to secure a consistent spot in the playing XI is evident, with limited chances to prove his mettle. While he was benched throughout the T20 World Cup, the team’s success with Rishabh Pant in the XI did little to alleviate the mounting pressure on Samson. Misfiring With The Bat In the latest T20I series against Sri Lanka, Samson’s appearances have been underwhelming. He was dismissed for a duck in his second T20I and failed to make an impression in his subsequent opportunity. These setbacks have not only been disappointing for his fans but also challenging for Samson, who faces an uphill battle to secure his place in the team. Contrasting Fortunes In IPL Interestingly, Samson’s fortunes appear to be more favorable in the IPL. Leading the Rajasthan Royals, he consistently shows his skills and leadership. His performances in the IPL often shine brightly, a stark contrast to his T20I struggles. This disparity raises questions about the reasons behind his inconsistent performances when playing for the Indian Cricket Team. Despite his talent and occasional brilliance, Samson has struggled to replicate his IPL success in international matches. His one memorable knock—a century against South Africa in Paarl earlier this year—seems like a distant memory amidst his recent flops. For a player of his caliber, such inconsistencies are a cause for concern. Fierce Competition The competition for a place in the Indian Cricket Team is fierce, with players like Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, and Jitesh Sharma all vying for the wicketkeeper position. In such a competitive environment, Samson’s challenges are not only with his performance but also with the pressure of competing against top-notch talent. Despite the challenges, Samson remains a cricketer who thrives in a supportive and relaxed environment. His ability to perform well when given a clear role and freedom to express himself has been evident in his IPL outings. However, replicating that form in international cricket remains a challenge. As Samson continues to navigate his career, the hope is that he will be granted the opportunity to showcase his true potential. With the right backing and a longer run in the team, there’s still a chance for him to rise to the occasion and solidify his place in the Indian cricketing lineup. For now, he remains a cricketer caught between the expectations of his fans and the harsh realities of international cricket. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IPL 2024: Sanju Samson’s Dismissal – Is the Technology still not good enough?
An umpiring + technology controversy has grabbed eyeballs, more than the cricketing action in the IPL 2024. Everyone is talking about it. In the clash between the Rajasthan Royals and the Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi, Sanju Samson’s dismissal was on everyone’s lips. While the Rajasthan fans were convinced that their skipper was wrongly given out, Delhi camp was confident that the right decision was made. DC posted 221 on the scoreboard batting first, and Rajasthan were in the hunt with skipper Sanju Samson still in the middle. With 60 runs required in less than fives overs to go, Samson was a man on a mission for the Royals. Little did the fans knew what was in store. The 16th over, bowled by Delhi pacer Mukesh Kumar produced high voltage drama, that fans will not forget for a very long time. Off the fourth ball Samson decided to go for a big six, but failed to connect it cleanly. As soon as Samson hit the ball, he knew there might be trouble because Shai Hope was positioned far away at long-on. The ball flew fast towards Hope, who caught it without stepping on the boundary cushions. It looked like Hope had caught the ball cleanly and might have sealed the game for the Delhi Capitals. Replays seemed to confirm this, but one angle made it unclear if the catch was valid. However, the third umpire trusted the first two replays and quickly decided that Samson was out. Samson was all in shock and clearly unhappy with the umpiring decision made. Sanju’s emotions overtook his mind as he went on showing his emotions in the middle of the field. Finally, after some uncertainty, Samson accepted the decision and left the field, looking unhappy about what had happened. One of the cricketing greats and famous voices of the sport, Navjot Singh Siddhu expressed his disbelief over the latest DRS technology on live camera. “The decision that changed the game was Sanju Samson’s dismissal. There could be differences of opinion, but if you look at the side-on angle, it touches the boundary twice. It was pretty clear. Either you don’t use technology, or if you’re using it and the technology is making a mistake, it’s like there’s a fly in milk, and someone asks you to drink it,” Sidhu said on Star Sports. Both teams had their reasons for their positions, but what surprised many was how quickly the third umpire made a decision in this case. This season, the BCCI introduced the Smart Review System to speed up third umpire calls, yet in some instances, like deciding on wide balls, the process took a long time. Ironically, there was a wide call just a couple of overs after Samson got out that took much longer to decide than confirming Hope’s catch. This inconsistency in umpiring has led to heated debates. Gone are the times when the verdict used to be in the favour of the batters. The contemporary cricketing era has been changing the dimensions of the game. With the inclusion of fast paced t20s, the decision making perhaps has shifted to the bowlers’ side. In shorter formats, it has been very evident that everyone wants to fasten things up given the way umpires made their decisions. If it had been someone like M.S. Dhoni, things both on and off the field might have unfolded differently. The decision-making panel might have taken more time to thoroughly analyse the situation before reaching a verdict. Fans would likely have been more invested and concerned, showing greater interest in the matter. Amidst the great cricket played by both teams, unfortunately, the discussion about the Samson catch will remain one of the main topics. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye.