schimschacks.com – Opinion & Topical Discussions

Sanju Samson's explosive form in the Kerala Cricket League, marked by three consecutive fifties, has reignited discussions about his place in India's Asia Cup squad. His adaptability and attacking prowess, showcased by a blistering 121 and consistent scoring, have impressed many.

Pakistan's bowling coach, Ashley Noffke, assures that Shaheen Afridi is regaining his top form before the Asia Cup, after battling a back injury in 2023. Afridi's pace is improving, with more balls reaching 140km/h during the West Indies series. He is working on his technique and swing to challenge the stumps consistently, aiming to hit speeds close to 150km/h.

Afghanistan’s rise from ICC’s lower divisions to Asia’s No. 2 white-ball team is cricket’s most remarkable story of the last decade. From inspiring World Cup campaigns to a T20 semifinal run, they’ve surpassed Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, uniting a nation through hope, resilience, and a fearless brand of cricket.

Oman has announced their 17-member squad, led by Jatinder Singh, for their debut in the Asia Cup, commencing on September 9 in the UAE. They are scheduled to play their first match against Pakistan on September 12 in Dubai. Following this, Oman will face the UAE and India later in the tournament.

Bazid Khan analyzed India's Asia Cup squad, noting the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will impact the team's intensity. He highlighted Suryakumar Yadav's struggles against Pakistan and emphasized Ravindra Jadeja's all-round contribution and fielding prowess will be missed. India faces the challenge of finding the right combination to compensate for these key players.

India and Pakistan are set to clash in the Asia Cup and Women's ODI World Cup. Mohsin Naqvi advocates for equal footing in negotiations with India. Despite reservations in India, engagement is expected in multi-nation tournaments. Earlier agreement involved neutral venues. Pakistan secured concessions, including hosting rights for a future ICC Women's tournament.

Shardul Thakur voiced his support for Shreyas Iyer after his Asia Cup 2025 squad omission, emphasizing the selectors' decision and Iyer's resilience. Thakur expressed confidence in Iyer's ability to make a strong comeback in future matches. He also highlighted the Asia Cup's significance as a confidence booster ahead of the World Cup, particularly the high-stakes India-Pakistan match.

Pakistani legend Wasim Akram has urged both Indian and Pakistani players and fans to maintain discipline during their Asia Cup clashes. Akram acknowledged India's strong form, highlighting that the team which handles pressure best will emerge victorious. He also expressed his desire for the resumption of India-Pakistan Test series, emphasizing the global appeal and historic significance of such encounters.

Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised the Indian selection committee's approach of rewarding players for Test performances with T20I spots, deeming it illogical. He questioned Shubman Gill's inclusion in the Asia Cup squad while expressing shock over Shreyas Iyer's exclusion despite his outstanding IPL form and recent displays of maturity in other formats.

Indian cricketer Rinku Singh and politician Priya Saroj surprised fans with their engagement news. Rinku revealed they connected in 2022 after he saw Priya's photo on a fan page and gathered the courage to message her. While their wedding is postponed due to Rinku's cricket commitments, he also expressed pride in Priya's political achievements.

Virender Sehwag expressed strong belief in India's chances at the upcoming Asia Cup in September, highlighting the team's skill, balance, and mindset for high-pressure situations. India, with a record eight Asia Cup titles, begins their campaign against UAE on September 10. The tournament serves as crucial preparation for the T20 World Cup, with Suryakumar Yadav leading a strong squad.

Manoj Tiwary questions the India-Pakistan Asia Cup match appropriateness after the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, emphasizing human life's value over sports. He also expressed surprise over Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal's exclusion from the Asia Cup squad, despite their strong performances.

Mohammad Rizwan's struggles continue as he faces setbacks, including being dropped from the Asia Cup squad and demoted in PCB contracts. His poor form extended to the CPL, where he was dismissed for just 3 runs, leading to social media trolling. Pakistan cricket is facing a decline across formats, marked by inconsistent performances and early exits from major tournaments.

Rinku Singh celebrated his Asia Cup selection by smashing a blistering 108 off 48 balls in the UPT20 League, leading Meerut Mavericks to a six-wicket victory over Gorakhpur Lions after they were struggling at 38/4. In another match, Karan Sharma and Abhishek Goswami's half-centuries propelled Kashi Rudras to an 88-run win against Noida Kings.

Sadagoppan Ramesh has ignited controversy by alleging that Gautam Gambhir didn't support Shreyas Iyer's Asia Cup inclusion, despite Iyer's stellar form, including a strong IPL and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy performance. Ramesh also questioned the praise surrounding India's drawn Test series in England and highlighted Iyer's pivotal role in the Champions Trophy victory, where he was India's top scorer.

Indian cricket team is set to participate in the upcoming ACC Asia Cup in UAE, as confirmed by the Sports Ministry. This decision comes amidst a continued freeze on bilateral sporting events between India and Pakistan. The ministry clarified that while bilateral contests remain suspended, India will not obstruct multilateral tournaments.

The BCCI selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, announced India's squad for the Asia Cup 2025, naming Suryakumar Yadav as captain and Shubman Gill as vice-captain. The exclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer has raised eyebrows, with Madan Lal questioning Jaiswal's omission and Hardik Pandya's changed role.

Mohammed Kaif has strongly supported Jasprit Bumrah's T20I return, dismissing fitness concerns raised during the England Test series. Kaif highlighted Bumrah's match-winning ability across formats and suggested white-ball cricket suits him better due to a manageable workload. He also expressed disappointment over Mohammed Siraj's Asia Cup exclusion, praising his form and wicket-taking ability.