schimschacks.com – Opinion & Topical Discussions

Ravi Shastri advocates for wrist-spinners Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav in India's Asia Cup XI, emphasizing Kuldeep's peak form. He believes Surya Kumar Yadav is a capable T20 captain, leading a fearless and talented team. Shastri acknowledges Jasprit Bumrah's brilliance but cautions against complacency, highlighting the need for spinners to perform well.

Sanjay Bangar shared a story. Shubman Gill's initial net practice amazed everyone. Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Ravi Shastri were present. Gill's batting impressed Kohli. Kohli felt he lacked Gill's talent at 19. Shastri wanted Gill in the playing eleven immediately. Gill's talent was evident from the start. Everyone realized his special ability during that session.

India ODI captain Rohit Sharma sought blessings at Lord Ganesh temple before his international return. He urged his fans to stop chanting his name out of reverence for the almighty.

Irfan Pathan's relationship with MS Dhoni is under scrutiny again after an old interview resurfaced, suggesting Dhoni's alleged favouritism towards hookah-smoking players. This contrasts with Pathan's earlier statements about his close friendship with Dhoni, Suresh Raina, and Robin Uthappa. Despite his all-round abilities, Pathan's career ended abruptly, leading to speculation about Dhoni's influence on his exclusion.

Dinesh Karthik praises Jitesh Sharma's mindset regarding national team selection. Karthik helped Jitesh refine his finishing skills while at Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Jitesh's IPL 2025 performance earned him a spot back on the Indian squad. He aims to solidify his position in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. Sanju Samson is currently the preferred wicketkeeper.

Riyan Parag, recovering from a shoulder injury sustained last October, returned to competitive cricket in the Duleep Trophy after a stint in the IPL where he experienced stress as stand-in captain. Parag expressed satisfaction with his performance in the Duleep Trophy match, focusing on enjoying the game and testing his fitness.

Reports suggest the BCCI has approached MS Dhoni to mentor the Indian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Manoj Tiwary humorously commented on Dhoni's elusiveness, questioning his availability. Tiwary also highlighted the potential benefits of Dhoni's experience and the intriguing prospect of him working alongside Gautam Gambhir, while emphasizing that Dhoni's acceptance of the role remains uncertain.

Hasin Jahan's cryptic social media post has reignited the public feud with Mohammed Shami, shortly after the cricketer addressed his personal life. Jahan alleges ongoing attempts to intimidate and ruin her, asserting her resilience in the face of adversity.

Shubman Gill, recovering from a viral flu, is expected to arrive in Bengaluru to begin Asia Cup preparations at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. He will undergo assessment and training due to unsuitable facilities near his home, and is likely to depart for Dubai from Bengaluru, joining other squad members.

Manoj Tiwary, former Indian cricketer, suggests the newly introduced Bronco Test in Indian cricket might be a strategy to exclude Rohit Sharma from the team, especially with the 2027 World Cup on the horizon. He questions the timing of this endurance-focused test, contrasting it with previous instances where fitness benchmarks seemingly sidelined senior players like Gambhir and Sehwag.

Rohit Sharma lauded team India's unwavering "desperation" and "hunger" during their undefeated run to win the 2024 T20 World Cup, ending a 13-year ICC title drought. He highlighted the collective contribution of players and support staff, culminating in joyous celebrations upon their return to Mumbai.

Indian ODI captain Rohit Sharma recently celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi with his family, embracing tradition after stepping away from Test cricket in May 2025. While his Test and T20I careers have concluded, marked by significant achievements including a T20 World Cup win in 2024, Rohit now concentrates solely on ODIs.

Justin Langer downplayed Rishabh Pant's match-winning innings at the Gabba in 2021, which secured India's Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory. While he initially praised Pant's fearlessness, Langer now suggests the flat pitch and COVID-affected circumstances diminished Australia's home advantage. He highlighted that playing in January differed from the usual November conditions, impacting the game.

The BCCI has ended Rajeev Kumar's decade-long tenure as the Indian cricket team's masseur. Kumar, a beloved figure known for his dedication and trademark smile, confirmed his departure on Instagram. He was crucial in player recovery, providing massages, energy drinks, and on-field support. Players like Shami and Chahal have publicly acknowledged his vital contributions.

Sachin Tendulkar led tributes to Cheteshwar Pujara, praising his calm, courage, and love for Test cricket upon his retirement. Tendulkar highlighted Pujara's pivotal role in India's 2018-19 Australia series win, acknowledging his resilience and match-winning contributions. Pujara, who played 103 Tests, amassed 7,195 runs, leaving a legacy of steadfast resistance and crucial overseas triumphs.

Cheteshwar Pujara's quiet retirement highlights a common trend in cricket, where legends like MS Dhoni and Virender Sehwag also missed grand farewells. Many Indian cricket stars, including Yuvraj Singh and Zaheer Khan, exited without fanfare due to form, injuries, or team decisions. The future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma remains uncertain, raising concerns about potential unceremonious departures.

Cheteshwar Pujara, known for his resilience, has retired from Indian cricket after 103 Tests, his last being the 2023 World Test Championship final. That match also marked the end for some teammates. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retired from T20Is and Tests, while Shubman Gill now captains the Test side.

Virat Kohli was recently spotted in London with Anushka Sharma, enjoying leisure time and engaging with fans. He balanced this with training sessions, preparing for the upcoming ODI series against Australia. Kohli also attended a gala, reminiscing about his career and bonds with fellow cricketers, while also observing the pressures of Wimbledon and supporting Team India's achievements.

Months after Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma's divorce, Suryakumar Yadav's wife, Devisha Shetty, has publicly supported Dhanashree. Following Dhanashree's emotional account on 'Humans of Bombay' about the overwhelming separation and media scrutiny, Devisha posted an Instagram story expressing her respect and love.

With Shubman Gill's return as vice-captain for the Asia Cup 2025, India's opening combination is under scrutiny. Ajinkya Rahane anticipates Gill partnering with Abhishek Sharma, despite Sanju Samson's strong form. Rahane also expressed excitement about the pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.