diri-au.org – Fashion & Cultural Identity Commentary

Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran Indian off-spinner, has announced his retirement from the IPL after a stellar 17-year career. Ashwin expressed gratitude to the franchises and the BCCI. He hinted at exploring opportunities in other global leagues like The Hundred and SA T20. The veteran spinner ended his IPL career with the Chennai Super Kings.

Former Kerala cricketer, Raiphi Gomez, suggested that Sanju Samson is more than flexible to bat lower down the order if the team needs it considering the return of Shubman Gill in the Asia Cup 2025 squad.

England's fast bowler Mark Wood is set to return to county cricket next month, aiming to play for Durham in September after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him since February. Wood is cautiously preparing for the Ashes series in Australia later this year, with England's management prioritizing his long-term fitness.

Despite losing the ODI series to South Africa, several Australian players saw significant gains in the latest ICC Men’s ODI Rankings. Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, and Cameron Green all climbed the charts after their impressive centuries in the final match, with Green making the most dramatic leap of 40 places.

England's Mark Wood has opened up about how to bowl to India's aggressive batter Rishabh Pant, emphasizing the need for precision against him. Wood also humorously noted Virat Kohli's vulnerability around the off-stump, but that he never managed to use it to his advantage. He named Rohit as the toughest batter he's faced.

James Anderson, playing for Manchester Originals, took two wickets against Northern Superchargers. Jos Buttler's brilliant 70 helped Manchester chase down the target easily. Thomas Aspinwall also contributed with three wickets. Despite the victory, Manchester didn't qualify for the play-offs. Northern Superchargers secured a play-off spot and will face Trent Rockets. The winner will play Oval Invincibles in the final.

Mark Wood, the England fast bowler, finds Rohit Sharma the toughest batter. Wood says Sharma's mastery over short balls makes him hard to get out. Wood played in England's 2019 ODI World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup wins. He balances county cricket with franchise cricket. Wood is known for his express pace, often exceeding 145 kmph.

Aryavir Sehwag recalls a light-hearted incident from his childhood. He missed watching his father, Virender Sehwag, bat in an IPL match in Delhi. Traffic caused the delay. Virender got out before they reached the stadium. Aryavir named this as his earliest childhood memory of his father playing. Aryavir now plays professional cricket. He said that he understands his father's greatness after he started playing professionally.

The Royal Premier League kicked off in Pulwama as Royal Goodwill defeated Sultan Springs Baramulla in a thrilling opener, with thousands of fans celebrating the start of Kashmir's biggest local cricketing platform.

Sunil Gavaskar has strongly criticized overseas cricketers for commenting on India's team selection, particularly Shreyas Iyer's exclusion from the Asia Cup squad. The legend questioned the need for foreign voices to judge decisions made by Indian selectors, emphasizing that Indian cricket is strictly an Indian affair. He also argued that such foreign players hardly comment when it pertains to matters of their own country.

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has urged the government to curb gambling ads in sport, warning of their impact on young fans. His call comes after India banned real-money gaming under the Online Gaming Bill 2025.

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's recent Reddit AMA session became a hit, filled with humor and insights. When a fan questioned his identity, Tendulkar playfully responded, “Should I also send my Aadhaar card?” He discussed his favorite innings, the 2008 knock against England, and revealed advising MS Dhoni's promotion in the 2011 World Cup final.

Cheteshwar Pujara has retired from Indian cricket. He made this decision after careful consideration. Pujara consulted his family before retiring. He played 103 Test matches for India, and scored 7,195 runs with 19 centuries in the process. Pujara considers India's Test series wins in Australia as career highlights. He was a key player in those victories.

Cheteshwar Pujara's retirement evokes memories, including a humorous dance during India's historic 2018-19 Australia series win. Despite his awkward moves, the series was defined by his remarkable batting performance. His 521 runs, including three centuries, earned him Player of the Series, solidifying India's triumph and his legacy of grit and determination.

Australian fast bowler Lance Morris is set to miss the Ashes series and will be sidelined for 12 months following back surgery. The 27-year-old, who was a potential backup pace option, withdrew from the South Africa one-day series due to lower back discomfort. Tests revealed a lumbar bone stress injury, prompting the surgery.

The newly unveiled MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket Museum at Wankhede Stadium, while lauded for its design and exhibits, has stirred debate over its naming. Viren Rasquinha's comment sparked discussion about honoring administrators versus players. The museum celebrates Mumbai's cricketing history, featuring interactive displays and memorabilia, opening to the public on September 22, 2025.

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.

Bangladesh women's cricket team faced a setback in their World Cup preparations, suffering consecutive defeats against the country's Under-15 boys in the Challenge Cup. The U-15 team dominated both fixtures, outclassing Women's Red by 87 runs and Women's Green by 41 runs. Captain Nigar Sultana acknowledged that more international exposure would have been beneficial leading up to the tournament.