diri-au.org – Fashion & Cultural Identity Commentary

Team India enjoyed a special dinner hosted by coach Gautam Gambhir ahead of the second Test against the West Indies in Delhi. Fresh off a dominant innings and 140-run victory in Ahmedabad, where Jadeja starred and the pace attack impressed, the squad is geared up for the series decider come Friday.

Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary urged Rohit Sharma to retire from international cricket, citing the recent ODI captaincy change to Shubman Gill as humiliating. Tiwary believes Rohit should step down with dignity before being pushed out, despite his impressive ODI record and captaincy achievements.

Rohit Sharma is on the verge of breaking Shahid Afridi's record for the most sixes in ODI cricket during the upcoming series against Australia. Sharma, who has already hit 344 sixes, needs just eight more to surpass Afridi's tally of 351.

Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson emotionally dedicated his CEAT Cricket Award to his wife Charu, acknowledging her unwavering support. He also praised fans and reflected on his decade-long journey, highlighting his mental resilience and perseverance that led to crucial match-winning performances. Samson concluded by expressing gratitude and reaffirming his dedication to the nation.

Sai Sudharsan faces immense pressure to perform at No. 3 in Tests, with his current average of 21 in seven innings not assuring selectors. Following the footsteps of Sarfaraz Khan and Karun Nair, who faced repercussions for failures, Sai needs significant runs in the upcoming Kotla Test to secure his position ahead of Dhruv Jurel.

Legendary South Africa batter AB de Villiers has expressed doubts over Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's participation in the ODI World Cup 2027. The duo is set to return to the 50-over format in the upcoming ODI series against Australia.

Mimicry artist Shaarang Shringarpure paid tribute to Rohit Sharma's ODI captaincy following his removal, using the voices and style of Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Ravi Shastri and Navjot Singh Sidhu. Shubman Gill will now lead the India ODI side, with Suryakumar Yadav captaining T20Is, as selectors focus on the 2027 World Cup. Rohit's tenure saw a 76% win rate and two ICC white-ball finals.

Mohammed Kaif criticises India’s selectors for removing Rohit Sharma as ODI captain and accuses Ajit Agarkar of pressurising Shubman Gill into taking over prematurely. Kaif warns that the sudden responsibilities may affect Gill’s batting and urges patience ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

India seized firm control of the opening day of the first Test against West Indies, bowling out the visitors for just 162, spearheaded by Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah. KL Rahul then anchored India's response with an unbeaten half-century, guiding them to 121/2. India now trails by only 41 runs with eight wickets remaining, positioning them strongly for Day 2.

IND vs WI, 1st Test preview: India will head into a home Test series without Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and R Ashwin for the first time in more than a decade. With the scars of a 0-3 loss to New Zealand still remaining fresh, Shubman Gill and his men will not take the West Indies lightly. With wet weather forecast, the conditions in Ahmedabad may not be straightforward. 

India captain Shubman Gill said that the wickets for the upcoming Test series against West Indies will have a good balance between bat and ball. India and the West Indies are set to lock horns in a two-match series set to begin on October 2 in Ahmedabad.

India started their Test series preparations against West Indies shortly after their Asia Cup triumph. The team focused on managing player workload amid a tight schedule and pitch assessments.

Abhishek Sharma, Player of the Tournament at the Men's T20 Asia Cup 2025, celebrated his win with mentor Yuvraj Singh on a flight from Dubai. Sharma's exceptional performance, scoring 314 runs, was guided by Yuvraj's regular advice, highlighting their special bond. India now shifts focus to the upcoming Test series against the West Indies.

Shashi Tharoor questioned Sanju Samson's batting position after India won the 2025 Asia Cup. He asked why Shubman Gill opened instead of Samson. Both players had modest performances in the tournament. Tharoor suggested restoring Samson to opener and placing Gill at number three. Samson contributed to stabilizing the innings during the final match.

Indian cricketers Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma celebrated India's thrilling Asia Cup victory over Pakistan by taking a joyous spin in Abhishek's new car, a reward for his Player of the Tournament award. Their heartwarming camaraderie highlighted India's ninth Asia Cup crown, secured by Tilak Varma's match-winning knock in a tense chase against their arch-rivals.

Abhishek Sharma was crowned Player of the Tournament at the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, driving India to their title triumph against Pakistan. The opener amassed 314 runs in seven matches at a blazing strike rate of 200, consistently providing explosive starts. His impactful performances earned him a brand-new car and widespread acclaim, with teammate Shubman Gill celebrating his success.

The stage is set for a blockbuster Asia Cup 2025 final between unbeaten India and Pakistan in Dubai, on the very pitch where India decisively won their previous encounter. With India's top order in formidable form, the question looms whether history will repeat on the batting-friendly surface.

Sanju Samson is quietly building a strong case to become India's greatest T20I wicketkeeper-batter in multi-nation tournaments. With 108 runs in the Asia Cup, he needs just 64 more in the final to surpass Rishabh Pant's record. Samson has also become India's leading T20I wicketkeeper in sixes, showcasing his destructive ability and adaptability across batting positions.