Rahane to lead Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2025
NEW DELHI : Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders appointed veteran top order batter Ajinkya Rahane as their captain for this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) on Monday.
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NEW DELHI : Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders appointed veteran top order batter Ajinkya Rahane as their captain for this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) on Monday.
Indian cricket team made just one change to their playing XI for the Champions Trophy 2025 Group A match against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday. Fast bowler Harshit Rana was excluded from the playing XI while spinner Varun Chakravarthy replaced him. There were several reports that Mohammed Shami will be rested for the match but the team management decided to include him as the fast bowling option along with all-rounder Hardik Pandya. The team department remained the same as both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were included in the side. The winner of the match between India and New Zealand will top Group A with both sides already booking their spot in the semifinals.
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen was on Thursday appointed mentor of Delhi Capitals ahead of the upcoming IPL season. The 44-year-old thus returns to the side he captained in 2014. This marks Pietersen's first coaching assignment in the IPL, where he featured in as a player from 2009 to 2016. "I'm so excited to come home to Delhi! I have the fondest memories of my time with Delhi. I love the city, I love the fans and I'll do everything I can to support the franchise in our quest for the title in 2025," wrote Pietersen on X.
India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul has revealed that he doesn't like facing teammate and pacer Mohammed Shami in the nets. Speaking on 25 Questions by ESPNCricinfo, Rahul was asked "which bowled he hates facing in the nets" and he took Shami's name. For the unversed, Shami has bowled 28 balls to Rahul in T20 cricket, conceding just 31 runs while also getting him out twice. He was also asked to name one bowler who gives him sleepless nights. This time, Rahul took Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan's name.
As the countdown for India's ICC Champions Trophy 2025 showdown ends, some tough selection calls are expected to unfold. With only 11 players allowed on the pitch, India have had no place for Arshdeep Singh, Rishabh Pant, and a few others in the team. Even against Pakistan, Pant is expected to warm the bench as KL Rahul takes the role of a finisher and wicket-keeper batter against Mohammad Rizwan's side on Sunday. India vs Pakistan LIVE.
Former cricketer Atul Wassan has expressed his disappointment in Rishabh Pant being sidelined from India's playing XI for KL Rahul. For Wassan, Pant instils nervousness in the opposition, something Rahul is incapable of. India head coach Gautam Gambhir and his regime's decision to pitch Rahul instead of Pant has left the fanbase and former cricketers with split opinions. Some have welcomed the management's decision to keep Rahul in the ODI fold, while others have argued in favour of Pant, citing his impact in the limited-overs format.
Indian cricket team wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant missed the practice session ahead of the much-anticipated Champions Trophy 2025 clash against Pakistan. While Virat Kohli arrived around '2-3 hours' ahead of the session to face spinners at the nets, most of the other cricketers were also present. However, Pant was forced to miss the practice and in the pre-match press conference, Shubman Gill revealed that he was down with viral fever. Pant missed the first game against Bangladesh where KL Rahul was included ahead of him and he is expected to accompany the team if he is declared fit.
Former spinner Sarandeep Singh has voiced his concern over team management's apparent preference for KL Rahul as a regular wicketkeeper ahead of Rishabh Pant in the ODI fold ahead of India's Champions Trophy opening clash against Bangladesh on Thursday in Dubai. During the build-up to the marquee event, Rahul kept India's wickets ahead of Pant in the three ODIs against England. India swept the series with 3-0 scoreline and Rahul operated in Pant's spot in the batting order and behind the stumps.