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Virat Kohli Spoke To Ajit Agarkar Twice, Decided To Quit Tests Over 'Lack Of Freedom': Report

Unarguably one of the most talismanic cricketers to have ever played the game, Virat Kohli bid farewell to the Test format on Monday, sending the entire fraternity in shock. While the decision left quite a few surprised, those in the know suggest that the batter had made up his mind long ago. With a new World Test Championship cycle starting, Virat knew that some things had to change if he and the team had to pull themselves out of the rut they had recently been in. As per reports, Kohli wanted a new challenge, the opportunity of anchoring the team in this phase of transition by returning to the captaincy role. But the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had other ideas.

Cheteshwar Pujara's Blunt Take On Sarfaraz Khan Test Snub: "Management Feels He May Not..."

Cheteshwar Pujara has opened up on Sarfaraz Khan's snub from India's Test squad for the upcoming series against England. Sarfaraz didn't find a place in India's 18-man squad that was announced on Saturday, ahead of a five-match series starting June 20. Sarfaraz had travelled with the team to Australia as part of the squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but he didn't play a single game. Pujara, who was one of the hopefuls over a potential Test return, said the selectors thought Sarfaraz might not succeed in England.

Shubman Gill Sent Blunt Warning By Sunil Gavaskar Over Test Captaincy: "Behave In A Way..."

Legendary Indian cricket team batter Sunil Gavaskar weighed in on Shubman Gill's appointment as the new Test captain. Gill will leading the national side during the five-match Test series against England with Rishabh Pant as his deputy. Gavaskar said that Gill will need to command the players' respect and handle the pressure that comes with the appointment. Following Rohit's retirement, Gill was chosen as his successor over the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul. Gavaskar added that captaincy changes the situation for a number of players and Gill will need to behave in a way which stamps his authority.

Karun Nair Breaks Silence After Being Handed India Comeback: "Was Awaiting..."

Back in the Indian team after a long gap of eight years, batter Karun Nair on Saturday expressed his delight and said he was "awaiting this call" after amassing big runs in the 2024-25 domestic season. Having last played in 2017, Nair was dropped from the team soon after becoming the second triple centurion in Tests from India. "Grateful to get back, happy and proud and fortunate. Found out like all of you found out (about his selection). Was eagerly awaiting the call, got a lot of messages from close ones," Nair said after playing a pivotal role in Delhi Capitals' six-wicket win over Punjab Kings in the IPL here.

Shubman Gill Makes Big Claim On Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli's Retirements: "Know How To..."

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had "very contrasting styles" of leadership but the two iconic players along with spinner Ravichandran Ashwin have given the Indian team the "blueprint to win" Test series away from home, says new skipper Shubman Gill, who was on Saturday appointed India's captain in Tests. The first assignment for the 25-year-old is a five-Test series England where he won't have stalwarts like Kohli and Rohit in the line-up. "(The) guys like Rohit bhai, Virat bhai and Ashwin bhai… they have given us a blueprint on how to tour away from home and win matches and series," Gill said in a video released by the BCCI on Sunday.

Shubman Gill Will Have To Lead From Front, Judgement Of Young Indian Team Can Wait: Harbhajan SIngh

India's new Test skipper Shubman Gill will have to lead from the front in absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma but the young team should not be judged too early, feels spin bowling great Harbhajan Singh. The 25-year-old Gill was on Saturday appointed as the full-time captain of the Indian team with Rishabh Pant as his deputy with the new World Test Championship cycle beginning with next month's England tour. Harbhajan welcomed the choice of Gill as captain but said there are challenges ahead.

"Why Can't He Play?" Baffled Virender Sehwag Blasts BCCI Over India Superstar's Snub

India's squad for the England tour saw the much-anticipated return of Karun Nair while a young star in the form of Sai Sudharsan also earned the nod from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee. However, one renowned name who was snubbed by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection team was Shreyas Iyer. Despite being a consistent performer for India in ODIs, especially in the Champions Trophy, Iyer was snubbed for a place in the nation's white-ball side.

"Young Or Matured...": Ignored India Star Cheteshwar Pujara's Big Verdict On Shubman Gill Becoming Test Captain

Test veteran Cheteshwar Pujara on Sunday said it will be a challenge for a youngster like Shubman Gill to captain India in tough conditions in England but a big opportunity and confidence booster for him if he achieves success as a leader in the marquee series. Gill was named new Test captain on Saturday, succeeding Rohit Sharma. The move officially began a new era in the Indian red-ball set-up after the shock retirements of Rohit and Virat Kohli. Rohit and Kohli announced their Test retirements within a span of one week this month.

Who Will Replace Virat Kohli At No. 4 Against England? Ajit Agarkar Says "Once They Get..."

Right-handed batter Shubman Gill has been appointed as India's 37th Test captain as chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced the 18-member squad on Saturday for the crucial five-match tour of England, starting on June 20. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been named as the vice-captain. The Agarkar-led selection committee, along with BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia as the meeting convener, picked the squad in a meeting at the BCCI HQ in Mumbai, before announcing it in a formal press conference addressed by him and Shiv Sunder Das. "We discussed every option that's there, over the last year or so, we've looked at Shubman at various times. Taken a lot of feedback from the dressing room. Very young, but there's been improvement.”

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Virat Kohli Spoke To Ajit Agarkar Twice, Decided To Quit Tests Over 'Lack Of Freedom': Report

Cheteshwar Pujara's Blunt Take On Sarfaraz Khan Test Snub: "Management Feels He May Not..."

Shubman Gill Sent Blunt Warning By Sunil Gavaskar Over Test Captaincy: "Behave In A Way..."

Karun Nair Breaks Silence After Being Handed India Comeback: "Was Awaiting..."

Shubman Gill Makes Big Claim On Rohit Sharma And Virat Kohli's Retirements: "Know How To..."

Shubman Gill Will Have To Lead From Front, Judgement Of Young Indian Team Can Wait: Harbhajan SIngh

"Why Can't He Play?" Baffled Virender Sehwag Blasts BCCI Over India Superstar's Snub

"Young Or Matured...": Ignored India Star Cheteshwar Pujara's Big Verdict On Shubman Gill Becoming Test Captain

Who Will Replace Virat Kohli At No. 4 Against England? Ajit Agarkar Says "Once They Get..."