BCCI Announces India A Squad for Unofficial Test Series Against Australia A; Shreyas Iyer Appointed Captain
Shreyas Iyer has been appointed captain of India A for the upcoming two-match unofficial Test series against Australia A. On Saturday, 6th September, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 15-member India A squad for the series, with the star middle-order batter entrusted with the leadership role. India A will host Australia A for two unofficial Tests and three one-day matches, starting Tuesday, 16th September. Iyer, who was left out of India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad and not even included among the traveling reserves, will now have the chance to lead the side. Test Series: Earlier this year, he also missed selection for India’s five-match away Test tour of England, despite consistent performances across formats over the past year. Iyer did, however, captain Punjab Kings (PBKS) to the IPL 2025 final, where they narrowly lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The selection committee has now placed their trust in him, handing him the captaincy for the upcoming unofficial Test series. Shreyas Iyer to Lead India A in Unofficial Test Series Against Australia A Shreyas Iyer has been named captain of India A for the upcoming two-match unofficial Test series against Australia A. This comes after the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee faced criticism for leaving Iyer out of India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad, despite his scintillating form and status as India’s leading run-scorer in the ICC Champions 2025 campaign. The series offers Iyer a perfect platform to stake his claim for a spot in India’s Test squad for the upcoming home series against the West Indies. The unofficial four-day Tests will begin on September 16, with the second match starting on September 23, both at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow. Dhruv Jurel will serve as vice-captain and wicketkeeper alongside Iyer. Key batters in the squad include Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, N. Jagadeesan, and Devdutt Padikkal. Notably, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rajat Patidar, both in fine form in the ongoing Duleep Trophy 2025-26, have been left out. The BCCI also announced that star batter KL Rahul and pacer Mohammed Siraj will join the squad ahead of the second Test, though it has not specified which two players they will replace. India A Squad – Two-Match Unofficial Test Series vs Australia AShreyas Iyer (Captain), Dhruv Jurel (VC & WK), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, N. Jagadeesan (WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Harsh Dubey, Prasidh Krishna, Ayush Badoni, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Tanush Kotian, Gurnoor Brar, Khaleel Ahmed, Manav Suthar, Yash Thakur Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
BCCI Set to Earn Additional ₹500 Crore as New Jersey Sponsors Pay ₹3.5 Crore Per Match: Report
The BCCI has revised its jersey branding rights, fixing new rates at INR 3.5 crore for bilateral matches and INR 1.5 crore for multilateral games. BCCI Hikes Base Price for Team India Jersey Sponsorship The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly raised the stakes for sponsors looking to associate with the Indian cricket team, setting new and higher base prices for jersey branding rights. The revised rates come as the board opens up bidding for a fresh three-year sponsorship cycle. According to a report published in Cricbuzz, industry sources indicate that the BCCI has fixed the new reserve price at INR 3.5 crore per match for bilateral fixtures and INR 1.5 crore for multilateral games, including tournaments under the ICC and ACC. These rates reflect a modest increase from the outgoing sponsor Dream11’s terms, which were INR 3.17 crore for bilateral games and INR 1.12 crore for multilateral ones. The move marks a targeted uplift of over 10 percent in valuation for bilateral contests and close to three percent for multilateral matches. The discrepancy between the two categories is attributed to the visibility factor. Sponsors gain prominent placement on the front of the Indian jersey during bilateral games, whereas ICC and ACC events restrict branding to the sleeves, offering limited exposure. BCCI Eyes New Sponsorship Deal Worth Over INR 400 Crore The new sponsorship term is set to span around 130 matches over the next three years, including marquee events such as the 2026 T20 World Cup and the 2027 ODI World Cup. At the revised base price, the BCCI could generate upwards of INR 400 crore during the tenure, with the final figure likely to rise depending on the bidding outcome. The bidding is scheduled for September 16, which means the new sponsor will not be in place before the Asia Cup begins on September 9. A senior BCCI official has confirmed that an interim sponsor is unlikely, indicating that the team may play the Asia Cup without any branding on the front of the jersey. On September 2, the board issued an Invitation for Expression of Interest (EOI) for lead sponsor rights. The notice outlined restrictions, ruling out companies in categories such as gaming, betting, crypto, and tobacco. Additionally, brands dealing in athleisure, sportswear, banking and finance, non-alcoholic cold beverages, fans, mixer grinders, safety locks, and insurance were excluded due to potential conflicts with existing sponsors. This shift in sponsorship dynamics comes after the exit of Dream11, which was forced to withdraw following the Indian government’s new Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. The law prohibits operations by real-money gaming firms, directly impacting the fantasy sports platform’s deal with the board. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
Rinku Singh recalls his five sixes off Yash Dayal in IPL 2023 as a “dream moment,” saying, “I felt God had given me everything.”
Rinku Singh has been named in India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025. The left-handed batsman fondly recalls his unforgettable IPL 2023 moment, when he struck five consecutive sixes in a dramatic finish—a feat he describes as a dream come true. Representing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rinku Singh needed 29 runs from the final five balls against Yash Dayal, and his remarkable hitting stunned fans and spectators alike, making it one of the tournament’s most iconic moments. That extraordinary performance paved the way for his debut with the Indian team. Two years on, Rinku Singh has established himself as a vital part of the side, featuring in 33 T20Is and scoring 546 runs at an impressive strike rate of 161.07, including three half-centuries. “It was a monumental moment for me”: Rinku Singh In an interview with Times of India, Rinku Singh reflected on his unforgettable five sixes in IPL 2023, a performance that earned him widespread recognition among fans. “People know me because of that match, and ever since, expectations have skyrocketed. I’ve received so much love from everyone. Those five sixes gave me a new identity—not just for myself, but for all of India,” he said. “For me, it was a huge moment. The team needed 29 runs, and hitting five sixes in a row felt like a dream—these things don’t happen every day. I’m grateful to the Almighty for making it possible. All the hard work I’d put in over the years felt rewarded in that single innings. In that moment, I truly felt blessed,” he added. Currently, Rinku Singh is leading the Meerut Mavericks in the UP T20 League 2025, with the final against Kashi Rudras scheduled for September 6. After the league, he is set to join the Indian squad in the UAE for Asia Cup 2025. The left-handed batter has been in exceptional form, scoring 372 runs in 11 matches at an average of 62.0 and a strike rate of 178.85. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Pat Cummins prepared to take “a few risks” to ensure readiness for Ashes 2025-26
Pat Cummins Faces Lower Back Stress Reaction Ahead of Ashes 2025-26. Australia captain Pat Cummins, has been hit by a stress reaction in his lower back just as the team ramps up preparations for the Ashes 2025-26. The 32-year-old revealed that he might adopt “aggressive” strategies to prove his fitness for the series opener despite the setback. A recent scan revealed lumbar bone stress, forcing Pat Cummins to miss Australia’s white-ball series against India and New Zealand. Since returning from the Caribbean tour, he has been restricted to light gym work, avoiding running and bowling, while hoping the tension in his back eases. Having battled injuries throughout the first six years of his international career, Pat Cummins is well aware of the risks. Pushing too hard too soon could trigger a stress fracture, something he is cautious to avoid. “I’m never going to go into a Test match unless I know I can finish it. When you’re 18 or 19, you aim for perfect rehab, even if it takes six months. Now, with the Ashes, I’m willing to do whatever it takes to play. If I’m not 100% by the end, I can take a break next year … there isn’t another Ashes series,” Pat Cummins told cricket.com.au. Cummins has historically bowled over 400 overs annually, but his workload has dropped significantly in 2025, with just 175.1 overs bowled in the first nine months. “I’m still doing a bit of gym” – Pat Cummins on his rehab Despite bowling a total of 60 overs across three Tests, Pat Cummins felt the strain following Australia’s 3-0 series sweep of the West Indies in July. As the Ashes approach, Cummins remains optimistic about regaining his pace, even if it means missing a few games. “Do the rehab properly and give it a solid effort. The Ashes is a huge series—it doesn’t get much bigger. So you’re willing to take a few risks and push a bit to play as much Test cricket as you can. I gave it another month after the tour, kept things fairly quiet to help it settle, and had another scan on Monday. It wasn’t terrible, but it showed there’s still a little something there, so I’ve got to be careful for the next little while,” Cummins explained. “I’m still doing a bit of gym work, but no running or bowling yet. Once we get that right, we’ll start building toward the summer. There’s plenty of time—about 12 weeks until the first Test—so we’ll see how it goes in the coming weeks,” he added. While the exact cause of his injury remains unclear, Cummins suggested it could be linked to the heavy workload during the ICC World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s earlier this year, where he bowled 35.1 overs over four days. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Sanju Samson Earns New Batting Spot in India’s Asia Cup XI; Gautam Gambhir Suggests Replacing Tilak Varma
Gautam Gambhir has been advised to provide Sanju Samson with a consistent opportunity at No. 3 in the Asia Cup, with Mohammad Kaif highlighting that Samson is the squad’s most experienced player. Kaif Backs Sanju Samson for India’s No. 3 Spot Ahead of Asia Cup 2025 Former India batter Mohammad Kaif believes Sanju Samson deserves to play at No. 3 ahead of Tilak Varma in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025. India will begin their campaign on September 10 against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and the Suryakumar Yadav-led side faces several key selection decisions. With Shubman Gill included as vice-captain, it is almost certain that the 25-year-old will open alongside Abhishek Sharma. This leaves Samson’s role in the balance. Over the past year, the right-hander has opened the batting alongside Abhishek, smashing three T20I centuries—one against Bangladesh and two against South Africa. Sanju Samson has also been in strong form in the Kerala Cricket League. Initially batting lower down the order in the T20 competition, he struggled in his first two games before returning as an opener, which saw him start scoring freely. However, dropping Tilak Varma won’t be straightforward. The left-handed youngster has impressed at No. 3 for India in T20Is, including back-to-back centuries against South Africa last year. This leaves the management with a selection headache ahead of the Asia Cup. “Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill will open in the Asia Cup. For the No. 3 spot, I feel Tilak Varma is a youngster and can wait for his turn. Sanju is an experienced batter, and he could be groomed by giving him consistent opportunities at No. 3. There is a World Cup after six months, and he deserves a chance,” Kaif said in a video shared on his Instagram account. Samson best bet against Rashid Khan Kaif believes that if India faces a team like Afghanistan in the Asia Cup, Sanju Samson would be the ideal choice to take on a bowler like Rashid Khan, thanks to his ability to strike maximums down the ground. “He is among the top 10 six-hitters in the IPL. That’s why I believe when Rashid Khan comes to bowl in the middle overs, there cannot be a better player against him than Sanju, as he can hit sixes down the ground,” Kaif said. He added, “South Africa has one of the toughest conditions for batting, and he has hit two centuries as an opener there. He plays both pace and spin well, and in the IPL, he scores 400-500 runs every year.” The former India batter also highlighted Samson’s recent form, saying he would be hard to ignore in the upcoming eight-team tournament, which begins September 9 with the opening match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong. “Do you know that Sanju Samson is the most senior member of this Asia Cup squad? He made his debut in 2015 and was part of the T20 World Cup-winning squad in 2024 in Barbados,” Kaif said. “He didn’t get to play much then, but when he did, he scored runs for fun with a 180 strike rate. He scored almost 450 runs. He has been scoring consistently in the Kerala Cricket League and is in fine form,” he added. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
Which Is Harder to Captain: An IPL Side or Australia? Aaron Finch Shares His View
Australia lifted their maiden ICC T20 World Cup title in 2021 under the leadership of Aaron Finch. Regarded as one of Australia’s finest white-ball captains, Finch guided his side to glory on the global stage. The opening batter featured in 103 T20Is, captaining in 76 of them, and left a lasting legacy in the shortest format. Across his international T20 career, the right-hander amassed 3,120 runs at an impressive average of 34.29 and a striking strike rate of 142.54. His tally included two centuries and 19 half-centuries, cementing his place among Australia’s all-time T20 greats. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Finch played 92 matches and scored 2,091 runs at an average of 24.89, registering 15 fifties. Notably, he represented nine different franchises and even captained the now-defunct Pune Warriors India during his IPL stint. Leading in the IPL Was Probably the Toughest: Aaron Finch In an interview with The Cricket Monthly, Aaron Finch revealed that captaining a team in the IPL was more challenging than leading Australia. He attributed this to the short, intense nature of the tournament. “IPL was probably the hardest because you’re coming together for such a short period,” Finch explained. “At Pune Warriors, I joined as a replacement player, and just two or three games later, I was made captain. I didn’t have enough time to really get to know everyone in the squad, which is incredibly challenging.” He contrasted this with his experience leading Australia, saying, “When you captain Australia, you’re working with some of the best players in the world who already know what they’re doing. My job was much easier there. In the IPL, I wasn’t as consistent as I was with the Renegades or Australia. At times, the pressure to perform and trying too hard to make things happen weighed heavily on me.” Over his IPL career, Finch represented nine different franchises. He made his IPL debut in 2010 with Rajasthan Royals and last played in 2022 for Kolkata Knight Riders. His journey also included stints with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), Pune Warriors India, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions, Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings), and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
‘There could be a selfish motive’ – Harbhajan Singh slams Lalit Modi over leaked IPL ‘slap gate’ video
Lalit Modi has stirred fresh controversy by releasing unseen footage of the infamous IPL 2008 “slap-gate” incident involving Harbhajan Singh and S. Sreesanth. The video, shown during Modi’s conversation with former Australian captain Michael Clarke on a podcast, clearly captured the moment Harbhajan Singh slapped Sreesanth during the post-match handshake between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings). The incident, which shocked fans at the time, went down as one of the biggest controversies in IPL history. As a result, Harbhajan Singh was handed a suspension for the remainder of the season. While the matter had largely faded from public memory, Modi’s decision to release the footage has reignited debate. Harbhajan Singh, visibly displeased, hit back at the former IPL commissioner, accusing him of acting out of selfish motives. He criticized Modi for dragging the past into the spotlight and insisted that the video should never have been released. The episode, once buried, is now back in headlines—drawing both criticism of Modi and renewed discussion of one of the league’s most controversial moments. Harbhajan Singh Slams Lalit Modi Over Video Leak Harbhajan Singh has strongly criticized the leak of an old video, calling it a selfish attempt to revive something long forgotten. Speaking to Instant Bollywood, he shared his thoughts on the matter: “The way the video has been leaked is wrong. It shouldn’t have happened. There might be selfish motives behind it. Something that happened 18 years ago has been forgotten by people, and now they are being reminded of it unnecessarily.” Reflecting on the incident, Harbhajan admitted he still feels remorse: “I feel bad about what happened. We were playing, and everyone had their own thoughts at the time. Mistakes were made, and yes, we do feel ashamed of them.” He further acknowledged the incident as unfortunate and took responsibility for his actions: “Yes, the video has gone viral. It was an unfortunate incident, and I have admitted on multiple occasions that I made a mistake. Humans make mistakes, and I did too. I have prayed to Lord Ganesh for forgiveness if I err again. Mistakes happen.” Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Jasprit Bumrah advised by his former bowling coach to skip the IPL in order to remain fully available for Team India matches.
Jasprit Bumrah featured in only three matches during the recent England series. Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun has weighed in on the pacer’s workload, suggesting that Bumrah should consider skipping the Indian Premier League (IPL) if a five-match Test series is on the horizon. Jasprit Bumrah workload has been a persistent talking point in Indian cricket. He played just three Tests against England, missing two crucial matches when the series was finely poised. Earlier, after featuring in five games of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25, Jasprit Bumrah picked up an injury that ruled him out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. On his return, he restricted himself to only three Tests against England — a move the management supported, given his importance to the team. Arun stressed that the IPL could be skipped in such situations to ensure Jasprit Bumrah long-term fitness, adding that the BCCI should fairly compensate him for missing the lucrative league. Speaking to Times Internet, he said: “Definitely, this would help, especially when you want to preserve bowlers. It’s fine for a batter or a spinner to play across formats, but for a fast bowler, too much cricket leaves little time to work on physical conditioning. “So yes, this should be considered. Bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, or anyone deemed crucial for a particular series, can be rested and adequately compensated. If he’s paid fairly and the BCCI — since he’s a contracted player — asks him to focus on certain aspects of his game, I think that’s completely fair.” Jasprit Bumrah: Bharat Arun on Mohammed Siraj: “He is every captain’s delight.” Bharat Arun praised Mohammed Siraj for his outstanding efforts, highlighting the energy he brings to the team. He stressed that the pacer must be managed carefully and given enough rest. Arun said: “Siraj has been around for a while now, and he has been exceptional. He’s a captain’s delight. Every time you hand him the ball, he runs in and gives his absolute best. That’s exactly what you want from a fast bowler — he has incredible energy.” Speaking about the recently concluded five-Test series, Arun added:“From the first Test to the fifth, Siraj maintained the same intensity throughout. That’s why it’s important to preserve him and ensure he gets sufficient rest before the next assignment so that he can recover fully.” Siraj was not named in India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad as he has been rested after bowling more than 180 overs in the England series. However, he is expected to make his return for the West Indies series in October. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Suresh Raina names his all-time CSK XI; excludes Ruturaj Gaikwad
Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star Suresh Raina, fondly called “Chinna Thala” by fans, revealed his all-time CSK XI but left out some big names, including current skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and all-rounder Dwayne Bravo. Speaking on Shubhankar Mishra’s YouTube channel, Suresh Raina unveiled his picks. He went with Murali Vijay and Matthew Hayden as openers—Vijay scored 1,708 runs in 70 IPL matches for CSK, while Hayden won the Orange Cap in 2009. At No. 3, he slotted in Michael Hussey, who has also served as CSK’s batting coach since 2018. The middle-order featured Suresh Raina himself along with Subramaniam Badrinath, while Albie Morkel was chosen as the all-rounder. For pace options, he picked Doug Bollinger, L. Balaji, and Mohit Sharma. His spin trio included Shadab Jakati, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja. As expected, Suresh Raina named MS Dhoni as both captain and wicketkeeper of his XI. Interestingly, he went with 13 players in total, designating Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan as his Impact Player. Suresh Raina’s All-Time CSK XI Murali Vijay, Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Suresh Raina, Subramaniam Badrinath, Albie Morkel, Doug Bollinger, Shadab Jakati, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, L Balaji, Mohit Sharma, Muttiah Muralitharan (Impact Player). Raina, fondly known as Mr. IPL, represented the Chennai Super Kings from 2008 to 2015. During CSK’s two-year suspension, he captained the now-defunct Gujarat Lions in 2016 and 2017. He made his return to CSK in 2018 and continued with the franchise until his final IPL season in 2021. Suresh Raina: As for the franchise, CSK remain one of the most decorated sides in IPL history, winning the trophy five times—in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023. However, the 2025 season proved to be their toughest campaign yet, as they finished at the bottom of the table and missed out on the playoffs. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Sri Lanka announces Asia Cup 2025 squad; Wanindu Hasaranga declared fully fit
Wanindu Hasaranga to Miss Zimbabwe Series Due to Hamstring Injury. Sri Lanka Cricket announced its squad for the Asia Cup 2025 on Thursday, 29th August. The tournament will be held in the United Arab Emirates, starting on 9th September and culminating with the final on 28th September. The standout update in Sri Lanka’s squad is the inclusion of premier leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga. However, he will miss the upcoming series against Zimbabwe after sustaining a hamstring injury during the recent series against Bangladesh. For the Asia Cup, Hasaranga has replaced Dushan Hemantha in the squad, while Dushan will feature in the Zimbabwe series. Another change sees uncapped batter Vishen Halambage omitted from the squad. Charith Asalanka will lead Sri Lanka in the tournament, with Chamika Karunaratne making a comeback. Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamil Mishara, and fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera have also been included for the eight-nation event. Former captain Dasun Shanaka returns to the side, while selectors have opted to leave out Angelo Mathews. The veteran all-rounder recently retired from Test cricket but remains available for white-ball formats. Alongside Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana will form Sri Lanka’s frontline spin attack. The 2021 Asia Cup champions are eager to reclaim the title, having reached the final in the last edition before losing to India. Sri Lanka Squad for Asia Cup 2025 Players: Charith Asalanka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana Sri Lanka will kick off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign on September 13 against Bangladesh. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration