Varun Chakravarthy rises to No.1 as Indian players dominate ICC T20I bowling rankings
Varun Chakravarthy is currently representing India in the Asia Cup 2025. The spinner has made history by becoming only the third Indian to claim the No. 1 spot in the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings, thanks to his disciplined performances in the opening matches of the tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The 34-year-old climbed three places to the top after returning figures of 1/4 in two overs against the UAE and 1/24 in four overs against Pakistan. Varun Chakravarthy, With this rise, he joined the elite company of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravi Bishnoi, the only other Indians to hold the No. 1 position. Chakravarthy’s previous career-best was second place, achieved in February 2025. He displaced New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy, who had occupied the top spot since March. Varun Chakravarthy: Other bowlers in the Asia Cup have also made significant gains. Sri Lanka’s Nuwan Thushara surged six places to reach sixth, while Pakistan’s Sufiyan Muqeem (up four to 11th) and Abrar Ahmed (up 11 to a career-best 16th) climbed rapidly. Among Indians, Axar Patel rose to 12th, and Kuldeep Yadav jumped 16 places to 23rd. Afghanistan’s Noor Ahmed also broke into the top 25, moving up eight spots. Pace bowlers have enjoyed progress as well: Bumrah rose four places to 40th, Bangladesh’s Tanzim Hasan advanced five to 42nd, England’s Jofra Archer moved three to 13th, and South Africa’s Marco Jansen improved by five to 38th. Varun Chakravarthy: Abhishek Sharma Holds Top Spot in ICC T20I Batting Rankings India’s left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma has strengthened his position at the summit of the ICC T20I batting rankings. His explosive innings of 30 off 16 balls against the UAE and 31 off 13 against Pakistan earned him 55 rating points, taking his total to 884. England’s opening duo, Phil Salt and Jos Buttler, climbed one spot each to second and third, respectively, following their stellar performances in the second T20I against South Africa in Manchester. Varun Chakravarthy, Salt’s unbeaten 141 off 60 balls—the highest score and fastest T20I century by an England batter—brought him closer to his career-best No. 1 ranking, while Buttler’s 83 off 30 deliveries propelled him to a career-high 794 rating points, marking his first entry into the top three. Varun Chakravarthy: Other notable gains in the rankings include Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka (up one place to sixth), South Africa’s Dewald Brevis (up two to 11th), Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz (up two to 19th), UAE’s Mohammad Waseem (up two to 20th), South Africa’s Aiden Markram (up 10 to 30th), India’s Shubman Gill (up four to 39th), and Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan (up 18 to 55th). Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
ICC denies PCB’s demand to remove Andy Pycroft as Asia Cup 2025 match referee
Andy Pycroft served as the match referee during Sunday’s high-profile clash between India and Pakistan. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has formally rejected the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) request to remove Pycroft from his role in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025. The demand came after the PCB alleged that Pycroft had instructed India captain Suryakumar Yadav and Pakistan captain Salman Agha not to shake hands at the toss. According to MCC guidelines, shaking hands with the opposition before or after a match is not mandatory, which partly explains the PCB’s frustration over the Indian players’ actions. The ICC may respond by clarifying this rule to the PCB. Asia Cup: The PCB claimed that the refusal of Indian players to shake hands with their Pakistani counterparts constitutes a breach of the player code of conduct. “The PCB has lodged a complaint with the ICC regarding violations by the match referee of the ICC Code of Conduct and the MCC Laws relating to the Spirit of Cricket. The PCB has demanded the immediate removal of the match referee from the Asia Cup,” PCB chairman Naqvi stated in a social media post on Monday. Asia Cup: PCB Faces Negative Response from ICC on Demand to Remove Match Referee Cricbuzz has reported that it is highly unlikely the ICC will accede to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s request to remove Andy Pycroft from the Asia Cup match refereeing panel. It remains unclear whether the ICC has formally responded to Naqvi’s letter. However, the general consensus is that there are insufficient grounds to approve the PCB’s demand. If an official reply has not yet been issued, one is expected shortly. Asia Cup: In response to the PCB’s concerns, the ICC stated that Pycroft had clarified the situation, refuting Pakistan’s claim that he was biased toward the Indian team. Pycroft reportedly informed Salman Agha about the ACC officials’ observations on the ground, effectively addressing Pakistan’s allegations. This issue has now cast a spotlight on Wednesday’s Pakistan-UAE match. The PCB has publicly stated that it will refuse to play if Pycroft (69) officiates the game. While it is uncertain whether the ACC, under PCB president Mohsin Naqvi, can influence the appointment of the match referee for the Pakistan-UAE clash, the ICC generally holds sole authority over all match official appointments, including umpires and referees. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Asia Cup 2025: Top Run-Scorers and Leading Wicket-Takers After Match 8 – Sri Lanka vs Hong Kong
Match 8 of the Asia Cup 2025 between Sri Lanka and Hong Kong was played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday, September 15. Sri Lanka registered a four-wicket victory, successfully chasing down a target of 150 runs. Opener Pathum Nissanka anchored the innings with a crucial 68, while Wanindu Hasaranga provided the finishing touch with a brisk 20 runs in the latter stages. Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first. Hong Kong’s innings was anchored by opener Anshuman Rath, who scored 48, and Zeeshan Ali, who added 23 in a 41-run opening partnership. Skipper Nizakat Khan, batting at No. 4, remained unbeaten on 52 to guide Hong Kong to a respectable total of 149/4. Asia Cup 2025: Leading Run-Scorers Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka has risen to the top of the run-scoring chart with 118 runs, following his brilliant 68-run knock in the latest encounter. Hong Kong skipper Nizakat Khan, with a composed half-century, secures the second spot with 94 runs. UAE captain Muhammad Waseem (88) and Bangladesh leader Litton Das (87) occupy the third and fourth places, respectively. Afghanistan’s Sediqullah Atal and UAE’s Alishan Sharafu follow closely behind, both tallying 73 runs so far. Asia Cup 2025: Leading Run-Scorers Rank Player Team Runs 1 Pathum Nissanka Sri Lanka 118 2 Nizakat Khan Hong Kong 94 3 Muhammad Waseem UAE 88 4 Litton Das Bangladesh 87 5 Sediqullah Atal Afghanistan 73 5 Alishan Sharafu UAE 73 Asia Cup 2025: Leading Wicket-Takers Rank Player Team Wickets 1 Kuldeep Yadav India 7 2 Saim Ayub Pakistan 5 2 Junaid Siddiqui UAE 5 4 Ayush Shukla Hong Kong 4 5 Shivam Dube India 3 Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Asia Cup 2025: Latest Points Table Following Match 5 – Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka
Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka: Asia Cup 2025 – Sri Lanka Cruises to Six-Wicket Victory. The Asia Cup 2025 clash between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka unfolded at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium on Saturday, with the Sri Lankan side delivering a commanding performance. The visitors dominated from the start, defeating Bangladesh by six wickets to secure crucial two points. Bangladesh’s innings began disastrously as Sri Lanka bowled two wicket-maidens, dismissing openers Tanzid Hasan and Parvez Hossain Emon for ducks. Towhid Hridoy and Mahedi Hasan also fell cheaply, leaving Bangladesh reeling at 38 for four. Captain Litton Das (28) tried to stabilize the innings but failed to make a significant impact, with half the team back in the pavilion within ten overs. At 53/5, Jaker Ali (41) and Shamin Hossain (42) stitched together an unbeaten partnership of 86 runs for the sixth wicket, guiding Bangladesh to a competitive total of 149/5. Wanindu Hasaranga took two wickets for Sri Lanka, while Nuwan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera also made vital breakthroughs. Sri Lanka’s chase started on shaky ground as Kusal Mendis was dismissed for three in the second over. However, Pathum Nissanka (50) and youngster Kamil Mishra (46*) put Bangladesh on the back foot with a 95-run second-wicket partnership. Despite losing a few wickets in the latter stages, Mishra anchored the innings, seeing Sri Lanka home with six wickets to spare. Asia Cup 2025: Updated Points Table After Match 5 – Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Group A: Group B: In the fifth match of Asia Cup 2025, Sri Lanka, led by Charith Asalanka, secured a crucial win over Bangladesh, earning two points and climbing to second place in Group B. Bangladesh dropped to third, with Hong Kong trailing behind. Afghanistan continue to lead the group. In Group A, India remain on top, followed by Pakistan, both with two points each. Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are yet to open their account in the tournament. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
When was the last time India played Pakistan in a T20I, and what was the outcome?
The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan clash in the Asia Cup 2025 is set for 14th September at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The encounter will be the sixth match of the tournament and promises another chapter in the storied rivalry between the two cricketing giants. T20I: Both teams enter the contest with strong momentum. Suryakumar Yadav’s India demolished the UAE by nine wickets, while Salman Agha’s Pakistan secured a dominant 93-run victory over Oman. With both Oman and UAE suffering opening defeats, the winner of this match will book a spot in the Super Four, making this battle crucial for both sides. India and Pakistan have produced countless thrilling moments in T20Is over the years. Though the contests often go down to the wire, it is India who hold the upper hand historically, boasting the majority of wins in their head-to-head meetings. When Did India Last Face Pakistan in a T20I? India and Pakistan are set to face each other again after a gap of seven months. Their most recent encounter was at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where Rohit Sharma’s side comfortably defeated Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. In the T20I format, their last clash came during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. It was a thrilling contest in which India snatched a narrow six-run victory over Pakistan. Asked to bat first on a challenging pitch in New York, India managed just 119 runs. Rishabh Pant, batting at number three, top-scored with a resilient 42. T20I Contributions also came from Axar Patel (20) and Rohit Sharma (13), while the rest of the batting lineup struggled for single-digit scores. T20I: Chasing the target, Pakistan seemed in control at 73/2, with Mohammad Rizwan playing a brilliant 31. However, Jasprit Bumrah produced a game-changing spell, reducing Pakistan to 107/7 in no time. Pakistan could only reach 113/7, giving India a thrilling six-run win. Bumrah claimed three wickets, Hardik Pandya took two, and both Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel also chipped in with wickets. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Matthew Hayden’s daring bet: Promises to walk naked if Joe Root scores a century in Ashes 2025-26
Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden has expressed confidence that England’s Joe Root will register his first Test century in Australia during the Ashes 2025-26. Root is expected to play a pivotal role for England in the highly anticipated series later this year. Root, who has scored over 13,500 runs, is the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket after Sachin Tendulkar, with 39 centuries to his name. Despite his prolific career, he has yet to score a Test century on Australian soil. In 14 Tests in Australia, Root has accumulated 892 runs, including nine half-centuries, with a highest score of 89. Interestingly, all four of Root’s Test centuries against Australia have come at home in England. The 34-year-old has also never reached triple figures in Australia in ODIs or T20Is. As a result, the Ashes 2025-26 presents him with a chance to achieve his maiden century in Australia across international formats. Matthew Hayden promises to walk nude at MCG if Joe Root fails to score a century Australian batting legend Matthew Hayden has made a bold prediction ahead of the Ashes 2025-26, expressing confidence that England’s Joe Root will break his century drought in Australia. Speaking on the All Over Bar the Cricket podcast on YouTube, Matthew Hayden jokingly declared that he would walk nude around the Melbourne Cricket Ground if Root fails to score a hundred during the series. “I will walk nude around the MCG if he doesn’t make a hundred this summer,” Matthew Hayden said. Root has been in sensational form in Test cricket since 2021. During the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, he surpassed the likes of Jacques Kallis, Rahul Dravid, and Ricky Ponting to become the second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket. Matthew Hayden also topped the charts for England in the five-match series, amassing 537 runs at an average of 67.12. The Ashes 2025-26 is set to begin on November 21 with the opening Test in Perth, while the fifth and final Test will take place from January 4-8, 2026, in Sydney. This series will mark the second Test series for both England and Australia in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-27 cycle. Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration
Virat Kohli’s Fierce Persona Compared to Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Angry Young Man’: A Post-Fab Four Necessity for India
Bangar stated that Kohli’s fiery demeanor mirrors his true personality, reminiscent of the intensity and defiance of Bachchan’s 1970s “angry young man” era. Sanjay Bangar Compares Virat Kohli’s On-Field Fire to Amitabh Bachchan’s “Angry Young Man” Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar drew a striking parallel between Virat Kohli’s fiery on-field persona and Amitabh Bachchan’s legendary “angry young man” roles that defined Bollywood in the 1970s. Kohli, known for his aggressive attitude, never hesitated to confront opponents, constantly keeping pressure on them. During his captaincy, India adopted an assertive approach in Test cricket, achieving a historic series win in Australia, challenging strongly in England and South Africa, and instilling the belief that the team could succeed anywhere in the world. Bangar explained that Kohli’s intensity wasn’t just a show, but a true reflection of his personality, reminiscent of the defiance that defined Bachchan’s iconic roles. “Virat Kohli has a natural character, like brash, in your face, and that was his natural character. A natural character always feels right. Why did Amitabh Bachchan’s films work in the 1975-1980 era? It was because there was this thought of an angry young man, and in the Indian society, anger was somewhere simmering,” Bangar said on DD Sports. “Virat Kohli had to take cricket forward after Fab 4 retired” Former India coach Sanjay Bangar believes Virat Kohli’s aggressive approach arrived at a crucial juncture for Indian cricket. With the “Fab Four” — Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, and Sourav Ganguly — retired, the team faced a leadership and identity gap. Bangar emphasised that Indian cricket needed a fresh voice to usher in a new era of intensity and competitiveness. “Indian cricket needed some aggression because our fabulous four had retired, and Kohli had to take cricket forward, which he did in his own style. He changed India’s image completely in how they approach Test cricket,” Bangar added. Earlier this year, Kohli retired from Test cricket after playing 123 matches in his 14-year red-ball career. Making his Test debut in 2011 against West Indies, he became India’s standout batter after Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement in 2013. Kohli finished his Test career with 9,230 runs, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, at an average of 46.85. He also captained India in 68 Tests, becoming the nation’s most successful Test captain with 40 wins. Sign Up Fast For E2Bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration!
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
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
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