Category: Sports

One of Indian cricket’s modern greats, Ravichandran Ashwin, has announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL), drawing the curtain on a storied domestic career. The veteran off-spinner, who last turned out for Chennai Super Kings in the 2025 season, had already retired from international cricket in December 2024, ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Ashwin’s decision comes as a surprise, especially as speculation had linked him with a possible return to Rajasthan Royals ahead of the 2026 auction. Ashwin’s Message to Fans In a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter), Ashwin reflected on the end of his IPL journey and the beginning of a new chapter abroad.“Special day and hence a special beginning. They say every ending will have a new start. My time as an IPL cricketer comes to a close today, but my time as an explorer of the game around various leagues begins today,” he wrote. He also expressed gratitude to all the franchises he represented, as well as the IPL and BCCI, adding: “Look forward to enjoying and making the most of what’s ahead of me.” Policy and Future Plans Under BCCI’s rules, no Indian player can participate in overseas T20 leagues unless they have retired from both international cricket and the IPL. Ashwin’s decision to step away from the league therefore appears motivated by his desire to experience cricket in different parts of the world. Ashwin’s IPL Legacy Making his IPL debut in 2009, Ashwin went on to feature in 221 matches. Across his career, he claimed 187 wickets at an average of 30.22, with an economy rate of 7.20 and a strike rate of 25.2. His best bowling figures were 4/34, including one four-wicket haul. Beyond the numbers, Ashwin will be remembered as one of the league’s finest spinners, whose tactical nous and adaptability made him a vital asset to every franchise he represented.

Just 16 days before the start of the Asia Cup in the UAE, fantasy sports platform Dream11 has reportedly withdrawn as the lead jersey sponsor of the Indian cricket team. The move comes after Parliament passed the ‘Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill’, which bans online fantasy sports and gambling platforms. BCCI’s Response According to reports, Dream11 is “not willing to continue its deal” with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), though no official announcement has been made yet. BCCI secretary Devajit Saiki said the board will abide by the country’s laws. “If it’s not permissible, we’ll not do anything. The BCCI will follow every policy framed by the central government,” he stated. Search for a New Sponsor The BCCI is now likely to invite fresh bids for jersey sponsorship rights before the Asia Cup. However, if a deal cannot be finalized in time, India may take the field without a lead sponsor during the tournament. Sources also revealed that the new jerseys featuring Dream11’s branding had already been printed, but they are unlikely to be used. A Troubled History of Sponsors Dream11, which signed a ₹358 crore three-year contract in July 2023, now joins a list of past sponsors who faced financial or legal troubles: Asia Cup Campaign India will open their Asia Cup campaign on September 10 against the UAE, followed by a high-voltage clash against Pakistan on September 14 at the Dubai International Stadium. The third Group A fixture will be against Oman on September 19.

India’s dependable Test batter Cheteshwar Pujara has announced his retirement from all forms of Indian cricket. The 37-year-old made the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), expressing gratitude for his long international career. “Wearing the Indian jersey, singing the anthem, and trying my best each time I stepped on the field – it’s impossible to put into words what it truly meant. But as they say, all good things must come to an end, and with immense gratitude I have decided to retire from all forms of Indian cricket,” Pujara wrote. Pujara, who made his debut in 2010, represented India in 103 Tests and 5 ODIs, scoring 7,195 Test runs at an average of 43.60, including 19 centuries and 35 fifties. At home, he was particularly prolific, amassing 3,839 runs at an average of 52.58. His final appearance came in the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in June 2023. For over a decade, Pujara served as India’s rock at No. 3, playing key roles in historic wins both at home and overseas. Notable innings include his double century against England in Mumbai (2012), a gritty 153 in Johannesburg (2013), a fighting 145 in Colombo (2015), and his unbeaten 132 on a seaming track in Southampton (2018). He is also among the few Indians to have batted on all five days of a Test. Pujara was pivotal to India’s back-to-back Test series triumphs in Australia. In 2018-19, he scored three centuries en route to India’s first-ever series win Down Under. In the 2020-21 series, he faced 928 deliveries across four Tests, absorbing countless body blows but holding firm to script one of India’s greatest overseas victories in Brisbane. Even after being sidelined from the national team, Pujara continued to play red-ball cricket for Saurashtra and Sussex in the County Championship, showcasing his love for the longer format. With his retirement, Indian cricket bids farewell to one of its most resilient and determined batters, often hailed as the “Wall 2.0” after Rahul Dravid.

Shreyas Iyer may have missed out on a spot in India’s Asia Cup 2025 T20I squad, but reports suggest that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is seriously considering him as the next ODI captain, set to succeed Rohit Sharma. Iyer in Contention for Captaincy Despite not being included in the T20I side, Iyer remains a key figure in India’s ODI setup. He had a solid Champions Trophy 2025, scoring 15, 56, 79, 45, and 48 in five innings as India lifted the trophy by beating New Zealand in the final. With 2845 runs in 70 ODIs at an average of 48.22, including five centuries, the 30-year-old Mumbai batter is seen as a stable choice to lead the team. Leadership Transition Underway According to a report in Dainik Jagran, informal discussions within the BCCI have focused on the future of leadership across formats. With Shubman Gill already appointed as Test captain and T20I vice-captain, the board is exploring a split-captaincy model to balance player workload. Why Not Shubman Gill? Although Gill has an even stronger ODI record with 2775 runs in 55 ODIs at an average of 59.04, the BCCI feels he may be overburdened if handed leadership in all formats. Gill already faces a packed schedule: The board believes continuous cricket makes it impractical for one player to captain across formats, risking mental and physical burnout.