India has announced its squad for the Asia Cup 2025, to be played in the UAE next month. Suryakumar Yadav will captain the 15-member team, while Shubman Gill has been named vice-captain. Jasprit Bumrah returns to T20Is after last playing in the 2024 World Cup final. Yashasvi Jaiswal, however, missed out and is among the standbys along with Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel. India, the defending champions, will begin their campaign on September 10 against UAE in Dubai, followed by matches against Pakistan and Oman. The tournament will be played in the T20 format. (PC: BCCI)

During India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad announcement in Mumbai, chief selector Ajit Agarkar was stopped from answering questions about Pakistan by a BCCI representative. India is scheduled to face Pakistan on September 14 in Dubai, with potential encounters in the Super 4 and final stages. The decision comes amid tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack. Former players like Kedar Jadhav and Harbhajan Singh advised the BCCI against playing Pakistan. Agarkar and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav announced the squad, including Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, and Surya Kumar Yadav as captain. The tournament begins on September 9 in the UAE. (PC: India Today)

India announced their 15-member squad for the Asia Cup T20, set to be played in the UAE from September 9 to 28. Suryakumar Yadav will lead the side, with Shubman Gill named vice-captain. Jasprit Bumrah secured his place in the squad, while Jitesh Sharma was picked as the second wicketkeeper ahead of Dhruv Jurel. Sanju Samson will be the first-choice wicketkeeper. Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar strengthen the all-rounder options, with Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy as specialist spinners. India will open against hosts UAE on September 10, with a high-voltage clash against Pakistan on September 14. (PC: India Today)

Carlos Alcaraz won his maiden Cincinnati Open title after World No.1 Jannik Sinner retired midway through the final due to illness. With Alcaraz leading 5-0, Sinner ended the match after just 23 minutes, raising concerns about his readiness for the upcoming US Open. Alcaraz became the third Spaniard to win the ATP Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati, joining Carlos Moya and Rafael Nadal. It was his sixth title of the year, including his first Wimbledon crown. Sinner apologized to fans, while Alcaraz expressed empathy and praised his rival’s resilience. Both players are scheduled for mixed doubles at the US Open, but Sinner’s participation remains uncertain. (PC: Reuters)

India’s first female racing champion, Diana Pundole, is set to make her Middle East debut this September at the Ferrari Club Challenge, competing across Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai. A trailblazer in Indian motorsport, Pundole began her journey with go-karting and rose through male-dominated circuits to win India’s national saloon car championship in 2024. Known for her fearless mindset, she never raced in women-only categories, believing racing is about skill, not gender. She recently hit 270 kmph at Yas Marina Circuit and served as chief guest at Dubai’s IBPC Independence Day celebration. Pundole credits her late father’s passion for motorsport as her lifelong inspiration. (PC: Khaleej Times)

Former India pacer Karsan Ghavri has strongly criticised Jasprit Bumrah for his risky shot during the Lord’s Test, saying he “had no business” playing it. Bumrah, who supported Ravindra Jadeja with a 53-ball stay, threw his wicket away, hurting India’s chances in a close chase. Ghavri also slammed Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissal, calling it an “ugly shot.” However, he defended India captain Shubman Gill’s heated exchange with England’s Zak Crawley, saying such incidents happen in the “heat of the moment.” India eventually drew the five-Test series 2-2 after staging a strong comeback in the final matches. (PC: AFP)

Sunil Gavaskar has sharply criticized Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management, warning that “nobody is indispensable.” He questioned the BCCI and chief selector Ajit Agarkar for resting Bumrah during key Tests in England, especially the must-win match at The Oval. Gavaskar emphasized that national duty should outweigh individual concerns and urged selectors to prioritize Test cricket over bilateral white-ball series. He advocated for Bumrah’s inclusion in upcoming Tests against West Indies and South Africa to boost India’s World Test Championship chances. Gavaskar praised bold squad selections but stressed that final XI decisions must align with Indian cricket’s long-term interests, not short-term fitness strategies. (PC: Mint)

Shubman Gill, India’s Test captain and top performer in the England series, is likely to miss the Asia Cup 2025 T20I squad, according to a Cricbuzz report. Despite scoring over 750 runs and excelling in IPL 2025, selectors may favor Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson for opening roles. Yashasvi Jaiswal is a strong contender for backup opener, while Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, and Suryakumar Yadav are expected to feature. Mohammed Siraj, the top wicket-taker in the England series, may also be excluded. Jasprit Bumrah will lead the pace attack, with Hardik Pandya as the sole pace all-rounder. The final squad will be decided on August 19. (PC: Zap Cricket)

Ajit Agarkar and the Indian selectors will meet on August 19 to pick the squad for the Asia Cup 2025. Reports suggest Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal may not be included, as the committee wants them fresh for upcoming Test matches against the West Indies. Instead, Shreyas Iyer and Jitesh Sharma are likely to be rewarded for their IPL 2025 performances. Iyer’s experience in UAE conditions is seen as a big advantage. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma are also expected to keep their places. India will begin their Asia Cup campaign on September 10 against hosts UAE. (PC: HT)

A renewed debate surrounds the possibility of MS Dhoni stepping into India’s head coach role, fueled by Team India’s inconsistent performance under Gautam Gambhir. While Gambhir’s coaching has yielded uneven results—raising questions about his effectiveness—Aakash Chopra highlighted Dhoni’s calm demeanor and strategic acumen as strengths. However, Chopra noted Dhoni may decline such a demanding, full-time national assignment due to his preference for privacy and varied personal commitments post-retirement. The discussion underscores broader curiosity over leadership direction, balancing Gambhir’s shortcomings with the appeal of Dhoni’s experience—despite doubts about his willingness to take up the mantle. (PC: The Times of India)