Salman Butt, a former Pakistan opener, is unsurprised by India's decision to select Rohit Sharma as the country's one-day international (ODI) captain instead of Virat Kohli. It is noteworthy that the senior men's selection committee announced on December 8 while also choosing an 18-member team for the forthcoming three-match Test series against South Africa.



Many were surprised by the decision, considering that Kohli had previously voiced his readiness to continue leading the One-Day International and Test teams while declaring his intention to stand aside as the T20I captain to manage his workload better. However, as things stand, he will only lead in the most extended format in the future.



In contrast to this, Salman Butt believes that the decision makes perfect sense. It will not only relieve Kohli of some of the pressure, but it will also allow him to enjoy greater freedom and liberty as a batter, given the fact that he has not been able to perform up to his expectations in the last couple of years.



<h2>Kohli's performance will improve now that he has relieved his tremendous workload: Salman Butt.</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2021/12/20SalmanButt.jpg" alt="Salman Butt is not shocked that Rohit Sharma would lead India in ODIs" class="wp-image-81594" /></figure></div>



"To be honest, this does not come as a surprise to me. It was always going to happen. This doesn't make any sense if he's just the captain for the Twenty20 Internationals. It makes it logical to separate the white balls from the red balls to lessen the amount of pressure placed on a certain player. India does not play many Twenty20 Internationals; instead, they prefer to play One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Tests. However, to lessen the amount of effort (on Kohli's part), the whole white-ball leadership has to go one way,"?said Butt said in a video posted on his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC6_kYo7TXhcpfQCqaum5FQ" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YouTube channel</a>.



<h2>He is not surprised by this decision</h2>



"As I have said, there is no element of surprise in this situation. Fortunately, Virat Kohli's performance will improve due to his severe workload, which will allow him to play better. The amount of cricket played by Indian teams is quite high, as it is now. Pressure becomes even more when all eyes are on him and everyone is talking about how he hasn't scored any runs. His 50-runs performances were insignificant in the eyes of the public. I believe this was an excellent change between Rohit Sharma and him,"?stated Salman Butt.



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/kiran-more-is-in-favour-of-rohit-sharma-taking-over-as-odi-captain/">Kiran More is in favor of Rohit Sharma taking over as ODI captain</a>



Earlier this month, Rohit led India to a 3-0 victory over New Zealand in the team's home Twenty20 International series, marking his first assignment as the team's full-time captain since Virat Kohli stood down after completing the Twenty20 World Cup in 2021. India will meet South Africa in their next series, which will consist of three Tests and as many One-Day Internationals (ODIs). The series will begin on December 26 with the first Test.

Salman Butt is not shocked that Rohit Sharma would lead India in ODIs|Salman Butt is not shocked that Rohit Sharma would lead India in ODIs

Salman Butt is not shocked that Rohit Sharma would lead India in ODIs

salman-butt-is-not-shocked-that-rohit-sharma-would-lead-india-in-odis

Ex-India wicketkeeper Kiran More, now a member of the selection committee, has lauded Rohit Sharma's appointment as ODI captain, calling it a "very sensible choice." Many others, including More, think that the choice should have been taken long ago, considering Kohli's exhaustion from playing all three formats.



The BCCI, while declaring India's 18-member team for the next Test series against South Africa on December 8, also notified the decision reached by the Chetan Sharma-led national selection committee. However, although the decision was not unexpected, how it was carried out did raise a few eyebrows, especially given Kohli's prior statements about his desire to remain as India's Test and One-Day International captain.



More, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of having a captain who can win ICC trophies, which India failed to do under Kohli despite having an exemplary record in bilateral series ? he ended up winning nearly 71 percent of the one-day internationals (ODIs) in which he led India and is the fourth-best ODI captain in the history of the game in terms of win percentage.



<h2>Virat's bilateral records are outstanding, but you must win ICC tournaments to be successful: Kiran More.</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2021/12/jpg.webp" alt="Kiran More is in favour of Rohit Sharma taking over as ODI captain" class="wp-image-81590" /></figure></div>



"It's a fantastic decision for the One-Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals. I will not interfere with his (Virat Kohli's) position as captain of the Test squad. Virat has led India in two World Cups, the most recent in 2021. (50 overs in England and Twenty20 in the UAE). Virat's bilateral records are outstanding, but you must win ICC tournaments to be successful. It's critical to understand this,"?stated Kiran More. More told <a href="https://www.news18.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">News18.com</a> that he believes the selectors made the right decision.



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/sunil-gavaskar-backs-rohit-sharma-to-be-indias-t20i-captain-for-t20-world-cup-2022/">Sunil Gavaskar backs Rohit Sharma to be India?s T20I captain for T20 World...</a>



"Virat can take the lead in Test matches, and Rohit can do the same in white-ball contests. I'm pleased with how things have turned out. In retrospect, this should have taken place a long time ago. In both forms, there was a lot of pressure on Virat to perform well. It had taken its toll. It should have been possible to provide Rohit at least one format sooner,"?he said.



<h2>He also talked about Ajinkya Rahane</h2>



Further, Rohit has been selected as India's new vice-captain, replacing Ajinkya Rahane, who has been picked to the team for the next series against South Africa despite his struggles with the bat. More believes that Rahane is under pressure even though he is a significant player.



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/harbhajan-singh-may-join-a-high-profile-ipl-club-before-the-2022-season/">Harbhajan Singh may join a high-profile IPL club before the 2022 season</a>



"Ajinkya has a lot of time left in Test cricket. He is a high-caliber player. He will, without a doubt, have to do well since there is a lot of competition. In Australia, South Africa, and England, he has made significant and critical contributions when the situation called for it. He has produced solid hits, and he is a valuable member of the squad in his role as a batter,"&nbsp;said Kiran More.

Kiran More is in favour of Rohit Sharma taking over as ODI captain |Kiran More is in favour of Rohit Sharma taking over as ODI captain 

Kiran More is in favor of Rohit Sharma taking over as ODI captain

kiran-more-is-in-favour-of-rohit-sharma-taking-over-as-odi-captain

Before the next season of the <a href="https://www.iplt20.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indian Premier League</a>, which will take place in 2022, it is expected that former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh will join the coaching staff of a high-profile club.



While with the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2021, the 41-year-old spinner failed to make a single appearance throughout the season and is contemplating retirement from all forms of professional cricket.



Because he has been a member of the league from its start, he has 150 wickets at an average of 26.86 from 163 games, which is the most in the league's history. Meanwhile, even though it is not clear what role he would play for the IPL club, a source familiar with the situation has revealed that he will assist the team in its auction choices. The next season of the league will consist of ten clubs, with a super auction to be held before the competition.



"A consultant, mentor, or member of an advisory committee are all possible roles for him, but the franchise with which he is speaking wants to put his extensive knowledge to good use. He will play an active role in assisting the franchise in making their auction selections,"&nbsp;a source close to News18 revealed.



Harbhajan Singh, a veteran of 103 Tests, 236 One-Day Internationals, and 28 Twenty20 Internationals, has always had a soft spot for developing new players. He previously played for two of the most successful IPL franchises, the Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings. During his time with the Kolkata Knight Riders, he was able to pass on valuable knowledge to mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, who went on to be named to India's T20 World Cup squad for the following year.



<h2>Harbhajan Singh will probably announce his retirement next week</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2021/12/harbhajansingh_1200x768.webp" alt="Harbhajan Singh may join a high-profile IPL club before the 2022 season" class="wp-image-81586" /></figure></div>



When Harbhajan Singh was with him in the KKR dressing room, Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, who just made his international debut during the home series against New Zealand, said that Harbhajan had referred to him as a "big player."



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/expected-captains-of-all-10-ipl-teams-in-ipl-2022/">IPL 2022: Expected Captains of all 10 IPL teams in IPL 2022</a>



"Take it from me, Harbhajan intended to make an official declaration of his retirement when the season was over. He has had extensive discussions with one of the franchises that has shown strong interest, but he would want to speak about it until when the agreement has been signed in writing,"&nbsp;the person added.



Next week, Harbhajan is expected to publicly declare his retirement from cricket. He will then decide which offers he has received to become a member of the support staff of at least a couple of teams he would accept.



In fact, during the previous season, KKR's Head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Eoin Morgan both considered Harbhajan's recommendations while making squad selections.

Harbhajan Singh may join a high-profile IPL club before the 2022 season|Harbhajan Singh may join a high-profile IPL club before the 2022 season

Harbhajan Singh may join a high-profile IPL club before the 2022 season

harbhajan-singh-may-join-a-high-profile-ipl-club-before-the-2022-season

<h2>ODI leadership was handed over to Rohit Sharma from Virat Kohli after the BCCI announced through Twitter that the selectors "decided to appoint" Rohit as the team's limited-overs leader moving forward</h2>



Following India's early exit from the UAE T20 World Cup in 2021, Rohit Sharma was named the new ODI skipper by the All India Senior Selection Committee on Wednesday (December 8). He replaces Virat Kohli, who had just recently ceded the T20I leadership after the team's early exit.



However, Kohli's decision to step down as merely the team's T20I skipper meant that India had made the first step toward adopting divided leadership for the first time, although he was motivated to remain heading both ODI and Test teams. Because of the widely accepted paradigm of dividing leadership responsibilities between the white-ball and red-ball formats, it was predicted that the baton's handover would occur soon in one-day internationals.



<h3>Rohit Sharma is now the limited-overs captain for India</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2021/12/FESaDxyVQAI0mf8-scaled-1.jpg" alt="Virat Kohli Refused To Leave ODI Captaincy, BCCI Forced This Decision | Rohit Sharma" class="wp-image-81558" /><figcaption>Rohit Sharma - India's New Limited-Overs Captain</figcaption></figure>



On December 8, it was shown to be correct.?"All-India Senior Selection Committee also agreed to select Mr Rohit Sharma as the captain of the ODI and T20I teams moving ahead,"?said a <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1468577752953483264?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BCCI tweet</a> as the board revealed an 18-man squad for the next three-Test series in South Africa.



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1468577752953483264?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
</div></figure>



However, unlike the last occurrence, when Kohli revealed his choice in the public arena, the board of selectors "agreed to identify" Rohit as the captain "going forward" in the transfer of the ODI leadership, which was shocking.



Hours later, more reports indicate that skepticism about the development isn't a bad idea. Although the BCCI offered Kohli the chance to stand down on his own, the cricket board and the Chetan Sharma-led panel were forced to decide on his behalf.



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/shane-warne-discloses-smiths-answer-to-his-vice-captaincy-criticism/">Shane Warne Discloses Steve Smith?s Answer To Shane Warne?s Criticism Of him Being Australia?s Test?Vice-Captain</a>



Thanks to this outcome, Kohli's time in charge of the Indian cricket team would come to a close without an ICC trophy in limited-overs tournaments. After MS Dhoni's retirement in 2017, Kohli became India's full-time captain and guided the team to 65 victories in 95 one-day internationals. Despite his success in bilaterals, he could not lead India to a multi-team event championship, which has been over eight years since India's previous multi-team ICC tournament triumph under Dhoni in 2013.



<h3>Kohli finished his limited-overs captaincy tenure without an ICC Trophy win</h3>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2021/12/2021_12largeimg_2027727773.jpg" alt="Virat Kohli Refused To Leave ODI Captaincy, BCCI Forced This Decision" class="wp-image-81559" /><figcaption>Virat Kohli ends his limited-overs captaincy tenure</figcaption></figure></div>



India lost to Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final in 2017, while the squad was knocked out of the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-finals after losing to New Zealand, who also beat India in the first World Test Championship final in 2021. Both defeats came under Kohli's leadership.



Ajinkya Rahane was off of form, and Rohit took up the Test vice-captaincy, but he is no stranger to managing a team. Since taking over as captain of the Mumbai Indians in 2013, Rohit has been unequaled in the Indian Premier League.



Despite a tiny sample size in international captaincy, he has led India to eight of the 10 ODI victories, including the 2018 Asia Cup as a stand-in for Virat Kohli. Rohit has a record of 18 victories in 22 games in the shorter format, including three in his first full-time captaincy series against New Zealand.

Virat Kohli Refused To Leave ODI Captaincy, BCCI Forced This Decision|Virat Kohli Refused To Leave ODI Captaincy, BCCI Forced This Decision | Rohit Sharma|Virat Kohli Refused To Leave ODI Captaincy, BCCI Forced This Decision

REPORTS: Virat Kohli's Steadfast Refusal To Stand Down As ODI Captain Led To The BCCI Unilaterally Selecting Rohit Sharma

virat-kohli-refused-to-leave-odi-captaincy-bcci-forced-this-decision

Shane Warne, a former Australian cricketer, has stated that he had a conversation with Steve Smith. A call from the batter informed him of the widespread public displeasure and criticism of his selection as the vice-captain of the Test squad, he claimed in a statement. The former spinner went on to say that both of them spoke it out and respected one other's viewpoints on the matter.



Smith was barred from performing leadership responsibilities due to the sandpaper incident that occurred in South Africa in 2018. On the other hand, Smith signaled his return to the leadership post after being designated as Pat Cummins's replacement. Before this, Warne had claimed that the batter did not deserve to be the one who had to bear the burden. He has also criticized Cricket Australia (CA) for the same reason.



"I had a conversation with Steve Smith. He sent me a message saying, 'Jeez, you're being a little hard on me, aren't you?' and we had a good chat about it. That is what respect accomplishes. Just because someone does not agree with your point of view does not imply that you must be rude and personal about it. Everyone is entitled to their own viewpoint,"?Warne stated after the first day of the first Ashes Test in 2021, in an interview with <a href="https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/the-ashes/australia-vs-england-ashes-2021-steve-smith-contacted-shane-warne-after-public-criticism-video-highlights/news-story/056d80cd77d2558d733c1b78eb2e3db1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fox Cricket</a>.



<h2>I was overjoyed. Steve Smith got in touch with me: Shane Warne?</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/2021/12/shane-warne-1200.jpg" alt="Shane Warne discloses Smith's answer to his vice-captaincy criticism" class="wp-image-81535" /></figure></div>



When asked how he felt after Day 1 of the first Ashes Test at the Gabba, Warne said he was grateful that Smith had phoned him. He went on to say that the two of them had previously worked together at the Rajasthan Royals and that they had a great deal of respect for one another.



ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/bcci-announced-21-members-strong-indias-squad-for-the-tour-of-south-africa-2021/">BCCI announced 21 members strong India?s squad for the tour of South Africa 2021</a>



"I was delighted when Steve Smith got in touch with me since I consider him a friend. At the Rajasthan Royals, we've participated in team meetings and worked together. I used to work with him when he was bowling, and I believe he was a leg-spinner at one point. So, we have mutual regard for one another, and it was kind of him to call me and ask, 'Mate, why did you believe that? I explained my point of view to him, and he responded by saying, 'I get it, and I'm sure a lot of other people feel the same way,'" Warne stated.



The former spinner elaborated on the chat, stating that both of them had decided to politely disagree on the subject matter at hand. Warne said what Smith told him,&nbsp;"Mate, you've been in the game for 30 or so years, you've earned the right to have your opinion, and I respect it, but I just do not agree with it. If you have a different point of view, that's OK; I just believe there's been too much of it."&nbsp;

Shane Warne discloses Smith's answer to his vice-captaincy criticism|Shane Warne discloses Smith's answer to his vice-captaincy criticism

Shane Warne Discloses Steve Smith's Answer To Shane Warne's Criticism Of him Being Australia's Test?Vice-Captain

shane-warne-discloses-smiths-answer-to-his-vice-captaincy-criticism

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has picked his two finalists for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The Punjab Kings head coach didn't shy away from naming India and Australia as two finalists but also stressed that Pakistan will be top contenders too. 
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is less than 20 days away from now. The eight-nation event will be taking place from 19th February, with hosts Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the opening game at the National Stadium in Karachi. 
All 8 teams participating in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 have been playing a consistent brand of cricket for the last few months. With the kind of form they are in, it is expected that it will be a breathtaking tournament to see. 
<h2>It's hard to go past India and Australia again - Ricky Ponting picked his finalists for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025</h2>
With all the teams set to give their best in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Ricky Ponting picked his finalists for the tournament. He said that it's hard to go past India and Australia, highlighting how both teams have fared in ICC events. Speaking to ICC, he said: 
“It's hard to go past India and Australia again. Just think about the quality of players in both countries right now, and you look back in recent history when these big finals and big ICC events have come around, and inevitably, Australia and India are there somewhere." 
India and Australia also played in the final of the ICC World Cup 2023. Both the teams were exceptional in the tournament as they entered the final based on winning streaks before the Pat Cummins-led side won the game and lifted their 6th title in history. 
Ricky Ponting also went on to say that Pakistan will be one of the teams to watch out. He said that the Mohammad Rizwan-led side has sorted most of their things and will be dangerous in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/most-runs-most-wickets-in-ind-vs-aus-t20i-series-2025/">Most Runs, Most Wickets in IND vs AUS T20I Series 2025</a>

Ricky Ponting names finalists for ICC Champions Trophy 2025  {PC:X}

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has picked his two finalists for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

With all the teams set to give their best in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Ricky Ponting picked his finalists for the tournament

India, Pakistan, Australia or South Africa? Ricky Ponting names finalists for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

india-pakistan-australia-or-south-africa-ricky-ponting-names-finalists-for-icc-champions-trophy-2025-

India head coach Gautam Gambhir talked about the team's game against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. He said that they won't go into the tournament focusing on just one game as they want to win every game in the event. 
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to begin from 19th February in Pakistan, and India will be playing all their games in Dubai. The Rohit Sharma-led side will be opening their campaign in the tournament against Bangladesh as the match will be taking place on 20th February. 
After that, one of the biggest matches of India will come as they are all set to lock horns with arch-rivals Pakistan. The match will be taking place on 23rd February, and the stakes no doubt will be high as both the teams have engaged in some enthralling battles over the years. 
India vs Pakistan game arguably is one of the biggest games in cricket. The match in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be a blockbuster as India surely has some unfinished left. In the last Champions Trophy, Pakistan thumped India in the final to claim to win the tournament. And this time would be hoping to do same. 
<h2>We don't go to the Champions Trophy thinking the 23rd is the most important game - Gautam Gambhir </h2>
India head coach Gautam Gambhir was asked about the game against Pakistan. He said that they aren't going to ICC Champions Trophy 2025 thinking that game against Men in Green will be most important. He said that although they will take the game seriously and admitted that emotions will be high. Speaking to reporters, he said: 
"We don't go to the Champions Trophy thinking the 23rd is the most important game. All 5 matches are important. Our mission is to go to Dubai to win all the matches, but if that is one game in the middle of winning the Champions Trophy, we're going to take it as seriously as possible. 
"Also, when India and Pakistan play, the emotions will be high, but the contest remains the same. It is between bat and ball. For me, it remains the same." 
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 will be extremely important for Gautam Gambhir as a head coach. He hasn't been at his best as a coach in the last few months, and there were reports that his fate as a coach will be decided on how India performs in the tournament.
<div class="article_optimizedContent__qYM_e article_articleContent__XBn4f">
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/watch-virat-kohli-hilariously-drops-ball-as-he-attempts-to-throw-it-bowler-during-ranji-trophy-2024-25-/">Watch: Virat Kohli hilariously drops ball as he attempts to throw it bowler during Ranji Trophy 2024-25</a>
</div>

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is all set to begin from 19th February in Pakistan, and India will be playing all their games in Dubai.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir talked about the team's game against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

IND vs PAK: "It is between..." Gautam Gambhir issues warning to Pakistan ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

ind-vs-pak-it-is-between-gautam-gambhir-issues-warning-to-pakistan-ahead-of-icc-champions-trophy-2025-

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has come under the radar of the BCCI. This is because he travelled with his personal assistant during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 and now the governing body is all set to take a huge action against the coach. 
Gaurav Arora, the PA of Gautam Gambhir, had access to areas that were there only for team officials, selectors, and players. The reports claimed that he also travelled in the same car with selectors and was present in the BCCI's hospitality box in Adelaide. 
Gautam Gambhir's PA also was present in the breakfast areas which were there only for players. This all hasn't gone well with BCCI, who recently issued strict guidelines, and one of the SOPs mentioned that players won't be allowed to have their personal assistant along with them. 
<h2>BCCI has barred Gambhir's PA from staying in the same hotel as the Indian team - Source</h2>
Now it has been revealed that it was Gautam Gambhir, who was travelling with the personal assistant. But now, as per the reports in Crickblogger, it is learned that the BCCI has banned India's head coach's PA from staying in the same hotel as the Indian team. 
A source close to BCCI confirmed the same and stated: "In response, the BCCI has barred Gambhir's PA from staying in the same hotel as the Indian team, accessing VIP boxes in stadiums, and using the team bus. He can't travel with the team," 
"Why was his PA sitting in the car specified for national selectors? They can't even discuss things in private with an unknown third person in the car. Why was he allotted space in the BCCI's hospitality box inAdelaide? How did he have breakfast in the cordoned-off area of a five-star facility that is just earmarked for the team members?" 
Gautam Gambhir has come under massive scanner ever since he was appointed as the head coach of the team. The performances of the team have been well below par. It remains to be seen what will be his future as the head coach of the team.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/watch-virat-kohli-hilariously-drops-ball-as-he-attempts-to-throw-it-bowler-during-ranji-trophy-2024-25-/">Watch: Virat Kohli hilariously drops ball as he attempts to throw it bowler during Ranji Trophy 2024-25</a>

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has come under the radar of the BCCI

Gautam Gambhir has come under massive scanner ever since he was appointed as the head coach of the team.

Gautam Gambhir exposed! BCCI bans India head coach from…

gautam-gambhir-exposed-bcci-bans-india-head-coach-from-

IND vs ENG 5th T20I: The thrilling five-match T20I series between India and England is set for an exciting conclusion at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Despite India securing the series win, both teams will aim to end on a high note. While England will look to salvage pride, India might experiment with their bench strength. Fantasy cricket enthusiasts can expect another high-scoring contest, making team selection crucial for Dream11 players.
<h2>Match Details</h2>
Date: Sunday, February 2   Time: 7:00 PM IST   Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai   Live Streaming: Star Sports, Hotstar
<img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202501/image_430x256_679cfa1bcdc2f.jpg" alt="">
<h2>Pitch Report &amp; Weather Conditions  </h2>
Wankhede Stadium is known for its batting-friendly surface, where teams generally prefer chasing due to the dew factor. Fast bowlers might get an early swing, but overall, a run-fest is expected. The average first-innings score in recent T20s here has been around 170-180. With clear skies and moderate temperatures, weather conditions are ideal for cricket.
<h2>Team News &amp; Possible Playing XIs</h2>
<h3>India</h3>
India might give opportunities to players who haven’t played much in this series. Mohammed Shami is expected to feature, while Washington Sundar and Dhruv Jurel could also get a look-in. The focus will be on Sanju Samson, who has struggled with form in the series.
Predicted XI: Sanju Samson (WK), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube/Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Mohammed Shami/Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi/Harshit Rana
<h3>England</h3>
England might rotate their pacers, with Jofra Archer likely to be rested ahead of the ODI series. Gus Atkinson could replace him, while Rehan Ahmed may get a chance if England decides to include an extra spinner.
<img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202501/image_430x256_679cfa1641ee7.jpg" alt="">
Predicted XI: Phil Salt (WK), Ben Duckett, Jos Buttler (C), Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood
<h2>Key Players to Watch</h2>
Suryakumar Yadav (India) The Indian skipper returns to his home ground, where he has an excellent record. He has struggled in the series so far, but a match-winning performance in familiar conditions could be on the cards.  
Ben Duckett (England) Duckett has played a couple of impressive knocks in the series. His ability to counter spin and pace makes him a key player in England’s batting lineup.  
<h2>Dream11 Fantasy Tips</h2>
Captain Choices: Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav   Vice-Captain Choices: Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone   Differential Picks: Varun Chakravarthy (for spin-friendly conditions), Brydon Carse (for his all-round abilities)   Risky Picks: Sanju Samson (due to inconsistent form), Mark Wood or Jofra Archer(maybe rested)  
<h2>Dream11 Team – Grand League  </h2>
Wicket-Keeper: Jos Buttler (vc) Batters: Suryakumar Yadav, Ben Duckett, Tilak Varma (C) Allrounders: Hardik Pandya, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Brydon Carse Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh/Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy, Mark Wood
With both teams looking to finish strong, the IND vs ENG 5th T20I promises to be another exciting contest. Fantasy players should consider the pitch conditions, team combinations, and key player form before finalizing their Dream11 lineup. Stay tuned for live action from Wankhede as India and England battle it out for one last time in this series!

India and England face off in the final T20I at Wankhede. With key players returning and changes expected, Dream11 users must strategize wisely. Fantasy picks include Suryakumar Yadav, Jos Buttler, and Mohammed Shami.

India and England clash in the 5th T20I at Wankhede, with Dream11 fantasy players eyeing key picks for a high-scoring contest.

IND vs ENG 5th T20I Dream11 Prediction, Match Preview, Fantasy Tips & Grand League Team

ind-vs-eng-5th-t20i-dream11-prediction-match-preview-fantasy-tips-grand-league-team

India batter Virat Kohli was back in the Ranji Trophy after 12 long years as he played for his state team, Delhi, in the game against Railways. The match between the two teams concluded on Saturday (1st February) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. 
Virat Kohli playing for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy seemed like a festival as a huge amount of people arrived at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi to see their favourite batter play. More than 15000 people were in the stands, and it was the first time that the Ranji game witnessed such huge crowds. 
Virat Kohli grabbed all the spotlight as he fans every moment to cheer and made the crowd chant "Kohli, Kohli". The batter was also seen getting engaged with fans as he involved two different sections of crowds in a competition of who would be shouting louder. 
With a lot of fans turning up to see him, it was expected he would set the stage on fire with the bat and give his fans a gift in return. But that wasn't the case as the batter failed to get going and score just 6 runs before he was removed by Himanshu Sangwan. 
Himanshu Sangwan sent the offstump of Virat Kohli for a ride as the batter got bowled. The India batter didn't get to bat in the second innings as Delhi won the game by a massive margin of innings and 15 runs to bag important points in the Ranji Trophy 2024-25. 
Even though Virat Kohli struggled to score runs, he made sure that he entertained the crowd. The batter also came up with a hilarious gesture during the match, and it left many in splits as the video went viral on the internet within seconds. 
In the video that has gone viral on the internet, Virat Kohli can be seen throwing the ball to the bowler. However, as he attempts to throw the ball, it slipped out of his hands and went back. This even made the batter laugh as the ball went past him. 
Also Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/most-runs-most-wickets-in-ind-vs-aus-t20i-series-2025/">Most Runs, Most Wickets in IND vs AUS T20I Series 2025</a>
<h2>Watch: Ball slips out of the hands of Virat Kohli, makes batter laugh </h2>

Virat Kohli playing for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy seemed like a festival as a huge amount of people arrived at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delh

India batter Virat Kohli was back in the Ranji Trophy after 12 long years as he played for his state team, Delhi, in the game against Railways.

Connect with Me