Cricket Squad – News Analysis India

Williamson Returns! NZ Squad for West Indies Test Revealed

News Analysis India — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

New Zealand has unveiled its 14-member squad for the first Test against the West Indies, commencing on December 2nd in Christchurch. The major highlight is the much-anticipated return of former captain Kane Williamson to Test cricket. This squad signifies a strategic mix of seasoned players and promising newcomers as the Black Caps embark on a new Test campaign.

Williamson, who last played a Test match in December 2024, has recently prioritized longer formats, stepping back from T20 internationals to concentrate on his Test career. His inclusion for the West Indies series provides a substantial boost to New Zealand’s batting lineup and signifies his commitment to future ICC Test Championship aspirations.

The selected 14-player roster features established stars and emerging talents, including Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, and Will Young.

The bowling attack showcases depth, with spinners Mitchell Santner and Rachin Ravindra offering control, complemented by pacers Matt Henry and Blair Tickner. Notably absent is fast bowler Kyle Jamieson, who is still on a managed recovery path after an extended period due to injury. The selectors have opted for a prudent approach to his reintegration.

Young pacers like Zak Foulkes, who made a strong impression with a nine-wicket debut performance, and Jacob Duffy and Nathan Smith, are being invested in for their future potential. Williamson’s return alongside captain Tom Latham is expected to enhance the team’s tactical acumen and composure, crucial for a demanding series.

Sanju Samson Captains Kerala in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26

News Analysis India — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sanju Samson, a prominent India white-ball player, is set to lead the Kerala senior men’s cricket team in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26 season. The tournament’s League Stage, part of the Elite Group-A, is scheduled to take place in Lucknow from November 26 to December 8, 2025. The Kerala Cricket Association has confirmed Samson as the captain. The squad is slated to depart for Lucknow on November 22, 2025, from Indore. Fresh from his high-profile trade to Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, Samson will be looking to carry his impressive form into this domestic competition. This event serves as a crucial platform for players to showcase their skills ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The team’s coaching staff includes former India batter Amay Khurasiya. Prominent players in the squad alongside Samson include Vignesh Puthur, recently released by Mumbai Indians, Mohammed Azharuddeen M, and Rohan S Kunnummal. The full Kerala squad for the tournament has been announced, with Samson taking the helm as captain and wicket-keeper.

Renshaw & Owen Debut in AUS vs IND ODI Opener

News Analysis India — Sat, 18 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Australia is poised to introduce two fresh faces, Matt Renshaw and Mitchell Owen, to their One-Day International squad for the series opener against India in Perth on October 19th. Matt Renshaw, 29, will finally make his ODI bow nearly nine years after his international debut and following 14 Test caps. His inclusion is a direct result of his exceptional white-ball form, highlighted by a stellar performance against Sri Lanka A where he scored 248 runs at an impressive average of 82.66. Renshaw has consistently performed in the 50-over format, accumulating 2794 runs at an average of 41.08. Joining him in debuting is Mitchell Owen, whose aggressive century off just 48 balls against South Australia earlier this year caught the selectors’ attention. The absence of first-choice wicketkeepers Josh Inglis and Alex Carey for the first match opens the door for Josh Philippe’s return to the ODI side to don the gloves. Matt Short also returns to the Australian setup after recovering from injury, and will bat at number three for the entire three-match series against India, a strategic move from his usual opening position. Captain Mitchell Marsh expressed optimism about the team’s composition, anticipating a memorable series start with a sold-out Perth crowd.

Shardul Thakur to Lead Mumbai in Ranji Opener; Rahane, Sarfaraz Included

News Analysis India — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Mumbai Cricket Association has unveiled its squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2025/26 season opener against Jammu and Kashmir, with seasoned pacer Shardul Thakur appointed as the captain. The 42-time champions will begin their campaign on October 15, aiming for another dominant run in the prestigious domestic tournament. Ajinkya Rahane and promising batsman Sarfaraz Khan have both been selected for the 16-member squad.

This leadership change comes as Ajinkya Rahane has stepped down from the captaincy ahead of the new season. Sarfaraz Khan makes a significant return after recovering from a quadriceps injury sustained during the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament in August. His brother, Musheer Khan, is also back in contention after missing the previous season due to a car accident, adding depth to Mumbai’s batting lineup.

Notably, Indian international Shreyas Iyer has opted out of the squad to manage a recurring back issue, prioritizing his long-term fitness. This break from red-ball cricket means he won’t be available for the initial matches. Meanwhile, former Mumbai stalwart Prithvi Shaw has switched teams and will now represent Maharashtra in the domestic circuit.

Mumbai’s opening fixture against Jammu and Kashmir carries added significance, as they suffered a defeat against the same opponents last season. Jammu and Kashmir, led by Paras Dogra, achieved a notable upset by successfully chasing down 205 runs in a group stage match.

Placed in Elite Group D, Mumbai will compete against Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Hyderabad, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Pondicherry, and Jammu and Kashmir. The team is eager to bounce back after reaching the semifinals last year, where they were defeated by eventual champions Vidarbha.

Oman Announces Squad for Asia Cup 2025: Team Includes Four Hindu Players, Sikh Player to Captain

News Analysis India — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Oman has revealed its team for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, which is scheduled to begin on September 9th. This marks Oman’s debut in the Asia Cup. They have been placed in Group A alongside India, Pakistan, and the UAE. The Oman team features several new faces. Notably, the squad includes four Hindu players, and a Sikh cricketer has been appointed as the captain. Jatinder Singh, a prominent opening batsman, has been given the captaincy.

Several players have been selected to represent Oman, including four Hindu players: Samay Shrivastav, Aryan Bisht, Vinayak Shukla, and Ashish Odedera. The team’s batting and bowling lineups appear robust. Oman is set to face India and Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 and is anticipated to offer a strong challenge.

Oman’s Asia Cup 2025 campaign will commence with a match against Pakistan on September 12th. They will then play against the UAE on September 15th. Their final league match will be against India on September 19th in Abu Dhabi. Oman has demonstrated strong cricket in recent times, and fans expect an impressive performance from their players in the Asia Cup 2025.

Before the start of the Asia Cup 2025, Oman’s head coach, Duleep Mendis, shared his views on the team, stating, “Playing against Pakistan and India is the dream of any cricketer. These are both very strong teams, but T20 cricket moves fast, and an over can change the course of a match. Our team is also very strong. They have played outstanding cricket and qualified for the Asia Cup 2025. I hope that the players of the team will definitely make an impact in the Asia Cup. We have excellent young players, and they will also learn a lot from the experienced cricketers.”

**Oman’s Squad for Asia Cup 2025:**
Jatinder Singh (Captain), Hammad Mirza, Vinayak Shukla, Sufyan Yusuf, Ashish Odedera, Aamir Kaleem, Mohammad Nadeem, Sufyan Mehmood, Aryan Bisht, Karan Sonawale, Zikriya Islam, Hasnain Ali Shah, Faisal Shah, Mohammad Imran, Nadeem Khan, Shakeel Ahmed, Samay Shrivastav