19:57

Air India to reduce flights ops with narrow-body planes

19:30

Police impose prohibitory orders in Kalighat, Alipore areas of Kolkata

18:55

Strikes 'obliterated' Iran's nuclear ambitions: US

18:29

Bihar polls: EC mulls house-to-house verification of voters

17:56

Putin has no plans to talk to Trump: Kremlin

17:46

UP pilgrims stranded in Iran, families seek help

17:39

Actor Vijay Devarakonda booked under SC/ST Act

17:36

Air India's Delhi-Birmingham flight diverted to Riyadh

16:03

Modi speaks to Iranian President after US strikes

15:38

Satellite images show damage at Iran nuclear sites

14:58

Air India crash debris being shifted to airport premises

14:56

Pakistan condemns US attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities

IPL Updates: DC beat Punjab Kings by 6 wickets

Sat, 24 May 2025

Refresh

23:37

Rizvi top-scores with 58 off 25

DC 208-4 (19.3 ovs) vs PBKS 206-8 | Scorecard

Delhi Capitals beat Punjab Kings by six wickets in their Indian Premier League match in Jaipur on Saturday.

DC chased down the target of 207 with three balls to spare with Sameer Rizvi top-scoring with 58 not out off 25 balls, studded with three fours and five sixes.

Karun Nair and KL Rahul contributed 44 and 35 respectively as DC reached 208 for 4 in 19.3 overs.

For PBKS, Harpreet Brar (2/41) was the most successful bowler.

Earlier, captain Shreyas Iyer struck 53 off 34 balls to lead Punjab Kings to 206 for 8 after they were asked to bat first.

Josh Inglis contributed 32 while Marcus Stoinis played a magnificent cameo of 44 not out off just 16 balls including three fours and four sixes after PBKS were asked to bat.

For DC, Mustafizur Rahman (3/33), Vipraj Nigam (2/38) and Kuldeep Yadav (2/39) were among the wickets.

DC need 8 off the last over.

Stoinis is back in the attack and wide given first ball.

Rizvi then plays the ball to deep cover for a single.

6 needed off 5 now and Stoinis bowls a yorker and Stubbs digs it out to the on side for a single.

Full ball and Rizvi swipes it over backward square leg for a six to bring up the winning runs and DC win by 6 wickets.

Arshdeep continues and Stubbs starts the over with a single.

Slower ball into the pitch, Rizvi comes across and pulls it over fine leg for a six!

Rizvi then takes a single to backward point to bring up his 50 off just 22 balls.

Stubbs then takes a single to long on.

Rizvi takes a single to long-off.

Stubbs then reverse scoops the ball over the keeper to fine third man for a four as 14 come off it.

23:14

Punjab under the pump, 22 needed off 12

DC 185-4 (18 ovs) vs PBKS 206-8 | Scorecard

Omarzai back in the attack and Rizvi and Stubbs take a single each.

A yorker next but Rizvi squeezes it out to fine leg for a four.

Rizvi and Stubbs then take a single each before Rizvi pulls the ball to deep mid-wicket for a four as 12 come off the over.

Brar continues and Stubbs starts the over with a couple to square leg.

A single later, Rizvi clears the leg and hoicks the ball over wide long on for a six!

A single and a dot later, the low full toss is driven over extra cover for a four as 14 come off the over.

23:11

DC need 48 off 24

DC 159-4 (16 ovs) vs PBKS 206-8 | Scorecard

Stubbs is the new man in.

Arshdeep continues and Rizvi starts the over with a single.

A dot later, Stubbs plays the ball to fine leg for a single to open his account.

Rizvi then comes down to the off stump and plays the ball across to mid-wicket for a single.

A dot later, Stubbs plays the ball to mid-wicket for a single as just 4 come off it.

Brar is back in the attack and Nair and Rizvi take two singles to start the over.

Short and wide ball next and Nair cuts it through backward point for a four!

A wide later, Nair and Rizvi take a single each.

Brar coming around the wicket then fires it full on the pads and Nair misss the sweep and is bowled as the ball hits his leg stump and Nair is out for 44.

22:59

DC still in the hunt

DC 146-3 (14 ovs) vs PBKS 206-8 | Scorecard

Jansen continues and Nair takes a single to mid-wicket.

Rizvi then gets a single to short fine leg.

Nair then moves his front leg away and slaps the full ball over long off for a six!

Nair then gets a single to long on.

Rizvi then hits the ball to sweeper cover for a single.

Nair then gets a single off a legbye and no ball that and the free hit is pulled for a six over deep mid-wicket to bring up the 50-run stand.

Omarzai back in the attack and Rizvi pulls it to fine leg, top edges it falls short of Jansen. The batters take a single.

Nair then takes a single to long on.

Rizvi then plays a weird tennis-shot and the edge flies over fine leg for a four.

Rizvi then goes low, ducks under the ball, gets some bat and helps the ball over fine leg for a six!

Rizvi then gets a single to cover point.

Nair comes down and the ball flies off the edge to third man for a single. 14 come off the over.

Jansen is back in the attack and he starts with a short bouncer, wide given.

Rizvi then takes a single to third man.

A dot later, a review for caught behind is lost by Punjab.

A dot later, Nair gets a single to sweeper cover.

Rizvi plays the ball to cover point for a single as 4 come off it.

22:40

Nair takes to the attack

DC 110-3 (11 ovs) vs PBKS 206-8 | Scorecard

Rizvi is the new man in and he gets a single off a leg bye.

Nair then clobbers the bowler for 4 boundaries on the trot, all around the wicket with two sweeps and a pull and the last one swept fine as 17 runs come off the over.

Dubey continues and he strikes first ball as Atal is caught at long on and he is out for 22 off 16.

Stoinis is in the attack now and Atal gets two lives as he is put down off back-to-back balls.

Back of length ball next and Atal pulls it over deep square leg for a six!

A dot and a single to end the over as 12 come off it.

Leggie Praveen Dubey is in the attack now and he gives just four singles in the over. Superb over!

22:24

Brar gets du Plessis

DC 77-2 (8 ovs) vs PBKS 206-8 | Scorecard

Jansen continues and after a dot, Atal and Nair take a single each of the next two balls.

Atal then pulls the ball over deep square leg for a six!

Atal then plays the ball to mid-wicket and pushes for 2. Leg byes given.

Atal then gets a single to cover as 11 come off it.

Sediqullah Atal is the new man in and after a dot, he is off the mark with a single down the ground. A wicket and 6 runs come off it.

Brar continues and du Plessis starts the over with a quick couple to the leg side.

He then takes a single to mid-wicket.

Nair then takes a single to long-on.

Du Plessis is out next ball as he cuts but holes out to backward point and is out for 23 off 15.

22:13

Rahul out for 35 off 21

DC 61-1 (6 ovs) vs PBKS 206-8 | Scorecard

Nair is the new man in.

Jansen bowls the next one full and on the leg stump and Nair just helps it on its way for a six over fine leg.

Two dots to end the over as a wicket and 11 come off the over.

Jansen in the attack now and after a dot, Rahul pulls it to fine leg and Wadhera can't get to it and it's a four.

Slower ball next and Rahul plays a check shot and is holed out at mid-off and he is out for 35 off 21.

Harpreet Brar in the attack now and the left arm spinner is clobbered for 13 runs in the over as Rahul takes him to the cleaners for a four and a six!

22:06

Rahul is prime touch

DC 37-0 (4 ovs) vs PBKS 206-8 | Scorecard

Omarzai continues and du Plessiss smashes the short ball for a six to start the over!

A single later, Rahul hits back-to-back boundaries on either side of the pitch.

Two dots to end the over as 15 come off it.

Arshdeep continues and the batters take 2 singles off the first four balls before Rahul hits back-to-back boundaries to end the over as 10 come off it.

22:00

Rahul, du Plessis watchful

DC 12-0 (2 ovs) vs PBKS 206-8 | Scorecard

Omarzai opens at the other end and Rahul gets a four in this over as just 5 come off it.

Rahul and du Plessis come out to chase 207 while Arshdeep opens the attack for Punjab and Rahul is beaten first ball.

3 singles later, du Plessis ends the over with a four as 7 come off it.

21:34

Iyer hits a 50; Mustafizur takes 3

PBKS 206-8 (20 ovs) vs DC | Scorecard

Punjab Kings put on 206 for 8 against Delhi Capitals in Jaipur on Saturday.

Captain Shreyas Iyer scored a well-timed half ton before Marcus Stoinis stepped on the accelerator and scored an unbeaten 44 off just 16 balls to propel Punjab past the 200-mark.

For DC, Mustafizur took 3 wickets.

Brar is the new man in and he is off the mark with a six as he swings his bat and the ball is swatted over deep square leg into the stands to bring up Punjab's 200.

Brar then takes a single to long on.

Stoinis then miscues the big hit and he ends the innings with a couple. Punjab put on 206 for 8 on the board.

Mustafizur bowls the final over and the first ball is a single for Stoinis to long-off.

Jansen then plays a dot before he attempts a swing at a short ball and the faint edge is taken nicely. Big appeal for caught behind and Jansen is out for a duck.

Jansen is the new man in.

Mohit is back in the attack and he bowls short of length and Stonis pulls it over cow corner for a six!

Stoinis goes wide and the full toss is dispatched towards deep square leg for a four.

A dot later, Mohit bowls a wide. And that is also a no ball. Free hit next,, short and slow and Stoinis goes across and plays it towards backward square leg for a four!

Next ball is in the slot and Stoinis pummels it over long off for a six!

Stoinis then plays the yorker to the off side for a single as 22 come off the over.

21:16

Iyer, Omarzai back in the hut

PBKS 174-7 (18 ovs) vs DC | Scorecard

Omarzai is the new man in and after a dot, he gets off the mark with a single to sweeper cover.

Stoinis then chips it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Short ball, Omarzai is cramped as he goes for the pull and is caught in the deep for 1. Just 3 runs and 2 wickets come in the over.

KL Rahul is the impact player, subbing Mukesh Kumar.

Kuldeep is back in the attack and Stoinis miscues the sweep, plays it straight up and is put down by Mohit at deep square leg.

Iyer then flat flicks it straight to Mukesh at deep square leg and he is caught out for 53 off 34.

Mukesh is back in the attack and Iyer miscues but Abhishek running back from cover fails to hold on to the catch and Iyer gets a single.

Stonis then reviews for a wide for height not given and he wins the review and wide given.

Short ball and Stoinis hangs back and pull it over deep mid-wicket for a six!

Another wide bowled and a single added to the score.

Full and Stoinis whips it off his pads for a six over long on!

Mukesh bowls a third wide in the over.

Full ball and Stoinis whacks it to long on and du Plessis fails to hold on as he gets hit on the little finger and he has hurt himself and is off the field.

Stoinis then plays the ball to long on for a single.

Iyer then whips the ball for a four to fine leg to bring up his 26th IPL half-ton. 25 runs come in the over.

21:00

Shashank out for 11

PBKS 146-5 (16 ovs) vs DC | Scorecard

Stoinis is the new man in and he is off the mark with a single.

Iyer then guides the ball down to third man for a single. A wicket and 4 runs come off the over.

Mustafizur back in the attack and Shashank and Iyer take 2 singles off the first three balls.

Coming around the wicket, Mustafizur creates the angle across the stumps, quicker ball, Shashank goes after it and he edges it to the keeper and he is out caught behind for 11.

Mohit is back in the attack and Shashank starts the over with a couple to long off.

He takes a single next ball.

Short ball, Iyer pulls it and big appeal for caught behind. Umpire raises the finger. Iyer takes the review and Ultra Edge shows there is no bat involved. The third umpire checks for wide above head and wide given.

Short again and the top edge flies to square leg, Kuldeep runs back to take the catch but fails to hold on to it and Iyer takes a single.

Shashank then gets a single to mid-off.

Iyer then takes a single to mid-on.

Shashank then lofts the ball down the ground and Nair steps on the skirting when catching, throws the ball in singles a six but the umpire checks with the third umpire and just the single given. 8 come off the over.

20:44

Mukesh removes Wadhera for 16

PBKS 134-4 (14 ovs) vs DC | Scorecard

Nigam is back in the attack, he bowls with a little width, Iyer goes inside out and hammers it over extra cover for a four!

Iyer then clips the next ball to the leg side for a single.

Nigam then sees Shashank come down the track and bowls it way down the off stump and Shashank hits the ball past short third man for a couple.

Shashank then takes a single to long off.

Iyer and Shashank then take a single each off the next two balls as 10 come off it.

Shashank Singh is the new man in and he is off the mark with a single.

Slightly wide, Iyer opens the face off his bat and guides it past backward point for a four!

Iyer then clips the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single as a wicket and 8 come off it.

Mukesh is back in the attack and after a dot, Wadhera takes a couple to long on.

Wadhera then stays in the crease and check drives the fuller ball only for it to fly up, Faf du Plessis gets under it and takes a good catch to break the partnership and Wadhera is out for 16 off 16.

20:34

Iyer goes after the spinner

PBKS 116-3 (12 ovs) vs DC | Scorecard

Kuldeep is back in the attack and after Wadhera takes a single, Iyer gets hold of the full ball and plays it with the turn to send it floating over long on for a six!

A dot later, Iyer takes a couple to deep mid-wicket.

Iyer and Wadhera take a single each as 11 come off it.

Mohit is back in the attack and Iyer and Wadhera take two singles off the first three balls.

Iyer then slaps the full ball over covers for a four!

Iyer and Wadhera take a single each as 8 come off the over.

20:29

Runs flow for Punjab Kings

PBKS 97-3 (10 ovs) vs DC | Scorecard

Nigam continues, and the ball is driven to mid-wicket for a single.

Iyer then nudges the next ball to mid-wicket for a single.

Wadhera then drives the ball to long on.

Iyer then plays the ball to covers for a single.

Wadhera tries to play across the line, misses and is hit on the pads. Big shout, not given and the batters sneak in a single.

Another single to end the over as 6 come off it.

Kudeep continues and Iyer goes on one knee and swats it over cow corner for a six!

A single later, Wadhera is off the mark with a four as he sweeps the full ball down to long leg.

Wadhera then takes a couple to fine leg.

A dot later, Wadhera ends the over with a single as 14 come off the over.

20:16

Prabhsimran bowled out for 28

PBKS 77-3 (8 ovs) vs DC | Scorecard

Wadhera is the new man in and he plays a dot to start off as a wicket and 6 come off it.

Nigam continues and Prabhsimran and Iyer take a single each off the first two balls.

A dot later, full ball and Prabhsimran tries to get cheeky and scoop the ball over the keeper only to play it onto his stumps and he is out for 28. Nigam breaks another partnership.

Kuldeep is in the attack now and he starts with a front foot no ball as Iyer takes a single to long on.

Short ball next and Prabhsimran smashes it over long on for a six!

Prabhsimran then takes a single to off side.

Two dots later, Iyer and Prabhsimran take a single each as 11 come off the it. 11 come off it.

20:07

Punjab lose 2nd wicket

PBKS 60-2 (6 ovs) vs DC | Scorecard

Iyer is the new man in and after two dots, Iyer is off the mark with a four through cover.

A single to end the over as 16 runs and a wicket come off it.

Vipraj Nigam in the attack now and the short ball is pulled flat over mid-wicket for a six!

Inglis then cuts the next ball past short third man for a four!

Nigam then bowls it wide down the leg side, Inglis comes way down the track to play it down but he misses the googly, Stubbs collects it and whips the bails quickly and Inglis is stumped out for 32 off 12.

Mohit is in the attack now and Prabhsimran smashes him for 2 fours in the over as 9 come off it.

19:57

He pummels Mustafizur for 14 in the 4th over

PBKS 35-1 (4 ovs) vs DC | Scorecard

Mustafizur continues and Prabhsimran starts the over with a four past mid-off!

A dot later, Prabhsimran takes a single to point.

Full and straight and Inglis whips it over deep backward square for a six!

Inglis then gets a couple to the on side.

Inglis then hits the ball back to the bowler who sticks his hand out but can't hold on to the catch and the batter takes a single to end the over as 14 come off the over.

Mukesh continues and after a dot, Prabhsimran mistimed his pull and the ball falls in no man's land as Mustfizur running back fails to catch and the batter gets a single.

Short ball and Inglis pulls it to backward square leg for a four.

A dot later, Inglis takes a couple to mid-wicket before ending the over with a four past mid-on. 11 come off the over.

19:48

Arya out for 6

PBKS 10-1 (2 ovs) vs DC | Scorecard

Inglis is the new man in and he is off the mark with a couple towards mid-wicket as a wicket and 5 runs come off the over.

Mustafizur opens at the other end and after a dot, Prabhsimran is off the mark with a tuck to deep square leg for a single.

Arya then plays the ball to point and a misfield allows the batters take a couple.

A dot later, Arya mishits the short bouncer and the top edge flies behind and the keeper runs back and takes a good catch and Punjab lose an early wicket and he is out for 6.

Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh open the innings for Punjab while Mukesh Kumar opens the attack for Delhi Capitals.

And Mukesh starts well, bowling at a tight line and length.

Another dot as the short of length ball is played to mid-off for nought.

Arya plays another dot back to the bowler.

Short and wide, Arya chases it but cannot get to it. Wide given.

Mukesh keeps it at good length and bowls it straight for another dot.

Arya then edges the next ball to third man for a four to get off the mark.

Another dot to end the over as 5 come off it.

19:13

Punjab eye top-2 finish

Delhi Capitals captain Faf du Plessis has won the toss and elected to bowl against Punjab Kings in Jaipur on Saturday.

DC skipper Axar continues to be sidelined with injury.

Playing XIs:

Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis(w), Shreyas Iyer(c), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh

Delhi Capitals: Faf du Plessis(c), Sediqullah Atal, Karun Nair, Sameer Rizvi, Tristan Stubbs(w), Ashutosh Sharma, Vipraj Nigam, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Mustafizur Rahman, Mukesh Kumar

Impact Subs:

Punjab Kings: Praveen Dubey, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Suryansh Shedge, Kyle Jamieson, Xavier Bartlett

Delhi Capitals: KL Rahul, Manvanth Kumar, Tripurna Vijay, Ajay Jadav Mandal, Darshan Nalkande

Riding a wave of success after a decade of pain, a full-strength Punjab Kings will fancy their chances of securing their first top-two finish in 11 years, when they face Delhi Capitals in the IPL 2025 match in Jaipur on Saturday.

Apart from the 2014 season when they topped the league table and finished runners-up, PBKS have only made one other playoff appearance in a competition that has been in existence for the past 18 years.

Having ended an 11-year drought, PBKS are now relishing the prospect of not just finishing in the top two, but also enter the summit clash and then make a dash for a maiden title.

A squad that is already brimming with confidence was shored up further when their overseas quartet of Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie and Kyle Jamieson joined their extremely talented Indian teammates in Jaipur three days ago.

All four will be available for selection as PBKS look to book a top-two finish with a win over their beleaguered opponents who were knocked out of the playoffs reckoning after a big defeat to Mumbai Indians on Wednesday.

These foreign players left the team after the BCCI had to suspend the tournament for a week due to the military conflict between India and Pakistan that led to the abandonment of the match between these two teams midway through the first innings in Dharamsala on May 8.

The match was called off after 10.1 overs of play after a blackout in the picturesque hill town.

The PBKS think tank did well to promptly bring back their overseas contingent after the tournament's resumption, and the squad now resembles a band of men determined to make up for the years of disappointment the franchise faced in the widely watched event.

PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer, who has recently made history by becoming the first captain to lead three franchises to IPL playoffs, has been the key to their success and for the side to go all the way, the stylish batter will need to continue in similar vein in the remaining matches.

Prior to his triumphant campaign with Kolkata Knight Riders last year, Iyer had led Delhi Capitals to the playoffs in 2019 and 2020, including their only IPL final appearance in 2020.

He is also the second highest run scorer for PBKS this season with 435 runs in 12 matches, and he is gunning for more.

Thanks to the performance of players such as Prabhsimran Singh (458 runs), Priyansh Arya (356 runs), Arshdeep Singh (11 wickets) and Yuzvendra Chahal (13 wickets), PBKS have emerged as the most consistent side this season, accumulating 17 points from 12 matches to secure a playoff berth with two games to spare.

As far as Delhi Capitals are concerned, they have had their chances this season but the lack of big runs in the Powerplay consistently and the absence of lead pacer Mitchell Starc towards the end has had an adverse impact on their prospects.

They will look to end to end their disappointing campaign on a high note, but up against an in-form opponents like PBKS, it is easier said than done.

13:58

Why Shami was dropped for England Tests

Ajit Agarkar said that Mohammed Shami's fitness status was under a cloud because of a recent injury setback and he was ruled out by the medical team.

"He has had a little bit of a setback over the past week, got some MRIs done. He wasn't going to be able to play five Tests."

"Don't think his workload is where he needs to be. The Medical guys said he will be ruled out. We were hoping he will play some part, but if he is not fit, we would rather pick guys fit and available rather than waiting,"

13:54

Shubman Gill 5th youngest India Test captain

Shubman Gill is the fifth youngest to captain India in Test cricket. Overall, he is India's 37th Test captain.

Gill, at 25 years and 258 days, was named India's new Test captain in place of the retired Rohit Sharma for the upcoming five-Test series in England.

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi (21 years, 77 days) is the youngest Test captain followed by Sachin Tendulkar (23 years, 169 days), Kapil Dev (24 years, 48 days), and Ravi Shastri (25 years, 229 days).

13:49

'Bumrah won't be available for all 5 Tests'

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar reveals that Jasprit Bumrah won't be playing all the five Tests in England.

'I don't think Bumrah will be available for all the five Tests,' he said in Mumbai on Saturday.

'Whether it's three or four Tests, we will see based on how the series goes and his workload is. Even if he is fit for 3-4 Tests, he will be an asset for us. I am happy he is part of the squad.'

13:46

Karun picked for England Tests; Sudharsan included

Shubman Gill was named as India's new Test captain, for the upcoming five-Test series in England, starting next month.

Rishabh Pant was named as Gill's deputy with K L Rahul also getting the nod.

Veteran Karun Nair makes his comeback to the Test team after a long gap of eight years.

Sai Sudharsan is the new face in the team with Abhimanyu Easwaran also finding a place in the team.

Nitish Reddy and Shardul Thakur have both been picked as the pace bowling all-rounders.

India have gone in with three spinners in Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav.

Mohammed Shami, who fitness has been under a cloud, has been dropped as the selectors went in with their regulars in Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, with Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep.

'His workload is not what it needs to be...at the moment he is not fit,' said Agarkar at the press meet.

Arshdeep Singh earns his first call-up to the Test team, while Dhruv Jurel makes it as the second wicketkeeper.

India's squad for England Tests: Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (vice-captain, w/k), Yashasvi Jaiswal, K L Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Dhruv Jurel (w/k), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh.

13:18

BCCI to announce team at 1.30pm

Virat Kohli's retirement has left a huge void in the Indian Test team. It remains to be seen who takes his place at No 4 during the five-Test series in England.

With K L Rahul likely to return as opener, there are talks that Shubman Gill could drop down to No 4 with Sai Sudharsan take his place at No 3.

Or could the selectors go with the experienced players in Shreyas Iyer or Karun Nair?

Among the all-rounders, Nitish Reddy could be preferred ahead of Shardul Thakur.

In the absence of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja will lead the spin attack in England. It remains to be seen if Washington Sundar is picked ahead of Kuldeep Yadav or both make it to the team.

Schedule: India's Test series in England:

June 20-24: 1st Test, Leeds

July 2-6: 2nd Test, Birmingham

July 10-14: 3rd Test, Lord's

July 23-27: 4th Test, Manchester

July 31-August 4: The Oval

12:38

Shami unlikely for England tour

Mohammed Shami

Mohammed Shami is unlikely to be picked for the five-Test series in England

'BCCIs medical team has informed the Indian board that the 34-year-old pacer wont be able to bowl longer spells. Chances of him playing all the five Test matches are bleak too, going ahead', said a report in The Indian Express on Friday.

'There were deliberations over taking Shami along with the Indian team and playing him in few games. However, with Jasprit Bumrah already informing the board that his body cant take the toll of more than three Tests matches, the selection committee were known to be in a dilemma on whether to fly out with a similarly iffy bowler, who might only play few games. It hampers the planning of the Indian side too.'

12:35

Gill set to be named captain for England Tests

Shubman Gill

The Indian team for the upcoming Test tour of England will be announced on Monday.

The national selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, are meeting in Mumbai with the squad likely to be announced by 1.30pm IST.

India's selectors will set the ball rolling for the team's long transition journey in the longest format when they pick a new Test captain and finalise the squad for what is expected to be a challenging five-match series in England.

The 25-year-old Shubman Gill is a clear favourite to land the high-profile job as Indian embarks on a new World Test Championship cycle following the retirement of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in a span of one week.

By simple logic, Jasprit Bumrah was the vice-captain on the previous tour of Australia and he should be elevated to the leadership role but question marks over his long-term fitness and workload management are likely to go against him on the discussion table.

Rishabh Pant has had a forgettable IPL but he remains a vital part of India's transition phase in the Test format. The selectors are likely to make him vice-captain.

Though Rohit and Kohli's exit leaves a massive void, the likes of K L Rahul can provide much-needed experience in the batting department. Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal are expected to open in the first Test beginning in Leeds on June 20 with Gill at No 3.

It remains to be seen if one among Karun Nair, Sarfaraz Khan or Shreyas Iyer make it as an additional specialist batter for the middle order.

Following the retirement of another stalwart Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja will be lead spinner in the squad and it would be interesting to see if the selectors go with two or three spinners in English conditions.

If the number is two, then Washington Sundar may get the nod ahead of Kuldeep Yadav, who is a proven match-winner across formats.

There is enough experience in the pace department led by Bumrah but will he last the rigours of a five-match series? There are also concerns over Mohammed Shami's fitness.

Can his ageing body recover fast enough in between a long series? Mohammed Siraj is set to be the third pacer in the squad. If the selectors decide to pick five fast bowlers then Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh, who is yet to play Test cricket, will also be in the mix.

IPL Updates: DC beat Punjab Kings by 6 wickets

TOP STORIES