kapstoneng.com – Regional News & Featured Stories

Central Zone captain Dhruv Jurel and East Zone skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran missed the Duleep Trophy quarterfinals, which began on Thursday, due to a fever and a groin niggle, respectively.

Astrologer Greenstone Lobo predicts a strong comeback for Shreyas Iyer. Iyer was ignored for the Asia Cup 2025 squad. Lobo believes Iyer's horoscope indicates a potential captaincy. He suggests Iyer could lead India to a major tournament victory, possibly a World Cup. Lobo warns selectors against overlooking Iyer's talent.

Former India cricketer, Virender Sehwag, believes that the upcoming Asia Cup will serve as the perfect testing ground for the Indian team to build their team for the T20 World Cup, slated to take place next year.

Cheteshwar Pujara, India's Test batting mainstay, has retired from all cricket forms after a stellar career spanning from 2010 to 2023. He emphasized creating opportunities for younger players and expressed satisfaction with his media engagements. Pujara fondly recalled his innings in Colombo, Adelaide, and double centuries in India, while acknowledging the challenges posed by Steyn, Anderson, and Cummins.

Amidst speculation about India's next ODI captain, Aakash Chopra has dismissed rumors linking Shreyas Iyer to the role. Chopra asserts that Shubman Gill is the likely successor to Rohit Sharma, already holding vice-captaincy in ODIs and leading in Tests. Gill's rise has also shifted Axar Patel from T20 vice-captaincy, solidifying Gill's position as the heir apparent for India's white-ball leadership.

After including Shubman Gill in India's Asia Cup squad and reinstating him as the vice captain, the BCCI is planning to make him the all-format leader in future. However, is that idea feasible in modern day cricket?

Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised the Indian selection committee's approach of rewarding players for Test performances with T20I spots, deeming it illogical. He questioned Shubman Gill's inclusion in the Asia Cup squad while expressing shock over Shreyas Iyer's exclusion despite his outstanding IPL form and recent displays of maturity in other formats.

Shubman Gill is all set to miss the Duleep Trophy 2025 due to illness, with Ankit Kumar set to lead North Zone in his absence. Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana will play only the opening match before leaving for Asia Cup duties.

Shubman Gill, India's Test captain, is likely to miss the Duleep Trophy due to illness. Appointed captain of the North Zone team, Gill is resting in Chandigarh after medical examinations. Ankit Kumar will now lead the side, with Shubham Rohilla replacing Gill.

Priyansh Arya has continued his rapid rise with another brilliant season in the Delhi Premier League 2025. However, his aspirations are far beyond just hitting humongous sixes in T20 cricket.

Shubman Gill, after being named India's vice-captain for the T20 Asia Cup, shared vacation pictures on Instagram, showcasing a relaxing time on what appears to be a yacht. This follows his return to the T20I squad after a year, boosted by his captaincy in the Test series against England. Selectors, including Ajit Agarkar, highlighted Gill's leadership abilities, trusting him under Suryakumar Yadav.

Manoj Tiwary questions the India-Pakistan Asia Cup match appropriateness after the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, emphasizing human life's value over sports. He also expressed surprise over Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal's exclusion from the Asia Cup squad, despite their strong performances.

The selection of India's Asia Cup 2025 squad is creating controversy. Yashasvi Jaiswal is surprisingly left out. Shubman Gill makes a comeback to the T20I team. He is also appointed as the vice-captain. Experts are questioning Jaiswal's exclusion despite his strong performance. Sai Sudharsan's omission is also raising concerns. Subramaniam Badrinath highlights potential recency bias in the selection process.

Sanju Samson is set to embrace a new role in the Asia Cup 2025, with Shubman Gill's return potentially shifting Samson down the batting order. Likely to bat at number five or six, Samson demonstrated his adaptability by moving down the order in a recent Kerala Cricket League match.

With Shubman Gill's return as vice-captain for the Asia Cup 2025, India's opening combination is under scrutiny. Ajinkya Rahane anticipates Gill partnering with Abhishek Sharma, despite Sanju Samson's strong form. Rahane also expressed excitement about the pace duo of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.

Once considered Rohit Sharma's successor, Hardik Pandya's captaincy aspirations have faded due to injuries and fitness concerns, leading to Suryakumar Yadav's rise as a preferred leader. Despite losing the captaincy role to SKY and Shubman Gill, Pandya's influence within the team remains significant.

Mohammad Kaif has said it will be tough for Sanju Samson to secure a spot in India's playing XI for the Asia Cup. Kaif believes Shubman Gill, who is now the vice-captain, will open the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma.

The BCCI has reportedly introduced a rugby-centric Bronco fitness test for Indian players in an effort to ensure consistently high fitness standards. It will now be used alongside the established Yo-Yo test and 2-kilometer time trial to assess players' readiness for international competition.

Shubman Gill's Asia Cup vice-captaincy has intensified debate over Sanju Samson's T20 future, despite his selection. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar highlighted Gill and Samson as opening options alongside Abhishek Sharma. Captain Suryakumar Yadav strongly backed Jitesh Sharma's inclusion, praising his post-T20WC performance.

Astrologer Greenstone Lobo predicts Shubman Gill will be a prolific run-scorer for India, possessing a "phenomenal horoscope." While Gill's leadership has shown promise, Lobo suggests his captaincy might not immediately translate to major ICC trophy wins.