New Delhi, Aug 5: Fresh off a dramatic 2-2 series draw in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, capped by a nail-biting six-run victory at The Oval, the Indian men’s cricket team has little time to rest as it braces for a packed and challenging calendar for the remainder of 2025.
While the series in England was an emotional rollercoaster—one that saw heroic performances, tense finishes, and the revival of Test cricket’s true essence—it was only the beginning of an intense run for Rohit Sharma’s men. From continental battles in the desert to old rivalries down under, and the return of marquee names to the squad, here’s how India’s cricketing roadmap unfolds through the rest of the year.

Bangladesh Tour Called Off Amid Diplomatic Strain

India were initially scheduled to tour Bangladesh in August for three ODIs and as many T20Is. However, that series has now been shelved. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made the announcement in July, citing “scheduling convenience for both teams” as the official reason.
But reports from Cricbuzz suggest otherwise. The cancellation comes against the backdrop of increasingly strained bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries, hinting at political friction influencing cricketing ties. It’s a rare but significant instance of diplomacy intervening in the sport.

Asia Cup 2025: Green Light Amid Indo-Pak Tensions

There was a cloud of uncertainty looming over the 2025 Asia Cup due to ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. At one point, the tournament looked to be in serious jeopardy. However, cricket has prevailed—at least for now.
Set to be played in the United Arab Emirates in September, the Asia Cup has been confirmed, with India retaining its hosting rights despite the overseas venue. Notably, the tournament will return to the T20I format this year, serving as a crucial preparation ground for the ICC T20 World Cup in 2026.With a balanced group stage, the eyes of the world will be particularly fixed on the Indo-Pak clash on September 14—a match that continues to define subcontinental cricketing drama.

West Indies Tour of India: Test Cricket Returns to Indian Soil

October will see the return of the West Indies to Indian shores for a two-Test series—the first such tour in seven years. India last hosted the Caribbean side for Tests in 2018, comfortably winning that series 2-0.
More importantly, this series will mark the beginning of India’s home Test campaign in the new 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle. After the high-octane finish in England, the West Indies series is expected to provide India with an opportunity to recalibrate and strategise for the long WTC road ahead.

Australia Tour: ODIs and T20Is in the Spotlight

No rest for the weary, as India will head straight to Australia in late October for a limited-overs assignment. The tour comprises three ODIs and five T20Is, rekindling a fierce rivalry that has defined modern cricket.
This trip comes hot on the heels of the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which India played earlier in the year. The white-ball leg, however, promises to offer a different kind of thrill.
Speculation is rife that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma—both of whom were selectively rested during parts of the English summer—will return for the ODI leg in Australia, much to the delight of fans and broadcasters alike.
India and Australia last met in the semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy, a match India edged by four wickets before going on to lift the title. Revenge, redemption, and rivalry—this series has it all.

South Africa’s Full-Tour to End the Year

India’s final assignment for 2025 will be a comprehensive home series against South Africa, spanning two Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is, scheduled across November and December.
This tour will offer fans a complete cricketing experience across formats. The last time the two nations squared off was in November 2024, when India claimed a 3-1 victory in a four-match T20I series. The Proteas will be keen to return the favour this time around.
For India, it will also be the perfect platform to assess bench strength, experiment with young talents, and settle combinations heading into the 2026 ICC tournaments. With home advantage and momentum on their side, India will aim to finish the year on a high.

A Testing Road Ahead

The remainder of 2025 will test India’s depth, durability, and strategic acumen across formats and continents. As the team juggles the balance between resting key players and blooding new talent, selectors and management will have their task cut out.
From political challenges affecting tours to high-voltage cricketing encounters in the Gulf, the subcontinent, and Down Under—India’s cricketing calendar mirrors the complexities and excitement that come with being a powerhouse in world cricket.With the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy now in the rearview mirror, the road ahead is packed, pressure-laden, and promising in equal measure.
Brace yourself. The Men in Blue are just getting started. (Agencies)

New Delhi, Aug 5 : Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan are in the fray for selection in India’s Asia Cup squad, which is expected to be picked in the third week of August.
Jaiswal and Test captain Gill have not featured in the last few T20 assignments owing to a packed calendar but their one-month rest period post the five-Test series against England is expected to make them available for the continental tournament.
As per sources in the BCCI, the national selectors are keeping options open even as the Test series against the West Indies at home starts in less than a week’s time if India qualify for the final of the continental T20 event which is slated on September 28.
The first Test against the West Indies at Ahmedabad starts on October 2.
It must be mentioned that Jaiswal scored 559 runs at a strike-rate of 160 in the last edition of the IPL while Gill had 650 runs in 15 games at a healthy strike- rate of 155-plus.
Gill’s opening partner at Gujarat Titans, Sudharsan was the ‘Orange Cap’ winner with 759 runs at a SR of 156.“There is a five week break and with no cricket around, these three should walk into any T20 squad despite stupendous show by Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. In 21 days in Asia Cup, if one plays till final, there are 6 T20 games and that’s not much of a workload. But obviously with 17 member squads allowed for the Asia Cup, selectors will weigh options carefully,” a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Keeping the tracks of UAE in mind and also the T20 World Cup in six months time, Jaiswal, Gill and Sudharsan should logically form the core of the top order.
Sudharsan, who made his ODI debut in late 2023 has been in tremendous T20 form.
Another important talking point is the availability of pace spearheads Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
Both bowlers have been managed carefully after an extended workload across formats and are expected to undergo fitness assessment before the selection meeting. (PTI)

Dhaka/Kabul, Aug 5: With the 2025 T20 Asia Cup drawing closer, cricketing powerhouses Bangladesh and Afghanistan have announced their preliminary squads, gearing up for not just the regional showdown but also important preparatory series that promise to sharpen their edge in the format.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Monday revealed a 24-member preliminary squad ahead of the T20 series against the Netherlands and the Asia Cup. The selection signals a balance of youth and experience, with selectors banking on consistent domestic and overseas performances.
Wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahidul Islam Ankon, and Saif Hassan have been rewarded for their recent form. Despite a lukewarm outing against Pakistan, Naim Sheikh retains the faith of the selectors, while Soumya Sarkar returns after missing the previous assignment—raising hopes of a potential comeback to the national T20 setup.
Key members of Bangladesh’s batting core—Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tawhid Hridoy, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz—also feature in the lineup, ensuring continuity and stability at the top order.The players have been asked to report to Mirpur on August 6 for an initial fitness camp, with skill-based sessions kicking off from August 15. A full-fledged preparation camp will begin in Sylhet from August 20, giving the squad ample time to settle into rhythm ahead of crucial fixtures.Over in Kabul, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has also laid out its roadmap for the 2025 T20 season by naming a 22-member provisional squad led by the charismatic Rashid Khan. The squad will feature in both the upcoming Tri-Nation Series and the Asia Cup, both slated to be held in the UAE.The squad will participate in an intensive two-week training camp, as the Afghan side looks to capitalise on their traditional strength—spin bowling. (Agencies)

Afghanistan Squad:
Rashid Khan (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Wafiullah Tarakhil, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Nangyal Kharoti, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Karim Janat, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mujeeb Zadran, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad Lakanwal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Farid Malik, Saleem Safi, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad.

Bangladesh Squad:
Litton Das (capt), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Naim Sheikh, Soumya Sarkar, Parvez Hossain Emon, Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Shamim Hossain, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Rishad Hossain, Mahedi Hasan, Tanvir Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Mohammad Saifuddin, Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman, Shoriful Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Saif Hassan.

London, Aug 5: A famous series levelling win at The Oval called for a major celebration but the Indian squad members opted for quiet downtime before leaving for home on Tuesday morning.
A chunk of the India squad members, including Mohammed Siraj, boarded an Emirates flight less than 24 hours after a dramatic finish to the fifth and final Test of a long and gruelling series.
The team members will landed in Dubai on Tuesday evening before taking a connecting to flight their respective home cities in India.
Siraj, the architect of the victory, will take the next available flight to Hyderabad after landing in Dubai. Arshdeep Singh and Shardul Thakur were among the ones to head back home.
Some of the players have chosen to stay back in the country for a well-deserved break.
Roughly four hours after the nail biting finish, some of the squad members including Arshdeep and Prasidh Krishna were seen spending time with their families in the heart of London.
Kuldeep, who like Arshdeep did not get a game in the series, was seen hanging around with former India player Piyush Chawla.
Jasprit Bumrah, who did not play the series decider due to workload management, was released from the squad during the game.
“There were no celebrations last night. It has been a long and hectic series. The players spent time on their own or with families. Most of the players are heading back to India, some are heading elsewhere,” said a BCCI source.
Drawing the series in England was a big achievement for Gill and his inexperienced team, following the high profile retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Fair to say the team has moved on from two superstars.
India’s next major assignment will the Asia Cup in the UAE next month. (PTI)

London, Aug 5: Six weeks. Five Tests. A deadlock. As India and England wrapped up a fiercely-contested 2-2 draw in their epic 2025 summer Test series, the numbers tell a tale of balance, brilliance, and blunders. With 6736 runs scored across 1860.4 overs and 41 dropped catches, this was not just a contest of bat and ball—it was a full-blown marathon that tested skill, stamina, and sharpness.
For the fourth time this century, a five-match Test series went to the fifth day in every game. Twice, matches were decided by margins under 25 runs—making it the first time such drama unfolded in a single series. The 2-2 result was fitting in many ways, reflecting the neck-and-neck nature of the contest, although each side had moments when they dominated.
From a statistical standpoint, there was barely a hair’s breadth between the two sides. England’s batting average stood at 37.57, with India just ahead at 39.77. With the ball, England took 88 wickets at 41.84, while India bagged 84 wickets at a slightly better average of 38.38. In every sense, it was a series of fine margins and hard-earned triumphs.
If there was ever any doubt about the evolution of English Test pitches, this series confirmed it—they’re now friendlier to batters than ever. The 6736 runs amassed in this series is the second-highest aggregate in Test history, falling short of the 1993 Ashes by just 20 runs.
There were 21 individual hundreds—joint-most ever in a series—and 19 century partnerships, matching the all-time record. India outscored England here as well, hammering 12 of those 21 centuries—their highest-ever tally in a single series. England, meanwhile, contributed nine tons of their own.
Yet, the styles couldn’t have been more different.
England’s strength lay in explosive starts. Their openers—Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley—averaged 65.44 and scored at 4.34 runs per over, putting pressure on the Indian bowlers early. In contrast, India’s openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal averaged just 34.10, often losing their first wicket within the first 10 overs.
But it was in the middle order where India turned the tide. From positions No. 4 to 6, India averaged 65.66, comfortably ahead of England’s 51.26. Shubman Gill led the charge with 754 runs, the highest ever by an Indian captain in a series, eclipsing even Joe Root’s 538, who continued his love affair with India by registering his third 500-plus run series against them.India’s middle order was also bolstered by Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja, the latter emerging as the most consistent player of the series. Batting at No. 6 and 7, Jadeja accumulated 516 runs, including six 50-plus scores—becoming only the sixth player to score over 500 runs in a series while batting that low. Remarkably, he was dismissed only once in second innings across five Tests.Pant, returning from injury, slotted in seamlessly at No. 5, averaging a stellar 68.42 across four matches, outshining England’s Harry Brook who averaged 55.66.
As batters piled on the runs, the bowlers were made to toil. This was the most overs bowled in a series in England in the 21st century—a staggering 1860.4 overs across five Tests.
Both sides have developed a worrying reputation for butter fingers—three of the top four series for most drops have involved these two teams, including India’s previous England tours in 2018 (32 drops) and 2021/22 (37 drops).
Review usage didn’t fare much better. There were 63 DRS referrals, of which 44 were unsuccessful, meaning a massive 69.8% failure rate. India had 24 failed reviews, their third-worst tally in a series. However, they’ve shown improvement since the 2018. (Agencies)