Rohit Sharma to continue as India's Test captain

Opening batter Rohit Sharma will continue as India's Test captain after leading the team to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

According to Indian media reports, selectors have shown confidence in Sharma's leadership and confirmed that he will captain India in the upcoming five-match Test series against England, which will take place from June to August.

Sharma has been praised for his captaincy, especially after guiding the team to success in the Champions Trophy. Experts have highlighted the management's ability to handle match situations well under his leadership.

Despite concerns over his form in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he scored only 31 runs in three Tests and was dropped for the final match, selectors have decided to back him. Reports suggest that key stakeholders still see him as the best option for leading the Test side.

Rohit himself has dismissed the rumours of his retirement and says he is already excited about the 2027 World Cup which will be held in India.

India's Test series against England will begin on June 20 in Leeds, with the final match scheduled at The Oval from July 31 to August 5.

Indian spinner Varun recalls his struggling days

Indian spinner Varun Chakaravarthy, who excelled in recent Champions Trophy with nine wickets, has opened up about the tough period he faced after India's 10-wicket defeat to Pakistan in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021, revealing that he received death threats and had to go into hiding at times.

Speaking to an Indian news outlet, Chakaravarthy recalled how people tracked him down, followed him, and even threatened him not to return to India.

"After the 2021 World Cup, I received threat calls. People said, 'Don't come to India. If you try, you won't be able to.' People approached my house and tracked me down, and I sometimes had to hide. When I was returning from the airport, some people followed me on their bikes," he said.

The match was a historic moment for Pakistan, as they defeated India in a World Cup match for the first time. Pakistan dominated the game, with Shaheen Shah Afridi's brilliant bowling and unbeaten half-centuries from Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan leading them to victory.

Chakaravarthy had a difficult outing in the match, failing to take a wicket and conceding 33 runs in his four overs. Following India's early exit from the tournament, he was dropped from the team and did not return for three years.

During this time, the 33-year-old struggled with disappointment and regret over his performance. "It was a dark time for me. I was in depression because I thought I was not able to do justice after I was picked for the T20 World Cup with a lot of hype. I regretted not taking even one wicket. After that, for three years, I was not selected. So, I think the comeback to the team was tougher than the path to my debut," he shared.