skywritg.com – Today’s Pulse & News Briefings

Ahead of the crucial Asia Cup clash against Pakistan, Arshdeep Singh's cryptic Instagram post sparked speculation about his mindset after being benched. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak defended the team selection, emphasizing that decisions are based on conditions and team balance. As India prepares to face Pakistan, the possibility of including a second pacer looms, leaving Arshdeep's potential inclusion uncertain.

The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh is set to host its inaugural international matches, with the Indian women's cricket team facing Australia in two ODIs on September 14 and 17. Despite concerns over recent heavy rainfall, the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) assures that the stadium's drainage system is fully equipped.

The Asia Cup 2025 began with a funny incident in Dubai as Suryakumar Yadav's toss confusion briefly overshadowed the start. After winning the toss, Suryakumar's delay in communicating the decision to UAE's captain led to a lighthearted moment. India chose to bowl first on a fresh pitch, while both teams revealed their playing XIs, ready to compete.

Afghanistan started their Asia Cup campaign strongly, defeating Hong Kong by 94 runs. Sediqullah Atal's unbeaten 73 and Azmatullah Omarzai's quickfire 53 propelled Afghanistan to 188/6. Hong Kong's chase crumbled under the pressure of Afghanistan's disciplined bowling attack, led by Fazalhaq Farooqi and Gulbadin Naib, ultimately restricting them to just 94/9.

Sanjay Bangar lauded Rishabh Pant's fearless batting and natural wicket-keeping talent, recalling Ashish Nehra's early prediction of his success. Pant's aggressive play during the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy saw him amass 479 runs, including two centuries.

Shreyas Iyer will captain the 15-member India A squad against Australia A in Lucknow, with Dhruv Jurel as vice-captain. The series starts September 16. KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj will join the squad for the second match beginning September 23.

Pakistan's women's cricket team will not attend the ICC Women's World Cup opening ceremony in India, aligning with a recent agreement between the two nations to avoid cross-border travel for ICC tournaments. Political tensions continue to impact sporting relations, as evidenced by India's previous decision to skip the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

Rohit Sharma, India's ODI captain, was recently seen offering prayers to Lord Ganesha in Mumbai amidst a large crowd. Videos circulating online show the cricketer performing rituals and acknowledging fans, causing a chaotic scene around his car. He is expected to return to action in October for an ODI series in Australia, with a preparatory series planned beforehand.

Lalit Modi, the former IPL chairman, admitted to intentionally violating broadcasting regulations during the inaugural IPL match in 2008 to maximize viewership, overriding Sony's exclusive rights. Despite potential legal repercussions, Modi prioritized widespread access to ensure the tournament's success. This decision later led to contract disputes, investigations, and legal proceedings against Modi regarding alleged favoritism towards World Sports Group.

After an old video of an Irfan Pathan interview resurfaced on social media and resulted in a massive speculation and debate on the way MS Dhoni managed the dressing room, Pathan himself has come forward to address the same. The former India all-rounder explained that his comments are being twisted and taken in a different context than intended, that too, half-a-decade after it came out.

Shreyas Iyer's Asia Cup snub puts him in the spotlight as he aims to prove his worth in the Duleep Trophy semifinal. West Zone boasts a star-studded lineup, while Central Zone relies on Patidar's form. Injury concerns plague both zones, while South and North Zone face off in the other semifinal, each grappling with squad changes and player unavailability.

Following heated exchanges in the India-England Test series, former cricketers debated introducing yellow and red cards. David Lloyd, recalling his time on the umpires' selection committee, advocated for stricter penalties. The panel suggested using cards for incidents like Mohammed Siraj's barge and the Gill-Crawley face-off, proposing a traffic-light system for warnings and escalating punishments.

Nitish Rana, attributing his form to carrying the Hanuman Chalisa, propelled West Delhi Lions into the DPL 2025 final. They secured an eight-wicket victory against East Delhi Riders, chasing down 140 with ease. Rana's unbeaten 45 complemented Ayush Doseja's steady 54. Earlier, the Riders struggled, posting only 139/8. The Lions now face Central Delhi Kings in a highly anticipated final.

Sri Lanka clinched a thrilling seven-run victory against Zimbabwe in Harare, highlighted by Dilshan Madushanka's remarkable hat-trick in the final over. Zimbabwe, needing 10 runs with five wickets in hand, saw Sikandar Raza dismissed on 92 by Madushanka, who then secured the win with two more wickets. Sri Lanka posted 298-6, with key contributions from Pathum Nissanka and Janith Liyanage.

Shubman Gill, recovering from a viral flu, is expected to arrive in Bengaluru to begin Asia Cup preparations at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. He will undergo assessment and training due to unsuitable facilities near his home, and is likely to depart for Dubai from Bengaluru, joining other squad members.

Rohit Sharma, India's ODI captain, expresses his desire to hit every bowler for six. He retired from T20Is in 2024 and Tests in May 2025. He remains a key player in ODIs, with over 11,000 runs. Sharma recently celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi with his family in Mumbai. He is expected to play in the upcoming ODI series against Australia in October.

England's fast bowler Mark Wood is set to return to county cricket next month, aiming to play for Durham in September after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him since February. Wood is cautiously preparing for the Ashes series in Australia later this year, with England's management prioritizing his long-term fitness.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran Indian off-spinner, has announced his retirement from the IPL after a stellar 17-year career. Ashwin expressed gratitude to the franchises and the BCCI. He hinted at exploring opportunities in other global leagues like The Hundred and SA T20. The veteran spinner ended his IPL career with the Chennai Super Kings.

Mark Wood, the England fast bowler, finds Rohit Sharma the toughest batter. Wood says Sharma's mastery over short balls makes him hard to get out. Wood played in England's 2019 ODI World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup wins. He balances county cricket with franchise cricket. Wood is known for his express pace, often exceeding 145 kmph.

England's Mark Wood has opened up about how to bowl to India's aggressive batter Rishabh Pant, emphasizing the need for precision against him. Wood also humorously noted Virat Kohli's vulnerability around the off-stump, but that he never managed to use it to his advantage. He named Rohit as the toughest batter he's faced.