former captain of india Sunil Gavaskar After the demise of this great West Indies player on Friday, tributes were paid to Sir Garfield Sobers, calling him the greatest cricketer the game has ever seen and a player whom every child dreams of becoming.Sobers, considered cricket’s greatest all-rounder, died at his home in Barbados, 11 days before his 90th birthday. During a career spanning two decades, he set new standards with his batting, bowling and fielding.“This is perhaps the saddest day for the game of cricket. The world’s greatest cricketer has left us. No words can do justice to the cricketer Sir Garfield Sobers.”“He was everything we dream of becoming when we pick up a bat or a ball as children,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.He said, “The memories keep coming back and I will always hold them close to my heart. Rest in peace, Sir Garfield. You will always be in our hearts.”Sobers represented the West Indies in 93 Test matches between 1954 and 1974. He scored 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78, including 26 centuries, and also took 235 wickets.A left-handed batsman, Sobers was equally effective as a left-arm fast-medium bowler, a left-arm orthodox spinner and a left-arm wrist spinner. He was also known as one of the finest fielders and closer catchers in the history of the game.His unbeaten 365 against Pakistan in 1958 was the highest individual score in Test cricket at that time. This record remained intact for 36 years.Another milestone came in 1968, when, playing county cricket for Nottinghamshire, he became the first player to hit six sixes in an over in first-class cricket. This feat came against Malcolm Nash of Glamorgan.Sobers was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975 for his services to cricket. In 2000, he was named one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the 20th century.His name also lives on through the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, an annual ICC award given to the outstanding men’s international cricketer across all formats.
The International Cricket Council’s decision to revamp the format of the 2027 ODI World Cup has been criticized by several associate captains, who believe the changes will make it more difficult for emerging nations to compete in cricket’s showpiece event.
The move has drawn strong reactions from Netherlands captain Scott Edwards, Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus and Scotland’s Richie Berrington, all of whom have questioned whether the changes are in line with the ICC’s goal of expanding the game globally.
Collaborative teams fear losing opportunities
The Associate nations have long pushed for greater representation at ICC events, with teams such as Scotland, Namibia and the Netherlands putting in memorable performances against Full Member sides in recent years. However, the latest restructuring has raised concerns that the road to the World Cup is becoming even more difficult.
Edwards described the decision as “incredibly disappointing”, arguing that Associate teams had spent years building competitive ODI schedules only to see their chances dwindle.
Edwards said, “Qualifying for the ODI World Cup is a huge achievement for any country, so when the reality of that opportunity changes after years of planning, it is incredibly disappointing.”
“The ICC talks a lot about growing the game globally, but decisions like this make it harder for associate nations to play against the best teams in the world.”
The Dutch captain said that matches against elite opponents are important not only to improve standards but also to inspire future generations of cricketers. In his view, sport should “create more opportunities on the global stage, not less”.
Erasmus echoed those concerns, stressing that ODI cricket remains the top format for players from Associate nations. He argued that qualifying teams should not face additional hurdles before getting the chance to compete against the world’s best.
For players from emerging cricket-playing nations, Erasmus said, the 50-over World Cup is “our longer form”, making access to the tournament even more important.
Meanwhile, Scotland captain Richie Berrington focused on the decision-making process. He urged administrators to involve players in a more meaningful way when introducing major changes to global tournaments.
“Players are not expected to make every decision, but we should be meaningfully consulted on decisions that have a significant impact on the game and players’ careers,” Berrington said.
“Better decisions are made when different perspectives are brought forward, and we are urging the sport to start doing just that.”
This criticism has also been supported by the World Cricketers’ Association, which has questioned the transparency of the decision. The players’ body argued that reducing opportunities for Associate teams runs contrary to cricket’s stated ambition of global growth and pointed out that countries have invested years in qualification pathways.
How does the new format of the ODI World Cup work?
The 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, will have a new three-phase format. Although 14 teams will qualify for the tournament, not all of them will enter the main competition directly.
The three lowest-ranked qualifying teams will first compete in a “Super Series”, with only one side advancing to the next stage. After this the remaining teams will enter the main stage of the tournament.
From there, teams will be divided into two groups, with each side playing every other team in its pool. The top teams will then advance to the newly introduced “Super 7” stage, where they will play further matches to decide the four semi-finalists. The tournament will conclude with semi-finals and finals and is expected to feature 57 matches.
However, concerns for allies extend beyond the format. Many fear that increasingly complex qualification pathways will limit opportunities for exposure, funding and face elite opposition. For countries that are still trying to establish themselves on the world stage, such opportunities are invaluable.
That’s why captains like Edwards, Erasmus and Berrington have spoken out. At a time when cricket is trying to move beyond its traditional strengths, he believes the game should open more doors for emerging teams and not create new obstacles in their path.
Amid growing speculation over the ODI future of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, former India batsman Mohammad Kaif has backed the experienced duo and stressed that their experience will be crucial if India are to challenge for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.The debate over Rohit and Virat’s place in India’s World Cup plans has intensified in recent weeks, with reports on social media suggesting that one or both of the senior batsmen could be phased out ahead of the marquee tournament. However, BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia recently dismissed rumors that the third ODI against England at Lord’s will be Rohit’s last appearance in the format.Speaking on Cricbuzz, Kaif said that India cannot ignore the experience of Rohit and Virat, especially considering the conditions expected in South Africa.
‘India will need Rohit and Virat in South Africa’
Kaif said the 2027 World Cup will present a completely different challenge compared to previous editions, making the presence of experienced campaigners invaluable.Mohammad Kaif said, “The 2027 phase will be very important. People are talking about Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma because it will not be an easy World Cup. The conditions will be different, there will be bouncy pitches and India will need both of these players there. We would definitely like them to play as many matches as possible from now on and be in good form.”
Lionel Messi comparisons
Kaif compared the importance of Rohit and Virat to football legend Lionel Messi, saying that experienced players often contribute beyond just scoring runs or goals.He said, “Lionel Messi is 39 years old and his team has reached the FIFA World Cup final. He did not score in the semi-finals but provided an assist. That’s what experience brings. When you have young players who can finish the job, experienced players know how to guide them and create opportunities, so just like Messi is for Argentina, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are for India in the World Cup.” The former India batsman said that the value of experience remains the same in all sports.Kaif concluded, “Whether it’s football or cricket, experience plays a huge role. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are considered among the greatest ODI players, so India will need 100 per cent from them, especially in South African conditions under captain Shubman Gill.”
Spain defender Aymeric Laporte believes referees should do more to control Argentina’s physical style of play ahead of Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final, saying too many have been allowed to pass unpunished in recent matches. Speaking to Spanish newspaper Marca, Laporte said he has no problem with offensive football as long as authorities consistently enforce the laws.
Spain will face Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the World Cup final after defeating France 2-0 in the semi-finals, while the defending champions defeated England 2-1 to book their place in the title match. As the countdown to the final accelerates, Laporte admitted Spain are wary of Argentina’s combative attitude but insisted the responsibility rests with the referee.
“I have no problem with aggression if it’s within football and the referee does his job,” Laporte told Marca.
“It’s true that in recent matches we have seen things that have surprised us, especially involving Argentina. They are a team that give up a lot on challenges and I don’t think that should be allowed, especially in such big competitions.”
The former Manchester City defender argued that repeatedly allowing heavy challenges could affect the rhythm of the game and lead to flare-ups unnecessary conflict between players.
“Those actions can upset you and make you angry. I think it’s part of the referee’s job to control those situations. If one or two players are allowed to do that, the match becomes chaotic,” he said.
“Since the beginning of the tournament we have been a very fair team. We are not one of those players who try to hurt opponents or commit fouls carelessly. We have to stay true to that, but a lot depends on the referee. There has to be someone who controls those actions so that it is football and nothing else.”
half mission
Laporte also revealed that Spain deliberately kept the celebrations low-key after eliminating France because the team believes the work is not finished yet.
He said, “When we beat France, we celebrated in the dressing room, but it was not crazy because our aim is not to beat France but to win the tournament. Only completing half the mission is not enough for us.”
The centre-back said Spain have maintained the same mentality throughout the competition, despite entering the tournament with lower expectations than some of the favourites.
“A lot of people didn’t believe in us from the beginning, but we believed in ourselves. Anything other than winning would be a disappointment for us.”
praise messi
Laporte also had warm words for Argentina captain Lionel Messi, calling the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner one of football’s all-time greats, while expressing hope that Spain will have a fairy-tale ending.
“He’s been a legend since we were kids. We’ve all seen videos of Leo. He’s an incredible footballer and we’ve all enjoyed watching him over the years. But now I hope it’s not for him. I hope it’s for us.”
Spain is attempting to win its second World Cup title, while Argentina are aiming to successfully defend the title they won in Qatar four years ago.
New Delhi: Sunday’s ODI against England at Lord’s might not be the last one. Rohit SharmaAfter all this is the last match for India. BCCI secretary Devjit Saikia on Saturday dismissed retirement speculations and reiterated that the senior opener remains firmly in India’s ODI plans.The clarification comes amid uncertainty over Rohit Sharma’s future after it emerged that the veteran opener will no longer be an automatic selection after the ongoing series in England, with the selectors considering every ODI selection in preparation for the 2027 World Cup. Saikia, however, said that no decision has been taken yet on Rohit’s future.“There is a lot of speculation in the media about Rohit Sharma’s future. I want to firmly say that there has been no discussion that Rohit will play his last match at Lord’s on Sunday,” Saikia was quoted as saying by PTI.Saikia also made it clear that Rohit will remain an integral part of India’s ODI set-up.The BCCI secretary confirmed, “Rohit is a regular member of the Indian ODI team and will continue to represent the country as long as he is in the plan. In other words, the Lord’s ODI will not be his last match.”The Times of India had earlier reported that Rohit is no longer guaranteed a place in India’s ODI XI, as the selectors are keen to assess the form and fitness of every player to accelerate preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The assessment was that the doors were open for Rohit to continue, provided he continues to justify his place through his performances. Rohit is currently 13 matches away from becoming the eighth player to play 300 matches in ODI history.
India Today Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai joins football experts Karim Bencherifa, Ranjit Bajaj, Siddhant Ani and host Nikhil Naz for an exclusive FIFA World Cup Final preview. Can Lionel Messi inspire Argentina to glory, or will Spain’s young star complete his fairy tale? The panel discusses all this in this roundtable session.
New Delhi: Garfield Sobers, one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history and former West Indies captain, died on Friday at the age of 89. His death was confirmed by his son Daniel.Sobers was just 10 days short of his 90th birthday. Considered one of the greatest cricketers to ever play the game, Sobers represented the West Indies from 1954 to 1974.
a great career
Sobers played 93 Test matches and scored 8,032 runs at an average of 57.78, including 26 centuries and 30 half-centuries.Sobers, a left-arm fast-medium bowler, also took 235 Test wickets. He also played one One Day International match, taking one wicket.
record breaking feats
A defining moment of Sobers’ career came in 1958 when he scored 365 not out against Pakistan. This innings remained the highest individual score in Test cricket for 36 years, before West Indies’ Brian Lara broke the record when he scored 375 against England in 1994.Sobers also made history in first-class cricket in 1968 when, playing for Nottinghamshire against Glamorgan, he became the first batsman to hit six sixes in a single over.
Former Pakistan batsman Basit Ali has warned that any attempt to push Rohit Sharma towards retirement could have ramifications beyond the Indian captain, suggesting that Virat Kohli may also decide to call time on his career.
Basit argued that Rohit should remain as long as his performances justify his place in the team and cautioned against evaluating him based only on recent results. The former Pakistan cricketer went a step further and claimed that the pressure on Rohit could also affect Kohli’s future plans.
“If he continues to perform, he should continue to play. Right now, if you want to judge him only on the basis of his performance in the two matches in England or the likes and dislikes of Gautam Gambhir, you should also keep Virat Kohli in mind,” Basit said on his YouTube channel.
Basit said, “If it is Rohit’s turn today, next time it could be Virat’s. Looking at the way Virat has retired from Test cricket, there is a possibility that both of them may announce their retirement at Lord’s. If too much pressure is put, I think such a decision may have to be taken, which would be a big mistake, because the cricket world still wants to see Virat playing.”
Spotlight on future of Rohit, Kohli
Rohit’s future has become a major discussion topic After scores of 11 and 26 in the opening two ODIs against England. Despite the scrutiny, India’s team management has publicly supported the experienced opener, with batting coach Sitanshu Kotak insisting that Rohit is “too good” a player to be affected by outside noise.
Questions regarding Kohli’s future have also increased since the former India captain retired from Test cricket in May 2025. The 37-year-old, however, remains a key member of the ODI team and played a key role in India’s Champions Trophy win earlier this year.
Basit believes that leaving out the senior players could rob fans of the opportunity to celebrate two modern greats on their own terms. The former Pakistan batsman also stressed that a player of Rohit’s stature deserves a farewell in front of home supporters rather than a foreign crowd.
He said, “Let’s see what happens in the match the day after tomorrow. But if this turns out to be his last game, he has really been a great ambassador. I wish this was not his last match. And if you have to bid farewell to someone, let him bid farewell to his people.”
While Rohit struggled for runs in the series, Kohli did well in Cardiff, scoring 65 runs with eight fours in 66 balls, although his efforts ultimately went in vain as India lost by four wickets. While all eyes are on Rohit before the Lord’s ODI, India will also be keen to win the series.
Joe Root presented a masterclass in ODI batting by scoring an unbeaten 99 runs off 133 balls in the second ODI, setting the stage for England’s successful target of 234 runs against India. At a time when wickets were falling all around him, the veteran stood firm, and played a composed innings with nine fours to guide England to victory with the calmness and assurance that has defined his one-day career.Root’s innings was highly praised by former India captain and head coach Anil Kumble, who compared the England legend’s importance to his team with that of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for India.“Joe Root is to England what Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are to India. Root is the only England batsman who still plays with the old-school ODI mentality. The other batsmen were aggressive from the start, but Root took his time, took over the innings and brought calmness while chasing the target,” Kumble told GeoHotstar. “His ability to rotate the strike and find the gaps makes him incredibly reliable. You know he’s not going to play a risky shot at the wrong time. That kind of game awareness is invaluable,” he said. Kumble also highlighted the similarities between Root, Kohli and Rohit and said the trio’s success is linked to their ability to score consistently while taking minimal risks.He said, “What makes Root, Kohli and Rohit so successful is that their run-scoring looks effortless. They don’t premeditate. They react to the ball. They play low-risk, high-reward cricket rather than high-risk, high-reward cricket. When you have that kind of class, grace and mentality, it makes life easier for the whole team.”
Root chased the target with ease
India lost their strong position after being asked to bat first at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. Despite a solid 114-run partnership between Virat Kohli (65) and Shreyas Iyer (66) that took the visitors to 180/3, a dramatic middle-order collapse resulted in them losing their last seven wickets for 53 runs and being bowled out for 233. Jofra Archer (3/47) and Gus Atkinson (3/50) performed brilliantly with the ball, while Jasprit Bumrah’s unbeaten 20 helped India cross the 230-run mark.England’s chase of the target got off to a very bad start as Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Ben Duckett on the very first ball of the innings, before Prasidh Krishna took the hosts’ score to 8/2. However, Joe Root chased down the target with a brilliant 99 off 133 balls*, receiving valuable support from Will Jacks (30), Sam Curran (26) and Gus Atkinson (23)*. Atkinson hit the winning four to seal the win by four wickets, leaving Root one run short of his century.The result left the three-match ODI series tied at 1-1, with the decider to be played at Lord’s on July 19.
“For me the 50-over World Cup is the real World Cup. We grew up watching it. Plus, it was happening in front of our fans in India. We played very well leading up to that final.”
Emerging from a painful, silent slumber after the heartbreaking 2023 World Cup final defeat, Rohit Sharma revealed how deeply the 50-over format is woven into his cricketing soul. Missing out on a place in India’s historic 2011 team – a miss that would define his career – Rohit spent the next decade transforming himself into a modern ODI titan. When he finally got his chance to lead the country on home soil, he played with fierce, selfless anger, but fell just one heartbreaking step short of the final prize. He wanted another chance at salvation.
Rohit Sharma probably will not play ODI World Cup 2027. Courtesy: PTI
What happened next is a textbook weekend of Indian cricket chaos – a messy cocktail of conflicting public statements, leaked selection secrets, and a great batsman caught in the crossfire.
Is Rohit Sharma retiring?
This explosive news came in the middle of the second ODI against England and the timing could not have been more strange. Just a few days ago, at the start of the three-match series, ODI captain Shubman Gill had presented a united, respectful front to the media.
“Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been the backbone of the Indian batting line-up for the last decade and they remain an integral part of the team,” Gill said confidently. “The experience and skills they bring are obviously very valuable.”
Yet, while the captain was promoting a seamless transition, Indian cricket board sources were painting a very different reality behind closed doors. The senior selection committee along with head coach Gautam Gambhir had reportedly met Rohit last week and told him the bitter truth: They are ready to “move on” and hand over the reins to the next generation, especially players like Yashasvi Jaiswal who were waiting in the wings.
“The selectors have informed Rohit that he is not included in their plans after the England tour,” a board source told The Indian Express. “He wanted to continue, especially after working on his fitness. The selectors have left the ball in Sharma’s court.”
Yashasvi Jaiswal is likely to get a chance as an opening batsman in place of Rohit Sharma. Courtesy: PTI
For a player of Rohit’s stature, who has already walked away from T20Is after the 2024 World Cup and quietly retired from Tests, the lack of clarity is a hard pill to swallow. The captain says one thing; The board leaks another one. And the resulting mental beating is painfully visible where it matters most: in the middle.
Rohit badly out of rhythm
Throughout his illustrious career, Rohit’s biggest superpower has been his absolute clarity of thought. Whether he was leading an innings or tearing apart the bowling attack with the first ball, he always looked like a man in complete control of his destiny.
Not in this series.
In both ODI matches against England Rohit has looked like a shadow of his usual selfStruggling for rhythm and working hard for runs. The second ODI presented a stark, almost tragic indictment of their current leadership. He looked completely unnatural against the short ball – the same delivery he has ruthlessly sent into the stands for over a decade.
Rohit Sharma was out cheaply in the first 2 ODIs against England. Courtesy: Reuters
Watching from the commentary box, former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta noted a worrying change in Rohit’s demeanor.
“I just thought mentally it felt like there was no clarity,” Dasgupta said on the live broadcast. “The hallmark of his batting has always been clarity of thought… but somehow I just felt he wanted to change gears, but couldn’t. Those nine dot balls put him under a bit of pressure, and then that clarity wasn’t there.”
Whether Rohit’s struggles are linked to everything happening off the field is impossible to prove. But it is difficult to imagine any player performing with complete freedom when his captain publicly calls him “integral” while reports suggest that the selectors have already decided his international future.
Will Rohit lose without a fight?
However, Rohit Sharma is not a man who goes down without a fight. If reports are to be believed, during a conversation with top BCCI officials on the sidelines of the tour, he has already expressed his deep displeasure over this decision. Having lost the ODI captaincy to Gill last year, Rohit clearly feels he still has enough fuel left to earn a spot as a pure batsman.
The emotional burden of the situation came to the fore in a surprising scene during the second ODI. Rohit was seen sitting in the dugout with his old teammates Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. There was no smile. It was not a light joke. Just three pillars of the modern Indian era looking blankly towards the plain, well aware that the ground beneath them is slipping away.
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah have been key members of the Indian team. Courtesy: JioStar Screengrab
Disorganized changes in Indian cricket are nothing new, but this one seems particularly troubling. With selectors keen to inject youth, the captain delivering mixed public messages, and a proud former captain refusing to slow down, fans are bound for a turbulent, uncomfortable weekend.
Maybe the selectors are right. At the age of 39, every great career eventually reaches its end. But there should be clarity in a career like Rohit’s. Instead, Indian cricket has produced another weekend of mixed messages, where the captain says one thing, the selectors believe something else, and the players themselves are unwilling to accept that this is the end. Hitman wants his final chapter. The selectors have probably already closed the book.
