DRS, August 16, 2025: As the long weekend continues amid a long break in the Indian cricket calendar, it’s a slow news cycle. But even on Independence Day, there were headlines that you might have missed.
To start with the Asia Cup 2025, as the India squad announcement day comes closer, speculations are rife on Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Will they return to the T20I side? But if they do, won’t India compromise on Test cricket, considering the IND vs WI Test series begins just three days after the Asia Cup final? In other news, Irfan Pathan, in an interview, has spilled the beans on his ouster from the IPL 2025 commentary panel.
In non-cricket news, the Argentine World Cup winner, Lionel Messi, has finalised his itinerary for India visit in December. This will be Messi’s second visit to India. He visited Kolkata in 2011 for a friendly match against Venezuela.
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Independence Day celebrations
Even as India cricket is on an unusual long break, cricketers took their time out of the holiday calendar to celebrate India’s 79th Independence Day. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and India head coach Gautam Gambhir among many cricketers, wished fans on Independence Day.
‘A day to celebrate the freedom we earned and reflect on the responsibility it carries. Grateful to those who paved the way. Wishing everyone a proud and peaceful Independence Day,’ former India captain Anil Kumble wrote on his Twitter handle.
Rohit Sharma shared a moment from T20 World Cup 2024 final, carrying the Indian flag.
No Gill-Jaiswal in Asia Cup 2025
In Asia Cup 2025, rumours have been rife about Indian squad. While the BCCI Selection Committee will announce India squad for Asia Cup 2025 on August 19, there have been many speculations. Among the big ones are Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The two stars of India Test team could miss out on Asia Cup berth, not because of their T20 form. As India take on West Indies in a two-match Test series, starting October 2, just three days after the Asia Cup final, the selectors might want to keep a white-ball specialist squad. Shreyas Iyer could also miss out as he is being considered for a Test return. Sanju Samson will keep his place as Suryakumar Yadav will continue to lead.
Irfan Pathan on Ro-Ko
While many believe that Irfan Pathan has been harsh on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, the former India all-rounder has clarified his stance. In an interview with Lallantop, Irfan Pathan has revealed that as a commentator, his responsibility is towards the fans and not the cricketers. Rohit and Virat endured a poor run of form in Test cricket, especially in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, before announcing Test retirements ahead of the England tour.
‘I believe that the job of commentators is to tell the story beyond what is visible, what is happening, why it is happening, and why it is happening. If a player performs well, then praise him. If he cannot do so, then criticise him. The responsibility of the commentator is not for the player but for the fans,’ Pathan said.
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Irfan Pathan on IPL commentary panel ouster
Pathan was also believed to have missed out on the IPL 2025 commentary stint because of bringing in personal grudges in commentary. There were rumours that the Pathan brothers had a personal rivalry with the Pandya brothers in Baroda cricket. While many blamed his harsh criticism of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma reason behind his ouster from the commentary panel, he hinted at Hardik Pandya. Pathan criticised Hardik for poor performances in IPL 2024 after a big-money move back to Mumbai Indians. However, Pathan revealed that he had no bad intentions for Hardik.
‘If I’m criticising you in 7 matches out of 14, I’m still being lenient. That is our job as broadcasters. There is no rivalry. All the Baroda players who have come after me — Deepak Hooda, Krunal Pandya or Hardik Pandya — none of them can say that Irfan-Yusuf did not help them,’ Pathan said.
Venkatesh Prasad to contest KSCA elections
Former India pacer and bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad is all set to return for his second innings as an administrator. Prasad, who was the vice-president of Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) between 2013 and 2016 when Anil Kumble was the president, will contest KSCA elections. He will join former KSCA treasurer Vinay Mruthyunjaya and others. The KSCA elections are set to be conducted in October after the current term ends on September 30.
The KSCA is in a crisis after 11 fans died in a stampede on June 4 during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL trophy celebrations. KSCA secretary Shankar A and treasurer ES Jairam stepped down in the aftermath, while the Karnataka government banned the M Chinnaswamy stadium from hosting any big matches. The stadium is all set to lose Women’s Cricket World Cup matches, as well as IPL 2026 matches.
Lionel Messi’s India visit
Argentina’s World Cup champion Lionel Messi’s India visit in December has been finalised. This would be Messi’s second trip to India. Messi visited India in 2011 for a FIFA friendly against Venezuela at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. While Argentina was supposed to play a friendly match in India on that trip, it’s now out of the itinerary. Instead, Messi will visit Kolkata, Mumbai, and Delhi during his short trip.
His visit will begin in Kolkata on December 13 and will conclude on December 15 in Delhi after a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During his visit, Messi is also likely to meet Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in Mumbai. The trio will catch up for a cricket match at the Wankhede Stadium.