Future of Kohli and Rohit Under Scrutiny
India’s humiliating Border-Gavaskar Trophy loss, part of a dismal streak with six defeats in eight matches, has ignited intense debates. The most pressing concern is the future of senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

The BCCI is expected to discuss the issue during its Special General Meeting on Sunday. New board secretary Devajit Saikia has reportedly been asked to deliver a “strict message” to chief selector Ajit Agarkar about solving this dilemma. The board has emphasized the need to “choose a new team” to restore India’s cricketing credibility.

Underwhelming Performances in Australia
Both Kohli and Rohit were under pressure even before the Australia tour. Kohli showed a glimpse of his old form with a century in Perth but managed just 90 more runs across other innings without a single fifty.

Rohit, on the other hand, had a disastrous series, scoring only 31 runs in five innings at an average of 6.2. He opted out of the Sydney decider, citing personal reasons. Since September, Rohit has scored just 164 runs in eight matches at an average slightly above 10.

BCCI Official’s Strong Stand
A former BCCI official, speaking to Dainik Jagran, stressed that the board must take a firm stance. He suggested that no player should consider themselves indispensable.

“The BCCI must send a strong message that no player is bigger than the game. The selection committee must act decisively and build a new team,” the official remarked.

Looking Ahead
With the ICC Champions Trophy approaching and a provisional squad submission deadline of January 12, the BCCI faces mounting pressure. India’s next Test series is scheduled for late June, during their tour of England, making this the perfect time for a strategic reset. The decisions made now could shape the team’s future trajectory.

Jasprit Bumrah Shines in Border-Gavaskar Series
Jasprit Bumrah’s exceptional performance in the 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar series stood out, despite India’s overall disappointing campaign. With 32 wickets in five matches, including three five-wicket hauls, he claimed the Player of the Series award. This marked the highest wickets taken by an Indian bowler in Australia and an all-time best for an Indian seamer in a Test series.

However, Bumrah’s heroic efforts came at a cost. He missed the final innings of the Sydney Test due to a back injury. Having bowled 151.2 overs across the series, including 53.2 overs in one match, concerns about his workload surfaced. Discussions followed regarding whether India’s team management could have handled Bumrah better.

Balwinder Sandhu Criticizes Workload Concerns
Former Indian pacer Balwinder Sandhu dismissed the workload management theory, calling it unnecessary. He argued that bowling 15 to 20 overs per innings should not be an issue for professional cricketers.

“Bumrah bowled an average of 16 overs per innings. That’s not a big deal,” Sandhu told Times of India. “Workload management is an Australian concept. Cricketers need to listen to their bodies, not external theories.”

Sandhu questioned whether Bumrah is fit for Test cricket if he cannot consistently bowl 20 overs in an innings. “If you can’t bowl 20 overs, focus on T20s, where four overs are enough. Representing India in Tests requires physical strength and stamina,” he added.

The debate underscores the growing divide in modern cricket regarding balancing player fitness with team needs. For Bumrah, his outstanding series may be remembered for both its brilliance and the challenges it posed.

Actor Allu Arjun visited KIMS Hospital in Hyderabad’s Begumpet on Tuesday to meet Sri Teja, the child injured during the Sandhya Theatre stampede. The tragic incident occurred during the premiere of Arjun’s latest film, Pushpa 2: The Rule. The boy, seriously injured in the stampede, is receiving constant medical care.

Several videos showed Arjun arriving at the hospital in a green sweater and black pants. Telangana State Film Development Corporation Chairman Dil Raju accompanied him. Enhanced security measures were implemented to ensure public safety during the visit.

Arjun had initially planned to visit the hospital on January 5 but postponed the trip due to police advisories. The Ramgopalpet Police Station issued a notice advising him to maintain confidentiality to avoid disruptions at the hospital.

The actor expressed deep concern for the injured boy and wished him a swift recovery. Earlier, he stated he had been eager to meet the child but delayed the visit due to ongoing legal proceedings.

As of December 24, 2024, positive signs of recovery were reported. Sri Teja responded after being unresponsive for 20 days. His father, Bhaskar, expressed gratitude for Arjun’s and the Telangana government’s support.

The stampede at Sandhya Theatre occurred on December 4 when fans gathered for the Pushpa 2 premiere. The tragedy claimed the life of a woman named Revathi and left her son severely injured. A case was filed against Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management.

Allu Arjun was arrested on December 13 but was granted interim bail by the Telangana High Court on December 14. He received regular bail on January 3. He is listed as Accused No. 11 in the ongoing investigation.