dtdrivingschool.co.uk – Driving News & Safety Tips

Ajinkya Rahane has identified Axar Patel as an underrated yet crucial player for India in the upcoming Asia Cup 2025, highlighting his versatility with both bat and ball, especially in Dubai's spin-friendly conditions.

Faheem Ashraf cleverly addressed Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan's absence after Pakistan's loss to Afghanistan in the tri-series. He emphasized the team's focus on winning, even amidst missing key players. Both Babar and Rizwan were excluded due to recent poor T20I performances, while Pakistan prepares to face UAE in their next match.

Despite Sanju Samson's impressive domestic form in the Kerala Cricket League, his place in India's Asia Cup 2025 playing XI is uncertain due to Shubman Gill's return. Irfan Pathan suggests Samson could potentially replacing Jitesh Sharma, but highlighted that he needs to play lower down the batting order to do so.

India faced a disappointing start in the Super4s stage of the Asia Cup, drawing 2-2 with South Korea after leading early. Despite Hardik Singh's initial goal, South Korea surged ahead with two quick goals. Harmanpreet Singh's late assist to Mandeep Singh salvaged a draw, but India's poor finishing and missed penalty corners highlighted a lackluster performance.

Team India will participate in the Asia Cup 2025 without a lead sponsor after Dream11 ended its contract due to new online gaming regulations. Consequently, the 'India' logo on the team's jerseys will be more prominent.

Before the Pakistan-Afghanistan Tri-Series match in Sharjah, a minute's silence honored victims of Afghanistan's earthquake and Pakistan's floods. Players stood in respect as Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan shared his grief over the 6.0-magnitude earthquake that devastated eastern Afghanistan, killing hundreds and causing widespread destruction. The disaster prompted prayers and condolences from the cricketing world.

Asia Cup 2025 ticket sales have officially commenced on Platinumlist, offering fans a chance to secure their seats for the tournament in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Several package options are available, including group-stage matches, Super Four contests, and the final, alongside individual match tickets. The competition gets underway on September 9.

Robin Uthappa suggests Shubman Gill's selection for the T20I Asia Cup and his vice-captaincy might be influenced by star power and marketing considerations, despite his recent strong Test performance. Uthappa believes that India has a history of backing superstars, and Gill's inclusion aligns with this trend, especially after a successful IPL 2025 season.

Jitesh Sharma scored only 261 runs in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) title-winning season, but it was not the runs that caught the selectors’ eyes, it was his 176.35 strike rate while batting at 6 and 7. Jitesh, who never had a coach, learnt cricket by watching YouTube videos of his childhood heroes Adam Gilchrist and Sourav Ganguly. Making a comeback into the Indian team at the age of 31 is as breathtaking as his cricketing sojourn.

Gautam Gambhir was celebrated at the DPL 2025 final, where he playfully tagged cricketers with fitting descriptions. West Delhi Lions, led by Nitish Rana's unbeaten 79, clinched the title by defeating Central Delhi Kings. Rana's consistent performance throughout the playoffs and Gambhir's presence added excitement to the event.

India stormed into the Asia Cup Super 4s with a dominant 15-0 victory over Kazakhstan, marking their third consecutive win. Abhishek's four goals led the charge, supported by hat-tricks from Sukhjeet Singh and Jugraj Singh. China also advanced from Pool A, while Malaysia and Korea progressed from Pool B.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored twice as India edged Japan 3-2 in their second Pool A match of the men’s Asia Cup. Mandeep Singh added an early goal for India, while Kosei Kawabe netted twice for Japan. India had opened their campaign with a 4-3 win over China and will face Kazakhstan next, with the winner earning a World Cup spot.

Rishabh Pant is determined to get back on the cricket field after fracturing his toe during the Test match against England. Pant shared a photo of his bandaged foot on Instagram, expressing his eagerness to recover.

Rinku Singh showcased his exceptional form in the UP T20 League, further solidifying his reputation as a reliable finisher. He smashed an unbeaten 78 off 48 balls, leading Meerut Mavericks to a seven-wicket victory. His recent performances, including a century against Gorakhpur Lions, highlight his readiness for the Asia Cup, where his middle-order prowess could be crucial for India.

India's hockey team faced a tough challenge from China in their Asia Cup opener, despite being the top-ranked team. Coach Craig Fulton acknowledged the need to address defensive errors, especially conceding penalty corners. Meanwhile, Malaysia impressed with a dominant 4-1 victory over defending champions South Korea, fueled by Akhimullah Anuar's hat-trick. Bangladesh also secured a win, defeating Chinese Taipei 8-3.

As India gears up for the 2026 T20 World Cup, Suresh Raina suggests a bold opening pair. With Kohli and Sharma potentially out, Raina backs youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Abhishek Sharma to lead the charge. He also mentioned Priyansh Arya, who impressed in his debut IPL season, could be a surprise package.

Sanju Samson's explosive form in the Kerala Cricket League, marked by three consecutive fifties, has reignited discussions about his place in India's Asia Cup squad. His adaptability and attacking prowess, showcased by a blistering 121 and consistent scoring, have impressed many.

Pakistan's bowling coach, Ashley Noffke, assures that Shaheen Afridi is regaining his top form before the Asia Cup, after battling a back injury in 2023. Afridi's pace is improving, with more balls reaching 140km/h during the West Indies series. He is working on his technique and swing to challenge the stumps consistently, aiming to hit speeds close to 150km/h.

Afghanistan’s rise from ICC’s lower divisions to Asia’s No. 2 white-ball team is cricket’s most remarkable story of the last decade. From inspiring World Cup campaigns to a T20 semifinal run, they’ve surpassed Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, uniting a nation through hope, resilience, and a fearless brand of cricket.

Oman became the sixth team to announce their squad for the Asia Cup. The side announced a 17-member team, with opener Jastinder Singh leading the side.