dolarkit.com – Strategic News & Policy Briefs

The SA20 Season 4 Player Auction is set for September 9th in Johannesburg, featuring over 500 players vying for spots on six franchises. A record number of cricketers registered, including international stars like Shakib Al Hasan and James Anderson. Season 4 introduces an Under-23 player pick, with teams competing for 84 open spots and a total purse of US$7.37 million.

Mohammed Shami, despite his stellar record and contributions to Indian cricket, has faced online abuse, particularly after the 2021 T20 World Cup. Shami dismissed the trolls, emphasising his commitment to the team and urging respectful criticism. He also refuted retirement rumours, expressing his determination to return to the national side through domestic cricket.

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.

Astrologer Greenstone Lobo predicts a strong comeback for Shreyas Iyer. Iyer was ignored for the Asia Cup 2025 squad. Lobo believes Iyer's horoscope indicates a potential captaincy. He suggests Iyer could lead India to a major tournament victory, possibly a World Cup. Lobo warns selectors against overlooking Iyer's talent.

Former India cricketer, Virender Sehwag, believes that the upcoming Asia Cup will serve as the perfect testing ground for the Indian team to build their team for the T20 World Cup, slated to take place next year.

Arshdeep Singh's Test debut in England was delayed due to injury and team selection, testing his patience. Punjab's bowling coach, Gagandeep Singh, believes Arshdeep should have been given a chance, given his swing bowling ability.

Virender Sehwag recounted a tense exchange with former coach Greg Chappell, who criticized his footwork despite his impressive record. This led to a heated argument, with Rahul Dravid intervening. Fueled by Chappell's warning, Sehwag responded with a brilliant 184-run innings, proving his mettle and solidifying his place as a dominant force in Indian cricket.

Wicket-keeper batter Jitesh Sharma, after a period of self-reflection following his initial T20I appearances, has made a remarkable comeback to the Indian team. His resurgence was fueled by a strong IPL season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he showcased his finishing abilities and even captained the team in Rajat Patidar's absence.

Dinesh Karthik has voiced his strong disapproval of Shreyas Iyer's exclusion from India's 2025 Asia Cup squad, deeming it somewhat unjust. Iyer's impressive IPL 2025 performance, where he scored 604 runs, seemingly wasn't enough to secure him a spot, even among the reserves. Karthik emphasizes Iyer's leadership and batting prowess under pressure, suggesting his omission is a missed opportunity.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali expressed shock over the exclusion of Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami from India's Asia Cup squad. Ali believes Iyer's omission is particularly unjust, stating that in Pakistan, these players would be top-tier.

MS Dhoni, the celebrated former Indian cricket captain, is seeking to trademark his iconic nickname, 'CAPTAIN COOL,' for sports-related services. The application has been accepted and advertised. This move coincides with Dhoni's upcoming induction into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2025, recognizing his exceptional leadership, tactical brilliance, and contributions to cricket.

Varun Chakaravarthy, the Indian cricketer, revealed his diverse career path before cricket success, including architecture, music, and filmmaking. He transitioned from an assistant architect earning ₹14,000 to ₹18,000 monthly to exploring music and facing entrepreneurial challenges.

Rishabh Pant reflected on his journey, a year after India's T20 World Cup victory, acknowledging his second chance at life following a severe accident. Despite a duck in the final against South Africa, Pant's strategic pause in play, feigning knee pain, disrupted South Africa's momentum, a move Rohit Sharma initially believed was genuine concern for Pant's well-being.

Reflecting on India's T20 World Cup victory, Rohit Sharma highlighted Virat Kohli's pivotal 76-run innings and his crucial partnership with Axar Patel against South Africa. Sharma emphasized Kohli's experience and composure under pressure, which anchored the innings after early wickets fell.