The Indian Cricket Team won the Final of the T20 World Cup 2024 under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. Team India defeated South Africa in the final by 7 runs to clinch the title for the second time. The Men in Blues have experienced heartbreaks in their last 10 ICC tournaments. India were nearly invincible in the World Cup 2023 and were the ultimate favourites to lift the title but Australia went on to beat them in the Final. India were unbeaten in the T20 World Cup 2024 too and finally they broke the jinx by winning an ICC title.

Rohit Sharma's performances in the ICC events have always come under criticism but he has scored lots of runs. It's time, we look at the Indian skipper's stats in the ICC knockout games.

Read Also: Virat Kohli's record in the T20 World Cup

India's wait for a ICC trophy extended to a decade now as their last title came when India won the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. But, India finally won the T20 World Cup 2024 and Rohit Sharma led the team from the front, scoring 257 runs in the 2024 edition of the World T20.

Rohit Sharma is the second-highest runs-getter in the ICC knockout matches

Rohit has scored 780 runs in 21 ICC knockout matches which includes two centuries. Rohit is the second-highest run-scorer in ICC knockout matches. Virat Kohli (939) is only ahead of him on the runs tally. 431 of 780 runs have come in a total of 9 ICC Cricket World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy knockout matches. His highest score of 137 came against Bangladesh in the 2015 World Cup quarter-final.

Rohit Sharma in the T20 World Cup knockout games?

The Indian skipper has amassed 227 runs in eight knockout matches in the T20 World Cup.

ICC World Test Championship Final: 2021 & 2023

Rohit hasn't been good in the Test Championship Finals. He featured in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship final in 2021 where India lost against New Zealand. He scored 34 in the first innings and 30 in the second innings. He got decent starts in both innings but failed to convert. The same happened in the ongoing WTC Final 2023.

Pat Cummins sent him back to the dressing room for just 15 runs. In the second inning, he started pretty well but failed to extend the inning as Lyon trapped him LBW when he was batting at 43.

Rohit's overall record in ICC tournaments

Rohit has been brilliant overall in the ICC events over the years. He has scored 5,347 in 107 ICC event matches. His tally includes 14 centuries and 26 fifties. 

Every score of Rohit Sharma in the ICC Knockout matches:

• 8* vs AUS (T20 WC 2007)
• 30* vs PAK (T20 WC 2007)
• 33 vs SL (CT 2013)
• 9 vs ENG (CT 2013)
• 24 vs SA (T20 WC 2014)
• 29 vs SL (T20 WC 2014)
• 137 vs BAN (WC 2015)
• 34 vs AUS (WC 2015)
• 43 vs WI (T20 WC 2016)
• 123* vs BAN (CT 2017)
• 0 vs PAK (CT 2017)
• 1 vs NZ (WC 2019)
• 34 vs NZ (WTC 2021)
• 30 vs NZ (WTC 2021)
• 27 vs ENG (T20 WC 2022)
• 15 vs AUS (WTC 2023)
• 43 vs AUS (WTC 2023)
• 47 vs NZ (WC 2023)
• 47 vs AUS (WC 2023)
• 57 vs ENG (T20 WC 2024)
• 9 vs SA (T20 WC 2024)

There has been a lot of discussion about the Asia Cup 2025 tournament for a long time. However, now a big report has come out regarding the start of this tournament. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting was to be held in Dhaka regarding Asia Cup 2025, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) refused to attend it.

Also Read: 'Needs a PR team': 15 players debuted, still no chance for Abhimanyu Easwaran

However, later BCCI attended this meeting online, where Asia Cup was discussed and it is being told that consensus has been reached for organizing the tournament. The tournament will start from 8 September.

Asia Cup 2025 starts on September 8

According to the report, Asia Cup 2025 will start from September 8 and its final match will be played on September 24. 8 teams will participate in it, in which India, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan are full time members.

At the same time, the ACC Premier Cup winning team Hong Kong, Oman and UAE will also participate in it. According to the information, the tournament will be hosted in the UAE. However, BCCI will be its host and will release the schedule soon.

The tournament will be held in T20 format

Keeping in mind the T20 World Cup 2026, this time the Asia Cup will be held in T20 format. Last time there was a ODI World Cup, it was organized in ODI format. Matches were held in Pakistan and Sri Lanka under the hybrid model. The Indian team defeated Sri Lanka in the final and won the trophy of the last edition.

BCCI yet to confirm participation against Pakistan

A major question for the Asia Cup 2025 is whether India will play against Pakistan. Tensions remain high due to recent incidents like the Pahalgam terror attacks and India’s Operation Sindoor, leading to strong public sentiment against sporting ties with Pakistan.

Also Read: ENG vs IND 4th Test: Rishabh Pant to available for batting; Jurel will do wicketkeeping

This pressure has already led to the cancellation of the match between India Champions and Pakistan Champions at the World Championship of Legends, where Indian players withdrew in protest.

While the two teams might be placed in separate groups, a potential clash in the Super 4s or final would make a face-off inevitable, keeping fans and officials on edge.

After Karun Nair's continuous flops, he was dropped from the playing XI in the ENG vs IND fourth Test match at Old Trafford. Everyone was hoping that if Karun sits on the bench, Abhimanyu Easwaran's years-long wait for a Test debut will end.

But captain Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir had decided something else. Sai Sudharsan was given a chance again at the Old Trafford ground and Abhimanyu remained sitting on the bench. He has been with the Indian Test team since 2021-22, but his dream of entering the field wearing Team India's jersey has not yet been realised.

Also Read: ENG vs IND 4th Test: Rishabh Pant to available for batting; Jurel will do wicketkeeping

15 players made their debut before him

Abhimanyu Easwaran has been coming to the squad for the last 4 years and returns home after giving water. Abhimanyu has spent a lot of time in the dressing room, but his dream of playing in Team India's jersey remains just a dream.

Since Abhimanyu's arrival in the Indian team, 15 players have made their Test debut, which also includes young players like Suryakumar Yadav, Rajat Patidar, Ishan Kishan with Anshul Kamboj being the latest one to join the list on Wednesday in Manchester, but his wait is still on. 

But despite constantly proving his ability in domestic cricket, Abhimanyu just keeps resting on the bench. In first class cricket, Abhimanyu has 27 centuries to his name and he has also scored 7,841 runs. 31 fifties have also come from his bat.

Players who perform well in domestic cricket deserve a chance

Some time ago, a big debate broke out regarding domestic cricket. Everyone talked about giving importance to domestic cricket. Team India's head coach Gautam Gambhir himself says that players who perform well in domestic cricket deserve a chance.

But the truth is something else. Coach is not able to do justice to Abhimanyu while sitting in the dressing room. If a batsman remains on the bench for four years despite having around 8 thousand runs and 27 centuries, then what is the use of showing his ability in domestic cricket.

Abhimanyu is far ahead of Sudharsan

You have seen the statistics of Abhimanyu Easwaran, now let us tell you about the domestic record of Sai Sudharsan. Sudarshan has played a total of 30 first class matches so far, in which he has scored 1987 runs at an average of 36.

On the other hand, Abhimanyu's batting average is 54 despite playing 103 matches. Sudharsan has been able to score only 7 centuries and 5 half-centuries in 51 innings. From experience to batting record, Abhimanyu is far ahead of Sudharsan.

Sudharsan came into limelight only because of his strong performance in IPL 2025.

Also Read: Can Jurel bat for Rishabh Pant? Former England captain wants 'like for like subs' option for first innings injuries

Players to make Test debut for India before Easwaran

Since Abhimanyu Easwaran's first call-up to the Test side, 15 players have now gone on to make their Test debut for India before him. They are: 

• K.S Bharat (Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023)
• Suryakumar Yadav (Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023)
• Yashasvi Jaiswal (vs West Indies 2023)
• Ishan Kishan (vs West Indies 2023)
• Mukesh Kumar (vs West Indies 2023)
• Prasidh Krishna (vs South Africa 2023)
• Rajat Patidar (vs England 2024)
• Sarfaraz Khan (vs England 2024)
• Dhruv Jurel (vs England 2024)
• Akash Deep (vs England 2024)
• Devdutt Padikkal (vs England 2024)
• Nitish Kumar Reddy (vs Australia 2024)
• Harshit Rana (vs Australia 2024)
• Sai Sudharsan (vs England 2025)
• Anshul Kamboj (vs England 2025)

Indian team's star wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant will be available to bat. However, he will not do wicketkeeping. Dhruv Jurel will take over wicketkeeping in his place. BCCI confirmed this news on Thursday through their X handle.

India vice-captain Rishabh Pant, on Thursday, joined the Indian camp at the Old Trafford ground on Day 2 of the ongoing ENG vs IND fourth Test, a day after he sustained a foot injury. 

Also Read: Can Jurel bat for Rishabh Pant? Former England captain wants 'like for like subs' option for first innings injuries

“Rishabh Pant, who sustained an injury to his right foot on Day 1 of the Manchester Test, will not be performing wicket-keeping duties for the remainder of the match. Dhruv Jurel will assume the role of wicket-keeper. Despite his injury, Rishabh Pant has joined the team on Day 2 and will be available to bat as per team requirements,” BCCI wrote.

𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: Rishabh Pant, who sustained an injury to his right foot on Day 1 of the Manchester Test, will not be performing wicket-keeping duties for the remainder of the match. Dhruv Jurel will assume the role of wicket-keeper.

Despite his injury, Rishabh Pant has joined the…

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 24, 2025

However, the board has not said whether he is out of the series or not. Earlier, news agency PTI had informed that Pant is out of the remaining series. 

Pant looked in a lot of pain

Pant was batting on 37 runs in the first innings when the ball hit his foot while attempting a reverse sweep. In the 68th over of the Indian innings, a ball from Chris Woakes hit his right leg. After this, he lay down on the ground and looked in a lot of pain.

Even when the physio arrived, he was seen groaning in pain. Then an attempt was made to lift him up and take him away, but he could not walk. Then he was taken to the ambulance. Blood was seen oozing from Pant's right leg, and there was a lot of swelling in that part of the body.

Post stumps, Pant was taken for scans, which confirmed a toe fracture.

“Yes, Rishabh Pant is ruled out of the series. He went for scans last night, and the reports have revealed a toe fracture. There is just no chance of him batting as he is in a lot of pain right now.” Source said.

Jurel to keep the wickets

The board may also ask KL Rahul to keep wickets, but he has not performed this responsibility since the South Africa tour in the 2023-24 season. The team's other wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel was not included in the playing XI for the fourth Test match.

Also Read: ENG vs IND 4th Test: 14 times in a row, Team India loses toss again, the odds of that are apparently 16,384-1

This is the second time Pant has suffered an injury in the series. He injured his finger while wicketkeeping during the third Test at Lord's due to which he was unable to keep wickets in England's second innings. Dhruv Jurel had kept wicket as a replacement then. He will be seen keeping wicket in place of Pant in the ENG vs IND 4th test as well.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has raised his voice appealing for a 'like-for-like sub' option in test cricket, even if the injury is not a head injury. Vaughan took to social media, X and voted for the change in rules in test cricket. 

During the first day of the England vs India, 4th test in Manchester, Rishabh Pant got injured while attempting a reverse sweep against pacer Chris Woakes. Woakes' ball hit Pant's right foot on the full toss, and Pant had to retire hurt in severe pain.

The concerning photos showed that there was a big cut on Pant's feet and it was bleeding heavily. The Indian wicket-keeper batter was taken away on a buggy and quickly sent for a scan. On Thursday, the reports suggested that Pant would be ruled out of the whole test match due to a fractured toe and would need at least six weeks of rest to recover. Ishan Kishan, who has been playing county cricket for Nottinghamshire, will be added to the Indian squad for the fifth test.

🚨REPORTS 🚨

Rishabh Pant has fractured his toe and has been advised to take six weeks of rest. It is unlikely that he would come to bat again in the fourth test in Manchester. #RishabhPant #ENGvIND #Cricket #CricketNews pic.twitter.com/1aPkqQlixb

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) July 24, 2025

Can Jurel bat for Rishabh Pant in the second inning?

Now the question is that can anyone bat in place of Rishabh Pant in the second inning of the fourth test? Unfortunately, NO. 

As per the current rule, a like-for-like substitution is only allowed in the case of head injuries. If a player gets hit on the head, teams are allowed to name a like-for-like substitute nomination, and if the match referee agrees, that player is substituted. 

The first player to be used as a concussion substitute in Test cricket was Marnus Labuschagne. He replaced Steve Smith during the 2019 Ashes series after Smith was struck on the neck by a bouncer from Jofra Archer.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan now wants a change to that rule. Even apart from the head injuries, Vaughan wants the like-for-like substitute option available if anyone gets injured during the first inning of a test match. 

"Clear and obvious injuries in the first innings of Tests, we should allow like for like Subs .. we have concussion subs so surely we can have subs for injuries like Rishabhs," Vaughn Tweeted. 

Clear and obvious injuries in the first innings of Tests we should allow like for like Subs .. we have concussion subs so surely we can have subs for injuries like Rishabhs .. https://t.co/MComKbHbyn

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 24, 2025

Why can this be beneficial for teams? So, if a pace bowler gets injured while bowling the first over of the test match, the team would be without a bowler for the whole test match, and the same goes for a batter as well, which is now the case with India and Rishabh Pant.

The change in the rule will allow someone with the same skill as the injured player can replace him/her during the second inning of the test match. This will bring parity to the teams, and fans can also enjoy a better test match. Now, as per the current rule, even though Dhruv Jurel can play as a substitute wicket-keeper, he will not be able to bat in the place of Rishabh Pant. 

India's captain Shubman Gill lost the toss in the ENG vs IND fourth Test at Old Trafford. With Gill losing the toss, India have now lost 14 Test tosses in a row. The odds of that are, apparently, 16,384-1.

India is trailing the series 2-1 after a dramatic 22-run defeat at Lord’s.

Also Read: England penalised two WTC points for slow over-rate in Lord’s Test

Team India is losing toss continuously

India has lost the toss 14 times in a row since January 31, 2025. Earlier, this record was in the name of West Indies. West Indies had lost 12 consecutive tosses between February 2, 1999 and April 21, 1999. England is at number three in this list. England lost 11 consecutive tosses between December 17, 2022 and March 12, 2023.

Ben Stokes won the toss

England captain Ben Stokes won the toss on Wednesday and chose to field on an overcast morning in their crucial fourth Test against England at Old Trafford. History is against Stokes, though, as no team winning the toss and opting to bowl first has ever won a Test at Old Trafford.

India's result at Old Trafford

India has yet to win a Test at Old Trafford, having faced four defeats and five draws in nine previous matches at the Manchester ground.

India made three changes

India has made three changes in playing XI, with batsman Sai Sudharsan replacing Karun Nair, and Shardul Thakur and debutant Anshul Kamboj coming in for injured pacemen Nitish Kumar Reddy and Akash Deep.

Jasprit Bumrah was named to play by India. Before the ENG vs IND series commenced, it was announced that Bumrah, the world’s top-ranked Test bowler, would participate in only three of the five matches to safeguard his fitness following a back injury.

Also Read: Mohammed Siraj faces ban risk over his aggressive send-off and shoulder barge to Ben Duckett

England recalled Liam Dawson

England had previously named their side, making just one change by recalling Liam Dawson for the left-arm spinner’s first Test in eight years after Shoaib Bashir suffered a series-ending finger injury at Lord’s.