India have named a 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025, starting on 9 September. While Shubman Gill’s return to the T20I format – and that too as vice-captain – grabbed the headlines, a few notable omissions raised eyebrows. Has Gill’s comeback unsettled a well-oiled T20I line-up? What happens to Sanju Samson’s role as opener now? And, more importantly, what more does Shreyas Iyer need to do to break into this Indian T20I side? In the latest episode of the Sledging Room podcast, Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar and Kingshuk Kusari debate India’s Asia Cup squad.

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Produced by Nikhil Khattar

Sound mixed by Suraj Kumar Singh

The two icons of Indian cricket are back in the news. After India fought hard to draw the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, there’s calm after the storm with no international assignments scheduled for the men’s team until the Asia Cup in September. However, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have once again been dragged into the headlines. Reports are circulating that the two players might retire after the ODIs in Australia this October. But why? Kohli and Rohit are still among India’s best one-day batters, and both have expressed their desire to play in the 2027 World Cup.

Why are we forcing a transition when there’s no need for it?

Meanwhile, Shubman Gill is reportedly set to be named vice-captain for the Asia Cup T20Is. While Gill is undoubtedly India’s next big cricket superstar, does he deserve a spot in the T20Is? Will India disturb the well-established opening pair of Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill?

In the latest episode of the Sledging Room Podcast, Akshay Ramesh, Alan John, and Saurabh Kumar discuss the chatter around some big selection calls that are expected soon.

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Sound Mixed by Aman Pal

An epic final day brought fitting end to what has been a gruelling Test series between India and England. Mohammed Siraj left everything on the ground on the final day of the Oval Test match, handing India a comeback victory at the Oval. With the win in the final Test, India also levelled the 5-match series, 2-2, against the Ben Stokes side.

In the latest episode of the Sledging Room Podcast, Kingshuk Kusari, Rishabh Beniwal and Alan John review the India vs England series. They go through the epic and the controversial moments occurred over the 40 days of play, and how it all culminated in the 40 minutes of sheer drama on Monday, August 4.

The trio put in a lot of focus on Gautam Gambhir, who has been in the headlines through this series. The India head coach, already under pressure from series losses against New Zealand and Australia, might just have saved his neck owing to some sensational performances from the Indian cricketers.

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Sound mixed by Rohan Bharti

India scripted a great escape in the 4th Test match at Manchester. Ben Stokes's England were left frustrated by the grit of Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. Controversy struck on the final day of the Test match when Jadeja and Sundar refused to go off the field, despite the hassling of Ben Stokes and Co. England, led by Stokes, wanted the batters to call it curtains much before the scheduled closure of play after realising that they were not going to win the match.

A massive wave of criticism followed Stokes and his team for unsportsmanlike conduct and trying to dictate the opposition's approach with the bat. Safe to say, the self-proclaimed custodians of the game failed morally as well.

In the latest episode of the Sledging Room Podcast, Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar and Kingshuk Kusari discuss the draw in Manchester, which felt like a win. They also build up to the 5th and final Test match of the series, which might have major workload concerns for both teams.

Produced by Garvit Srivastava

Sound mixed by Rohan Bharti

India have a massive injury crisis on their hands ahead of the 4th Test match, set to start on July 23. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Arshdeep Singh have been ruled out of the Manchester Test match, and it is being reported that Akash Deep might not play as well.

The injuries are not limited only to the bowling department. It is likely that Rishabh Pant will not be keeping wickets in the 4th Test due to his existing finger injury, which means that Dhruv Jurel will need to be drafted as the specialist keeper.

What will be India's combination for the 4th Test? In the latest episode of the Sledging Room, Kingshuk Kusari, Saurabh Kumar, and Alan John discuss India's issues going into the Test match, and how this series has started to give Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 vibes.

Further, the trio discuss the allotment of the WTC Final to England for the next three cycles and what has been brewing closer to home, in the Indian Premier League.

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Sound mixed by Rohan Bharti

It was a heartbreak of epic proportions for India at Lord’s. Chasing 193, they were reduced to 82 for 7 and then 112 for 8. Just when it seemed England would wrap things up on the final morning and head in for a relaxed Lord’s lunch, Ravindra Jadeja stood tall with a resolute act of defiance. He faced 181 deliveries for a gritty 61, with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj for company.

But did India miss a trick by not being more proactive while Jadeja was batting with the tail? While it may be unfair to expect Jadeja to take undue risks, was there a moment that slipped away?

What really led to India’s defeat at Lord’s, despite having dominated large portions of the Test? Was it Shubman Gill’s soft dismissal? Was it poor umpiring? Or the top-order collapse in the second innings?

As we head into an eight-day break in the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy, is it time for India to rethink their playing XI? Will Jasprit Bumrah return for the Manchester Test?

In the latest episode of the Sledging Room Podcast, Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar, and Debodinna Chakraborty unpack the drama and heartbreak of Lord’s.

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Produced by Garvit Srivastava

Sound mixed by Suraj Singh 

After the humbling at Headingley, not many expected India to bounce back the way they did in Birmingham. Despite piling up over 800 runs in the first Test, India lost after England chased down 371 in the final innings — a stunning blow.

But at Edgbaston, it was a different India. Ruthless, clinical, and relentless. Led by Shubman Gill’s record-breaking 430-run performance and a sensational 10-wicket haul from Akash Deep, India demolished England and delivered a brutal body blow to Bazball.

Did you see that coming from Gill? Criticized for his inconsistent overseas form, he’s now silenced his doubters in style — and is on course to break some major world records.

As for England — were they arrogant? Did they underestimate India again? Why can’t they play for a draw when needed? Are they simply incapable of batting in the traditional way anymore?

With India riding high on confidence, and the third Test at Lord’s just around the corner, the series hangs in the balance.

Who will edge ahead in this enthralling race? All eyes now shift to London.

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Sound mixed by Rohan Bharti

The days of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Ishant Sharma hunting in packs in overseas Tests feel like a distant memory. While Bumrah still leads the pace unit, India’s overdependence on their premier fast bowler is becoming a worrying trend. In Australia, it was Bumrah or bust. He picked up 30 wickets before breaking down ahead of the series-deciding Test — and missed the Champions Trophy campaign due to injury. In England, things haven’t started well either. India appear to have learned little from past mistakes. In the first Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in Leeds, Bumrah was a lone warrior. Mohammed Siraj looked out of sorts, while Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur failed to provide any meaningful support. Despite Bumrah’s five-wicket haul and four Indian batters hitting centuries, India slumped to defeat. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has defended the bowling group, insisting the young pace attack needs time and backing. But is there merit in that argument? Can India continue to be so heavily reliant on Bumrah without unearthing new fast-bowling heroes? Ahead of the second Test between England and India at Edgbaston, Akshay Ramesh, Kingshuk Kusari, and Saurabh Kumar break down the state of India’s pace attack in today's episode.

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Sound mixed by Rohan Bharti

It was truly a baptism by fire for Shubman Gill in his Test captaincy debut. India lost a match they could have—and perhaps should have—won, despite racking up over 800 runs across two innings, fuelled by four centurions and a five-wicket haul from their pace spearhead. Yet, as a new era of Indian Test cricket began, they were once again undone by familiar frailties that have plagued them in the past. England, it must be said, made light work of a daunting 371-run target on the final day.

Over the course of a fiercely contested five days at Headingley, captain Gill witnessed nearly every shade of Test cricket: India’s top order fired, he silenced his doubters with a maiden century in the much-debated SENA conditions, his vice-captain struck a hundred in each innings of the Test, but his bowling unit failed to function as a collective, his fielders turned in one of their poorest performances in recent memory, and his lower middle-order folded quicker than some of those ferrying drinks onto the field.

Who takes the blame for India's defeat in Leeds? There's no Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli to pin the blame on.

Coach Gautam Gambhir backed his team, but did stir some controversies in his press conference post the game. With just 1 win in the last nine Tests, Gambhir is under pressure.

Does he deserve more leeway? Did India get the team wrong in Leeds?

In the latest episode of the Sledging Room podcast, Akshay Ramesh, Alan John and Kingshuk Kusari discuss India's missed opportunity in the Leeds Test.

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Sound mixed by Rohan Bharti

India are set to embark on a 5-match Test series against England. Shubman Gill is captaining a new-look side away from home, as India hopes to start the new World Test Championship cycle in style.

As the Sledging Room Podcast returns with the first episode of Season 3, Akshay Ramesh, Saurabh Kumar and Kingshuk Kusari discuss India's chances in the series and the potential of this new-look team giving England a run for their money.

There are several talking points going into the series. What is the status of Jasprit Bumrah's fitness, should the axe fall on Gautam Gambhir if India fails in another overseas tour and what should India be a little braver in selecting their Test line-up.

The series will be a massive test of Shubman Gill's mettle, who even till the start of 2024 did not have his place settled in the playing XI. If young Shubman can lead the way with the bat, it would earn him massive respect in the dressing room. But will he able to separate his batting from his leadership?

As we build up for the Test series, the trio discuss a host of talking points ahead of the 1st Test at Headingly.

Produced by Garvit Srivastava

Sound mixed by Suraj Kumar Singh