Suryakumar Yadav has opened up about his humble beginnings in cricket, revealing that his first earnings from the sport were just ₹15,000. During a conversation with former India cricketer Aakash Chopra, the Indian batter recalled receiving the amount while playing his first U-15 tour for Mumbai. According to Suryakumar, the ₹15,000 was meant to cover the entire tour. At that stage of his career, he did not have a bat sponsor, so he used his earnings to purchase cricket equipment.

His First Cricket Earnings

Looking back at his early days, Suryakumar said he believes the amount was around ₹15,000 when he represented Mumbai at the U-15 level for the first time. Since the payment covered the complete tour, it was an important source of support for a young player beginning his cricket journey. Rather than spending the money on personal needs, Suryakumar put the entire amount back into cricket by purchasing the equipment he needed.

From Young Mumbai Player to T20 World Cup Captain

Suryakumar's early cricket journey has since taken him to the highest level of the game. According to the source, India won the 2026 T20 World Cup under his captaincy, adding to the country's previous T20 World Cup triumphs in 2007 under MS Dhoni and 2024 under Rohit Sharma. The 35-year-old, however, is currently going through a challenging phase at international level. A few months after leading India to the T20 World Cup title, he was left out of the national T20 side, with his form and the two-year cycle leading into the next global event cited as factors.

Batting Form Has Also Been a Concern

Suryakumar's consistency with the bat has also come under scrutiny. The source notes that he had a difficult IPL campaign with Mumbai Indians, adding to the challenges surrounding his current international position. Despite the setbacks, Suryakumar remains focused on working hard and earning another opportunity with India. Asked about a possible comeback, he said he is continuing to put in the effort and hopes things eventually fall into place.

Comeback Door Still Open

Suryakumar remains an important part of the Mumbai Indians setup, while his last Test and ODI appearances for India came in 2023. A BCCI source cited in the report said the door to an India comeback has not been completely closed. Consistent performances in domestic cricket could bring him back into contention for selection.

NEW DELHI: Former India captain Rohit Sharma paid a heartfelt tribute to longtime teammate Ajinkya Rahane after the veteran batter announced his retirement from international cricket on Thursday, bringing an end to a career that stretched across nearly two decades. Rahane announced his decision through an emotional video on Instagram, prompting messages from across the cricket fraternity. Rohit's message carried particular significance given the years the two Mumbai cricketers spent together in the Indian dressing room. He praised Rahane's work ethic, commitment and professionalism while congratulating him on his career and wishing him well for the future. Rahane leaves international cricket after representing India in all three formats, though it was Test cricket where he built his strongest legacy. He played 85 Tests for India and scored 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries. His numbers were backed by several important innings overseas, making him a dependable presence in India's middle order for much of his Test career.

Rahane also represented India in 90 ODIs, scoring 2,962 runs with three centuries and 24 half-centuries at an average of 35.26. His T20 International career was shorter, with 375 runs from 20 appearances, including one fifty. Beyond his batting numbers, though, Rahane will also be remembered for what he achieved whenever India handed him the Test captaincy. He never lost a Test as captain, overseeing four victories and two draws. According to the report, Rahane also holds the highest win percentage among Indian Test captains who led the country in at least five matches. His leadership was calm, rarely dramatic, but it delivered results. The defining chapter came during India's 2020-21 tour of Australia. After India suffered a heavy defeat in the Adelaide Test, Rahane took charge of a team dealing with injuries, absences and considerable pressure. He responded by leading from the front in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne, where India produced a memorable comeback victory. The series eventually ended with India's historic triumph at the Gabba, breaking Australia's long unbeaten run at the venue and completing one of Indian cricket's most celebrated overseas series victories.

Rahane had shown his leadership credentials before that Australia tour as well. In 2017, he captained India to an important Test victory against Australia in Dharamshala. Still, the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy remains the standout moment of his captaincy career and one of the strongest parts of his international legacy. Rohit's tribute reflected the personal side of that long journey. Having shared the dressing room with Rahane for years, he highlighted the amount of work that went into the Mumbai batter's achievements and singled out his professionalism as a quality that separated him from others. Rahane's international retirement closes the chapter on a player who was part of India's Test middle order through an important period of overseas success. He may not have always attracted the attention that surrounded some of his contemporaries, but his performances in difficult conditions and his record as captain ensured a distinct place in Indian cricket history. From more than 5,000 Test runs to an unbeaten captaincy record and the unforgettable Australian series win, Rahane steps away from international cricket with a career built around resilience, discipline and several significant contributions away from home.

Gill's Punjab Suffer Shock Two-Day Defeat; Sarfaraz Khan Makes Thunderous India Claim

The Ranji Trophy’s sixth round delivered drama, shock collapses, and a monumental individual performance, highlighting the stark realities of India’s premier domestic competition. The headline event was a stunning two-day defeat for Shubman Gill’s Punjab, casting a shadow on the young star’s fledgling captaincy, while Mumbai’s Sarfaraz Khan issued a powerful reminder of his batting prowess.

Punjab's Batting Collapse Raises Questions

In a match that ended before the third day’s play, Punjab, captained by Indian white-ball star Shubman Gill, suffered a comprehensive 194-run defeat to Saurashtra on a turning track. After conceding a 33-run first-innings lead, Punjab was set a target of 319. Their second innings unraveled for a mere 125 runs, with spinners Parth Bhut and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja sharing all ten wickets. Gill’s personal form compounded the team’s troubles, managing scores of 0 and 14. This performance ignites debates about the challenges of leadership for young stars juggling national commitments and domestic duties, especially on challenging pitches that test technical prowess.

Sarfaraz Khan's Blistering Double Century

In stark contrast, Mumbai’s Sarfaraz Khan played an innings of breathtaking dominance against Hyderabad. His 227-run knock, coming at faster than a run-a-ball, featured 19 fours and 9 sixes. This wasn’t just a big score; it was an aggressive statement. With India’s middle-order in flux, Sarfaraz continues to pile on relentless mountains of runs in domestic cricket, making an increasingly compelling case for a national team call-up. His innings, supported by Siddhesh Lad’s century, positioned Mumbai for a massive first-innings lead.

Other Key Updates from the Ranji Trophy

Elsewhere, the tournament saw significant performances:

Jharkhand piled on 561/6 declared against Uttar Pradesh, with centuries from Sharandeep Singh and Kumar Kushagra.

Tamil Nadu seized control against Odisha, with Sonu Yadav’s 5-wicket haul skittling the opposition for 148.

Chhattisgarh built a strong position against Delhi, thanks to centuries from Ayush Pandey and Agrim Tiwari.

Injury Blow: Uttar Pradesh’s Prashant Veer, part of the CSK setup, suffered a serious shoulder injury, ruling him out for at least three weeks.

Why This Matters Now

This round underscores the unforgiving nature of the Ranji Trophy. It’s a league where current international stars like Gill must consistently prove their mettle, and where aspirants like Sarfaraz Khan build irrefutable resumes. The performances on turning tracks also spotlight the critical importance of adaptability and technique in Indian domestic cricket, skills essential for success at the highest level. For fans and selectors alike, these matches provide crucial insights into form, temperament, and future prospects.

While Shubman Gill will look to regroup from a tough outing, the spotlight shines brightly on Sarfaraz Khan’s relentless run-machine act. The Ranji Trophy continues to be the ultimate proving ground, separating fleeting form from sustained excellence. As the season progresses, the pressure on established names and the push from hungry contenders will only intensify.

Rohit, Kohli Return to Domestic Action in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025

The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 is set to begin on December 24, and Indian cricket fans are in for a major boost as star players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to domestic cricket for at least two matches. The development follows a recent BCCI directive making it mandatory for centrally contracted players to participate in domestic tournaments unless ruled out due to injury.

This move is being seen as a strong step to strengthen India’s domestic structure and reconnect senior players with grassroots cricket.

Rohit Sharma to Feature for Mumbai, Shardul Thakur Named Captain

Former India captain Rohit Sharma will play the opening two matches for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025. Mumbai will face Sikkim on December 24 and Uttarakhand on December 26 in Jaipur.

Key updates from Mumbai camp include:

 Shardul Thakur appointed as Mumbai captain

 Ajinkya Rahane rested for initial matches due to a hamstring issue

 Yashasvi Jaiswal to join later after medical clearance

 Sarfaraz Khan and Musheer Khan included after impressive SMAT performances

Mumbai are placed in Elite Group C along with Punjab, Maharashtra, Goa and others, with all group matches scheduled in Jaipur.

According to Mumbai selectors, all India players will be accommodated as and when they become available, keeping national commitments in mind.

Virat Kohli Included, Rishabh Pant to Lead Delhi

In another big boost to domestic cricket, Virat Kohli has been named in Delhi’s 20-member squad for the first two matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025. Meanwhile, Rishabh Pant has been appointed captain of the Delhi team.

Delhi will play in Group D, with matches scheduled between December 24 and January 8. Their opening games are against Andhra and Gujarat at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.

Other notable updates from Delhi squad:

 Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini available

 Harshit Rana to join after T20I national duty

 Pant and Kohli’s full availability subject to India’s ODI series starting January 11

Why This Matters Now

The participation of senior stars like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 highlights the growing importance of domestic cricket in India. With India’s next international assignment starting in mid-January against New Zealand, this tournament serves as a vital match-practice platform.

Experts believe this move will:

 Improve domestic competition quality

 Inspire young players

 Strengthen India’s bench strength

As the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 gets underway, the spotlight will firmly be on how India’s biggest stars perform in domestic colours.

With Pant leading Delhi and Shardul guiding Mumbai, the tournament promises high-quality cricket and renewed fan interest, making it one of the most anticipated domestic seasons in recent years.