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List of squads for 2025 Asia Cup

Charbel Coorey
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List of squads for 2025 Asia Cup

The 2025 edition of the Asia Cup is fast approaching, and all eight teams are finalising their preparations. The tournament, to be played in the T20I format in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), begins on September 9, with the final to take place at Dubai International Stadium on September 28.

There will be two groups of four, before the Super Four stage decides who will make the final. Group A consists of India, Pakistan, Oman, and UAE, while Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong will do battle in Group B.

2025 Asia Cup squads: Who have the eight teams selected?

Group A

India: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson, Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.

Suryakumar Yadav leads a strong India squad, despite there being disappointment among fans at the exclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer. Shubman Gill is the vice-captain.

India have plenty of power and balance in their lineup, with the likes of Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel available as all-rounders.

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Afridi, Sufyan Moqim.

Pakistan have made big decisions under new coach Mike Hesson. They have excluded both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan with a call for the duo to improve their strike rates. Salman Ali Agha will lead a squad of players looking to make a mark ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup.

Oman: Jatinder Singh (c), Hammad Mirza, Vinayak Shukla, Sufyan Yousuf, Ashish Odedera, Aamir Kaleem, Mohammed Nadeem, Sufyan Mehmood, Aryan Bisht, Karan Sonavale, Zikriya Islam, Hassnain Ali Shah, Faisal Shah, Muhammed Imran, Nadeem Khan, Shakeel Ahmad, Samay Shrivastava.

Oman are ready for their first-ever Asia Cup after months of drama. Players who featured in the 2024 T20 World Cup did not receive their prize money until July 2025, according to ESPNcricinfo. There are new faces in their 2025 Asia Cup squad, with Sufyan Yousuf, Zikriya Islam, Faisal Shah and Nadeem Khan a chance of making their international debuts.

United Arab Emirates: Yet to name squad

Group B

Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Ishaq, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Allah Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Farid Malik, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Rashid Khan will lead an Afghanistan team looking to build on their semi-final appearance at last year’s T20 World Cup. They have an experienced squad with a host of all-rounders and good spin options including 19-year-old Allah Ghazanfar alongside Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and skipper Rashid.

Bangladesh: Litton Das (c), Tanzid Hasan, Parvez Hossain Emon, Saif Hassan, Tawhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali Anik, Shamim Hossain, Quazi Nurul Hasan Sohan, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Shaif Uddin

Litton Das leads a Bangladesh team that comes into the Asia Cup feeling confident. They beat Sri Lanka 2-1 (away) and Pakistan 2-1 (home) last month. Their pace-bowling has improved in recent years, but the batting has to click in what is a tough Group B.

Sri Lanka: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana.

Wanindu Hasaranga has been picked in Sri Lanka’s 2025 Asia Cup squad despite being left out of the Zimbabwe tour due to a hamstring injury, as reported by ESPNcricinfo. Avishka Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeffrey Vandersay and Eshan Malinga have been left out of the squad that lost to Bangladesh, with batters Nuwanidu Fernando and Kamil Mishara coming in along with pace bowler Dushmantha Chameera.

Hong Kong, China: Yasim Murtaza (c), Babar Hayat, Zeeshan Ali, Niazakat Khan Mohammad, Nasrulla Rana, Martin Coetzee, Anshuman Rath, Kalhan Marc Challu, Ayush Ashish Shukla, Mohammad Aizaz Khan, Ateeq ul Rehman Iqbal, Kinchit Shah, Adil Mehmood, Haroon Mohammad Arshad, Ali Hassan, Shahid Wasif, Ghazanfar Mohammad, Mohammad Waheed, Anas Khan, Ehsan Khan.

Yasim Murtaza leads a Hong Kong team looking to make a mark in this tournament. Their last assignment was the Asia Pacific Cricket Champions Trophy, where they lost the final to Malaysia in Singapore. In the league stage, they beat Singapore twice, Samoa twice, and lost to Malaysia twice.

Hong Kong last featured in the 2022 edition, where they held their own pretty well against India, hitting 152/5.

“Looking up now” – Aakash Chopra backs Gautam Gambhir as India Test coach

Charbel Coorey
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“Looking up now” – Aakash Chopra backs Gautam Gambhir as India Test coach

Aakash Chopra believes the Indian Test team is on the way up after a tough start under coach Gautam Gambhir. The former opener says Gambhir’s Test record doesn’t make for pretty reading, but the performances in England provides promise in a transition period.

“Gautam Gambhir has been the coach in 15 Tests, of which India have won five, lost eight, and two have been drawn. The win percentage is 33.33, which is not great. However, it’s also true that India are going through a transition in Test cricket, and transition is painful,” Chopra said on his YouTube channel.

Aakash Chopra backs Gautam Gambhir to lead India Test team back to position of strength

Gambhir’s tenure as India Test coach began with a 2-0 home series win against Bangladesh. However, what followed was remarkable. A 3-0 home loss to New Zealand, one of the shock results in Test history, put the spotlight on Gambhir’s team selections and underperforming seniors.

Those concerns continued in Australia, where India lost the series 3-1 despite winning the first Test, relinquishing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since regaining it in 2017.

Chopra acknowledged India have struggled, but there is plenty to be optimistic about after a terrific effort to draw the series in England. Shubman Gill’s performance was outstanding, while KL Rahul has provided hope that he can succeed long term as Test opener.

“India have struggled a little in Test cricket. What happened against New Zealand was slightly surprising and worrying. That was definitely bad,” Chopra said. “In that backdrop, you went to Australia, and Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s Test careers ended there. They didn’t retire there, but they didn’t play Test matches after that.

“The transition is not yet fully completed,” Chopra continued. “A young gun team has been prepared which went and drew the series in England. A new captain scored 750 runs at No. 4, KL Rahul got established as an opener, and things are looking up one more time. The start wasn’t good. Not qualifying for the Test Championship was a serious blow, but things have started looking up now.”

India’s next Test assignment is a two-match series at home against the West Indies in October. The Windies have not won a Test in India since 1994. Given the state of their Test cricket, anything less than a 2-0 series win for Shubman Gill’s team will be a huge surprise.

Twitter reactions to Ravichandran Ashwin retiring from IPL, eyes global leagues

Tarkesh Jha
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Twitter reactions to Ravichandran Ashwin retiring from IPL, eyes global leagues

With a sense of quiet finality, Ravichandran Ashwin has announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL), closing a storied 16-year chapter in the T20 league. The 38-year-old made the announcement on August 27, 2025, signalling a graceful exit from the competition that kickstarted with Chennai Super Kings and seemed to end there too, as he wrapped up his journey with the team where it all began.

“They say every ending will have a new start, my time as an IPL cricketer comes to a close today, but my time as an explorer of the game around various leagues begins today”, he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Over 221 matches in the IPL, Ashwin claimed 187 wickets at an economy rate of 7.2 – numbers which earned him a spot as the league’s fifth-highest wicket-taker in history. Having stepped away from international cricket in December 2024, his IPL retirement opens the door to fresh chapters. He’s eager to explore opportunities in overseas T20 leagues.

Reactions: Fans react to R Ashwin retiring from the IPL

Reactions poured in immediately after the announcement. Teammates, fans, and mentors offered heartfelt tributes, celebrating Ashwin’s consistency, cricketing mind, and quiet leadership.

“Our memory often cheats us into undermining someone’s capabilities. Ashwin bhai was the foremost experimenter in IPL bowling, redefining the rules when people said the format wasn’t suited for off spin bowling. A legend, and a ruthless winner, you’ll be missed,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).

Even his wife, Prithi, shared an emotional message, highlighting the personal side of his cricket journey. Here are some of the reactions.

Ashwin leaves behind a legacy that will forever echo through IPL corridors. As he steps into the global T20 circuits, he departs the league with a trove of memories, impact, and respect that few achieve.

James Anderson tops SA20 auction registration list in surprising T20 twist

Tarkesh Jha
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James Anderson tops SA20 auction registration list in surprising T20 twist

Former England pacer James Anderson, known for his record-breaking Test career, finds himself at the top of the SA20 auction registration list; an unexpected and intriguing development ahead of the South African T20 league’s player draft.

Out of 782 registrants vying for just 84 slots, Anderson’s name jumps off the page, sitting between Ben Green and Mason Crane. At 43, he stands among the oldest hopefuls, only slightly younger than 46-year-old Imran Tahir, also eyeing a spot.

James Anderson puts name forward for SA20 2026

Anderson retired from Test cricket last July after taking 704 wickets, but has played 17 matches across first-class, T20, and The Hundred since then. His inclusion suggests there’s life left in those seasoned shoulders.

He will go head-to-head with a spectrum of talent from current internationals like Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Reece Topley, Devon Conway, Maheesh Theekshana, Shamar Joseph, and Jayden Seales, to veterans like Martin Guptill, Jason Roy, and Mahmudullah. Quinton de Kock’s status remains clouded, while WTC-winning captain Temba Bavuma quietly hopes for a recall, despite his modest T20 strike rate.

The list also features a lineage of cricketing surnames that resonate deeply: Keaton Jennings, Luc Benkenstein, Rashard Gibbs, Brett D’Oliveira, and Jarren Bacher, all with family ties to legends of the sport.

Of course, the odds are steep; only about 10% of hopefuls will make the cut. SA20, backed by IPL franchise owners, has USD 7.37 million to splurge across teams. Pre-signed players and retentions have trimmed the auction spots even further.

Still, for now, there’s something magical about seeing names as diverse as Anderson, Tahir, and de Kock on the same sheet. When the SA20 roars into life from late December to January in Cape Town, there’s a chance we’ll see unexpected reunions.

Kevin Pietersen trolled for suggesting sixes over 100m should count for 12 runs

Charbel Coorey
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Kevin Pietersen trolled for suggesting sixes over 100m should count for 12 runs

Kevin Pietersen has doubled down on his view that sixes over 100m should count for an extra 12 runs. The former England batsman took to social media soon after Steven Eskinazi smashed a six over the pavilion for Welsh Fire against Trent Rockets, claiming this rule change will encourage more players to try hit the ball further, resulting in more entertainment for fans.

“I’ve said it before and I will say it again, if a batter hits a six that is over 100m, 12 runs should be added to the score! More batters will try and with more batters trying, more entertainment,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Fans respond with sarcastic, hilarious suggestions as Kevin Pietersen calls for bonus 12 runs for 100m sixes

Fans were quick to pounce. Many called it a ridiculous rule, others responded with hilarious suggestions inspired by sarcasm.

“If bowler hits the middle stump then even the next batter should be declared out. More bowlers will try accurate yorkers, more entertainment,” one fan wrote.

“If a six goes out of the park and lands in someone’s house, the batter should be declared out and must personally go to the owner’s house to ask for the ball back, just like gully cricket,” said another.

Another fan pointed to the can of worms that Pietersen’s proposed rule would create, favouring more powerfully built players. This could see the dynamic of XIs change significantly, with teams potentially opting for fewer of those touch players who impress with their timing.

“So Tim David should be rewarded more then Temba Bavuma because he is bigger and hits it further. Even though they both clear the rope,” wrote the fan.

European Cricket League suspended in the wake of Dream11 ban 

Tarkesh Jha
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European Cricket League suspended in the wake of Dream11 ban 

European cricket is staring at a major crisis as the European Cricket Network (ECN) is set to lose its biggest financial backer, Dream11. ECN has played an instrumental role in driving the sport’s growth across the continent since 2019.

The blow comes after India passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025, which bans all money-based online games. Dream11, India’s largest fantasy sports platform and ECN’s key sponsor, is expected to withdraw once the law is signed by President Droupadi Murmu, likely within weeks.

ALSO READ: Fans react to the ban on Dream11 money-based online games

The ECN, founded by Australian Daniel Weston and backed by the International Cricket Council, has been a lifeline for cricket in Associate nations. It has staged more than 7,200 T10 matches across 55 cities in 26 European countries, featuring 800 teams and 10,500 players. The network has also paid around £4 million to cricket boards since its inception, giving vital exposure and revenue to emerging markets.

Weston called the funding loss devastating. “Cricket in Europe risks being pushed back 20 years. Our vision to make it the top bat-and-ball sport now feels shattered,” he said, as quoted by the BBC. 

“Fantasy sports have provided unmatched financial support to help grow cricket, especially in Associate nations, creating opportunities for both men and women.

“It is a very sad moment for cricketers, cricket fans, and the children of cricketers all over the world, who will now likely not grow up in a world that is developing cricket outside of the big three.”

Without Dream11, the ECN admits survival will be tough. It hopes to complete its 2025 events but warns that without a major sponsor, scaling back is inevitable. Dream11 has not commented on its exit.

Reactions to Dream11 paid contests banned due to 2025 Online Gaming Bill

Charbel Coorey
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Reactions to Dream11 paid contests banned due to 2025 Online Gaming Bill

The world of fantasy cricket has been turned upside down in recent days, with the Indian Government’s 2025 Online Gaming Bill putting a halt to paid contests on platforms like Dream11. The bill bans money-based online games as they are considered high risk in terms of addiction.

Federal IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was quite strong in his view as to why the new law should be introduced. “It is the duty of the government and the parliament to take strict action against social evils, which keep erupting time and again,” he said in parliament on Thursday August 21, as quoted by Reuters.

Fans can still partake in fantasy cricket, but no cash games are permitted. Dream11 is now offering prizes including an iPhone 16 for free-to-play contests.

Reactions to the 2025 Online Gaming Bill and its impact on fantasy cricket platforms like Dream11

Dream11 released a statement on social media. “This morning, we stopped all paid contests on Dream11 and pivoted entirely to a free-to-play online social game,” it read. The full statement is below.

The news has divided opinion. Below is a look at reactions for and against the ban.

Arguments for the ban on platforms like Dream11

Those in support of the ban believe platforms like Dream11 have caused more harm than good, especially given the risk of gambling addictions on mobile platforms. Also, some fans are optimistic of the possibility that this will be the end of pop up T10 and T20 leagues around the world, which have been backed by Dream11.

“You never cared about sport. All you did is use sports & people’s emotions to earn money outta it. You had no one monitoring the age of the users or figuring out users with addiction to get them help. You milked every last penny & never accountable,” wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).

Arguments against the ban on platforms like Dream11

Those against the ban believe the move will have a profound impact on cricket. The belief is that fantasy sports keeps fans more engaged to see how the players they have picked in their own XI perform. Also, the impact on leagues such as the European Cricket League (ECN) remains to be seen.

“The ECN league you guys label a joke brought tons of jobs within the industry and revived cricket in Associate nations in Europe. If you’re a cricket-first fan, you should be sad. This is a regressive move that pushes back the sport,” wrote Cricxtasy’s Rohit Sankar on X (formerly Twitter).

Peeyush Sharma, a very well-known figure in fantasy sports, shares similar sentiments. “Dream11 and fantasy sports shutting down is a huge setback for cricket & sporting ecosystem in India, and all over the world. IPL, global T20 leagues, State T20 leagues, women’s cricket, T10, legends/celebrity leagues all will get a massive hit. Few will not even survive,” he wrote.

ALSO READ: Dream11 shuts down real-money gaming business

Cricket Australia considering injury substitutes for 2025/26 Sheffield Shield season

Tarkesh Jha
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Cricket Australia considering injury substitutes for 2025/26 Sheffield Shield season

Cricket Australia (CA) is reportedly considering trialling injury substitutes in the Sheffield Shield this summer. This potential innovation could change domestic first-class cricket and pave the way for broader adoption in Tests, if the results witnessed are successful.

According to a report in WA Today, Daniel Brettig wrote CA are willing to see how the rule plays out even as opinion is divided around the world. The likes of Michael Vaughan have been calling for injury substitutes especially after injuries to Rishabh Pant and Chris Woakes in the recently-concluded England-India Test series. Others, including Ben Stokes, are against the move, with the England captain labelling the move “absolutely ridiculous”.

Cricket Australia mulling possibility of injury substitutes in the Sheffield Shield this summer

Traditionally, substitutes in First Class and Test cricket could only field. Now, teams may be allowed to bring on a “like-for-like” replacement capable of full participation, provided an existing player suffers a serious injury or illness mid-match.

“We devised a model for consideration by our playing conditions advisory committee that allowed for injury substitutes in first class cricket,” a Cricket Australia spokesperson told WA Today.

“Our initial advice was that this model would not comply with the parameters set for such trials by the ICC. More recent advice suggests this could now be possible, and it is something we are investigating ahead of the coming season.”

While details are yet to be ironed out, the proposed trial represents a significant shift in thinking, breaking a long-established norm of cricketers enduring until the end even if hurt. Proponents argue it will better protect players and uphold the competitive balance of the game.

The trial, if green-lit, will elevate player safety in the Sheffield Shield, which feeds into higher-profile competitions. A successful rollout at state level could fast-track the rule into Test cricket as early as next year, offering a stronger safety net at the pinnacle of the sport.

Australia’s adoption of an injury replacement policy highlights a progressive evolution in cricket’s approach to player welfare. If implemented, it promises to safeguard individual athletes and also to preserve team integrity in high-stakes encounters, setting a new precedent for the sport. 

The 2025/26 Sheffield Shield season begins on October 4. The first few rounds will not only be crucial in determining who makes Australia’s Ashes XI, but eyes could be locked in to see how the injury substitutes rule will play out.

3 risks for Cricket Australia to consider around privatising BBL

Charbel Coorey
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3 risks for Cricket Australia to consider around privatising BBL

Cricket Australia (CA) are considering privatising the Big Bash League (BBL). Currently, CA owns all eight teams but are mulling the possibility of private investors to provide a financial boost to the competition.

CA also faces some external pressure to make the move. Boston Consulting Group urged CA to sell off even minority stakes in each team as the ECB have done with The Hundred, which provided a huge cash injection.

Also, the BBL faces stiff competition from South Africa’s SA20 and UAE’s ILT20 leagues, both of which begin during the BBL season. As a result, several players leave the competition to join different teams overseas.

However, while privatisation seems a viable way to make the competition more attractive to overseas stars, it is not a guarantee that the move will be as successful in Australia as it was for a brand new tournament in South Africa, for example.

CEO Todd Greenberg confirmed CA are exploring this option, but nothing is in concrete at this stage.

“That [privatising the BBL] will upset some people, and it will set the hares racing and potentially of people debating the merits,” Greenberg said earlier this month, as quoted by ABC News.

“It would be completely naive of us sitting here in Australia to not explore it. I’m not suggesting that we’re going to do it yet.

“I’m not suggesting there’s been a decision made, and ultimately it won’t just be my decision or Cricket Australia’s decision. It will be the whole of leadership of Australian cricket, and it has to be beneficial for everyone.”

Should CA look at privatising the BBL? 3 risks to consider

There are crucial factors for CA to consider before making this move. Here are three risks.

What will it mean for Australia’s Test summer?

Cricket is quite seasonal, with fever reaching its peak during the summer months after the major football codes, namely NRL and AFL, have completed their respective seasons.

Tests remain very popular in Australia. According to CricBlog’s future of Test cricket survey, 95.6% of Australia fans who participated said Test cricket is their favourite format.

The top stars, including Steve Smith, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, prioritise Tests, often during the BBL season By privatising the BBL, CA need to consider the investors’ wishes. It is not out of line to assume they would want all top stars available for the BBL to make the most of their investment.

This is an identical situation to the one South Africa faced in 2024, where the Proteas took a significantly under-strength team to New Zealand during the SA20 season.

So, if investors want the top stars available, what will CA do and how would it affect the season? The next point will paint the picture.

BBL works well in a specific window

The BBL works very well during mid-late December and January. If investors want the top stars to be available, this means either changing the BBL’s window or shifting Test cricket around to accommodate. The latter is a no-go zone given the Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests a crucial part of Australia’s sporting identity.

So, one option would be to start the BBL once Australia’s Test season ends in January. However, the risk is the school year begins soon after in February, potentially meaning lower crowds and fan engagement as the BBL has been shifted away from the peak school holiday period.

With Cricket Australia considering privatising the BBL, here are 3 risks the organisation needs to consider.
Finishing the season in February has not worked previously in the BBL.

How will Australia fans respond to new team names and identities?

With privatisation comes potential name changes. Teams in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) have new names, while the SA20 has team names in line with those in the IPL. Now, teams in the Hundred will be re-branded, with an example being the Oval Invincibles changing to MI London.

The key difference is neither the SA20 or Hundred have been around as long as the BBL. Fans have become accustomed to the eight teams in the league and all have built an identity over a number of years. The likes of Perth Scorchers, Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars are household names.

A key factor CA must consider is how fans would respond to changes like MI Perth or Sydney Royals. The identity of the BBL would be flipped upside down. Perhaps CA could look at an agreement which keeps all team names the same, but would that invite the same level of investment? Time will tell.

The 15th season of the BBL kicks off on 14th December between Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers, two of the competition’s most successful teams. The final will take place on January 25, 2026.

Will Cameron Green bowl in the Sheffield Shield and Ashes?

Tarkesh Jha
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Will Cameron Green bowl in the Sheffield Shield and Ashes?

Australia all-rounder Cameron Green is poised to make a return to bowling ahead of the upcoming Ashes, with preparations set to begin in the Sheffield Shield. Green, who has concentrated purely on batting since undergoing back surgery in 2024, confirmed that the domestic red-ball competition will be his launchpad back into a full-fledged all-round role.

“In the past, it’s worked really well when I’ve focused on Shield cricket,” Green said, as quoted by cricket.com.au.

“That potentially might be the way to go, especially with (me) working my way back to bowling, to potentially get a few more overs over a few more days.

“I think that might be the way we go.”

Cameron Green a chance to bowl in the huge 2025/26 season

Green’s cautious optimism comes after a decent-yet-unspectacular batting comeback in the World Test Championship final and West Indies tour. After a tough start, Green finished with scores of 52, 46, and 42 on very difficult surfaces in Grenada and Jamaica. Still, he remains uncertain about his batting position against England, saying that while he’s proud of his stint at number three, the top-order configuration is “wait and see.”

Key to managing his return will be a run of Shield matches for Western Australia scheduled for October 4, October 15, and October 28, designed to build his bowling load with gradual consistency ahead of the Ashes opener in Perth on November 21. The focus will be on ensuring Green has the right balance of bowling practice without overexertion, given his past back issues.

Green’s return with both bat and ball would be a huge boost for Australia’s Ashes defense. Historically, he has fared well against England, claiming 18 wickets in eight Tests at an average significantly better than his career mark, highlighting the game-changing potential he brings. His tall frame, seam movement, and ability to extract bounce make him a unique weapon in Australian conditions, especially against an England side that thrives on attacking fast bowlers.

Selectors are expected to monitor his progress closely, assessing how much bowling he can take on before the Ashes begin. For now, Green’s dual-threat ability, if fully restored, could provide the edge Australia needs to retain the urn on home soil. His performances in the Sheffield Shield will not only answer questions about his fitness but also determine how Australia shapes its batting order for one of cricket’s most fiercely contested rivalries.

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