Shreyas Iyer Most Logical Choice as India’s T20 Captain, and Gautam G…

There was considerable speculation in the media about whether Gautam Gambhir would agree to Shreyas Iyer as captain of India’s T20 team, replacing the now out-of-favour Suryakumar Yadav. sportbet.rodeo

According to me, the question is a non-starter. No one can have personal likes or dislikes influencing selection calls when it comes to the national team. Let’s hypothetically assume that, irrespective of the actual situation, Gautam and Shreyas aren’t on the same page. If that’s the truth, they don’t need to have the best of terms and don’t need to go out socially. They are professionals and all they need to do is plan and win games for India. As thorough professionals, they need to work together for one cause: serving Indian cricket. Having known Gautam well, I don’t think he will ever let personal choices influence captaincy calls, and if such a thing ever happens, it is the job of the selectors to overrule and convince the coach.

In India, we give far too much credence to personal likes and dislikes. Such things shouldn’t matter in sport. At this point, Shreyas is the best candidate to lead India, and that’s how he should be viewed. National interest and nothing else should take precedence. Not Gautam, not Ajit Agarkar, and not anyone else.

Gautam and Shreyas have worked together in the past and have won the IPL title with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Both will be aware of each other’s strengths, and will know each other’s weaknesses. And it isn’t the first time that two strong-willed men will share the changing room as captain and coach. Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli made themselves into a very potent combination, and then Rohit and Rahul Dravid were equally good. So, to suggest that egos could come in the way is irrelevant.

All that should matter now is performance and results. Is Shreyas scoring runs and doing so consistently? The answer is an overwhelming yes. That’s what Surya was unable to do, and that’s what has cost him the captaincy. Second, can Shreyas lead India with strategic acumen and does he have the potential to do so? As captain of Punjab Kings, he has led the team to the IPL final last year and he has also captained at the domestic level. He has held leadership positions for years now. As captain of KKR, he won a title and there can be no doubting his ability.

What is interesting in this choice of captain and coach is that it could well be the pair that carries India to the LA28 Olympic Games. And if they do make the podium, it could well be Shreyas who wears the Olympic gold medal as a historic first for India.

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Also read Sky-fall: The making and unmaking of Suryakumar Yadav

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The third edition of the Bengal T20 League is set to get underway on Friday, June 5, with defending champions Adamas Howrah Warriors facing Novus Royals Purulia in the tournament opener at Eden Gardens. Ahead of the first match there will be a brief opening ceremony, featuring former India captain Sourav Ganguly and legendary women’s cricketer Jhulan Goswami.

Captains of all eight participating teams are also expected to attend the event. The competition will run until June 21, 2026, bringing together teams from across Bengal as they battle for the prestigious league title.

There has been considerable discussion around the use of SG balls instead of Kookaburra balls in the Bengal T20 League this season. The move was implemented by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) as a cost-saving measure aimed at reducing tournament expenses.

According to India pacer Mukesh Kumar who is also the captain of Sobisco Smashers Malda, “I think there is not much of a difference if the matches are played with SG balls. The Kookaburra ball naturally offers more swing, whereas the SG ball can swing too, though generally to a lesser extent. That said, playing with SG balls is excellent for our development and exposure as it’s important to consider situations where the ball doesn’t swing as much.”

Defending champion Adamas Howrah Warriors will take on newcomers Novus Royals Purulia in the opening match of the season. The Warriors will be looking to start their title defense on a winning note, while Purulia will be eager to make a strong start in their first Bengal T20 League campaign.

Speaking at the pre-season press conference, Warriors Captain Shakir Habib Gandhi said, “We have had extensive preparations leading into the tournament, with several practice matches and training sessions. As defending champions, we have worked hard and focused on improving ourselves. There is no added pressure on the team. Our belief is simple: if we follow the right process and execute our plans well, the results will take care of themselves.”

Novus skipper Sudip Kumar Gharami said, “We have a strong blend of experienced seniors and talented youngsters, which has created a very positive atmosphere within the squad. Tournaments like this provide an important platform for players, with scouts closely following performances and assessing how individuals respond to different match situations. It is a valuable learning experience for everyone. If we perform well and stay committed to our process, it can open up many opportunities for players in the future.”

The women’s competition starts on June 6, with reigning champions Kolkata Royal Tigers beginning their title defence against Novus Royals Purulia at 9:00 am at the JU Salt Lake Campus. The opening day will also feature Murshidabad Queens taking on Shrachi Rarh Tigers at 1:30 pm, setting the stage for what promises to be another fiercely contested women’s season.

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Fifteen-year-old cricket prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s rapid financial rise has drawn attention to how Indian tax laws apply to high-earning minors. With an estimated net worth of Rs 7 crore from IPL earnings and brand endorsements, the young cricketer’s success has sparked curiosity about his tax obligations and filing requirements.

Under the Income Tax Act, individuals below the age of 18 are classified as minors. In most cases, a minor’s income is subject to the clubbing provisions under Section 64(1A), which require such income to be added to the taxable income of the higher-earning parent. This rule generally applies to passive income, such as interest earned on fixed deposits or returns from investments held in the child’s name.

However, Sooryavanshi’s earnings fall under an important exception. Income generated through a minor’s own talent, skill, specialised knowledge or professional effort is taxed separately in the minor’s name and is not clubbed with a parent’s income. Since Sooryavanshi’s wealth is derived from his cricket skills, these earnings are treated as his independent taxable income.

In such cases, a separate Income Tax Return (ITR) must be filed for the minor, typically using ITR-3 or ITR-4 where applicable, with a parent or guardian acting as the representative assessee.

While income arising from a minor’s professional talent is taxed separately, any passive income that remains subject to clubbing provisions offers only limited relief. Parents can claim an exemption of Rs 1,500 per child against such clubbed income.

As the number of high-earning teenage athletes and influencers grows, tax experts caution that failing to distinguish between talent-based earnings and passive investment income can result in incorrect tax reporting and potential compliance issues.