Champions Trophy 2025: Plenty of ‘spin' in Team India and BCCI reportage, verified news is the best

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A couple of secrets or skeletons are tumbling out of the cupboard, notably, disagreement on who should be India's vice-captain in ODIs, selection matters and more.

Viewed from beyond the boundary, Rohit Sharma is striking a good rapport with the chairman of the selection committee Ajit Agarkar. It is a strong Mumbai lobby and Rohit is asserting himself.

This time, there is consensus as well from Agarkar. So, it leaves coach Gautam Gambhir precariously placed on a precipice. When the BCCI review meeting happened eight days ago, Gambhir was recalcitrant. The coach had been unkind to 'overweight' Sarfaraz Khan and he had also gone way beyond his brief. More selection issues over wicketkeeper also caused embarrassment to Gambhir where KL Rahul was preferred over Sanju Samson.

Last but not least, some YouTubers are trying to project Virat Kohli as some kind of a 'self-appointed' captain who wants to usurp Test captaincy. First things first, Kohli is not at that stage in his career where he needs a formal leadership title. He is craving for runs, be it for India or for RCB in the IPL 2025. To say Kohli and Gambhir are ganging up, that's mindless. Have the same YouTube experts forgotten that Gambhir and Kohli were not meeting eye to eye till some months ago?

That the two posed together for a photo was a message to one and all, no ego from both side. Way Kohli helped the team in the Sydney Test by setting the field and firing up fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, he was being proactive. After all, Jasprit Bumrah had been forced out with a back issue. Kohli knows his own batting form has dipped.

If it needed reiteration, nobody can force Kohli to play Ranji Trophy if he is not ready. And if his complaint of a stiff neck is being mocked, that is wrong. Any cortisone injection administered to an athlete is under prescription. It has to be mentioned in Kohli's medical records as well since cricketers are also tested by anti-doping agencies. Kohli is so careful with everything about food and fitness that he won't undertake an injection needlessly.

If there are lies, it is on the fitness of Jasprit Bumrah, again being fed by social media influencers. Sample the threads on hatred for Kohli and love for Bumrah. Yes, Bumrah has a back problem, though no details have been put out in the public domain. Again, Rohit was honest about Bumrah being unfit. Why did the social media gangsters not have the courage to say Bumrah is unfit, as written by myKhel multiple times after speaking to experts from medical science and strength and conditioning?

Rohit has steered clear of controversies and as a leader, he is there at a time when Indian cricket has become a laughing stock. He is owning up and prepared to face flak, yet be honest. Yes, the Mumbai star is avoiding certain unpleasantness as well but he is turning out to be a players' delight, backing all. He is still backing Bumrah from the heart though he knows the MRI scan reports in February will be important vis a vis the Champions Trophy.

Rewind to 'Dressing Room Leaks' many were unaware of what had happened. The damage it caused has been immense and Australians are also mocking India. But then, everyone knows how big a star Rohit Sharma is. And the kind of worship for Bumrah is massive. Imagine, an Indian speedster being praised sky-high. Why did not Gambhir speak all this on Bumrah? Was he hoping he could plug for his favourite fast bowlers? Names need not be mentioned as the intention of this piece is not to hurt any cricketer. At the same time, it is very surprising performers and game triers like Mohd Siraj are out in the cold.

How does Indian cricket move forward from here? Forget Ranji Trophy, it is as 'useless' as the Vijay Harare Trophy where Karun Nair scored runs in bulk and still missed the bus. Social media influencers who think Kohli will hear them and go for the Ranji Trophy, don't be stupid. DDCA boss Rohan Jaitley or, if necessary, Jay Shah, the ICC boss is one phone call away from Kohli. We know who controls the BCCI. For Jay Shah, Rohit and Kohli are both important.

There is a saying, 'no news is good news.' Good journalism as an analyst means reading and being discerning. Do not become pungent and pour vitriol. All for the sake of an interview? No, even that won't come by becoming a 'chamcha' as they say in Hindi. More than differences in the Indian team and dressing room, agenda journalists are a menace. Avoid them, like plague.