Siraj Power-Hits India Win; Rahane Backs Rohit for 2027 Cup

Mohammed Siraj powered India to a six-wicket victory over the Sri Lanka XI in a warm-up fixture by smashing a series of sixes in the final over. Entering the chase at a critical juncture, Siraj’s aggressive display, which included a hat-trick of sixes according to match reports, ensured India chased down the target with four balls to spare. Parallel to this performance, former India cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has advocated for Rohit Sharma to lead the national side until the 2027 ODI World Cup. Rahane emphasized that the team requires leadership stability and urged selectors to provide Rohit with a definitive long-term assurance to allow him to play without the pressure of series-by-series evaluations.

VVS Laxman, the head of the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE), has clarified that he declined the India men’s head coach role in 2023 due to personal commitments. Speaking on the transition that eventually led to Gautam Gambhir’s appointment, Laxman noted that his focus remained on strengthening the national academy’s sports science and high-performance wings. He specifically identified the India women’s team winning the 2025 World Cup title as a significant milestone during his tenure at the CoE. Laxman remains committed to refining the developmental pathway for both male and female cricketers, ensuring the next generation is technically and physically prepared for international demands.

Ranjit Bajaj has confirmed his decision to accept the India U-15 manager position, reversing an earlier refusal sparked by communication lapses within the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Bajaj had initially claimed he was not properly informed of his appointment, but subsequent discussions have resolved the impasse with the federation. This appointment is seen as a strategic move to leverage Bajaj’s experience in youth development and grassroots scouting for the national setup. For the Indian sports ecosystem, these administrative alignments across cricket and football highlight a concerted effort to stabilize leadership and infrastructure as the country prepares for the next major international cycles.