Rohit Sharma and Australian players [Source: @AddictorCricket, @cricketcomau/x]
Australia and South Africa announced their squads for the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan and in the UAE. In India, Rohit Sharma is reportedly considering to make a return to domestic cricket, while young Yashasvi Jaiswal has emerged as a potential vice-captaincy candidate for the national team.
Capping an eventful day in the world of cricket, here we take a look at five of the biggest cricketing news that emerged out of Monday, January 13.
James Anderson Signs One-Year Deal With Lancashire
Former England cricketer James Anderson is set to resume his professional playing career through a one-year T20 gig with Lancashire. The legendary fast bowler announced his retirement from international cricket back in July 2024 after playing his farewell Test against West Indies at Lord’s. Having expressed his desire to continue playing in some form, Anderson registered his name at the IPL 2025 mega auction but went unsold.
He has now signed a one-year deal with Lancashire to feature in this year’s County Championship and T20 Blast seasons in England.
Rohit Sharma Likely To Return To Ranji Trophy
Indian captain and struggling opening batter Rohit Sharma will reportedly be making his return to Ranji Trophy in a bid to attain his batting form. The report further indicated that the legendary cricketer will be training with Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad at the Wankhede Stadium.
Sharma is currently undergoing one of the worst phases of his competitive career. After failing to notch up a single notable score during the home Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, the Indian skipper managed to reap just 31 runs in three matches against Australia before dropping himself from the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series decider at the SCG.
Temba Bavuma To Lead As South Africa Announce CT 2025 Squad
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has unveiled a strong 15-player senior men’s line-up for the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the UAE. Temba Bavuma is set to continue as national skipper of a star-studded squad, which features the likes of Aiden Markram, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen and express pacemen Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje.
Lungi Ngidi also made his return to the team after being sidelined due to a groin injury he sustained back in late 2024. South Africa will play its opening match of the 2025 Champions Trophy on February 21 with a game against Afghanistan.
Pat Cummins Eyes Captaincy Triple As Australia Unleashes CT Squad
Pat Cummins, who led Australia to 2023 WTC and 2023 ODI World Cup wins, will be eying a rare captaincy triple as he will be leading his national team in the upcoming 2025 Champions Trophy. The legendary fast bowler will be accompanied by fellow veteran cricketers like Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Hazlewood and firebrand batter Travis Head.
The Australian team last lifted the Champions Trophy silverware back in 2009 under the leadership of Ricky Ponting. Pat Cummins and co. will commence their 2025 campaign with a match against Ashes rivals England on February 22 in Lahore.
Jaiswal In Contention For Vice-Captaincy For England Tests
Rising star Yashasvi Jaiswal is currently in contention to become India’s vice-captain in their five-match Test tour of England later in June this year. Jaiswal enjoyed a prolific tour of Australia, where he finished as India’s highest run-maker of the series.
The youngster also whacked a swash-buckling century at the Optus Stadium in Perth in the absence of struggling Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. Team India is set to play a series of five Test matches against England between June 20 and August 4. The series will also launch India’s WTC 2025-27 championship cycle.