DRS Aug 28: No Duleep Trophy for Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw wants to be fit & Shami speaks on Asia Cup snub

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The new Indian domestic season officially begins from today. The Duleep Trophy 2025 is back, in the zonal format, with the two quarter-final matches scheduled to be played in Bengaluru. However, the tournament was jolted by a blow, as Shubman Gill won’t be able to turn up for North Zone. However, Mohammed Shami is ready to roll for East Zone despite not getting selected for the Asia Cup. The veteran pacer spoke extensively in a recent interview also touched upon the debate of India playing Pakistan. Also, Ravichandran Ashwin retired from the IPL on Wednesday. Below, we look at the top cricketing stories from the day.

DRS 1

No Duleep Trophy for Gill?

Shubman Gill will skip the Duleep Trophy after falling ill with viral fever, forcing Haryana’s Ankit Kumar to lead North Zone in his absence. Though initial blood tests showed nothing serious, the Indian Test captain and Asia Cup vice-captain has been advised rest to regain full fitness. Gill, who was due to join North Zone on August 27, did not inform the team of his availability and is currently recovering in Mohali. He will instead report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru by August 31 for fitness tests alongside Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Mohammed Siraj, as India’s core players undergo pre-season assessments before the Asia Cup. Read more here.

DRS 2

Shami speaks on Asia Cup snub

Mohammed Shami has broken silence on being left out of India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad, saying selection is beyond his control. Despite fitness doubts, the pacer confirmed he is available, set to play the Duleep Trophy, and has cleared all tests. Shami, who starred with 24 wickets in the 2023 World Cup and nine in the 2025 Champions Trophy, endured a poor IPL 2025 with just six wickets at an economy over 11. He insists he holds no grudges against selectors, trusting they’ll do what’s best for India, while remaining confident of delivering if recalled. Read more here.

DRS 3

Prithvi Shaw wants to make comeback

Prithvi Shaw’s move from Mumbai to Maharashtra has begins a fresh chapter in his career, with fitness now at the centre of his revival. The 25-year-old opener has already shown glimpses of his old flair, smashing a century and a half-century in the Buchi Babu Tournament. Maharashtra selectors are delighted, with Akshay Darekar stressing that Shaw is “committed to his training drills” and determined to prove himself again. Once criticised for poor work ethic, Shaw appears focused on becoming the best version of himself. Read more here.

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DRS 4

Rinku Singh’s magic continues

Rinku Singh’s purple patch continues in the Uttar Pradesh (UP) T20 League, where he has piled up 199 runs in five innings at a strike rate of nearly 178. Fresh from a blistering 108 off 48 balls, the left-hander smashed 57 off 27 against Lucknow Falcons, including three fours and four sixes, dismantling even Bhuvneshwar Kumar with three consecutive boundaries. While his form strengthens India’s T20 pool ahead of the Asia Cup, a settled top five and limited squad space make his inclusion tricky, leaving selectors with a welcome headache. Read more here.

DRS 5

R Ashwin retires from IPL

Ravichandran Ashwin has called time on his IPL career, announcing on social media that he will no longer feature in the cash-rich league. The decision comes after a tough 2025 season with CSK, where the veteran off-spinner managed just seven wickets in nine matches despite being bought for ₹9.75 crore. Having debuted for Chennai in 2009 and later turning out for PBKS, DC and RR, Ashwin finishes with 187 wickets from 221 matches at an economy of 7.20. With his IPL and India careers behind him, the 38-year-old is now set to explore stints in overseas T20 leagues. The Hundred has shown interest in Ashwin. Read more here.

DRS 6

Shami on if IND vs PAK should be played

Mohammed Shami has shared his views on the debate over India facing Pakistan at the Asia Cup 2025, saying that cricket cannot be dictated by emotions alone. With political tensions high after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, many questioned whether India should play Pakistan on September 14 in Dubai. Shami, however, kept it simple: players follow the government and board’s decisions. He stressed that while fans add intensity to the rivalry, for cricketers it’s just another match. India could meet Pakistan up to three times in the tournament, but despite criticism, neither BCCI nor the government has stopped the fixture. Read more here.

The post DRS Aug 28: No Duleep Trophy for Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw wants to be fit & Shami speaks on Asia Cup snub appeared first on Inside Sport India.



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