April 2025 - News Digest

April 25

Nida Dar announces mental health break

Nida Dar, the former captain of the Pakistan Women's team, has announced an indefinite break from cricket citing mental health reasons.

"I would like to inform you that a lot of things have happened in the past with me personally and professionally, and this has affected my mental health. For this reason, I am taking a break from cricket to focus on my well-being," Dar wrote on X.

The first Pakistani cricketer to take 100 T20I wickets, Dar was abruptly removed from captaincy just before the T20 World Cup last year but continued to be a part of the squad. After Pakistan's group-stage exit at the event, Dar lost her PCB central contract late last year and hasn't featured for the country since.

April 24

Bumrah, Mandhana win Wisden Awards

India did the double at the Wisden Awards as Jasprit Bumrah was named Leading Men's Cricketer in the World in 2025 while Smriti Mandhana bagged the title in the women's category. Bumrah has been India's lynchpin across formats - he became the first bowler in history to pick 200 Test wickets with an average under 20. Mandhana meanwhile, scored 1659 runs across formats in 2024 - the most by a women in international cricket in a calendar year.

Nicholas Pooran was awarded the Leading T20 Player in the World for his exploits in the shortest format of the sport. The Surrey trio of Gus Atkinson, Jamie Smith and Dan Worrall were among the five named as Wisden Cricketers of the Year after they helped their side win the County Championship. Sophie Ecclestone and Liam Dawson complete the list.

Indian-origin teen Aryaman Varma bags Wisden Award

UK-born Indian teenager Aryaman Varma, an 18-year-old leg-spinner, has been named the Wisden Schools Cricketer of the Year for 2025. The announcement was made on Tuesday (April 22).

Captain of Eton College, Varma joins an elite group that includes Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler - both wicketkeeper-batters - and former recipients of the award, with Bairstow and Buttler being the inaugural and third winners, respectively.

In a season of remarkable success, Varma has taken 51 wickets at an impressive average of 12. Leading Eton College as captain, he has also contributed over 300 runs with the bat. Having claimed 45 wickets, Varma was a contender for the award last year too but missed out on it narrowly.

Varma, born in London, spent his early years in Mumbai. Last season, he was with Delhi Capitals as a net bowler, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Kuldeep Yadav. Earlier this year, he was part of the Dubai Capitals side that clinched the ILT20 title.

Over the past five years, Varma was part of Surrey CCC, representing the county across various age groups. Last season, he made the switch to Kent, turning out for their Second XI in a match against Zimbabwe.

He comes from a sports family. His father Munish Sharma represented Delhi in badminton.

We share your grief and pain, BCCI to Pahalgam victims

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has expressed solidarity with the Pahalgam terror victims and said the Indian Cricket community shared their pain and grief.

Devajit Saikia, said "The cricketing community is deeply shocked and anguished by the tragic loss of innocent lives in the gruesome terror attack at Pahalgam yesterday."

The BCCI secretary went on to add, "On behalf of the BCCI, while condemning this ghastly and cowardly act with strongest possible words, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the departed souls. In sharing their pain and grief, we stand hand in hand at this hour of tragedy."

As a mark of respect for the victims, both teams in the IPL match between SunRisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians on Wednesday (April 23) will wear black armbands.

On Tuesday (April 22), a group of terrorists opened fire on tourists in the meadows of Baisaran Valley near the Pahalgam area of Kashmir, killing 28 people and injuring several others.

April 23

Sri Lanka announce squad for tri-series

Veteran Chamari Athapaththu will lead the Sri Lankan side in the ODI tri-series - involving India and South Africa - in preparation for the upcoming World Cup later this year. Left-arm spinner Sachini Nisansala, senior left-arm pacer Udeshika Prabodhani and batters Imesha Dulani and Kaushini Nuthyangana have missed out from the squad of Sri Lanka's last ODI assignment, which was an away series in New Zealand. Sri Lanka begin their campaign against India on April 27. The final will be played on May 11 between the tables toppers after double round-robin format.

SQUAD: Chamari Athapaththu (C), Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshi de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani, Hasini Perera, Piumi Wathsala, Manudi Nanayakkara, Dewmi Vihanga, Inoka Ranaweera, Inoshi Fernando, Hansima Karunaratne, Rashmika Sewwandi, Malki Madara, Sugandika Kumari, Achini Kulsuriya

April 13

ICC announces formation of task force to support displaced Afghan women cricketers

The ICC has announced the formation of a dedicated task force to support displaced Afghan women cricketers. The global cricket board has joined hands with BCCI, ECB and CA to assist talented athletes in both their cricketing and personal development journeys.

As part of the initiative, the ICC will establish a dedicated fund to provide direct monetary assistance. This will be complemented by a robust high-performance programme offering advanced coaching, world-class facilities, and tailored mentorship to help them reach their full potential.

"At the International Cricket Council, we are deeply committed to fostering inclusivity and ensuring every cricketer has the opportunity to shine, regardless of their circumstances," ICC Chair Jay Shah was quoted as saying in a release.

"In collaboration with our valued partners, we are proud to launch this task force and support fund, complemented by a comprehensive high-performance programme, to ensure displaced Afghan women cricketers can continue their journey in the sport. This initiative reflects our steadfast dedication to cricket's global growth and its power to inspire unity, resilience, and hope."

April 11

James Anderson to be knighted

Legendary former England fast bowler James Anderson is set to be knighted for his services to cricket, in Rishi Sunak's resignation honours list, the UK Government has announced.

Anderson, 42, retired from Test cricket in the summer of 2024 with 704 wickets, making him the most successful pace bowler in the format.

He made his first appearance for England in an ODI against Australia in December 2002 before his Test debut in May 2003. He went on to play 188 Tests, 194 ODIs and 19 T20Is for England during an international career which spanned two decades.

April 1

Injured Chapman set to miss second ODI

New Zealand's Mark Chapman will be unavailable for selection for the second ODI against Pakistan in Hamilton. The selectors have drafted in in-form wicket-keeper batter Tim Seifert into the squad as the replacement for this game. Chapman sustained a hamstring injury while fielding during the series opener in Napier and subsequent scans showed a grade one tear. While the results are not as severe as initially anticipated, Chapman will need a brief period of rehab and the 30-year-old will be eyeing a return for the final game of the series in Mount Maunganui.