Indian Premier League: Newly-appointed Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach Sourav Ganguly on Wednesday said he is excited to take on his new role and pledged to give his best to make the franchise successful in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Ganguly shares a long-standing association with DC across various capacities. The former India captain served as DC's mentor during the 2019 season before stepping away to assume the role of BCCI President. After that, Ganguly was subsequently appointed as JSW's director of cricket in 2024. Ganguly, whos also the President of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), made his formal coaching debut with Pretoria Capitals in the 2025 SA20 season and has also been actively involved with the DC setup in the Women's Premier League (WPL). Well, I'm very, very excited. I've been with them for two seasons, both as director of cricket. The first season in 2019, we lost in the semis and then I went away as BCCI president. So I'm really, really excited for the season ahead. It's the next year, IPL, and Delhi is a very good team. This is a very good side, and I'll be giving my best to make the side successful, Ganguly said in a video shared on the franchise's official YouTube channel on Wednesday. Asked on what clicked for him to be DC head coach, Ganguly said, I wanted to experience the mindset of a coach because it's not the same as a player. It's a bit different. You need to understand things. You need to be relaxed. You still need to find a way to get the best out of players and work with the players because players are different. It's not you batting or you bowling anymore. It's about somebody else batting and bowling and winning cricket matches. So it's important that you sync with them and understand what they want, how they can get better, and work with them, which is very important, he explained. Addressing his lingering drive to guide DC to a championship win, Ganguly insisted that the current group possesses the talent required to go head-to-head with any side in the competition. Motivation to take Delhi to the top, we did in 2019. In 2020, Delhi was a very good team. I was involved in making the team, but then I left and became the BCCI president. So from that point of view, that motivation will always remain to take that squad to a different level. I think that's what I will be looking out for the players because there's enormous talent in the dressing room. When you go man-to-man with some of the best teams in the competition, Delhi is no way behind. Hopefully with this squad, we'll be able to reach newer heights in the years to come, he asserted. Hailing the squad's core, Ganguly highlighted the key addition of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant via a trade earlier this year, alongside a star-studded lineup featuring KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Mitchell Starc, and David Miller. We needed a middle-order Indian batter, and Pant fits it perfectly. He was with us. He played well for us in the past. Hopefully this year, next year, when he turns up again, I think he'll use the time and space and the matches to become a better player. He enjoys batting at Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi, and hopefully we'll see the best of Pant in the years to come for the Delhi shirt. It's a good team - KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Rishabh Pant, Mitchell Stark, Lungi Ngidi, Ashutosh, Miller, Stubbs. So it's a pretty strong team, man and I hope we play to our potential. I hope everyone understands how good they are and goes and expresses themselves. So that's very important for the squad, he noted. On the tactical front, Ganguly underlined that T20 cricket demands an uncompromising, aggressive approach while adapting to conditions at their home venue, the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Well, in T20 cricket, it's only one brand. Keep hitting sixes and keep hitting fours. So that's what the brand is all about and you play accordingly. It's a good wicket at Feroz Shah Kotla. You play according to the situation, you play the game and react to the situation, which is most important in sport. So from that point of view, that's the brand we are going to play. We're going to play to win. That's always been the case and hopefully with the squad we have, we'll become successful, he said. Calling on the squad to deliver for the franchise management and fans, Ganguly admitted that the team's track record over the last 18 years needs significant improvement. Parth (Jindal, co-owner) is like my young brother and my relationship with him just goes beyond Delhi Capitals. Delhi Capitals is just a part and with Kiran (Kumar Grandhi, co-owner), I was there in 2019. I know he's a gentleman. As they call in the sport, a gentle giant. So as I said, the team deserves better performances. The owners deserve much better than what this franchise has done over the last 17, 18 years. Getting to the final in 2020 and semifinal in 2019, eight years before and four years after that, it hasn't been good. Calling on the squad to deliver for the franchise management and fans, Ganguly admitted that the team's track record over the last 18 years needs significant improvement. Parth (Jindal, co-owner) is like my young brother and my relationship with him just goes beyond Delhi Capitals. Delhi Capitals is just a part and with Kiran (Kumar Grandhi, co-owner), I was there in 2019. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
'So Happy To See One Of India's Finest': Suresh Raina Welcomes Bhuvneshwars India Call-back
Suresh Raina has welcomed Bhuvneshwar Kumars return to Indias T20I setup after the experienced seamer was included in the 16-member squad for the five-match series against New Zealand, beginning October 22. Bhuvneshwar, who last played a T20I for India in November 2022, has been recalled to a largely unchanged squad led by Shreyas Iyer, with his ability to extract swing expected to be particularly useful in New Zealand conditions. The selection brings an end to a lengthy wait for the right-arm pacer, who has remained a popular figure among Indian cricket supporters despite his prolonged absence from the international setup. His recall was met with an enthusiastic response from Raina, who took to X to celebrate the veteran fast bowlers return. Welcome back, Bhuvi! So happy to see one of Indias finest and most skilful bowlers getting his recognition again. The discipline, hard work and resilience he has shown over the years is truly inspiring. From Uttar Pradesh to the IPL, and now back in the Indian T20 side, this comeback is thoroughly deserved. Keep inspiring, @BhuviOfficial. Your journey is a reminder that hard work always finds its way back, Suresh Raina wrote on X. Bhuvneshwars recall comes with India preparing for a tour where conditions could offer assistance to a bowler of his skill set. The New Zealand leg begins with the first T20I on October 22, followed by four more matches in the series. For Raina, however, the significance of the selection extends beyond the conditions or the numbers. His message focused on the journey that has taken Bhuvneshwar from his early cricketing days in Uttar Pradesh through years of IPL and international cricket before earning another opportunity with India. The 36-year-old seamer has considerable experience in the shortest format for the national side. Bhuvneshwar has played 87 T20Is for India and has taken 90 wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 6.96 and an average of 23.10. For Raina, however, the significance of the selection extends beyond the conditions or the numbers. His message focused on the journey that has taken Bhuvneshwar from his early cricketing days in Uttar Pradesh through years of IPL and international cricket before earning another opportunity with India. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Sourav Ganguly has rejected questions over a potential conflict of interest linked to his appointment as Delhi Capitals head coach. He said that an order issued by the BCCI ombudsman addresses his position while he...
Baloda spins Australia out as India U-19 sweep series
India U-19 cricket team defeated Australia by 10 wickets on day three of the second Youth Test in Ahmedabad, securing a 2-0 series victory. Left-arm spinner Tanmay Baloda was the star performer, taking an impressive 14 wickets in the match, including 8/41 in the second innings. Australia were bowled out for 151, setting India a target of just 11 runs, which they chased down quickly.
'I Dont Mind Playing Second Fiddle: Ishan Lauds Iyer's Approach In Maiden T20I Ton
Ekana Cricket Stadium: India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan credited skipper Shreyas Iyers attacking approach and praised debutant Naman Dhirs fearless bowling after India opened their five-match T20I series against the West Indies with an eight-wicket victory at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. While Iyers unbeaten 102 powered a successful chase of 172, Dhirs three-wicket haul helped India restrict the visitors to 171. Kishan remained unbeaten on 37 from 27 deliveries and shared an unbroken 137-run stand with Iyer for the third wicket. With India losing both openers inside the first four overs, the partnership became the defining passage of the chase, with Iyer taking charge and Kishan providing the support required to keep the innings moving. Rather than viewing his supporting role as a compromise, Kishan said it was the sensible approach once he recognised that his captain was seeing the ball exceptionally well. As a batter, when Im not looking in that great of a touch and the batter at the other end is looking in great form and is connecting the ball well, in this case Shreyas Iyer, then I dont mind playing second fiddle at all. He was scoring the bulk of the runs in our partnership, and when hes batting beautifully, its my job to let him punish the opposition bowlers. He did that job remarkably, and, in the end, we executed the run chase successfully. The plan was simple. We had a target in mind, and we broke it down into small parts. Whenever the bowler bowled in my zone, I looked to score. On the other end, Shreyas was in full flow, so we just kept the scoreboard moving. There was no panic because we knew one good over would change the game. That is what happened, and we got over the line, Kishan told JioStar. Iyers innings, which contained 10 fours and six sixes, saw him bring up his maiden T20I century off 42 balls. India completed the chase in 14.4 overs, taking an early 1-0 lead in the series. Earlier, Dhir had provided India with the breakthrough they needed during the West Indies innings. The all-rounder finished with 3/31 on debut, dismissing Shai Hope, Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer. His response after being hit for a six particularly impressed Kishan. Having seen Dhir bowl during their Mumbai Indians association, Kishan noted the difference in the youngsters approach and said his willingness to attack despite the setback was an indication of the work he had put into his bowling. I have seen Naman bowl during my Mumbai Indians days and at that time I would say he was more of a part-time bowler. But looking at how he was bowling in this match and the confidence he had, after getting hit for a six, on your debut, you tend to go more defensive. But Naman didnt do that and kept on giving that extra flight to the opposition batters, which helped him get a couple of wickets in his debut game. Him not going defensive and attacking the batters is something that makes you understand that this player has actually worked hard on his bowling, on his skill. It shows he has the mindset to take wickets and not just survive. If he keeps bowling like this, he will go a long way, the keeper-batter added. I have seen Naman bowl during my Mumbai Indians days and at that time I would say he was more of a part-time bowler. But looking at how he was bowling in this match and the confidence he had, after getting hit for a six, on your debut, you tend to go more defensive. But Naman didnt do that and kept on giving that extra flight to the opposition batters, which helped him get a couple of wickets in his debut game. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
How Rohit Sharma's Captaincy Shaped Tilak Varma's Leadership Skills
Now serving as deputy to T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma noted that the vice-captaincy brings a broader responsibility that extends well beyond on-field tactics - it goes into off-field team bonding and player management.
'Welcome back, Bhuvi!': Raina, Srikanth celebrate Bhuvi's India return
Former India batter Suresh Raina has lauded seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return to the Indian T20I side after a four-year hiatus, praising his discipline, hard work, and resilience as 'truly inspiring'.
Shreyas Iyer's Explosive Ton vs West Indies Triggers Massive ICC Rankings Jump
India T20 captain Shreyas Iyer on Wednesday climbed to a career-best seventh spot in the latest ICC rankings for the shortest format, while ODI skipper Shubman Gill retained the top position in the 50-over batting list
We Became Chaotic: West Indies Captain Shai Hope After 1st T20I vs India
West Indies captain Shai Hope says his side became a it chaotic in pursuit of a big total in the first T20 International against India in Lucknow and its failure to read the conditions properly was the primary reason for the eight-wicket loss in the series-opener.
Blistering Maiden T20I Century Propels Iyer Into Top 10 Of ICC Mens Batting Rankings
T20I Batting Rankings: India T20I captain Shreyas Iyer has surged 18 places to achieve a career-best seventh position in the latest update to the ICC Mens T20I Batting Rankings following his explosive maiden century against the West Indies in Lucknow. Iyers unbeaten 102 off just 43 balls - a masterclass in captains knock in the shortest format, was laced with 10 boundaries and six sixes and guided the reigning World Champions to a comfortable eight-wicket victory with 32 balls to spare at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Ground on Tuesday. That spectacular knock has established Iyer as Indias third-highest-ranked batter in the shortest format. With wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan leading the rankings, followed by opener Abhishek Sharma at second spot and vice-captain Tilak Varma at 10th, India now boasts of four batters inside the global top 10 rankings. Meanwhile, ODI captain Shubman Gill consolidated his position at the summit of the ICC Men's ODI Batting Rankings after hitting an unbeaten 223 in the second ODI against the West Indies in Guwahati. Gill's second double-ton in 50-over cricket - the highest individual score in a successful ODI run chase, earned him 25 rating points to equal his career-best tally of 841. Meanwhile, former captain Virat Kohli slipped one spot to third. West Indies batter Sherfane Rutherford gained 10 places to reach 37th after his brisk 56 in Lucknow, while teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi climbed eight spots to 46th following his Asian Games outings. Pakistan's Hasan Nawaz, who gave India an almighty scare in the final, saw a massive leap of 62 places to reach 48th. In the bowling department, Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan returned to the top spot for an eighth distinct spell, after overtaking Pakistans Abrar Ahmed whose returns of 0/29 and 1/29 in the Asian Games semifinals and final proved insufficient to protect his lead. Rashid has now spent more than twice as long at the number one spot than any other bowler in T20I history. India left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Axar Patel also made significant strides, leaping 16 places to seventh position after claiming two wickets in each of his last three appearances. Bangladesh duo Nasum Ahmed (eighth) and Mahedi Hasan (ninth) also moved into the top 10, while Sri Lanka's Nuwan Thushara advanced 18 places to 48th. West Indies skipper Shai Hope rose two places to sixth in the ODI batting list following his match-winning 162 not out in the final ODI in New Chandigarh, while India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul returned to the top 10 on the back of his unbeaten 129 in the same fixture. West Indies batter Amir Jangoo, who registered scores of 114 and 67 during the series, vaulted 55 spots to 55th. USA's Milind Kumar jumped four places to 45th after scripting an unbeaten 116 off 84 balls to seal a historic 331-run chase against the UAE in the ICC Mens Cricket World Cup League 2 match in Dallas. West Indies skipper Shai Hope rose two places to sixth in the ODI batting list following his match-winning 162 not out in the final ODI in New Chandigarh, while India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul returned to the top 10 on the back of his unbeaten 129 in the same fixture. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Australia return to SA 8 years after sandpaper scandal
Australia and South Africa are set to begin a three-match Test series in Durban, with both teams looking for a boost after recent setbacks. The pitch at Kingsmead is expected to favour spinners, a departure from South Africa's usual seamer-friendly conditions, potentially influencing team selections.
Australia prepare for first test in South Africa since'Sandpapergate'
South Africa has played tests in Australia since Sandpapergate, and Australia have toured South Africa in the interim for limited-overs internationals.
Shreyas Iyer is back to his best: Sunil Gavaskar
Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar lauded Shreyas Iyer's maiden T20I century against the West Indies, stating it came at an 'important time' and signalled the Indian skipper's return to his best form after a challenging period with the bat.
Shreyas Iyer rises to No. 7 in ICC rankings after maiden T20I century
Among T20I bowlers, Abrar Ahmed lost his top spot to Rashid Khan
Shreyas Iyer rises to 7th in ICC T20I rankings after match-winning hundred
Shreyas Iyer has surged to a career-best seventh position in the ICC Men's T20I Batting Rankings after smashing his maiden T20I century in the opening match of the home series against the West Indies in Lucknow on Tuesday.
NZC reveals why it chose NZ20 over joining Big Bash
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has defended its decision to launch a domestic T20 competition, NZ20, over joining Australia's Big Bash League, stating it considered a range of expert opinions beyond a single Deloitte report.
Dont Play Against Bangladesh That Often, But They've Got Some Great Spinners: Nicola Carey
Allan Border Field: Australia will not be taking Bangladesh lightly despite missing several key frontline options, seam-bowling all-rounder Nicola Carey said on Wednesday, while pointing to the visitors formidable spin bowling attack ahead of the three-match ODI series starting here on Friday. For the ODIs against Bangladesh, Australia will be without injured captain Sophie Molineux alongside fast bowlers Lucy Hamilton and Darcie Brown. We don't play them that often, but we know they've got some great spinners. They're a competitive team, and cricket around the world's, the standards are lifting every year, so we're expecting a quality side in these three games as well. We're coming into this series full of confidence. I think we're in a good spot, the girls know what they need to do and how they want to go about it. There's a lot of focus on us and how we want to go about the game, Nicola told reporters on Wednesday. The 12-member Australian squad trained at the Allan Border Field on Wednesday afternoon, with Sophie and Lucy accompanying the group while continuing their rehabilitation. Although national selector Shawn Flegler had earlier hinted at potential additions to the squad, the roster remains unchanged for the series opener. The two sides have met in just six ODIs so far, with the upcoming assignment marking Bangladeshs maiden bilateral tour to Australia. In their previous 50-over World Cup meeting last year, Australia secured a dominant ten-wicket win. Having put behind consecutive semi-final heartbreaks at major global events, Australia produced an unbeaten run to claim the T20 World Cup title in England earlier this year. Leg-spinner Alana King highlighted that the leadership core has encouraged complete tactical clarity across all formats. I think we're all very comfortable in the style of play we want to be playing, and it's driven from Shell (Nitschke) and Soph (Molineux) and the leadership group as well. There's just a lot of accountability from everyone to play their role and do it as best as they can, there's a lot of freedom that's how we want to play our cricket, no matter what format we play, she said. Reflecting on their recent T20 World Cup triumph, Alana stated that the group aims to maintain its dominant trajectory. We actually had a great reflection the other day as a whole team and staff and just reviewed the whole (T20 World Cup and how we went about it) and I think we can hold our heads up pretty high. I think we're all very comfortable in the style of play we want to be playing, and it's driven from Shell (Nitschke) and Soph (Molineux) and the leadership group as well. There's just a lot of accountability from everyone to play their role and do it as best as they can, there's a lot of freedom that's how we want to play our cricket, no matter what format we play, she said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Wife's One-Word Instagram Post Wins Hearts After India Recall
As India's squad featuring pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar's name was announced, his wife, Nupur Nagar, took to Instagram to celebrate the moment.
Kohli Slams Rs 5 Cr Ashram Visit Allegations
Virat Kohli's spokesperson has strongly denied claims by Dinesh Sharma, also known as Falahari Maharaj, that the cricketer was paid Rs 5 crore for visiting spiritual leader Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj's ashram in Vrindavan, stating the visits are driven by personal faith.
Completely False, Baseless: Virat Kohli Team Rejects Rs 5 Cr Claim Over Vrindavan Row
Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas: Former India captain Virat Kohlis spokesperson on Wednesday rejected an allegation that the former India captain was paid Rs 5 crore for visiting spiritual leader Premanand Maharajs ashram in Vrindavan, calling the claim completely false, baseless and factually incorrect. The statement came after a claim attributed to Dinesh Sharma, popularly known as Falahari Maharaj, circulated on social media and triggered speculation over Kohlis association with the spiritual leader. Official Statement from Mr. Virat Kohlis spokesperson: We would like to categorically state that the claims made by Falahari Maharaj Dinesh Sharma in regards to Mr. Virat Kohli are completely false, baseless and factually incorrect. Mr. Virat Kohli visits Premanand Maharaj Ji purely out of his deep faith and reverence for Maharaj Ji. We strongly refute these claims and urge the media to exercise due diligence, verify facts before reporting or amplifying such statements, and report responsibly, read an official statement from Kohlis spokesperson. The controversy centres on an alleged payment purportedly linked to Kohlis first visit to Premanand Maharajs Vrindavan ashram in January 2023. According to reports citing Sharma, who is the president of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Nyas, the allegation was mentioned in a letter addressed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The claim alleges that a property builder lobby and a Rajasthan-based private company spent Rs 5 crore to facilitate Kohlis visit, purportedly with the intention of increasing the visibility and popularity of Premanand Maharaj by associating him with one of Indian crickets biggest names. However, no publicly available documentary evidence has emerged to establish that such a payment was made. There is no verified contract, invoice, bank transaction, payment record or official communication publicly confirming that Kohli received Rs 5 crore in connection with his visit. Kohlis camp has now directly rejected the allegation, stressing that his meetings with Premanand Maharaj are rooted in personal faith rather than a commercial arrangement. The connection between Kohli and Premanand Maharaj, meanwhile, predates the latest controversy and has played out publicly over several visits. Kohli and his wife, actor Anushka Sharma, first met the spiritual leader at his Vrindavan ashram in January 2023, when the couple visited with their daughter Vamika. Photographs and videos from the interaction subsequently gained widespread attention online. Kohlis camp has now directly rejected the allegation, stressing that his meetings with Premanand Maharaj are rooted in personal faith rather than a commercial arrangement. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
'History will be kinder to you': Gambhir bids Agarkar farewell
India head coach Gautam Gambhir paid tribute to outgoing chief selector Ajit Agarkar, acknowledging his role in India's three ICC trophy wins during his tenure. Agarkar's term ended on Tuesday, and he did not seek an extension, with Pragyan Ojha stepping in as interim chief selector.
'12-team WTC Nearing Reality', Says CA CEO Todd Greenberg
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg: Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg has said that expanding the World Test Championship (WTC) to a 12-team model is nearing reality, even as he reiterated that financial pressures will eventually force smaller boards to make hard decisions regarding their participation in red-ball cricket. As per a report in Cricinfo, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and member boards are currently in the final stages of finalising the next Future Tours Programme (FTP) alongside discussions on the future structure of the WTC. The proposed 12-team framework, expected to take effect from the 2029-31 cycle, could incorporate one-off Tests to accommodate full members like Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan. A final decision on the proposal is anticipated during the ICC meetings in Bali on November 13-15. I think that's what will happen for the next two years. I think for the next iteration (of the WTC), I can understand why it is that number because they want to give every Test nation the opportunity. But, ultimately, countries are going to have to make hard decisions themselves because if revenues don't continue to come in from the ICC at the levels that we've enjoyed, or they can't generate their own FTP arrangements, then ultimately any business, ours is the same, you can't continue to distribute more than you earn every year. That's where global cricket finds itself in some parts, Greenberg told reporters in Durban ahead of Australia's opening Test against South Africa starting on Friday. Highlighting the financial strain associated with being in red-ball cricket, Greenberg stated that maintaining a sustainable domestic and high-performance ecosystem for Test cricket poses a steep hurdle for several boards. When I say it's expensive, don't take that comment as being (about) putting on Test matches. It's the ability to invest in your system to create a structure for red-ball cricketers. You can't just magically find 11 players to play Test cricket. I think there is a world where there will be member nations who don't play Test cricket, or they might have to play more away Test cricket than they do at home in order to keep Test cricket in their country [alive] and keep playing that format. I think we've got to think about it differently. This whole reciprocal nature is potentially sending some countries broke, he added. Greenberg also revealed CAs keenness to extend its Test series against South Africa into five-match affairs, though scheduling overlaps during peak domestic summer windows remain a major logistical hurdle. We would love to host South Africa for a five-Test series. (But) there's a real challenge in that between our organisations because they play in a similar period of the year. I can understand that. It would be like asking us, can we come and play in South Africa during December and January. You know our answer would be 'no, we can't, because we're protecting our own windows. So that's why it's difficult. But we're in constant conversations with them. I'll have conversations while I'm here with them. I think South Africa are a really strong Test-playing country despite their commercial and financial challenges. We'd like to see them continue to play Test cricket. We'd love to host them, he added. Turning his focus to ODI cricket amid global discussions on introducing multilateral events to provide greater context, Greenberg called for structural adjustments across four-year cycles. The challenge is how do you do that and still ensure that the commercial returns inside your FTP agreements are retained. I think we've got some work to do on that. There might be a cycle of four years where we play slightly fewer ODIs, more coming into a World Cup cycle and maybe less in the outer years. I don't think it stops in the outer years, though. It might be a sort of up-and-down system between T20 and ODI cricket. Turning his focus to ODI cricket amid global discussions on introducing multilateral events to provide greater context, Greenberg called for structural adjustments across four-year cycles. The challenge is how do you do that and still ensure that the commercial returns inside your FTP agreements are retained. I think we've got some work to do on that. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
History Will Be Kinder: Gautam Gambhir's Post For Ajit Agarkar Takes Internet By Storm
India head coach Gautam Gambhir shared an intriguing post for Ajit Agarkar after he completed his exit from the role of BCCI's selection committee chief.
'Real grey area': ICC anti-corruption chief on Legends League
ICC Anti-Corruption Unit chief Andrew Ephgrave has labelled legends leagues, featuring retired players, as a eal grey area due to their unsanctioned nature and potential eputational risk to cricket. He highlighted concerns about corruption allegations, citing a Sri Lankan league incident, and stressed the importance of distinguishing these from official cricket structures. Ephgrave also noted an increase in players reporting corrupt approaches, attributing it to improved ACU engagement.
Hoekstra stars on debut as Test hopefuls miss chance with the bat
Hoekstra made 45 with the bat from No.9 to rescue Victoria and help them post 244 against SA before knocking over Weatherald for a duck
Off-field Observations Of Rohit Shaped My Understanding Of Leadership, Says Tilak Varma
Tilak Varma: Evolving from an emerging middle-order prospect into a key finisher and now being Indias T20I vice-captain, left-handed batter Tilak Varma has credited his off-field observations of Rohit Sharma for shaping his understanding of leadership nuances and match awareness. I haven't played under Virat bhai's captaincy but have played under Rohit bhai's captaincy, both in MI and also in the Indian team. So, I have learned a lot of things from him. On the ground, the intensity is very high; there's already so much running through your mind on the field, so you can't take in as much. So, when I am off the field, I discuss a lot of things with him. And, like, when Rohit bhai and Virat bhai were playing, I didn't use to be in the playing eleven. So, sitting outside, I used to observe which bowler Rohit bhai brings on and when, how he uses the bowlers. I used to observe all those things from him, and I've incorporated that into my own approach now while being on the field, Varma told JioStar. Now serving as deputy to T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, Varma noted that the vice-captaincy brings a broader responsibility that extends well beyond on-field tactics it goes into off-field team bonding and player management. First of all, it's a responsibility. So, people start looking at you differently than before, like slightly more senior. Only if you've done something will they hand you the vice-captaincy; they won't just give it like that. So, I feel that a little extra responsibility comes with it, off the field especially. On the field, the captain will take care of things. Obviously, when he isn't there, your turn will come. So, I keep sharing my thoughts with Shreyas. As for the rest of the team's atmosphere, off-field conversations, and players' mindsets, in a team sport, players have their ups and downs, so I observe how you interact with the youngsters and where everyone stands. I look at all of that, and when I get an opportunity on the field, I will use my brain as well, he said. Alongside his expanding leadership profile, Varma further explained about adapting his game to fit the demanding finisher's role after being in his preferred top-order positions. I always say, I prefer batting in the top order. I always love batting at number three. From opening, in the Under-19 World Cup, I played at number three. After that, in the IPL, I played at number four, and from there at five and six. So, I went on to play basically in every position. Since childhood, I've been an opener, so if you tell me to open even now, I'll do it. But I really love batting at three. From opener to three, you can shift easily, because it won't make that much difference. From three to four won't make much difference as well. When you are a number three or four player and then you bat at six or seven, that transition has been really tough. At the same time, when the team needs it, you don't have any other option. You have to earn that position. For that, I worked on myself a lot in practice and mentally on how I can hit while staying still. When you bat early on, the bowlers hit the seam more. When you bat lower down, the mechanics change; the ball gets older, and they bowl more slower balls and yorkers. All these things come into play. So, I prepared myself mentally accordingly and accepted that I have to perform here. Once I did that, I worked on it in practice. Once it gets executed in a match, you get that confidence, and from there, it gets going, he elaborated. With India taking a 1-0 lead through an eight-wicket win in Lucknow over the West Indies and second game to happen in Ranchi on Friday, Varma also revealed that structured visualisation ahead of matches helps him stay clear-headed. When a game is approaching, like if there's a game tomorrow, I visualise; I think about which bowlers the opposition has. What kind of bowlers could come on? Before going to sleep, I just visualise that I'm walking in at this position. I always think about how I can win the game for the team. With India taking a 1-0 lead through an eight-wicket win in Lucknow over the West Indies and second game to happen in Ranchi on Friday, Varma also revealed that structured visualisation ahead of matches helps him stay clear-headed. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
History Will Be Kinder To You: Gambhir Pays Rich Tribute To Outgoing Chief Selector Agarkar
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia: India head coach Gautam Gambhir on Wednesday paid a glowing tribute to outgoing chief selector Ajit Agarkar, adding that history will be kinder to him for the silverware the senior mens team won in his tenure. Agarkars tenure as chairman of the senior mens selection committee officially ended on Tuesday after the BCCI formally invited applications to fill the vacant slot in the five-member panel. Dear Ajit Bhai, an absolute honour to work with you. Those 3 ICC trophies are testimony of your conviction: Team first & Team ahead, always.. I must say, History will be kinder to you. Thank you for everything. My heartfelt wishes for your future endeavours !! Gambhir wrote on his X account. Having assumed charge in July 2023, Agarkar oversaw a golden era that saw India reach the 2023 ODI World Cup final before clinching the 2024 T20 World Cup, 2025 Champions Trophy, and the 2026 T20 World Cup. His final assignment was selecting the white-ball squads for the ongoing white-ball series against the West Indies. For now, former India spinner Pragyan Ojha has taken charge as acting chairman and presided over the squad selection for the five T20Is against New Zealand and three India A games. The existing panel comprises of Ojha, Shiv Sundar Das, Ajay Ratra, and RP Singh. The BCCI protocol dictates that the selector with the most Test caps assumes the chairmanship. Ojha, who featured in 24 Tests for India, currently holds seniority within the panel. According to the BCCI, the candidate who will replace Agarkar from the West Zone will participate in long-term squad planning, talent identification, domestic match monitoring, and strategy meetings. Applicants must have played a minimum of seven Tests, 30 first-class matches, or 10 ODIs along with 20 first-class games, besides having retired at least five years ago, with the deadline to submit applications falling on October 14. The BCCI protocol dictates that the selector with the most Test caps assumes the chairmanship. Ojha, who featured in 24 Tests for India, currently holds seniority within the panel. According to the BCCI, the candidate who will replace Agarkar from the West Zone will participate in long-term squad planning, talent identification, domestic match monitoring, and strategy meetings. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Harmanpreet Knew How To Get The Best Out Of Players As Indias Captain: Hemlata Kala
T20 World Cup: It's been a little over 24 hours since Harmanpreet Kaur announced about stepping down as Indias captain across all formats, and Hemlata Kala, the former women's chief selector, believes the one quality that will forever define her leadership tenure was the knack of drawing the best out of her players. Kala, who was appointed a selector in 2015 and became panel chief in the following year, was in charge when Harmanpreet was named Indias T20I captain in 2016. She was also around when her successor Smriti Mandhana stood in as Indias skipper for the 2019 T20I series against England in Guwahati. I will remember Harman as the Indian captain who knew how to get the best out of the players. It's similar to what Virat Kohli did in his time as India's captain. She always had an aggressive spirit as the Indian skipper and knew how to get the most and best effort out of the players, Hemlata told IANS in an exclusive conversation on Wednesday. The leadership transition in the Indian women's team did not come as a big surprise, as per the people tracking developments, who said it was something which had been brewing for months before being finalised at a review meeting in Guwahati. Informal discussions regarding a change at the helm gained traction, particularly after India suffered a second consecutive early exit in the Women's T20 World Cup, though head coach Amol Muzumdar publicly backed Harmanpreet to be in the top job. The chatter around a leadership change began in earnest right after the trip to England was over. There was a growing consensus that the T20 setup had stagnated under the existing leadership structure, and a fresh perspective was needed, though many thought Harmanpreet would hang around till the 2027 Champions Trophy. But after that Champions Trophy, it is followed by the Los Angeles Olympics and T20 World Cup happening in 2028, before the focus shifts to the 2029 ODI World Cup, where India will go as the defending champions. All of this got everyone convinced that it was time to move on, further said the people privy to the developments to IANS. Her last match in charge was the Asian Games gold-medal game, where India beat Sri Lanka by 147 runs in Nisshin, Japan. It was a fitting end to her tenure, as Harmanpreets captaincy had begun with a final too, when she was handed charge as a stand-in skipper for the 2012 T20 Asia Cup final against Pakistan, when Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami were unavailable. She signs off from her leadership stint after having led India to an epic 2025 Womens ODI World Cup triumph, thus making Harmanpreet the first captain from her country to win a senior womens World Cup trophy. She also led India to Asia Cup wins, two Asian Games gold medals, Commonwealth Games silver medal and the first-ever women's Test victory at Lord's. Harmanpreet led India in 211 matches across all formats and won 126 of them, a win rate of 59.7 per cent across formats. Beyond the records, Harmanpreet will always be credited with India challenging the bigger teams like Australia and England consistently in global events. She will also be remembered for backing the likes of Shafali Verma, Kranti Gaud and N Sree Charani to blossom as match-winners, as well as in defending Deepti Sharma, the new ODI vice-captain, for causing the run-out of Charlie Dean at the non-striker's end at Lord's in 2022. Harmanpreet has done so many wonderful things in her long captaincy journey. She led us to the World Cup win at home last year. In 2020, she was the captain of Team India who reached the final of the T20 World Cup. In 2018, she took the team to the semi-finals. So, her journey as a captain was very good, as we saw her get many achievements for the Indian team, added Hemlata. She also said Harmanpreet's leadership qualities were evident from the time she entered the Indian team as a hard-hitting youngster wearing her emotions on her sleeve. From the beginning, she had leadership qualities. She has improved day by day in terms of bowling changes and bringing a spirit of togetherness to the team. We gave her the T20I captaincy in 2016 and in 2018, she took the team to semi-finals of the World Cup (where she hit a hundred in the first game against New Zealand) and in 2020, India reached the final under her. After we left as selectors, she was there in taking India to the ODI World Cup win. Seeing Harman from the inside as well as from the outside, I believe she improved day by day both as a captain and as a player. Harmanpreets high point came last year, when India won the ODI World Cup at home, their first title in a global ICC womens event. The campaign threatened to wobble midway, but Harmanpreet led from the front, especially when the Navi Mumbai leg began. In the semifinal against Australia, she made 89 alongside Jemimah Rodrigues to complete a record chase, and she ran back to complete the catch that sealed the final victory in their favour against South Africa. On whether Harmanpreet should continue in the side as the senior figure in the setup, Hemlata replied in the affirmative. She should definitely be in the team because she is a match-winner. Even if she doesn't have the captaincy armband, there is no problem. But one has to keep in mind that there are no middle-order batters like her in the cricketing world right now who can play spinners really well and ruthlessly dismantle their lengths. I think she should definitely be in the team. I don't think there are any doubts in this regard. Hemlata also felt the leadership armband mattered little to Harmanpreet. Yes, it's pretty simple. But Harman has one more thing she doesn't care about the captaincy thing much. Even if she is not there as the captain, she will still play her game very well. She became the vice-captain in 2017 and still played that unbeaten 171 against Australia. The bottomline is Harman plays and knows her game very well and it doesn't really matter if she is the captain or not. At the same time, Hemlata backed Smriti, a two-time WPL-winning captain with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, to do a good job as the new Indian skipper. Smriti has been the vice-captain and has the experience of captaining India and other teams before. There are a lot of things which she can take forward, and she has a lot of good qualities as a leader. Smriti and Harman have been good friends. They must have thought about it before. Yes, they are different players with different styles - Harman is an aggressive captain, while Smriti is cool as a skipper and plays the game calmly, just like how Rohit Sharma was as the captain. Both of them are different and have a different way of thinking. I don't know what will happen in future, but if Smriti can take good learnings from Harman's captaincy stint, then she should use it to the fullest. Harmanpreets tenure at the helm will forever be etched in Indian cricket folklore as the captain who ended the country's long wait for a maiden senior women's World Cup title. It served as a fitting reward for someone who witnessed agonising near misses in the 2017 ODI and 2020 T20 World Cup finals, as well as the 2022 Commonwealth Games final and 2023 T20 World Cup semi-final. Both of them are different and have a different way of thinking. I don't know what will happen in future, but if Smriti can take good learnings from Harman's captaincy stint, then she should use it to the fullest. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana 'weren't seeing eye to eye' over captaincy: Report
Smriti Mandhana's elevation as captain of the Indian women's cricket team was the expected next step after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from the role. But according to a PTI report, the change also comes against the backdrop of growing unease between the two senior players, with a team source saying they were not seeing eye to eye for a while now, leading to an obvious unease in the dressing room.
Virat Kohli Refutes Rs 5 Crore Claim Over Premanand Maharaj Ashram Visit
Kohli and his wife, actor Anushka Sharma, are regular visitors to the Radha Keli Kunj Ashram. Their first notable visit took place on January 4, 2023.
'Baseless claim': Virat Kohli's team denies he took Rs 5 crore to visit Premanand Maharaj's ashram
Did Virat Kohli receive Rs 5 crore for Premanand Maharajs ashram visit?Virat Kohli's official spokesperson refuted the claim saying, he claimsare completely false, baseless and factually incorrect.\Virat Kohli visits Premanand Maharaj purely out of his deep faith and reverence for Maharaj ji. We strongly refute these claims and urge the media to exercise due diligence, verify facts before reporting or amplifying such statements, and report sensibly, the statement mentioned.
'We had more wrongs than rights': Hope after India loss
West Indies captain Shai Hope attributed his team's eight-wicket loss to India in the first T20I to a chaotic batting approach and a failure to properly assess conditions. Hope highlighted the need for ruthlessness against a quality side like India and acknowledged India's superior spin bowling and Shreyas Iyer's match-winning century.
My Job Is To Keep Scoring Runs: Ishan Kishan Reflects On Mistakes, India Comeback
After Abhishek Sharma: Ishan Kishan said a period outside the Indian team forced him to confront his shortcomings and rebuild his game through fitness, batting and domestic cricket, as the wicketkeeper-batter reflected on his return to the national setup after Indias opening T20I against the West Indies in Lucknow. Kishan, who contributed an unbeaten 37 in Indias eight-wicket win, said he has since shifted his focus from worrying about selection setbacks to making a consistent contribution whenever he gets the opportunity. The 27-year-olds return has been built around a more deliberate approach to his game. Instead of dwelling on the possibility of another omission, Kishan said he now wants to concentrate on the aspects directly within his control, preparation, performance and contribution to the team. When I was dropped from the international team, I understood the consequences of a few mistakes that I had made. So, I worked on my fitness and my batting. I stayed patient and focused on rectifying my mistakes by doing well in domestic cricket. I knew if I kept performing in domestic cricket, the opportunity would come and I earned the recall to the national squad because of my hard work, Kishan told JioStar. For Kishan, the innings also illustrated the value of understanding what a particular situation demands rather than attempting to force his own game into every phase of a match. With Iyer dominating the attack, Kishan concentrated on rotating the strike and capitalising when deliveries entered his scoring areas. Once you come back to the side, you dont think about whats going to happen if I get dropped again. The most important thing is to enjoy cricket and just focus on doing the best I can to contribute to the success of the team. My job is to keep scoring runs and if I am able to do that, then the rest will be taken care of automatically, he added. That philosophy was evident in his role during Indias first T20I of the series. After Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson fell early, Kishan joined captain Shreyas Iyer and helped stabilise the chase. The pair added 137 unbeaten runs for the third wicket, with Iyer producing a career-defining 102 not out and Kishan finishing on 37 not out. Once you come back to the side, you dont think about whats going to happen if I get dropped again. The most important thing is to enjoy cricket and just focus on doing the best I can to contribute to the success of the team. My job is to keep scoring runs and if I am able to do that, then the rest will be taken care of automatically, he added. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Legends Leagues A Grey Area: ICC Official Admits Corruption A Big Risk
In an interview, the ICC ACU offial was asked whether leagues featuring retired players have become a headache. In response, he described the current situation as grey.
Baloda takes 14 to script three-day win for India U-19 over Australia U-19
Tanmay Baloda picked up eight wickets in the second Australia Under-19 innings to set up a target of just 11, which India Under-19 knocked off in just five balls
Why VVS Laxman will now join every selection meeting...
BCCI secretary Devaijit Saikia announced that Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman will now attend all senior selection panel meetings to prevent miscommunication between the selectors and the COE, particularly regarding player fitness and rehabilitation. This decision follows past speculations of friction between Laxman and former chief selector Ajit Agarkar over player recovery timelines.
Laxmans Presence In Senior Men's Selection Meetings Set To Be A Norms: Saikia
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia: BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said the Centre of Excellence (CoE) head VVS Laxmans presence in the senior men's national selection committee meetings is set to be a norm going forward, adding that this decision was taken during the comprehensive review meeting held last month at its headquarters in Mumbai. In a picture shared by the BCCI on their social media accounts on Tuesday evening, Laxman was seen in the senior men's selection meeting held at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. The meeting also featured Saikia and senior men's selection panel members Pragyan Ojha, SS Das, Ajay Ratra and RP Singh for picking Indias squads for the five-game T20I series in New Zealand and the three-match red-ball A series against New Zealand A. VVS Laxman was present in the meeting on Tuesday to ensure that there is no miscommunication between the selectors and the CoE while picking the squads. He is the head of cricket at the BCCI CoE in Bengaluru and henceforth will attend all senior mens selection meetings. He has all the information about the players injuries, and to avoid any miscommunication, Laxman should attend the mens selection meetings going forward. This was decided after the review meeting held in Mumbai last month (where Laxman was in attendance), Saikia told IANS in a statement on Wednesday. Recent selections in the mens teams have occasionally been marred by ambiguity regarding player availability, with players named in squads only to be pulled out later due to them failing to achieve full fitness in time for the tour. It is not about transparency. In fact, it is about ensuring that the selectors get complete and accurate information about the players and their fitness status so that they can make the right decisions, added Saikia. Recent selections in the mens teams have occasionally been marred by ambiguity regarding player availability, with players named in squads only to be pulled out later due to them failing to achieve full fitness in time for the tour. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma's Continuity Invites Intriguing Verdict From Pakistan
Virat Kohli, who has established himself among the greatest batters of the modern era, has enjoyed a remarkable international career, while Rohit Sharma, at 39, continues to remain a key figure for India in the ODI format.
Dinesh Karthik, Who Said India Moved On From Shami, Gives Blunt Take On Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Return
Dinesh Karthik, who worked with Bhuvneshwar Kumar at RCB, is thrilled to see the veteran seamer make a comeback to the Indian national team.
Sourav Ganguly To Face Conflict Of Interest After Joining DC As Head Coach? He Explains
The former India captain will take charge of an IPL team as head coach for the first time, replacing Hemang Badani at Delhi Capitals and overseeing the side in the 2027 season.
3 wickets on debut but Naman Dhir is still waiting...
India all-rounder Naman Dhir made an impressive T20I debut, contributing significantly with his off-spin bowling to help India secure a win against West Indies. Despite his bowling success, Dhir, whose primary strength is batting, is eager for an opportunity to showcase his skills with the bat. He credited the IPL for preparing him for international cricket and expressed his joy at fulfilling his dream of representing India.
'Saw Axar Bowling Slower And Getting Turn, I Just Stuck To It: Dhir Explains 3-wicket Haul On Debut
Saw Axar: Naman Dhir insisted his impressive 3-31 on T20I debut was no flash in the pan, saying he has been bowling regularly for a long time despite limited opportunities in the IPL and had simply stuck to a basic plan to exploit the grip after watching Axar Patel owling little slower and getting the turn on the Ekana pitch. Dhir made a dream debut as he picked up three wickets with his off-spin to finish with impressive figures of 3-31, while Kuldeep Yadav took 2/33 as India, after opting to bowl, restricted the West Indies to 171. In response, India slipped to 35/2 inside four overs before captain Shreyas Iyer took control of the innings with an unbeaten 100 came off just 42 balls, combining with Ishan Kishan (37) to rebuild the chase before shifting through the gears in spectacular fashion. I have been bowling for quite some time; it is not as if I have just started now. In the IPL, because of the impact-player rule, you dont see me bowling as much. But it is not that I havent bowled. I have bowled a lot and have good experience here as well. Hopefully, I will continue doing well in the future, Dhir said in the post-match press conference after helping India bowl out West Indies for 171 in the first T20I here. Making his T20I debut just days after his ODI debut on October 27, Dhir returned 3/31 from his four overs to become the third Indian spinner to claim three wickets on T20I debut. He said the key to his performance was sticking to a simple plan after seeing Axar Patel extract turn by bowling slower through the surface. I saw Axar Bhai bowling earlier, and he was bowling a little slower and getting some turn. That was in my mind - if I bowled a little slower, there would be good grip from the wicket, and I could get them out. So I just stuck to my plans and kept things basic. I think I got a good result from that, Dhir said. The 25-year-old, who has been used primarily as a batting all-rounder in the IPL, stressed that bowling has never been an afterthought in his development. Again, I will say that even if you havent seen me bowling, I have been bowling as much as I have since I came here and I have practised just as much before this. It is not as if, as a batting all-rounder or bowling all-rounder, I have neglected one aspect. Yes, my batting is a plus point, but at the same time I am working just as hard on my bowling, he said. Dhir also revealed that the four-over spell was nothing unusual for him, despite the impact-player rule restricting his bowling opportunities in the IPL. Whether I have to bowl four overs, two overs or even one-day cricket, where I have bowled six or seven overs, it is normal for me. I just have to focus on my plans and try to execute them, he said. His breakthrough came at a crucial stage after West Indies had recovered from 44/3, with skipper Shai Hope scoring 52 and Sherfane Rutherford making 56. Dhir dismissed Hope immediately after his 13th T20I fifty before removing Romario Shepherd and Shamar Springer to finish with 3/31. Asked about his first wicket on debut, Dhir said the milestone mattered, but execution remained his priority. Obviously, when you get your first wicket, it is an achievement for you, but at the same time I was trying to execute my plans. The idea on that wicket was that we could bowl a little slower, because you were getting more help from the surface, he said. His rapid rise has seen him make his ODI and T20I debuts within days of each other, but Dhir said the IPL had helped him prepare for the international stage. The IPL prepares you for international cricket. There is a lot of competition there as well. So, if you are playing in the IPL, especially for a team like Mumbai Indians, in my opinion you are already preparing yourself for a bigger level. So when you come here, you dont feel that much pressure, he said. Dhir, however, is still waiting for his chance to showcase his batting. I am still waiting for my batting. I will be happy if I get the chance to bat, but I am happier that I contributed to the team and that the team won, he said. He also recalled the emotional moment when he first learned about his India call-up while at a Ranji Trophy camp. Obviously, it was a great feeling when I got the call. I was in the Ranji Trophy camp at the PCA. Our tournament had just finished and it had gone very well for me and for our team. It was a surreal feeling. I was with my friends, so I immediately called my father. He got emotional and I got a little emotional too, Dhir said. He also recalled the emotional moment when he first learned about his India call-up while at a Ranji Trophy camp. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
'We allowed India to get back into the game': Hope rues middle-over collapse in Lucknow
Digital Desk | Lucknow, Oct 7 (IANS) West Indies skipper Shai Hope admitted his sides failure to execute in the middle overs and a cluster of wickets allowed India to wrest control of the first T20I as Shreyas Iyers unbeaten 102 powered the hosts to an eight-wicket win here at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. West Indies were well placed at 82/3 after 10 overs, with Hope and Sherfane Rutherford having put together a 38-run stand after the visitors lost three wickets in the powerplay. But Hopes dismissal for 52 triggered a collapse as West Indies lost four wickets in a dramatic six-over passage and were eventually bowled out for 171. Reflecting on the middle overs, Hope said the visitors had allowed India to claw their way back into the contest by losing wickets in clusters. I think it was a bit of both. I felt like we allowed them to get back into the game a bit. Because we started okay in the powerplay, but then Rutherford and I built a nice partnership going into the 10th and 11th overs. So we were setting a nice platform, but I got out at a crucial stage as well, and then wickets just continued to fall, Hope said in the post-match press conference. Whenever you cant build partnerships or wickets continue to fall back to back, you never give yourself the best chance of going deep and getting a big score. So those are the little things that we need to pay attention to for the next game. Make sure we dont lose wickets in clusters and then give ourselves a better chance to get a big total. Hopes own dismissal came immediately after he had completed his 13th T20I fifty, with the West Indies captain falling for 52 to Naman Dhir, who was making his T20I debut. Dhir went on to finish with 3/31, becoming the third Indian spinner to claim three wickets on T20I debut. Hope admitted that the debutant had not necessarily been the bowler West Indies expected to target but stressed that batting sides must adapt to whoever performs best on the day. To be fair, when you think about him as one of the options that they have, you would see him as the second spinner or the extra spinner. So usually as a batting group you tend to say, 'Okay, maybe target this guy,' but still we have to play the situation of the game, Hope said. If hes bowling the best on the day, then hes not the so-called second spinner or third spinner. Just so happened I probably opened the floodgates for him a bit, I think I was the first one to be dismissed. But like I said in the post-match, I thought that we were a little bit chaotic in the back end. Hope felt West Indies became too aggressive in their approach after building a platform, instead of recognising that they still had enough batting resources to attack later in the innings. Felt as though we were trying to score 270 or 280 at some stages. You know we just had to play the situation of the game a little bit smarter. Maybe give ourselves a bit more time because we know we could always do damage in the back end if we have wickets in hand, he said. At the same time, Hope gave credit to Dhir for making the most of his opportunity. But he still bowled well; you have to give him credit when it is due, he added. The West Indies captain also admitted that the visitors were simply not good enough with the bat after being asked to set a target on a surface that became easier to bat on in the second innings. I think we maybe didnt our execution wasnt right. We just didnt execute in the middle overs. We allowed India to get back into the game with some, maybe not the right shot selection in certain stages, but yeah its just one of those days, Hope said. Indias chase was then blown open by Iyer, who smashed an unbeaten 102 off 43 balls, including a century off 42 deliveries. It was the India skippers maiden T20I century and his highest score in the format as India completed the chase in 14.4 overs. Hope acknowledged the significance of Iyers innings but felt West Indies had made the challenge considerably harder for their bowling attack by failing to put enough runs on the board. Shreyas, he played a wonderful innings. Again, when you dont put a big score on the board when youre batting first in Indian conditions, its always going to be tough for you as a bowling group, he said. Iyers innings was the second-fastest T20I century against the West Indies, behind only Australias Tim Davids 37-ball hundred in 2025, while it was the fastest by an Indian against the Caribbean side, bettering KL Rahuls 46-ball hundred in 2016. Hope also praised Rutherford, who scored 56 off 31 balls for his seventh T20I fifty. Rutherford, hes been playing really well in this format. Hes been playing some magnificent innings for us giving us opportunities to defend. And its great to see him back in the runs. He didnt get many runs in the ODI series so its nice to see him ticking those boxes here in the T20 series, he said. Rutherford and Hope had taken West Indies to 82/3 before the visitors lost their way. Hope felt the difference between the two innings was also influenced by the conditions. With the ball, like I said before, when you only have 170 to defend and the wetness comes into play, the ball gets a lot wetter, the surface a lot more placid. So its always gonna be more difficult from a bowling side of things, he said. I also felt when India bowled their spinners got a lot more spin on the surface. Something that we didnt really get a chance to extract, maybe because of the conditions. Hope said the ball came onto the bat better in the second innings, while Indias bowlers were also able to extract more from their cutters at crucial moments. I would say in comparison to the first, to the second innings, yes. I thought the ball actually came on a bit more. Even when we bowled our slower balls and cutters it actually slid onto the pitch a bit more rather than held. Mayank got his cutters to grip a bit more, he said. So maybe those little margins, yes, but we just didnt bat as well as we could have honestly, you just have to be honest. Despite the defeat, Hope insisted that West Indies cannot dwell on the past and must use the experience of players who have previously played in India, including those with IPL exposure. Its certainly not up to scratch. You know when you come to India, playing in their home conditions, you gotta play your best cricket. You know theyre a very tough team to beat, so you gotta make sure you have more rights than wrongs. And something that we didnt do well today, he said. But the thing is I know there are a lot of guys who played here, whether its in the IPL or previous tours, so we just need to use those experiences and find a way to get better, come back for the next game. Hope, who has enjoyed success with the bat in India, said his approach is built around adapting quickly to conditions and paying close attention to detail. Thats a tough one because we all know the conditions for batting usually tends to be a bit better. But still you have to find a way to adapt. Youre still playing against quality players, youre still playing against guys whove done it many, many times, he said. Its just about being more ruthless and paying closer attention to detail whenever Im preparing and assessing what is necessary in each set of conditions or whichever situation the game Im faced with. So all these little things I try to put together into one basket whenever Im playing cricket here in India. And sometimes you need a bit of luck as well. Just make sure everything ticks and Ive just had the opportunity to get success and just trying to ride that wave for as long as possible. The Windies captain also acknowledged that the best T20 teams are those that assess conditions quickly and adjust their approach rather than blindly chasing a predetermined total. So Id say the best teams in the world they assess the conditions quickly. So when you have that assessment, then youd know exactly what would be a good score to defend from a bowling side of things, Hope said. The faster we can have that information being spread to the group I think that gives us a better, clearer understanding of what is required in those situations there. He also pointed out that the pitch can behave differently across the two innings, making it important for teams batting first to build in a cushion. Its always challenging because the first half of the game the wicket might play differently than in the second half, so you almost have to give yourself an extra cushion, so you may have to bat out of your skin sometimes to give yourself a good chance, he said. So I think the better teams who assess and adapt quicker tend to give themselves a better chance of winning the game. So those are things that we need to improve on as a team and find ways to get bigger targets when we try to set a score.
Shreyas Iyer's Priceless Reaction After Maiden T20I Ton vs West Indies Takes Internet By Storm
Captain Shreyas Iyer complimented his team for brilliant overall performance in a comprehensive win over the West Indies in the first T20I of the series against the West Indies.
Why India-Pak World Cup clash will be 'electrifying' again
Former Pakistan pacer Sohail Tanvir has expressed his excitement for the India-Pakistan clash in the 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup, emphasising the importance of quality cricket. He highlighted the immense pressure from fans in such encounters, drawing from his own experiences of thriving under pressure while playing against India, including in the IPL and on bilateral tours. The article also notes the historical head-to-head record and details of the upcoming 2027 World Cup fixture.
Bartlett to push his Test case, Vidler close to white-ball return
New Queensland coach James Hopes believes Xavier Bartlett can push his Test case at the start of Shield season
VVS Laxman Given Major Role By BCCI For Selection Meetings In Post-Ajit Agarkar Era
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, on Tuesday, said that Centre of Excellence head VVS Laxman will attend all future senior selection panel meetings after being in attendance for the T20I and India A team selection meeting in Guwahati.
India pacer Prasidh Krishna is set to be out for three to four weeks with a hamstring injury, and is uncertain for the tour of New Zealand.
Lionel Messi Says Goodbye to Argentina With Goal in Emotional Final Appearance
Lionel Messi's farewell match was an emotional one, as both the fans and the player himself put a lot of effort into the final game of his career. Thousands of fans filled the large stadium in Buenos Aires to see Messi
Veteran India seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar on Tuesday returned to the national side nearly four years since his last appearance, for the upcoming five-match T20I series, to be played in New Zealand later this month.
Smriti Mandhana And Harmanpreet Kaur Not Seeing Eye To Eye, Division In India Dressing Room: Report
Smriti Mandhana received the honour of captaining the Indian women's cricket team after Harmanpreet Kaur's resignation from the position.
Back to the future: lessons from the Asian Games for the Olympics
An Olympic medal will mean less to a player than winning a World Cup or World Test Championship. And if the games are in a country with little or no interest in cricket, it is unlikely to spread its message which is what the ICC hopes for
Harmanpreet Redefined Women's Cricket
Harmanpreet Kaur's career has been defined by landmark innings, record-breaking longevity and milestones that have mirrored the rise of Indian women's cricket.
Fenesta Open: Prabodh stuns Balsekar; top-seeded Sureshkumar-Sinha advance to quarterfinals
The doubles competitions also got underway, with top seeds Manish Sureshkumar/Nitin Sinha advancing to the quarterfinals with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Raghav Jaisinghani/Lakshit Sood
Zeeshan Ansari set to return to UP Ranji squad after six-year gap
Digital Desk | Lucknow, Oct 7 (IANS) After years of being on the fringes of Uttar Pradesh cricket, Zeeshan Ansari is set to make his return to the Ranji Trophy squad after a gap of six years, marking another significant chapter in the leg-spinners remarkable resurgence. The 26-year-old, who last played a Ranji Trophy match for Uttar Pradesh in 2020, has been named in the state squad for the upcoming season after forcing his way back into the reckoning with a standout domestic campaign. IANS has learned that the selectors have shown faith in him and the squad will be officially announced soon. The squad, led by Karan Sharma, includes Rinku Singh, Aradhya Yadav, Aryan Juyal (WK), Madhav Kaushik, Adarsh Singh, Sidharth Yadav, Prashantveer, Kartik Yadav, Ansari, Vansh Choudhary, Yash Dayal, Kunal Tyagi, Priyam Garg, Abhinandan Singh and Kartik Tyagi. Abhishek Goswami and Chikara have been named as stand-by players. It makes Ansaris return even more remarkable considering the way his career seemed to drift following his first-class debut for Uttar Pradesh against Railways on October 6, 2017. Ansari was considered a promising young leg-spinner, as he was part of Indias squad for the 2016 Under-19 World Cup along with Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan. State-level opportunities were few, his progress stagnated, and he had to look elsewhere. Beyond regular play in local tournaments in Lucknow, Ansari also played league cricket in Kolkata and was often seen around the Uttar Pradesh dressing room as a net bowler. Until the beginning of 2025, his proximity to the state team rarely translated into opportunities on the field. Ansari's big breakthrough came in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he proved to be one of the most effective bowlers for Uttar Pradesh. A leg-break and googly bowler, he took 21 wickets in eight matches at a stunning 16.52 apiece, always the man to break partnerships and come through in pressure situations. He was a constant threat with his ability to change pace and flight and bowl the googly at opportune moments, especially on surfaces that were becoming more batsman-friendly. Interestingly, despite making his state debut in the 2017-18 season, the last Vijay Hazare Trophy was Ansaris first domestic 50-over competition. His white-ball emergence therefore came relatively late in a career that had begun nearly a decade earlier. The 21-wicket campaign not only revived his Uttar Pradesh career but also pushed him into the national selectors vision. He was subsequently fast-tracked into the India A squad for the two unofficial Tests against Sri Lanka A later this month. That call-up highlighted the unusual trajectory of Ansaris career. While he has attracted significant attention through white-ball cricket in the last three years, his red-ball credentials remain relatively limited. Ansari has played only five first-class matches, including Ranji Trophy appearances for Uttar Pradesh, and has taken 17 wickets. His best figures are 3/33, which came against Tripura. His return also comes at a time when the pool of specialist wrist-spinners available for red-ball cricket has become relatively thin. A look at the leading wicket-takers from the last Ranji Trophy season underlines the selectors dilemma. Mayank Mishra, Siddharth Desai, Shahbaz Ahmed, Kumar Kartikeya, Arjun Sharma, Vishal Jayswal and Saurabh Kumar - all slow left-arm orthodox bowlers - featured among the top 10 wicket-takers, with J&K seamer Auqib Nabi leading the charts with 60 wickets. There was only one leg-break bowler among the top 10: Karnataka veteran Shreyas Gopal, who finished third with 48 wickets. The scarcity of wrist-spinners becomes even more evident when the next group of leading wicket-takers are considered. Between 11 and 20, there were two off-spinners - 33-year-old Saransh Jain, who is with India A, and domestic stalwart Jalaj Saxena - alongside pace bowlers Mohammed Nidheesh of Kerala and Sunil Kumar of J&K. The remaining names in that bracket were left-arm orthodox spinners Sagar Udeshi, Shams Mulani, Amit Shukla, Nachiket Bhute, Parth Rekhade and Anukul Roy. In all, 13 of the 20 bowlers in that broader group were left-arm spinners, while the only leg-break bowler in the top 10 was no longer in contention for India. That shortage has created an opening for a bowler like Ansari, whose ability to turn the ball both ways and operate as an attacking wrist-spinner offers a different dimension. For Ansari, however, the journey back to the Ranji setup is about much more than filling a statistical gap. His career appeared to be losing momentum after his early promise with Indias Under-19 team, but his persistence through local cricket, league cricket, net-bowling opportunities and limited state chances eventually brought him back into the spotlight. The 21 wickets in the Vijay Hazare Trophy became the catalyst. Now, after six years away from the Ranji fold, Ansari has another opportunity to establish himself in the red-ball format that once provided his first platform in senior cricket. His inclusion in the Uttar Pradesh squad, followed by the India A call-up, represents a rapid rise for a player who only recently found himself outside the states immediate plans. From an India Under-19 prospect in 2016 to a net bowler struggling for a state opportunity, and now an India A-bound leg-spinner preparing for a Ranji return, Ansaris career has taken an unexpected turn. The next challenge will be to translate his white-ball resurgence into sustained success with the red ball -beginning with Uttar Pradesh, where his first-class journey started on October 6, 2017.
McSweeney hits century as Australia A rout India A
Nathan McSweeney's century and Mahli Beardman's four-wicket haul led Australia A to a commanding 125-run victory over India A in the first one-dayer of their three-match series.
Dreams Do Come True: Shreyas Iyer After Scoring Maiden T20I Ton
Shreyas Iyer overcame fatigue and jet lag to score his maiden T20I hundred and said he did not want to use the travel exertions as an excuse, terming his match-winning knock that gave India a dominant eight-wicket win over West Indies a dream come true.
V V S Laxman to attend all Indian team selection meetings: BCCI
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced that Centre of Excellence (CoE) head VVS Laxman will now attend all future senior selection panel meetings to improve communication between selectors and the CoE.
Nathan McSweeney, Mahli Beardman Set Up Big Australia A Win Over India A In First One-Dayer
Nathan McSweeney hit a century and medium pacer Mahli Beardman ripped open India A's top order with a 4-23 haul as Australia A won by 125 runs in the first of the three-match 'One-day' series at the Siechem Stadium in Puducherry on Tuesday.
Injured Cameron Green ruled out of first Test vs South Africa
Australia all-rounder Cameron Green will miss the first Test against South Africa after failing to recover from an abdominal strain, coach Andrew McDonald said on Tuesday.
Digital Desk | Lucknow, Oct 6 (IANS) Captain Shreyas Iyer complimented his team for brilliant overall performance in a comprehensive win over the West Indies in the first T20I of the series against the West Indies and said scoring his maiden hundred in the format was a dream come true for him. Iyer produced a historic unbeaten 102 off 43 balls, and Naman Dhir made an impressive impact on debut as India thrashed West Indies by eight wickets at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium here on Tuesday. Exultant! Was thinking about my first century, and dreams do come true. Winning tastes different. If it is your day, win the match for the team. Overall, it was a comprehensive performance. If we continue with the same mindset, we will be one of the most destructive teams in T20, said Iyer, who was adjudged the Player of the Match. Chasing 172, India completed a dominant victory in just 14.4 overs, with Iyer smashing his maiden T20I century and his highest score in the format. His sensational knock included a century off just 42 balls, making it the second-fastest hundred against West Indies in T20Is, behind only Australias Tim David, who reached the landmark in 37 balls in 2025. The win in the T20I came after a busy week for India after a three-match ODI series, which included exhausting travel, that India won 2-1. Iyer said when he started batting, he did not realise where he was. After the exhausting travel, I didn't realise where I was. Every day I need to wake up like this! Bowling first helped us a lot. We just didn't look at jet lag as an excuse. We saw the excitement of Ind vs WI in the ODIs and how amazing that was. It was important to stick to the process. He said he loved debutant Naman Dhir's attitude as he wanted to take the responsibility of bowling in crucial moments. Dhir, making his T20I debut, returned the third-best bowling figures by an Indian spinner on debut, claiming 3/31 from four overs as India bowled out West Indies for 171. Dhir wanted to bowl in crucial moments. Capitalised on the turn; I love his attitude. I am already sleepy. Axar's eyes had become red as well, said Iyer.
Maiden T20I Ton! How Shreyas Iyer Turned Jetlag Into Jet Power
Shreyas Iyer scored his maiden T20I hundred, leading India to a dominant eight-wicket victory over West Indies in the opening match of the five-match series. Despite recent travel and jet lag, Iyer's unbeaten 102, alongside a strong bowling performance including Naman Dhir's three wickets, ensured India chased down West Indies' total of 171 with ease. West Indies captain Shai Hope lamented his team's chaotic batting and lack of runs.
BCCI Announces Vice-Captains In Women's ODIs, T20Is After Smriti Mandhana Becomes Skipper
Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma were on Tuesday named vice-captains for India's T20I and ODI squads respectively, with both set to serve as deputies to newly-appointed captain Smriti Mandhana for the home series against Zimbabwe.
Keith Dudgeon joins Sussex on two-year deal
South African seamer signs after previous county experience with Kent
Mandhana to Begin India Captaincy Reign with Zimbabwe Series
Smriti Mandhana has been appointed captain of the Indian women's cricket team for both T20I and ODI formats, with Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma named vice-captains respectively. This follows Harmanpreet Kaur's decision to step down. The squads for the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe have also been announced, featuring new inclusions and notable exclusions due to injury.
Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India women's captain: Career, net worth, family, personal life
Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as India's women's cricket captain across all formats after a decade in leadership. From her early days in Moga to leading India to its maiden Women's ODI World Cup title, here is a look at her cricket journey, family background, personal life and estimated net worth.
KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant Headline Star-Studded India A Squad For New Zealand Tour
Senior team vice-captain KL Rahul, his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal, and No. 3 batter Devdutt Padikkal are among 11 Test players picked in the 15-member India A squad that will play three unofficial Tests against New Zealand A starting October 24.
1st T20I: Shreyas Iyers Historic Ton, Naman Dhirs Three-for Power India To An Eight-wicket Win
BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium: Skipper Shreyas Iyer produced a historic unbeaten 102 off 43 balls, and Naman Dhir made an impressive impact on debut as India thrashed West Indies by eight wickets in the first T20I at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday. Chasing 172, India completed a dominant victory in just 14.4 overs, with Iyer smashing his maiden T20I century and his highest score in the format. His sensational knock included a century off just 42 balls, making it the second-fastest hundred against West Indies in T20Is, behind only Australias Tim David, who reached the landmark in 37 balls in 2025. Iyers century was also the fastest by an Indian against West Indies in T20Is, bettering KL Rahuls 46-ball hundred in Lauderhill in 2016. The India captain became only the third Indian captain to score a century in mens T20Is, joining Rohit Sharma, who has three, and Suryakumar Yadav, who has one. The 102 not out also surpassed Iyers previous best T20I score of 80 not out against England in Bristol earlier in 2026. Iyer brought up his 11th T20I fifty in just 28 balls, and it was only his second half-century since taking over the captaincy from Suryakumar Yadav. He received a loud ovation from the Ekana crowd as he took control of the chase following the early loss of both Indian openers. India raced to 62/2 after six overs, with Abhishek Sharma scoring 21 and Sanju Samson making 11 before departing. Rather than allowing the early setbacks to slow the chase, Iyer continued to attack and found boundaries with regularity. Ishan Kishan provided excellent support, scoring 37 off 27 balls as the pair stitched together a match-winning partnership of 137 off 68 balls. Kishan also completed 3,000 runs in international cricket during the chase. India were 102/2 at the halfway stage, needing 70 from 60 balls, but the equation quickly became academic as Iyer accelerated. He reached his hundred from 42 balls and remained unbeaten on 102 from 43, while Kishan fell after making 37. West Indies had a chance to break the partnership when Iyer clipped a Shamar Springer delivery towards square leg, and Matthew Forde came charging in from deep cover. Forde dived forward and appeared to have taken a low catch, but the on-field decision remained not out, and TV umpire Rohan Pandit reviewed the effort. Replays showed the ball touching the ground between Fordes fingers, confirming that the catch had not been completed. The decision left the West Indies camp frustrated, with Shai Hope and Akeal Hosein sharing smiles while head coach Daren Sammy was visibly unhappy in the dugout. Earlier, Dhir, making his T20I debut, returned the third-best bowling figures by an Indian spinner on debut, claiming 3/31 from four overs as India bowled out West Indies for 171. The visitors were given a brisk start by skipper Shai Hope, who took 16 runs off Mayank Yadav in the second over. India, however, responded strongly during the powerplay through Arshdeep Singh and Axar Patel. Kamil Pooran was the first wicket to fall for 12 before Shimron Hetmyer was run out for five and Rovman Powell was dismissed for a duck. The three wickets left West Indies struggling at 44/3 after six overs. Hope then steadied the innings alongside Sherfane Rutherford, with the pair adding an unbeaten 38-run stand to take West Indies to 82/3 at the drinks break. Rutherford was unbeaten on 18, while Hope continued to anchor the innings. Powells dismissal extended his struggles against Axar. In T20 matches against the India all-rounder, Powell has now been dismissed twice, scoring only 17 runs off 13 balls. Hetmyers run-out also saw him move to the top of West Indies list for most run-outs in T20Is, with seven, ahead of Andre Fletchers six. Axars excellent opening spell further strengthened his place among Indias leading bowlers for maiden overs in T20Is. His sixth maiden moved him behind only Jasprit Bumrah (13) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (10), while his four wicket-maidens in overs 1-6 put him level with Bumrah and behind Bhuvneshwars six. Hope continued to anchor the innings and brought up his 13th T20I fifty from 36 balls. However, the West Indies captain fell immediately after reaching the milestone, caught by Axar off Dhir for 52, ending a 63-run partnership with Rutherford. Kuldeep Yadav then struck in successive overs, trapping Roston Chase for 5 before dismissing Matthew Forde for 2. Ishan Kishan produced a spectacular catch at deep midwicket to complete Fordes dismissal, running to his left and holding on despite losing his balance. Romario Shepherd briefly threatened to revive the innings with a six but was dismissed for 7 after slicing Dhirs delivery to Tilak Varma at long-off. Dhir then completed his third wicket when Shamar Springer holed out to Axar after hitting the debutant for a maximum. Rutherford remained the main source of resistance and smashed a brisk 56 off 31 balls for his seventh T20I fifty. His knock kept West Indies in the hunt after the visitors lost a flurry of wickets to Indias spinners through the middle overs. Mayank eventually ended Rutherfords stay, claiming his first wicket of the match, before Axar completed his second wicket to bowl West Indies out for 171. Dhir finished with impressive figures of 3/31 from four overs, while Axar returned 2/26 from 3.1 overs and Kuldeep took 2/33 from four overs. Arshdeep Singh and Mayank Yadav also claimed a wicket each. The victory gave India a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series, but it was Iyers remarkable innings and Dhirs memorable debut that provided the defining moments of a one-sided contest. Brief scores: The victory gave India a 1-0 lead in the five-match T20I series, but it was Iyers remarkable innings and Dhirs memorable debut that provided the defining moments of a one-sided contest. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Shreyas Iyer's maiden ton hands India crushing win
Fifties from Hope and Rutherford took West Indies to 171, but India made a mockery of the chase
Prasad, Kalita and Nandani the new faces in Mandhana-led white-ball sides
Shafali Verma has been elevated to the vice-captaincy of the T20I side, while Deepti Sharma will do the job in the ODI side for the games against Zimbabwe
Rahul and Jaiswal in India A squad for red-ball matches in New Zealand
Dhruv Jurel has been named the captain of the side, while Rishabh Pant has been picked but his participation will be subject to fitness
Jurel to Lead India A in Test Series vs New Zealand A
The BCCI has announced a 15-member India A squad for three unofficial Tests against New Zealand A, starting October 24. The squad includes senior players like KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, and Rishabh Pant (subject to fitness), raising questions about their availability for all 'A' matches due to overlapping ODI commitments.
All-Rounder Naman Dhir Picks Three Wickets On Debut As India Bowl Out West Indies For 171
All-rounder Naman Dhir had a dream debut, picking up three wickets with his off-spin to India help bowl out West Indies for 171 in the first T20 International of the five-match series on Tuesday.
Smriti Mandhana To Lead As BCCI Announces Squads For Zimbabwe Series
Asia Cup Rising Stars: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday announced Indias squads for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Zimbabwe, with Smriti Mandhana set to lead the womens team as full-time captain for the first time. Mandhanas appointment as captain was announced by the BCCI earlier on Tuesday after Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from the leadership role across formats. Mandhana, who has previously led India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs, will now begin her full-time tenure with the Zimbabwe series. Opener Shafali Verma has been named vice-captain for the three-match T20I series, while all-rounder Deepti Sharma will serve as Mandhanas deputy in the ODI format. Harmanpreet remains part of both squads. The T20I squad includes maiden call-ups for Niki Prasad and Jintimani Kalita, while Anushka Sharma, Minnu Mani and Prema Rawat have returned to the setup after missing out in the recent assignments. Niki has been part of Indias A setup and impressed in domestic cricket, while Jintimani has also featured for India A. Both were part of the India A group that faced England A earlier this year. Prema, a leg-spinner, has also represented India at the international level and was brought into the T20 World Cup squad earlier this year after Shreyanka Patil was ruled out with injury. However, she didn't get many chances after the tournament. Prema had previously impressed for India A, including an eight-wicket haul in five matches during Indias victorious Womens Asia Cup Rising Stars campaign. The series will be Indias first assignment after their womens cricket team retained the Asian Games gold medal in Aichi-Nagoya. India had entered the Games as defending champions, having won the womens cricket gold at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Compared to the T20I squad that was part of Indias gold-medal-winning campaign, there are five changes. Niki, Anushka, Jintimani, Prema and Minnu have come into the squad, replacing Bharti Fulmali, Pratika Rawal, Renuka Thakur, Radha Yadav and Shreyanka Patil. For the ODI series, Tejal Hasabnis and Sayali Satghare have been recalled. The duo was part of India. A side that toured England earlier this year, with Hasabnis scoring an unbeaten 57 in a one-day match against England A. Mandhanas appointment also marks the beginning of a new leadership phase for Indian womens cricket. The left-handed opener has been part of the national team since 2013 and has led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to Womens Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026. India will play the three T20Is in Raipur on October 16, 18 and 20, followed by three ODIs in Vadodara on October 23, 25 and 28. Squads: Indias T20I Squad: Smriti Mandhana [C], Shafali Verma [VC], Niki Prasad, Harmanpreet Kaur, Anushka Sharma, Richa Ghosh [WK], G Kamalini [WK], Deepti Sharma, Prema Rawat, Sree Charani, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, Jintimani Kalita, Minnu Mani Squads: Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Shreyas Iyer smacks 42-ball century, India thrash West Indies by eight wickets to win first T20I
India defeated West Indies by eight wickets in the first T20I at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Captain Shreyas Iyer played a phenomenal knock, smacking an unbeaten 101 runs off 43 balls as India...
McSweeney, Sutherland and Beardman do the star turn as Australia-A goes one up
The home side gets bundled out for 149 in pursuit of 275
McSweeney 123, Beardman four-for down India A
Rajat Patidar scored a valiant fifty in India A's chase of 275 but they slid to a 125-run defeat in the first unofficial ODI
Smriti Mandhana Takes Over From Harmanpreet Kaur As India Women's Cricket Captain
Smriti Mandhana has been appointed as India's new women's cricket captain, following Harmanpreet Kaur stepping down from the role in all formats.
McSweeney, Beardman set up big Australia A win over India A in first one-dayer
Digital Desk | Puducherry, Oct 6 (IANS) Nathan McSweeney hit a century and medium pacer Mahli Beardman ripped open India As top order with a 4-23 haul as Australia A won by 125 runs in the first of the three-match 'One-day' series at the Siechem Stadium in Puducherry on Tuesday. McSweeney struck 123 off 135 balls, studded with 13 boundaries, recording his second List A hundred. He put on 141 for the sixth wicket in 23.2 overs with skipper Will Sutherland (77, 68b, 2x4, 4x6) to lift the visitors to a competitive 274 all out in 48.2 overs. Opting to bat first, Australia A were reeling at 87/5 before McSweeney and Will Sutherland got into the rescue act. Defending a modest total, the 21-year-old Beardman, who returned his career-best figures, dismissed Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal and wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh to push India A onto the back foot at 24/3 by the fourth over. Soon, left-arm fast bowler Spencer Johnson scalped skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad to make it 58/4 to scupper the home sides chances of a strong fightback. India A were bowled out for 149, with Rajat Patidar top-scoring with 53 (51b, 5x4, 1x6) for his 14th List A fifty. The visitors lost half their side by the 17th over to some top-drawer bowling before a dominant McSweeney-Sutherland stand turned it around, with the latter also blasting three successive sixes off left-arm spinner Anukul Roy. Re-introduced into the attack in the 40th over, young medium-fast bowler Suryansh Shedge, who was called up as an injury replacement for Hardik Pandya, broke the stand by dismissing Sutherland, who recorded his fifth List A fifty, clean bowled. In his following over, Shedge dismissed Todd Murphy and Spencer Johnson off successive deliveries, both caught behind, to record his second List A four-wicket haul. McSweeney fell to Thakur, caught behind for Prabhsimrans fourth catch of the match. The second One-Day will be played on Oct 9 and the final match on Oct 11. Brief scores: Australia A 274 all out in 48.2 overs (Nathan McSweeney 123, Will Sutherland 77; Suryansh Shedge 4-40, Arshad Khan 2-48, Yash Thakur 3-47) beat India A 149 all out in 31.4 overs (Rajat Patidar 53, Nishant Sindhu 31, Spencer Johnson 2-36, Mahli Beardman 4-23) by 125 runs.
Smriti Mandhana Replaces Harmanpreet As All-format Captain Of Indian Womens Cricket Team
BCCI President Mithun Manhas: With Harmanpreet Kaur deciding to quit captaincy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday night announced that Smriti Mandhana will take over from her on a permanent basis. Mandhana has led India in different formats earlier. While she will be the full-time white-ball captain from now on, Smriti has led India in 18 T20Is and 4 ODIs. Smriti has been one of the leading figures in Indian women's cricket over the years and has played a key role in the team's progress across formats. An experienced international cricketer, she has also demonstrated her leadership qualities in domestic and franchise cricket, most recently leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the Women's Premier League titles in 2024 and 2026. Having been part of the Indian team since 2013, Smriti brings considerable experience into the role. She will now take on the responsibility of leading the side, with the team entering a new phase and continuing to build on the progress made in recent years, the BCCI said in a release on Tuesday. Speaking on her appointment, Smriti Mandhana said: To be given the responsibility of leading India is a very special honour. Representing India has always meant a great deal to me, and to now have the opportunity to lead the team is something I will value deeply. I am grateful to the BCCI, the selectors, my teammates, and everyone who has supported me throughout my journey and for the trust they have placed in me. I would also like to acknowledge Harmanpreet and the contribution she has made as captain over the years. She has led the team with great commitment and has been an important part of our journey. I understand the responsibility that comes with this role and look forward to working with the team, learning along the way and giving my best to take Indian Cricket forward, she added. BCCI President Mithun Manhas said: I congratulate Smriti on being entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Indian Womens Cricket Team. She has been an important part of Indian cricket for many years and has consistently shown the qualities required to lead from the front. Her experience and understanding of the game will be valuable as she takes on this responsibility. The BCCI has full confidence in Smriti, and I am sure she will approach this role with the same commitment and professionalism that she has shown throughout her career. On behalf of the BCCI, I wish her the very best and look forward to seeing her lead the team into this new chapter, he said. Devajit Saikia, BCCI Honorary Secretary, said: Congratulations to Smriti on this important responsibility. She has grown into one of the most experienced players in the Indian team and has been part of some very important moments in the journey of Indian womens cricket. She understands what it means to represent India, and I am confident that she will bring that understanding to her role as captain. The BCCI has full confidence in Smriti, and I am sure she will approach this role with the same commitment and professionalism that she has shown throughout her career. On behalf of the BCCI, I wish her the very best and look forward to seeing her lead the team into this new chapter, he said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Bhuvneshwar back after 4 years! Picked in Indian team for New Zealand T20Is
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the surprise inclusion in the Indian team for the upcoming T20I series in New Zealand starting later this month.
1st T20I: Debutant Dhir Stars as India Restrict West Indies to 171
All-rounder Naman Dhir made a sensational debut, claiming three wickets to help India bowl out West Indies for 171 in the first T20 International. Supported by Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, India successfully restricted the West Indies despite strong innings from Sherfane Rutherford and Shai Hope.
IND vs WI first T20I: Naman Dhir shines on debut as India bowls out West Indies for 171
Dhir finished with impressive figures of 3/31, while Kuldeep Yadav also scalped 2 for 33 to help India restrict West Indies to a manageable total
Smriti Mandhana appointed India captain across formats
Mandhana, who has been part of the side since 2013, has previously led India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs
Smriti Mandhana appointed Indian womens cricket team captain
Earlier in the day, Harmanpreet announced her decision to step down as India captain in a social media post
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Returns As BCCI Announces T20I Squad For New Zealand Tour
T20 World Cup: Senior pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has earned a recall to Indias T20I squad for the five-match series against New Zealand, marking his return to the national side after nearly four years, as the BCCI announced the Shreyas Iyer-led team on Tuesday. The 36-year-old last represented India in the T20 World Cup semi-final against England at the Adelaide Oval in November 2022. A strong run in the Indian Premier League over the last two seasons has helped the experienced seamer force his way back into the national setup. Bhuvneshwar claimed 45 wickets across the last two IPL editions for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and played an important role in the franchises title-winning campaigns. His consistency with the new ball and wealth of experience have now earned him another opportunity in Indias T20I setup. The pacer had recently been named captain of Indias squad for the Hong Kong Sixes, but his inclusion in the T20I squad means he will miss the tournament. Apart from Bhuvneshwars return, the other notable change is the inclusion of Varun Chakaravarthy, who returns after recovering from the side strain that ruled him out following the first T20I against Afghanistan last month. Ravi Bishnoi, who was part of the previous squad, has been left out. India's prime pacer Jasprit Bumrah is also not included in the team, as he is expected to play a major role in the ODI and Test assignment. India will begin the five-match T20I series against New Zealand in Christchurch on October 22, with the second match also scheduled at the same venue on October 24. The teams will then move to Wellington for the third T20I on October 27, followed by matches in Auckland on October 30 and Hamilton on November 1. The BCCI is yet to announce the squads for the ODI and Test legs of the tour. India are scheduled to play five ODIs and two Tests against New Zealand after the T20I series. Meanwhile, the selectors have also picked a 15-member India A squad for three multi-day matches against New Zealand A, providing several players with an opportunity to gain valuable red-ball exposure in conditions similar to those they could encounter during the Test leg. Dhruv Jurel has been named captain, while Rishabh Pant's availability is subject to fitness. India A will play their first multi-day match against New Zealand A in Lincoln from October 24 to 27. The second match will be held in Christchurch from October 31 to November 3, while the third is scheduled in Lincoln from November 7 to 10. Squads: Indias T20I Squad: Shreyas Iyer [C], Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson [WK], Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan [WK], Tilak Varma [VC], Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Naman Dhir, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav. Squads: Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
India vs New Zealand T20I series: Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns after four-year gap
India will be playing New Zealand in the five-match T20I series from October 22, 2026.
India recall Bhuvneshwar Kumar for New Zealand T20Is
Varun Chakravarthy is also back for India after missing the Asian Games, while Ravi Bishnoi has been left out
BCCI announces Smriti Mandhana as India's new all-format captain after Harmanpreet Kaur steps down
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced Smriti Mandhana as the new captain of the womens team. After the announcement, she thanked the BCCI officials, selectors, teammates and also her former captain Harmanpreet for her years of contribution to the growth of Indian cricket.
Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has returned to the Indian T20I team after four years. Despite impressive showings in the Indian Premier League (IPL), he failed to break into the scheme of things. However, for the...
