Cricket

One-off Test: Test Cap Is A Dream For Every Cricketer, Its The Best Feeling Of My Life, Says Manav Suthar

Indian Premier League: Indias newest red-ball debutant, Manav Suthar, expressed that words cannot fully capture how he felt on receiving his first Test cap. He described the moment as the best feeling he has experienced so far while also stating that he was motivated while getting the cap from a legend like Kuldeep Yadav. India added Suthar to the XI for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Mullanpur. Before the game began on Saturday, all eyes were on India's playing XI, with fans curious as to who among Suthar and Harsh Dubey would be selected. Suthar, who played for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 under Indias red-ball skipper Shubman Gills leadership, earned his first cap from senior spinner Kuldeep. I can't even express these emotions in words. To be honest, it's the best feeling of my life so far. A Test cap is a dream for every cricketer. So it gave me a lot of motivation, and receiving this cap from a legend like Kuldeep (Yadav) bhai, who has served Team India for so long, makes me so grateful that I received this cap, Suthar said in a video shared by BCCI. India added Suthar to the XI for the one-off Test against Afghanistan in Mullanpur. Before the game began on Saturday, all eyes were on India's playing XI, with fans curious as to who among Suthar and Harsh Dubey would be selected. Suthar, who played for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 under Indias red-ball skipper Shubman Gills leadership, earned his first cap from senior spinner Kuldeep. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India won the toss and elected to bat, with the top order showing brilliant resilience throughout the first two sessions of the game. India crossed the 200-run mark riding on KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsans half-centuries, and the former went on to convert his score into a ton in the last session of Day 1. Article Source: IANS

Vaibhav Suryavanshi at 15 is giving a new generation its own Sachin Tendulkar moment

Vaibhav Suryavanshi's early career numbers and fan energy are akin to a young Sachin Tendulkar's, and now cricket needs its own Vaibhav not another Sachin.

Tajpur Celebrates With Laddus And Crackers As Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Earns India Callup

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia: The village of Tajpur in Bihars Samastipur district turned into a festive mood on Saturday afternoon as teenaged left-handed batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earned a maiden call-up to Indias squads for the T20I tours of Ireland and England, as well as the Asian Games in Japan. As soon as Sooryavanshis name was announced in all three squads by BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia at the boards headquarters in Mumbai, it sparked jubilant scenes, with neighbours, relatives and people in the village thronging to his home, distributing laddus and even bursting crackers. With everyone gathering at Sooryavanshis residence to congratulate his family and soak in the joy of him earning a spot in the Indian team, his father Sanjeev Sooryavanshi has since been on cloud nine. We were at home and were waiting for something good to happen. We were very happy when the announcement was made. Our entire family, people in the society and village came to our home to congratulate us. Everyone distributed sweets and laddus, while crackers were even burst. We are very, very happy. Vaibhav has worked very hard since childhood for this his aim to play for the country. Today, he has got the reward of his hard work and will get the saubhagya (the good fortune) to play for his country. We are very, very happy for him, Sanjeev told IANS in an exclusive conversation, even as visitors continued to arrive at his home. Sooryavanshi, who smashed 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.30 for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026, including hitting 72 sixes. He will first feature for India A in the 50-over triseries in Sri Lanka from June 9 to 21 before joining the senior side. If he debuts in Ireland or England, he will become the first India player to play international cricket before turning 16. The legendary Sachin Tendulkar made his Test debut for India in 1989 at 16 years and 205 days while his ODI debut came at 16 years and 238 days. As of now, Washington Sundar is India's youngest T20I debutant at 18 years and 80 days. With the first half of 2026 seeing him garner praise from Tendulkar, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill Sanjeev said he had sensed the breakthrough coming for Sooryavanshi. Yes, I strongly felt it that he may get a callup to the senior team this time. Its because the way he played in England, Australia in the U19 games, then in South Africa and the U19 World Cup win, it was just outstanding. Moreover, he did well in the Emerging Asia Cup in Qatar and this years IPL too. Keeping all of that in mind, I had a feeling that it would be all good for Vaibhav. The selectors of BCCI have shown confidence in Vaibhav and we are very happy and thank them for showing their faith in him, added the elated father. Amidst the joy of celebrating Vaibhavs call-up to the India T20I set-up, Sanjeev recalled about the time the teenager first picked up a bat as a five-year-old kid. The spark he showed while batting was enough for cricketloving Sanjeev to throw himself into the grind, sacrifice and grit needed to shape Vaibhav into an international cricketer. For years, his father Sanjeev accompanied him every other day from their home to coach Manish Ojhas Gen Next Academy in Sampatchak area of Patna. The oneway journey was of nearly twoandahalf hours, but Sanjay would do it for the sake of Vaibhavs cricketing future, while his mother Aarti Singh would wake up at 3 am to ensure her son carried homemade food to the academy. Every parent in the world does a lot of hardwork for their child. I have also been doing a lot of hardwork since childhood for Vaibhav. He was five years old when I started for him to play cricket. He and I both worked very hard. When he was 8, 9, and 10 years old, I got him to play matches and felt that he had something different in him in comparison to others. From there, he began to play a lot and even used to play in the senior team too. Seeing that, I felt that he had it in him to play at a higher level Every parent in the world does a lot of hardwork for their child. I have also been doing a lot of hardwork since childhood for Vaibhav. He was five years old when I started for him to play cricket. He and I both worked very hard. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The sacrifices bore fruit when, at just 12, Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to feature in Ranji Trophy and a year later, became the youngest player to get an IPL deal. Now with Vaibhav set to don the blue jersey, Sanjeev signed off by saying, Bas aashirwad dijiye, bahut acha karega aagey. Bas aashirwad dijiye (Just keep giving your blessing, as the boy will do well in future. Just keep giving him blessings). Article Source: IANS

PM Modi Congratulates Praggnanandhaa After Historic Norway Chess Triumph

Prime Minister Narendra Modi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa after the 20-year-old became the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess title, hailing the achievement as a reflection of his continued excellence on the global stage. Taking to X after Praggnanandhaa's historic triumph in Oslo, Modi wrote: Congratulations to Praggnanandhaa for this remarkable feat! This is indeed an incredible milestone that highlights his continued excellence. My best wishes to him for his future endeavours. The Prime Minister's words came as Praggnanandhaa recorded one of the most remarkable comebacks in the history of elite tournament, defeating Germany's Vincent Keymer in round 10, and thus winning the event outright. The Chennai-based Grandmaster entered the 10th and last round half a point behind overnight leader Wesley So. As soon as So drew against Alireza Firouzja, the young Indian took the chance and converted a better middlegame position into a deserved win over Keymer in the 45 th move. He took 18 points, and he became one point ahead of the American, and his prize-money was $100,000. The accomplishment seemed much more spectacular given the scenario at the end of round six: Praggnanandhaa was at the bottom of the table with no other player ranked beneath him and his performance in Norway's most prestigious chess tournament seemed destined to disappoint. Then, the Indian pulled a phenomenal sprint finishing, winning the last four classical games, to make a comeback. The Chennai-based Grandmaster entered the 10th and last round half a point behind overnight leader Wesley So. As soon as So drew against Alireza Firouzja, the young Indian took the chance and converted a better middlegame position into a deserved win over Keymer in the 45 th move. He took 18 points, and he became one point ahead of the American, and his prize-money was $100,000. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Praggnanandhaa, who played with the white pieces against Keymer, had benefited from a few mistakes on the German's side in the middlegame and converted his advantage into a clear win. That win was an amazing comeback for a player whose world ranking had dropped to 16 on June 1. Carlsen ended fourth on 13 points (winning his last game against Gukesh), Firouzja was third on 15.5 points, Keymer placed fifth, and Gukesh, current world Champion, concluded last on six points. Article Source: IANS

One-off Test: KL Rahul Stands Tall As India Reach 209/2 At Tea

Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket: KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan struck composed half-centuries and shared a commanding 139-run partnership as India tightened their grip on the one-off Test against Afghanistan, reaching 209/2 in 50 overs at Tea on Day 1 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium here in Mullanpur on Saturday. Resuming the afternoon session at 96/1, India added 113 runs for the loss of just one wicket, with Rahul unbeaten on 81 and captain Shubman Gill on 20 not out at the break. Afghanistan's lone success in the session came through Mohammad Saleem Safi again, who ended Sai's impressive run at 81. Having survived a testing opening session, Rahul looked far more fluent after lunch. The right-hander quickly shifted gears, collecting boundaries against both pace and spin before bringing up his 21st Test fifty. At the other end, Sai continued the encouraging start to his Test career, displaying patience and strokeplay in equal measure as he reached his third Test half-century. The pair steadily wore down the Afghanistan attack, rotating strike effectively while capitalising on loose deliveries. Afghanistan created a few opportunities but were unable to make them count. Sai enjoyed a significant reprieve on 59 when an outside edge off Ziaur Rahman Sharifi flew past wicketkeeper Afsar Zazai, while Rahul survived an lbw review after an inside edge saved him against Saleem Safi's reverse swing. As the session progressed, Sai grew increasingly confident against spin. The left-hander swept Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi regularly and drove fluently through the off side, helping India move past 150 and then 175 with relative ease. Afghanistan's bowlers continued to search for a breakthrough, with Sharifi producing probing spells and Saleem Safi generating reverse swing. The persistence finally paid off in the 43rd over when Saleem Safi induced an edge from Sai with a full delivery outside off. Wicketkeeper Zazai completed a sharp low catch to end the partnership and dismiss the debutant for a well-crafted 81 off 104 balls, studded with 13 boundaries. The dismissal ended a 139-run stand that had rescued India from 41/1 and placed the hosts firmly in control. Gill, arriving at No. 4, settled quickly despite an early lbw scare against Shahidi that Afghanistan unsuccessfully reviewed. The Indian captain responded positively, driving and pulling with authority to collect four boundaries in a brisk unbeaten 20 off 28 deliveries. Rahul, meanwhile, continued to anchor the innings, moving into the eighties and keeping Afghanistan at bay as India crossed the 200-run mark shortly before Tea. The dismissal ended a 139-run stand that had rescued India from 41/1 and placed the hosts firmly in control. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: India 209/2 in 50 overs (KL Rahul 81 not out, Shubman Gill 20 not out, Sai Sudharsan 81; Mohammad Saleem Safi 2-50) against Afghanistan. Article Source: IANS

Yashasvi Jaiswal Replaces Injured Virat Kohli for Indias ODI Series Against Afghanistan

Yashasvi Jaiswal has been drafted in to replace an injured Virat Kohli for Indias threematch ODI series against Afghanistan beginning June 13 in Dharamsala, while Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya are set to feature subject to them getting fitness clearance. Kohli, who now plays for India in ODIs, was visibly struggling while anchoring Royal Challengers Bengalurus chase in the IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, where he hit a match-winning 75 not out. The injury to his right hamstring has since aggravated, thus ruling him out of the series against Afghanistan. Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar said Kohli is expected to be fit for ODIs against England, to be played in July. It's just less than a week since he injured himself in the IPL final. Don't know the timelines yet, looks like he might be fit for England ODIs. Not a definitive squad, don't have a timeline from the physio yet, he said in the press conference at the BCCI headquarters on Saturday. Jaiswal's last ODI appearance was on December 6, 2025, against South Africa in Visakhapatnam, where he hit an unbeaten 116 runs off 121 balls, his maiden century in the 50-over format internationally. Meanwhile, seam-bowling all-rounder Pandya is undergoing rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru since June 2 after back injury kept him out of a few games in IPL 2026 Jaiswal's last ODI appearance was on December 6, 2025, against South Africa in Visakhapatnam, where he hit an unbeaten 116 runs off 121 balls, his maiden century in the 50-over format internationally. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Following the opening ODI in Dharamshala, India and Afghanistan will play two more ODIs in Lucknow and Chennai on June 17 and 20 respectively. After this, the selectors are slated to announce Indias squad for ODIs against England at a later date. Article Source: IANS

Dhruv Jurel To Lead India A In Multiday Games In Sri Lanka; Auqib Nabi Earns Callup

The Ajit Agarkar: Wicketkeeperbatter Dhruv Jurel has been named captain of the India A squad for the upcoming two multiday matches in Sri Lanka, while Jammu & Kashmir fast bowling allrounder Auqib Nabi has earned a maiden callup to the set-up. The Ajit Agarkarled selection committee announced the squad on Saturday, with Devdutt Padikkal appointed as the vicecaptain. India A will play two fourday fixtures against Sri Lanka A from June 25 to July 5 in Galle, ahead of the Test team visiting the country for a two-game World Test Championship series in August. The priority will be to acclimatise to spin-friendly conditions and getting used to the red Kookaburra ball. Alongside Jurel and Padikkal, the batting unit includes Sai Sudharsan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and N Jagadeesan. Vidarbha batter Aman Mokhade and Andhra batter Shaik Rasheed have also earned maiden call-ups to the India A squad. The bowling attack comprises of Nabi, Yash Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, and Gurnoor Brar, who recently got a call-up to the Test team for the ongoing one-off game against Afghanistan. Auqibs call-up is significant, considering he got 60 wickets to become the highest wicket-taker while guiding Jammu and Kashmir to their maiden Ranji Trophy triumph earlier this year. The priority will be to acclimatise to spin-friendly conditions and getting used to the red Kookaburra ball. Alongside Jurel and Padikkal, the batting unit includes Sai Sudharsan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and N Jagadeesan. Vidarbha batter Aman Mokhade and Andhra batter Shaik Rasheed have also earned maiden call-ups to the India A squad. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India A squad for multi-day games in Sri Lanka: Dhruv Jurel (captain), Sai Sudharsan, Ayush Badoni, Devdutt Padikkal (vice-captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Saransh Jain, Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi, Yash Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, N Jagadeesan, Aman Mokhade, Shaik Rasheed, and Zeeshan Ansari Article Source: IANS

Shreyas confirmed as India's T20I captain; Suryakumar dropped

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been picked in an India squad for the first time

Sooryavanshi Earns Maiden Callup For T20I Tours Of Ireland, England And Asian Games

Indian T20I: Teenaged batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has earned a maiden call-up to the Indian T20I team for the tours of Ireland, England and the Asian Games. With Shreyas Iyer appointed as Indias new T20I captain, he replaces Suryakumar Yadav, who has been left out of all three squads. Shreyas was quite close to getting into that T20 World Cup squad. It was a tough call on Suryakumar Yadav, but you need to reassess your plan moving forward. Shreyas is a well-deserving captain. He is a standout candidate with enough experience. I talked to most people, particularly when it comes to a captain who has won the World Cup. We had that chat. We debated it a lot, not the easiest discussion especially if you've won the WC. At some stage, we would've discussed. Shreyas playing as well as he has made the decision easier, said chief selector Ajit Agarkar in the press conference. India will play two T20Is in Belfast on June 26 and 28, followed by five matches in England from July 1 to 11. They will also play in the Mens T20 event at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, in September. Suryakumar, 35, had captained India to a successful defence of the T20 World Cup title in March, but his prolonged lean patch was always a concern. He managed only 270 runs in 13 innings for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026 at an average of 20.76, while his World Cup returns 242 runs at a strike rate of 136.72 were modest. With the next T20 World Cup scheduled for 2028, the selectors felt the time was right to move on and make Shreyas the sides captain, while Tilak Varma is appointed as the vice-captain. Shubman Gill was vice-captain leading into World Cup. But when we decided to have two keepers he missed out. Axar Patel was vice-captain, but we're looking at what's best for the next two-year cycle. Tilak is a terrific player, and it gives him an opportunity to learn on the job, added Agarkar. Shreyas, 31, returns to the T20I fold after making his last appearance coming in December 2023. Though he was part of the squad against New Zealand earlier this year, he did not feature in the playing eleven. With him coming in, hes now expected to bat at number four, a position held previously by Suryakumar. Sooryavanshis inclusion is equally eyecatching, after being Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament in the 2026 U19 Mens Cricket World Cup triumph. The Rajasthan Royals batter smashed 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.30 in IPL 2026, and has now become the youngest player picked in an India mens squad since Sachin Tendulkar in 1989. Before the senior T20I tours, he will feature for India A in the triseries in Sri Lanka from June 9 to 21. Vaibhav's performances - he almost forced us to pick him. I know he's young, but two IPLs in a row, and we also know what he did at the Under-19 level. We can all see the kind of talent he has. We're hopeful if and when he gets an opportunity, he shows the same ability. There will be tougher challenges but he has shown great promise and temperament. We're all as hopeful as everyone is. He has picked himself through his own performances, added Agarkar. Seam-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana, undergoing rehab for a meniscus tear surgery done in March, is back again, so as leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi. Fast bowler Prince Yadav, who had an impactful time in IPL 2026, is included on tours of Ireland and England, while Jasprit Bumrah will come in for him in the Asian Games squad. There will be tougher challenges but he has shown great promise and temperament. We're all as hopeful as everyone is. He has picked himself through his own performances, added Agarkar. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India's squad for 2026 Asian Games in Japan:- Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shivam Dube, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Jasprit Bumrah, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Article Source: IANS

Bumrah named in full-strength India T20I squad for Asian Games

The fast bowler was rested for the T20Is in Ireland and England

Shreyas Iyer Replaces Suryakumar Yadav As Indias New T20I Captain

His T20 World Cup: The chatter over the last few days on the future of India mens T20I captaincy has been finally made clear at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on Saturday. In a decisive shift at the top, Shreyas Iyer has replaced Suryakumar Yadav as India's T20I captain, with his first assignment being the tours of Ireland and England. India will play two T20Is in Dublin on June 26 and 28, followed by a fivematch series in England from July 1 to 11. With Shreyas, the ODI vice-captain, at the helm of the T20I side, it marks the start of a new chapter for India in the shortest format, especially with the Los Angeles Olympics and the next Mens T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand happening in 2028. The spotlight ahead of Saturdays selection meeting and announcement was firmly on the Mens T20I captaincy question, with Suryakumar Yadavs prolonged lean patch forcing the selectors and team managements hand to look towards the future and finalise Shreyas as the new leader of the side in the shortest format. It is understood that possibilities of keeping Suryakumar as captain till England tour were explored, while Hardik Pandya was also believed to be in the fray for the leadership role. But Shreyas demonstrating astute leadership skills, and him earning the unanimous respect of all people in the dressing room in either IPL or domestic cricket, combined with Suryakumars extended woeful run and him turning 36 in September helped him get the nod of forward looking decision makers as Indias next leader in T20Is. Suryakumar, who led India to a historic defence of the Mens T20 World Cup title on home soil in March, managed only 270 runs in 13 innings for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026 at an average of 20.76. His T20 World Cup returns 242 runs at a strike rate of 136.72 were also modest. On the other hand, Iyers elevation to the T20I captaincy is a remarkable turnaround. He was out of Indias T20I plans after December 2023, and has now forced his way back through consistent IPL performances and strong leadership credentials. He led Kolkata Knight Riders to clinching the 2024 IPL title, and guided Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings to IPL finals in 2020 and 2025, apart from leading Mumbai to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy win in 2024/25. Suryakumar, who led India to a historic defence of the Mens T20 World Cup title on home soil in March, managed only 270 runs in 13 innings for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026 at an average of 20.76. His T20 World Cup returns 242 runs at a strike rate of 136.72 were also modest. On the other hand, Iyers elevation to the T20I captaincy is a remarkable turnaround. Also Read: Live Cricket Score It is also the second successive instance of an Indian captain being replaced soon after lifting an ICC trophy. In 2025, Rohit Sharma led India to the Champions Trophy triumph in March, but was replaced by Shubman Gill as the ODI captain before India toured Australia in October. For now, June 6 will be remembered as the day India signalled its intent for moving into the future by making Shreyas the T20I captain. Article Source: IANS

Praggnanandhaa calls Norway Chess win biggest achievement after historic triumph

He credited improved time management and consistency for his four consecutive wins that sealed the title.

World Cup workers threaten strike before $2,000-a-ticket game

The union represents roughly 2,000 food service workers, including bartenders, dishwashers, cooks and concession workers at the venue; legends didnt immediately respond to a request for comment

Women's T20 World Cup 2026: All You Need To Know

T20 World Cup Global Qualifier: The stage is set for the 10th edition of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, with the world's best teams gearing up for a month-long battle for the biggest prize in women's T20 cricket. Hosted by England and Wales, the tournament begins on June 12 and promises to be the largest edition in the competition's history, featuring 12 teams for the first time. The tournament returns to England for the first time since the inaugural edition in 2009. On that occasion, England lifted the trophy under the leadership of Charlotte Edwards, who now serves as head coach of the national women's team. The hosts will also draw inspiration from their memorable ICC Women's Cricket World Cup triumph on home soil in 2017. New Zealand enter the tournament as defending champions after securing their maiden Women's T20 World Cup title in the UAE in 2024. The White Ferns became only the fourth team to lift the trophy since the competition's inception in 2009. England won the inaugural edition in 2009, while West Indies claimed their only title in 2016. Australia remain the most successful side in tournament history, having won the title six times. Hosts England qualified automatically, while Australia, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and West Indies secured direct qualification through their ICC rankings. Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands booked their spots through the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier earlier this year. Netherlands will make their Women's T20 World Cup debut after finishing among the qualifying teams at the Global Qualifier. Their qualification marks another significant step in the growth of women's cricket across Europe and adds a fresh dimension to this year's competition. A record 12 teams have been split into two groups of six. While Group A consists of Australia, Bangladesh, India, the Netherlands, Pakistan and South Africa, hosts England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies form Group B. Each team will play the other sides in their group once during the round-robin stage. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, with the winners progressing to the final. The tournament's 33 matches will be played across seven venues in England. They are Old Trafford (Manchester), Headingley (Leeds), Edgbaston (Birmingham), Bristol County Ground (Bristol), Hampshire Bowl (Southampton), The Oval (London), and Lord's (London). All participating teams will play two warm-up matches before the tournament begins. The warm-up fixtures start on June 6 and will be staged across Derby, Loughborough and Cardiff, providing teams with an opportunity to fine-tune preparations ahead of the main event. The semi-finals will be held at The Oval on June 30 and July 2, while the final will take place at Lord's on July 5. The ICC has announced a record prize pool of USD 8,764,615 for the tournament, representing a 10 per cent increase from the previous edition. The winners will receive USD 2,340,000, while the runners-up will earn USD 1,170,000. Losing semi-finalists will take home USD 675,000 each, while every group-stage victory will be worth USD 31,154. All 12 participating teams are guaranteed a minimum payout of USD 247,500. The increase in prize money reflects the ICC's continued commitment to expanding and strengthening the women's game globally. With established powers such as Australia, England and reigning ODI world champions India, joined by emerging sides including Scotland and debutants Netherlands, the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup promises to be one of the most competitive and significant editions in the tournament's history. Where to watch the Womens T20 World Cup: Fans worldwide can watch the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 through various TV and digital broadcasters. In India and nearby regions such as Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, the tournament will be aired on Star Sports and streamed live on JioHotstar. Hosts England will have coverage on Sky Sports, while Australian viewers can tune in via Prime Video. In New Zealand, matches will be shown on Sky Sport. Pakistani viewers can follow the action on PTV Sports, Geo Super, and Myco. Coverage in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa will come from SuperSport, and Willow TV will broadcast the games in the United States and Canada. For those in areas without a dedicated broadcaster, live streaming will be available on ICC.tv, ensuring worldwide access. All 12 squads for the Womens T20 World Cup: Group 1: Australia: Sophie Molineux (c), Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana Joty (c), Nahida Akter (vc), Sharmin Akter Supta, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Fahima Khatun, Fariha Islam Trisna, Marufa Akter, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Sultana Khatun, Dilara Akter, Juairiya Ferdous, Taj Nehar India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Nandani Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav Netherlands: Babette de Leede (c), Caroline de Lange, Frdrique Overdijk, Hannah Landheer, Heather Siegers, Iris Zwilling, Isabel van der Woning, Lara Leemhuis, Myrthe van den Raad, Phebe Molkenboer, Robine Rijke, Rosalie Lawrence, Sanya Khurana, Silver Siegers, Sterre Kalis Pakistan: Fatima Sana (c), Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Iram Javed, Eyman Fatima, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Parvaiz, Saira Jabeen, Muneeba Ali, Tuba Hassan, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig, Tasmia Rubab South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon, Dane van Nierkerk Group 2: England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt-Hodge Ireland: Gaby Lewis (c), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell, Alice Tector New Zealand: Melie Kerr (c), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Lea Tahuhu Scotland: Kathryn Bryce (c), Chloe Abel, Olivia Bell, Sarah Bryce, Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Gabriella Fontenla, Katherine Fraser, Kirstie Gordon, Ailsa Lister, Maisie Maceira, Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Rachel Slater, Pippa Sproul New Zealand: Melie Kerr (c), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Lea Tahuhu Also Read: Live Cricket Score West Indies: Hayley Matthews (c), Chinelle Henry, Deandra Dottin, Stafanie Taylor, Afy Fletcher, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Jannillea Glasgow, Jahzara Claxton, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Mandy Mangru, Shawnisha Hector Article Source: IANS

Marco Jansen Still Has A Lot Ahead Of Him To Achieve: Kallis Backs Proteas All-rounder Despite Modest IPL Season

Sunrisers Eastern Cape: South African great Jacques Kallis threw his support behind fellow Proteas all-rounder Marco Jansen, insisting the 26-year-olds best years are still ahead of him despite a relatively quiet IPL 2026 campaign. Jansen, who played for Punjab Kings in the recent season, took nine wickets in 13 matches and had an economy rate of 10.20. Though those numbers did not meet expectations, Kallis believes competing in different leagues and conditions is shaping the left-arm pace-bowling all-rounder into a more complete cricketer. In an interview with SA20, Kallis remarked, I think he still has a lot ahead of him that he can achieve if he really puts his mind to it. He is learning his game. It takes time to understand your style while playing in various leagues, in diverse conditions, in front of large crowds, and under pressure. You learn from every experience, and I think hes just getting better and better and learning from those experiences. I think he still has a lot ahead of him that he can achieve if he really puts his mind to it. Kallis confidence in Jansen comes from the all-rounders ongoing success in the SA20. He has become a key player for the Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, Kallis scored over 25,000 international runs and took nearly 600 wickets during his remarkable career. Jansen again played an important role in helping the Men in Orange secure their third title in four seasons. He ended the tournament with 13 wickets and delivered a crucial spell of 3 for 10 in the final. This performance helped contain the Pretoria Capitals, despite a stunning century from Dewald Brevis. Kallis also noted the positive impact of the SA20 on South African cricket. He pointed out the rise of several young talents who have used the tournament as a stepping stone to opportunities worldwide. Among those benefiting are Connor Esterhuizen, Dian Forrester, and the Hermann brothers. Forrester made an impression with the Joburg Super Kings, leading to a spot with Rawalpindi in the Pakistan Super League, where he struck at 171.42 and averaged 44. His performance earned him a replacement contract with Chennai Super Kings. Esterhuizen, meanwhile, followed up a half-century in his debut international series for South Africa by securing a replacement player deal with IPL 2026 runners-up Gujarat Titans. Kallis believes these success stories highlight the growing impact of the SA20 in developing the next generation of South African cricketers. Esterhuizen, meanwhile, followed up a half-century in his debut international series for South Africa by securing a replacement player deal with IPL 2026 runners-up Gujarat Titans. Also Read: Live Cricket Score A lot of the youngsters are pushing now - not only for the national side but in all the leagues around the world. So, its been a huge catalyst for those young guys, and they must just keep pushing because theyll definitely get opportunities. Article Source: IANS

It Was A Dream To Play Against India In India In Test Cricket: Gurbaz Eager For Afghanistan's Red-ball Challenge Vs IND

New Chandigarh: Afghanistan wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz expressed that playing against India in the upcoming one-off Test is a long-held dream coming true as he described the chance to participate in red-ball cricket in India as a special milestone in his career. Watching Afghanistan's early steps in Test cricket from a distance, Gurbaz acknowledged that this moment has deep personal importance as his team strives to make its mark in the longest format. I feel amazing. I remember the first Test which I was not part of the test match and I was watching on the TV. Yeah, it just was a dream to play against India in India in Test cricket. Finally, I'm here. Very excited for this game, yeah, Gurbaz said. Afghanistan arrive for the fixture after an extended period of preparation, having spent more than a month working on their red-ball game before travelling to India. Gurbaz believes the groundwork has left the squad well placed heading into the contest. Been very nice. From the last one and a half months, we were practicing in Afghanistan and then we came here early a little bit and then we had a good practice session here in Chandigarh as well that I think we are very well prepared and looking for a good game, the keeper-batter said. While Afghanistan have made significant strides in white-ball cricket, Gurbaz acknowledged that Test cricket remains a learning process for a side still building experience in the format. He stressed that the team has embraced the challenge and is determined to compete despite its relative inexperience. It's a learning for us. We are not that well experienced in Test cricket, which I think in Test cricket, you really need experience and test experience, actually. I think it's a good learning for us and also we had a very good camp and we had a very good red ball practice. I think mentally, physically, we are well prepared and the way we practiced and the way the boys are ready, I think we are very ready to fight and at the same time, we just need to be looking for a good game to play a good cricket game. And yeah, it's a new challenge for me, but as a cricketer, I don't need to make excuses and I'm well prepared to play a good cricket, Gurbaz noted. It's a learning for us. We are not that well experienced in Test cricket, which I think in Test cricket, you really need experience and test experience, actually. I think it's a good learning for us and also we had a very good camp and we had a very good red ball practice. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He's such a nice man. He's an encouraged guy and I think he's a very well supporter for all of us. It's our first tour with him and hopefully we keep continuing the good memories which we had before. And yeah, his knowledge is more than our age. I think we are lucky to have a coach like him and hopefully we learn so much things from him, he said. Article Source: IANS

Nasser Hussain Labels Lords Pitch substandard After 33 Wickets Tumble In Two Days

Boxing Day Ashes Test: Former England captain Nasser Hussain has criticised the Lords pitch as substandard and not good enough for Test cricket after 33 wickets fell in the opening two days of Englands first Test against New Zealand, reigniting debate over the quality of surfaces at the iconic venue. The contest at Lords has been mostly about the bowlers. England set New Zealand a target of 218 after being bowled out for a low score in their second innings. New Zealand bowler Nathan Smith took advantage of the uneven bounce and seam movement, claiming six wickets for 70 runs. England's batting fell apart at one point, losing four wickets in just 11 balls. The pitch has faced criticism despite considerable work done in the off-season. The ground staff relaid the outfield and used steam at 200 degrees Celsius to kill pathogens and revitalize the soil under the pitch. However, Hussain thinks these efforts have not solved ongoing problems. Both teams have shown high-quality bowling, but the pitch is below par, and it has been for quite a while, Hussain told Sky Sports. This historic ground is hosting its 150th Test match and will hold three Tests this year. Its a venue that mixes tradition with modernity, but ultimately, the 22 yards in the center are crucial. Everything has been attempted to improve it. The grounds staff know it lacks pace and offers inconsistent bounce and seam movement in cloudy conditions. They covered it with a dome and tried steaming, but nothing has changed. Throughout this Test match, it has lacked pace, and when it speeds up, it misbehaves. This criticism comes months after the pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was rated unsatisfactory by the ICC after a Boxing Day Ashes Test that finished in two days. The ICC is expected to evaluate and give its opinion on the Lords pitch after this Test. Hussain pointed out that although fast bowlers from both teams have excelled, the conditions have made it hard for batters to succeed. There has been absolutely no chance for the batters, he said. Lords has many positive aspects. The attention to detail around the ground is excellent. But the most crucial part, the pitch, is not good enough. Former New Zealand bowler and Sky Sports analyst Simon Doull shared Hussains concerns. He suggested that the England and Wales Cricket Board should consider moving matches if the pitch does not improve. There comes a time when you have to ask: What will the ECB do about the Lords pitch? Doull said on Sky Sports Cricket. I think the ECB needs to work with the MCC and say: Were sorry, but we may have to take games away, as the pitch is not up to standard. Until the ECB decides to move games from Lords, it doesnt push the MCC to spend money and fix the pitch. Doull expressed sympathy for the ground staff, stating that the issue runs deeper than daily preparation. The outfield looks fantastic, and I feel for the staff. They are dealing with an old pitch block, which is not suitable for their needs. They know their job well and understand what needs to be done. But they are working with a poor surface that has seen better days. Its worn out, its aged, and it needs to be replaced. Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad recognized that modern Test pitches should give batters more chances, but he felt Lords had still facilitated engaging cricket. On Test match pitches and the quality of bowling in this format, you dont need as much sideways movement as this pitch has offered. Bowlers can create movement themselves, Broad told Sky Sports Cricket. Theres been a lot of discussion about the pitch. Last night, I was on the tube with people who had watched the cricket. Everyone was talking about how much they enjoyed the day. The excitement of the wickets, the crowds, and the unpredictability. Regardless of what is said about the surface, if the day is entertaining, thats a plus. Again today, its been a thrilling day! Broad, however, acknowledged that pitches should find a better balance between bat and ball. I'm not saying these pitches are excellent for Test cricket; they need to be better for batting. Broad, however, acknowledged that pitches should find a better balance between bat and ball. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But that hasnt taken away from the entertainment. Article Source: IANS

Website glitch gives fans 'free' WC tickets, FIFA cancels booking and demands full payment

Around 60 fans accidentally secured FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets at USD due to a website checkout glitch, only for FIFA to later cancel the bookings and ask them to pay the correct ticket price. FIFA acknowledged the error, apologised for the inconvenience, and said the affected tickets remain reserved for the buyers.

FIFA permits sealed disposable water bottles at World Cup venues

The decision follows concerns raised over hydration and extreme weather conditions expected during the tournament

India bat first, Suthar gets maiden Test cap

Afghanistan have handed a Test debut to spin-bowling allrounder Nangeyalia Kharote

US grants visas to Iran World Cup team despite ongoing conflict

The team is scheduled to play its opening matches against New Zealand and Belgium in California before travelling to Seattle to face Egypt.

One-off Test: We End Up Playing Multiple Formats Together; Were Used To It, Says Prasidh On Indias Shift To Red-ball Cricket

Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket: With India preparing to switch from the frenetic pace of the IPL to the patience and discipline of Test cricket, fast bowler Prasidh Krishna believes the transition is no longer an unfamiliar challenge for modern-day cricketers. Ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Saturday, the pacer said players have become accustomed to moving between formats throughout the year, making the adjustment more mental than technical. Very refreshing, honestly, coming down to this beautiful ground. It's all bright and nice. I love the sunshine, so, yeah, it feels refreshing, he told the broadcasters on the sidelines before the toss. India's players have had little time between the conclusion of the IPL and the start of the Test assignment. While acknowledging the differing demands of red-ball cricket, Prasidh stressed that experience across formats has equipped India's players to adapt quickly as they begin an important phase of their Test calendar. It does change a little bit. I think we have played enough cricket now. We always end up playing multiple formats together, so I think we're used to it as well. So it's just about getting your eyes set in and then you think about the game a lot. So I think once it starts in your mind, it gets a lot more easier running that on the ground, he said. For the Karnataka pacer, the transition is largely a mental exercise. While the mechanics of bowling remain unchanged, the challenge in Test cricket is to maintain discipline over longer spells and resist the urge to force breakthroughs too early. It is mostly mental as well because bowling the ball in a particular area, you're always used to doing it. Once you tell your brain that you need to be doing this, you will be able to do it. So it's about being more patient, having that ability to be in a particular area for longer and not really trying too much too early is what the red-ball format needs and it's about adapting mentally, the pacer stated. For the Karnataka pacer, the transition is largely a mental exercise. While the mechanics of bowling remain unchanged, the challenge in Test cricket is to maintain discipline over longer spells and resist the urge to force breakthroughs too early. Also Read: Live Cricket Score It's about being very consistent. It's the standard that you set for yourself coming into Test matches having played a few in the last few Test matches that happened for India. It's just about carrying that momentum to the team and then now that we're coming off a different format, it's really important to start well, have your basics set right and then set the standard for yourself going forward, he noted. Article Source: IANS

One-off Test: Manav Suthar Debuts As India Elect To Bat

Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket: India won the toss and elected to bat against Afghanistan in the one-off four-day Test here at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Saturday. While the game does not contribute World Test Championship (WTC) points, it is viewed as an important step in Indias preparation for a challenging Test season that includes series against Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The match marks a transitional phase for Indian cricket, with key senior players absent. Led by coach Gautam Gambhir, the team focuses on nurturing younger players and giving them extended chances. This approach influences selection choices, like favouring Sai Sudharsan at No. 3 over Devdutt Padikkal and handing Manav Suthar his maiden Test cap. Indias IPL success reflects the countrys white-ball talent, but the upcoming week will test players red-ball skills, patience, and endurance as they play a Test match after a six-month gap. The Afghanistan Test is a chance to reinforce standards and build momentum before tougher challenges. For Afghanistan, the match represents a significant milestone. Under new head coach Richard Pybus, the team will hope to continue their growth beyond white-ball cricket. Having played relatively few Tests since gaining Full Member status, Afghanistan sees the fixture as an important chance to strengthen its red-ball culture, gain experience, and showcase its progress on the international stage. Winning the toss, India skipper Shubman Gill said, We are gonna bat first. Very hot and humid. It's going to get slower and lower. Very special, I grew up playing here. It's a great privilege to captain here. The preparation has been good. Got a good couple of days of sleep. Nine Test matches after this, we've got quite a few home Test matches. It's about getting the combination right. We've got Manav Suthar making his debut. Meanwhile, Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi stated, We wanted to bat as well, as the wicket looks good. We need to play good cricket. We are ready for the challenge. We like challenges. We are well prepared for this game. We had a good preparation camp in Kabul. (On Richard Pybus) He's good, he's also a very positive person, his mindset is positive. We have three seamers and two spinning combinations.. We have one debutant - Nangeyalia Kharote. Playing XIs: Meanwhile, Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi stated, We wanted to bat as well, as the wicket looks good. We need to play good cricket. We are ready for the challenge. We like challenges. We are well prepared for this game. We had a good preparation camp in Kabul. (On Richard Pybus) He's good, he's also a very positive person, his mindset is positive. We have three seamers and two spinning combinations.. We have one debutant - Nangeyalia Kharote. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Afghanistan: Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Abdul Malik, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Afsar Zazai (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Nangeyalia Kharote, Ziaur Rahman, Mohammad Saleem Article Source: IANS

England Dominate New Zealand as Atkinson Strikes Late and Debutant Gay Shines at Lord's

Gus Atkinson struck twice late on the second day as England pressed for victory in the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's on Friday. England's strong position also owed much to debutant opener Emilio Gay's valuable fifty in a low-scoring game. New Zealand were 36-3 in their second innings at stumps. They need a further 218 runs to reach a victory target of 254 after collapsing to 113 all out first time around on a bowler-friendly pitch. They suffered a woeful start to their run-chase on Friday when captain Tom Latham fell for a third-ball duck, edging a loose drive off Atkinson to Harry Brook in the slips. Kane Williamson, in what could be the key batsman's final appearance at Lord's, battled hard for 18 before he was lbw to fast bowler Josh Tongue shortly before the close. New Zealand sent out a nightwatchman in Will O'Rourke but he was bowled for a duck by paceman Atkinson, who had close figures of 2-10 in 3.5 overs. Earlier, Jamie Smith helped England recover from a middle-order collapse before the hosts were dismissed for 226 in their second innings of a frenetic clash in north London. Gay was England's top scorer in their second innings with 57 and wicket-keeper Smith made 39 in the 150th Test staged at Lord's -- the most of any ground. New Zealand quick Nathan Smith took 6-70. But given New Zealand were dismissed for just 113 in the first innings, they need a vastly-improved batting effort to prevent England going 1-0 up in the three-match series. - 'Tough day' - A tough day, the pitch had its demands, Gay told the BBC. That's the beauty of Test cricket, the challenges it brings. The most important thing was trying to embrace it and see it as an opportunity. When it's a low-scoring game, partnerships of 20 and little bits of momentum there are massive. Nathan Smith, meanwhile, said: The game has moved pretty quickly in the first couple of days. We lost one too many wickets tonight but the wicket (pitch) is offering a lot for the seamers. England lost four wickets for just one run as 126-2 became 127-6 before Jamie Smith steadied the ship during a seventh-wicket partnership of 57 with Atkinson. Atkinson, however, gave his innings away on 14 when a miscued pull off Kyle Jamieson was caught by the towering fast bowler. This is England's first Test since a 4-1 series loss in Australia where they squandered several promising positions. It appeared that they might be suffering a repeat of their Ashes debacle when Brook, fresh from a first-innings fifty, and England captain Ben Stokes were both dismissed without scoring on Friday. There was little Jamie Smith could do when Nathan Smith bowled him with a delivery that kept low. Gay, who survived a Henry lbw appeal when the Durham batsman would have been out for 24, pressed on to an 84-ball fifty, including seven fours, before he was caught behind off Smith to leave England 126-3. Brook was trapped in front by O'Rourke for a duck and Joe Root fell in similar fashion to Smith for eight. Stokes was bowled by an excellent Smith delivery that clipped the top of the left-hander's off stump. Ollie Robinson made a useful 29 before he was last man out. The Sussex pace bowler had previously marked his return to England duty with a five-wicket haul. Robinson, in his first Test in over two years, produced a triple-wicket maiden on Thursday during a sensational 4-10 in six overs as New Zealand slumped to 61-6 at stumps. Also Read: Live Cricket Score And on Friday, he bowled last man Matt Henry for a duck to finish with his Test-best figures of 5-39 in 10.1 overs.

Praggnanandhaa makes history as first Indian to win Norway Chess title

The 20-year-old finished with 18 points, edging ahead of Wesley So and Alireza Firouzja in a closely fought contest

Ashton Turner half-century guides Foxes to victory at Hove

His unbeaten 57 off 28 balls included six fours and three sixes

Bairstow leads charge as Yorkshire hand out Roses hammering

Lancashire blown away with bat and ball as Moeen Ali, Jafer Chohan share seven wickets

D'Arcy Short fifty consigns Somerset to a third straight defeat

Overseas star smashes 63 from 34 balls to help Gloucestershire chase down a target of 138 with 5.5 overs to spare

Dan Lawrence 94* in vain as Hampshire hold of Surrey charge

Hawks manage to defend 215 for 4 on high-scoring night at The Oval for fifth win in a row

George Linde the hero as Notts hold off Bears in low-scorer

Rob Yates threatens to cause upset with 4 for 22 but hosts squeeze home off penultimate ball

Pitch imperfect: Nasser Hussain, Michael Vaughan lead criticism of Lord's surface

A wicket has fallen every 25 balls across the first two days of a Test dominated by fast bowlers

Suryakumar Yadav Meets Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Amid Questions Over Captaincy Stint

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis: India's T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav paid a courtesy visit to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at his official residence, Varsha, in Mumbai on Friday. This visit came amidst a lot of speculations about Suryakumar's continuation as the skipper of India in the T20I format. This meeting, which was tweeted by the Chief Minister's Office, was followed closely as discussions about the leadership of India in T20 format began in earnest as India's next assignment in T20I format is expected in the latter part of this month. Today, Indian cricketer Suryakumar Yadav paid a courtesy visit to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at his official residence Varsha in Mumbai, CMO Maharashtra posted on X. As far as Suryakumar Yadav is concerned, he is still the captain of India's T20I side. The question whether he will be the captain for the next cycle or not is still unanswered and is expected to be discussed in an Apex Council meeting to be held by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in online mode on Saturday. As per sources close to the matter, it is not certain whether the discussion regarding the next T20I captain will be on the formal agenda. However, since India is preparing for the 2028 T20 World Cup and T20 cricket is making a comeback at the Los Angeles Olympics, the leadership plan would be expected to be high on the agenda in the coming months. Earlier in March, Suryakumar Yadav captained India in the T20 World Cup title win for the second time in a row and further stamped his authority as a captain. However, his position as captain comes under the scanner following a rough spell in his batting form. Suryakumar's stint with the Mumbai Indians during the IPL 2026 season was dismal as he managed to score only 270 runs in 13 matches at an average of 20.76. It was an indifferent season for the Mumbai Indians as well, who finished in 9th position in the league. He could not make much impact even in the Mumbai T20 league, which he was playing recently, and could not even score a single good innings for Triumph Knights Mumbai North East. This drop in his batting form has also brought about questions on whether he should continue to lead the Indian side or whether India's selectors should prepare a new skipper for the next cycle. Several options are already there in consideration if selectors decide to opt for a new face. These names are Hardik Pandya, who remains a firm favourite for the role, and current ODI vice-captain, Shreyas Iyer, who has also made a case for himself in all the formats of the game recently. Others considered contenders are Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, and Ishan Kishan, who have been decent enough when it comes to captaincy at the domestic and franchise level. This drop in his batting form has also brought about questions on whether he should continue to lead the Indian side or whether India's selectors should prepare a new skipper for the next cycle. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India's next T20I fixture is a two-match series against Ireland on June 26 and 28, with the squad announcement to take place later this month, followed by a five-match T20I series in England and three more matches in Zimbabwe. Article Source: IANS

ILT20 teams concerned over new rules mandating Afghanistan, Ireland player recruitment

From the 2026 season, the league has stipulated that all squads will need to include at least four Afghanistan players and one from Ireland

Allround effort from Durham secures victory at Yorkshire

England legspinner Sarah Glenn makes Yorkshire debut after recovering from broken finger

Austin's power not enough to break Bears' losing streak

The Blaze clinch fourth win in five Blast games despite young opener's 74 off 51 balls

Jemima Spence fifty leads Surrey to victory

Essex denied a third consecutive win despite 85 not out by skipper Grace Scrivens

'Don't Care Who We're Leaving Out, This Lad Has To Play': Nasser Hussain Backs Sooryavanshi For India Call-up

Indian Premier League: Former England captain Nasser Hussain believes India can no longer overlook teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He insists the 15-year-old has done enough to earn a spot on the national team after a record-breaking Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. In the latest edition of The ICC Review with Sanjana Ganesan, Hussain praised the young player, who impressed in the tournament with an outstanding 776 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 237.30. His total of 72 sixes was also the highest by any batter in a single IPL season. For Hussain, the question of whether Sooryavanshi is ready for international cricket is already answered. Such an easy answer to give to that is that yes, he has to play. I didn't watch too much of the IPL, to be honest, but I watched clips of Sooryavanshi, and what an incredible talent, Hussain said. The teenager's accomplishments have made him one of the most talked-about young cricketers globally. Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has already predicted a senior India debut for him, while batting legend Sachin Tendulkar recently praised the young players bat swing and fearless approach. Hussain shared that Tendulkar's admiration for Sooryavanshi reminded him of his first encounter with the Indian great early in his international career. One of my first games for England was in the Nehru Cup, that's how long ago it was, and this young lad strode out with pads on that I'd never seen before, and his name was Sachin Tendulkar, Hussain recalled. And I was in complete awe, and I've noticed Sachin putting out some tweets about Sooryavanshi's bat swing. If you can impress Sachin Tendulkar and impress Virat Kohli and the rest, he's impressed, everyone. What an unbelievable talent. The challenge for India's selectors lies in finding space for Sooryavanshi in a batting line-up already filled with established T20 stars. Players like Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan have all played key roles at the top of the order in recent years. Yet Hussain believes exceptional talent should take precedence over selection challenges. So anywhere else in the world, you would say get him in. But usually at the toss, you just have to name 11 players. In international cricket, who do you leave out for him? India has a list of batters they could play and should play, but in the end, someone makes a case, a consistent case, and an incredible case for being picked. In the end, you have to say, I don't care who we're leaving out, this lad has to play, Hussain said. While supporting Sooryavanshi for immediate international chances, Hussain noted that the teenager's toughest tests still lie ahead. He pointed out that the young player has yet to face extended challenges in unfamiliar overseas conditions or experience the usual rough stretch that every batter encounters. And I'm getting to that point where you say this lad has to play because there are other challenges doing it away from home. Doing it against a ball that's moving, facing a downturn in form, which he's not had yet, finding a weakness, maybe the short ball, who knows? But he needs to get through all of that before you get to a world event, and he's going to be a star. We saw it in the U19 World Cup. We saw what he did to England in the U19 World Cup, to everyone, but England in particular. My word, this lad is a talent, and he has to play, he added. And I'm getting to that point where you say this lad has to play because there are other challenges doing it away from home. Doing it against a ball that's moving, facing a downturn in form, which he's not had yet, finding a weakness, maybe the short ball, who knows? Also Read: Live Cricket Score His rapid progress has already earned him further recognition, with selectors naming him in the India A squad for the upcoming tri-series featuring Sri Lanka and Afghanistan starting on June 9. Article Source: IANS

Resolute Zverev reels in Mensik to return to French Open final

Zverev will face the winner of the all-Italian clash between 10th seed Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Arnaldi

South Africa A quicks steamroll England Lions at Grace Road

Coetzee, Baartman take three wickets each as Lions thrashed by nine wickets

Madhya Pradesh League T20 Scindia Cup: Rajat Patidar, Parth Chaudhary Power Gwalior Cheetahs To Stunning Comeback Win

Madhya Pradesh League T20 Scindia: The Rajat Patidar-led Gwalior Cheetahs bounced back in style in the Aditya Birla Group Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Scindia Cup 2026, registering a 12-run victory over Bhopal Leopards at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. Batting first, the Cheetahs piled up a mammoth 220/8 in 18 overs in a match that was reduced to 18 overs per side following a delayed start caused by wet outfield. It was a batting masterclass from Gwalior Cheetahs opener Parth Chaudhary, who smashed the first century of the season against Bhopal Leopards in Indore. Chaudhary came out all guns blazing and, along with Kartik Parihar, gave the Cheetahs a flying start. The opening pair added a stunning 90 runs in just 7.1 overs, putting the Leopards under pressure right from the outset. Parihar played an attacking knock of 35 off 22 balls before departing, but Chaudhary showed no signs of slowing down. Although the Cheetahs lost Kuldeep Gehi soon after, captain Rajat Patidar joined the opener and kept the momentum going. The duo took complete control of the innings, attacking the bowlers from the start and finding boundaries with ease. Chaudhary reached a magnificent century and eventually scored a breathtaking 107 off just 51 deliveries, smashing 7 maximums and nine fours while Patidar chipped in with a quick 29 off 15 balls during their 79-run partnership. The fireworks continued in the closing stages as Vikas Sharma and Arpit Patel entertained the crowd with some powerful hitting. Their late flourish helped Gwalior Cheetahs post a massive total. Later, it was the Gwalior Cheetahs bowlers who took control of the contest with a disciplined and aggressive display. Tanishq Yadav and Rahul Chandrol gave Bhopal Leopards a steady start, adding 46 runs for the opening wicket, but the innings quickly unravelled after the breakthrough. The Leopards lost momentum dramatically, slipping from a promising position to 66/5 in just 6.1 overs after losing five wickets in the space of three overs. Later, it was the Gwalior Cheetahs bowlers who took control of the contest with a disciplined and aggressive display. Tanishq Yadav and Rahul Chandrol gave Bhopal Leopards a steady start, adding 46 runs for the opening wicket, but the innings quickly unravelled after the breakthrough. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Nirwani continued to battle on and brought up an impressive half-century, but despite his efforts, the Leopards fell short of the target and were eventually restricted to 208/7 in 18 overs, handing Gwalior Cheetahs a victory. Article Source: IANS

All Eyes On T20I Captaincy As Selectors Convene To Pick Indias Squads For Multiple Tours

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia: While the second session of the first day in the India-Afghanistan one-off Test match is underway in New Chandigarh, all eyes will be on Mumbai when the Ajit Agarkarled senior national selection committee will meet at the BCCI headquarters on Saturday to finalise Indias squads for the upcoming T20I tours of Ireland and England. Following the meeting, Agarkar and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia are scheduled to address a press conference at 1 pm on the fourth floor of the boards headquarters. India will play two T20Is in Ireland on June 26 and 28, followed by five matches in England from July 1 to 11. The Agarkar-led panel will also pick India's 'A squad for the red-ball series against Sri Lanka, to be played from June 25 to July 5, as well as release a shortlist of players for the Mens T20 event at the Asian Games, to be played in Nagoya, Japan. The biggest talking point, though, will be the future of T20I captaincy, which is all set to dominate discussions in the selection meeting. Suryakumar Yadav, who led India to a historic defence of the Mens T20 World Cup title in March, has been in a prolonged lean patch. He managed only 270 runs in 13 innings for the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at an average of 20.76 and a strike rate of 147.54. Even in the World Cup, Suryakumar wasnt at his prolific best -- scoring 242 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 136.72. With Suryakumar turning 36 in September, it will be interesting to see if he will retain his captaincy or lose both the leadership armband and his place in the side. Amongst the frontrunners to succeed Suryakumar, Shreyas Iyer has been the standout candidate. An in-form Iyer led Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL crown in 2024 and guided Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings to finals in 2020 and 2025, respectively. He also captained Mumbai to win the 2024/25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. If named as Indias 15th mens T20I captain, it will cap off an extraordinary turn of events for Iyer, the current vice-captain in ODIs. Iyer wasnt in the T20I set-up for the previous World Cup cycle, though he was in the squad for the series win over New Zealand earlier this year as a replacement for injured Tilak Varma. Other leadership options include Hardik Pandya, who is currently working on his fitness at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru after back spasms hurt him in IPL 2026 and led India in 16 T20Is before. Other candidates for the leadership role include Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, and Sanju Samson. If not for the leadership role, the trio could be in the mix for the vice-captains role, too. Deliberations will be there on including teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and two-time IPL-winning captain Rajat Patidar in the T20I team after the duo had a stellar time in IPL 2026 with the bat. But how the duo will be accommodated in the line-up, already having Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan in the top order, remains to be seen. Meanwhile, with Indias Test team set to play a crucial two-game series in Sri Lanka in August, the selectors may also send senior redball players to feature in the shadow A tour for early acclimatisation of batting in spin-friendly conditions and bowling with the red Kookaburra ball. Deliberations will be there on including teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and two-time IPL-winning captain Rajat Patidar in the T20I team after the duo had a stellar time in IPL 2026 with the bat. But how the duo will be accommodated in the line-up, already having Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan in the top order, remains to be seen. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Fast bowling all-rounder Auqib Nabi, who picked 60 wickets in Jammu and Kashmir, winning the Ranji Trophy earlier this year, could be included in the India A squad after missing out on a spot in the squad for the Afghanistan Test. In all, Saturday promises to give answers to a lot of high-stakes questions, while setting the tone for a crucial few months for Indian cricket in both the shortest and longest formats. Article Source: IANS

Rusty West Indies face upbeat Sri Lanka with series on the line

Both sides are unlikely to change as SL eye their first bilateral ODI series in WI since 2003

Madhya Pradesh League T20 Scindia Cup: Chambal Ghariyals Continue Winning Run, Gwalior Shernis Clinch Crucial Win In A Nail-bitter

Madhya Pradesh League T20 Scindia: Chambal Ghariyals continued their winning run in the womens competition of the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Scindia Cup 2026 after defeating Royal Nimar Eagles by 9 wickets in a rain-curtailed fixture. The contest was reduced to seven overs per side at Daly College, Indore. After winning the toss, Chambal Ghariyals opted to bowl first and made an early impact, reducing the Eagles to 26/2 within the first three overs. With the team under pressure, Kalyani Jadhav and Soniya Singh steadied the innings and accelerated at the right time. The duo added a valuable 26-run partnership in just three overs, helping Royal Nimar Eagles regain momentum. Kalyani played a brisk knock of 23 off 15 balls before being caught by Pooja Vastrakar, who has played for India at the international level off the bowling of Vaishnavi Singh. Soniya remained unbeaten at 14 off 11 deliveries as the Eagles finished with a competitive total of 62/3 in their allotted seven overs. Anamika Raghuvanshi was the pick of the bowlers who scalped one wicket for 11 runs in two overs. Later, Chambal Ghariyals got off to a flying start after Kanishka Thakur, collected 16 runs in the very first over. However, they suffered a setback when Jincy George was stumped off Vaishnavi Sharma after scoring just 2 off 2 balls. The wicket did little to slow down the Ghariyals' momentum as Kanishka continued her aggressive approach, taking on the bowlers and finding boundaries with ease. The left-handed batter looked in complete control throughout the chase and remained unbeaten on 46, continuing her excellent form in the tournament. Captain Pooja Vastrakar provided valuable support at the other end with an unbeaten 15 off 14 balls as the Ghariyals comfortably chased down the target in 5.4 overs. Bhopal Wolves vs Gwalior Shernis: Gwalior Shernis clinched a much-needed win by 2 runs against Bhopal Wolves in a match that went down the wire at Daly College, Indore. Gwalior Shernis produced a strong batting performance, led by captain Nuzhat Parween and Sonam Yadav, to post a competitive 134/3 in 20 overs. Parween and Aashna Patidar gave the team a steady start, adding 31 runs for the opening wicket before Aashna was dismissed for a brisk 18 off 13 balls. The Shernis then took control through a superb partnership between Parween and Sonam Yadav. The duo dominated the bowlers and stitched together a crucial 70-run stand, putting the innings firmly in Gwalior's favour. Parween anchored the innings beautifully, scoring 50 in 48 deliveries, while Sonam played an equally impressive knock, narrowly missing out on a fifty by just one run. Soumya Tiwari provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 12 off 10 balls as the Shernis finished strongly. Later, the Gwalior bowling attack kept the pressure on throughout the innings and never allowed Bhopal to gain control of the chase, striking at regular intervals to push them onto the back foot. Opener Aayushi Shukla tried to anchor the innings and keep the fight alive, but her resistance ended when she was dismissed for 29 off 29 balls. Rishita Parihar then provided some late fireworks with a quick 25 off just 9 deliveries, but her entertaining cameo was cut short when she was stumped by captain Nuzhat Parween off the bowling of Jiya Jethwa. The tide turned dramatically in the final moments of the match when Bhopal Wolves needed 7 runs from the last over. However, a brilliant piece of wicketkeeping from captain Nuzhat Parween proved decisive as she effected the stumping of Reena Yadav, leaving the Wolves needing 6 runs with just one wicket in hand. Rishita Parihar then provided some late fireworks with a quick 25 off just 9 deliveries, but her entertaining cameo was cut short when she was stumped by captain Nuzhat Parween off the bowling of Jiya Jethwa. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Riya picked up four wickets for 19 runs in 3.4 overs while Khushi Yadav scalped three for 18 in four overs. Article Source: IANS

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Karun Nair And Smaran R Lead The Way In Season 5 Player Auction

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: The two new franchises in the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, Coastal Kings Mangaluru and Shivamogga Yodhas, made a splash at the season 5 player auction, securing the two biggest buys of the day in Karun Nair and Smaran R. Coastal Kings Mangaluru landed Karun for a tournament-high INR 18 lakh, while Shivamogga Yodhas snapped up Smaran for 15.75 lakh. Hubli Tigers also made a major statement at the auction, acquiring Abhinav Manohar for 13.50 lakh, while Gulbarga Mystics strengthened their resources with the acquisitions of Manish Pandey for 12.75 lakh and explosive all-rounder Macneil Noronha for 12.25 lakh. Mysore Warriors invested heavily in Chethan LR, acquiring the batter for 11.50 lakh, while Hubli Tigers matched that outlay to secure Mayank Agarawal. Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters landed all-rounder Shubhang Hegde for 11 lakh, while Coastal Kings Mangaluru secured Shreyas Gopal for 10.25 lakh. Mysore Warriors also brought in all-rounder Manoj Bhandage for 10 lakh, and Coastal Kings Mangaluru rounded off their marquee acquisitions with the signing of experienced all-rounder Koushik V for 8 lakh. Coastal Kings Mangaluru complemented their headline signings with the acquisitions of Suraj Ahuja for 6 lakh, Venkatesh M for 3.40 lakh, and Nikin Jose for 2.40 lakh. The franchise also brought in Dheeraj Gowda for 2 lakh and Anvay Dravid for 0.90 lakh. Gulbarga Mystics went on to make the acquisitions of Melu Kranthi Kumar for 8.75 lakh, Sharath BR for 5.75 lakh, and Dhruv Prabhakar for 4.25 lakh. Paras Gurbax Arya (3.60 lakh), Thippa Reddy (2.40 lakh), Prakhar Chaturvedi (1.90 lakh), and Ronit More (1.40 lakh) also joined the franchise. Hubli Tigers backed their all-round strength by bringing in Hardik Raj and Manvanth Kumar for 7.50 lakh each, alongside Shikhar Shetty for 4 lakh. Mohammed Taha and Aneeshwar Gautam fetched 3.20 lakh each, while Rakshith S (1.90 lakh), Vaibhav Sharma (1.20 lakh), Shreesha S Achar (1 lakh), and Kumar LR (0.95 lakh) completed their notable additions. Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters signed Pravin Dubey for 9.50 lakh, KL Shrijith for 9 lakh, Rohan Patil for 5.75 lakh, and Vidwath Kaverappa for 5 lakh. Shivraj S joined the franchise for 1.80 lakh, while Rohan Naveen and Samit Dravid were secured for 1.70 lakh and 1.50 lakh respectively. Mysore Warriors further reinforced their squad with the acquisitions of Vyshak Vijaykumar for 8.25 lakh, while Karnataka stars Devdutt Padikkal and Prasidh Krishna (subject to their availability) were secured for 2.60 lakh each. Karthikeya KP (5 lakh), Madhav Prakash Bajaj (3.20 lakh), Karthik SU (3 lakh), Lavish Kaushal (3 lakh), Monish Reddy (2.40 lakh), and Ritesh Bhatkal (1.90 lakh) were part of the haul as well. Shivamogga Yodhas supplemented their headline signing of Smaran R by acquiring Luvnith Sisodia for 7.75 lakh, Yashraj Punja for 5 lakh, Naveen MG for 4.75 lakh, and Yashovardhan Parantap for 3.40 lakh. Mohsin Khan (2 lakh), Aadarsh Prajwal (1.90 lakh), Tushar Singh (1.80 lakh), and Aneesh KV (1.80 lakh) also found new homes with the franchise. The fifth edition of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 will be played from June 20 to July 12 across Mysuru, Hubballi, and Bengaluru, featuring Coastal Kings Mangaluru, Gulbarga Mystics, Hubli Tigers, Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters, Mysore Warriors, and Shivamogga Yodhas. Full squads: Coastal Kings Mangaluru Squad: Karun Nair (18.00 lakh), Shreyas Gopal (10.25 lakh), Koushik V (8.00 lakh), Suraj Ahuja (6.00 lakh), Venkatesh M (3.40 lakh), Nikin Jose SJ (2.40 lakh), Dheeraj Gowda (2.00 lakh), Santokh Singh (1.20 lakh), Kushaal M Wadhwani (1.00 lakh), Aadharsh SJ (0.95 lakh), Anvay Dravid (0.90 lakh), Karthik CA (0.75 lakh), Rajvir Wadhwa (0.65 lakh), Sidharth Akhil (0.50 lakh), Rathan BR (0.30 lakh), Prithviraj Shekhawat (0.30 lakh), Arya J Gowda (0.30 lakh), Aaron Cyril Christie (0.30 lakh). Gulbarga Mystics Squad: Manish Pandey (12.75 lakh), Macneil Noronha (12.25 lakh), Melu Kranthi Kumar (8.75 lakh), Sharath BR (5.75 lakh), Dhruv Prabhakar (4.25 lakh), Paras Gurbax Arya (3.60 lakh), Thippa Reddy (2.40 lakh), Lochan S Gowda (2.20 lakh), Prakhar Chaturvedi (1.90 lakh), Ronit More (1.40 lakh), Aaditya Nair (1.20 lakh), Gautam Mishra (1.00 lakh), Shaun Tristan Joseph (0.50 lakh), Aarav Mahesh (0.50 lakh), Nathan D'Mello (0.50 lakh), Suhas Purushotham (0.30 lakh), Aashish Mahesh (0.30 lakh), Kush Marathe (0.30 lakh). Hubli Tigers Squad: Abhinav Manohar (13.50 lakh), Mayank Agarawal (11.50 lakh), Hardik Raj (7.50 lakh), Manvanth Kumar L (7.50 lakh), Shikhar Shetty (4.00 lakh), Mohammed Taha (3.20 lakh), Aneeshwar Gautam (3.20 lakh), Rakshith S (1.90 lakh), Vaibhav Sharma (1.20 lakh), Kruthik Krishna (1.00 lakh), Kumar LR (0.95 lakh), Aditya Goyal (0.75 lakh), Abhishek Ahlawat (0.50 lakh), Tanish Mahesh (0.50 lakh), Preetesh Ingale (0.30 lakh), Vikas Gowda (0.30 lakh), Ronak Yelwal (0.30 lakh), Vinayak Holla K (0.30 lakh). Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters Squad: Shubhang Hegde (11.00 lakh), Pravin Dubey (9.50 lakh), KL Shrijith (9.00 lakh), A Rohan Patil (5.75 lakh), Vidwath Kaverappa (5.00 lakh), Wahid Faizan Khan (3.80 lakh), Shreevatsa Acharya (2.60 lakh), Shivaraj S (1.80 lakh), Rohan Naveen (1.70 lakh), Samit Dravid (1.50 lakh), Shashikumar K (1.30 lakh), Ishaan S (0.50 lakh), Nischith N Rao (0.50 lakh), Vijayaraj B (0.50 lakh), Manikanth Shivanand (0.50 lakh), Bhuvan Mohan Raju (0.30 lakh), Naman GD (0.30 lakh), Darshan MB (0.30 lakh). Hubli Tigers Squad: Abhinav Manohar (13.50 lakh), Mayank Agarawal (11.50 lakh), Hardik Raj (7.50 lakh), Manvanth Kumar L (7.50 lakh), Shikhar Shetty (4.00 lakh), Mohammed Taha (3.20 lakh), Aneeshwar Gautam (3.20 lakh), Rakshith S (1.90 lakh), Vaibhav Sharma (1.20 lakh), Kruthik Krishna (1.00 lakh), Kumar LR (0.95 lakh), Aditya Goyal (0.75 lakh), Abhishek Ahlawat (0.50 lakh), Tanish Mahesh (0.50 lakh), Preetesh Ingale (0.30 lakh), Vikas Gowda (0.30 lakh), Ronak Yelwal (0.30 lakh), Vinayak Holla K (0.30 lakh). Also Read: Live Cricket Score Shivamogga Yodhas Squad: Smaran R (15.75 lakh), Luvnith Sisodia (7.75 lakh), Abhilash Shetty (5.75 lakh), Yash Raj Punja (5.00 lakh), Naveen MG (4.75 lakh), Harshil Dharmani (4.00 lakh), Yashovardhan Parantap (3.40 lakh), Mohsin Khan (2.00 lakh), Aadarsh Prajwal (1.90 lakh), Tushar Singh (1.80 lakh), Aneesh KV (1.80 lakh), Shreesha S Achar (1.00 lakh), Dhanush Gowda R (0.50 lakh), Vaasav Venkatesh (0.50 lakh), Bheema Rao Navle (0.30 lakh), Shreyank Sagar (0.30 lakh), Yadugiri Yadav S (0.30 lakh), Chiranth Shivarudra (0.30 lakh). Article Source: IANS

T20 Mumbai League 2026: Dube, Sksena Power ARCS Andheri To Top Spot With Dominant Win

Triumph Knights Mumbai North East: Star India all-rounder Shivam Dube inspired ARCS Andheri with a superb bowling effort before opener Divyaansh Sksena lit up the chase with a whirlwind unbeaten 88 off mere 39 balls as the side climbed to the summit of the T20 Mumbai League 2026 standings with a comprehensive nine-wicket win over Eagle Thane Strikers at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday. Shardul Thakurs decision to bat first after winning the toss proved costly as Eagle Thane Strikers were bowled out for a modest 129. Apart from Sairaj Patil (34) and wicketkeeper Eknath Kerkar (27), none of the Strikers batters managed to make an impact against a disciplined ARCS Andheri attack. Off-spinner Prasoon Singh starred with three wickets, while Ajay Mishra (2-13) and captain Dube (2-19) chipped in with crucial breakthroughs as the Strikers struggled to recover after early setbacks. Sairaj and Eknath briefly steadied the innings with a 41-run partnership after the side limped to 34/2 inside the Powerplay. But once the pair was dismissed, the innings unravelled quickly, with the Andheri bowlers maintaining relentless pressure and conceding just 26 runs in the last four overs while claiming five wickets. In reply, ARCS Andheri rode on opener Divyaanshs scintillating unbeaten 88 off just 39 balls, studded with 12 boundaries and four sixes, to seal a comfortable victory with 50 deliveries remaining. Divyaansh dominated the Strikers bowling from the outset, bringing up a blistering half-century in only 17 balls for the joint-fastest fifty of the tournament, and ensuring the chase never drifted off course. At the other end, Ayush Jethwa (25) played the ideal supporting role, rotating strike smartly and allowing Divyaansh to dictate terms. The pair left the Strikers bowlers searching for answers as they steadily marched towards the target. By the time Ayush was dismissed by Siddhant Singh, the result was virtually sealed, with Divyaansh finishing off the chase in emphatic fashion. On Thursday night, Bandra Blasters eventually notched up their first victory of the season by beating Suryakumar Yadavs Triumph Knights Mumbai North East by four wickets. Put in to bat, the Knights overcame a middle order wobble to post 178/8, courtesy of Nutan Goels 40, and a late flourish from Parikshit Valsangkar (36 not out) and Jayesh Pokhare (31 not out). In response, captain Suved Parkar continued his glorious form to lead the Blasters from the front with his second half-century of the season, while Jay Jains unbeaten 49 guided them home comfortably with three balls to spare. Later tonight, Ajinkya Rahanes North Mumbai Panthers will look for a third straight win when they take on Sarfaraz Khan-led Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburb at the same venue. In response, captain Suved Parkar continued his glorious form to lead the Blasters from the front with his second half-century of the season, while Jay Jains unbeaten 49 guided them home comfortably with three balls to spare. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Eagle Thane Strikers 129 all out in 20 overs (Sairaj Patil 34, Eknath Kerkar 27; Prasoon Singh 3/22, Ajay Mishra 2/13, Shivam Dube 2/19) lost to ARCS Andheri 130/1 in 11.4 overs (Divyaansh Sksena 88 not out, Ayush Jethwa 25) by nine wickets. Article Source: IANS

Gimhani ruled out of T20 World Cup, Vimukthi called up as replacement

Right-arm seamer Vimukthi is yet to feature in T20Is although she has played three ODIs

Shubman Gill's India Ready For Red-ball Return As Afghanistan Await In Historic New Chandigarh Test

New PCA Stadium: Less than a week after the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 ended, Shubman Gill's India are gearing up to return to traditional cricket when they host Afghanistan in a one-off Test at the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh starting on Saturday. Although this match does not count towards the World Test Championship cycle, India has stated they will treat it as seriously as any other Test. This match is India's first Test since their series against South Africa in November. It poses a unique challenge for a squad still adjusting to franchise cricket. Eight players from the 15-man squad participated in the IPL final, leaving little time to shift from white-ball cricket to the patience and discipline required in the longest format. For Gill, this match presents another chance to assert his authority as Indias Test captain while leading a team in transition. The hosts will play without veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who is rested. With Ravichandran Ashwin retired, India will play a home Test without both stalwarts for the first time since 2010. Head coach Gautam Gambhir dismissed claims that the match holds less importance because it is outside the World Test Championship. A Test match is a Test match. I know people say this isnt part of the World Test Championship, but for me, it is a Test match. We need to win for the country because you don't differentiate between Test matches, whether they are part of the World Test Championship or not. That is why we will try to field our full-strength side for this Test, Gambhir said. This match is also important for the venue itself. Until last week, the New PCA Stadium showcased IPL colours as one of Punjab Kings' home grounds and hosted the Eliminator and Qualifier 2. Now it is preparing for its first Test, becoming the 31st venue to host a men's Test in India. Indias team management has confirmed that Sai Sudharsan will continue at No. 3, showing their confidence in him as a long-term solution in that crucial position. The match also marks an important milestone for Rishabh Pant, who is set to play his 50th Test. Only MS Dhoni and Syed Kirmani have played in more Tests as wicketkeepers for India. With Ashwin retired and Jadeja unavailable, much of the spin workload will fall on Kuldeep Yadav. The left-arm wrist-spinner had a challenging IPL campaign, taking just 10 wickets in 12 matches. However, he has used the break since Delhi Capitals' early exit to regain his form with the red ball. Meanwhile, Afghanistan arrive aiming to showcase how far they have come since their first Test appearance against India in Bengaluru in 2018. In that match, they lost in under two days by an innings, but captain Hashmatullah Shahidi believes his team is better prepared this time. The visitors are missing star leg-spinner Rashid Khan, but they still have an experienced core led by Shahidi and Rahmat Shah. Rahmat is Afghanistan's top Test batter, holding records for runs, centuries, and fifty-plus scores in the format. He enters this match needing just 30 runs to become the first Afghanistan player to reach 1,000 Test runs. The Test will also mark the start of a new era for Afghanistan under head coach Richard Pybus, who expects conditions to change significantly over the five days. This is a new stadium, it is a new wicket. I think the Indian coaching staff will be as curious to see how the wicket plays as we are. It looks like a good cricket wicket, but I have no doubt the heat will pull moisture out quickly. It has a solid covering of grass, but will it hold together? Spinners will play a major role in the game, even though it looks pretty green at the moment, Pybus said. The black-soil surface is predicted to be good for batting early on, although rising June temperatures, expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius, could change its nature as the game progresses. Such conditions are likely to favour spinners and will require endurance and patience. When: Saturday, June 6, 9:30 AM IST Where: New PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh Where to watch: Jiostar and Star Sports Network Squads: Where to watch: Jiostar and Star Sports Network Also Read: Live Cricket Score Afghanistan: Abdul Malik, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Afsar Zazai, Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Nangeyalia Kharote, Qais Ahmad, Ziaur Rahman. Article Source: IANS

'Aim Is To Create Year-round Opportunities For Women's Cricketers,' Says Jaitley As DDCA'S T20 League Returns

Guru Gobind Singh College: Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) President Rohan Jaitley said the governing body aims to create year-round opportunities for women cricketers as the second edition of the DDCA Womens T20 League was officially inaugurated at Modern School, Barakhamba Road, on Friday. The tournament, one of the largest womens club cricket competitions in the national capital, has expanded significantly in its second season, growing from 42 teams in its inaugural edition to 60 teams this year. More than 700 players are set to participate across multiple venues in Delhi. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Jaitley highlighted the rapid growth of the competition and reiterated DDCAs commitment to strengthening the womens cricket ecosystem in the city. The response to the Womens T20 League over the last year has been extremely encouraging. We started this tournament to give young girls more opportunities to play competitive cricket, and it is great to see it grow from 42 teams to 60 teams in just its second edition, Jaitley said. Our aim is to create year-round opportunities for women cricketers, strengthen the pathway from club cricket to higher levels and ensure that talented players get the platform they deserve. I wish all the participating teams and players the very best for the tournament, he added. The inauguration ceremony was attended by members of the DDCA Apex Council, League Committee officials, club representatives and participating players. DDCA vice president Shikha Kumar welcomed the increasing participation in the tournament and said the competition reflects the growing popularity of womens cricket in Delhi. It is wonderful to see so many girls taking part in the competition this year. More than 700 players will feature in this edition and that itself shows how much womens cricket is growing in Delhi. The platform is there for these players to showcase their talent and make a mark, Kumar said. DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma credited the citys clubs for playing a key role in the expansion of the competition. The clubs of Delhi have always been the backbone of our cricket structure and their support has been vital in making this tournament bigger and stronger. The growth in participation this year is very encouraging, Sharma said. DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma credited the citys clubs for playing a key role in the expansion of the competition. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The 2026 edition features 60 teams divided into 10 groups, with the tournament set to run over the coming weeks. Article Source: IANS

Need To Be In A Situation Now Where Theres A Proper Fixture List, Says Afghanistan Coach Pybus

International Cricket Council: Afghanistan head coach Richard Pybus has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to provide his team with a structured Test calendar, insisting that sporadic oneoff matches are not enough to sustain redball cricket in the country. Afghanistan, which gained Test status in 2018, will play their second Test against India, starting on Saturday. You come to India, and you play India in India, its one of the great challenges in world cricket, and it always has been. There is no doubt that India are incredibly challenging to beat at home, not only because of the quality of the players but obviously their understanding of their home conditions. Credit to the BCCI. They've given us plenty of cricket this year, which is fantastic for us to be able to develop. When a country gets full membership, its one thing to get it; then you need a full fixture list. Id like to see, going forward, that the other senior full members also start to build out the list. We need to be in a situation now where theres a proper fixture list, he said in the pre-match press conference. The coach was critical of playing a one-off Test match, saying that it denies players the chance to learn and adapt. To play one Test and have a four or fivemonth break before you play your next Test match, if whatever youre going to learn, there needs to be a concentration of learning. So, if were playing a threeTest series, you can back that up, Test after Test after Test. If youre playing five Tests, thats even better. When the series started to become a twoTest series, to me, it made absolutely no sense because you dont want a series that is a tie. You know, there needs to be a three or fiveTest series so that you can actually win the series. The coach was critical of playing a one-off Test match, saying that it denies players the chance to learn and adapt. To play one Test and have a four or fivemonth break before you play your next Test match, if whatever youre going to learn, there needs to be a concentration of learning. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rashid has got this long-standing back complaint. Hes got such a huge volume of cricket, you know, hes got to manage himself. I look forward to having that conversation to see how we can support him, not only just with the opportunity to maybe continue to play some red-ball cricket if there is potential for that, but generally make sure he can play as long and as healthy as possible for Afghanistan. Article Source: IANS

Robinson five-for on comeback as New Zealand rolled for 113

Kyle Jamieson's unbeaten 38 off 29 balls helps narrow deficit on second morning at Lord's

India make red-ball switch for Afghanistan challenge in New Chandigarh's maiden Test

India will likely have to decide between Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar for the third spinner's spot

Gambhir Calls ICCs Idea Of Switching From Red Ball To Pink In Tests To Combat Bad Light 'a Proactive Move

World Test Championship: India head coach Gautam Gambhir supported the ICC's decision of trialling the switch from a red ball to a pink ball when bad light threatens a Test match, calling it a proactive and positive move. During its board meeting on Monday, the ICC has approved a trial of switching from a red ball to a pink ball before the start of a Test that is likely to be affected by bad light, subject to prior agreement from both teams, to maximise play in case of anticipated bad light. I love that because I've always believed that if there's an opportunity to get a result, you should always have that opportunity. Imagine if you are playing the last Test match before the World Test Championship final and you have the chance to win that Test match to qualify, and because of bad light, it's not happening. So I'm all for it, Gambhir said on the eve of India's one-off Test against Afghanistan, starting on Saturday. During its board meeting on Monday, the ICC has approved a trial of switching from a red ball to a pink ball before the start of a Test that is likely to be affected by bad light, subject to prior agreement from both teams, to maximise play in case of anticipated bad light. Also Read: Live Cricket Score If there's an opportunity to get the result, if both teams agree to it I know it could be a little unfair and difficult for the players, but imagine working hard for two years and the last Test match before the World Test Championship final; if you don't play five days because of bad light, how unfair that could be. So I think it's a proactive move, it's a positive move, and, hopefully, the teams will start taking it in a positive way, he added. Article Source: IANS

Cricket Canada draws up 'comprehensive' plan in bid to overturn ICC suspension

Cricket Canada's COO told ESPNcricinfo that the new board is keen to implement corrective and preventive reforms

Tilak Varma-led India A Squad Arrives In Sri Lanka For 50-over Triseries

Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium: The India A team, led by Tilak Varma, has landed in Sri Lanka ahead of the upcoming 50-over tri-series, to be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium (RDICS) from June 9-21. India A will open its campaign against hosts Sri Lanka A on June 9, with Afghanistan A completing the threeteam field. The final is slated to be played on June 21. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) shared images of the likes of Varma, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Anukul Roy arriving in the country. India 'A' Team has arrived in Sri Lanka ahead of the upcoming Tri-Nation Series at RDICS. Ready to showcase their skills and compete in what promises to be a thrilling tournament. Let the action begin, wrote the SLC on its social media accounts on Friday. The India A squad saw two significant changes being made before arriving in Sri Lanka Harsh Dubey being given a call-up to the Test and ODI teams for the series against Afghanistan led to Roy being included in the team. Later, Gaikwad was drafted in as vicecaptain after Riyan Parag was ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Parag, who carried the niggle through the latter stages of IPL 2026 while leading Rajasthan Royals, will undergo rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. The India A squad saw two significant changes being made before arriving in Sri Lanka Harsh Dubey being given a call-up to the Test and ODI teams for the series against Afghanistan led to Roy being included in the team. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India A squad: Tilak Varma (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vc), Priyansh Arya, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Suryansh Shedge, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Kumar Kushagra (wk), Vipraj Nigam, Yash Thakur, Yudhvir Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Arshad Khan, and Anukul Roy. Article Source: IANS

'We Will Give Him A Longer Rope': Gambhir Backs Sudharsan At No. 3

World Test Championship: India head coach Gautam Gambhir has thrown his weight behind young batter Sai Sudharsan, confirming that the left-hander will occupy the crucial No. 3 position in the one-off Test against Afghanistan beginning here from Saturday. Speaking ahead of the match, Gambhir stressed the need to show patience with Sudharsan, who is set to get another opportunity in a batting slot that has remained unsettled since Cheteshwar Pujaras exit from the Test side. Sai Sudharsan hasnt got a fair chance. He played in England. We will give him a longer rope, Gambhir said during the pre-match press conference. Asked if Padikkal get a chance given his red-ball form, Gambhir said he would get his chance when the time was right, Gambhir said, You can only pick XI, unfortunately. Sometimes you just have to wait for your opportunity. I've always believed that guys who we are going to play, we give them a fair run. And again, Sai is not in bad form either. He has got, what, 700 (722) runs in IPL. If judging players by only four or five Test matches is good enough, then I feel that we will never be able to build something. So, hopefully, he (Padikkal) will get his chance. Whenever his time comes, we'll give him a fair run as well. It's not about giving someone five Test matches and someone else one Test match. If we give someone a fair run, we'll give the other guy whenever he gets the opportunity comes a fair run as well. But, at the moment, I think we've got to give Sai a fair run. He's a world-class player and I'm sure he'll come good, he added. India have struggled to find a permanent occupant for the No. 3 spot since Pujaras departure. Since then, several batters have been tried in the position, including Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel, Devdutt Padikkal and Sudharsan. Gill enjoyed the longest run at one-drop before moving to No. 4 after taking over the Test captaincy following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from the longest format. Sudharsan has featured in six Tests so far, and averages just over 27, but the team management remains confident about his long-term prospects. Despite Indias current position of sixth in the World Test Championship standings with 48.15 per cent of the available points, Gambhir maintained that the side remains firmly in contention for a place in the final. We believe that we can win the WTC. There is talent and hunger in this team, Gambhir said. Despite Indias current position of sixth in the World Test Championship standings with 48.15 per cent of the available points, Gambhir maintained that the side remains firmly in contention for a place in the final. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Manav and Harsh are to a certain extent similar but different also in terms of release points. This match gives us a chance to determine our fourth spinner as we will take four spinners in Sri Lanka, he said. Article Source: IANS

IGPL Bharath Classic: Kochhar One Behind Leader Runchanapong; Aryan Roopa Also In Top-10

IGPL Morocco Rising Stars: Karandeep Kochhar of India posted a fine round of 6-under 66 and positioned himself in the tied second place after the first day of the USD 500,000 IGPL Bharath Classic at the Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort. The 26-year-old from Chandigarh is one shot behind the leader, Thailands Runchanapong Youprayong, who carded 7-under 65 that included eight birdies against one bogey. Kochhar, a four-time winner in India, added a breakthrough win on the IGPL Tour late last year with a victory in IGPL Dubai hosted by Shiv Kapur. Kochhar had a four-birdie streak early in the round from the second hole and turned in 5-under 31, before picking two more birdies against one bogey in his second nine for a 66. Sharing the second place with Kochhar were Australias Will Florimo and Austrias Nicklas Regner. Kochhar, a four-time winner in India, added a breakthrough win on the IGPL Tour late last year with a victory in IGPL Dubai hosted by Shiv Kapur. Kochhar had a four-birdie streak early in the round from the second hole and turned in 5-under 31, before picking two more birdies against one bogey in his second nine for a 66. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The next best Indian in the field was Aryan Roopa Anand, who armed with confidence that leapfrogged since his win at the IGPL Congo, shot 4-under 68 despite two bogeys. He had six birdies including three in a row on the front nine of the course from the third to the fifth. Article Source: IANS

'We Will Expect Him To Be The Way He Is': Gambhir On Pant's Test Vice-captaincy Snub

Lucknow Super Giants: India head coach Gautam Gambhir has broken his silence on Rishabh Pant's removal as Test vice-captain, saying that the team management does not want the wicketkeeper-batter to change his natural style of play, but the 28-year-old must improve his ability to read match situations in international cricket. Pant was replaced by KL Rahul as India's Test vice-captain ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan, a move that sparked widespread debate. The leadership change came after the left-hander endured a disappointing Test series against South Africa, where India were whitewashed 0-2, and a below-par IPL 2026 season with the Lucknow Super Giants. Addressing the issue during a pre-match press conference, Gambhir made it clear that the team management continues to back Pant's aggressive approach. And, as far as Rishabh is concerned, we will expect him to be the way he is. It's not like we will tell him to work on his game. But, in international cricket, it's very important to read the situation, he said. At that time, what kind of situation was there, and what kind of situation demands a certain shot. But, it's not like any player is told to play a completely different game than his natural game, he added. The India coach said players across formats must ultimately focus on contributing to the team's success. Whether it's test cricket, one-day cricket, or T20 cricket. The ultimate aim is to make a run and take a wicket. You can never get away from that. No matter how you make it, it's up to you. But it's very important to read the situation and the game, he said. Gambhir also played down the significance of leadership roles, insisting that captaincy and vice-captaincy are secondary to performing for the country. Whether it's test cricket, one-day cricket, or T20 cricket. The ultimate aim is to make a run and take a wicket. You can never get away from that. No matter how you make it, it's up to you. But it's very important to read the situation and the game, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Meanwhile, Pant, 28, is preparing to play his 50th Test match against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh starting on Saturday. In 49 Tests, Pant has amassed 3476 runs at an average of 42.91 and strike-rate of 74.24, including hitting eight centuries and 18 fifties. Article Source: IANS

'Positive move' - Gambhir throws his weight behind red-ball-pink-ball switch

We've got to give Sai a fair run - Gautam Gambhir makes it clear that B Sai Sudharsan, and not Devdutt Padikkal, is India's Test No. 3 for the moment

'MPL Has Produced Players Who Are Dominating At Higher Levels': Rajat Patidar

Madhya Pradesh League: Gwalior Cheetahs captain Rajat Patidar has lauded the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) for playing a crucial role in identifying and developing young cricketing talent across the state. Speaking after leading the Gwalior Cheetahs in their opening match of MPL Season 3 against Ujjain Falcons at the Holkar Stadium, Patidar highlighted how the tournament has become an important platform for aspiring cricketers to showcase their abilities and progress to higher levels of the game. At least 10-11 players from here are now playing in the IPL, and around 5-6 new players have emerged through this league. Many players have not only got opportunities but have also gone on to dominate at higher levels. Its a really good sign for cricket, Patidar said. The 32-year-old batter, who has become one of Madhya Pradeshs most successful cricketing exports, believes the league has significantly strengthened the states cricket structure by providing consistent exposure to young players in a competitive environment. Patidar also reflected on his special bond with the Holkar Stadium, a venue that holds immense significance in his cricketing journey. Whenever I come to the Holkar Stadium, I always enjoy it because I started my career from here. I have a lot of memories attached to this ground, he said. The Gwalior Cheetahs skipper expressed his appreciation for the enthusiastic turnout during the tournament opener and hoped the support would continue throughout the season. Whenever I come to the Holkar Stadium, I always enjoy it because I started my career from here. I have a lot of memories attached to this ground, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Patidar is playing the tournament after guiding Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second consecutive IPL trophy as skipper. He also became only the third captain after Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni to win two trophies in a row in IPL history. Article Source: IANS

Brothers Union forfeit DPL match because of non-payment of dues

Brothers Union captain Zahiduzzaman did not turn up for the toss, as a result the match referee handed a walkover to Agrani Bank

As Pant Set For Milestone 50th Test, Ex-selector Gandhi Hails Him As India's Greatest Wicket-keeper Batter

Lucknow Super Giants: Former cricketer and national selector Devang Gandhi on Friday hailed Rishabh Pant as the finest wicket-keeper batter India has ever seen in Tests, saying the southpaw's match-winning knock at the Gabba in 2021 would remain etched in his memory forever. Pant, 28, is preparing to play his 50th Test match against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh starting on Saturday. In 49 Tests, Pant has amassed 3476 runs at an average of 42.91 and strike-rate of 74.24, including hitting eight centuries and 18 fifties. But his milestone Test comes at a time when the past few months havent been good for him. He had a forgetful time with the bat and as a captain for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2026, even as he lost the vice-captaincy in Tests to KL Rahul. During the Tests against South Africa and the BorderGavaskar Trophy series in Australia, Pants highrisk approach drew scrutiny at times. But the shift from IPLs chaos to the grind of Test cricket now offers Pant a chance to reset and be at his blistering best with the bat. See, to be honest, Rishabh got the captaincy because Shubman was injured. In all fairness, he was vice-captain. He had a fantastic England trip. Unfortunately, he couldn't play the entire series because of that injury. I feel that what happened with him in the IPL, I think selectors are looking at him where he can just discover himself back as a batsman. It's because we know how impactful a player he is as far as Test matches are concerned. With his batting, he single-handedly won us so many matches. So, if he can rediscover that touch, I think that is what selectors are looking at as always we have to look at the bigger picture. Sometimes, it's a tough call you're taking, but it's for the larger interest of the game. I'm sure, knowing Ajit, he must have conveyed it to Rishabh before announcing it and it is for the good of the team and good for Rishabh as well, Gandhi said in an exclusive conversation with IANS on Friday. Gandhi, who was the national selector when Pant made his Test debut against England at Trent Bridge in 2018, said his great overseas Tests record is a testimony to his extraordinary impact in the longer format for India, while also singling out the often-overlooked improvement in his glove work. It's very heartening to see the way he has evolved as a Test cricketer, the impact he has made on world cricket and playing 50 Test matches - it's a significant milestone. If you look at his performance overseas basically, whether just South Africa, England, even in Australia, he has played some very impactful match-winning knocks. So that was very nice to see and also, nobody talks about his wicket-keeping. The way he has improved his keeping - whether it is India or abroad, he has been rock-solid as a wicket-keeper. The only thing that I can wish is that this 50 he converts it into a 100. In whatever cricket I have seen, whatever Indian history as far as wicket-keeping batsmen is concerned, I think Rishabh is probably the best wicket-keeper batter India has ever seen so far, he added. Asked to pick his defining memory of Pant in Tests, Gandhi did not hesitate in mentioning the breach of the Gabba fortress in January 2021, when Pant hit 89 not out off 138 balls as India chased down 328 to pull off a heist and get an epic 2-1 series win over Australia. I would definitely recall the Test match at Gabba. The way he played that knock and he turned it around. So winning that series despite all the things going around - India was missing a lot of senior cricketers. On the final day, he believed that he's going to single-handedly win the match, which he did. Although he got a lot of support in the start and in the middle as well, but to stay till the end and win in Australia against their full side, I think that was the memory which will always remain in my memory, to be honest. I'll always remember that very fondly, he added. Gandhi also celebrated Pant's exuberant personality on the field, saying cricket needed characters like him, not robots. Also, one thing, I like his celebration after he gets a milestone. I mean, after he gets 100, I like to see that somersault, as we just want characters on the cricket field. We don't want robots, right? So he brings that flair. He has his own style and the way he plays some shots, he knows how it works for him and that has yielded results for him. I just wish him a lot of luck as far as health and fitness is concerned. Unfortunately, like we saw last year in England, he was doing so well and then he had a setback. So I just wish him really well and I hope this fifty will be converted into a hundred, Gandhi added. On Pant's recent struggles in white-ball cricket, with Ishan Kishan also taking his place as the second keeper in ODIs, Gandhi said the remedy lay in introspection and a return to basics. If you look at his early part of the career, as you rightly mentioned that he used to play a lot of shots on the offside, he used to drive and those things may have gone amiss. Sometimes in T20, you're trying too hard. I think he just needs to take some time with himself, do a little bit of introspection, and look at his old videos. Then I'm sure, you just keep working on your basics. Whenever a player is out of form, he needs to just go back to the basics. It's not that he has to change a great deal as he knows how to score runs, which is how we played 50 Test matches. So, I think these two-three Test matches that he's going to play before going to New Zealand are going to be very crucial, he said. Further asked on how Pant can evolve his white-ball game, Gandhi said, Like playing in the V, as we always talk of the basics, and playing close to the body - these are some of the basics to work on because sometimes in white ball, you tend to throw your bat and all sorts of mistakes do creep in - like tending to play away from the body. It's not that he has to change a great deal as he knows how to score runs, which is how we played 50 Test matches. So, I think these two-three Test matches that he's going to play before going to New Zealand are going to be very crucial, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Importantly, if you look at his Test record, the way he's batted is known to all. So, when it comes to white ball, he's underachieved a little bit. I mean, I'm sure he'll ponder over it. He'll do introspection and knowing him, he's going to come back stronger and harder, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

Reward Sooryavanshi With T20I Cap, He's Ticked All The Boxes: Gandhi

India T20I: Former India cricketer and national selector Devang Gandhi said teenaged left-handed opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has to be rewarded with an India T20I cap, adding that he has ticked all boxes and could even one day terrorise Test match bowlers as well. Sooryavanshi, who was the Player of the Tournament in India winning the 2026 U19 Mens Cricket World Cup, is poised to become the youngest cricketer in an India mens squad since Sachin Tendulkars debut in 1989. He had an outstanding time while playing for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026, where he amassed 776 runs at a staggering strike rate of 237.30. Sooryavanshi, 15, will next turn out for India A in the 50-over triseries against Afghanistan A and hosts Sri Lanka A from June 9 to 21 in Dambulla. I think the way to handle him is reward him with an India cap because the way he's performed in the last two years - he's hitting all the top bowlers of the world. In the first year, a lot of people said that was the first year. But look at the way he's hitting. He's hitting in front, right? He's playing all authentic shots. What was heartening for me to see is that if you remember his last two knocks, he got 27-ball 94 (97). In the last game, in Qualifier 2 where RR lost, he got 90-odd (96). But in different circumstances, right? There were wickets falling from the other end. He was rotating the strike. So, if required, he can shift gears, which is more alarming for world cricket, right? Gandhi said in an exclusive conversation with IANS on Friday. Looking ahead, Gandhi believes Sooryavanshi's further development as a cricketer would require exposure to the 50-over and red-ball formats through India A set-up, while focus should also be on improving his fielding. A boy who is so mature that he can even take singles, play the situation, yet maintain a strike rate of 200-plus, right? So, for me, he has ticked all the boxes. One aspect which he can still work on is his fielding because we haven't seen him field a lot during IPLs, right? But also going ahead for his holistic development as a cricketer, I'm sure there will be plans to make him play more of India A games as well, whether it is the 50-over format or the red-ball. A player of that calibre, that talent definitely needs to be groomed, counselled, so that we can see him more. Can you imagine him playing Test matches with the same authority? Not exactly like that. But even half of it, it'll be such a delight to watch him playing Test cricket, he said. At the same time, Gandhi allowed himself to dream of what Sooryavanshi could do in Test cricket. It will be the bowlers who will be having heart attacks, right? They must be wondering how to stop this boy. I mean, he is absolutely marvellous. I mean, I am running out of superlatives to describe such a young boy. He is taking all the bowlers to the cleaners, basically, whether it is spinners, fast bowlers and the authority with which he is batting is really pleasing to me. As I said, we are running out of adjectives, superlatives, and ways to describe him. But he is simply mind-boggling. Apart from Sooryavanshi, Rajat Patidar will also be in huge focus after being the driving force behind Royal Challengers Bengalurus successful defence of their IPL crown as both captain and batter. But with Shreyas Iyer in equally good form, how the selectors could accommodate Patidar remains to be seen. He is taking all the bowlers to the cleaners, basically, whether it is spinners, fast bowlers and the authority with which he is batting is really pleasing to me. As I said, we are running out of adjectives, superlatives, and ways to describe him. But he is simply mind-boggling. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I think selectors will definitely reward him with a place in the squad. I don't know whether he'll feature in the playing XI or not, but I think definitely on the basis of his performance, he definitely deserves a spot, added Gandhi. Article Source: IANS

'Shreyas The Frontrunner To Succeed Suryakumar As T20I Captain', Feels Ex-selector Gandhi

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Former India cricketer and national selector Devang Gandhi believes Shreyas Iyer is a frontrunner to succeed Suryakumar Yadav as the next mens T20I captain, saying his IPL-winning pedigree with Kolkata Knight Riders and his more recent success in leading Punjab Kings makes him the most deserving candidate at the moment. The biggest call before the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee when they meet in Mumbai on Saturday to select Indias squad for the T20Is against Ireland and England is whether to persist with Suryakumar Yadav as Indias T20I captain. Suryakumar, who was made Indias T20I captain after Rohit Sharma retired post the 2024 T20 World Cup win, scripted history by leading India to a successful defence of the title at home this year. But his own batting has remained under the scanner - in IPL 2026, Suryakumar amassed only 270 runs in 13 innings at 20.76, striking at 147.54. Even in the World Cup, Suryakumar managed to make 242 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 136.72, with his lone standout being an unbeaten 84 against the USA in Mumbai that fetched him the PlayeroftheMatch award. With Suryakumar turning 36 in September, the selectors now face a huge choice - retain him as the captain purely for his experience or look towards a new leader for the next two-year cycle especially with India also scheduled to play in the Los Angeles Olympics and enter the 2028 T20 World Cup as defending champions. I think the Olympics are two years hence. Are the selectors looking at him for two years hence? So, that's the big question. See, the competition is pretty stiff. Everybody has to be performing and there are so many players who are performing. Shreyas has been doing well. Then Rajat Patidar has been doing well. Surya, once he has come and from the last two years, he's been phenomenal (as captain). So, there are always slots up for grabs. Somebody is always waiting in the wings. Most importantly, the way Surya has batted, I think that is a matter of concern. But going ahead, yes, I think we need to move on now, Gandhi said in an exclusive conversation with IANS on Friday. Asked who was best placed to take over, Gandhi was unequivocal in his backing for Shreyas, pointing to the IPL title he won with KKR as the clearest proof of his leadership credentials. Apart from leading KKR to the IPL title in 2024, Iyer guided Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings to the finals in 2020 and 2025, respectively. He also captained Mumbai to winning the 2024/25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Iyer, the vice-captain in ODIs, wasnt in the T20I set-up for the previous World Cup cycle, though he was in the squad for the series win over New Zealand as a replacement for injured Tilak Varma. See, we always want a captain who has a fair amount of experience, whether it is international experience or a successful IPL experience. So, I think Shreyas, the way he has led Punjab and even before that, captaining KKR - he had a fantastic run as they won the IPL under his captaincy. I think he is at the moment the frontrunner and quite deservingly, if he gets an opportunity, I think it will be fine, he said. On who should serve as vice-captain, Gandhi favoured Ishan Kishan over other contenders, citing his consistency around the squad setup and recent form. Kishan, who was a vital contributor in India winning the T20 World Cup, captained Sunrisers Hyderabad in Pat Cummins absence during IPL 2026 after previously leading Jharkhand to the 2025/26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy triumph. I think somebody who is a permanent feature - like Tilak, who has just been around the team. But the way Ishan has done well, I think he can be his deputy as well. So, I think in my opinion, I would favour Ishan Kishan, he said. Asked on whether experience, current form or long-term vision should be the primary criterion for picking the next T20I captain, Gandhi said the current selectors need to strike a balance across all three aspects while making the decision. It's a balance of all three. I mean, to be honest, who is going to lead till the next T20 World Cup. If you just have a longer vision, at least for two years at least or three years, who is going to be your next captain? Asked on whether experience, current form or long-term vision should be the primary criterion for picking the next T20I captain, Gandhi said the current selectors need to strike a balance across all three aspects while making the decision. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But if you look at a pattern, you will understand whether he's led his side, whether just for any franchisee or whether just for a day, you get an idea whether he has the leadership qualities or not. So you have to keep those things in mind and based on that, you take a call on who is the guy to take Indian cricket forward, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

India's No.3 Problem Unsolved Since Pujara Left, Give Next Man Longer Run, Says Gandhi

Since Cheteshwar Pujara: The number three batting position remains India's biggest concern heading into the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, with former national selector Devang Gandhi saying the slot has been unsettled since Cheteshwar Pujara's exit and urged the team management to give the next incumbent a longer run. Indias number three remains the most unsettled seat in its batting line-up in Tests. Since Cheteshwar Pujaras exit, seven batters have auditioned at onedrop and none have nailed it down so far. Shubman Gill had the longest stint before shifting to number after taking over as captain. Since then, Sai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal have batted at number three. The 2-0 series loss to South Africa at home laid bare the chaos - Washington was thrust into the role on a raging turner at Eden Gardens, only to be dropped back down after Indias collapse. Sudharsan returned in Guwahati, but is yet to make the spot his. For the Test against Afghanistan, Sudharsan is again in the mix, though Padikkals prolific domestic run also puts him firmly in contention. See, the number three spot has been a spot of bother. Nobody has settled in since Pujara left. So, that will be one area. India would like to also try out the youngsters. Even Kuldeep hasn't had a game for a long time. So, if Kuldeep comes into play, his form is going to be very crucial going into Sri Lanka. So, I think India will definitely keep those options in mind and then go ahead because this is also, I feel, a very good chance - we're playing in Chandigarh, and the wicket is going to be also good. I mean, India hasn't played a Test match for quite some time. So, before heading to Sri Lanka, I think this is the right time to get most of the players back in form and give them some game time, Gandhi said in an exclusive conversation with IANS on Friday. On Sudarshan's prospects, Gandhi, who featured in four Tests and three ODIs for India, suggested the young left-handed batter may be left out after failing to make the most of his chances in Tests in England and at home, while backing an in-form Padikkal to get a fair run. See, in all fairness, Sai has had a fair run. I mean, he played in England and thereafter, he played in India as well. Unfortunately, he didn't grab those chances. So, I think he will probably have to sit out of this Test match. Padikkal has only played two Test matches wherein he got up to fifty once. I think whoever is playing should be given a fair run - give him at least four or five Test matches to prove himself. It's not an easy spot to bat, especially number three. It requires sound technique, and temperament. So, it's a very challenging position to bat at. Whoever they have identified, they need to give him a longer run, he added. On the evolution of Shubman Gill after taking over as India's Test skipper last year, Gandhi was effusive in his praise. See, there has been a steady growth as far as his captaincy is concerned. Since he took over as captain, we know how well he took to captaincy as a batter, right? Scoring 700 runs on his first tour of England. So, that was very good. I think that will help him a lot and over the years, if you even look at the way he was captaining in the IPL, there has been a steady progress. He lends that balance to them and he brings that calmness to the table which I think is very important. It's quite, in fact, heartening to see the way he has been evolving as a captain and also as a batsman. The inclusion of left-arm spinners Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar in the Test squad has been a big talking point and Gandhi said all-round ability has become a key selection parameter, especially in planning for life beyond Ravindra Jadeja. Yes, definitely and see, (Ravindra) Jadeja has served for a very long time. But if you look ahead, we definitely are looking for spinners. At the same time, it helps if you are able to bat. Then I think it lends a lot of balance to the side as you bat deep. Sometimes, it becomes very crucial if your bowlers are able to bat well and it's an added comfort. On tall right-arm fast bowler Gurnoor Brar being included in the Test set-up ahead of Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi, who picked 60 wickets in a victorious Ranji Trophy campaign, Gandhi said physical attributes and an 'X-factor' sometimes tipped the scales in a player's favour. At the same time, Gandhi felt Nabi would get his opportunities to play Tests through the India A route, especially with the side set to play two multi-day games in Galle, Sri Lanka. Sometimes there are certain players who can be fast-tracked if selectors feel that Gurnoor has a little bit of a spark. He has the height going for him. So that is why he may have been preferred over Auqib. But I'm sure, there are a lot of A series, as we know, and that he can be a part of that squad. Sometimes the selectors want to see again and have a closer look at how he bowls in the nets and all. So I'm sure he'll be groomed into the India A squad and he'll get his opportunities from there. But some players are fast-tracked while some people will have to take the staircase. Unfortunately, he's not being fast-tracked - so that's OK. I mean, I wouldn't worry overly. But it's not that the domestic performances are not rewarded - they are rewarded. But sometimes there are certain tough calls which selectors do take and we have to understand that, he added. He further said a green wicket in Chandigarh could well give Brar his Test debut, and that the match would also help selectors assess him ahead of the New Zealand series. It does - if as selectors you feel that he's got an x factor, right, then you may fast track him. You sometimes don't want to delay it. So I have a strong feeling that if the wicket is a little green, then he might make his debut because I think that will be a good way to prepare for the New Zealand series as well. It will give us some insight into how he's bowling in a Test match and if any areas need to be addressed. Between now and the New Zealand Test matches, he'll have enough time to work on those aspects of his bowling. So, I mean, there are certain attributes, but it's always the x-factor which sometimes weighs the decision-making, he added. Brar, Dubey and Suthar have all come through the India A system before earning their maiden Test call-up, and Gandhi signed off by underlining the value of a steady feeder line that continues to supply players to the senior side. It's very heartening because whenever selectors go to the breadth of the country, watching all the domestic matches, and then you pick someone who goes on to play for India A and he does really well, it feels great. So, we have a very good system here in India where players go through the ranks of Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup. Brar, Dubey and Suthar have all come through the India A system before earning their maiden Test call-up, and Gandhi signed off by underlining the value of a steady feeder line that continues to supply players to the senior side. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So, it's a very systematic process and I think people need to just appreciate that and look at the kind of talent India has always thrown up, whether it is white ball cricket, and even red ball as well. It's a very good system that we have at the moment. Article Source: IANS

Shaheen Afridi, Shadab Khan Power Pakistan to ODI Series Win Over Australia in Lahore

Spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan starred in Pakistan's four-wicket win in their decisive third and final one-day international against Australia in Lahore on Thursday. Shaheen grabbed 3-30 to bundle Australia out for 157 before Shadab added a fighting 29 not out to his two wickets, helping Pakistan to their winning target in 41.5 overs. That gave Pakistan a 2-1 series win -- their third successive ODI series victory over Australia -- after they won the first match by five wickers in Rawalpindi. Australia won the second by 41 runs, also in Lahore. Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann's career best 3-38 -- including Babar Azam's wicket for 40 -- had given the visitors some hope of an unlikely win. At 112-6, Pakistan were in a spot of bother but Shadab found an able partner in Abdul Samad as the duo added a match-winning 49 runs for the unbroken seventh wicket stand. Shadab's second boundary sealed the win, while Samad's 18 not out included one boundary. Shaheen praised a complete team effort. All bowlers executed plans well to keep Australia down to 157, said Shaheen. The conditions were tough for the batters but the players put in a great effort. Ithink it was a complete team effort throughout the series. Australian captain Josh Inglis praised his team. I thought the bowlers and the fielding group made a great effort to put us in a position to potentially win the game, but it wasn't to be in the end, he said. We have some young and inexperienced guys so it's a great learning experience for them. Earlier, Shaheen was ably supported by Abrar Ahmed (2-19) and Shadab (2-28) as Australia's innings folded in 42 overs after they won the toss and batted. Spinners Abrar and Shadab built on Shaheen's early strikes as Pakistan made a strong comeback after a disappointing loss in the second game. Inglistop-scored with a 71-ball 65 which included eight boundaries and a six, with Marnus Labuschagneand Alex Carey scoring 19 each and Adam Zampamaking 10. Shaheen had Matthew Short caught off the second ball of the match before Inglis added 46 for the second wicket with Labuschagne and another 52 for the third with Carey. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But Australia lost their last seven wickets for a meagre 38 runs with two run outs also hurting their innings.

'Every team prepares pitches that suit them' - Shaheen defends Pakistan pitches

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Four-Wicket Robinson Rocks New Zealand After England Collapse In 1st Test

Ollie Robinson marked his first Test for more than two years with four wickets, including three in a sensational opening over, as New Zealand suffered a stunning collapse to 29-6 on the opening day of the first Test at Lord's on Thursday. England had been dismissed for just 140 themselves after losing the toss. But that soon looked an imposing total, with the overcast conditions still in favour of the fast bowlers when New Zealand began their reply in the first of a three-Test series. Robinson, bowling the second over of the innings, took three wickets for no runs in four balls to leave New Zealand reeling at 2-3, with the normally reserved Lord's crowd chanting his name in what is the 150th Test at the London ground. The 32-year-old seamer had Devon Conway lbw with his third ball and then removed Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra for ducks with the last two balls of his first over. Key batsman Williamson, in what could be the 35-year-old's last appearance at Lord's, was caught off bat and pad as the ball lobbed gently to short leg. On the next ball, Ravindra was lbw to Robinson, after being hit on the back leg. Ravindra reviewed but the decision of Australian umpire Rod Tucker, who was standing in his 100th Test, was upheld. Sussex captain Robinson's previous 20 Tests had yielded 76 wickets at an impressive average of under 23 apiece but doubts about his stamina and attitude, if not his skill, meant that this was his first appearance at this level since February 2024. Gus Atkinson then had New Zealand captain Tom Latham lbw. Robinson struck again, bowling Daryl Mitchell for 12, as the paceman took a remarkable 4-10 in his first six overs. Fast bowler Josh Tongue bowled Tom Blundell -- the 16th wicket to fall on an astonishing first day -- to leave New Zealand reeling at 29-6 in just 13 overs. - Matching Gower - Earlier, New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson took 5-62 in 14 overs -- the sixth five-wicket haul of the towering 31-year-old fast bowler's 20-Test career. Harry Brook, with 56, was the lone England batsman to offer meaningful resistance and he was dropped twice during an otherwise impressive New Zealand fielding display. New Zealand's pacemen made England suffer, even though Matt Henry, who was passed fit following a hamstring strain, only managed four overs before leaving the field. Debutant opener Emilio Gay was out for eight, while Joe Root and Jamie Smith both scored just one run apiece in England's first Test since their woeful 4-1 Ashes series loss in Australia concluded in January. Gay, who was playing in place of dropped batsman Zak Crawley, emulated England great David Gower by hitting his first ball in Test cricket for four before edging Jamieson to Mitchell in the slips. Will O'Rourke (3-38) captured the key wicket of Root before Smith was bowled playing no shot by a Jamieson ball that cut back and knocked out his off stump. Brook, who was dropped early in his innings by Conway, pulled two fours before he was joined in the middle by England captain Ben Stokes. But Stokes, on his 35th birthday, fell for 12 when an edge off Jamieson was superbly caught low and one-handed by Williamson, diving in front of first slip. Brook had another reprieve, on 45, when Ravindra dropped a straightforward catch at midwicket Also Read: Live Cricket Score The batsman completed a 64-ball fifty but Brook holed out soon afterwards before a last-wicket partnership of 22 between Tongue and Shoaib Bashir boosted England's total.

Bengal T20 League: Champions, Challengers And New Rivalries Ready To Collide In 2026 Edition

The Bengal T20 League: The Bengal T20 League makes its eagerly awaited third return, featuring top cricket talent from across the state for another summer of exciting T20 matches. With 8 men's teams and 8 women's teams, the tournament will deliver a month of intense games, rising stars, and strong regional rivalries. Scheduled from June 5 to 21, 2026, teams from all over Bengal will vie for the league championship. Adamas Howrah Warriors and Kolkata Royal Tigers enter Season 3 as the reigning champions in the men's and women's divisions, respectively, with every team eager to claim the trophy this year. The season kicks off on June 5 with the first men's match at Eden Gardens, where defending champions Adamas Howrah Warriors will compete against Novus Royals Purulia at 7:00 PM. The women's tournament begins the next day, June 6, with defending champions Kolkata Royal Tigers facing Novus Royals Purulia in the opening game at 9:00 AM at the JU Salt Lake Campus. Bablu Koley, secretary of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), said, This platform is for promoting our cricketers. We need to understand one thing: T20 cricket has become a big deal today, so we need to enhance the competitiveness of our domestic T20 cricket. We expect more T20 cricketers to emerge so that they can go on to play for India and in the IPL. This is a platform for them to prove their mettle in T20 cricket. CAB has a duty towards the promotion of its cricketers, and this is a platform for them to showcase their abilities in T20 cricket, which is the premier format of the game in today's world. Defending champion Adamas Howrah Warriors will face newcomers Novus Royals Purulia in the season's opening match. The Warriors aim to begin their title defense with a win, while Purulia is eager to make a strong impression in their inaugural Bengal T20 League campaign. Speaking at the pre-season press conference, Adamas Howrah Warriors captain Shakir Habib Gandhi said, We have had extensive preparations leading into the tournament, with several practice matches and training sessions. As defending champions, we have worked hard and focused on improving ourselves. There is no added pressure on the team. Our belief is simple: if we follow the right process and execute our plans well, the results will take care of themselves. Novus Royals Purulia captain Sudip Kumar Gharami said, We have a strong blend of experienced seniors and talented youngsters, which has created a very positive atmosphere within the squad. Tournaments like this provide an important platform for players, with scouts closely following performances and assessing how individuals respond to different match situations. It is a valuable learning experience for everyone. If we perform well and stay committed to our process, it can open up many opportunities for players in the future. Novus Royals Purulia will debut in the Bengal T20 League during the season opener. With experienced players such as Sudip Kumar Gharami and Yuvraj Deepak Keswani leading the team, they aim to kick off their campaign positively against the defending champions. Attention then shifts to the women's tournament on June 6, where the defending champions, Kolkata Royal Tigers, start their title defense against Novus Royals Purulia at 9:00 AM at the JU Salt Lake Campus. The first day will also include Murshidabad Kueens battling Shrachi Rarh Tigers at 1:30 PM, promising an exciting and competitive women's season. Novus Royals Purulia captain Dhara Gujjar highlighted the growing opportunities in the women's game, saying, The WPL has opened new doors for women cricketers and given players a clear pathway to the highest level. Competitions like the Bengal Women's T20 League are invaluable because they put young talent in front of scouts, franchises, and selectors while also providing exposure to high-quality competition. For many players, this is an opportunity to prove themselves, gain confidence, and take a step closer to their dream of playing in the WPL and representing India. Attention then shifts to the women's tournament on June 6, where the defending champions, Kolkata Royal Tigers, start their title defense against Novus Royals Purulia at 9:00 AM at the JU Salt Lake Campus. The first day will also include Murshidabad Kueens battling Shrachi Rarh Tigers at 1:30 PM, promising an exciting and competitive women's season. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The opening game is a chance to make a statement and build momentum for the rest of the tournament. We have worked hard in the lead-up and are confident in our preparations. The focus is on staying calm, backing our skills, and playing fearless cricket. We are looking forward to putting on a good show for the fans and getting our campaign off to a strong start, said Mita Paul. Article Source: IANS

His Spirit Is Still There: Iceland Cricket Trolls England With Crawley Dig After Lords Batting Collapse Vs NZ

Only Harry Brook: England's disastrous batting display in the opening Test against New Zealand not only left them under pressure on the field but also provided fresh ammunition for one of cricket's most mischievous social media accounts, Iceland Cricket. Shortly after England were bowled out for a modest 140 in their first innings at Lord's on Thursday, Iceland Cricket weighed in with a trademark jab that quickly gained traction among fans online. You can take Zak Crawley out of the England side physically, but his spirit is still there, they wrote on X. The post was a playful reference to England's selection decisions ahead of the three-match series, with Zak Crawley among the notable omissions from the squad. While the opener was nowhere near the playing XI, Iceland Cricket suggested his presence was somehow still lingering after England's top order endured a forgettable outing. The quip landed at a time when scrutiny over England's batting was already intensifying. After a rain-affected start to the day, England resumed on 24 for 1 but failed to build any meaningful partnerships as New Zealand's pace attack seized control. The hosts lost wickets at regular intervals, with the visitors exploiting favourable conditions to devastating effect. O'Rourke and Kyle Jamieson led the charge, consistently troubling England's batters with pace and movement, while Nathan Smith added further pressure as the innings unravelled. The collapse left several of England's established names struggling for answers. Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, and Jamie Smith all failed to make significant contributions as New Zealand tightened its grip on the contest. The quip landed at a time when scrutiny over England's batting was already intensifying. After a rain-affected start to the day, England resumed on 24 for 1 but failed to build any meaningful partnerships as New Zealand's pace attack seized control. The hosts lost wickets at regular intervals, with the visitors exploiting favourable conditions to devastating effect. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England captain Ben Stokes also showed signs of settling before his stay was ended by a spectacular one-handed catch from Kane Williamson at second slip. The eventual total of 140 handed New Zealand a commanding position in the match and sparked widespread discussion among supporters and pundits alike. Article Source: IANS

Dilara's fastest fifty guides Bangladesh to victory over Netherlands

Dilara scored her fifty off 22 balls, the fastest by a Bangladesh batter in women's T20I

Removing Suryakumar Yadav As T20I Captain At This Stage May Not Be Right, Says MSK Prasad

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Former India wicketkeeper and chief selector MSK Prasad on Thursday cautioned against removing Suryakumar Yadav as captain of the mens T20I side, saying such a move at this stage would not be the right one and that selectors should instead look to groom younger leaders from now onwards. Despite a few halfcenturies in the bilateral series against New Zealand earlier this year and a matchwinning knock in the T20 World Cup opening game against the USA, consistency has eluded Suryakumar. After India won the T20 World Cup under his leadership, Suryakumars form dipped further in IPL 2026, where he managed only 270 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of 147.54, with just two fifties. With Indias selectors set to meet in Mumbai on Saturday for selecting squads for the two games against Ireland, to be played on June 26 and 28, followed by five T20Is in England from July 1 to 11, apart from picking India A squad for the two red-ball games against Sri Lanka A, Suryakumars future as the T20I captain will be a hot topic of discussion. See, are you sending your first team or are you sending your second level? That's the biggest concern. So, if they are sending the first team, I think overlooking Surya is not the right thing to do because he just handed over one more Mens T20 World Cup to us. So, ideally, probably next 56 months or now you have to get ready with your next leaders, right? Axar Patel was your vicecaptain till the T20 World Cup win. Ideally, if you look at it, you have to look forward to the younger leaders. So, if you can identify such leaders and make a deputy to Surya, it will be nice to see. Surya is a phenomenal player, Prasad told IANS in an exclusive conversation on Thursday. Prasad admitted that Suryakumar has endured a lean patch but urged patience towards him. I know that he has gone through a rough patch in the last 11.5 years. Of course, we have other players like Rajat Patidar coming up, and they also deserve their places. So, what I would like to say is that, removing Surya at this stage, I think, is not the right signal. Give him a couple of series, and if his lean patch continues, then you have a deputy to whom you can hand over the captaincy baton. On possible successors of Suryakumar like Shreyas Iyer, the ODI vice-captain, and Hardik Pandya, apart from Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, and Tilak Varma in the mix, Prasad said, See, Hardik is one potential candidate. Then, Shreyas is another potential candidate, too. People like Ishan Kishan, Tilak Verma, and Sanju Samson are also in line. See, Sanju has led RR for quite some time. Ishan has led recently, and he showed glimpses of class in his captaincy. Tilak Verma is a potential guy. We think that Tilak Verma is the guy and the answer for the next few years for Indian cricket in T20 formats. So, he is not a bad choice, too. Rajat Patidar (who led RCB to back-to-back IPL titles) is also one of those. I don't know whether its from a captaincy point of view, but he is definitely a guy who should be looked into. So, you have enough ammunition with you. But are you sending your first eleven or are you sending your, maybe, probably the second eleven? Shreyas, the frontrunner to succeed Suryakumar, comes with proven captaincy credentials - having led Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title in 2024 and guiding Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings to the finals in 2020 and 2025, respectively. Kishan captained Sunrisers Hyderabad in Pat Cummins absence during IPL 2026 after earlier leading Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy triumph. Varma, meanwhile, has been a regular leader for India A in whiteball cricket and is set to captain them in the upcoming 50over triseries in Sri Lanka starting June 9. Samson has previously led Rajasthan Royals to the runnersup spot in IPL 2022 and was adjudged Player of the Tournament in Indias T20 World Cup win. Pandya, who has captained India in Rohit Sharmas absence, also guided the Gujarat Titans to the IPL crown in 2022, though his leadership stint with the Mumbai Indians has not been that memorable. Prasad further suggested giving some players a break who featured in both the World Cup and IPL for the trips to Ireland and England. If you see, after the World Cup, all the players who played in the World Cup looked jaded and exhausted in the IPL. So, why don't you give a break to all those World Cup players and give opportunities to those who have performed in this IPL? So, in that way, you hand over that baton to Shreyas Iyer or XYZ and whoever is seen as a future leader. I think Shreyas is definitely a potential guy. So, you make and send them to Ireland because I am sure that they can beat Ireland. So, give a break to them because this IPL has been a very, very hot summer, and immediately after the World Cup. Prasad further suggested giving some players a break who featured in both the World Cup and IPL for the trips to Ireland and England. If you see, after the World Cup, all the players who played in the World Cup looked jaded and exhausted in the IPL. So, why don't you give a break to all those World Cup players and give opportunities to those who have performed in this IPL? Also Read: Live Cricket Score They are already playing for the country in some form or another. So, make a good side, then Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is there too, while Abhishek and Sanju are anyway there. Give some break to all those people who looked very tired - both physically and mentally, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

Tried To Dissuade Bharat From Retiring, But He Was Hellbent On Moving On, Says Prasad

ICC Cricket World Cup League: Former India wicketkeeper and chief selector MSK Prasad on Thursday said he had tried convincing KS Bharat not to retire from international cricket, but the Andhra player was hellbent on moving on, describing the decision as both surprising and unfortunate. In a surprise development on Thursday evening, wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat announced his retirement from international cricket at the age of 32. Bharat first got an India call-up in November 2019 but made his Test debut in February 2023 after Rishabh Pant was sidelined due to recovery from his injuries suffered in a life-threatening car accident. I am aware of it because this was very, very surprising to me. I even tried to speak to him, but somehow he said that I am moving on. Because I have seen him growing from the under-13 age group, it was really shocking to me when he said this. But what to do, it is very unfortunate. In fact, I also made my retirement at 31 and a half, but he has made up his mind now. So, probably he felt that he needed to move on, and probably he wants to focus on something else. I tried my level best to convince him and even spoke to him, but he is hell-bent on moving on, Prasad told IANS in an exclusive conversation on Thursday. Bharat is also remembered for taking two catches and effecting one stumping when Wriddhiman Saha had a stiff neck during the Kanpur Test against New Zealand in 2021. But Bharat was inconsistent in his glovework and run-making, which meant that he wasnt considered for the Test team after playing the second Test against England at his hometown Visakhapatnam in February 2024. In seven Tests, including playing in the 2023 World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval, Bharat amassed 223 runs with a highest score of 44 and an average of 20.09. Bharat also made 10 appearances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals, while scoring 199 runs. I feel that he still had some mettle left in him to make a comeback. He was a fantastic keeper, and there is no two ways about it. I think he has got a safe pair of hands and was a decent batter because I have seen him growing from under-13. But then, he has got some other ideas, and one has to respect that, added Prasad. Speculation was rife on a section of social media, which suggested that Bharat could be on his way to representing the UAE after he was allegedly seen practising with their team in a few sessions last month. However, sources told IANS that there was no truth in it, though they admitted that Bharat was in Dubai around that time and wanted to practice or train with the UAE national team, which is why he showed up for the same. Speculation was rife on a section of social media, which suggested that Bharat could be on his way to representing the UAE after he was allegedly seen practising with their team in a few sessions last month. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Previously, former India Under-19 and Uttar Pradesh batter Akshdeep Nath made his debut for the UAE earlier this year in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 matches in Nepal after acquiring the countrys citizenship, post making a move from Lucknow to Dubai last year. Article Source: IANS

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: Marquee Names Set For Season 5 Player Auction

Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20: A star-studded player pool featuring Karun Nair, Mayank Agarwal, and Manish Pandey will headline the Season 5 Player Auction for the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 set to take place in Bengaluru on June 5. With more than 150 cricketers available for selection and all six franchises entering the auction with a full purse of INR 60 lakh, teams will have plenty of options as they build their squads for the upcoming season. Each franchise will assemble a squad comprising a minimum of 16 and a maximum of 18 players acquired through the auction, in addition to two mandatory Catchment Area Players. Players have been classified into five pools A, B, C, D, and E with base prices of INR 2 lakh, INR 1 lakh, INR 50,000, INR 75,000, and INR 30,000, respectively. Franchises are required to acquire at least 12 players from Pools A, B, and C combined. Pool A features India and Indian Premier League (IPL) cricketers and carries a base price of INR 2 lakh. Alongside the marquee names, players such as Vyshak Vijaykumar, Smaran R., and Yashraj Punja who emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the previous season with 26 wickets are among the sought-after prospects. The pool also includes top performers from previous editions, such as Abhinav Manohar, Vidwath Kaverappa, and Sharath BR. Pool B comprises all cricketers who have represented Karnataka's senior state side in any format under the age of 30 and carries a base price of INR 1 lakh. The pool features a strong crop of domestic performers, including Chethan LR, Hardik Raj, Luvnith Sisodia, Macneil Noronha, Manvanth Kumar L, Aneesh KV, Nikin Jose, Shubhang Hegde, and Abhilash Shetty. Pool C comprises players under the age of 30 who have represented Karnataka at the Junior level and carries a base price of INR 50,000. Among the notable names in this pool are Harshil Dharmani, Karthik SU, Aadarsh Prajwal, Anvay Dravid, Aneeshwar Gautam, and Samit Dravid. Pool D features players aged between 30 and 35 who have represented the senior state team and carry a base price of INR 75,000. Experienced campaigners such as Mohd Taha, Koushik V, Melu Kranthi Kumar, and Nihal Ullal feature in this pool. Franchises will only be permitted to field two players from this category in their playing XI. Pool E consists of all other KSCA-registered cricketers under the age of 30 who have been shortlisted by the State Selection Committee and carries a base price of INR 30,000. In addition to their auction selections, all franchises must pick two players from their designated catchment areas. Pool E consists of all other KSCA-registered cricketers under the age of 30 who have been shortlisted by the State Selection Committee and carries a base price of INR 30,000. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The fifth edition of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 will be played from June 20 to July 12 across Mysuru, Hubballi, and Bengaluru, featuring six franchises Coastal Kings Mangaluru, Gulbarga Mystics, Hubli Tigers, Kalyani Bengaluru Blasters, Mysore Warriors, and Shivamogga Yodhas competing for top honours in Karnataka's premier domestic T20 competition. Article Source: IANS

KS Bharat announces retirement from international cricket

He represented India in seven Test matches, including in the 2023 WTC final

Shreyas Iyer to replace Suryakumar Yadav as India's T20I captain

Suryakumar had led India to the T20 World Cup title in March, but has been in poor batting form

T20 Mumbai League: Shreyas Iyer, Aditya Tare Power Mumbai Falcons To Maiden Win

MSC Maratha Royals: Shreyas Iyer and Aditya Tare produced influential knocks as SOBO Mumbai Falcons registered their first victory of the T20 Mumbai League 2026, overcoming MSC Maratha Royals by three wickets in a contest that swung dramatically before being settled in the final over at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. Chasing 153, the Falcons appeared to be cruising towards the target after a blistering start from their top order. Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Tare set the tone with an aggressive 42 off just 19 deliveries, while Ishan Mulchandani chipped in with a composed 29 as the pair stitched together a 57-run opening stand. The momentum continued when India batter Shreyas Iyer entered as the Impact Player and immediately made his presence felt. Mixing timing with power, Iyer struck 30 off 24 balls, including two boundaries and two sixes, helping the Falcons surge to 106/2 by the 12th over and seemingly putting the chase beyond doubt. However, the match took an unexpected turn after Iyer's dismissal. The Royals mounted a spirited comeback, striking regularly and reducing the Falcons from a position of comfort to a state of uncertainty. Four wickets fell for just 21 runs as the pressure shifted onto the chasing side and hopes of a Royals revival grew. With the asking rate creeping up and wickets falling around him, Gautam Waghela provided the composure the Falcons desperately needed. The middle-order batter remained unbeaten on 26 from 23 deliveries, carefully steering the innings through the tense closing stages before guiding his side home with five balls to spare. Earlier, Maratha Royals relied heavily on Sahil Jadhav's counterattacking half-century after a stuttering start with the bat. Opening alongside captain Siddhesh Lad, Jadhav stood firm amid regular setbacks, striking 52 off just 30 deliveries, hitting five fours and three sixes. While wickets continued to tumble at the other end, Chinmay Sutar offered valuable support with 23, helping the defending champions cross the 100-run mark in the 14th over. The Falcons' bowlers then tightened their grip on proceedings, with left-arm spinner Yash Dicholkar delivering a crucial spell. He removed the well-set Jadhav and Tushar Deshpande in quick succession, slowing the Royals' momentum at a critical stage. Arjun Dani attempted to revive the innings with a fighting 35, while Rohan Raje added 10, but the Falcons maintained control through disciplined bowling. Akash Parkar led the attack with figures of 3/22, while Dicholkar finished with 3/25 as the Royals were restricted to 152/9 in their 20 overs. The victory gives the Falcons their first points of the campaign and provides a timely boost as the tournament begins to gather momentum. Arjun Dani attempted to revive the innings with a fighting 35, while Rohan Raje added 10, but the Falcons maintained control through disciplined bowling. Akash Parkar led the attack with figures of 3/22, while Dicholkar finished with 3/25 as the Royals were restricted to 152/9 in their 20 overs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score MSC Maratha Royals 152/9 in 20 overs (Sahil Jadhav 52, Arjun Dani 35, Chinmay Sutar 23; Akash Parkar 3/22, Yash Dicholkar 3/25) lost to SOBO Mumbai Falcons 156/6 in 19.1 overs (Aditya Tare 42, Shreyas Iyer 30, Ishan Mulchandani 29; Maxwell Swaminathan 2/24) by three wickets. Article Source: IANS

Scindia Cup 2026: Ankush Singh Stars As Chambal Ghariyals Cruise Past Malwa Stallions In MP League T20

Madhya Pradesh League: Chambal Ghariyals came up with a complete all-round performance to defeat Malwa Stallions by six wickets in the Madhya Pradesh League (MPL) T20 Scindia Cup 2026 at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Thursday. After winning the toss, Chambal Ghariyals chose to bowl first and made an immediate impact. Avesh Khan set the tone with a superb opening spell, striking early alongside Akshay Singh as the duo reduced the Ashutosh Sharma-led Malwa Stallions to 23/3 in just 4.1 overs. With wickets falling regularly at the other end, Rishabh Singh Chauhan stood firm and anchored the innings with a well-crafted, unbeaten 57 off 41 balls. He received valuable support from Prashant Kasde, who played an important cameo of 29 off just 19 deliveries lower down the order. Their efforts helped the Stallions recover from a difficult start and put up 154/7 in 20 overs. The Stallions responded well with the ball and enjoyed early success. Harshwardhan Singh removed both Apurve Dwivedi and captain Shubham Sharma to reduce Chambal Ghariyals to 32/2 in just 3.3 overs. However, opener Ankush Singh and Rohit Kumar Gupta turned the game around with a brilliant partnership of 73 runs for the third wicket. The duo played positive cricket, taking on the bowlers and regularly finding the boundary. Their efforts helped the Stallions recover from a difficult start and put up 154/7 in 20 overs. The Stallions responded well with the ball and enjoyed early success. Harshwardhan Singh removed both Apurve Dwivedi and captain Shubham Sharma to reduce Chambal Ghariyals to 32/2 in just 3.3 overs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The Ghariyals suffered a minor setback when Gautam Raghuwanshi, who looked in good touch, was dismissed for 17 off 12 balls. However, there were no further hiccups as Tripuresh Singh joined Ankush in the middle and the duo calmly guided the team home, sealing a comprehensive victory for Chambal Ghariyals. Article Source: IANS

Bhutan's Ritshi Choden becomes first women cricketer to be timed out

Nepal's cricket board was displeased with the decision and apologised for the incident after the game

England release Rehan, Rew from Test squad for Lions 50-over series

Saqib Mahmood and Jordan Cox also handed chances ahead of England white-ball selection meetings

Cricket Association Of Nepal Apologises After A Timed-out Dismissal Sparks Spirit Of Cricket Debate

The Cricket Association: The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has issued a public apology after the women's team drew criticism for appealing a timed-out dismissal during an ACC Women's Premier Cup match against Bhutan in Malaysia. The unusual incident occurred at the beginning of Bhutan's pursuit of 114 runs, shifting focus from the match to concerns about sportsmanship and the true spirit of the game. Bhutan's innings got off to the worst possible start when opener Ngawana Choden was dismissed by the very first delivery. The drama intensified moments later as incoming batter Ritshi Choden hurried towards the middle but appeared unprepared to take a strike. Television footage showed the batter carrying her helmet as she rushed onto the field. Before she could settle at the crease, Nepal's players approached the umpires and lodged an appeal. Following a discussion between the officials and the fielding side, the appeal was upheld, resulting in a timed-out dismissal. The incident involving the timed-out dismissal of a Bhutanese batter during todays match does not reflect the values and spirit of cricket that the Cricket Association of Nepal strives to uphold. On behalf of the Cricket Association of Nepal, we extend our sincere apologies for the actions of our Womens National Team in this matter. While the dismissal was effected within the Laws of Cricket, we recognise that the spirit of the game extends beyond the written laws and must remain central to our conduct at all times. As a developing cricketing nation, we place the utmost importance on sportsmanship, mutual respect, and fair play. We acknowledge that this incident has fallen short of those standards and regret any disappointment it may have caused. We convey our sincere apologies to Bhutan Cricket, the player concerned, and all relevant stakeholders. CAN remains firmly committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and the spirit of cricket, both on and off the field, the Cricket Association of Nepal said in a statement. The incident involving the timed-out dismissal of a Bhutanese batter during todays match does not reflect the values and spirit of cricket that the Cricket Association of Nepal strives to uphold. On behalf of the Cricket Association of Nepal, we extend our sincere apologies for the actions of our Womens National Team in this matter. While the dismissal was effected within the Laws of Cricket, we recognise that the spirit of the game extends beyond the written laws and must remain central to our conduct at all times. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The controversy eventually overshadowed the result itself. Bhutan struggled throughout their innings and finished on 62 for 8 from 20 overs, with two wickets having fallen after just one delivery of the chase. In the aftermath, CAN moved swiftly to distance itself from the episode and acknowledged that the action did not reflect the standards it seeks to promote. Article Source: IANS

IND vs AFG One-off Test Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI

IND vs AFG One-off Test , Cricket Tips :After the IPL 2026, India are preparing for the home series against Afghanistan. These two teams will play three ODIs and one test in June 2026. The test match will be held at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, at 9:30 PM IST on Saturday. Shubman Gill will lead a new-look Test side. Only KL Rahul has played more than 50 tests in the current Indian squad. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja have been given the rest. Gurnoor Brar, Manav Suthar, and Harsh Dubey are the new faces. Afghanistan will see Hashmatullah Shahidi leading the side, which has a very good squad. If the wicket grips and turns, Afghanistan can be a dangerous side. IND vs AFG: Match Details Date : June 6-10, 2026 (Saturday-Wednesday) Time : 9:30 AM IST Venue : Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh IND vs AFG: Live Streaming Details The live action of the one-off test will be available on the Star Sports Networks. Fans can also watch the live stream on the Jio Hotstar app or website. IND vs AFG: Head-to-Head in Test Total Matches : 01 India : 01 Afghanistan : 00 Drawn : 00 IND vs AFG: Ground Pitch Report This is the first-ever Test in Mullanpur. The wicket is expected to get slow with time, and spinners will have a big role. At this venue, the team that wins the toss and bats first will have a little edge on the conditions because chasing will be difficult here. IND vs AFG: Possible XIs India : KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill , Rishabh Pant (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Nitish Reddy, Kuldeep Yadav, Md. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna Afghanistan : Afsar Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Rahmat Shah, Hasmatullah Shahidi , Abdul Malik, Abdul Malik, Azmatullah Omarzai, Qais Ahmed, N. Kharote, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, Mohammad Saleem Safi IND vs AFG: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Shubman Gill has been India's top performer. He will be the key batter in this game. For Afghanistan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz has been a consistent scorer and will be the one to watch out for. Probable Best Bowler Kuldeep Yadav will get good assistance from the wicket and can make a difference. For Afghanistan, Qais Ahmed has been making an impact in tests and will be tough to face. Today Match Prediction :India hold an edge because of the home conditions and experience. We predict India will beat Afghanistan in a one-off test. IND vs AFG Match One-Off Test, Today Match IND vs AFG, IND vs AFG Prediction, IND vs AFG Predicted XIs, Injury Update for India vs Afghanistan Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.

My Focus Is Fully On Playing Redball Cricket, Says Kuldeep Yadav, Ahead Of Test Against Afghanistan

World Test Championship: Indias left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav has said his focus is fully on playing redball cricket as he prepares to lead the spin attack in the oneoff Test against Afghanistan, starting on Saturday. Kuldeep managed only 10 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 38.10 and an economy rate of 10.29, as the Delhi Capitals failed to qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs. The early exit, however, gave him additional time to prepare for the rigours of a longer format. In 17 Tests so far, Kuldeep has picked up 76 wickets at an average of 22.4. As an attacking spinner, I want to get breakthroughs for the team regularly, and that's my only mindset. My focus is fully on playing red-ball cricket. There are several important Test series coming up, especially the five-match series against Australia at home. That series will play a crucial role in determining our campaign in this World Test Championship cycle. I know the challenges will be there when we play in Sri Lanka and travel to New Zealand for two matches. But it is important to have the right frame of mind and fulfil the role given to me to the best of my ability. I believe that if you have a quality spin attack in your team, you can break the game open in any situation. It is a huge component of a successful Test side because, if you have quality, you can take wickets anywhere, irrespective of the conditions, said Kuldeep on JioHotstar. From a personal perspective, Kuldeep admitted the mental transition of bowling from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 to preparing for Test cricket has been a demanding one. It is tough when you switch from IPL cricket to redball cricket. Preparation becomes very necessary. Luckily, I have time. I practised for at least 10 to 15 days and got the feel of the red ball. Bowling in Test cricket is different. In T20, you are always attacking. You always think about going after the batter. But in Test cricket, the batter has a lot of time. It all depends on how much patience you have and how long you can keep bowling in the right areas. Consistency in a good length matters. That is a big challenge. Tactics also matter a lot. Some players are coming straight after the IPL final. They don't have that much time. But I'm sure they have prepared well. So yes, it's a challenge, but I'm confident that everyone is preparing themselves well. He also shared his thoughts on welcoming newbie spinners Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey into the spin bowling department at the expense of a rested Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. The preparations have been going well for the Afghanistan Test match. We have had two net sessions so far. Yes, Jaddu bhai is not there. He is a regular in Tests. We will also miss Axar Patel. But the preparations have been good. He also shared his thoughts on welcoming newbie spinners Manav Suthar and Harsh Dubey into the spin bowling department at the expense of a rested Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. Also Read: Live Cricket Score They are also playing the Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy regularly. They might lack international experience, but when it comes to preparation and match awareness when it comes to red-ball cricket, they are absolutely on top because they have been playing regularly. Article Source: IANS

Australia bring in Connolly for Sangha and bat in decider

The toss was postponed by 15 minutes due to a heavy shower, exactly an hour before the scheduled toss

Shaun Tait Steps Down As Bangladeshs Bowling Coach Ahead Of Australia ODIs

ODI World Cup: Former Australian cricketer Shaun Tait has confirmed his departure as Bangladeshs fast bowling coach, as the side will head into their upcoming white-ball assignment against Australia without one of the key figures behind their pace-bowling resurgence. The former Aussie quick has resigned from his position effective immediately, ending a tenure of just over a year, even though the agreement was initially intended to last until the 2027 ODI World Cup. Tait, who became part of Bangladesh's coaching staff in May 2025, explained that family commitments were the main reason for his departure. My 12 months with the BCB and the Bangladesh national team was fulfilling. I want to thank the BCB. I really enjoyed working with the players. I have a great relationship with the fast bowling group. They were good to work with, and I created some really good relationships in Bangladesh, around the cricketing community in general. I don't think that'll be the closed door on my time in the country. There's obviously BPL and whatnot. You never know what the future holds. But for the time being, my young family need a bit more of my time. So, the full-time role of year-round red and white-ball cricket, my 12 months was enough, and it's time to just step back and give my family a little bit more time, Tait told ESPNcricinfo. Although his stint was relatively short, Tait leaves after overseeing a period widely regarded as a positive step for Bangladesh's pace attack. During his time with the national side, the fast-bowling unit became a more potent force across formats, with several young quicks making significant progress. Among the standout success stories was the rise of Nahid Rana, whose raw pace and growing influence have made him one of Bangladesh's most exciting prospects. Tait has often been credited with nurturing the young pacer's development during a crucial phase of his career. The former Australian quick also helped reshape perceptions of Bangladesh's bowling resources. In recent months, he repeatedly expressed confidence in the country's fast bowlers, suggesting they had become a genuine strength capable of leading the team to major victories. That belief was borne out by Bangladesh's historic Test series sweep in Pakistan, where the pace attack played a decisive role. Tait's connection to Bangladesh cricket goes beyond the national team. He has prior experience working in the Bangladesh Premier League and has also served as a coach for Pakistan and Afghanistan. The former Australian quick also helped reshape perceptions of Bangladesh's bowling resources. In recent months, he repeatedly expressed confidence in the country's fast bowlers, suggesting they had become a genuine strength capable of leading the team to major victories. That belief was borne out by Bangladesh's historic Test series sweep in Pakistan, where the pace attack played a decisive role. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The BCB is likely to act swiftly to fill the position, with ex-Bangladesh fast bowler Talha Jubair rising as a top contender to lead the pace attack for the Australia series. Article Source: IANS

ICC Congratulates Rod Tucker On Umpiring In Landmark 100th Test At Lords

The International Cricket Council: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has congratulated Australian umpire Rod Tucker for officiating in his 100th Test match, a milestone he reached when he took the field at Lords for the opening game of the World Test Championship series between England and New Zealand. Tucker is now the fourth umpire in crickets history to stand in 100 Tests after Aleem Dar (145), Steve Bucknor (128), and Rudi Koertzen (108). He was presented with a crystal trophy by former ICC Test umpire Ian Gould to commemorate the huge achievement. Cricket has always been my passion, and I feel privileged to have had such a lengthy career as an international umpire. Standing in my 100th Test is a dream come true, and I look back on this journey with deep fondness and gratitude. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the ICC and Cricket Australia for their unwavering support over the years. I am also grateful to the Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association of New South Wales for their encouragement during my early career. A special thanks to my colleagues on the elite panel and my family for their continuous support. I couldnt have reached this milestone without them. I look forward to continuing this rewarding journey in the years ahead with enthusiasm, said Tucker in an ICC statement on Thursday. Tucker was named to the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires in 2010 and officiated in his first Test at Hamilton between New Zealand and Bangladesh. He had earlier joined the ICC International Panel of Umpires in 2008 and stood in his first ODI and T20I in the following year. He became the 13th umpire to umpire in 50 Tests in 2017, in the second Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Newlands, Cape Town. He has officiated in multiple ICC global tournaments, including the Mens Cricket World Cups in 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023, the Mens Champions Trophy in 2013 (including the final between India and England), 2017, and 2025. Tucker has also been the umpire in nine editions of the Mens T20 World Cup from 2009 to 2026, including the final in 2016 between the West Indies and England in Kolkata. Rod is a very respected umpire whose consistency and professionalism have earned him the respect of peers, players, and fans around the world. One to always perform well and capable of ensuring smooth conduct of games under pressure, he has been amongst the best of his era. This 100-Test milestone really shows how much trust cricket administrators have had in him over the years, and his experience has been invaluable. Tucker has also been the umpire in nine editions of the Mens T20 World Cup from 2009 to 2026, including the final in 2016 between the West Indies and England in Kolkata. Rod is a very respected umpire whose consistency and professionalism have earned him the respect of peers, players, and fans around the world. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Before turning to umpiring, Tucker was a seambowling allrounder for New South Wales and Tasmania, scoring 5,076 runs as a left-handed batter and taking 123 wickets in 103 firstclass matches between 1986 and 1999. Article Source: IANS

Have More Experience Now, But Need To Play More Tests, Says Afghanistan Skipper Shahidi

Hashmatullah Shahidi: Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi said his side has gained valuable experience playing Test cricket in recent years but stressed the need to play more longer-format matches to continue their growth ahead of their oneoff game against India, starting on Saturday. Afghanistan were granted Test status in 2018 and took on India in their inaugural game, which ended in a heavy two-day defeat for the visitors at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Since then, Afghanistan have featured in only 12 matches in the format over the past eight years. Their last outing in the longest format came in October 2025 against Zimbabwe in Harare, where they lost by an innings and 73 runs. That 2018 match was our first-ever game in red-ball cricket, and compared to now, we didnt have any experience back then. After that, we played more cricket and learned a lot. With time, you gain experience. Personally, I have gained a lot of experience compared to that time. We have more experience now, but we need to play more Tests. We play only one or two Test matches per year, so the boys dont have that much experience playing red-ball cricket. But when it comes to our domestic structure, we have good first-class cricket in our country. Every boy plays six to seven games each and every year in red-ball. So that experience is also with us, said Shahidi in a press conference on Thursday. Afghanistan had a three-week preparatory camp in Jalalabad, where they adjusted to the rigours of red-ball cricket and playing under scorching heat. The weather was around 34C to 35C over there, so we got used to it. Most of us are okay with the hot weather. I have two double-hundreds in my Test career across 10 or 11 games. Rahmat Shah has scored a double hundred, and other guys have scored hundreds for Afghanistan in this format. This shows we have the patience and we know how to score runs here. Afghanistan had a three-week preparatory camp in Jalalabad, where they adjusted to the rigours of red-ball cricket and playing under scorching heat. The weather was around 34C to 35C over there, so we got used to it. Most of us are okay with the hot weather. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The challenge of facing India in their backyard is enormous, and Shahidi signed off by saying, We know India is a big country and they have a lot of players who can step up; there is no doubt the Indian players are very talented. But at the same time, I am the opposition captain, so I really want them not to do well in this game. I want my team to do well - we dont hide or step backwards, concluded Shahidi. Article Source: IANS

It Was A 30second Meeting; Everybody Said Shafali: Harmanpreet Recalls Pratikas Replacement During 2025 ODI WC

ODI World Cup: India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has revealed that the decision to bring in Shafali Verma as a late replacement for the injured Pratika Rawal during the 2025 Women ODI World Cup was taken in just a 30second meeting', with unanimous backing from the team and the board. Pratika had suffered an ankle injury in the rainhit game against Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai, thus ruling her out of the knockout stages. Shafali then came in and smashed 87 while picking two wickets in the final against South Africa to ensure India lifted its first-ever ODI WC trophy, that too on home soil. We first asked about Pratika. But sir told us multiple times that there was no chance of her coming back. After that, it was just a 30-second meeting. We all came together, and everybody said, 'Shafali, Shafali, Shafali,' and that was it. Everybody was clear about who should come in, even though she was not among the standbys. Everyone from the BCCI was very confident that Shafali would come in and smash it. Their confidence made us even more positive, said Harmanpreet on JioStars Unstoppable series. Head coach Amol Muzumdar reflected on how he felt over Pratika catching the heart-breaking injury. My heart sank when she got injured. As a coach, you can't do much about it. All you can do is keep your emotions in check. But there was a storm going on in my mind. When I watched her limp off, I thought that was the last thing we wanted. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana further highlighted the importance of Shafalis experience of having played ODIs before. Having international experience was very important, and it had to be an opener as well. In big matches, sometimes you need that Xfactor. Everyone felt there was no better person than Shafali for that job. I told her one thing after her first practice session, that she was in the team because of her performances. She had done extremely well in domestic cricket, dominating every bowling attack possible. I told her to treat the remaining games like domestic matches, go out there and enjoy herself. And what better stage to enjoy than the semifinal and the final? Shafali herself admitted to the pain of missing out initially on the main squad after an indifferent run in ODIs. Missing out on the World Cup squad for a tournament in India was one of the saddest feelings for me. But as they say, God has plans for everyone. The initial days were very difficult because everywhere I went, people kept asking why I wasnt in the team. Eventually, I accepted it and focused on what I could control. I found a quiet space with just my brother and father around me and told myself this was the time to work harder than ever on my game. I even told my brother to be strict with me and call me out whenever he felt I was easing off or not giving my best during practice. Shafali herself admitted to the pain of missing out initially on the main squad after an indifferent run in ODIs. Missing out on the World Cup squad for a tournament in India was one of the saddest feelings for me. But as they say, God has plans for everyone. The initial days were very difficult because everywhere I went, people kept asking why I wasnt in the team. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So, he told me that Pratika had been injured and that I needed to come in. I felt bad for her because no one wants a sportsperson to get injured, but at the same time I started thinking about how quickly I needed to get mentally prepared for a World Cup semifinal. After being out of the team for nearly a year, it wasnt an easy switch to make all of a sudden. Article Source: IANS

FIFA updates stadium code: Reusable plastic water bottles banned a week before WC kickoff

FIFA has revised its Stadium Code of Conduct ahead of the 2026 World Cup, banning reusable plastic water bottles at stadiums in the US, Canada and Mexico. The June 2 update reverses an earlier rule allowing empty reusable bottles, with FIFA citing safety concerns and the risk of injury from thrown objects.