Cricket

Defending Champions Pakistan Announce Abbas Afridi-led Squad For Hong Kong Sixes

Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground: Defending champions Pakistan have announced a seven-member squad for the Hong Kong Sixes 2026, with the six-time champions set to face India on October 30 in one of the tournaments marquee clashes. Their title-winning ambitions will lead Pakistan as they look to retain the crown they secured last year by defeating Kuwait by 43 runs in the final. Muhammad Abbas Afridi, who starred in the 2025 final with a blistering 52 off just 11 balls, has been named captain. The Pakistan squad comprises Muhammad Abbas Afridi, Ahmad Daniyal Latif, Khawaja Muhammad Nafay, Syed Muhammad Abdul Samad, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Chaudhry Saad Masood and Muhammad Shahzad. Pakistans sixth title in 2025 made them the most successful team in the tournaments history. They will now look to continue their dominance in the fast-paced competition, which is scheduled to be held from October 30 to November 1 at the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground in Hong Kong. The announcement also sets the stage for a high-profile encounter against India on October 30, with the match scheduled to begin at 2:15 pm IST. India had announced a strong squad earlier, featuring Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Krunal Pandya, Shashank Singh, Rahul Tewatia, Nitish Rana, Rahul Tripathi and T. Natarajan. However, Bhuvneshwar could miss the tournament after being selected for Indias T20I squad for the New Zealand series. The six-a-side format places a premium on explosive batting, all-round contributions and quick momentum shifts, with matches offering a condensed version of the traditional game. Anuraag Bhatnagar, Director of Marketing and Commercial at Cricket Hong Kong, China, said the organisers were delighted to welcome back the defending champions. Pakistans record sixth title in 2025 underlined their outstanding pedigree in the Hong Kong Sixes, and we are delighted to welcome the defending champions back for the 2026 edition. They bring a winning mentality, exciting talent and a style of cricket that perfectly complements the fast-paced nature of the format, he said. Pakistan squad: Pakistans record sixth title in 2025 underlined their outstanding pedigree in the Hong Kong Sixes, and we are delighted to welcome the defending champions back for the 2026 edition. They bring a winning mentality, exciting talent and a style of cricket that perfectly complements the fast-paced nature of the format, he said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Jadeja to feature for Saurashtra in Ranji Trophy opener

India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is set to play for Saurashtra in their opening Ranji Trophy match against Chhattisgarh, with Jaydev Unadkat retaining captaincy, as the team aims for a strong start to the 2026-27 season.

How Nic Maddinson beat cancer to return to Test cricket

Cancer survivor Nic Maddinson returned to Test cricket after battling testicular cancer, but Marco Jansen dismissed the Australian opener for a duck against South Africa.

Anjum Chopra Gives Massive Verdict On Harmanpreet Kaur's Captaincy Legacy

Former India captain Anjum Chopra believes Harmanpreet Kaur's biggest legacy as the side's skipper will be the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup triumph on home soil, adding that she has left the team as a far stronger, more experienced and more confident side than the one she inherited.

Take It To The Next Level: Smriti Mandhana Warned About Her Biggest Challenge As India Captain

Former India captain Anjum Chopra believes Smriti Mandhana does not have to measure herself in stepping up to succeed Harmanpreet Kaur as the side's new captain and should instead carve out her own leadership path after being handed the charge across formats.

Nic Maddinson sets unwanted Australian record on return to international cricket after 10 years

Nic Maddison made his Test debut in November 2016 against South Africa . He played his last Test in December 2016 and after a decade-long wait, Maddinson returned to the scheme of things and was named in the playing XI for Australias first Test against South Africa in Durban. However, his return wasnt pleasant as the opener set an unwanted record following a 33-ball duck.

Sutherland and Litchfield lead Australia to quick and convincing win in ODI series opener

Bangladesh were bowled out for 166 with only Ritu Moni showing any intent with the bat, and it took Australia just 25.4 overs to finish off the chase

33 Balls, 0 Runs: Nic Maddinson's Decade-Long Test Comeback Sets Unwanted Record

It was a nightmare return to Test cricket for Australia's Nic Maddinson as the southpaw was dismissed for a 33-ball duck on Day 1 of the 1st Test against South Africa in Durban.

Mulder strikes at the strike of lunch to make it South Africa's morning

Nic Maddinson, included in the Australia XI as an opener, batted for 33 balls on his Test comeback but failed to score a run

Jeet Raval announces retirement from professional cricket ahead of the 2026-27 domestic season

New Zealands Jeet Raval recently came forward and announced his retirement from professional cricket. It is interesting to note that Raval played a total of 24 Test matches for the Black Caps between 2016 and...

South Africa vs Australia LIVE Score, 1st Test Day 1: 3-Down Australia Rely On Steve Smith After Opener's Forgettable Comeback

South Africa vs Australia 1st Test LIVE Score Updates: It is a rematch of the latest World Test Championship (WTC) final, as a highly-awaited three-match Test series kicks off in Durban.

Durban Test Day 1: Mulder dismisses Labuschage; Australia 84/3 at lunch

Pacer Wiaan Mulder claimed two wickets to leave Australia in trouble on 84/3 at lunch on Day 1 of the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday.

Nic Maddinson's 33-ball duck sets new Australian record after fairytale return

Digital Desk | Durban, Oct 9 (IANS) Nic Maddinson's return to Test cricket did not pan out the way he would have wanted to, as the opener was dismissed for a 33-ball duck in the first innings of the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead here on Friday. Maddinson made a return to Test cricket after almost 10 years since last featuring in December 2016 against Pakistan and defeated testicular cancer on a fairytale comeback into the international fold. However, the Southpaw was dismissed for a duck by Marco Jansen in the 11th over early on Day 1 of the Test match, setting the record for the longest duck by an Australian opener in Test cricket. The record previously belonged to David Warner, who was dismissed for a 22-ball duck during the 2022 Ashes away series. The all-time record for the longest duck by an opener belongs to former New Zealand cricketer Darrin Murray, who had bagged a 39-ball duck against Sri Lanka in 1995. Former Zimbabwe opener Trevor Gripper was dismissed for a 36-ball duck against the West Indies in 2000. Maddinson showed patience in his stay as he left several balls. He was lucky to survive an LBW appeal in the fourth over when Wiaan Mulder had trapped him in front, but the Proteas were not sure whether the batter had got some bat on his missed flick, as they did not opt for a review. But he was dismissed a few overs later. Meanwhile, Maddinson's comeback is a fairy-tale story. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer in April 2025, as it spread to his lung and lymph nodes. He underwent chemotherapy and completed the course in July 2025. The cricketer resumed training in September after recovering and getting the clearances two months after the last round of his treatment. Maddinson scored 126 in the One-Day Cup for New South Wales against Victoria after returning and, combined with injury issues to Australia, he made it to the national side. He has missed 88 Tests between the two appearances, which is now the Australian record too.

Bevon Jacobs to miss Auckland commitments for BBL stint with Brisbane Heat

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Bevon Jacobs would be missing his commitments with Auckland as he gears up to feature in the Big Bash League for a short stint with Brisbane Heat. Jacobs will join his compatriot Tim Robinson in the Heat squad for the BBL season after he was named as a short-term replacement for England's Tom Curran, who will not start due to family commitments. He will be available for the Heat's opener against Sydney Sixers on December 15, while he will also be available for the next two matches on December 17 and 21. Curran is set to return before time for the Boxing Day fixture against Sixers in Sydney. The BBL is overlapping with the Plunket Shield, which is New Zealand's premier domestic red-ball event. His stint with Heat will see Jacobs, 24, miss Auckland's game against Central Districts, which begins on December 15. Meanwhile, Jacobs has had experience of playing in Australia. He recently toured Australia for the Top End T20 Series with New Zealand A and made a 30-ball 58 to help his team win a match against Hobart Hurricanes Academy. The right-handed batter had a trip Down Under in 2024 for the T20 Max competition, where he hit a 40-ball hundred, following which he was also signed by Mumbai Indians in the 2025 IPL auction for Rs 30 lakh. Bevon has been on our recruiting lists since he showed his power and skill in the T20 Max a few seasons ago, and its been exciting to see him earn his first international caps since then, Queensland Crickets General Manager - High Performance, Bennett King, said. He has been successful at the top of the order and as a finisher in his career so far, and were looking forward to seeing him in action for the Heat, King added.

Ranji Trophy: Jadeja Included In Jaydev Unadkat-led Saurashtra Squad

Niranjan Shah Stadium: Veteran left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been included in Saurashtras 16-member squad for their Ranji Trophy 2026/27 opener against Chhattisgarh, with veteran fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat continuing to lead the side. Jadeja is coming off playing in Indias 2-1 ODI series win over the West Indies, though he took only two wickets in two games and didnt get a chance to bat. Playing in the Ranji Trophy will help Jadeja build red-ball rhythm ahead of Indias two-match Test tour of New Zealand, to be played in Wellington (November 19-23) and Christchurch (November 27 to December 1). The 92nd edition of the prestigious red-ball tournament begins on October 11, with former champions Saurashtra placed in Elite Group B alongside Andhra, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Hyderabad, Karnataka, Punjab, and Tripura. Unadkat-led Saurashtra will kick off their campaign against Chhattisgarh at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot. Saurashtra, who won the premier domestic title twice under Unadkats leadership in 2019/20 and 2022/23, have retained as many as 14 players from last season's squad. Left-arm pacer Unadkat is coming off enjoying a prolific outing for Sussex, picking up 28 wickets across seven matches at an average of 22.21, including picking a stellar 5-32 against Hampshire, alongside two four-wicket hauls. Saurashtra suffered an early exit in the group stage during the 2025/26 Ranji Trophy and will be keen to have a stronger campaign this year. The selection committee has handed call-ups to two new faces pacer Neel Pandya and all-rounder Arth Yadav. Harvik Desai will continue to fulfill wicket-keeping duties, while the batting unit will feature experienced hands Arpit Vasavada, Chirag Jani and Jay Gohil. Unadkat will spearhead the pace department alongside left-arm pacer Chetan Sakariya, though experienced left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja has moved out of the team and will now represent Chhattisgarh. This means a lot of spin bowling responsibilities rest on Parth Bhut in the season. The selection committee has handed call-ups to two new faces pacer Neel Pandya and all-rounder Arth Yadav. Harvik Desai will continue to fulfill wicket-keeping duties, while the batting unit will feature experienced hands Arpit Vasavada, Chirag Jani and Jay Gohil. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Tanzid's blazing 83 leads Bangladesh's century opening stand

Tanzid dominated the opening stand of 124 with Shadman Islam but fell just before lunch

Megan Schutt Becomes Third Australian To Complete 150 ODI Wickets

Allan Border Field: Australia fast bowler Megan Schutt achieved a significant milestone as she completed 150 wickets in ODI cricket during the first ODI against Bangladesh women at the Allan Border Field here on Friday. Schutt has become just the third Australian to reach the elusive mark, joining legendary all-rounder Ellyse Perry (166 wickets) and former tearaway pacer Cathryn Fitzpatrick (180) on the list. Coming into the first ODI of the three-match series against Bangladesh, the 33-year-old Australian needed two wickets to reach the mark and she got there when she took the wicket of Sarmin Sultana in the third over after taking out Fargana Hoque on the first ball of the series. Schutt produced a jaffa on the first ball of the series as she nicked out Hoque on the first ball after the Aussies opted to bowl first. She got the Bangladeshi opener on a ball that jagged in after pitching from a back-of-a-length to take the edge and Phoebe Litchfield took an easy catch at the first slip. Schutt achieved the milestone in the third over when she pitched one fuller to Sarmim as the ball swung in to beat the batter's flick and thud into the pads for the umpire to call it out. Schutt is overall the 12th player to get to 150 wickets in the format. The list is currently led by India legend and former pacer Jhulan Goswami, who has 255 wickets to her name. For Australia, Fitzpatrick leads the pack with 180 scalps, with Perry on second with 16 wickets. Schutt achieved the milestone in the third over when she pitched one fuller to Sarmim as the ball swung in to beat the batter's flick and thud into the pads for the umpire to call it out. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

India vs West Indies, 2nd T20I Pitch Report, how will surface in Ranchi play?

The stage is set for the 2nd T20I of the ongoing series between India and the West Indies. The two sides are slated to take on each other at the JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi...

Ollie Davies flays 253, Edwards hits century as NSW take control

Davies raced along at more than a run-a-ball as the home side put in a dominant batting display

Maddinson Gets Nod For Durban Test In Remarkable Comeback From Battling Cancer

New South Wales: Nic Maddinson's fairytale call-up to the Test side earned a special nod when he was picked for the Playing XI for the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead here on Friday. 18 months after undergoing chemotherapy for testicular cancer, the left-handed batter is now set to open the innings along with Travis Head after being named in the Playing XI. This will be his first Test in 10 years after he last played in Melbourne against Pakistan in 2016. Australia captain Pat Cummins praised Maddinson for his form after Australia won the toss and opted to bat first. I think he's really settled where his game is at. He's shown good form. No Australians have had a lot of cricket in the last six months, but I feel like he's really well-placed, Cummins said at toss. Maddinson scored 126 in the One-Day Cup for New South Wales against Victoria on his return and, combined with an injury to Cameron Green, he was called into the national side. Coming to the Playing XIs, Australia have retained Marnus Labuschagne at No.3 after his century in the warm-up fixture, while Steve Smith remains the mainstay. Matt Renshaw is slated to come in at No.5, leaving his opening position for Maddinson as Alex Carey stays the No.1 wicketkeeper. Beau Webster will look to fill in for Green. The Aussies have fielded their famous pace trio of Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, and Scott Boland missed out, with Nathan Lyon coming in as the lone spinner. South Africa had named their Playing XI a day before the match as Anrich Nortje returned after more than three years, while Kagiso Rabada missed out due to his hamstring injury. Dane Paterson and Gerald Coetzee are also out as the Proteas went with two spinners in Keshav Maharaj and off-spinner Simon Harmer. Playing XIs: Australia: Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey(w), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood Playing XIs: Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Injury crisis hits New Zealand, two star players ruled out of upcoming India T20Is; Check details

The stage is set for the upcoming multi-format series between India and New Zealand. After the conclusion of Indias ongoing T20I series against the West Indies, the Men in Blue will be taking on New Zealand across five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Test matches.

Australia bat, bring in Maddinson after a decade

Maddinson is slotted to open while South Africa had named their XI a day before the Test

2025 ODI WC Win Is Harmanpreet's Biggest Legacy As Indias Captain: Anjum Chopra

ODI World Cup: Former India captain Anjum Chopra believes Harmanpreet Kaur's biggest legacy as the sides skipper will be the 2025 Womens ODI World Cup triumph on home soil, adding that she has left the team as a far stronger, more experienced and more confident side than the one she inherited. Harmanpreet stepped down as India captain across formats this week after nearly a decade in charge, and Smriti Mandhana has been named her successor. Harmanpreet captained India in five Tests, 51 ODIs and 155 T20Is and signed off from her tenure by leading India to their second consecutive Asian Games gold medal in Nisshin, Japan last month. The biggest legacy Harmanpreet will always have to her credit as a leader is winning the ODI World Cup in 2025. Look at how her batting shaped up in that tournament - in the league games, the semifinal, and the final, and how the team evolved to get there through everyone's contribution. It wasn't just Harman. With every player contributing, Harman was able to lift that crown and India was able to win. Harman has grown in stature alongside this team, especially over the last three and a half years since taking over the ODI captaincy. Earlier, we played T20s far and few between with more one-day games on the schedule. In recent years, that shifted to where almost every bilateral tour includes T20s, sometimes even more than ODIs. I've seen her grow into that leadership role, and her legacy will always be measured by where she took the reins to where she leaves them. In the one-day format, the Indian team are world champions. They are a far stronger, more energised, skillful, and experienced unit than when she took over. That will be her legacy, alongside the aggression and confidence she brought into that dressing room over the years. If those qualities are carried forward, this Indian team is on the right path and the process is well set, Anjum told IANS in an exclusive conversation on Friday. Anjum, who has known Harmanpreet since meeting in a training camp in 2008, felt the persona behind the former captain has stayed the same through years of drastic changes in the women's game. I've thought through this question so many times in the last 48 hours. What is that one memory? It will not be just one memory. Yes, I've seen her from the closest proximity of being a part of the Indian team, even before she became a member in the 2008 training camp, from there to playing her first World Cup match against Pakistan in 2009 till date. I've seen Harmanpreet grow as a player, and I've seen Harmanpreet grow as a captain. You only get wiser with every passing day, so she has also grown in stature and age. It has been a very balanced approach from what I've seen. I say this without bias: having seen Harmanpreet from close quarters to what I see today, whether in the last T20 World Cup or whenever our last conversation happened, I don't think the person Harmanpreet Kaur has changed, even though things around her have changed dramatically for the women's game. I have never seen an impulsive side in her. From those days, I've always seen a calm demeanour in Harmanpreet Kaur. As a captain, if somebody makes an ordinary effort in the field - like failing to stop a ball, not throwing it back quickly, or conceding an extra run - she will give that person a go right on the ground, whether the cameras catch it or not. But the moment that same person makes a good stop, takes a wicket, or takes a catch, she will be the first person to run across and compliment them. Ive seen both sides of skipper Harman over the years. Harmanpreet as an individual hasn't changed, and that's the beauty of it. That reflects in the team, in her persona, and in every aspect of a leader. Probably that's also the biggest highlight of Harmanpreets tenure at the helm as captain of the Indian team, she elaborated. Asked on when the side became unmistakably hers, as India evolved from being underdogs to serious contenders for winning global events, Anjum said, Its changed because weve started seeing results in a positive way. Im not saying that earlier captains didnt give results, but when Harman took over, even in the 2018 World Cup in Guyana, I remember very clearly the first match against New Zealand where she scored a hundred - it was the first hundred for an Indian in a T20I. You could see it in the approach, body language, and its not just with Harman - that goes for any leader in this mould. Weve had leaders in the past and we will have leaders in the future. Its also about an individuals persona and character. How they are and how they play the sport got reflected in the Indian team as well. When she took over, the team had a few senior players playing alongside, but they were constantly changing. But this team has grown and Harman has grown with this team. That's why those near misses always hurt - she was always in the thick of things as a leader and captain. If you read and observe it, I'll say from the time she took over all-format captain - that was in 2022 (after Mithali Raj retired). It was very evident that this is Harmanpreet Kaur's team and she is the one who is holding the fort. I won't say calling the shots. I'll say holding the fort. To me, it was very much visible that it was Harmanpreet Kaur's team. India's journey to winning the 2025 ODI World Cup title came after a string of near misses at global events, and Anjum felt a captain can only take a team at a pace it is able to follow. It's about making sure the team believes in that as well - it's not just one person. I saw how India let go of the World Cup in 2017 at Lord's. In 2020, they were still getting their act together in T20 cricket. 2023 was a near miss against Australia in that semifinal game, and in 2024, they were underprepared when they played in the UAE. After all these journeys, Smriti has been around for such a long time and played so many World Cups. Deepti has been around for a long time, and Jemimah has been part of World Cups since 2018. That experience has been there, but as the simple saying goes: the speed of the leader is the speed of the team. The leader has to be right in front, and only at that speed will the team follow. You can't be a quick leader if the team isn't following. The moment you take up a role, you have to understand what you want, but before that, you have to understand what pace you can run at and what pace the team can run at. It has to be that balancing act. She also rejected the argument that India's early exits from the last two T20 World Cups, in 2024 and 2026, led to Harmanpreet stepping down as captain. I'll be brutally honest here. Captaincy can change things because it's leadership, but in Indian cricket, and largely in Indian sports, a captain's tenure is never clearly defined. It can be long, or it can be short. We've even seen someone captain on debut. If I have to answer this question about the exits in the two T20 World Cups, I don't think the team was equipped to handle the opposition. Whether it was in the UAE or in England, we have the same set of players playing both 50-over and T20 cricket, using the same template. Look at the matches closely in the UAE and in England - I'm not saying only Harman, Smriti, or Deepti were scoring, but look at the template and style of cricket. A captain does not decide that style of cricket; individual players decide that style by how they go out and play. Nobody tells you to settle for 150, 160, or 170. For the last two to two-and-a-half years, 200 in a T20 game has become a standard par score, even in women's cricket. When you get to a World Cup, you expect a minimum score of 180 or 190, sometimes even more. If these same Indian players are scoring 200 or chasing down 220 in franchise cricket, why does that template not get replicated at a T20 World Cup? It has to be replicated. If it's not, that means either the preparation is incomplete, the confidence isn't there, or you're unable to execute it for some reason. You can't be chasing 200-plus in a WPL match and then struggle to reach 150 or 160 convincingly on the international stage. So it isn't a captaincy issue. I could understand blaming captaincy if tactical decisions were incorrect or if there was favouritism. I've constantly said, even before the start of the 2025 World Cup, that India is short of bowling reserves. Shafali had to be brought in to take those two wickets to secure a victory. I'm very happy we won that World Cup, but we were still short on bowling depth. Even today, we play with one fast bowler like Kranti Gaud, and Nandini Sharma has just walked in. If changing captaincy guarantees ICC trophies, then change it every tournament - no harm in that. Nobody would complain - not me, not my seniors, nor the current Indian team. If it meant winning an ICC trophy, we could have a new captain every tournament. But the template has to be set by the players, not the captain. It is set individually by the batters, bowlers, and wicketkeepers and that is where the Indian team faltered, both in 2024 and in 2026. On why Harmanpreet has spoken often of sacrifice in her Instagram post while announcing her resignation, Anjum offered a deep explanation into it. The biggest sacrifice you make is setting aside your own desire and will to play a certain way. Sometimes you want to bat at number three, but the team requires you to bat at four or open, so you take up that difficult role. You have to put the team's interest ahead of your own. You might want to bowl or not want to bowl, or the team might need you stationed on the boundary line - those are small things. But largely, sacrifice comes from understanding that the team's interest comes first. The common interest is that the team has to win, but how? Either the team walks through the door first, or you as an individual walk through first. That is how small and large decisions are made - decisions made very frequently in squad selection, playing eleven selection, and determining who bats where and when. How much time do you feel a player needs versus what the management feels? You might want a certain setup that isn't agreeable to everyone else. How do you understand a younger player's role when team dynamics make it hard to balance? All those areas are sacrifices because you wake up first and go to sleep last. Even in your dreams, you're thinking about how everyone else is doing. What more can I do as a player and leader so everyone walks onto the park with a smile? These things aren't easy and they take a lot out of you. That's why you see a captain age quicker in their first couple of years. Even if you're winning, captaincy is time-consuming and energy-draining. It's a responsibility, and until you are in that decision-making role, you don't fully understand it. You can never truly prepare for it - you can only wish to be there, but once you are, you are surrounded by so many things. You might want a certain setup that isn't agreeable to everyone else. How do you understand a younger player's role when team dynamics make it hard to balance? All those areas are sacrifices because you wake up first and go to sleep last. Even in your dreams, you're thinking about how everyone else is doing. What more can I do as a player and leader so everyone walks onto the park with a smile? These things aren't easy and they take a lot out of you. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Anjum Calls India's White-ball Vice-captaincy Split baffling, Questions Silence On Omissions

The T20Is: Former India captain Anjum Chopra on Friday termed the decision to split the T20I and ODI vice-captaincy between Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma as 'baffling,' adding that the silence on the players left out of the squad in shortest format is also a real issue. Smriti Mandhana will begin her tenure as full-time India captain from the series against Zimbabwe, with three T20Is and three ODIs to be played between October 16 and 28. The T20Is will be held in Raipur, while the ODIs will be played in Vadodara. It will also be the first bilateral women's series between India and Zimbabwe. It's baffling, simply because are you trying to give an indication to Deepti Sharma that she can be replaced or doesn't fit in the T20I team? She is one of the top all-rounders in world cricket. Is that the message you are giving? The Indian team had to be very careful in choosing a vice-captain, especially when transitioning to a new captain across all formats. Giving it to Shafali - it's not that you can't give it to her, you can give it to anybody. But if you're making Deepti Sharma the vice-captain in the one-day format, not giving her T20I vice-captaincy is surprising. Forget seniority based purely on how well she has performed for you across all formats, and not giving her that role suggests that Deepti Sharma might not even feature in the T20I playing eleven in the near future. That was a little surprising to me. Then again, since it's a series against Zimbabwe, if the thought process is to give Shafali a run in that role, fair enough, Anjum told IANS in an exclusive conversation. Asked whether Jemimah Rodrigues's absence, as she recovers from a hamstring tear sustained in The Hundred, changed the picture in terms of vice-captaincy in the white-ball formats, Anjum had a different take. It doesn't matter who is there or who isn't there - it's about honouring your players. It was very baffling to me that nobody even discussed about Deepti Sharma as a senior player, let alone as a potential captain. Every time the Indian team is in a tough spot, everyone looks to Deepti to deliver with bat or ball, which is great. When you discuss players you can turn to, or someone who has performed so consistently well, leaving her out of those conversations is puzzling. Players want that recognition, and vice-captaincy is one of those areas where I am pretty certain Deepti Sharma would have felt honoured had that role gone to her across both formats. The T20I squad has several changes. Niki Prasad and Jintimani Kalita have earned maiden senior T20I call-ups, while Minnu Mani and Anushka Sharma have staged a comeback to the team. Bharti Fulmali, Shreyanka Patil, Renuka Singh Thakur and Radha Yadav, all part of the Asian Games gold medal-winning squad, have been left out. Anjum welcomed the addition of Niki, Jintimani, Minnu and Anushka, who are coming off playing in India A multi-format series against Australia A, but questioned the silence over the omission of someone like Shreyanka. I'm happy that these four players are there. With Jintimani, I'm not entirely sure how her performances stacked up; I'm sure they were good because India did well and she performed, but I don't have a top-of-mind recall on how she bowled. From what I read and saw, her pace has improved, and she's a very good bowler and fielder. If she's performed well as per what selectors think, she deserves to be rewarded, much like Niki Prasad, who has done well. Anushka had a decent outing as well - in fact, Anushka was taken all the way to South Africa earlier this year, so I'm not surprised the batters have come in. What surprises me is why Shreyanka isn't in the squad. Unless she's carrying an injury, it's puzzling, especially since she was in the Asian Games squad and played in that final and was around the group. If she's injured, that's one thing, but if not, why isn't she included? The lack of official communication on why these players were left out is the real issue. Regarding Radha Yadav, it feels like the selectors aren't keen on continuing with her because she hasn't gotten many games. The last time she featured regularly was around the T20 World Cup, and since then she has mostly traveled with the squad. They clearly see Sree Charani as the way forward, which also explains why Vaishnavi Sharma is in the ODI squad. While I'm glad these four players are getting their chance, the key question remains: will they actually play? If Niki plays, she'll likely be looked at for the number four or five spot. If Anushka plays, where does she slot in? It's an interesting mix, but a good opportunity too for them. Whoever performed well in the Australia A series should be given a run, so I'm glad to see them brought into the main team, she elaborated. In the ODI squad, Vaishnavi Sharma, Tejal Hasabnis, Sayali Satghare and Yastika Bhatia return, while Nandni Sharma gets her first ODI call-up. Nandni Sharma has been bowling really well alongside Kranti Gaud in T20Is, but India is short on pace options. Renuka Singh Thakur isn't in the T20I squad, which raises questions: is the team moving on, or is it a matter of match fitness? Since she hasn't had opportunities recently, you can't simply label her unfit. It's good to have these newer players in the mix. Smriti will be well aware of the challenges ahead, considering a similar group toured Australia, including Pratika Rawal for the Test match. The question now is how the Indian team navigates this transition and elevates their game. While the three ODIs against Zimbabwe carry weight for the ICC Women's Championship, the main focus is identifying and settling the core group for the ICC Women's Champions Trophy in India in February 2027. We'll start getting those answers once the series kicks off. Zimbabwe are coming into the series after hosting the West Indies in a white-ball series, where they lost the T20I series 3-0 and the ODI series by 2-1. Though Zimbabwe managed to win an ODI game against the West Indies, Anjum stated that she does not expect them to pose a major threat to India. I don't think there'll be much of a challenge because, at the end of the day, India is a higher-ranked team than Zimbabwe. Yes, Zimbabwe has played a lot of cricket over the last eight to nine months - facing New Zealand, South Africa, and the West Indies before coming to play India in India, which is good for them. It's all part of a learning curve to get better in the near future. That lone success in the ODI where the West Indies crumbled for under 150 (139) and Zimbabwe's batters held their nerve to chase it down and was nice to see. So I don't think it will be a massive challenge for India. I don't think there'll be much of a challenge because, at the end of the day, India is a higher-ranked team than Zimbabwe. Yes, Zimbabwe has played a lot of cricket over the last eight to nine months - facing New Zealand, South Africa, and the West Indies before coming to play India in India, which is good for them. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Never Spoke Ill Of Any Faith: Irfan Pathan Hurt By 'Fake News' In His Name

Irfan Pathan denied making any such comments and urged fans not to share anything related to him or any quotes attributed to him without verifying them.

'People of Pakistan loved Nana Patekar so much'

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali expressed profound sadness over the passing of Bollywood icon Nana Patekar, with whom he shared a close friendship for over three decades, describing him as a 'dear friend, a brother' and a 'living legend'.

Rashid Khan's Lavish Afghan Feast for Irfan and Yusuf Pathan in Dubai

Afghanistan's spin bowler Rashid Khan hosted Indian cricketers Irfan and Yusuf Pathan for a traditional Afghan feast at his Dubai residence, with Irfan Pathan praising the food and hospitality.

Smriti need not fill Harmanpreet's shoes, she can chart her own territory: Anjum Chopra

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 9 (IANS) Former India captain Anjum Chopra believes Smriti Mandhana does not have to measure herself in stepping up to succeed Harmanpreet Kaur as the sides new captain and should instead carve out her own leadership path after being handed the charge across formats. Smriti was named as India's all-format captain on the same day Harmanpreet stepped down after nearly a decade at the helm. Her first full-time assignment as Indias captain is the home series against Zimbabwe, which opens with three T20Is in Raipur from October 16. Her appointment came after a review meeting was in Guwahati on Monday, featuring her, Harmanpreet, head coach Amol Muzumdar and BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia. Smriti, the left-handed opener, was also part of the selection meeting alongside the Amita Sharma-led selection panel to pick two squads for the Zimbabwe series. Smriti does not need to step into Harman's shoes at all. She has experience leading India - Guwahati games against England in 2019 was the first time she captained the team and fortunately, she has had more time in a leadership role prior to becoming full-time captain than Harman or anyone else had. Smriti can chart her own territory. The challenges the Indian team currently faces are well known, and I am sure Smriti is aware of them. Her biggest challenge will be addressing those gaps, whether in T20s or ODIs, and building on where the team has reached. All these players - Deepti, Smriti, Jemimah - reached this pedestal together. Now it's about taking it to the next level. It's like passing a baton in a relay: Smriti collected it cleanly while already on the run, so she has a head start. How that head start gets converted is how she will be measured in the present and future. How she uses her captaincy experience and her familiarity with this group, as well as the players coming in, to be the leader everyone looks up to for answers is what she will be judged on, Anjum told IANS in an exclusive conversation on Friday. She also said that she doesnt expect Smriti to replicate all of her predecessor's approach. If you weren't looking for a change, why did the change happen? I don't expect Smriti to be a clone of Harman, and nobody should be a clone. You take the best parts of every leader, bring them forward, and make them your own. Smriti has been around the Indian team for a long time now. She doesn't need to clone Harman; she needs to build on everything she has learned playing for India over the last 12 to 13 years. She has captaincy experience, high skill levels, and world travel under her belt - she knows the conditions and the oppositions across the globe. The next step for her is deciding what takeaways to imbibe into her own decision-making and how to push the team forward. If every captain is identical and uses the same template, there is no need for change. No captain should be the same. They need to elevate the team beyond where it was when they received the baton, ensuring that by the time the next person takes over, the team has reached greater heights. That is how the sport progresses, and that is how players grow individually, she elaborated. On how the squad will cope with the transition at the helm, Anjum felt it will be a gentle start considering Zimbabwe are going to play a bilateral series against India for the first time. It's not going to be simple for any player to adapt to that change. The good thing is the Indian team will have a little time to settle in, and I assume there will be a camp before the series starts. This series isn't against a world-number-one side where high tension is running around, so the players will have space and time to adjust. People in that change room will quickly realize they have to look in a different direction for instructions and guidance. Nobody needs to play the elder sister; everyone knows each other well enough, and the players will adapt as they always do. While you have different setups across formats, the captain remains the same for the T20 and ODI sides. How everyone shapes up moving toward the ICC Champions Trophy in India will be closely measured. Everyone has to start defining their own pathway. While the captain makes the ultimate decisions, every player in this team must understand their individual role before they step onto that path collectively. Smriti, India's most prolific all-format batter, previously led India in four ODIs and 18 T20Is, besides captaining Maharashtra in domestic cricket. She guided Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to the Women's Premier League (WPL) title earlier this year, after leading the franchise to its maiden crown in 2024. In September, she went past Mithali Raj to become the highest run-getter in women's international cricket across formats. Her 18 international hundreds are the most by any womens batter, and she also is the first Indian woman to score centuries in all three formats. When you become a full-time leader and start captaining the Indian team, it's the experiences you dwell upon. Smriti has built up a good amount of experience over the years. The WPL is a prime example - when you lead a franchise team in your own country and win titles, you learn a lot about yourself. She has had a very good grooming to become a leader. That's why those statements came out saying she's ready for the captaincy - someone without that background wouldn't say that; they'd simply say, 'I'm looking forward to the challenge.' The language and preparation change when you're ready. How she comes out as the leader of the Indian team is something we will all see. Whatever happened in the past is done. Now the job is clearly defined: you are the captain of the Indian team. What you make of it - the decisions, the preparation, the process - will be what we start analyzing and measuring from here, concluded Anjum.

Bangladesh opt to bat and pick Nayeem Hasan

Bangladesh opted for Ebadot Hossain in place of Shoriful Islam while Afghanistan went for a batting-heavy line-up

'If Hardik Wants To Play In 2027 World Cup Then He Must...'

India trainer Ramji Srinivasan has issued a clear mandate to Hardik Pandya, stating that the all-rounder must regain full fitness and significantly increase his bowling workload to be considered for the 2027 ODI World Cup, following a prolonged absence due to multiple injuries.

Ex-NZ Test Opener Jeet Raval Retires From Professional Cricket

Former New Zealand Test: Former New Zealand Test opener Jeet Raval has announced his retirement from all professional cricket, Northern Districts Cricket said on Friday. After a distinguished career that produced more than 10,000 first-class runs for Auckland, Central Districts and finally Northern Districts; national titles in every format; and 24 Test caps for New Zealand, Raval said the time is right to step away for the game he loves. Raval's retirement leaves big shoes to fill as captain of the Northern Districts Plunket Shield team. Only three players in history have scored more Plunket Shield runs than Raval. He has amassed 8216 runs in the competition since his debut for Auckland in the 2008/09 season. The Ahmedabad-born batter began his career with Auckland after emerging out of Avondale College - where hed been in the school First XI alongside another handy cricketer, his lifelong friend Ajaz Patel. He played 24 Test matches for the New Zealand, scoring over 1000 runs at an average of 30 including fifties and a century. He also has one Test wicket; Australian captain Pat Cummins probably still has nightmares about being clean bowled by a Jeet Raval leg spinner. After 12 seaons of first-class cricket with Auckland and Central Districts, Jeet Raval saw the light in 2020 and made the move to Northern Districts. He played over 130 games for ND across the three formats, many of them as captain. Under his leadership Northern Districts won their first Plunket Shield championship win in twelve seasons. In first-class cricket alone Raval played 164 matches, including 73 for Auckland, 10 for the Stags, and 46 for Northern Districts after settling in Mount Maunganui. When he reached his 10,000th first-class run, in December 2025 whilst captaining ND against Auckland in his adopted home town, he became only the 30th New Zealander to join that distinguished club. This includes international matches (Tests and other first class matches for the likes of New Zealand A; overseas stints). In first-class cricket alone Raval played 164 matches, including 73 for Auckland, 10 for the Stags, and 46 for Northern Districts after settling in Mount Maunganui. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Factionalism leaves Arunachal in danger of forfeiting Ranji season opener

A case is pending before the Itanagar bench of the Gauhati High Court;

Chapman, Foulkes Ruled Out Of India T20Is; Clarkson, Tickner Named Replacements

India T20Is: New Zealand have suffered a massive blow ahead of T20Is against India as injuries have forced Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes to be ruled out of the upcoming five-match series, NZC said on Friday. Chapman suffered a left hamstring tear during the European T20 league last month and is on track to be available for the ODIs against India. Foulkes, meanwhile, injured his right hip flexor during a recent Canterbury Mens training and his return to play timeline is still to be determined. Chapman and Foulkes have paved the way for all-rounder Josh Clarkson and fast bowler Blair Tickner to be included in New Zealand's 16-member squad for the series that commences on October 22. Allrounder Josh Clarkson and fast bowler Blair Tickner have been called in to the T20I squad to replace Chapman and Foulkes, NZC said in a statement. Head coach Rob Walter said he was grateful to be able to bring Clarkson and Tickner into the squad. I'm gutted for Mark and Zak and I wish them both a smooth recovery, said Walter. We're fortunate to be able to lean on the expertise of Josh and Blair. I know theyre both very excited to be involved in whats shaping up to be an epic T20 series. The five-match T20I home series against India commence in Christchurch on October 22, with the second match also scheduled at the same venue on October 24. Both the teams will then move to Wellington for the third T20I on October 27, followed by matches in Auckland on October 30 and Hamilton on November 1. The two teams met in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup earlier this year, when India registered a comprehensive 96-run triumph. Both the teams will then move to Wellington for the third T20I on October 27, followed by matches in Auckland on October 30 and Hamilton on November 1. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Gill, Iyer And Art Of Fluent Captaincy

A vital aspect of captaincy is not the title, but the confidence that a captain plant in the hearts of their teammates. And both, Gill and Iyer, do this very well, points out K R Nayar.

Double Blow For New Zealand! Injured Chapman, Foulkes Out of India T20Is

New Zealand batters Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes have been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against India due to injuries, with Josh Clarkson and Blair Tickner named as replacements.

Kagiso Rabada Ruled Out of 1st Test vs Australia, Anrich Nortje Returns

Star South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada will miss the first Test against Australia starting at Kingsmead on Friday - but Anrich Nortje will return for his first Test appearance since 2023. Rabada, who took nine wickets in the match when South Africa beat the same opponents in the World Test Championship final at Lord's last year, would be given more time to recover from a hamstring injury, according to South African captain Temba Bavuma. But Bavuma was excited by the return of Nortje, who he said was an X-Factor player. There are not many guys around bowling at 150kmh plus, Bavuma said at his pre-match press conference. Nortje, 32, has had a history of injuries, including back stress fractures, but has been working hard on his fitness. He played in the European T20 Premier League in the Netherlands and Ireland last month and impressed Bavuma with the pace he achieved in South Africa's week-long preparation for the Test. South Africa opted for two specialist spin bowlers in left-armer Keshav Maharaj and off-spinner Simon Harmer.Fast bowlers Nortje and Marco Jansen will be backed up by seam bowling all-rounder Wiaan Mulder. While Bavuma announced South Africa's 11, Australian captain Pat Cummins said that the tourists would wait until Friday morning before finalising their team. Cummins said he was super-excited about a series between what he described as the number one and two teams in the world. It is the start of a heavy 12-month schedule of Tests for his team, during which time they will also tour India and England. Although Australia were good at playing the big moments, Cummins added that we need to get better at the grind. Cummins did not commit to the likely balance of his bowling attack or whether left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann would join off-spinner Nathan Lyon in the line-up. They definitely could both play, said Cummins. Kuhnny brings something a little bit different, spinning the ball away from the right-handers. If we need both spinners he's done it well for us in the past. Teams: South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wkt), Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Australia: To be announced.

Chapman and Foulkes to miss India T20I series with injuries

Blair Tickner and Josh Clarkson have been brought into the squad for the five-match series against India starting later this month

Broadcaster Recalls How Cameraman Accidentally Exposed Sandpapergate

Steve Smith is the only survivor from that controversial tour, which cost him his captaincy, with David Warner now retired and Cameron Bancroft no longer in Australia's plans.

Jeet Raval retires from professional cricket

He played 24 Tests for NZ between 2016 and 2020 and scored more than 10,000 runs in the Plunket Shield

Selectors must have thought Bhuvneshwar would be useful in New Zealand: Kotak on the bowlers recall

Bhuvneshwar has been doing really well in the IPL for the last two seasons, so the selectors must have thought that he would be useful in New Zealand, Kotak elaborated

IND vs WI: Approaching Milestones and Records Ahead of 2nd T20I, India vs West Indies series 2026

IND vs WI 2nd T20I , Approaching Milestones and Records :As expected, the first T20I ended with a one-sided result in favor of Team India. Shreyas Iyer and co. showed once again why they are the best in this format. Chasing the target of 172 runs, India spared 5.2 overs and recorded an 8-wicket win. Captain Shreyas Iyer finally showed his best version in this format. He slammed a record-breaking century, scoring 102* off 43 balls. Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan also played good cameos. Naman Dhir was a surprise, who took 3/31 on his debut and played a key role in restricting West Indies to a chasable target. Team India have earned a 1-0 lead. The second T20I will be held at JSCA International Cricket Stadium on Friday, starting at 7 PM IST. West Indies need an improved bowling display. They will hope that the toss can end in their favor, because we might see another high-scoring clash on Friday. Here, we will talk about big records and milestones which are lined up and can be achieved in the IND vs WI 2nd T20Iat JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi IND vs WI: Approaching Test Records and Cricket Milestones Ahead of the IND vs WI 2nd T20I at JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi. 53 - Abhishek Sharma scored 21 off 10 runs in the first game and reached 1947 T20I runs. He needs 53 more runs to complete 2000 T20I runs. He will be the fourth fastest Indian to achieve that record. 2 - There are only a few players with 300 boundaries (fours and sixes) in T20Is. Rovman Powell can join the list with two more boundaries. 5 - Shai Hope needs five more runs to surpass Evin Lewis (1799) and become the fifth highest T20I scorer for West Indies. He needs six more sixes to complete 100 T20I sixes. 6 - Sanju Samson has been a little out of form. But on his day, he can smash any bowling unit. He needs six more sixes to complete 100 T20I sixes. 3 - Kuldeep Yadav is near a history. He needs three more wickets to be the only fifth Indian with 100 T20I wickets. If he can do it in the second game, he will be the joint-second-fastest bowler to do so and the fastest Indian. 5 - Akeal Hosein is just five wickets to reach 100 T20I wickets. 69 - Ishan Kishan needs 69 more runs to reach 7500 T20 runs. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories 13 - Tilak Varma needs 13 runs to complete 4500 T20 runs.

SA vs AUS: Approaching Milestones and Records Ahead of 1st Test, South Africa vs Australia Test series 2026

SA vs AUS 1st Test , Approaching Milestones and Records :The South Africa cricket team and the Australia cricket team will be competing with each other in a three-match test series. The ODI series ended in favor of South Africa, as they won it by a 2-1 margin. South Africa won it without their first-choice bowling unit. Though they don't have their key bowlers available for the first test also. Kagiso Rabada is out due to a hamstring injury. The first test will begin at 1 PM IST on Friday at Kingsmead, Durban. These three matches are important for both teams as they are in the race to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship 2025-27. The last test between these two sides was played in the WTC 2023-25 final. For Australia, their experienced bowling unit is back. But Cameron Green and Josh Inglis are injured. So, they will have to make a few changes to their batting unit. But overall, they look pretty settled on paper. Here, we will talk about big records and milestones which are lined up and can be achieved in the SA vs AUS 1st Test at Kingsmead, Durban. SA vs AUS: Approaching Test Records and Cricket Milestones Ahead of the SA vs AUS 1st Test at Kingsmead, Durban 80 - Steve Smith is the backbone of the Australian batting unit. He has scored 10920 runs in tests and needs 80 more runs to become only the third Australian after Ricky Ponting and Allan Border to complete 11000 test runs. If he can do this in this test, he will be the fifth fastest batter to do so. 8 - Smith needs 8 more runs to surpass Steve Waugh (10927) to become the third-highest scorer in tests for Australia. 2 - Mitchell Starc, who is known for his bowling, needs two runs to complete 2500 test runs. He is also one six away from reaching 50 test sixes. 113 - Alex Carey is 113 runs away from reaching 2500 test runs. 103 - Ryan Rickelton needs 103 runs to complete 1000 test runs. 5 - Starc has 445 test wickets in his career and needs five more to become only the fourth Australian with 450 test wickets. He will be the sixth fastest bowler overall. 1 - Smith needs one more century to equal Kumar Sangakkara (38), with the joint fifth-most test century in history. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories 6 - Starc needs six wickets to surpass Tim Southee (776) and become the tenth highest wicket-taker in international cricket.

Sandpapergate returns to haunt Australia

Pat Cummins has played down concerns Usman Khawaja's autobiography could reopen Sandpapergate, saying the 2018 scandal was dealt with.

Arnav Bugga Stars As Delhi U19 Pull Off Thrilling Chase Against Gujarat In Vinoo Mankad Trophy

The Delhi U19 Men: The Delhi U19 Men's Cricket Team started off their Vinoo Mankad Trophy 2026 campaign in style with a win against Gujarat in their opening encounter. The team delivered a masterclass, completing a spectacular and hard-fought victory against the Gujarat U-19 Men's Cricket Team. In what ended up being a high-scoring thriller, Delhi successfully chased down a massive target, reaching 341/7 in 49.5 overs. Batting first, Gujarat set a daunting total, finishing their innings at 338/6. Despite the challenging conditions for the fielding side, Delhi's bowling attack found a standout performer in Varun Vanjani, who delivered a disciplined spell, taking two wickets for 36 runs in 10 overs. Chasing a stiff target, the Delhi lineup responded with a fantastic team effort. The fighting chase was anchored by a phenomenal innings from Arnav Bugga, who dismantled the opposition bowling to top-score with 139 runs. He found exceptional support at the other end from Aaryan Sharma, who played a crucial supporting role with a brilliant 77-run knock. Aryavir Sehwag also contributed vital runs to the chase, with a half-century to keep Delhi firmly in the hunt, the DDCA informed in a release on Thursday. Speaking after Delhi U19's win, Rohan Jaitley, President of the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), said: This outstanding victory by our U-19 team is a moment of great pride for DDCA. Chasing such a big total reflects not just talent, but the robust youth development system we have built. The composure shown by Arnav, Aaryan and Aryavir under pressure is a testament to our grassroots programmes and reaffirms our mission to nurture the next generation of Delhi cricketers. Aryavir Sehwag also contributed vital runs to the chase, with a half-century to keep Delhi firmly in the hunt, the DDCA informed in a release on Thursday. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

India vs Pakistan U19 Asia Cup clash set on Diwali day; check full schedule

India and Pakistan will meet again in the U19 Asia Cup on November 8 after the Asian Cricket Council confirmed the schedule for the 2026 edition of the continental tournament. The competition will be staged...

Arunachal Pradesh's Ranji opener in jeopardy over internal dispute in state association

Arunachal Pradeshs participation in the Ranji Trophy opener against Ahmedabad is under a cloud of uncertainty. The match is scheduled to begin on October 11 and ahead of that, there are several problems that have...

Connolly or Maddinson? Australia keep their cards close to the chest

Meanwhile, Cummins has urged his team to be ready to play the long game

Arunachal Pradesh crisis puts Ranji Trophy opener at risk

Arunachal Pradesh could be forced to forfeit their Ranji opener after an association dispute left the state without clarity over team selection and player travel.

Excited to work with Harmanpreet, admired her from afar, says MI head coach Williams

Digital Desk | Mumbai, Oct 8 (IANS) Newly appointed Mumbai Indians head coach Luke Williams expressed his delight at getting an opportunity to be a part of the Womens Premier League (WPL) franchise, adding that he was excited to work with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, after having admired her from afar. Obviously, Ive had the pleasure of coaching against Harman in several leagues all over the world and have seen her fabulous talent and brilliant captaincy and leadership qualities and have been able to admire her from afar. So Im absolutely thrilled to be able to work with Harman and work together to really get the best out of the team for this season, said Williams in a video on the franchises YouTube channel on Thursday. He had coached Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a WPL 2024 triumph, and Williams said he was thrilled to get a chance to be a coach in the competition again. I was absolutely delighted when I found out that I was going to be offered the position. To be part of such a prestigious franchise is an absolute honour. Obviously, the WPL team has already achieved so much, having won the competition twice, and Im just so thrilled to be able to get started and meet the playing and support staff to get going. MI is playing an exciting brand of cricket. Quite intimidating as a team with a fantastic fan base as well as players who can take the game away from you very, very quickly. So again, thats the style of cricket that we want to play: to be able to put pressure on the opposition and to never give up. The MI side are going to play a relentless and aggressive style of cricket, and we will definitely continue that this year, which is one of the most exciting things about taking on this role, he added. Commenting on preparations for the upcoming season, with the auction happening in Kochi on October 28, Williams stated that he does not think there needs to be a complete overhaul of the squad considering the depth and balance that MI possess in all departments. Thats one of the most exciting things about being able to come into this particular team is that it has such a strong core. So I dont think that there needs to be a huge amount of changes necessarily. Obviously, were looking at the finer details and making sure that we get the balance right for different conditions that we might come up against. But at the moment I think the squad that we have got is a really good combination of players with the right mix of batting and bowling and seam and spin. Having been here before and also played in the WPL and seen the game grow, the passion of the fans is absolutely phenomenal. So its a really special time to be a part of Mumbai Indians, added Williams. He further pointed out that Indian womens cricket is going through an exciting phase and wants MI to be at the forefront of it all by continuing to play fearless and entertaining cricket. I think that the Indian team is playing some really special cricket at the moment and obviously have had so much success on the international stage. The future for both WPL and Indian cricket is incredibly bright. So we want Mumbai Indians to lead the way in terms of being fearless and taking the game on and playing a brand of cricket that is entertaining for the supporters and something that our fans can be really excited about and proud of, he said. Speaking about his own strengths as a coach, Williams credited his ability to communicate effectively with his players and staff as his main strength. I think obviously the ability to stay calm is always a good quality. As a coach, being able to communicate with different people, players, and staff. I probably take a bit of pride in my communication with people and making sure that they understand the demands clearly and that they feel empowered to do their jobs. So I think thats probably my strength as a coach, he said. Williams signed off by saying about the incredible support that MI gets from its fans and said that he looks forward to seeing them at the matches when WPL 2027 happens from January 14 to February 7. I cant wait to see you all at the games because, as you said, you are simply the heart and soul of the franchise. So it's really exciting to meet everyone and see that fantastic support and know that it plays such a big part in the teams success for the coming season and in the future ahead, said Williams.

'Talent is talent': Graeme Smith backs SA20's youth-first approach after Jason Rowles' record bid

SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith has underlined the leagues commitment to backing young talent while insisting that age will not determine which players deserve opportunities. His observation comes following the SA20 season 5 auction, where 18-year-old Jason Rowles became the most expensive player sold from a pool that also had Kieron Pollard, Faf du Plessis and Trent Boult among other marquee players.

Cheteshwar Pujara Explains Why Shreyas Iyer's Maiden T20I Century Is A Massive Boost For India

Cheteshwar Pujara praised captain Shreyas Iyer for smashing a magnificent maiden T20I century in India's eight-wicket win over the West Indies in Lucknow.

Kagiso Rabada Out But 'X-Factor' Anrich Nortje In For South Africa

Star South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada will miss the first Test against Australia starting at Kingsmead on Friday -- but Anrich Nortje will return for his first Test appearance since 2023.

Wasim Jaffer backs Mohammed Shami for India ODI return

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer wants Mohammed Shami back in India's ODI team, backing a Bumrah-Shami-Siraj pace attack ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

Windies need to avoid losing wickets in clusters, says Rampaul

The bowling coach admits that the attack still lacks international experience

2nd ODI: India A Seek Revival Against Rampaging Australia A

India A faces Australia A in the second unofficial One-Day International, aiming to bounce back after a significant loss in the opener. Key players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devdutt Padikkal, and Sai Sudharsan are under pressure to perform, while Suryansh Shedge emerged as a promising all-rounder for India A.

2nd T20I: 'You can't beat experience' - Sitanshu Kotak decodes Bhuvneshwar Kumars T20I comeback

Digital Desk | Ranchi, Oct 8 (IANS) Highlighting that one can't beat experience in international cricket, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumars sustained form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and rich experience of playing in overseas conditions were potentially behind his being given a call-up for the upcoming T20I series in New Zealand. Bhuvneshwar earned his India T20I recall on the back of a sensational IPL 2026 campaign, where he spearheaded Royal Challengers Bengaluru's successful title defence with a 28-wicket haul. He finished as the second-highest wicket-taker in IPL 2026 and missed the Purple Cap to Kagiso Rabada by just a solitary scalp. Bhuvneshwars last appearance in international cricket came during a T20I in New Zealand in November 2022. Across 87 T20Is for India, Bhuvneshwar has bagged 90 wickets at an average of 23.10 while maintaining an impressive economy rate of 6.96. See, one thing obviously is selectors picked it, but still I can give you an answer on what I think because in England, I also personally felt that with Bumrah not being around and all the new bowlers - like young bowlers were playing, and we all know that you can't beat experience. You see, they also are good and performing well and getting selected. But at some stage you also need some experience. So, I am just thinking that might be one reason. Another thing is Bhuvneshwar has been doing really well in IPL for the last two seasons. So, selectors must have thought that for New Zealand conditions and all, and obviously he has been doing well and we need some experience. They must have picked him. That's what I can think of unless you can think something different, Kotak said in a press conference on the eve of the second T20I against the West Indies in Ranchi. Reiterating that the selection doors for the senior squad remain open for any player, including senior pacer Mohammed Shami, Kotak said, First of all, I am not a selector. So, it is difficult for me to tell you that. But Shami is also playing, and he is also doing well. If selectors feel that he is doing well and the team has a requirement, then any player can be selected. Commenting on the Centre of Excellence (CoE), head VVS Laxman, set to be a regular fixture in senior mens selection committee meetings, Kotak gave a sneak peek into the meticulous efforts of him stepping up for the senior team's requirements. See, I honestly don't know. I also came to know what you just said: that any injury-related update will be sent by Laxman sir. So, I believe that the decision taken by BCCI is done purposefully. I have worked with VVS Laxman in CoE for 3 years. He is so particular that whenever I was there, he used to tell us that if the Indian team has any requirement, then our first duty is to do it. It's a different thing, but sometimes we used to take leave to go home. At such a time, if any Indian player is important and the Indian team wants him immediately, then he used to say, 'Kotak yaar, leave this week or for 1-2 weeks, as we have to get him ready. Leave after the player is ready.' So, this is how committed he is. So, whatever role he will be in, I am sure that he will think of the best for Indian cricket. Moreover, Kotak refuted any notion of disassociation between the senior team management and the development unit, saying that the head coach Gautam Gambhir and Laxman remain in constant touch. See, I personally have no idea. But I have this much idea that Gautam and Laxman always stay in touch. So, I have this much idea about them. Rest of the other things, I don't know. If there is any need, then Gautam speaks to Laxman. If anything is left from there, that is a normal procedure, which I have always seen. So, there is nothing new in that, he concluded.

Kotak: Bhuvneshwar probably recalled to add experience in Bumrah's absence

Kotak also spoke about Ishan Kishan's growth, noting how

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2nd T20: 'Now Much More Mature', Says Kotak As He Backs Kishan To Deliver On Home Turf In Ranchi

T20 World Cup: Having worked closely with Ishan Kishan for a long period, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak appreciated the local lad's growth as a much more mature and tactical match-winner ahead of India's second T20I against West Indies, set to happen at the JSCA Ground in Ranchi on Friday. Originally from Patna, Kishan plays domestic cricket for Jharkhand and is having a dream run in the shortest format leading the run-making charts by amassing 1042 runs in 30 innings and becoming a T20 World Cup winner. As a batting coach, whichever ground Ishan plays in, he considers it his home ground. Actually, when he came back after the World Cup, he has been doing really well for the Indian team in any situation. When he was young, I saw him when I worked in the IPL, where he was in the Gujarat Lions setup. But even then, he used to play aggressively. If anything, I would say that he is much more mature now. So, he plays according to the needs of the team and the situation of the team, and he has been doing really well. So, we just hope that he does well on his home ground, Kotak said in the pre-match press conference. Reiterating India's approach of an unrelenting and high-intensity version of playing the game, Kotak said that the pitch conditions in Ranchi will not impact the team's attacking approach. I think the way we are approaching with the fearless and team-first approach - that's the same way we'll go. No matter, it might be a different wicket also, but in T20s generally we get a good wicket. So, that'll be the same thing; the way we want to approach the T20s, we'll continue. I think it's a good batting wicket. So, it should be a high-scoring pitch. The team has not decided yet. So, I don't know. Chances are for everyone in 15 to be in the 11, he added. On managing the workload and rotation of stars such as Jasprit Bumrah, who has been rested from the series, Kotak said that while it does impact results, overall the team's strong bench strength helps to ensure that a balanced squad is maintained at all times to prepare for multiple international events. Obviously, because, see, some games we are not playing, and Bumrah has been given a rest. In some games, some other senior players are also not playing. So, obviously any team in the world will require bench strength, and somewhere and somewhere you have to give them chances. So, sometimes results do suffer, but normally I think we have enough strong bench strength that our results also don't suffer as much, he added. Commenting on the issues raised regarding young pace bowler Mayank Yadav's performance in the first game, where his batting returns were expensive, Kotak felt he will bounce back strongly. See, Mayank also played here after playing in Zimbabwe. Any bowler will feel that it will take certain matches to get rhythm. Obviously, any bowler or bowling coach and team management will think about where they gave runs or where the runs go or in which particular bowls did the runs go and then think of how they can cut off, whether it is length or pace or change of pace. So, that is a non-stop work that is going on, he said. Expanding on the issue of balancing the need for victories with nurturing young talent, Kotak praised the healthy pool of competitive players available for selection across multiple squads. To tell you the truth, when you test players and if you win, then it continues. If you lose, there is a very thin line between keeping that balance. But obviously, we try to do that because of the promising players that we have, the way the BCCI and CoE run, our bench strength; if two or three of our teams go, it looks strong. Expanding on the issue of balancing the need for victories with nurturing young talent, Kotak praised the healthy pool of competitive players available for selection across multiple squads. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

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, - 2018

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Leadership is never just about wearing a captains badge: Jhulan Goswami hails Harmanpreet

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) Former Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami paid tribute to Harmanpreet Kaur after she stepped down as India womens captain across formats, lauding her courage and conviction while urging her to continue enjoying the game. Harmanpreet, who led India to their maiden senior womens ODI World Cup title, announced her decision to relinquish captaincy earlier this week. Smriti Mandhana has since been appointed as Indias new captain, while Harmanpreet remains part of the ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe. Leadership is never just about wearing the captains badge its about carrying the hopes of a team, standing tall through the highs and lows, and leaving the game stronger than you found it, Goswami wrote in a social media post. The former India pacer praised Harmanpreet for the courage and conviction with which she led the side through some of its most significant moments. Harmanpreet, you have done that with immense courage, strength, and conviction, leading Indian womens cricket through some truly incredible moments and carrying the responsibility with pride, she added. Goswami said Harmanpreets decision to step away from captaincy marked the beginning of a new chapter and hoped she would now be able to play with greater freedom. As you step away from captaincy and into this new chapter, choosing to continue simply for the love of the game, I hope you enjoy every moment of it, she wrote. Heres to playing with freedom, passion and the same spirit that has always made you a champion, Goswami added. Goswami concluded her tribute by urging Harmanpreet to continue enjoying the game after handing over the leadership responsibilities. Wishing you the very best, Captain. Keep inspiring, keep playing, and most importantly, keep enjoying the game, she wrote. Harmanpreet had served as Indias full-time T20I captain since 2018 and took over as ODI captain from Mithali Raj in 2022. During her tenure, she led India to their maiden senior womens ODI World Cup title, with the team defeating South Africa in the final on home soil. She also guided India to four Asia Cup titles in 2012, 2016, 2022 and 2026, besides leading the side to consecutive Asian Games gold medals in Hangzhou in 2022 and Aichi-Nagoya in 2026. Harmanpreets other notable achievements as captain include leading India to their first bilateral Womens ODI series win in England since 1999 in 2022, a historic Test victory against Australia in 2023 and a breakthrough T20I series victory against England in 2025. Under her leadership, India also defeated England by 270 runs in the first-ever womens Test at Lords earlier this year.

Third Year Running: Pakistan Super League Refuses To Avoid IPL Window

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) will run concurrently with the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the third successive year, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday confirming March 18 to May 2 as the window for the 12th edition of its premier T20 competition

PAK vs SL 1st T20I Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XIs

PAK vs SL 1st T20I, Cricket Tips: Pakistan and Sri Lanka are gearing up for a three-match T20I. The first game will be held at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday at 6:30 PM IST. A win will set the tone for the coming matches. This will be the first home game as T20I captain for Sahibzada Farhan. He will be looking to start with a win. Big names are back for Pakistan, which will support him in the series. Sri Lanka are without Pathum Nissanka and Wanindu Hasaranga. They are injured and they will have to find the performances from other players. PAK vs SL: Match Details Date : October 09, 2026 (Friday) Time : 6:30 PM IST Venue : Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi PAK vs SL: Live Streaming Details Indian fans can watch the game on the Sony Sports Networks and the Sony LIV or FanCode app or website. PAK vs SL: Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches : 30 Pakistan : 18 Sri Lanka: 12 No-result: 0 PAK vs SL: Ground Pitch Report Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium offers a flat surface, which is ideal for batting. It is expected to be a high-scoring game, where spinners will get some help with the old ball. The toss will be important because dew will be a big factor. PAK vs SL: Possible XIs Pakistan : Sahibzada Farhan (c), Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Maaz Sadaqat, Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed Sri Lanka : Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Udara, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Sahan Arachchige, Sineth Jayawardena, Dunith Wellalage, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Eshan Malinga PAK vs SL: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Fakhar Zaman and Kusal Mendis will be the ones to watch out for. Probable Best Bowler Dushmantha Chameera and Abrar Ahmed are two premier bowlers for their teams. They will be tough to face. Today Match Prediction: Sri Lanka are without key players, which will impact their performance. Hence, we predict Pakistan to win the first T20I. PAK vs SL Match 1st T20I, Today Match PAK vs SL, PAK vs SL Prediction, PAK vs SL Predicted XIs, Injury Update for Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Match Also Read: Special Cricket Stories 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.

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Sooryavanshi, Kishan Set Chilly Ranchi Nets Alight

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Sri Lanka Cricket Appoints Kusal Mendis As Test Captain After Dhananjaya De Silva Steps Down

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Ranji Trophy: Siddesh Lad, Ayush Mhatre Carry Weight Of Huge Legacy As Mumbai Chase 43rd Title

Mumbai Cricket Association: With 42 titles in their kitty, the current generation of Mumbai cricketers have to shoulder the weight of a humongous legacy when they step into the field for every Ranji Trophy edition. Having gone without a title in the last couple of seasons, the domestic giants are getting ready for their season-opener on Sunday, with captain Siddhesh Lad and his deputy Ayush Mhatre getting into new roles. Lad will handle captaincy on a permanent basis for the season for the first time, having led sporadically on various occasions, while Mhatre, the Under-19 World Cup-winning captain, is stepping into the vice-captain's role for the first time. Both Lad and Mhatre on Thursday admitted that Mumbai's unmatched dominance in the top domestic red-ball competition is something they have to live with, but felt that the pressure was something they can carry because of their experience and the preparations they have made for the season. Given Mumbais rich history, the 42 Ranji Trophy titles we have won and the legacy of players who have represented the team, there will always be pressure when you wear the Mumbai jersey. But as a unit, we want to embrace that pressure rather than run away from it. We understand the history and culture that come with representing Mumbai, and we are looking forward to the season, Lad said in a pre-season press conference organised by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Thursday. Mumbai will open their campaign in Group D in the national cricket championship against Chandigarh on Sunday and will travel to Bilaspur in Himachal for their next game starting on October 18. Lad and Mhatre will lead a young and energised Mumbai side which begins its campaign against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. The team is a bit short on experience, with former India captain Ajinkya Rahane announcing his retirement at the end of the previous season and the selectors deciding not to include Suryakumar Yadav. Lad said Rahane's experience would be missed but felt he can always pick up the phone to discuss things with him if necessary. He was diplomatic in dealing with the SKY issue and said the decision was taken by the selectors and he would focus on the 15 players he has been handed. Mumbai do have a couple of team combination issues to sort out as all-rounder Shardul Thakur is still recovering from an injury and is sure to miss the opening match and is also doubtful for the second game against Himachal Pradesh. Lad said they will take confidence from the performances of pacer Tushar Deshpande, Tanush Kotian, Shams Mulani and Sarfaraz Khan. Mulani and Deshpande were part of the India A squad that played Australia A at home, while Sarfaraz turned out for Rest of India in their win over Jammu & Kashmir in the Irani Cup match. In the pre-season press conference at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, Lad and Mhatre shared insights into the teams preparations, tactical approach and ambitions for the upcoming red-ball season. Following his elevation to a leadership role, Mhatre elaborated on taking up responsibility and working alongside the seniors. He said: Being named vice-captain of Mumbai is a big responsibility and a very proud moment for me, especially given the stature of the team and what the Ranji Trophy means to Mumbai cricket. The support I have received from the team has been excellent, and I have never felt like I was treated differently because I am a youngster. Siddesh Lad has supported me a lot and always made me feel comfortable within the team. Mhatre, who has played for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL), said he has picked up things about leadership by talking to former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. I have also learnt the importance of staying calm on the field. We have always seen how Mahendra Singh Dhoni remains calm, and one of the things I have learnt from him is that anger may last for five minutes, but decisions taken in anger can often be wrong. Once you calm down, you can think better. I have tried to follow that approach, stay composed on the field and make better decisions for myself and the team, he said. Mumbais 16-member squad blends experienced domestic campaigners with emerging young talent, with the likes of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan and Musheer Khan adding depth and pedigree as the side begins its pursuit of a record-extending 43rd Ranji Trophy title. Captain Lad brings extensive First-Class experience to the leadership group, having amassed over 5,600 runs across his domestic career. A key middle-order presence during the 202526 season, Lad provided Mumbai with stability and resilience in pressure situations. Vice-captain Mhatre continues his rapid rise in domestic cricket. The 19-year-old opening batter has scored 660 runs in 13 First-Class matches. Having returned from a hamstring injury that ruled him out earlier this year, Mhatres composure at the top of the order will be an important asset for Mumbais batting unit. Mumbai squad for first match of Ranji Trophy 2026-27: Vice-captain Mhatre continues his rapid rise in domestic cricket. The 19-year-old opening batter has scored 660 runs in 13 First-Class matches. Having returned from a hamstring injury that ruled him out earlier this year, Mhatres composure at the top of the order will be an important asset for Mumbais batting unit. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

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IND vs WI 2nd T20I Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XIs

IND vs WI 2nd T20I, Cricket Tips: Team India hammered West Indies in the first T20I of the five-match series. Captain Shreyas Iyer slammed an unbeaten century and scored 102 off 43 balls to take his team home. India have been tremendous with the bat, and they will be looking to take a 2-0 lead going into the second game. The second ODI will start at 7 PM IST on Friday at JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi. West Indies have a strong batting unit, but they need contribution from their top order. Their bowling unit has been below-par, and they have struggled under pressure. Can they stop the Indian juggernaut? IND vs WI: Match Details Date : October 09, 2026 (Friday) Time : 7 PM IST Venue : JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi IND vs WI: Live Streaming Details Star Sports Networks will televise the live telecast of the second T20I in Ranchi. The live stream of the game will be streamed live on the Jio Hotstar app or website. IND vs WI: Head-to-Head in T20Is Total Matches: 32 India : 21 West Indies : 10 No-result: 1 IND vs WI: Ground Pitch Report JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi is an excellent venue for the batters. There is very little help here for the bowing side, and the dew will also make it difficult for the bowlers. Hence, the team that will bowl first will have an edge. IND vs WI: Possible XIs India : Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson (wk), Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Naman Dhir, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mayank Yadav West Indies: Shai Hope (c & wk), Kamil Pooran, Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Sherfane Rutherford, Keemo Paul, Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Springer, Shamar Joseph IND vs WI: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Abhishek Sharma has been in tremendous form, and he can change the game within the first six overs. Shai Hope has scored two centuries and one fifty in the last three innings. He is in great form. Probable Best Bowler Arshdeep Singh and Akeal Hosein are two smart bowlers who have some good variations. Today Match Prediction: India are in great form and they are doing pretty well. Hence, we predict Team India to beat West Indies in the second game. IND vs WI Match 2nd T20I, Today Match IND vs WI, IND vs WI Prediction, IND vs WI Predicted XIs, Injury Update for India vs West Indies Match Also Read: Special Cricket Stories 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.

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Yashasvi Jaiswal practices wicketkeeping before Mumbai's Ranji Trophy opener vs Chandigarh

India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is set to feature in Mumbais Ranji Trophy opener against Chandigarh , set to begin on Sunday, October 11 and will be played at the Wankhede Stadium. It will be a perfect dress rehearsal for the 24-year-old, who will be gunning to get back to runs in Indias upcoming Test series against New Zealand.

'Happy Batters Are Breaking Records': Gayle Hails New Generation's No-fear Approach

Sharjah Cricket Stadium: Celebrating the fearless, high-risk approach taken by modern-day young batters, legendary West Indies opener Chris Gayle feels that the relentless mindset of the new-age cricketers has revolutionised modern cricket positively, as the game continues to see higher scoring rates and power-hitting. Speaking on the sidelines of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Gayle, 47, welcomed the changing patterns of the game worldwide, where batters take on the bowlers from ball one without any inhibitions. I am happy that batters are now breaking records and not the bowlers. The reason for this is that our youngsters are playing fearless cricket these days. They attack from one ball. The players play with no fear or favour, Gayle said during an interaction with Cricketaaa. Gayle, known as the 'Universe Boss', felt that a key revolution in the mindset of the players has changed the way white-ball cricket is played globally. The game has changed. Players have changed. The batters are now hungry to score and they play fearless cricket from the very first ball. They are endlessly fearless, and that is good for the game, he opined. Former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo took a bowler's view on the changing equation of the game and felt that while explosive batting has done wonders for the sport, the bowlers need to up their game if they want to keep up with the new era. I see the way batting is happening across the world, and I'm glad my playing days are over. The skills of the batters have improved tremendously. Now, the bowlers have to enhance and innovate to keep up with the advancements in the game. They have to significantly upskill to keep pace with the changes happening in world cricket, Bravo said, while adding that 400 and even 500-run totals would not be a surprise in ODIs anymore. I had my time and the game is changing. It is heading towards an uphill tempo, and that is good for the game. But the bowlers have to improve and innovate, he added. Elaborating on the changing face of cricket and how power-hitting has had a significant role in revolutionising the game, Ajay Sethi, owner of the West Indies Champions, stated that what the stars like Gayle and Bravo initiated as a phenomenon of explosive batting has now turned into a global trend. I had my time and the game is changing. It is heading towards an uphill tempo, and that is good for the game. But the bowlers have to improve and innovate, he added. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

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