Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead Afghanistan in the upcoming Test and ODI tour of India, while IPL star Allah Ghazanfar earns a call-up after his impressive season with Mumbai Indians.
India produced a record-breaking batting display, piling up 402 runs against Afghanistan in the second ODI of the three-match series in Lucknow on Wednesday, in a match filled with major individual milestones.
Indian cricketers, including Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, underwent an intense practice session in Mullanpur ahead of their one-off Test against Afghanistan. The session focused on bowler fitness, emerging talent, and assessing all-round capabilities, with key players like KL Rahul and Shubman Gill also participating.
The US military has lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones during the conflict with Iran, representing a quarter of its fleet and a significant financial blow. These losses, some due to communication failures, raise questions as India recently signed an agreement to procure 31 of these drones.
Shubman Gill praised pacer Gurnoor Brar and left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey for their impressive debuts in India's one-sided victory over Afghanistan in the rain-curtailed first ODI.
Indian cricket star Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury, a rare occurrence for the exceptionally fit batsman. The news comes amidst uncertainty over Rohit Sharma's full availability for the series, also due to a hamstring issue, sparking discussions about the future of both senior players in the ODI format.
Manav Suthar, a left-arm spinner, delivered an exceptional four-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in the first Test, attributing his success to a pre-series training stint at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. His performance, including dismissing Dinesh Chandimal with his first ball, was crucial in keeping the Lankans in check despite a strong partnership. Suthar also highlighted the learning experience from bowling alongside Ravindra Jadeja.
Ishan Kishan's wicket-keeping drills ahead of the series opener suggested India could be considering a revised role for KL Rahul in the ODI setup.
Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya and senior batter Rohit Sharma have been cleared by the Sports Science team of BCCI's Centre of Excellence to participate in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, starting in Dharamsala on Sunday.
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, currently recovering from injury, visited the revered Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala with his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma, sporting a tonsured head that has sparked speculation among fans.
Rishabh Pant's dismissal for 39 against Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle has once again brought his shot selection under intense scrutiny, with fans and former cricketers criticising his inability to convert starts into bigger scores.
India's men's cricket team, along with Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, has secured direct entry into the knockout stage of the 2026 Asian Games, with preliminary rounds set for other nations.
Batting great Cheteshwar Pujara believes veteran spinner Ravindra Jadeja's recent shift to a more aggressive, wicket-taking mindset in red-ball cricket will make him a vital player for India during the upcoming two-Test series in Sri Lanka.
Shubman Gill, India's Test captain, expresses comfort with his leadership role and highlights the team's progress. He acknowledges the challenge of qualifying for the World Test Championship final, requiring significant wins in upcoming matches. Gill also discusses the honour of leading India in its 600th Test and shares insights on playing conditions in Sri Lanka.
Auqib Nabi proved unstoppable with the ball last season -- picking up 60 wickets in 10 matches at an incredible average of 12.56 last season to help J&K script history by winning its first Ranji Trophy title.
Pakistan has strongly condemned Afghanistan for allegedly harbouring terrorists responsible for a deadly attack on a police post, issuing a stern warning and demanding action against terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil.
Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh believes the exploding popularity of T20 leagues, particularly the IPL, poses a significant threat to the future of bilateral international cricket, stating that '70 per cent (people are watching club cricket instead of international cricket)'.
Kuldeep Yadav will look towards the Sri Lanka series as his big opportunity to finally seal his place as India's No 1 spinner in Tests.
A source at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru has expressed significant concerns regarding players competing in the Indian Premier League while injured, attributing this to franchise and financial pressures, which subsequently complicates their rehabilitation and return to international cricket.
Former India fielding coach T Dilip reveals that Virat Kohli's unwavering intensity on the field and in practice sessions has a profound impact, compelling at least five other players to 'stretch their limits' and significantly elevating India's fielding standards.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is set to make his return to Test cricket against Sri Lanka, a team he has historically performed well against, bringing significant experience in both batting and bowling to the Indian squad.
Jasprit Bumrah's participation in the upcoming series against Afghanistan is under consideration as the selection committee assesses his workload.
Former India spinner Murali Kartik has emphasised the need for consistency and a clearly defined role for Kuldeep Yadav in the Test side, especially as Ravindra Jadeja approaches the end of his career. Kartik believes Kuldeep, despite being a match-winner, has not received the sustained backing needed to flourish in Test cricket under previous regimes.
India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak lauded left-arm spinner Manav Suthar's impressive Test debut, where he took seven wickets, attributing his success to the BCCI's robust talent identification system. Kotak also commented on Sai Sudharsan's performance but remained non-committal on a settled batting line-up.
Afghanistan's anti-doping programme has collapsed since the Taliban's return to power, with no tests conducted for three years and the country's exiled anti-doping chief admitting there is currently 'no hope'. The programme faces numerous challenges, including a lack of Doping Control Officers, logistical issues, and political instability.
Pakistani security forces killed at least 13 terrorists along the Afghanistan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province during operations in Mohmand and North Waziristan districts.
Left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey has been named as the replacement for the injured Washington Sundar in India's squad for the third and final One Day International against England. Sundar sustained a right hamstring injury during the second ODI and will undergo recuperation. The series is currently level at 1-1, with India aiming for a victory.
Afghanistan players withdrew from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) auction following backlash over the direct signing of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, reflecting strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
India's spin department is in 'transition' and the team management is in the process of assessing a pool of young bowlers who can potentially graduate to a higher level, said spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule.
Already, the knives are out for Gautam Gambhir because of his poor record as coach in Test matches, and a potential defeat in Sri Lanka could prove to be the killer blow.
Senior India batter Ajinkya Rahane has announced his immediate retirement from international cricket, concluding a career that began in 2013 and included 85 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20Is.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has assured the All India Football Federation of full government support to host India's biggest-ever international football fixture against five-time World Cup champions Brazil in Kolkata on October 3. This historic match will be India's first against a top-five FIFA-ranked nation, offering crucial exposure to the national team despite initial concerns over crowd management.
India begin their 2027 ODI World Cup preparations against Afghanistan with Rohit Sharma's fitness and Nitish Kumar Reddy's all-round abilities under scrutiny, while Shubman Gill continues to shape his leadership credentials.
Auqib Nabi, a right-arm pacer from Jammu and Kashmir, has made history by becoming the first cricketer from the region to be named in India's Test squad, earning a call-up for the tour of Sri Lanka after a remarkable domestic season.
Skipper Shubman Gill on Saturday hoped that "phenomenal" Yashasvi Jaiswal will continue to churn out big performances to keep himself in contention in India's ODI scheme of things.
India's squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka is expected to be announced next week, with fitness concerns surrounding pace leader Jasprit Bumrah.
Former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has expressed profound satisfaction with his decision to retire from international cricket, stating he has 'no regrets at all' after giving his '200 per cent' on the field. Rahane also revealed his openness to venturing into coaching or mentorship roles in the future, aiming to share his extensive experience globally.
India's selectors have included Gurnoor Brar and Manav Suthar in the national squad for the upcoming Test and ODI series against Afghanistan, recognising their pace and spin capabilities.
Uncapped off-spinner Saransh Jain has been named as the replacement for the injured Washington Sundar in India's Test squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, while the availability of key players Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan hinges on their fitness clearance.
Veteran Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from international cricket, concluding a career that spanned nearly two decades and included an undefeated Test captaincy record.
