India may have won the toss in Vadodara, but the real storm broke at the team announcement. Arshdeep Singh's exclusion from the first ODI against New Zealand ignited a wave of fan fury, turning the spotlight firmly on India's puzzling pace-bowling choices.
As India aim to defend their T20 World Cup title, former India coach Rahul Dravid says they start as favourites but knockout cricket leaves no room for error.
Vijay Hazare Trophy: Shubman Gill misses Sikkim clash due to food poisoning
With Rashid and Ahmed currently unavailable, Liam Dawson is the squad's only specialist spinner, meaning Will Jacks and Jacob Bethell may be required to bowl more than initially planned.
India Women to travel to South Africa for five-match T20I series
Ten Doeschate admitted that, in hindsight, India would have preferred playing a third spinner instead of Reddy, given how effectively New Zealand's spinners exploited the conditions.
Shaheen's numbers continue to underline his impact.
Iyer, who returned to international action after a long injury layoff following a spleen laceration with internal bleeding sustained during the third ODI against Australia in Sydney in October last year, said he was delighted to begin the series on a winning note.
The Indians have not featured in ODIs in recent months but Kuldeep Yadav (650) and Ravindra Jadeja (616) still remained static at number three and number nine in the latest ODI rankings for bowlers.
Back to his brilliant best, Suryakumar Yadav's unbeaten 82 lit up Raipur in the 2nd ODI against New Zealand, to shut out all doubters, days ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Named after Yuvraj, Canada's Samra keen to emulate his idol in T20 WC
Shubman Gill is set to use the Vijay Hazare Trophy as his first platform for response after being left out of India's 2026 T20 World Cup squad.
India reached their 10th U19 World Cup final, the most for any team, followed by Australia with six in 16 editions of this tournament.
'I am where I have to be and whatever is written in my destiny no one can take that from me.'
'It is a passing phase'. 'He will bounce back'. 'He is a run machine; poor form is just temporary'. The vote of confidence in Gill was inspiring and reassuring, notes Sandeep Goyal.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla said that head coach Gautam Gambhir has a firm grip on the team and is popular among the players.
Even as the rain poured, the mood in the stands never did. Ponchos, cheers and chants filled the arena as fans danced through the drizzle, refusing to let the weather wash away their excitement.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for the T20 World Cup match against Pakistan?
Rohit Sharma to be conferred Honorary Doctorate by Ajeenkya DY Patil University
Kuldeep, spin strategy in focus as India prepare for Indore decider
The Mumbai batter is available to play Vijay Hazare Trophy match on Jan 6.
'To take two left-arm spinners to Australia is not possible, but he is clearly in the scheme of things with how good he is.'
India head coach Gautam Gambhir attended the Bhasm Aarti at Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Ujjain on Friday.
Matthew Breetzke became the first player to score half centuries in each of his first five One-Day International appearances as South Africa beat England by five runs in the second ODI at Lord's on Thursday.
If Iyer is cleared for international duty, Mumbai will need to appoint a new captain for the Vijay Hazare Trophy knockouts, which begin on January 12.
Doubles is not a sideshow: Yuki Bhambri on re-invention and right support
India to tour Bangladesh for three-match ODI and T20I series in September
Former New Zealand all-rounder Doug Bracewell has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Monday, as per the ICC website.
Fans on social media accused Gautam Gambhir of favouritism, questioning Ayush Badoni's inclusion given his modest List A record.
During the warm-ups for the second match against New Zealand in Rajkot on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Kohli was caught on camera perfectly mimicking pacer Mohammed Siraj's bowling action.
The sesquicentenary of 'Vande Mataram' was the overriding theme of the ceremonial event held at the Vijay Chowk and presided over by President Droupadi Murmu, who arrived at the venue in a traditional buggy to the sound of bugles, adding a ceremonial grace to the occasion.
NZ will lean on Kyle Jamieson to lead pace attack, Kristian Clarke to debut: Michael Bracewell
The opener also milked 100 runs for the opening wicket with Devon Conway.
Quinton de Kock seems to have found another gear since his return to cricket and the South African attributed the new-found freedom in his batting to a mind without any 'baggage'.
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen believes India are the favorites to win the T20 World Cup, but cautions that the format is unpredictable and that India's 'favourites' tag comes with its own dangers.
Karnataka's bowlers Prasidh Krishna, Vidwath Kaverappa, and Shreyas Gopal dismantled Mumbai's batting lineup, while Mayank Agarwal's half-century put Karnataka in a commanding position on the first day of their Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav would want the attacking batter in him to front up and bolster his leadership against New Zealand when the five-match T20I series gets underway in Nagpur on Wednesday, serving as a final dress rehearsal for India's World Cup title defence in less than three weeks' time.
Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott called the heartbreaking two-Super Over loss to South Africa "devastating", admitting his side were undone by the Proteas' superior fielding in a T20 World Cup thriller that slipped away at the very end
Gardner said familiarity with home conditions would work in Australia's favour but acknowledged India's growing threat.
Vijay Amritraj gets Padma Bhushan; Rohit Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur receive Padma Shri
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