Joe Root will captain England on a permanent basis for the first time since 2022 in the upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan, with Jordan Cox taking the number three spot due to Jacob Bethell's injury and Dan Lawrence earning a recall.
India completed their 600th Test with a 165-run win over Sri Lanka. Here's how India evolved from early struggles into a modern Test cricket powerhouse.
India put themselves course for a big win in the series opener after reducing Sri Lanka to 84/4 at stumps on day four of the first Test in Galle on Tuesday.
Ricky Ponting and Ashish Nehra are reportedly the highest-earning coaches in the Indian Premier League, each commanding approximately Rs 9.5 crore per season for their roles with Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans, respectively.
Sri Lankan cricket officials are considering a balanced pitch for the second Test against India at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), moving away from a spin-friendly track. This decision aims to provide equal opportunities for both batters and bowlers, similar to the Galle pitch, and support their young batting lineup. The SSC pitch character has evolved over the years, with less home advantage since the retirement of legendary players.
Indian batter Devdutt Padikkal, after scoring a magnificent maiden Test century against Sri Lanka in Galle, discussed the "slowish" nature of the wicket. He noted that the pitch aided left-handed batters against left-arm spinners and started turning significantly after the third day, contributing to India's 165-run victory.
Manav Suthar's exceptional spin bowling, including a six-wicket haul in the second innings, led India to a comprehensive 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in the opening Test in Galle, securing a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif criticised captain Shubman Gill for not giving spinner Kuldeep Yadav enough longer spells during the first Test against Sri Lanka, suggesting a lack of faith.
Goa's Abhinav Tejrana has been named in the South Zone squad for the prestigious Duleep Trophy, making him the only cricketer from Goa to achieve this distinction this year, a selection attributed to his consistent high-scoring performances in recent seasons.
Mumbai-based TCR Engineering Services has become the first independent company in India to receive Nadcap accreditation for materials testing at its Navi Mumbai and Vadodara laboratories, a crucial step for Indian suppliers to enter the global aerospace supply chain.
Rising sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has made a significant jump in the latest ICC Men's T20I Batting Rankings, climbing 230 places to 48th after an impressive Player of the Series performance against Zimbabwe. India teammate Ishan Kishan leads the T20I batting rankings with a career-best 910 points, the third-highest rating ever recorded.
Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has lauded young Indian batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, highlighting his courage, mental strength, and ability to perform under pressure. Hayden believes the 15-year-old has the potential to excel in both short and long formats of cricket, despite his recent T20I and IPL successes. Sooryavanshi's impressive performances, including a Player of the Series award in T20Is and a record-breaking IPL season, underscore his immense talent.
'There's a lot of pressure on him, and there's a lot of pressure on this series as well, because it's crucial for India's chances in the WTC.'
Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas has expressed strong belief in Indian batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, stating they still have significant contributions to make and should feature in upcoming ODI World Cups. He emphasised their skill, experience, and fitness as key factors, dismissing age as a barrier. Abbas also touched upon the importance of traditional batting techniques and offered thoughts on Pakistan cricket.
The Supreme Court highlighted the critical need to protect forests across India, specifically mentioning states like Jharkhand for their natural ecosystems. The court declined to interfere with a Jharkhand High Court order concerning regulations for stone mining and crushers near forest boundaries, asserting the High Court's constitutional authority in the matter.
'A player like Hardik Pandya is needed in every franchise. He is a proper three dimensional player.'
Rocky Flintoff, son of former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, scored his first senior professional century for Lancashire in their One-Day Cup victory over Somerset.
Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden has commented on Rohit Sharma's future in international cricket, particularly concerning the 2027 World Cup. Hayden believes Sharma's decision will hinge on his continued hunger and energy, given his retirement from Tests and T20Is, and the demanding schedule of both IPL and ODI cricket. Despite age-related questions, Sharma has continued to deliver strong performances, notably a century against England.
Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has issued a stern warning to the Indian team ahead of their crucial Test series against Sri Lanka.
Former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop hailed Bangladesh's "momentous achievement" after their stunning nine-wicket win over Australia in the first Test in Darwin on Sunday.
Devdutt Padikkal's maiden Test century put India firmly in control on the opening day of the first Test against Sri Lanka, with the visitors reaching 288/2 at stumps.
Devdutt Padikkal's childhood coach, Mohammad Naseeruddin, revealed the rigorous training regimen the cricketer underwent, including practising with Kookaburra balls on turning pitches, to prepare for the Sri Lankan spin attack ahead of the Test series.
Bangladesh achieved a historic milestone by defeating Australia by nine wickets in Darwin, marking their first-ever Test victory on Australian soil and becoming the fastest Asian team to do so.
Afghanistan defeated Ireland by three wickets in the third ODI, securing direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Sanju Samson's unbeaten 87 against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026 on Tuesday, earns praise from Eoin Morgan and Aaron Finch.
Mohammed Siraj is poised to lead India's pace attack in the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, stepping into the crucial role in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.
Punjab Kings' Nehal Wadhera said head coach Ricky Ponting personally approached him and offered reassurance at a time when his confidence was affected by his lack of runs during IPL 2026.
India set Sri Lanka a daunting target of 372 before reducing the hosts to 84-4 on day four of the opening Test in Galle on Tuesday, remaining firmly on course for victory.
Ryan Rickelton praises Rohit Sharma's class and calmness after their 143-run stand powers Mumbai Indians' chase, while also giving an update on Hardik Pandya's fitness.
Top-order batter B Sai Sudharsan has not joined the Indian team in Colombo for their two-Test series against Sri Lanka due to a toe injury. He is undergoing recovery at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, with his availability for the series to be decided in the coming days.
Lucknow Super Giants' global director of cricket, Tom Moody, attributes the team's IPL exit to inconsistent batting performances, particularly in the middle order. Jamie Overton of CSK credits his success to simple execution and praises the team environment.
With Kuldeep Yadav looking ineffective, India could look towards including off-spinner Saransh Jain in the playing XI in the second Test in Colombo, especially looking at three left-handers in the Sri Lankan top seven.
Australian cricket legend Ellyse Perry has lauded Indian superstars Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, highlighting Mandhana's "incredible willpower" and "super-strong mind," and Kaur's "tenacity." Perry also expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming ICC Women's Champions Trophy and reflected on the evolving landscape of women's cricket.
'While his cricketing achievements are obvious, people should remember Ajinkya Rahane, the person. Because he has inspired youngsters in the dressing room by his powerful humane gestures.'
An English amateur cricketer, nicknamed 'Clicky Ponting', has been suspended by his club, Saltburn Cricket Club, following allegations of finger-clicking trickery to deceive umpires during a Division Two game.
Former India leg-spinner L Sivaramakrishnan believes that advising Kuldeep Yadav to bowl faster in Test cricket is 'the worst piece of advice' he could receive, advocating instead for focus on alignment and natural speeds to maximise spin.
Former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane believes India's recent Test struggles stem from the departure of senior players, emphasising the need for a core of seven to eight experienced cricketers in the longer format.
Virat Kohli, who debuted 18 years ago, has amassed over 28,000 international runs and 85 centuries, establishing himself as one of cricket's all-time greats with numerous unmatched records across all formats.
The Supreme Court has emphasised the need for timely investigations and conclusions of criminal cases involving illicit money in elections. Observing that black money compromises democracy and the rule of law, the court issued several directives, including reporting seizures to competent authorities within 24 hours, completing investigations within a year, and submitting quarterly status reports to the Election Commission. The ruling also mandates High Courts to designate special courts for expeditious disposal of cases against candidates and requires High Court approval for withdrawing cases.
India's Devdutt Padikkal struck his maiden Test hundred to underline his credentials for the number three slot and propelled the tourists to a commanding 288-2 in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Saturday.
