Newly-appointed India captain Smriti Mandhana outlined her team's strategy to utilise the upcoming six T20Is, including a series against Zimbabwe, as crucial preparation for the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy early next year. She emphasised setting high standards and improving in the shortest format.
Andhra, Saurashtra, and Punjab secured three points each in their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B matches after earning first-innings leads, despite the games ending in draws. Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Assam settled for one point each. Karun Nair's unbeaten 155 for Karnataka was a highlight, while Ravindra Jadeja was Player of the Match for Saurashtra.
Jasprit Bumrah, who is down with swelling in his back, is expected to make a full recovery by the first week of March.
Defending champions Jammu and Kashmir managed to secure a draw against Madhya Pradesh in their Ranji Trophy Group A opener. Rain and bad light intervened on the final day, preventing Madhya Pradesh from pushing for a victory after J&K were left reeling at 88 for seven chasing 326.
What each team from Group B needs to do to make the semis.
The Champions Trophy Group B fixture between Australia and South Africa in Rawalpindi was abandoned without a ball being bowled on Tuesday.
Rinku Singh's unbeaten 118 helped Uttar Pradesh recover from a collapse to post 202 against Goa in their Ranji Trophy match. Goa ended day one at 43 for no loss, trailing by 159 runs. Other Group A matches saw Baroda struggling against Bihar, MP losing wickets against Puducherry, and J&K posting 260 against Vidarbha.
2013 winners India are placed in Group A alongside defending champions Pakistan, New Zealand and Bangladesh.
Australia will be without their premier pacers but their envious pedigree in ICC tournaments make them favourites to progress to the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy from Group B.
The PCB is upgrading the facilities at all three venues in the country as Pakistan prepares to host an ICC tournament for the first time since 1996, when they co-hosted the ODI World Cup.
The points table of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Bengal secured a 60-run victory over Services in a Ranji Trophy Group C match, powered by Pradipta Pramanik's four-wicket haul. Elsewhere, Delhi established a significant lead against Gujarat, while Maharashtra built a massive first-innings advantage over Jharkhand with centuries from Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ankit Bawne, and Digvijay Patil.
Former Pakistan player Basit Ali believes the experience of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli gives India the edge in the blockbuster February 23 game.
Pakistan is set to host the 2028 Women's T20 World Cup, with plans to use a hybrid model where matches involving India will be played in the United Arab Emirates. The ICC announced the tournament dates, and the Pakistan Cricket Board aims to host all other games, including knockout stages not featuring India, potentially boosting women's cricket in the country.
Last month, a group of British lawmakers urged England to boycott the Champions Trophy group stage match against Afghanistan.
India's men's hockey team, fresh from retaining its Asian Games title and securing a 2028 Olympics berth, is now preparing for the Asian Champions Trophy. The tournament, featuring six teams including India, will be held in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5. Head coach Craig Fulton emphasizes maintaining intensity for the home challenge, where India aims to extend its record as the most successful team.
The total prize pool has increased by an impressive 53 percent from the 2017 edition, reaching $6.9 million (Rs 57.3 crore).
On Sunday, India rode on a clinical performance to outclass traditional rivals Pakistan with plenty to spare at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
England previously faced Afghanistan at the 50-overs Cricket World Cup in 2023, as well as at the Twenty20 World Cup in 2022.
South African captain Temba Bavuma has said that the ICC Champions Trophy is a bigger challenge than the 50-over World Cup because the lesser number of matches makes it tough for teams to make a comeback.
The second round of the Ranji Trophy will see India's Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill return to action for Punjab, while Mumbai will be without key players Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ayush Mhatre due to India A duties and injury, respectively, setting the stage for crucial encounters across the country.
Australia's Champions Trophy roster will have a different look to the peerless squad that took a record-extending sixth World Cup title at the 2023 tournament in India.
Defending champions Jammu and Kashmir were bowled out for 120, allowing Madhya Pradesh to take a 135-run overall lead on day two of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match. Meanwhile, Baroda, Uttar Pradesh, and Vidarbha also established strong positions in their respective matches.
Baroda, Vidarbha, and Uttar Pradesh registered significant victories in the second round of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C on Tuesday. Baroda secured a dominant 10-wicket win over Bihar, Vidarbha clinched a thrilling three-wicket victory against defending champions Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttar Pradesh defeated Goa by 68 runs.
Members of the trophy-winning squad from 2017 were present at the event with then captain Sarfaraz Ahmed in conversation with former West Indies pacer and broadcaster Ian Bishop.
It has been a forgettable campaign for Pakistan in the first global tournament to be staged in the country since 1996.
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.
Barely 11 days before their Champions Trophy opener against Pakistan, New Zealand's leading pace bowler Lockie Ferguson has been rendered doubtful for the ODI tournament after suffering a hamstring injury during an ILT20 match in the UAE.
India's cricket team has embarked on a journey to Dubai for the upcoming Champions Trophy, aiming to secure another global trophy after their T20 World Cup triumph last June.
Skipper Steve Smith said the opener, who suffered the quad injury while fielding but struggled on to scored 20 runs from 15 balls before the game was washed out, is unlikely to be fit to face India or New Zealand on Tuesday or Wednesday.
'I think Rohit should play aggressively. You saw how he batted in the ODI World Cup -- he was attacking even in the final. So, I believe his approach will remain the same.'
Uttar Pradesh defeated Bihar by an innings and 267 runs in their Group A Ranji Trophy match in Rajgir. Impressive bowling from Kartik Yadav and Karan Sharma led UP to a comprehensive victory on the third day, dismissing Bihar for 141 and 132 in their two innings.
Defending champions Jammu and Kashmir made an impressive start to their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A campaign, dismissing Madhya Pradesh for 196 on the opening day. Medium pacer Rohit Sharma led the attack with a five-wicket haul, while Sunil Kumar added four wickets. J&K were 3/1 at stumps, trailing by 193 runs.
India's group match against New Zealand in Dubai on Sunday will be the first ICC Champions Trophy between the two teams in 25 years.
New Zealand's Chris Gaffaney and England's Richard Illingworth have been appointed as on-field umpires for the Champions Trophy semi-final between India and Australia in Dubai on Tuesday.
The depleted Aussies will look at Travis Head and captain Smith for inspiration as they chase the title that they last won in 2009.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI against New Zealand in Sunday's final?
India's new captain Smriti Mandhana is set to lead the women's team in a T20I series against Zimbabwe, marking a new era. She aims to elevate the team's professionalism, power-hitting, and fielding, while fostering a strong team culture. Mandhana also highlighted the importance of Harmanpreet Kaur's experience and praised deputy Shafali Verma's growth, as the team prepares for the ICC Women's Champions Trophy 2027.
While India are on a high after a measured six-wicket win over a sprightly Bangladesh, Pakistan are evidently tense after the 60-run loss in the tournament-opener to New Zealand.
The full implications of the India's refusal to play Champions Trophy matches in Pakistan were laid bare on Sunday as Australia and South Africa waited to find out whether they will play their semi-finals in Lahore or Dubai this week.
