Indian all-rounder Axar Patel has surged into the top 10 of the ICC ODI rankings for all-rounders, reaching ninth position following his impressive performance against England.
Less than two weeks after being dismissed as a "dud" Down Under, Joe Root finally shrugged the monkey off his back with a first Test century in Australia on Thursday to breathe life into England's Ashes campaign.
Joe Root and Harry Brook hit half-centuries to put England in control before bad light ended play early on the opening day of the fifth Ashes Test.
Joe Root picked an easy single off Mohammed Siraj in the 58th over to take his score to 31, which also took his overall Test tally to 13290 runs.
India comfortably chased down 259 to beat England by six wickets in the first ODI, with Shubman Gill scoring 80 before Axar Patel and Washington Sundar guided the visitors home with unbeaten fifties.
IMAGES from Day 1 of the third Test match between England and India at Lord's, London, on Thursday.
Former India player Parthiv Patel has expressed confidence that Rohit Sharma will silence critics with a defining century in the series-deciding third ODI against England, amidst speculation that it could be his last international game. Reports suggest selectors have indicated Rohit is not in their plans for the 2027 World Cup, leading to retirement or dropping possibilities.
Sri Lankan all-rounder Sonal Dinusha, who averaged 140 in the recent Test series against India, found solace and success in cricket as an escape from financial hardship. His journey, marked by dedication and a relentless work ethic, saw him rise from a child without a bat to a national hero, with coaches highlighting his unwavering commitment to the game.
Root reached the milestone during his 69th WTC appearance - a single pushed to deep backward square leg brought up yet another half-century and sealed his place in the record books.
He successfully took a stunner to dismiss Karun Nair to complete his 211th catch, surpassing Dravid's tally of 210. Former Sri Lanka star Mahela Jayawardene slipped to the third spot with 205 catches.
Joe Root scored his 37th Test hundred on Friday to go past the tally of former India skipper Rahul Dravid and contemporary Steve Smith.
India captain Shubman Gill attributed his team's 27-run defeat in the series-deciding third ODI against England to their inability to contain runs in the death overs, allowing England to post a formidable total of 388.
England's Harry Brook and India's Shreyas Iyer have made significant advancements in the ICC Men's T20I Player Rankings, with Brook entering the top 10 and Iyer rocketing 62 spots.
With two days still to play, England are firm favourites to secure the win in Manchester, one that would seal victory in the five-match series with one test still to come.
In every Test match Root plays, the prolific right-hander continues chasing legends and breaking records - and more milestones could be within reach during the second Test against India at Edgbaston.
Among the active batters, Joe Root, 34, looks the only one who could go past Sachin Tendulkar's Test record tally of 15921 runs.
England lost the first three matches in the ongoing Ashes series but chased down 175 to win the fourth by four wickets and score a first Test victory in Australia in 15 years.
The over rate has been a big talking point in the series and the frequent for ball change is making matters worse. Bumrah said the hot weather should be taken into account before taking action on slow over rate.
England vice-captain Ollie Pope won't be surprised if Joe Root overtakes Sachin Tendulkar and becomes the all-time leading run-getter in Tests.
Batting at No. 8, Gus Atkinson smashed an unbeaten 74 off 81 balls, including four sixes and five fours, punishing the Sri Lankan bowlers in the final session.
Joe Root is not only inching closer to Sachin Tendulkar's World record tally of 15,921 Test runs, he also has a shot at overtaking Rahul Dravid's record for the highest-ever batting average in India-England Tests.
India bowling coach Morne Morkel has expressed confidence in Rohit Sharma's ability to overcome his recent struggles in the ongoing ODI series against England, highlighting the calmness he brings to the team. Morkel also discussed the team's batting concerns, the need for middle-order breakthroughs, and his potential role in the 2027 World Cup.
Pietersen's comments on his social media handle came a day after fellow England batter Joe Root overtook Australia great Ricky Ponting to climb to second place in the all-time list of Test run scorers.
Root played just three matches for Rajasthan Royals in his IPL debut this year, and Rob Key, managing director of England's men's cricket, had said the 32-year-old "needs a break" after the 50-overs World Cup in India.
Joe Root produced a batting masterclass on way to a milestone 38th hundred as England exploited a jaded Indian bowling attack to stamp their dominance on the fourth Test in Manchester.
Ben Duckett led England's reply with a brisk counterattack as the hosts reached 73 for 1 at tea on Day 2 of the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge on Friday, responding to the tourists' 438.
India's Shubman Gill has ascended to the second position in the ICC ODI batting rankings, propelled by strong performances against Afghanistan. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Matt Henry has joined India's Jasprit Bumrah as the world's top-ranked Test bowler, marking a significant achievement for both players in the latest ICC updates.
India is set to face England in the second ODI, aiming for a series victory, but concerns over Shubman Gill's fitness after he walked off injured in the first match, and Rohit Sharma's inconsistent batting form, are prominent. The team will also consider potential changes to the playing eleven.
Joe Root now finds himself second only to Tendulkar in the list of all-time Test run-getters as he reflected on the Indian maestro's legacy his own journey as a youngster inspired by the Indian icon.
England batter Ollie Pope, recalled to the Test squad for the Pakistan series after a challenging Ashes tour, describes the call-up as feeling like a 'debut' and is determined to prove himself, particularly with an eye on the next home Ashes series.
Jamie Smith will return from injury to keep wickets and bat at number three in England's Champions Trophy opener against Australia in Lahore on Saturday.
Wearing special headbands in memory of Graham Thorpe, they honoured not just a legend of the game, but a man whose courage and struggles have sparked an urgent conversation around mental health in sport.
England all-rounder Ben Stokes has announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a career defined by match-winning brilliance, iconic Ashes moments, World Cup glory, and a transformative impact on English cricket across all formats.
A look at what went wrong for India in the England ODI series.
Glenn Phillips completed his maiden Test century as New Zealand punished a wayward England attack to pile on the runs on the second day of the second Test at the Oval in London on Thursday.
Joe Root was full of praise for compatriot and Yorkshire teammate Harry Brook, saying that "he makes his life so much easier"
Root said that it is amazing being a "second fiddle" to Brook and watching his fine shotmaking from the "best seat in the house".
Ollie Robinson marked his return to England's Test side with a four-wicket haul as New Zealand slid to 61-6 at stumps, trailing by 79 runs after a see-saw opening day of the three-match series at Lord's on Thursday.
'What do you want us to do?': KL's heated exchange with umpire Dharamsena during Oval Test
Traditionally carved from top-quality willow, famous bat-makers, source the bulk of their willow wood from Kashmir.
