Rashid Khan's tactical brilliance and four-wicket haul powered Gujarat Titans to a dominant win over Rajasthan Royals, signalling the spinner's return to peak IPL form after recent struggles.
While former Australian opener Matthew Hayden reckons series will go India's way, two former India players believe otherwise.
Anukul Roy, the Jharkhand all-rounder, has become a key player for Kolkata Knight Riders with his disciplined left-arm spin. He now seeks a more significant role with the bat, aiming to contribute more in the middle order and replicate his domestic success in the T20 league.
'If I do end up with another stress fracture, I may have a different view on things as regards to my future. But for the moment, I'm still only 26 and I think my best years as a Test cricketer are ahead of me.'
Ishan Kishan's sensational comeback and Sanju Samson's inconsistent displays with the bat will reignite debate over who should be Abhishek Sharma's preferred opening partner.
Jofra Archer will miss the second Test against India in Chennai after having an injection in his right elbow.
Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, both in good form, are set to clash in an IPL match. Rajasthan's explosive batting and Bengaluru's rejuvenated bowling are key factors.
British media reports said all 10 English players involved with the IPL will hold a meeting with the Professional Cricketers' Association over security arrangements for a potential return to India.
Surrey seamer Matthew Fisher has been added to the squad and will link up with the group this week, having been in Australia with the England Lions.
Sanju Samson admits the pressure of securing a spot in India's T20 World Cup squad led to poor performance in the preceding series against New Zealand. He has since found form, crediting a return to basics and support from loved ones.
England were comfortably placed at 225 for two at stumps after bowling out India for 358 on the second day of the fourth Test in Manchester on Thursday.
England pacer Jofra Archer expressed his delight at joining five-time champions Mumbai Indians even though he won't available to play in the IPL this season as he continues his recovery from injury.
England need to alter their approach if they hope to claw their way back after their disastrous start to the Ashes series and avoid another drubbing, former Australia paceman Mitchell Johnson said.
After a cautious start, Crawley and Duckett punished the straying Indian bowlers with an array of crisp boundaries. The pair blunted the new ball and raced to 77 without loss at tea.
"Just Rishabh being Rishabh": Pant's grit wins hearts as he returns to bat in Manchester Test
As expected, fast bowler Jofra Archer was included in the 12 and looks poised to make his Test debut in the absence of England's record wicket taker James Anderson.
Rajasthan Royals, after two consecutive defeats, aim to regain momentum against a struggling Lucknow Super Giants in their upcoming IPL match. Key concerns include the form of skipper Riyan Parag and the fragility of the middle order. Lucknow's bowling attack needs to find breakthroughs to counter Rajasthan's strong opening pair.
Sanju Samson's century, Punjab Kings' record 265 chase, Rinku Singh's Super Over heroics and standout knocks from KL Rahul, Abhishek Sharma and Virat Kohli headline an action-packed Week 4 of IPL 2026.
'I think long term for his career, this is a very sensible option for him to be taking.'
Purnendu Maji and Srinivas Bhogle present Rediff's Most Valuable Player Index of IPL 2026 after Game 29.
Mumbai Indians owner Aakash Ambani revealed the plan to sign Jofra Archer was more of an investment point of view.
Rajat Patidar's aggressive innings helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru reach a total of 201 for 8 against Rajasthan Royals in their IPL match, after a shaky start.
Jofra Archer was handed a fine and an official warning, on Saturday, by ECB for breaching the team's bio-secure protocols
Bowling at a slightly slower pace than he did at Lord's, Archer said his style reflected the conditions.
India equal England's first-innings score of 387 with Test in balance
Jofra Archer rates himself "about 80 percent" fit ahead of his long-awaited England return, but the fast bowler is determined to get himself back in the kind of shape that saw him play a starring role in the 2019 Ashes and Cricket World Cup.
Jofra Archer, who smashed 27 from eights, helped Royals hammer 30 runs off the final over to finish on a massive 216 for seven in their 20 overs.
Kolkata Knight Riders edged Lucknow Super Giants in a tense Super Over finish in Lucknow on Sunday, surviving a major batting collapse before holding their nerve in the decider to snatch a dramatic win in a clash between two struggling sides.
Mumbai Indians will be looking to bounce back from their recent defeat when they face a confident Rajasthan Royals side in their upcoming IPL match. The Royals will be aiming to continue their winning streak.
Australia, England registered shameful record during first Ashes Test at Perth as express pace dominates proceedings
Rishabh Pant and Ajinkya Rahane face increasing pressure as captains in the IPL, with their teams, Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders, struggling to find form and consistency.
Jofra Archer's first five-wicket haul in Test cricket put England in command on a weather-affected opening day of the third Ashes Test at Headingley on Thursday as they bowled Australia out for 179.
Fast bowler Jofra Archer said he is "fully back" from his long injury lay-off after marking his return to an England shirt by bowling for the Lions in a three-day match against the Test side in the United Arab Emirates.
Fast bowler Josh Tongue is confident England are prepared for the Ashes series in Australia and have a good chance of ending their long drought Down Under thanks to their fearsome bowling attack.
Blair Tickner took 4/34 and Daryl Mitchell hit 56 not out as New Zealand beat England by five wickets in the second one-day international in Hamilton on Wednesday to seal the three-match series 2-0.
A timely unbeaten 53 from vice-captain Rinku Singh and a fine spell from Varun Chakravarthy powered former champions Kolkata Knight Riders to their first win of IPL 2026.
Archer said he is focussed on "feeling good" at the moment.
Ben Stokes calls England's 4-1 Ashes loss his toughest phase as captain but vows to restore pride in the upcoming home Test summer, with ECB backing leadership.
England will rest Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Mark Wood for the three-match one-day international series against South Africa starting in Cape Town on February 4. Worcestershire seamer Pat Brown, Somerset batsman Tom Banton and the Lancashire pair of Matthew Parkinson and Saqib Mahmood received their maiden call-ups.
England all-rounder Ben Stokes says star pacer Jofra Archer needs full support of his teammates following his bio-secure protocol breach which led to his dropping from the ongoing second Test against the West Indies in Manchester. Archer will undergo two COVID-19 tests during a five-day isolation period after his unsanctioned trip to Brighton between the first and second Tests.
