The BCCI is arranging short-term county cricket contracts for talented Indian pacers like Auqib Nabi to prepare them for future international tours, specifically eyeing India's Test series in New Zealand. This initiative aims to provide red-ball experience and exposure to different conditions.
New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell will move to a casual contract for the 2026-27 season to pursue an opportunity in Australia's Big Bash League, the country's cricket board (NZC) announced.
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer has expressed surprise and concern over Yashasvi Jaiswal's decision to take up wicket-keeping at 24, advising the Test opener to instead focus on his primary skill of batting, especially with India's New Zealand tour approaching.
Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin believes that a strong performance by Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand could pave his way back into the Indian ODI team and secure a spot for the next year's 50-over World Cup. Ashwin highlighted Bhuvneshwar's unique ability to swing the ball and his decent pace as crucial assets, especially in conditions like South Africa and Australia. He also stressed the importance of the pacer maintaining his fitness.
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.
Mumbai has announced its 16-member squad for the upcoming Ranji Trophy Elite Group D match against Himachal Pradesh, featuring Suryansh Shedge and Angkrish Raghuvanshi. The team will see significant changes in its top order and overall composition due to injuries to vice-captain Ayush Mhatre and Shardul Thakur, as well as Yashasvi Jaiswal's commitment to the India 'A' team. Raghuvanshi and Divyaansh Saxena are expected to form a new opening partnership.
Rohit Sharma credits meticulous preparation, studying opposition bowlers and mental strength for handling pressure, while maintaining strong ODI form ahead of India's upcoming New Zealand and Sri Lanka series.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has defended its decision to launch a domestic T20 competition, NZ20, over joining Australia's Big Bash League, stating it considered a range of expert opinions beyond a single Deloitte report.
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.
Amit Mishra claims Virat Kohli assured him of an India comeback after injury but never responded, despite the leg-spinner regaining full fitness.
A 22-year-old man, Avdeep Singh, allegedly shot dead his 30-year-old stepfather, Navjot, at his car service centre in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh. The murder, which occurred on October 10, was reportedly motivated by Avdeep's resentment over his 49-year-old mother Kamal Kaur's decision to remarry after her first husband's death. Avdeep, who had returned from New Zealand, conspired with his cousin Rajandeep Singh, 23. Both accused were arrested within 48 hours, and police recovered the car and weapons used in the crime.
Former England all-rounder Samit Patel lauded Indian cricket stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, highlighting Kohli's mastery in run chases and Rohit's explosive batting and leadership. Patel also shared his 'Fab Four' picks and predicted semi-finalists for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill will miss Punjab's opening Ranji Trophy match against Assam. While the official reason for his absence is not stated, he is expected to feature in the team's second game against Chhattisgarh. This aligns with the national selection committee's directive for international players to participate in domestic cricket.
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.
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer wants Mohammed Shami back in India's ODI team, backing a Bumrah-Shami-Siraj pace attack ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak explained the recall of veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar to India's T20I squad for the New Zealand series, citing his experience and strong IPL performances. Kotak also addressed questions regarding Mohammed Shami's absence and the reported involvement of VVS Laxman in selection meetings, while discussing India's ongoing winning streak and bench strength development.
Ravichandran Ashwin discusses Bhuvneshwar Kumar's recall to the T20I squad, attributing it to his consistent IPL performance without chasing rewards. He also touches upon Mohammed Shami's potential comeback, his relationships with Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli, and predicts India and South Africa as strong contenders for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Former Chennai Super Kings bowling coach Eric Simons and fielding coach James Foster have departed the IPL franchise to join England's Test team's backroom staff, following Stephen Fleming's appointment as the national side's head coach.
Sanju Samson smashed 56 off 22 balls to join India's 100-six T20I club as the team became the second nation to cross 2,000 sixes in the format.
India A faces Australia A in the second unofficial One-Day International, aiming to bounce back after a significant loss in the opener. Key players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devdutt Padikkal, and Sai Sudharsan are under pressure to perform, while Suryansh Shedge emerged as a promising all-rounder for India A.
India vice-captain Deepti Sharma expressed her readiness to support skipper Smriti Mandhana in her new role, ahead of the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe starting Friday. Sharma also discussed the team's strategy to aim for high scores on a batting-friendly pitch and cautioned against underestimating the Zimbabwean side.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his three-nation tour in New Zealand, where he and his counterpart Christopher Luxon elevated bilateral ties to a strategic partnership. The visit focused on doubling trade by 2030 and expanding cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, marking the first visit by an Indian PM in 40 years.
The second T20I between India and West Indies in Ranchi is expected to be heavily influenced by dew, making the toss crucial, while the pitch is set to favour batsmen. Local fans are also eagerly anticipating the performance of Jharkhand's own Ishan Kishan.
Gautam Gambhir visited Guwahati's Kamakhya temple before meeting selectors to discuss India's New Zealand tour squads, as the team prepared to seal the ODI series against West Indies.
The Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season is set to begin on Sunday, featuring several prominent India cricketers like KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Their participation aims to provide valuable red-ball practice and fine-tune skills, while also offering a platform for players like Mohammed Shami to impress selectors. The tournament will also highlight emerging young talents from various states.
Leading Australian women cricketers and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) are urging Cricket Australia (CA) to schedule more matches during the peak summer months, arguing the current calendar is hindering the team's growth and missing opportunities to build on the sport's development.
Indian pacer Navdeep Saini has voiced strong support for Mohammed Shami's return to the national team, highlighting Shami's consistent hard work and performances in domestic cricket. Saini also drew inspiration from Bhuvneshwar Kumar's recent recall for the T20I series against New Zealand, seeing it as proof that consistent performance can lead to a comeback.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir paid tribute to outgoing chief selector Ajit Agarkar, acknowledging his role in India's three ICC trophy wins during his tenure. Agarkar's term ended on Tuesday, and he did not seek an extension, with Pragyan Ojha stepping in as interim chief selector.
Jasprit Bumrah ranked third in Jos Buttler and Stuart Broad's top 10 bowlers of the 21st century, ahead of Glenn McGrath and Muttiah Muralitharan, behind Warne and Anderson.
Punjab captain Uday Saharan scored an unbeaten 106 to guide his team to 269 for four against Chhattisgarh on Day 1 of their Ranji Trophy match. This came after India skipper Shubman Gill was dismissed for just one run. In another match, Manvanth Kumar's 86 not out helped Karnataka recover against Saurashtra.
Indian skipper Shreyas Iyer has assured young talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi that opportunities will come if he remains consistent, while also reflecting on India's high-scoring T20I series against West Indies, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Scott Boland struck twice in successive deliveries to reduce South Africa to 20 for two on a rain-hit opening day, giving Australia the early advantage in the second Test.
Indian men's hockey coach Craig Fulton discusses the team's recent successes, including defending the Asian Games gold and securing direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He surprisingly rates the Paris Olympics bronze medal as his most satisfying achievement, highlighting the team's strategic planning and resilience. Fulton also outlines the team's future transition plans, focusing on upcoming tournaments and developing new talent for LA 2028.
Spain's Eugenio Chacarra won the DP World India Championship at the Delhi Golf Club by two shots, finishing 21-under 267. His victory, achieved despite a broken toe, showcased strategic course management and precise play. This win strengthens his bid for the Race to Dubai crown against top players like Patrick Reed and Rory McIlroy, marking another significant achievement in his career resurgence.
Former India batter Suresh Raina has lauded seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return to the Indian T20I side after a four-year hiatus, praising his discipline, hard work, and resilience as 'truly inspiring'.
India internationals KL Rahul and Prasidh Krishna have been named in Karnataka's squad for their Ranji Trophy season opener against Andhra. Rahul is expected to play to prepare for the New Zealand Test tour, while Prasidh's participation is uncertain due to injury. The squad, led by Ravichandran Smaran, also sees a new coaching staff and a new sponsorship deal for Karnataka teams.
Pakistan captain Sahibzada Farhan set a new record for the most runs in a bilateral three-match men's T20I series with 238 runs, despite his side suffering an eight-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka in the final match in Rawalpindi. Farhan scored his third consecutive half-century, surpassing India's Abhishek Sharma's previous record.
This week's OTT releases offer a diverse selection across various streaming platforms.
New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra is a doubtful starter for the upcoming T20 series against India due to a dislocated shoulder sustained during a promotional shoot. While initial medical assessments show no major structural damage, his return depends on rehabilitation. New Zealand Cricket and coach Rob Walter have indicated they will not rush his recovery, especially with a demanding schedule ahead.
Spanish golfer Eugenio Chacarra won the DP World India Championship by two shots at the Delhi Golf Club, marking his third DP World Tour title of the season and moving him to the top of the Race to Dubai rankings. Anirban Lahiri was the best Indian finisher at tied 23rd, attributing his performance to a lack of competitive golf. Yuvraj Sandhu finished tied 34th, reflecting on his maturing season.
