Twenty-year-old Karnataka all-rounder Niki Prasad made her senior India debut in the first T20I against Zimbabwe in Raipur on Friday.
India's fast bowling coach Morne Morkel has acknowledged the difficulties faced by bowlers on flat pitches in the T20I series against West Indies, where high scores have been common. He advised his bowlers to learn from the experience, make smart decisions under pressure, and praised young pacer Prince Yadav for his skill and calm demeanour in tough situations.
Veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been added to India's squad for the series-deciding fifth and final T20I against the West Indies as cover for the injured Arshdeep Singh, marking his return to T20I cricket after four years.
Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara and ex-assistant coach Abhishek Nayar have offered critical insights into India's recent T20I series defeat against England, highlighting issues with middle-order depth, all-rounders, poor fielding, and struggles against short balls.
Ravichandran Ashwin backs in-form West Indies skipper Shai Hope for an IPL contract, identifying defending champions RCB as a potential fit despite concerns over overseas combinations and batting position.
Ishan Kishan has ascended to the No.1 spot in the ICC T20I batting rankings, surpassing Abhishek Sharma after strong performances, including at the T20 World Cup. Jasprit Bumrah now leads the Test bowling rankings, while Travis Head is the top Test batter. The latest ICC rankings also show significant movements for other players across T20I and Test formats.
India may turn to Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav for the series-deciding T20I against West Indies as they look to strengthen their bowling attack.
India's new T20I captain Shreyas Iyer reflected on the team's disastrous series losses to Ireland and England, admitting they failed to adapt to English conditions. Despite the setbacks, Iyer views the experience as a crucial learning opportunity for himself as a leader and for the team, especially concerning future overseas tours and World Cup preparations. He highlighted the need for better adaptation, improved fielding, and strategic team combinations.
Former national selector Saba Karim has called on the BCCI to thoroughly examine the Indian team management's role, including Head Coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shreyas Iyer, following the back-to-back T20I series defeats against Ireland and England.
'There is nothing for the bowlers and it's killing the game.'
West Indies captain Shai Hope has continued his exceptional form against India, scoring his fourth century and fifth fifty-plus score in seven innings during the ongoing tour. His consistent 'Player of the Match' performances have been crucial, with the series now level at 2-2 heading into the decider on October 17 in Bengaluru. Hope also reflected on the challenging pitch conditions during their recent win.
Sanju Samson has been dropped from the Indian T20I squad for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe, making way for Punjab Kings' wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh.
India captain Shreyas Iyer called back Arshdeep Singh after the pacer was struck on the shoulder by a Shamar Joseph bouncer in the final over of the fourth T20I against the West Indies in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir visited the Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain to offer prayers ahead of the team's third T20 International against the West Indies in Indore, with the five-match series currently level at 1-1.
Shai Hope's explosive 45-ball century led the West Indies to a six-wicket win over India after they chased down 250 in 18.3 overs to level the five-match T20I series 1-1.
India handed T20I debuts to Suryansh Shedge and Prince Yadav in the second T20I against Ireland, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continued to wait for his senior debut as Shreyas Iyer opted to bowl first in Belfast.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the surprise inclusion in the Indian team for the upcoming T20I series in New Zealand starting later this month.
India defeated West Indies by 14 runs in Indore to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match Twenty20 International series. Chasing 224, West Indies fell short despite efforts from Shimron Hetmyer, with Arshdeep Singh being India's top bowler. India's innings was powered by Abhishek Sharma's explosive 69.
Raipur is set to host all three matches of the India-Zimbabwe women's T20I series from October 16 to 20 at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, with ticket sales opening on October 12.
India's team management is considering pairing Vaibhav Sooryavanshi with Abhishek Sharma for the second T20I against West Indies due to Sanju Samson's poor form. While the middle-order has performed well, Samson's consistent low scores are a concern. The article also discusses potential changes in the pace bowling combination and the West Indies' need for a higher total.
Smriti Mandhana has been appointed captain of the Indian women's cricket team for both T20I and ODI formats, with Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma named vice-captains respectively. This follows Harmanpreet Kaur's decision to step down. The squads for the upcoming home series against Zimbabwe have also been announced, featuring new inclusions and notable exclusions due to injury.
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.
India captain Shreyas Iyer hailed his bowlers for making the most of the lively conditions here on Thursday and said the comprehensive victory over Zimbabwe in the opening T20I would give his side the confidence it needs for the remainder of the series.
Gautam Gambhir, head coach of the Indian men's cricket team, celebrated his 45th birthday on Wednesday. Former teammates Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina, along with BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla, extended their wishes. Gambhir is currently with the team in Hyderabad for the fourth T20I against West Indies, where India aims to seal the series.
Sanju Samson heads into the second T20I against England with his place under the spotlight, as teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi waits in the wings after another underwhelming outing from the India opener.
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.
Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar lauded Shreyas Iyer's maiden T20I century against the West Indies, stating it came at an 'important time' and signalled the Indian skipper's return to his best form after a challenging period with the bat.
Abhishek Sharma's explosive 69 runs off 30 balls propelled India to a 14-run victory against the West Indies in the third T20I, giving them a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. Sharma also discussed his batting partnership with Ishan Kishan and the importance of preparation.
India opener Abhishek Sharma discusses his strategic approach to batting against West Indies bowlers, which led to his match-winning 69 runs in the third T20I. He explains how he adapted to their field placements and bowling plans, contributing to India's 14-run victory and a 2-1 series lead. Sharma also touched upon India's ruthless mindset, the performance of Naman Dhir, and his partnership with Ishan Kishan.
New Zealand batters Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes have been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against India due to injuries, with Josh Clarkson and Blair Tickner named as replacements.
India all-rounder Naman Dhir made an impressive T20I debut, contributing significantly with his off-spin bowling to help India secure a win against West Indies. Despite his bowling success, Dhir, whose primary strength is batting, is eager for an opportunity to showcase his skills with the bat. He credited the IPL for preparing him for international cricket and expressed his joy at fulfilling his dream of representing India.
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.
Suresh Raina said Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return to the national squad the reward of hard work, discipline and consistent performances in domestic cricket.
Cricket legend Kapil Dev has cautioned against creating 'excessive hype' around 15-year-old Indian cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, drawing parallels with Vinod Kambli's career, and urged the media to give the young talent time to develop.
Pacer Keemo Paul discusses how West Indies bowlers effectively used slow balls on a gripping pitch and the absence of dew to secure a 24-run victory over India in the fourth T20I on Wednesday. He also highlighted captain Shai Hope's crucial century and strong team planning as key factors in their success.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi batted in his inimitable style before being dismissed for 14 off 10 balls on his international debut in the Twenty20 International match against England on Saturday.
West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein acknowledges India as a "very dangerous" side ahead of the upcoming five-match T20I series. He discusses the challenges of bowling in the powerplay against India's strong batting lineup and emphasizes the importance of planning, execution, and sticking to effective strategies, aided by data. Hosein asserts that the West Indies team is ready for the challenge and will not back down.
India captain Shreyas Iyer defended leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi after his expensive 29-run over proved pivotal in India's four-wicket defeat to England in the second T20I. Iyer acknowledged the momentum shift but refused to pinpoint blame, while England's Jacob Bethell was lauded for his match-winning unbeaten 76.
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'.
Harmanpreet Kaur's career has been defined by landmark innings, record-breaking longevity and milestones that have mirrored the rise of Indian women's cricket.
