India's vice-captain KL Rahul expressed his delight at the team's comprehensive 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle, stating that the team 'ticked most of the boxes' they had discussed prior to the match and gained significant confidence for future spin-dominated assignments.
Dhruv Jurel's unbeaten 115 against Sri Lanka, inspired by his 'Mamba Mentality' motto, showcased his disciplined approach to Test cricket, contrasting with Rishabh Pant's aggressive style while building a crucial 112-run partnership.
Dhruv Jurel on Sunday said he was not under any "pressure" despite failing to notch up a fifty in his last seven innings, and thanked head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill for giving him confidence during the lean phase.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed confidence in his team's readiness for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, starting August 15. Gambhir also welcomed new squad members Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi, emphasising the team's preparation for their first ICC World Test Championship assignment since a previous home defeat.
The BCCI has announced the schedule for the 2026-27 domestic cricket season, with the Ranji Trophy being played in two phases and the Duleep Trophy kicking things off in August.
Devdutt Padikkal scored his maiden Test hundred against Sri Lanka, attributing his success to a clear strategy against spin and a strong desire to convert big scores. He focused on developing specific plans for bowlers and maintaining full commitment to every shot, while also emphasising the importance of staying focused after reaching a century.
Top-order batter B Sai Sudharsan has not joined the Indian team in Colombo for their two-Test series against Sri Lanka due to a toe injury. He is undergoing recovery at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, with his availability for the series to be decided in the coming days.
As India prepares for their two-match Test series against Sri Lanka starting August 15, the team management faces critical decisions regarding their playing XI to bolster their World Test Championship 2027 final aspirations.
India captain Shubman Gill has indicated that Prasidh Krishna is likely to share the new ball with Mohammed Siraj in the upcoming first Test against Sri Lanka.
India secured a comprehensive victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test, improving their World Test Championship points percentage. However, despite the win, their path to the WTC final has become significantly more challenging, requiring them to win almost all their remaining matches due to a tightly packed table and other teams' results.
Former Australia Test stalwart Mike Hussey has indicated he would consider a batting coaching role with England for next year's Ashes series, following an 'off-the-cuff' approach from new England coach Stephen Fleming.
Sri Lankan cricket officials are considering a balanced pitch for the second Test against India at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), moving away from a spin-friendly track. This decision aims to provide equal opportunities for both batters and bowlers, similar to the Galle pitch, and support their young batting lineup. The SSC pitch character has evolved over the years, with less home advantage since the retirement of legendary players.
Indian batter Devdutt Padikkal, after scoring a magnificent maiden Test century against Sri Lanka in Galle, discussed the "slowish" nature of the wicket. He noted that the pitch aided left-handed batters against left-arm spinners and started turning significantly after the third day, contributing to India's 165-run victory.
Jammu and Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi earned his maiden call-up to the Indian team after he was named as Jasprit Bumrah's replacement for the upcoming two-match Test series in Sri Lanka.
A maiden Test century is never just about three figures. It is a reflection of patience, perseverance, self-belief and the courage to wait for the right moment.
India's spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule defended Kuldeep Yadav's performance in the first Test, stating he remains in the team's plans despite a modest outing.
India captain Shubman Gill on Friday spent considerable time fine-tuning his game against that variation at the team's training session ahead of the upcoming second Test against Sri Lanka, in Colombo.
Former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif criticised captain Shubman Gill for not giving spinner Kuldeep Yadav enough longer spells during the first Test against Sri Lanka, suggesting a lack of faith.
Former Indian cricketer Jacob Martin has been acquitted of all charges by the Patiala House Court in a 22-year-old criminal case involving allegations of forgery and passport act violations, bringing him significant relief after years of stress.
'All the young players might want to play the shorter format, but India should be looking to preserve him for the Test format.'
India's premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, has received clearance from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence to participate in the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka. Bumrah had been recovering from an impact injury sustained during the recent ODI series against England, which forced him to miss the third ODI. His return is crucial for India's World Test Championship aspirations.
According to former India coach Rahul Dravid, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's development must balance white-ball success with sustained red-ball exposure, giving the teenager time, patience and experience to eventually become a Test cricketer.
Harmanpreet Kaur says a winning culture is taking shape in the Indian women's cricket team as they prepare for the Asia Cup and Asian Games.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak clarified Kuldeep Yadav missed the second Test due to genuine viral fever, rejecting speculation that the team had any reason to fake illness.
Punjab Kings will hold a meeting with their players after Saturday's practice session in Dharamsala to brief them on the BCCI's new IPL guidelines and obtain signatures confirming compliance with the directives.
Teen batting star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored just eight runs on his Duleep Trophy debut for East Zone before Sudip Gharami and Shahbaz Ahmed hit hundreds to power them to 355 for 6 against North East.
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has achieved a rare feat in Test cricket, becoming only the fourth player in history to score over 4,000 runs and take 350 wickets. He joins an exclusive club alongside legends like Kapil Dev, Ian Botham, and Daniel Vettori, reaching the milestone during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar has issued a stern warning to the Indian team ahead of their crucial Test series against Sri Lanka.
Former Sri Lankan pacer Chaminda Vaas has called on cricket authorities to actively work towards preserving Test and 50-over formats, warning that they are 'dying' amidst the growing global preference for T20s and franchise leagues.
Saransh Jain, India's Test cap No. 320, prioritised red-ball cricket over an IPL contract, a decision lauded by his coach Chandrakant Pandit, which ultimately led to his Test debut against Sri Lanka.
India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak lauded the team's productive warm-up victory against Sri Lanka, highlighting strong performances from both batters and bowlers, including Shubman Gill's quick 44 and Devdutt Padikkal's unbeaten 142, which set a positive tone for the upcoming two-match Test series.
Uncapped off-spinner Saransh Jain has been named as the replacement for the injured Washington Sundar in India's Test squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, while the availability of key players Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan hinges on their fitness clearance.
India captain Shubman Gill has publicly supported Devdutt Padikkal amidst discussions about the team's number three batting position, emphasising the need for young players to develop. Gill also addressed the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, viewing it as an opportunity for other bowlers to step up and create pressure, especially on subcontinent pitches. He also praised Galle as a picturesque and historic venue for the upcoming 50th Test match.
The Income Tax Department in Mumbai has inducted 97 accomplished sportspersons under its sports quota, including cricketer Tejal Hasabnis and para shooter Akash, to strengthen its commitment to recognising sporting excellence and nurturing talent in public service.
The BCCI is considering stricter measures to ensure IPL teams adhere to decorum and maintain the league's image, following recent fines to Rajasthan Royals' Riyan Parag and Romi Bhinder. The board will also announce IPL 2026 playoff venues soon and review the Impact Player rule after the tournament.
Team India has brought in four young Indian spinners - Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Tanush Kotian, and Vipraj Nigam - to assist in net practice ahead of their two-Test series against Sri Lanka, despite already having four spinners in their main squad.
India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak lauded Devdutt Padikkal for his maiden international century against Sri Lanka, highlighting his dedicated work on back foot play and shot selection. Kotak also provided an update on vice-captain KL Rahul, who retired hurt due to cramps but is expected to be fit for the next day's play. The coach further discussed the Galle pitch conditions, anticipating more turn as the Test progresses, and praised Rahul's versatility across formats.
Indian batter Devdutt Padikkal scored his maiden Test century against Sri Lanka in Galle, becoming the second Indian, and first Test centurion, to achieve this feat on Independence Day, joining Virat Kohli in an elite list.
India vice-captain KL Rahul said Manav Suthar's impressive ability to vary his speed without noticeable change in action, and unerring accuracy make the young left-arm spinner a massive threat across the conditions.
India secured their three-match Twenty20 international series against Zimbabwe with a dominant 90-run victory in the second match at Harare Sports Club, marking new T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer's first series win.
