Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, currently recovering from injury, visited the revered Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala with his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma, sporting a tonsured head that has sparked speculation among fans.
Sri Lanka Cricket XI's batters made India's bowlers toil as they piled up 363/8 on Day 1 of the Warm-up match at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo on Friday.
India put themselves course for a big win in the series opener after reducing Sri Lanka to 84/4 at stumps on day four of the first Test in Galle on Tuesday.
Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons has cautioned his team to expect a strong comeback from Australia in the second Test after their surprising nine-wicket victory in the series opener. Simmons emphasised the need for continued high performance, while Australia's captain Pat Cummins acknowledged their poor performance in the first match and confirmed team changes for the upcoming game in Mackay.
Punjab Kings all-rounder Shashank Singh is intensifying his bowling practice and rebuilding his fielding confidence during the off-season camp, aiming for an India call-up by excelling in his all-rounder role in the upcoming domestic season.
India spinner Shreyanka Patil opened up on how she nearly gave up cricket because of depression during a lengthy injury lay-off.
Saransh Jain, the 33-year-old Madhya Pradesh all-rounder, made his India Test debut against Sri Lanka, replacing the injured Kuldeep Yadav, a testament to his consistent domestic performances.
Former India spinner Murali Kartik has emphasised the need for consistency and a clearly defined role for Kuldeep Yadav in the Test side, especially as Ravindra Jadeja approaches the end of his career. Kartik believes Kuldeep, despite being a match-winner, has not received the sustained backing needed to flourish in Test cricket under previous regimes.
India set Sri Lanka a daunting target of 372 before reducing the hosts to 84-4 on day four of the opening Test in Galle on Tuesday, remaining firmly on course for victory.
Premier Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah will miss the upcoming two-Test tour of Sri Lanka due to a persistent knee injury.
Pacer Harshit Rana has joined the Indian ODI squad for the final match against Afghanistan in Chennai after recovering from a knee injury. Rana, who underwent surgery in February, missed the T20 World Cup and IPL due to the ligament strain. India has already secured the series with a 2-0 lead.
Yastika Bhatia made a remarkable comeback from an ACL injury, scoring a match-winning half-century against England in the first women's T20I. Bhatia's resilience and partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues led India to a 38-run victory.
'There's a lot of pressure on him, and there's a lot of pressure on this series as well, because it's crucial for India's chances in the WTC.'
Former India opener Wasim Jaffer believes K L Rahul performs best when not burdened by captaincy.
Sarfaraz Khan has been recalled to India's Test squad for the two-match away series against Sri Lanka, starting August 15, following an injury to Sai Sudharsan. This recall comes after two years of consistent performance and a significant physical transformation, including shedding 17kg.
Fast bowler Arshdeep Singh and actor-model Samreen Kaur have sparked fan speculation with their latest social media exchange, following their relationship going Instagram official.
Pakistan's top-order batter Shan Masood has been ruled out of the second and final Test against West Indies after fracturing his index finger during the first match, an injury sustained despite scoring a first-innings century.
As India awaits Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's senior debut, experts urge cricket to remember the 15-year-old is still a child, highlighting the challenges of balancing extraordinary talent, growing fame and emotional well-being.
Young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar's magnificent 10-wicket match haul and Devdutt Padikkal's century spearheaded India's dominant 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test, with skipper Shubman Gill praising Suthar's long-term potential for Indian cricket.
Bangladesh savoured their first taste of Test cricket in Australia for 23 years on Thursday as they skittled the world's top-ranked side for less than 200 and went to stumps in command at 96 for one on the first day of the series-opener in Darwin.
Devdutt Padikkal's childhood coach, Mohammad Naseeruddin, revealed the rigorous training regimen the cricketer underwent, including practising with Kookaburra balls on turning pitches, to prepare for the Sri Lankan spin attack ahead of the Test series.
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'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.
A significant communication breakdown between the Centre of Excellence's (CoE) sports science team and the senior national men's selection committee has been exposed by Jasprit Bumrah's unexpected absence from the Test series against Sri Lanka, alongside other player injury concerns.
Baramulla-born fast bowler Auqib Nabi has been selected for the Indian Test squad to play against Sri Lanka, replacing an injured Jasprit Bumrah. This marks a historic moment as Nabi becomes the first player from the Kashmir Valley to join India's Test team, following impressive performances in the Ranji Trophy.
Former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has expressed profound satisfaction with his decision to retire from international cricket, stating he has 'no regrets at all' after giving his '200 per cent' on the field. Rahane also revealed his openness to venturing into coaching or mentorship roles in the future, aiming to share his extensive experience globally.
M S Dhoni's appearance in Chennai has ignited fervent discussions among fans regarding the future of Chennai Super Kings.
Mumbai's Sarfaraz Khan was named as the replacement for the injured Sai Sudharsan for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, the BCCI announced on Sunday.
Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu shared her emotional journey with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal. She revealed the struggles of the past four years, including injuries, family problems, and the heartbreak of narrowly missing a Paris Olympics medal, which led to her tears on the podium.
A man was arrested in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, following the death of a 27-year-old who sustained a fatal head injury during a cricket match dispute. The victim, Rashid, was allegedly hit by Suhel with a bat.
West Indies captain Roston Chase admitted that his side likely made an error in team selection for the second Test against Pakistan, underestimating the pitch's early assistance for spin and regretting the decision to field only one frontline spinner.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam confirmed that Shan Masood fractured his finger during the first ICC World Test Championship match against the West Indies, contributing to Pakistan's 90-run defeat. The injury forced Masood to bat at No. 8, and Babar highlighted the team's top-order batting failures and lack of partnerships. West Indies' Justin Greaves was named Player of the Match for his five-wicket haul.
Former Bangladesh cricket captain Shakib Al Hasan's ancestral home was attacked with petrol bombs and smashed windows after he participated in an online media interaction where ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina vowed to return to Bangladesh despite facing a death sentence.
Josh Hazlewood's return completes Australia's 'Fab Four' bowling attack for the first Test against Bangladesh, marking their first reunion in over a year and setting the stage for a significant home series.
Indian cricket captain Shubman Gill shared his approach to handling pressure, focusing on controllable factors and avoiding external influences.
Indian spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule confirmed that captain Shubman Gill is fully prepared for the first Test against Sri Lanka, despite missing the initial days of the warm-up match due to a finger injury. Gill returned to score a quick 44, easing concerns and setting the stage for the upcoming two-match series.
Sri Lanka have gone more than a decade since their last Test match win against India, having last beaten them in the Galle Test in 2015.
With Kuldeep Yadav looking ineffective, India could look towards including off-spinner Saransh Jain in the playing XI in the second Test in Colombo, especially looking at three left-handers in the Sri Lankan top seven.
Ajinkya Rahane's retirement prompts a reflection on his remarkable career, marked by India's historic Gabba triumph, his quiet leadership, and a lingering question: was he an under-achiever or simply under-appreciated in the Indian cricketing ecosystem?
India finished Day 2 on 460/9 after rain restricted play to just two sessions in the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Sunday.
