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.
The umbrella of 'inexperience' or 'reset' is merely an excuse. Team India's think-tank will have to admit that this is experimentation without a roadmap, points out K R Nayar.
India captain Shreyas Iyer addressed the media ahead of the T20I series opener against England, discussing team selection, particularly the potential debut of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Iyer emphasised the importance of backing experienced players who won the T20 World Cup and reflected on India's recent series loss to Ireland, highlighting lessons learned for the upcoming challenging series in England.
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's squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka is expected to be announced next week, with fitness concerns surrounding pace leader Jasprit Bumrah.
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.
India has lost its position as the world's No. 1 T20I team to England, ending a reign of over 1,600 days. This shift follows India's recent disappointing performances, including series defeats to Ireland and a crushing 4-0 loss to England, who secured the top spot with a dominant series win culminating in a strong performance in Southampton.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has expressed his bewilderment at the continuous criticism directed towards Gautam Gambhir since he assumed the role of national head coach, acknowledging that Gambhir's direct approach might not appeal to everyone.
Indian batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi acknowledges a period of 'several ups and downs' over the past four months but asserts his confidence remains high as he prepares for the T20I series against Zimbabwe.
India captain Shreyas Iyer has urged his team to play fearless cricket in the upcoming T20 series against Zimbabwe, despite a recent winless tour of England. He emphasised learning from past setbacks, adapting to new conditions, and focusing on team unity to overcome challenges.
Ajinkya Rahane has backed Rohit Sharma to play for India at the 2027 ODI World Cup, urging the BCCI to give the veteran opener clarity over his future.
Cricket South Africa has revised the India women's team tour schedule to include three T20Is, a Test, and three ODIs, extending the tour until December 30.
Glenn Phillips completed his maiden Test century as New Zealand punished a wayward England attack to pile on the runs on the second day of the second Test at the Oval in London on Thursday.
Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald has announced that the team will forgo traditional practice matches before their upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy Test series in India, opting instead for a short preparatory camp in sub-continental conditions. This strategic decision aims to better acclimatise players for the challenging Indian pitches.
India's interim head coach VVS Laxman on Sunday said Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's game awareness has "skyrocketed" in the last six months, with the teenage batting sensation's growing maturity helping him handle pressure situations in the early stages of his international career.
India skipper Shubman Gill has shed light on the team's meticulous approach to player fitness, explaining that while constant monitoring is in place, risk-avoiding decisions are sometimes necessary, especially in the demanding format of Test cricket, to protect both the player and the team's long-term interests.
India will tour Ireland for a T20I series in June, preceding their white-ball tour of England. This series is part of Ireland's preparation for the upcoming summer and follows Paul Stirling's decision to step down as T20I captain.
Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed his profound disappointment and frustration after India suffered a heavy nine-wicket defeat to England in the fourth T20I in Bristol, securing an unassailable 3-0 lead for the hosts in the five-match series. Tharoor described the loss as "one humiliation too many."
Shubman Gill, India's Test captain, expresses comfort with his leadership role and highlights the team's progress. He acknowledges the challenge of qualifying for the World Test Championship final, requiring significant wins in upcoming matches. Gill also discusses the honour of leading India in its 600th Test and shares insights on playing conditions in Sri Lanka.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi returned to his natural game to produce a match-winning performance against Sri Lanka A in Dambulla on Sunday.
Suryakumar Yadav, despite being stripped of T20I captaincy and dropped from the squad, can still make a comeback to the Indian side if he consistently performs in domestic cricket, according to a BCCI source.
India will look to seal the ODI series against Afghanistan while continuing to test combinations for the 2027 World Cup, with Kuldeep Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal among those pushing for opportunities in the second match.
Legendary cricketer Ian Chappell has strongly criticised Australian selectors following their nine-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test at Darwin, demanding significant changes to the team's selection process and personnel.
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.
Following India's dominant T20I victory over Zimbabwe, social media erupted with fan discussions, with many attributing the team's relaxed performance to Gautam Gambhir's absence and V V S Laxman's oversight, while others cautioned against overreacting to a single match.
The Oval in London has been confirmed as the venue for the 2027 ICC World Test Championship Final, scheduled from June 9-13. This marks the second time The Oval will host the final, having previously done so in 2023. Nine teams are currently competing in the ongoing WTC cycle, with Australia leading the standings, followed by South Africa and New Zealand, as the race intensifies with crucial upcoming 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.
Virat Kohli, who debuted 18 years ago, has amassed over 28,000 international runs and 85 centuries, establishing himself as one of cricket's all-time greats with numerous unmatched records across all formats.
Mohammed Siraj is poised to lead India's pace attack in the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, stepping into the crucial role in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.
Rahmat Shah has been appointed as the new Test and ODI captain for the Afghanistan national cricket team, replacing Hashmatullah Shahidi. Shah, who previously served as vice-captain, will lead the team alongside Rahmanullah Gurbaz as vice-captain, starting with the upcoming series against Ireland. Shahidi's tenure saw significant victories and milestones for Afghan cricket, including strong performances in the 2023 World Cup.
Persistent rain limited play to fewer than 10 overs on Day 3 at Lord's, but Ollie Robinson struck twice to leave New Zealand struggling at 55/5 in pursuit of a 254-run target against England
Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has lauded young Indian batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, highlighting his courage, mental strength, and ability to perform under pressure. Hayden believes the 15-year-old has the potential to excel in both short and long formats of cricket, despite his recent T20I and IPL successes. Sooryavanshi's impressive performances, including a Player of the Series award in T20Is and a record-breaking IPL season, underscore his immense talent.
England's Harry Brook and India's Shreyas Iyer have made significant advancements in the ICC Men's T20I Player Rankings, with Brook entering the top 10 and Iyer rocketing 62 spots.
KL Rahul's patient half-century in the Galle Test against Sri Lanka highlights his evolving role as a consistent and strategic anchor for the Indian team. Despite a slower strike rate, his ability to stonewall spinners and build partnerships has been crucial, earning praise from coaches and teammates. This performance underscores his growing importance, especially after the departure of senior batters, as he aims to make a significant impact in the current Test series.
The India A men's team is set to host Australia A for a shadow tour in September-October, featuring two four-day 'Test' matches and three List A games, as announced by the BCCI. The board also released a comprehensive schedule for men's and women's age-group and pathways teams, including series for the senior women's side.
Virat Kohli is progressing well after the hamstring injury suffered during the IPL final and will report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence on June 22 for re-evaluation, with fitness clearance expected after a test in Bengaluru.
England batters Joe Root and Ben Duckett have made significant advancements in the ICC Men's ODI Player Rankings following their instrumental performances in England's first ODI series victory over India since 2018.
The Indian cricket team faces a significant selection challenge regarding the inclusion of 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, especially after recent losses to Ireland. The article explores various scenarios and opinions, including Sunil Gavaskar's strong recommendation, on how to integrate Sooryavanshi into the playing XI for the upcoming T20 series against England without disrupting the team's balance.
India's new-look T20 squad, led by Shreyas Iyer and mentored by interim coach VVS Laxman, secured a dominant 3-0 series sweep against Zimbabwe. Both Iyer and Laxman praised each other's contributions, highlighting Iyer's leadership and Laxman's inspiring guidance in the team's success.
Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne is 'extremely optimistic and well-prepared' for the upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, believing that runs will flow if he trusts his game, despite a recent drought of Test centuries.
