Sanju Samson discusses how the Indian cricket team is maintaining focus and team spirit despite incessant rains disrupting their training and matches in Japan ahead of the Asia Games semifinal. He highlights the team's constant meetings and gym sessions to stay "switched on" and ready for the crucial match against Sri Lanka, while also acknowledging the depth of Indian cricket talent.
Virtual Eye will now provide the full suite of DRS technology to assist umpires and enhance the viewing experience during India's tour of New Zealand involving five T20Is, five ODIs and two Tests.
West Indies head coach Daren Sammy acknowledged the financial challenges leading to player pay cuts, stating it's "not what you want to hear before a series." He also highlighted the team's need for greater bowling discipline, especially after failing to defend a 405-run target against India, and reflected on missed opportunities to score higher in the second ODI.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) are reportedly dissatisfied with the arrangements and facilities for the upcoming Asian Games cricket tournament in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Concerns include inadequate dressing rooms, distant washrooms, and small hotel rooms. As a result, India might send a 'B' team instead of the previously announced full-strength squad, pending a report from a BCCI observer.
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's men's cricket team, despite being full strength, faces a rusty start and weather challenges in their Asian Games semifinal against a second-string Sri Lanka. Heavy rain has hampered their practice, and while the forecast for the semifinal is clear, the final could be affected. India, as top-ranked, will progress if the match is washed out, highlighting the impact of weather on the tournament.
New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell has attributed India's 2-0 lead in the ongoing T20I series to their exceptional death bowling. Bracewell noted that the Indian bowlers effectively built pressure in the final overs, preventing the Black Caps from posting higher totals despite high-scoring games. He acknowledged the challenge posed by India's in-form openers and highlighted the need for New Zealand to deliver a complete performance to turn the tide.
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.
The Indian women's cricket team secured a gold medal at the Asian Games by defeating Sri Lanka in the final. Opener Shafali Verma played a crucial all-round role, scoring 48 runs and taking two wickets. Verma expressed immense pride in representing the nation and celebrating the victory.
Fraser Stewart, Head of Cricket at MCC, expressed concern over cricketers retiring early from Tests for franchise T20 leagues but acknowledged players' desire for higher earnings with less play. He also welcomed the ICC's decision to trial pink balls in day-time Tests to mitigate fading light issues and boost spectator interest.
Anvay Dravid, son of cricket legend Rahul Dravid, has been appointed captain of the Karnataka U-19 team for the upcoming Vinoo Mankad Trophy. The wicketkeeper-batter recently played for India U-19 and will lead his state in the one-day tournament in Visakhapatnam, scheduled from October 8-16.
Suresh Raina backed the young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to play Test cricket in the future but is not sure if his coaches or IPL team owners want him to pursue red-ball cricket at this stage of his career.
As the cycle enters a crucial phase, the teams now look to strengthen their case for a top-two finish.
The International Cricket Council has announced that India will host the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy from February 14 to 28, with matches scheduled in Mumbai and Vadodara. Sri Lanka was originally slated to host but was replaced due to ongoing governance issues in its cricket board. Six top women's teams will compete in this landmark tournament.
Krunal Pandya has been appointed captain of the seven-member India squad for the Hong Kong Sixes, replacing Bhuvneshwar Kumar who was recalled to the national team. Kulwant Khejroliya will join the squad as Bhuvneshwar's replacement for the tournament scheduled from October 30 to November 1.
The Indian cricket team is set to face New Zealand in the third T20 International on Tuesday, aiming for a series-clinching victory. The match, held in Wellington, will test India's bowling attack, particularly Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and the team's ability to handle challenging conditions and a resilient New Zealand side.
India achieved a respectable fourth-place finish in the Asian Games medals tally, securing 85 medals including 21 gold, driven by a significant late surge in boxing, archery, wrestling, and hockey, despite initial setbacks in shooting and athletics.
Former India cricketer Vinod Kambli has released a video from an elderly care centre in Thane, Mumbai, assuring fans about his health and recovery and expressing gratitude for their support.
Skipper Shreyas Iyer lauded all-rounder Naman Dhir for his crucial role in India's record-breaking 226-run chase against New Zealand in the first T20I. Iyer highlighted Dhir's versatility and calm demeanour under pressure. Sanju Samson's explosive start and the team's adaptation to changing pitch conditions were also key factors in India's highest-ever T20 chase.
India's bowling coach Morne Morkel has offered a unique piece of advice to the Test specialists preparing to face the challenging wind conditions at Wellington's Basin Reserve: 'Stand near a powerful fan to counter the speedy wind.' This unconventional preparation aims to help players adapt to the 120 kmph winds prevalent in 'Windy Wellington,' which can significantly impact batting and bowling.
New Zealand all-rounder Glenn Phillips acknowledged India's successful chase of 226 in the first T20I, attributing their win to strong execution and adaptation. Phillips highlighted areas for improvement for his team, specifically the need to take more wickets in the middle overs and enhance fielding performance, despite defending their overall effort.
Mumbai all-rounder Suryansh Shedge is a strong contender for India's ODI squad for the New Zealand tour, following impressive performances against Australia A. His recent form, coupled with injury concerns for other all-rounders like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Hardik Pandya, makes him an attractive option for the expanded squad needed due to a tight schedule.
Virat Kohli, after becoming the second batter to reach 15,000 ODI runs and scoring his 55th century, stated his primary motivation is team victory, not personal milestones.
Former Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin has lauded young batter Tilak Varma for his composed match-winning knock against New Zealand in the second T20I, expressing his strong desire to see Varma represent India in Test cricket.
Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya has lauded Indian teen cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, calling him a 'different kind of talent' and the 'future for India', despite his recent exclusion from the playing XI against Afghanistan.
Tilak Varma, despite his white-ball success, expresses a strong desire to play Test cricket for India, considering red-ball cricket his true strength. He discusses the challenges of balancing international white-ball commitments with domestic red-ball opportunities and his eagerness to participate in the Duleep Trophy final amidst a tight schedule.
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.
Mohammed Shami remains determined to reclaim his India place after another snub, prioritising a full domestic season, consistent performances and skill development ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Pacers Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj have been included in India's Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against New Zealand. Shreyas Iyer will captain the team in the final two ODIs, while Shubman Gill focuses on red-ball cricket. The article also lists the full ODI and Test squads, with the Test series starting on November 19.
All-rounder Suryansh Shedge has been named as a replacement for the injured Hardik Pandya in the India A squad for the upcoming three-match one-day series against Australia A in Puducherry, with Pandya ruled out due to a fresh injury concern preventing him from bowling pain-free.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia announced that Centre of Excellence (CoE) head VVS Laxman will now attend all future senior selection panel meetings to improve communication between selectors and the CoE.
Former India fast bowler Parvinder Awana has been appointed as the chairman of the newly constituted BCCI junior selection committee. The Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) also named Krishna Das, Rakesh Patel, and N. Arjun Yadav as members, with a fifth member to be announced soon. The committee members bring extensive experience from their playing careers and coaching roles at various levels.
Ahead of their crucial Hockey World Cup 2026 clash, the traditional India-Pakistan hockey rivalry faces an unusual question: will the teams shake hands? This comes after a similar debate in cricket. While the historical record is close, India has dominated recent encounters, winning decisively in the 2023 Asian Games and Pro League.
Former India player Cheteshwar Pujara believes that consistency is 'overrated' for top-order batters in T20 cricket, expressing confidence in Sanju Samson's ability to regain form with a single impactful innings.
India U-19 cricket team defeated Australia by 10 wickets on day three of the second Youth Test in Ahmedabad, securing a 2-0 series victory. Left-arm spinner Tanmay Baloda was the star performer, taking an impressive 14 wickets in the match, including 8/41 in the second innings. Australia were bowled out for 151, setting India a target of just 11 runs, which they chased down quickly.
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.
Former Pakistan pacer Sohail Tanvir has expressed his excitement for the India-Pakistan clash in the 2027 ICC Men's ODI World Cup, emphasising the importance of quality cricket. He highlighted the immense pressure from fans in such encounters, drawing from his own experiences of thriving under pressure while playing against India, including in the IPL and on bilateral tours. The article also notes the historical head-to-head record and details of the upcoming 2027 World Cup fixture.
Smriti Mandhana will lead the Indian women's T20 team in a three-match series against Zimbabwe in Raipur, marking the start of a new era. The series is crucial for India to address their T20 weaknesses in batting, fielding, and bowling, especially after recent World Cup exits, while Zimbabwe looks to build on their recent success.
East Zone skipper Ishan Kishan has lauded veteran pacer Mohammed Shami's unwavering hunger and motivation to make a comeback to the Indian cricket team. Shami's impressive performance in the Duleep Trophy semifinal, where he took five wickets, has convinced Kishan that age is just a number when it comes to the 36-year-old's drive to succeed.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak lauded openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma for their 'power, talent, intent' and exceptional mental control, highlighting their fearless approach despite social media pressure.
