South African pace bowler Kagiso Rabada is in contention to play in the first Test against Australia, starting Friday, despite a recent hamstring injury, with a final decision expected at the last minute.
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.
Nic Maddinson has been added to Australia's Test squad for the series against South Africa, marking a significant comeback over a year after undergoing treatment for testicular cancer. He joins reserve wicketkeeper Sam Harper, as Josh Inglis is out with a fractured finger and Cameron Green is being monitored for an abdominal strain. Maddinson, who last played a Test in 2016, has shown strong form recently, including a century in the One-Day Cup.
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.
Cancer survivor Nic Maddinson returned to Test cricket after battling testicular cancer, but Marco Jansen dismissed the Australian opener for a duck against South Africa.
The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad received a bomb threat email during an India Under-19 vs Australia Under-19 cricket match, with the sender claiming association with the 'Khalistan National Army' and also warning of blasts at upcoming Diljit Dosanjh concerts.
India's leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has announced his retirement from first-class cricket, concluding his career after playing his final match for Northamptonshire at Lord's. Despite a successful white-ball career for India, Chahal never achieved his dream of a Test cap, reflecting on his journey with gratitude and acknowledging the lessons learned from the red-ball format.
Veteran Australian pace bowler Scott Boland delivered a stellar performance in his first Test since January, taking 4-31 against South Africa in Gqeberha, leaving the hosts struggling at 97 for 5 and giving Australia a strong advantage in the series.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza has confirmed his decision to retire after the 2027 ODI World Cup, stating that his country's potential entry into the World Test Championship (WTC) for the 2027-30 cycle will not alter his plans. He believes WTC entry will significantly boost Zimbabwe's cricketing growth and also discussed the challenges of home advantage for the 2027 World Cup and highlighted promising young talents.
Former India batter Wasim Jaffer believes Virat Kohli's sudden Test retirement in May 2025 stemmed from bitterness over how the situation was handled, suggesting the star player could have continued in the format.
Josh Hazlewood claimed 6-49 as Australia crushed South Africa by 214 runs at Kingsmead, dismissing the hosts for 206 to take a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series.
Following South Africa's defeat in the 1st Test in Durban on Tuesday, October 13, Herschelle Gibbs wants Kagiso Rabada back, Marques Ackerman included and Ryan Rickelton moved down the order to keep wickets in the 2nd Test.
India completed their 600th Test with a 165-run win over Sri Lanka. Here's how India evolved from early struggles into a modern Test cricket powerhouse.
South Africa's pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada will miss the first Test against Australia due to a hamstring injury, with captain Temba Bavuma confirming the team will field two spinners, Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj, for the Durban match.
South Africa's fast bowler Anrich Nortje is on the verge of a surprising return to Test cricket after nearly four years, potentially bolstering an injury-hit Proteas attack against Australia in the first Test starting Friday in Durban.
France and Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe has been diagnosed with a hyperextension of his left knee after being forced off during a Nations League match against Turkey. He has returned to Real Madrid for treatment and assessment, casting doubt on his immediate playing future.
India's women's football team, the Blue Tigresses, will play two international friendlies against 27th-ranked Russia in Kolkata. These matches serve as a crucial test for India's young squad, with an average age of 23, as they prepare for next year's AFC Women's Asian Cup. Head coach Crispin Chettri views this as an opportunity for emerging players to prove themselves against a stronger opponent.
Indian footballer Jay Gupta expresses his hopes that the upcoming friendly matches against five-time world champions Brazil and Uruguay will ignite a revolution for football in India, similar to Kapil Dev's 1983 World Cup win for cricket. He views the unprecedented fixtures as a crucial opportunity for the Indian team to test their calibre against elite opposition and learn, aiming to build on their recent performance against Panama.
Fast bowler Akash Deep is expected to be recalled to India's Test squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour, following a successful return to domestic cricket after a seven-month injury layoff. The selection committee is also set to pick squads for T20Is, ODIs, and India A's shadow tour.
Pakistan's cricket team has been fined 50 per cent of their match fee and docked 11 World Test Championship points due to a slow over-rate during their third Test against England in Birmingham, a match they lost by 8 wickets, contributing to a 0-3 series whitewash.
Defending champion Manish Sureshkumar and top seed Vaidehee Chaudhari have advanced to the semi-finals of the 31st Fenesta Open National Tennis Championship in New Delhi. Sureshkumar overcame a 0-3 deficit in the deciding set, while Chaudhari recovered from a second-set collapse. Both will also compete in doubles finals.
Watch Rishabh Pant closely and one can see that his ability to clear the boundary comes from his hand speed, powerful wrists, swing of the bat and remarkable balance. Above all, he has the courage to play those shots despite the fact that Test batting manuals never demand them.
'But sometimes I am cuckoo in the head. I sit late at night, and I think of how I want to play and how I want to be as a cricketer.'
Australia need six wickets on final day to win first Test as South Africa were reduced to 102 for 4 at stumps on day four in Durban.
Australia A, powered by Sam Harper's century and effective spin bowling from Todd Murphy and Corey Rocchiccioli, gained a significant advantage over India A on Day 2 of their second four-day match in Puducherry, leaving India A trailing by 236 runs.
Australia's cricket coach Andrew McDonald indicated that selectors remain open to further changes in the batting order for the second Test against South Africa, depending on the pitch conditions in Gqeberha. This follows a successful, albeit surprising, lineup in the first Test where Nic Maddinson opened and Matt Renshaw excelled at number five. While former captain Steve Waugh urged consistency, McDonald emphasised the panel's flexible approach. The team is also monitoring the fitness of Cameron Green and Josh Inglis.
'We're going to play in a lot of different conditions over the next 12 months. It's going to require different efforts. It may not look like the traditional thing all the time.'
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.
South Africa has announced an 18-player preliminary squad for the upcoming three-match home Test series against Australia, including fast bowler Kagiso Rabada despite his current hamstring injury. Uncapped batter Marques Ackerman also earned a call-up.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam will miss this week's first test in against England after injuring his right hand during a warm-up match and Salman Ali Agha will deputise, head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed said on Tuesday.
India is set to host five-time world champions Brazil in a historic invitational football friendly in Kolkata. The match, while offering invaluable exposure for the Indian team, has also drawn criticism over its cost and the decision to withdraw from the FIFA ASEAN Cup. The event carries political significance and marks a key step in Brazil's rebuilding process.
Indian women's cricket team top-order batter Punam Raut announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket on Thursday. The 37-year-old played four Tests, 73 ODIs, and 35 T20Is for India, highlighting her career with a record-breaking ODI partnership and participation in the 2017 Women's ODI World Cup.
England gained the upper hand after a rain-hit first day of the final Test, needing victory to square the series, battled to 204-6, with all their big guns dismissed cheaply.
Veteran cricketer R Ashwin has expressed his disappointment over Yashasvi Jaiswal's exclusion from India's ODI squad for the New Zealand series, suggesting that the lack of international game time could negatively impact the young opener's confidence and form.
Veteran Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja advised debutant Saransh Jain to treat his maiden Test match as another First-Class game, urging him to enjoy the moment without pressure. Saransh, the 320th player to represent India in Tests, expressed his happiness at receiving his cap from an all-rounder like Jadeja and dedicated his cricketing journey to his father.
Mitchell Starc expects rain, humidity and unusual early-season conditions in South Africa to create unpredictable Test surfaces, potentially challenging Australia's traditional expectations of dry pitches and reverse swing.
Australia has announced its 16-member squad for the upcoming three-Test tour of South Africa, with top-order batsman Marnus Labuschagne retaining his place despite recent poor form.
Pakistan pacer Mohammad Abbas expressed deep concern over the team's persistent issues, including poor fielding and an inexperienced pace attack, following their heavy 194-run defeat to England at Lord's, marking their 10th loss in 11 away Tests.
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin praised Sri Lanka's "unreal" 400-run chase against England, highlighting their determination. He also commended Harry Brook's double century and stressed the importance of promoting Test cricket. Azharuddin also congratulated the Indian team for their T20I victory against New Zealand.
Marnus Labuschagne remains confident he is Australia's best No. 3 Test option, despite facing criticism for a prolonged century drought and a recent average of 25.43 since the 2023 Ashes.
