AB de Villiers expressed surprise at Rishabh Pant's selection for India's Sri Lanka Test series, citing concerns over confidence and fitness.
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AB de Villiers sounded surprised when Rishabh Pant's name appeared in India's squad for the two Tests in Sri Lanka. The former South Africa captain pointed to Pant's patchy confidence and fitness, and he said he'd be watching closely once the series starts.
The BCCI named a 15-man squad for Galle and Colombo, August 15-19 and 23-27. Pant hasn't played much red-ball cricket lately, so the call drew immediate attention.
De Villiers noted that keepers and batters feel confidence dips more than most players, and any dip shows up quickly behind the stumps.
Langer denies direct approach from ECB while Fleming prepares to take over England Test team.
Justin Langer says the ECB hasn't reached out about the vacant Test job. He's coaching Manchester Super Giants now and calls the reports linking him to England just rumours, though he'd think about it if they did ask.
Stephen Fleming is already confirmed as the new head coach. He takes over from Brendon McCullum and starts with the South Africa series later this summer. Marcus Trescothick steps in for the Pakistan Tests next month while the transition happens.
ECB named Stephen Fleming Test coach and Joe Root captain, with Fleming replacing Brendon McCullum in the red-ball role.
The ECB appointed Stephen Fleming as England Test coach and Joe Root as Test captain on Friday. Fleming, 53, takes over the red-ball job from Brendon McCullum, who stays in charge of white-ball cricket. Root returns to the captaincy after Ben Stokes stepped away from international duty.
Fleming's first task is preparing for the winter tour to South Africa, which begins once the Pakistan series wraps. The former New Zealand captain has managed both international sides and franchise setups — experience the ECB believes will help stabilise the Test team through a reshuffle period.
Root described the appointment as a strong motivator. Pairing England's most experienced batter with a coach schooled in high-pressure environments signals continuity over another reset.
Star batter Virat Kohli led the cricket fraternity in paying tribute to Ajinkya Rahane following his retirement from international cricket, describing him as his favourite Test batting partner.
Virat Kohli led tributes to Ajinkya Rahane after the veteran batter announced his retirement from international cricket. Kohli described Rahane as his favourite Test batting partner during their time together in the India side. Sachin Tendulkar and Cheteshwar Pujara also issued statements acknowledging Rahane's contribution to Indian cricket. Rahane finished with 5,077 Test runs at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries.
Ryan ten Doeschate appointed Knight Riders head of cricket strategy day after leaving India coaching role; will oversee four global teams.
Ryan ten Doeschate has rejoined the Knight Riders franchise as head of cricket strategy less than 24 hours after the BCCI confirmed his departure from India's coaching staff. Knight Riders Sports made the appointment official on Friday. He will oversee scouting, recruitment, squad planning and player development across the group's four teams.
Ten Doeschate will also serve as assistant coach for Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20 and Los Angeles Knight Riders in the MLC. The former Netherlands all-rounder previously worked with the Kolkata Knight Riders in an advisory capacity before joining India's support staff in 2024. His new role expands his influence across the franchise's global operations.
The move comes at a time when Knight Riders are reviewing performance structures after mixed results across their teams in 2025. Ten Doeschate is expected to begin his new duties immediately.
Greece have called up Sam Konstas' brother to their national squad. He's in as they chase a spot at the 2028 T20 World Cup through the European qualifier route.
Sam Konstas is still under contract with Australia and plays Sheffield Shield for New South Wales. His brother adds another player with top-level exposure to Greece's limited-overs group.
Greece sit in the ICC's lower tiers and want to climb the European standings. The 2028 tournament expands the field and opens extra qualification places for associate sides.
Ishan Kishan leads East Zone with Sooryavanshi as deputy. Shami returns as Duleep Trophy begins 23 August in Bengaluru.
East Zone have named their squad for the 2026-27 Duleep Trophy with Ishan Kishan as captain and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as vice-captain. Mohammed Shami returns to the side after recovering from a back injury. The squad will begin its campaign against North Zone on 23 August at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Sooryavanshi, 15, has risen 230 places in the ICC T20I rankings after scoring 178 runs in the Zimbabwe series. The selection panel has retained most of the players who reached the semi-finals last season. East Zone will play all their matches at the same venue to reduce travel.
The tournament serves as a key selection trial for the Test tour of South Africa later this year. Several players are competing for spots in the squad that will tour in December.
Subhadeep Ghosh appointed India's new fielding coach replacing T Dilip; will join squad for Sri Lanka Test series starting 12 August.
Subhadeep Ghosh will take over as India's fielding coach for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. He replaces T Dilip, whose contract ended after the England tour. Ghosh previously worked with the National Cricket Academy and various India age-group teams.
The appointment follows the departure of assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate and fielding coach T Dilip from Gautam Gambhir's support staff. Ghosh's first assignment begins with the two-Test series starting in Galle on 12 August. He will work alongside spin bowling coach Sridharan Sriram and batting coach Abhishek Nayar.
Ghosh played 47 first-class matches for Assam between 2005 and 2015, taking 67 catches and effecting three stumpings as a wicketkeeper-batter. His coaching experience includes stints with the India Under-19 and India A sides.
Bihar government appointed Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar as DSPs under the Medal Lao, Naukri Pao scheme on July 24.
Bihar handed appointment letters to fast bowlers Akash Deep and Mukesh Kumar on July 24, making them Deputy Superintendents of Police under the Medal Lao, Naukri Pao scheme. Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary presented the letters in Patna. The scheme gives government jobs in the state police to athletes who win medals at recognised competitions.
Both bowlers have played for India. Akash Deep turns out for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, Mukesh Kumar for Delhi Capitals. The jobs follow their steady run of domestic and international appearances over the last few seasons.
Bihar has made similar appointments for years, aiming to give sportspersons a steady income once their playing days end.
Injury-hit Ireland add Moondra to ODI squad for Afghanistan series; six players ruled out including Little, Young and McCarthy.
Ireland have added spinner Moondra to their ODI squad for the three-match series against Afghanistan after six players were ruled out through injury. Little, Hollard, Young, McCarthy, Neill and David Delany are all unavailable. The series begins in Belfast on Tuesday and marks Afghanistan's first visit to Ireland since 2019.
Moondra has featured in Emerging Ireland squads and will provide left-arm spin options alongside the returning Andy McBrine. The selectors have also retained three uncapped players from the recent T20I series. Ireland enter the ODIs on the back of a 2-1 T20I defeat to Afghanistan last month, and the matches form part of both teams' preparation for the 2027 World Cup qualifiers.
India keeps handing Test caps to bowlers, then rarely keeps them past that first match. Several seamers have walked away with single-cap careers even after strong domestic seasons.
Selectors lean toward instant impact, so bowlers who don't deliver right away are usually dropped. The system doesn't build room for adaptation.
Saransh Jain, the 33-year-old off-spinner picked for Sri Lanka, now faces that same one-and-done risk if the wickets don't come straight away.
Warwickshire recruit India ODI batter Pratika Rawal from mid-August; she will bolster top order for One-Day Cup and Championship push.
Warwickshire have signed India top-order batter Pratika Rawal for the remainder of the 2026 county season. The 25-year-old, who averages over 47 in ODIs, will be available from mid-August. BBC Sport confirmed the deal on Friday.
Rawal will join the squad ahead of the Royal London One-Day Cup and the final rounds of the County Championship. Warwickshire have struggled for consistency in the top order this summer and see the India international as a stabilizing presence. She will be the second overseas woman to represent the county in 2026.
The signing comes as Warwickshire prepare for a busy August schedule that includes promotion push matches in both white-ball and red-ball formats. Rawal is expected to bat at number three or four in the order.
Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan in the final T20I to win the three-match series 2-1. Chamari Athapaththu and Inoka Ranaweera each took three wickets as Pakistan were restricted to a below-par total.
Vimukthi struck three times in the second over of the chase, triggering a collapse that left Pakistan needing more than 40 runs from the last five overs. Sri Lanka completed the chase with five wickets and eight balls to spare.
The result gives Sri Lanka their first bilateral T20I series win against Pakistan since 2015.
Ex-opener slams India vice-captain for slow scoring and weakness against pace. Criticism follows Lord's ODI performance.
A former India opener has criticised the vice-captain for consuming too many deliveries and lacking the ability to play fast bowling. The comments were made during a television interview after the England ODI series. The vice-captain scored 42 off 68 balls in the final ODI at Lord's.
The remarks have sparked debate about the player's suitability for the number three position. Team management has not responded to the criticism. The player retained his place in the squad for the Sri Lanka Test series.
Bumrah and Sudharsan named in Sri Lanka Test squad but must pass fitness tests. Sundar ruled out after England tour injury.
Jasprit Bumrah was named in India's squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka but his participation depends on clearance from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence. Sai Sudharsan also remains subject to fitness checks.
Washington Sundar was ruled out after an injury sustained on the England tour. The squad announcement confirmed Bumrah and Sudharsan must prove their fitness before the first Test in Galle.
The two-match series begins on August 15. The second Test is scheduled in Colombo from August 23.
Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan's availability remains subject to fitness clearance ahead of the Sri Lanka Tests.
India have named a 15-man squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka that starts August 15. Ravindra Jadeja is back after being rested for Afghanistan, while Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Saransh Jain earns his first call-up at 33. Washington Sundar missed out with injury.
Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan still need fitness clearance from the Centre of Excellence before the final cut. The BCCI hasn't said what the concern is with Sudharsan. Jain caught the selectors' eye with strong India A showings and a solid Ranji season for Madhya Pradesh.
Glenn McGrath thinks Prasidh Krishna could grow into a regular partner for Bumrah if he keeps his length tight. The former Australia quick said Krishna already looks mature enough for the international level.
A viral clip appearing to show a Saltburn fielder faking an edge by clicking his fingers has triggered outrage, wider cheating claims and a formal league probe.
A viral video showing a Saltburn fielder clicking his fingers to simulate an edge has triggered outrage and forced a formal league investigation. The incident has also sparked wider accusations of cheating and calls for tighter on-field rules.
League officials confirmed that an independent panel will examine the footage and speak with the players involved. The governing body hasn't said yet whether the result will be changed or if further sanctions are coming.
The episode raises questions about how umpires and referees deal with appeals when the evidence isn't clear. Several clubs have already asked for extra technology to catch deliberate noise-making by fielders.
West Indies and Pakistan share 14 wickets on opening day of first Test at Tarouba. Greaves and Abbas dominate in seamer-friendly conditions.
West Indies and Pakistan shared 14 wickets on the opening day of the first Test at Tarouba. The pitch offered assistance to seamers throughout the day.
Justin Greaves and Mohammad Abbas took the bulk of the wickets in bowler-friendly conditions. The match is the first Test hosted at the Brian Lara Stadium.
Both teams struggled to build partnerships on a surface that rewarded accurate bowling. The contest is expected to reach a result within four days.
Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Saransh Jain has been named in India's squad for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka. Ravindra Jadeja also returns after missing the Afghanistan Test. The 33-year-old off-spinner bowls attacking lines and has impressed in domestic cricket.
Washington Sundar remains unavailable for the first Test. Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan must pass fitness tests before the series. The squad will assemble in Colombo on 12 August.
Subhadeep Ghosh joins the support staff as fielding coach after T Dilip's contract expired. Ghosh previously worked with the National Cricket Academy.
Lyle Robertson receives maiden Scotland call-up; Ihsan and Jones return for League 2 series against Canada and UAE.
Scotland handed Lyle Robertson his first senior call-up for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 series against Canada and the UAE. Ihsan and Jones are back in the squad. BBC Sport broke the news on Friday.
The three-match series is part of Scotland's build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup qualifiers. At 22, Robertson's impressed with his all-round work in domestic List A cricket this season. He adds depth to the middle order and spin options.
The squad assembles next week before heading to the UAE for the opening fixture. Scotland sit third in the table and need consistent results if they're to secure direct qualification for 2027.
