Sarfaraz Khan has been recalled to India's Test squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka. The Mumbai batter replaces Sai Sudharsan, who was ruled out with a toe injury, and returns nearly two years after his previous appearance in November 2024.
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif urged Sarfaraz to forget the past and focus on contributing if he makes the playing XI for the first Test in Galle. Kaif said whoever convinced the decision-makers to bring Sarfaraz back for spin-friendly conditions deserves credit.
Sarfaraz last played a Test against New Zealand in Mumbai, where he scored 150 in the first innings of the series. His recall comes after scoring 92 in the first unofficial Test against England Lions during India A's tour in 2025.
Sundar's fitness concerns add to India's growing injury list ahead of the Sri Lanka series.
Washington Sundar's participation in India's second Test against Sri Lanka is uncertain after the Centre of Excellence advised caution over his hamstring injury. The all-rounder was named only for the Colombo Test and has not played since sustaining the injury during the second ODI in Cardiff.
A BCCI source told The Times of India that the medical team is wary of pushing Sundar into a Test without match practice. The selectors are unlikely to name a replacement if he is ruled out, though he could remain a 16th member of the squad.
Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep also face uncertain return timelines. Bumrah is recovering from a knee injury while Akash Deep has been sidelined since January with a back stress fracture. The CoE has not communicated any timeline for either player's return.
Omarzai received a reprimand and one demerit point for his reaction to an umpire's decision.
Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai has been reprimanded and handed one demerit point after showing dissent at an umpire's decision in the second ODI against Ireland at Bready.
The incident happened during Afghanistan's innings in a rain-shortened 47-over match. Omarzai was given out in the 41st over, yet he stayed at the crease and made his displeasure clear with gestures.
He admitted the breach of Article 2.8 and accepted the sanction from match referee Dean Cosker. This is his first disciplinary point in 24 months. Afghanistan went on to win by 92 runs and lead the five-match series 2-0.
Washington Sundar's chances of joining India's Test squad in Sri Lanka are very slim due to a hamstring injury.
Washington Sundar faces an uncertain start to India's two-Test series against Sri Lanka after the Centre of Excellence expressed doubts over his hamstring recovery. The all-rounder was picked only for the second Test and has not played since injuring himself during the second ODI in Cardiff.
BCCI sources told The Times of India that the medical team is wary of rushing Sundar into a Test match. Several players have broken down after returning too soon from similar injuries.
Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep remain without timelines for their returns from knee and back injuries respectively, leaving the squad thin on bowling options for the Galle opener.
Kapil Dev has urged the BCCI to make senior players participate in domestic multi-day matches to address India's struggles against spin.
Legendary India captain Kapil Dev has advised Indian players to prioritise domestic cricket amid growing concerns over the young batters' ability to handle spin. India's Test team has faced a difficult phase in recent times, suffering home series defeats against New Zealand and South Africa. Kapil believes India's struggles against spin are partly linked to the lack of domestic cricket played by established players. The former captain feels regular multi-day matches would help the senior players sharpen their skills while also giving younger cricketers an opportunity to learn from them. He also raised concerns about the workload on India's fast bowlers, particularly with the increasing demands of T20 cricket. Kapil stressed that the BCCI must carefully monitor how much cricket is being given to fast bowlers to reduce the risk of injuries.
Barbados Tridents secured their second consecutive win in CPL 2026 after defending 178 in a rain-shortened 18-over match against Jamaica Kingsmen. Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Gudakesh Motie took five wickets between them.
Daniel Sams returned figures of 4 for 20 to break the middle order. Brandon King, Quinton de Kock and Sherfane Rutherford provided the batting platform for the Tridents. The Kingsmen fell short despite a late charge.
The result lifts Tridents to the top of the early season standings. The match was reduced due to rain but produced a decisive result within the shortened format.
Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi has been named in India's squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka as a replacement for injured Jasprit Bumrah. The 29-year-old was at the airport preparing to board a flight to Bangalore for a camp at the Centre of Excellence when he received the call. Nabi said he had expected a call-up eventually after performing consistently in domestic cricket. He will join the squad in Sri Lanka after Bumrah was ruled out with a knee injury sustained during the ODI series in England. Nabi expressed surprise at the timing but said he always believed his domestic performances would be rewarded. He is expected to provide support to Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna in the pace attack.
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly filed a complaint at Thakurpukur Police Station after receiving several death threats over six months. Two letters arrived on Monday, warning that he and his wife Dona would be killed.
Police traced the letters to a courier service in Belgharia, North 24 Parganas. They’ve identified one mobile number and are checking if the same sender is behind every message.
Sudharsan's toe injury forces India to turn to Sarfaraz Khan for the Sri Lanka Test series.
B Sai Sudharsan won't play the two Tests against Sri Lanka. He hasn't shaken off the right toe stress reaction he picked up on the India A tour last month, where he scored two centuries. The BCCI says he's recovering at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and still under medical watch.
Sarfaraz Khan steps in for the first Test in Galle on August 15. Devdutt Padikkal, fresh off a century in the practice game, moves up to number three. Sudharsan hasn't appeared for India since the Mumbai Test against New Zealand in November 2024.
Porel was arrested on Monday night after a medical student accused him of sexual relations under the promise of marriage.
The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday adjourned until September 14 the hearing of a petition filed by a woman accusing Bengal cricketer Abishek Porel of having sexual relations with her on the promise of marriage. The adjournment followed the West Bengal government's request for more time to advance the investigation after Porel's arrest.
Porel was arrested on Monday night by Mogra police following a July 14 Calcutta High Court order directing police to detain him and seize his electronic devices. A district court in Chinsurah remanded the Delhi Capitals wicketkeeper-batter to three days of police custody after denying bail.
The complainant, a third-year medical student from Karnataka, alleged that Porel sexually assaulted and abused her after promising to marry her. The case was registered on June 30 under multiple sections of the BNS and IT Act, including Sections 69, 311, 318, 66 and 72.
India's pace attack secured a 1-0 Test series win against Sri Lanka without Jasprit Bumrah. The bowlers maintained consistent pressure across both matches as India claimed the series. Bumrah's absence gave other pacers opportunities to prove their capabilities at Test level. The series performance demonstrated depth in India's fast bowling resources ahead of upcoming assignments. R Ashwin picked Bumrah over Virat Kohli in an all-time India bracket before selecting Sachin Tendulkar as the greatest Indian cricketer overall.
Maharoof backs Brar to provide the edge India lack without Bumrah's reverse swing.
Former Sri Lanka pacer Farveez Maharoof recommended Gurnoor Brar for India's first Test against Sri Lanka after the young paceman's warm-up performance. Maharoof said Brar brings bounce, pace and a fighting spirit that could unsettle batters on Galle's surface. Brar took a 10-wicket haul during India A's tour of Sri Lanka last month.
India are expected to play two pacers in Galle with Mohammed Siraj certain to feature. Brar is competing with Prasidh Krishna for the second spot after outperforming him with the short ball in the warm-up match. Shubman Gill underwent a specialised throw-down session to prepare for possible reverse swing on a Day 4-style surface.
The first Test begins in Galle on August 15. India are fifth in the World Test Championship table and need strong results to stay in contention for the final.
Devine shifts focus to the WBBL after a calf injury ended her Hundred stint early.
Welsh Fire captain Sophie Devine will miss the remainder of The Hundred after suffering a calf muscle tear. The New Zealand all-rounder had her campaign cut short and will now focus on rehabilitation ahead of the Women's Big Bash League season. She has not set a return date but said recovery is progressing well.
Devine has been a consistent performer across franchise leagues and remains a central figure in New Zealand's white-ball setup. The injury comes at a time when several leading players are managing workloads between international and domestic commitments. Welsh Fire are expected to name a replacement for the remainder of the group stage.
The WBBL is scheduled to begin in October, giving Devine a potential window to regain full fitness before the Australian domestic season starts.
Joseph Eckland’s unbeaten 68 guided Gloucestershire to victory over Northamptonshire in the One-Day Cup.
Joseph Eckland stayed unbeaten on 68 and got Gloucestershire home against Northamptonshire in the One-Day Cup. Nathan McSweeney and George Bartlett had earlier made fifties as the Steelbacks posted 308. Gloucestershire reached the target with wickets to spare.
Eckland walked in after early wickets had left the chase shaky. He steadied things through the middle overs and kept the required rate in check until the finish line was in sight.
The win lifts Gloucestershire in the group with one round left.
BCCI named Sarfaraz Khan as replacement for injured Sai Sudharsan in India's two-Test series against Sri Lanka starting August 15. Sarfaraz joined the squad in Colombo after a two-year absence from the Test team. Dhruv Jurel was left out of the squad. Mohammad Kaif included Sarfaraz in his XI for the Galle Test while omitting Jurel. Sarfaraz Khan's father issued an emotional message that circulated widely after the recall. Sudharsan is recovering from a right toe stress reaction at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Sarfaraz Khan's return may hinge on conditions in Galle where India seek a specialist answer to spin bowling.
Henriques takes charge of Portugal's campaign to reach the T20 World Cup for the first time.
Portugal named former Australia all-rounder Moises Henriques as their T20 captain for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Europe Sub-regional Qualifier C. Born in Madeira, Henriques played 24 T20Is, 16 ODIs and four Tests for Australia before serving the three-year cool-off and switching allegiance. He'll lead a squad that includes Craig Cachopa and Siraj Ullah Khadem, both with First-Class experience elsewhere. The ten-team qualifier runs across two venues in Finland, with the winner moving on to the Europe Regional Qualifier. Henriques hasn't played for Australia since August 2021 against Bangladesh.
Middlesex has secured a top-three spot in Group B and will contest the quarter-finals after a 50-over win over Durham.
Middlesex has secured a top-three finish in Group B after losing only one of seven matches. The county will play in the quarter-finals scheduled for Friday or Sunday. Their 50-over victory over Durham at Chester-le-Street stood out for the depth shown across the batting order after the home side posted 303 for seven. Toby Roland-Jones and Henry Brookes completed the chase with three sixes between them when Zafar Gohar fell with 30 runs still required.
Yorkshire moved above Durham into second place after beating Derbyshire by 12 runs at Scarborough. Jafer Chohan took two wickets in an over on his List A debut, but Sam Whiteman’s 94 anchored a Yorkshire recovery that delivered the points. Worcestershire lost by four wickets to Glamorgan and now need results elsewhere to remain in contention for a knockout berth.
The final round of fixtures ends on Tuesday. Only one county has already confirmed its place in the quarter-finals.
Abishek Porel was arrested on Tuesday after a medical student filed a rape case at Mogra Police Station. The Calcutta High Court had ordered police to act on the complaint.
Abishek Porel was arrested by Bengal Police on Tuesday in connection with a rape case filed at Mogra Police Station in Hooghly. The 23-year-old Delhi Capitals wicketkeeper-batter was taken into custody after the Calcutta High Court directed police to act on the complaint lodged by a medical student.
The woman alleged that Porel established a physical relationship with her on the promise of marriage over three years and later subjected her to assault and criminal intimidation. She claimed the cricketer threatened to make private photographs public after the relationship broke down.
Porel was produced before the Chinsurah Court following his medical examination. A case has been registered against him under multiple sections of the BNS and IT Act. The allegations remain under investigation and have not been established in court.
VVS Laxman has identified the Indian women's team's 2025 ODI World Cup victory as the high point of his time as head of cricket at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. Laxman said the transition from the old facility at the Chinnaswamy Stadium to the new 40-acre complex was another major achievement. He also highlighted the development of young players and his increased involvement with women's cricket during his tenure. Laxman has been in the role since December 2021.
Shubman Gill will lead India in Galle after scans ruled out any fracture from two blows to his right hand.
Shubman Gill has been cleared to lead India in Galle. Scans showed no fracture in his right hand after he took two blows on the eve of the warm-up match in Colombo. One came while he was batting against Gurnoor Brar, the other during slip-catching drills. Spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said the decision to rest Gill for the first two days of the warm-up was purely precautionary.
