Devdutt Padikkal secured his place at number three for India’s first Test against Sri Lanka after scoring an unbeaten 142 in the warm-up match. The left-hander showed strong footwork against both pace and spin on a surface that offered turn. Padikkal used his height to smother spin and played with attacking intent throughout his innings.

Shubman Gill returned to the middle after missing the first two days with a finger injury and scored 44 while opening the second innings. Mohammed Siraj hit three consecutive sixes in the final over to complete a six-wicket victory. Rishabh Pant gave his wicket away in both innings by charging down the pitch.

The first Test begins in Galle on August 15. India are fifth in the World Test Championship table and need to win seven of their remaining nine Tests to reach the final. Padikkal’s selection ends three years of middle-order experimentation that began after Cheteshwar Pujara’s retirement.

Devdutt Padikkal got the call when Sai Sudharsan was ruled out, and he made it count — 131 not out off 134 balls at number three on the first day in Galle. India closed on 288 for 2, and for the first time in two years, the No. 3 slot had a century to build on.

It wasn't flashy. Padikkal played without a real chance, grafting alongside KL Rahul (77) in a 150-run partnership that gave India a platform before rain shut down play. The innings is what the position has been missing: solidity when it matters.

Number three has been a weak link for India since it was last consistently held three years ago. Padikkal's unbeaten hundred doesn't automatically make him the long-term answer, but it does something more useful right now — it proves the spot doesn't need a permanent specialist. Whoever's in form, whoever suits the opposition, can bat there and have half a chance of building an innings.

Jemimah Rodrigues has expressed excitement about the first ICC Women's Champions Trophy, scheduled for February 2027 in Sri Lanka. Rodrigues, whose stint in The Hundred was cut short by a hamstring injury, said the tournament will be special as it is the first of its kind in women's cricket. She also highlighted India's upcoming multi-format series against South Africa in December as a key preparation event. Rodrigues said the mindset within the team remains focused on winning matches regardless of the competition.

India batter Jemimah Rodrigues has been ruled out of the ongoing Hundred after suffering a hamstring injury while playing for Southern Brave. The injury puts her participation in the upcoming Women's T20 Asia Cup in doubt. Southern Brave confirmed on Saturday that Rodrigues has been replaced by Australian all-rounder Charlie Knott for the remainder of the tournament.

The 25-year-old has scored 143 runs with a highest of 42 not out in six innings for the Brave at an average of 35.75 and a strike rate of 131.19. The Women's T20 Asia Cup begins on August 28, with India starting their campaign against Thailand on August 30.

Rodrigues has just under three weeks to recover from the injury to be fit for the continental tournament.

Sri Lanka named a 16-member squad for the first Test against India in Galle on Saturday with Niroshan Dickwella recalled after three years. Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka were ruled out with injuries, prompting the return of the 33-year-old wicketkeeper who last played a Test against New Zealand in 2023. Dhananjaya de Silva will captain the side with Kamindu Mendis as deputy. Uncapped off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha earned his first call-up alongside left-arm pacers Vishwa Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka. India have also made changes after injuries ruled out Jasprit Bumrah, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Reddy, Harshit Rana and Washington Sundar. Auqib Nabi and Sarfaraz Khan were added to the 15-member squad.

Josh Hazlewood became the ninth Australian to reach 300 Test wickets during the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin. The fast bowler took six wickets in the match and now sits behind only Glenn McGrath, Pat Cummins and Dennis Lillee among Australian pacers on the all-time list. His average remains better than all three.

Hazlewood said the team remains focused on victory despite trailing after three days. He noted variable bounce on the fifth day could create opportunities. Australia need a substantial effort with the bat to set Bangladesh a challenging target.

The second Test begins in Mackay on Friday. Hazlewood confirmed he will be available for selection.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes India's chances of reaching the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 final hang heavily on the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka. India will begin their Sri Lanka tour with the opening Test on August 15 and currently occupy fifth place in the standings with a points percentage of 48.15.

Chopra highlighted how significantly the standings could change depending on the outcome of the two-match series. He pointed out that a 2-0 defeat for India would dent their qualification hopes while boosting Sri Lanka's prospects. A clean sweep would improve India's position, although not dramatically, while a drawn series would do little for either side.

Chopra also underlined the difficulty of India's remaining WTC schedule. After the Sri Lanka series, India are set to travel to New Zealand for a two-Test series before hosting Australia in a five-Test contest early next year. He noted that India have not won a Test series in New Zealand since the 2008-09 tour.

India arrive in Harare for a three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. Shreyas Iyer leads the side after recent defeats in Ireland and England—a tour that comes at a critical moment before the T20 World Cup.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is back in the squad after his IPL run turned heads. Harbhajan Singh called the 15-year-old an exceptional talent he'd never seen before. He's expected to play, and there's a real sense India aren't waiting around to integrate their brightest young bats into the senior setup anymore.

Iyer's message is straightforward: play without fear. He wants quick adaptation to unfamiliar conditions and tight team unity. The series starts on Friday.

Shreyas Iyer reckons India will come out the other side of a tough UK tour stronger for it. The captain's pushing the message that defeats in Ireland and England aren't setbacks — they're lessons in adaptability and team unity heading into Friday's three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe.

Iyer was clear: the side needs to play without fear of failure, and that means adjusting quickly to unfamiliar conditions. Zimbabwe have recalled Madhevere and Nyamhuri while handing Tsiga his first international call-up, signalling they're banking on experience to rattle India's young middle order early.

Veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh has backed 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as an exceptional talent. Despite modest scores in England, the teenager's expected to feature again — and he knows Harare well from earlier visits, which could count in his favour.

India's men's cricket team will open their Asian Games campaign in Japan on September 29, while the women's team starts against Japan on September 18. The cricket tournament begins on September 17, two days before the opening ceremony of the Games.

The PCB raised concerns about the makeshift venue for the tournament, and the BCCI followed up with similar queries. The venue situation has created uncertainty ahead of the multi-nation event.

Pakistan named Fatima Sana as captain for both the Women's Asia Cup in Dubai and the Asian Games in Japan. The scheduling means India and Pakistan are unlikely to meet before a potential final.

India's men's cricket team will open their Asian Games campaign in Japan on September 29, while the women's team starts against Japan on September 18. The cricket tournament begins on September 17, two days before the opening ceremony of the Games.

The PCB raised concerns about the makeshift venue for the tournament, and the BCCI followed up with similar queries. The venue situation has created uncertainty ahead of the multi-nation event.

Pakistan named Fatima Sana as captain for both the Women's Asia Cup in Dubai and the Asian Games in Japan.

India host Afghanistan in the third and final ODI on Friday with a series win already secured. The hosts have dominated the opening two matches and will look to complete a clean sweep.

Afghanistan will rely on their top-order batters to post a competitive total and avoid a 3-0 defeat. The visitors have struggled with the bat in the series so far.

India captain Shubman Gill has called the selection choices for upcoming England ODIs a positive problem after strong showings from multiple players in the Afghanistan series.