Shubman Gill said India maintained constant contact with Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan before ruling them out of the Sri Lanka series.
India captain Shubman Gill confirmed that the team management is monitoring the fitness of Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan, who were ruled out of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka. Bumrah was withdrawn due to a knee injury, while Sudharsan failed to recover from a toe niggle despite repeated scans. Gill said constant monitoring helped the side make an informed decision not to risk either player.
The captain noted that the five-day nature of Test cricket requires players to be fully fit, unlike shorter formats. He said the team was disappointed to lose both players but added that the current squad of 15 retains the depth to compete. The first Test begins in Galle on August 15.
Ravichandran Ashwin said India should tell Sarfaraz Khan whether he is viewed as a sub-continent specialist so he can plan his career accordingly.
Ravichandran Ashwin said India must communicate clearly with Sarfaraz Khan about his role in the side, especially if selectors view him as a specialist for sub-continental conditions. Sarfaraz returned to the Test squad last week as a replacement for injured batter Sai Sudharsan ahead of the series in Sri Lanka. He is in contention for a middle-order spot alongside Dhruv Jurel for the first Test in Galle.
Ashwin noted that New Zealand's Ajaz Patel and South Africa's Simon Harmer play defined roles in specific conditions. Sarfaraz has played six Tests, scoring 371 runs at 37.10 with one century. Ashwin argued that clear messaging would allow Sarfaraz to focus on his strengths without uncertainty over selection.
via Times of India, Hindustan Times, Indian Express
Walter and Klaasen powered Super Giants into the men's final while Sharma guided Sunrisers Leeds to the women's final.
Manchester Super Giants beat Sunrisers Leeds by 20 runs in the men's Eliminator at The Kia Oval to reach Sunday's final against Trent Rockets. Paul Walter scored 80 off 46 balls with eight sixes, and Heinrich Klaasen made 63 off 26 as Super Giants posted 186 for 4. Josh Tongue took 4 for 26 to restrict Sunrisers to 166 for 7.
Sunrisers Leeds advanced to the women's final with a five-wicket win over Southern Brave. Deepti Sharma remained unbeaten on 28 as Sunrisers chased 115 with 11 balls to spare after Issy Wong took 3 for 21. Lauren Winfield-Hill made 37 in the chase.
Both finals will be played at Lord's on Sunday. Sunrisers Leeds are the defending women's champions.
Rhodes believes standalone bilateral ODIs will reduce while the World Cup keeps the format alive.
Former South Africa batter Jonty Rhodes said 50-over cricket could face pressure in the coming years as T20 continues to attract new audiences. Rhodes spoke at the jersey launch of ETPL's Rotterdam Dockers franchise in Mumbai.
Rhodes said bilateral ODI series will likely decrease while the 50-over World Cup retains its relevance. He noted that T20 has not damaged Test cricket but that the 50-over format may be the one squeezed between the two.
South Africa will host the next ODI World Cup. Rhodes said the country is looking forward to the event and hopes to win its first ICC white-ball trophy.
Raman urged selectors to give Pant freedom to play his aggressive brand of cricket rather than asking him to change his approach.
Former India batter WV Raman said Rishabh Pant must be allowed to bat aggressively in Test cricket rather than being asked to adopt a conventional defensive approach. Raman argued that Pant's trained reflexes are faster than any instruction to play within himself, and forcing him into a defensive mindset would create conflict.
Pant averages 43.37 in red-ball cricket and has won Test matches abroad from difficult situations through his attacking style. Raman said Pant deserves the licence to play his natural game because that is when he performs at his best.
Pant made 2 and 28 in India's warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Galle. Dhruv Jurel and Ishan Kishan have both pushed for greater opportunities in the wicketkeeper-batter role.
Morkel expects Rahul to guide the batting unit with his prior experience on turning Sri Lankan pitches.
India bowling coach Morne Morkel said KL Rahul's experience from the 2017 Sri Lanka tour and his consistent form as an opener will make him a central figure in the two-Test series beginning in Galle on August 15. Morkel expects Rahul to share his knowledge of local conditions during net sessions and team meetings.
Morkel also highlighted the challenge of heat and humidity for the Indian pace attack and said the Kookaburra ball's behaviour once it softens will determine how the quick bowlers create pressure. India have not played a Test since early June.
Rahul is the only current squad member who has played Tests in Sri Lanka in the last decade. Morkel said the team's early arrival and 10-day preparation window will help players develop individual game plans for the surfaces.
VVS Laxman is expected to take up a new role at the BCCI with sweeping powers over the running of Indian cricket while continuing as head of the Centre of Excellence. The appointment would separate Laxman from the selection committee process.
Zaheer Khan has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Ajit Agarkar as chief selector if Laxman moves into the new position. Agarkar's contract extension will be discussed after the Sri Lanka Test series.
Laxman had reportedly declined the chief selector role due to the amount of travel involved.
Gill set a clear target of six or seven wins from nine Tests as India begin their push for the WTC 2027 final against Sri Lanka.
India captain Shubman Gill said the team must win around six or seven of its remaining nine Tests to reach the World Test Championship 2027 final. He was speaking on the eve of India's 600th Test, which begins against Sri Lanka in Galle on August 15.
India sit fifth in the WTC points table. Gill pointed out that the extra preparation time on this tour, including a 10-day acclimatisation period and a three-day warm-up, should help the side adjust to conditions.
India haven't played a Test since early June. Most players need time to settle, and Gill believes the longer window gives them a better chance in the two-match series.
Kaushik takes over the Noida Kings with a proven record as both batter and leader in the UP T20 League.
Noida Kings have appointed Uttar Pradesh batter Madhav Kaushik as their captain for the fourth edition of the UP T20 League, which begins on August 14. Kaushik, who joined the franchise from Meerut Mavericks ahead of the 2024 season, previously led Meerut to the title in 2024 and the final in 2025.
Across the first three editions of the competition, Kaushik has scored 1,002 runs in 38 matches. His standout season came in 2024, when he made 366 runs in 12 matches at an average of 61 and a strike rate of 146.99.
In first-class cricket for Uttar Pradesh, Kaushik has scored 1,441 runs in 28 matches at an average of 37.92, including four centuries. The tournament will run until September 6 at venues in Lucknow and Greater Noida.
Babar Azam took a blow to his right hand and retired hurt on five, leaving Pakistan with questions ahead of next week's Test series.
Babar Azam was struck on the right hand by Hampshire seamer Manny Lumsden and walked off on five during the second day of the warm-up against the County Select XI at Beckenham. A team statement said he'll miss the rest of the fixture but will be back for practice in Leeds on Monday.
England spinner Shoaib Bashir claimed 4 for 76 as Pakistan were bowled out for 238, trailing by 67 on first innings. The County Select XI closed on 128 for 3, pushing their lead to 195.
The first Test starts at Headingley on August 19, with Lord's and Edgbaston still to come.
India reach their 600th Test milestone in Galle on Independence Day, having won 186 of 599 previous matches.
India will play their 600th men's Test when they face Sri Lanka in Galle on August 15, becoming only the third nation after England and Australia to reach the landmark. The occasion falls on India's 80th Independence Day. Shubman Gill called it a big honour to captain the side on such a significant day.
India's Test journey began with a 158-run defeat to England at Lord's in June 1932. Their first victory came 20 years later against England in Madras in February 1952. India secured their first overseas series triumph in New Zealand in 1967-68 and achieved their first win against West Indies in 1971.
In the 21st century, India have won 123 of 263 Tests and currently sit fifth in the World Test Championship with a points percentage of 48.15 from nine matches. They need at least seven wins from their remaining nine Tests to reach the final.
The ACSU imposed the fine and TNPL ban after the player was caught with an undeclared phone inside the restricted area during a match in Dindigul.
A Tamil Nadu all-rounder who played two Ranji Trophy matches last season has been fined ₹1 lakh by the BCCI's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit and barred from the rest of the Tamil Nadu Premier League. The ACSU found the undeclared phone on him inside the Players and Match Officials Area at NPR College ground in Natham, Dindigul on August 10.
The TNCA has told his franchise not to pick him until its own inquiry finishes. No bookmaker contact was found on the device; the breach is only about the phone being in a restricted zone.
He's been withdrawn from the franchise, and the other TNPL sides have been notified. The same ₹1 lakh fine went to Rajasthan Royals team manager Ravinder Singh Bhinder earlier this year for using a phone in the dugout during an IPL match.
Middlesex and Leicestershire advance to the One-Day Cup final after respective semi-final victories over Durham and Nottinghamshire.
Middlesex reached their first List A final for 36 years after beating Durham by two wickets in the One-Day Cup semi-final at Radlett. Luke Hollman's unbeaten 83 guided them to victory and set up a final against Leicestershire at Trent Bridge.
Leicestershire advanced to their second One-Day Cup final in four years with a 23-run victory over Nottinghamshire at Grace Road. They will face Middlesex in Sunday's final.
Both semi-finals produced competitive encounters that showcased the depth of talent in the domestic one-day competition.
Priyansh Arya has struck at 211 in IPL 2026 and says he is unconcerned by competition for India's opening spots.
Priyansh Arya has 364 runs at 211 in the 2026 IPL for Punjab Kings. The 25-year-old Delhi opener says his approach is instinctive — he watches the ball and trusts his instincts when the chance comes. He hit 475 runs at 179 last season.
Arya keeps the negative thoughts out, no matter the risk. He credits opening partner Prabhsimran Singh for the guidance during their record partnerships and values the senior batter's seven to eight years of IPL experience.
He has also opened with 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in India A's tri-series and spent time with Yuvraj Singh last year. Competition for India spots among the young openers doesn't bother him — performance is all that matters.
Pratika Rawal steps into India's Asia Cup squad after Jemimah Rodrigues suffers a hamstring injury in The Hundred.
Jemimah Rodrigues has been ruled out of the Women's Asia Cup and Asian Games after sustaining a high-grade right hamstring tear while playing in The Hundred. The Board of Control for Cricket in India confirmed the timeline for her recovery.
Pratika Rawal is expected to replace Rodrigues in the Asia Cup squad. The tournament is scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka, with the Asian Games following in Japan.
The Indian team management will finalise the replacement before both tournaments begin. Rawal has been in good form in domestic cricket this season.
India play their 600th Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Independence Day. The team sits fifth in the World Test Championship table and needs consistent wins to reach the final.
India begin their two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in Galle on Saturday, marking the country's 600th Test match. Shubman Gill captains the side on the landmark occasion, with Gautam Gambhir as head coach.
India currently occupy fifth place on the World Test Championship points table — another sequence of dropped points would further reduce their chances of qualifying for the final. Gill said it's an honour to lead the side in the 600th Test and emphasized the team needs a strong performance to stay in contention.
India won the toss and elected to bat first on a pitch described as favourable for a full day's play. Devdutt Padikkal replaces injured Sai Sudharsan in the XI.
Gill said Bumrah’s knee injury leaves a gap but gives other bowlers the chance to make their mark in Galle.
India captain Shubman Gill told his bowlers that Jasprit Bumrah’s absence creates an opportunity for them to step up in the two-Test series against Sri Lanka that starts in Galle on Saturday. Bumrah was ruled out after failing to recover from the left knee injury he picked up during the ODI series in England last month.
Gill said the side must create wicket-taking opportunities on subcontinent pitches, especially on days one and two when the surface offers little assistance. He named Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar and uncapped Auqib Nabi among the pace options, while Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar lead the spin choices.
The two-match series counts towards the World Test Championship. India sit fifth on the points table and need several wins to reach the final. The second Test begins in Colombo on August 23.
Harbhajan argued that modern batters lack the patience to build big Test innings and that IPL incentives have accelerated the shift.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh thinks the T20 era has chipped away at the patience needed for long Test innings. He reckons triple centuries have dried up because players chase shots instead of settling in.
Earlier generations turned out multiple triple-centurions — Brian Lara, Chris Gayle, Virender Sehwag, Matthew Hayden among them. Australia led the way in the early 2000s, pushing scoring rates higher while the rest caught up.
Now the IPL pulls the brightest young talent toward white-ball cricket, where recognition and big contracts arrive quicker.
Porel was arrested on August 11 following a Calcutta High Court directive and remains in judicial custody.
Delhi Capitals and Bengal wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel was denied bail and sent to judicial custody for 14 days by the Chinsurah Court on Friday. The 23-year-old faces allegations of sexual relations under the pretext of marriage. Porel was arrested on August 11 after the Calcutta High Court directed police to take him into custody.
The case stems from a complaint filed at Mogra Police Station on June 23 by a medical student from Karnataka. The complainant alleged that she and Porel had been in a relationship for three and a half years and that he had established a physical relationship with her after promising to marry her. The complaint also levelled allegations of physical and mental abuse, threats and misuse of private photographs and videos.
Porel has denied wrongdoing. The case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. The Calcutta High Court deferred further hearing of the woman's petition until September 14 after the West Bengal government sought more time to proceed with the investigation.
Raghuvanshi returns after surgery while Mhatre continues rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
Kolkata Knight Riders batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi has been named in Mumbai’s squad for the Dr (Capt) K Thimmappiah Memorial Trophy after recovering from finger surgery. The 22-year-old missed the T20 Mumbai League in June following an operation in London.
Raghuvanshi scored 422 runs in 13 IPL matches last season and hit five half-centuries. Mumbai chief selector Rajesh Pawar confirmed the selection on Friday but said Ayush Mhatre remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Mumbai open their campaign against Chandigarh on September 1 in Bengaluru. The squad is led by Suved Parkar and includes Suryansh Shedge and 16-year-old pacer Karthik Kumar.
