Mumbai Indians have brought in Zubin Bharucha as director of performance ahead of the 2027 season. He previously worked in the same role at Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Daredevils.

The franchise missed the IPL 2026 playoffs and is looking to his experience to shore up the backroom setup. Bharucha has been with Rajasthan Royals since the league started, apart from two years at Delhi.

The move comes after a disappointing campaign and points to a broader overhaul of support staff.

New Zealand appointed Michael Bracewell as ODI captain for the series against India after injuries sidelined several senior players. Kyle Jamieson returns to the squad following his recovery from back trouble.

Cricbuzz reported that the 34-year-old Bracewell will lead a patched side missing Kane Williamson. Mitchell Santner and other regulars are expected back for the T20I leg.

Jayden Lennox received a call-up as cover. The three-match series begins next week.

Ben Stokes criticised county cricket venues as shambolic during the latest round of domestic matches. Derbyshire were bowled out for 156 on day three, trailing Durham by 127 runs after Matthew Potts took five for 45.

Potts has now claimed 13 wickets in two matches against Derbyshire this season, having previously taken eight for 66 at Chester-le-Street in June. Brydon Carse impressed with the ball despite not adding to his wicket tally, with observers noting his pace and accuracy.

The England all-rounder made his comments while following Surrey's match against Nottinghamshire, highlighting concerns about pitch and facility standards across the county circuit.

The 2026-27 domestic season opens with the Duleep Trophy quarterfinals in Bengaluru starting Sunday. East Zone face North East Zone while North take on West in the other match.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will make his red-ball debut as East Zone vice-captain alongside experienced players including Mohammed Shami and Ruturaj Gaikwad. North Zone includes six Jammu and Kashmir players following their Ranji Trophy triumph.

The tournament will run at the BCCI Centre of Excellence with matches broadcast live on digital platforms.

Kovai Kings captain Shahrukh Khan stated that his team is peaking at the right moment in the Tamil Nadu Premier League. Khan delivered his best performance of the season in a recent match that kept their playoff hopes alive.

The captain had been below his best in the first six matches but produced a match-winning innings when it mattered most. Kovai's total proved well beyond their opponents' reach on a pitch offering assistance to spinners.

Trichy Grand Cholas confirmed their own playoff qualification with a win in another fixture. Khan's contribution helped Kovai maintain their position in the race for the final four.

Mitchell Starc took five wickets in 22 balls as Australia reduced Bangladesh to 64 all out on the opening day of the second Test in Mackay. The left-arm quick finished with six for 43 from 13 overs.

Starc's spell began in the 10th over and ended before lunch, removing four of the top five batters. He moved past Dale Steyn into the top 10 of Test cricket's all-time wicket-takers list with 439 dismissals.

Australia lead the two-match series 0-1 after losing the opening Test in Darwin. The visitors now need a victory to level the series before the World Test Championship cycle concludes.

Toby Milnes claimed five wickets as Kent took a first-innings lead against Middlesex at Lord's. The 28-year-old seamer finished with five for 67 as Middlesex were dismissed for 214.

Kent reached 47 for one in reply by the close, still trailing by 167 runs. Middlesex captain Toby Roland-Jones top-scored with 48 before falling to Milnes shortly before tea.

The result leaves Middlesex facing a substantial deficit on a pitch offering consistent seam movement. Kent have now taken 20 wickets in consecutive Championship matches for the first time this season.

Olly Stone took six for 44 as Nottinghamshire seized control of their County Championship match against Surrey at Trent Bridge. The 32-year-old fast bowler dismissed the visitors for 187 on the first day.

Nottinghamshire reached 89 for one in reply by stumps, trailing by 98 runs with nine wickets intact. The champions have not lost a Championship match at home since 2022.

Stone's figures represent his best return since joining Notts from Warwickshire last season. Surrey lost four wickets in the morning session and never recovered momentum.

George Bartlett scored 92 as Northamptonshire posted 284 on the second day of their County Championship match against Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford. The 27-year-old's innings spanned 187 balls and included 14 boundaries.

Lancashire reached 28 for two in reply by stumps, still trailing by 256 runs. Keaton Jennings fell for 12 and night-watchman Tom Bailey survived seven deliveries before the close.

The result keeps Northamptonshire within touching distance of the promotion places with four matches remaining. Lancashire have now lost 12 wickets in the first innings of their last three home matches.

Rinku Singh walked in at number three for Meerut Mavericks on Friday and carved 54 off 22 balls at Green Park. Seven sixes, two fours. He pushed the total to 198 for six, and the bowlers held the opposition to 167.

The innings came straight after his IPL stint with Kolkata Knight Riders. Three fifties in five matches since he returned to domestic cricket.

Devdutt Padikkal scored 167 on his Test return and shared a substantial partnership with KL Rahul at number three. The pair's stand helped India dominate Sri Lanka on day one of the first Test in Galle.

Padikkal noted that batting at number three requires understanding what has already happened on the pitch rather than forcing the tempo. KL Rahul said India A tours helped younger players adapt to Test cricket conditions.

Cheteshwar Pujara urged Manav Suthar to remain a red-ball specialist and avoid adapting his natural style for white-ball cricket. India take a 1-0 lead into the Colombo Test.

Azan Awais went for a duck off the first ball of the series, bowled by Ollie Robinson. Imam-ul-Haq followed in the second innings, caught by Jofra Archer for another duck. Pakistan haven't put together a 50-run opening stand in England for 16 years. England wrapped the match inside three days with an innings victory, Robinson and Josh Tongue doing most of the damage.