Rishabh Pant and Harry Brook have both played 40 Tests with contrasting records in the middle order. Pant has scored more runs at a higher strike rate, while Brook has a better average and conversion rate.

Pant remains India's Test vice-captain and leads Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL. Brook captains England in white-ball cricket and is a key batter in their Test side.

The comparison highlights two different approaches to aggressive middle-order batting in the modern era.

Shreyas Gopal said he wants to show that leg-spinners can succeed in red-ball cricket after taking 48 wickets in last year's Ranji Trophy. The Chennai Super Kings spinner also scored five fifties with the bat.

Gopal has been named in South Zone's squad for the Duleep Trophy final against East Zone. He will play his 100th first-class match in the same game.

South Zone face East Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from Sunday.

Australia have retained under-fire batter Marnus Labuschagne in the 16-player squad for the upcoming Test series against South Africa. The squad also includes Cooper Connolly, Michael Neser and Matthew Kuhnemann. Labuschagne has come under pressure after a lean run of form in recent series.

The series returns to South Africa for the first time since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Labuschagne will bat at number three on the tour that begins later this month. Selectors have backed the batter to regain form on the away assignment.

The 16-player squad was confirmed on Monday. The tour schedule includes three Tests.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali called for those questioning Imam-ul-Haq's fitness to be held accountable. Imam left Pakistan's second Test against England at Lord's after sustaining a left calf injury on the opening day.

The batter had already dropped two catches before the injury forced him out of the match. Some observers suggested the injury was fabricated to avoid further criticism.

Basit Ali rejected the fake injury claims and demanded those making the accusations face consequences. The controversy has added to the scrutiny surrounding Pakistan's tour of England.

Rajat Patidar said support from Virat Kohli meant everything during his rise as Royal Challengers Bengaluru captain. The 31-year-old took over the side after Kohli stepped down and has led RCB to back-to-back IPL titles in 2025 and 2026.

Patidar revealed that Kohli backed the franchise's decision to hand him the captaincy. He said receiving support from his idol outweighed everything else in his journey. Kohli remains with RCB as a senior player after relinquishing the captaincy.

The side's success under Patidar has followed the transition from one of India's most successful limited-overs captains to a new leader.

Ishan Kishan remained unbeaten on 171 as East Zone reached 491 for 5 at lunch on day two of the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone in Chennai. The East Zone captain has now scored his tenth first-class century and continues to build a substantial total on the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium pitch.

Kumar Kushagra fell for 101 on day two, dismissed by Tripurana Vijay after adding a century to his overnight 63. East Zone had finished day one at 385 for 4 with Kishan and Kushagra building a strong partnership. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 44 before falling after a verbal exchange with South Zone captain Tilak Varma.

Kishan has praised Mohammed Shami's continued intensity at 36, noting that the seamer asked for extra overs during the campaign. The East Zone captain said age is just a number and having Shami in the team gives everyone confidence ahead of his 100th first-class match.

East Zone captain Ishan Kishan said Mohammed Shami's hunger and intensity remain undiminished at 36 as the seamer prepares for his 100th first-class match in the Duleep Trophy final. Kishan praised Shami for asking for extra overs during East Zone's campaign. The veteran bowler has not played for India since the Champions Trophy final last year.

Kishan scored an unbeaten 111 on day one as East Zone reached 385 for four against South Zone at Chepauk. Kumar Kushagra made 101 before falling on day two, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 44. South Zone captain Tilak Varma engaged in a verbal exchange with Sooryavanshi before the youngster's dismissal.

Former India bowling coach Bharat Arun questioned the decision to drop Shami, saying selectors should not have closed the door on the pacer. Ajit Agarkar has not commented on the exclusion.

Lakshya Raichandani has been appointed captain of India U-19 for the upcoming white-ball series against Australia. The Mussoorie Thunder batter will lead the side in the limited-overs assignment.

Raichandani said the Dehradun T20 League has provided valuable match practice and exposure ahead of the series. The appointment comes as India prepares for youth international commitments against the touring Australian side.

The captaincy marks a step up for the young batter who has shown consistent form in domestic youth competitions. India will face Australia in a multi-format white-ball series.

Harmanpreet Kaur credited India's spinners after the seven-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Women's Asia Cup. Shree Charani finished with 3 for 7 and was named player of the match.

India's spinners took nine of the ten wickets as Pakistan were bowled out for 55. Prema Rawat supported with 3 for 9.

Kaur said the side aims to stay ruthless in every match. India remain unbeaten in the tournament.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra backed the BCCI's decision to add extra warm-up matches ahead of SENA tours but warned that preparation value depends on the standard of opposition. He said low-quality practice games would not replicate match conditions overseas.

The board has not named the teams or venues for the proposed fixtures. Chopra noted that past tours succeeded when India faced full-strength state or A sides rather than invitational XIs.

Selectors are expected to finalise the programme after the current home season concludes.

Rohit Sharma will host a new television show titled Garden Se Reporting Live, scheduled to premiere on September 19. The former India captain steps into the role while uncertainty remains over his place in the 2027 World Cup plans.

Rohit has not played a Test since the South Africa series last year. He remains in the T20I and ODI squads but faces questions about his long-term role.

The show marks his first regular television commitment outside the cricket field.

Nicholas Pooran struck three consecutive sixes off Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb-ur-Rahman during a CPL match between Barbados Tridents and Trinbago Knight Riders. The over went for 27 runs.

Pooran reached his fifty in 22 balls and finished unbeaten on 72 from 38 deliveries. Trinbago Knight Riders won by 33 runs.

Mujeeb returned figures of 0 for 57 from his four overs. Afghanistan face India in a T20I series starting 27 September in New Delhi.

The Pakistan Cricket Board seized mobile phones from players during the ongoing Test series against England as part of an internal investigation. The board did not disclose the subject of the probe.

ICC regulations already bar phones from certain match zones to protect integrity. The PCB action goes further by removing devices from players' possession entirely.

No timeline has been given for the return of the phones. The series continues with the third Test at The Oval next week.