Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy passed fitness tests at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and will join India's squad for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan starting September 13 in New Delhi.

Sundar missed the recent Test series in Sri Lanka after sustaining a hamstring injury during the second ODI against England in Cardiff in July. Reddy aggravated a left quadriceps injury during the home ODI series against Afghanistan in June.

Jasprit Bumrah remains under monitoring for a left knee injury while Harshit Rana is unavailable after his latest setback.

Pakistan were dismissed in 33.5 overs on a placid Edgbaston pitch during their ongoing Test against England. The innings ended before lunch on the second day.

The top order failed to build partnerships, leaving the middle and lower order exposed to sustained pressure. England took regular wickets and prevented any substantial recovery.

Pakistan now face a substantial deficit and must bat again under the same conditions that produced their first-innings collapse.

South Zone captain Tilak Varma has set a new goal for himself after missing out on a century in the Duleep Trophy final. The left-handed batter fell one run short of his ninth first-class hundred, dismissed for 99 off 211 balls.

Despite the disappointment, Varma has turned his focus to the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. The batter has expressed his desire to play Test cricket for India and described red-ball cricket as his favourite format.

Brydon Carse claimed five for 72 on day two as Durham dismissed Middlesex for 203 in the County Championship Division Two match. It is Carse’s first five-wicket haul in the competition since 2021.

Ben McKinney scored a century to strengthen Durham’s position. Middlesex now face a substantial fourth-innings target after struggling with bat and ball.

Carse remains unavailable for England selection while he resolves off-field matters. The ECB has advised him to settle those issues before any recall.

Tilak Varma said red-ball cricket remains his favourite format after South Zone lost the Duleep Trophy final to East Zone on first-innings lead. The South Zone captain scored 99 in the match and expressed hope that consistent performances will lead to a Test call-up.

Varma has played white-ball cricket for India but has yet to feature in the longest format. He stated that Test cricket is his ultimate goal and that red-ball cricket is his A game.

The 22-year-old has captained India A and South Zone in recent months. He said he is growing as a captain and enjoys the responsibility that comes with leading a side in first-class cricket.

Indian fast bowler Arshdeep Singh was seen sharing a warm embrace with his girlfriend, actress and model Samreen Kaur, at the airport in a video that went viral across social media. The moment occurred before India's departure for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan.

Arshdeep has been a regular member of India's white-ball squad in recent months. The team is scheduled to play three T20Is against Afghanistan from September 13 to 17 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

The India team has a packed international calendar from September 2026 through February 2027, including series against West Indies, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Australia.

Sri Lanka Cricket faces an estimated revenue loss of USD 20 million after the ICC Women's Champions Trophy was relocated to India. The tournament was originally slated to be hosted by Sri Lanka but will now take place from February 14 to 28, 2027. Matches are scheduled in Mumbai and Vadodara.

The ICC made the decision after assessing infrastructure and logistical requirements. Sri Lanka had hosted the previous edition in 2023. The financial impact will affect the board's domestic and international programmes.

No alternative compensation has been announced.

Former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja has expressed helplessness over the chaos surrounding Pakistan cricket during the ongoing England Test series. Raja said he does not know how to defend the current state of the game. The former captain spoke after Pakistan's poor performance on the opening day at Edgbaston.

Pakistan implemented four changes and handed three Test debuts for the series. The team's performance has not improved despite the overhaul. Raja's comments reflect growing frustration among former players.

The second Test begins next week at Headingley.

Pakistan lost six wickets for less than 100 runs on the opening morning of the first Test against England at Edgbaston. Captain Babar Azam was among the casualties after implementing four changes and handing out three Test debuts. The visitors struggled against England's pace attack in seaming conditions.

Babar had urged his players to block out external noise before the series. The restructured team could not handle the moving ball in the first session. England took full advantage of the helpful conditions.

The match continues on day two with Pakistan needing a substantial recovery.

Chennai Super Kings are weighing Hemang Badani as their next head coach, with MS Dhoni's preference for an Indian-led support staff central to the search. Reports indicate Dhoni has recommended an Indian coach ahead of the IPL 2027 season.

Stephen Fleming's future remains uncertain after CSK's inconsistent performances since winning the title in 2023. The franchise last lifted the IPL trophy that season.

Uttarakhand pacer Akash Madhwal, who played under both Dhoni at CSK and Rohit Sharma at MI, credited the calm environments created by both captains for their sustained success.

Akash Madhwal said a calm and positive team environment is a major factor behind the sustained success at Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. The Uttarakhand pacer, who played for Mumbai Indians in 2023 and 2024 before joining Chennai Super Kings in 2026, highlighted the influence of MS Dhoni.

He said Dhoni’s mere presence in the dressing room brings a sense of calm and positivity to the players. Madhwal also credited Rohit Sharma’s leadership style during his time at Mumbai Indians.

The pacer represented both franchises during their title-winning campaigns and believes the culture shaped by both captains set the foundation for long-term success.

East Zone won the Duleef Trophy 2026 on the back of standout performances from several young domestic cricketers. The tournament provided a platform for players to stake claims for higher honours.

Three youngsters impressed selectors with their consistency and match-winning contributions across the competition. Their performances stood out in a tournament that tested both batting and bowling skills under pressure.

Selectors will now assess these players for potential inclusion in India's domestic and international setups in the coming months.

Hardik Pandya will miss India's white-ball tour of New Zealand after scans revealed a fresh injury to his right shin. The 32-year-old all-rounder has been advised complete rest for two weeks and faces at least three weeks out of competitive cricket. He has not played since the end of IPL 2026.

Pandya was named in the India A squad for the three-match one-day series against Australia A starting October 6 in Puducherry. That series is now ruled out, along with any chance of selection for the five T20Is against New Zealand from October 22. The BCCI medical panel has reviewed his latest scans and will reassess him after two weeks.

Suryansh Shedge is in contention to replace Pandya in the India A squad. Pandya could still be considered for the ODI series against Zimbabwe later this year if he regains fitness in time.

The England and Wales Cricket Board named Leah Poulton managing director of England women on Tuesday. The Australian replaces Clare Connor, who announced her departure earlier this year after 18 years with the ECB.

Poulton will assume the role in November 2026. The former international played 48 ODIs and 55 T20Is for Australia between 2003 and 2013. She brings experience from her playing and coaching background in women's cricket.

The appointment forms part of the ECB's restructuring of its women's programme ahead of the 2029 ODI World Cup cycle.