McCullum says Pietersen will challenge the coaching group across all disciplines.
Brendon McCullum brought in Kevin Pietersen as a white-ball mentor and told him to look at everything. Pietersen thought McCullum was joking when the call first came, and he admitted he'd been openly critical of the coaching staff before.
Pietersen spoke to the players on his first day and left them buzzing, McCullum said. He spent that day at the Utilita Bowl watching training, under orders to stay out of any single discipline.
Stephen Fleming landed in England on Monday as the incoming Test head coach. England open their T20I series against Sri Lanka on Tuesday without Phil Salt, Jacob Bethell, Sam Curran and Brydon Carse.
Smith leaves 2027 Ashes participation open as T20 and Olympics take priority.
Australia batter Steve Smith said he does not have an end date for his Test career and is uncertain about playing in the 2027 Ashes series in England. The 37-year-old is managing his participation on a series-by-series basis.
Smith has shifted focus toward T20 cricket and a potential appearance at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He described his Test future as unclear while acknowledging the appeal of shorter formats in the later stages of his career.
Australia have not confirmed whether Smith will be considered for the next Ashes cycle.
Donald partners Buttler at the top after Salt's quad injury.
England white-ball coach Brendon McCullum has selected Aneurin Donald for his T20I debut in the opening match against Sri Lanka. The 29-year-old Derbyshire batter will open alongside Jos Buttler at the top of the order.
Donald earned the call after a strong run of form for Derbyshire in domestic cricket. McCullum confirmed the selection on Monday and said the batter's aggressive approach fits the team's current strategy.
Phil Salt remains unavailable with a right quad injury. England have not named a revised squad for the remainder of the series, but McCullum indicated further changes could follow if Salt's recovery extends beyond the first match.
Ellis sees Zimbabwe ODIs as preparation for 2027 World Cup.
Nathan Ellis has identified Australia's ODI series against Zimbabwe as key preparation for next year's World Cup. The fast bowler said the matches offer an opportunity to refine his variations ahead of the tournament.
Ellis has focused on developing his out-swinger as a complement to his back-of-the-hand slower ball. He views the upcoming fixtures as a chance to demonstrate consistency in both white-ball formats.
Australia begin the three-match ODI series in Zimbabwe this week before travelling to South Africa. Ellis remains outside the Test squad for the tour.
Scott Borthwick will retire from professional cricket at the end of the 2026 season. The Durham batter and former captain has played 18 years at the professional level.
Borthwick will move into a full-time coaching role after hanging up his boots. Durham confirmed the timeline on Tuesday.
The club has not named a successor for the captaincy. Borthwick led Durham in both red-ball and white-ball cricket during his tenure.
Sunil Gavaskar wants the BCCI to expand its Cricket Advisory Committee by adding Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid to improve planning across formats.
Sunil Gavaskar has called on the BCCI to bring Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid onto an expanded Cricket Advisory Committee. He says the three bring different strengths to scheduling decisions in both domestic and international cricket.
Gavaskar points to the Duleep Trophy as proof that players are not getting enough red-ball cricket to be ready for Tests. He asks how a side can prepare when the first-class calendar is so thin and argues that former players can help the board plan across formats instead of reacting match by match.
Gavaskar wants the committee to tackle challenges related to both domestic and international scheduling rather than operating in isolation. He also wonders whether the board will follow through or let the idea drift.
BCCI policy treats ACC tournaments as secondary to ICC events amid India-Pakistan tensions.
India's decision not to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi for the second straight year follows a deliberate BCCI policy. The board informed ACC officials beforehand that the women's team would skip the presentation if Naqvi attended, matching the men's stance from 2025.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia linked the move to government policy after the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent military tensions. He said India must participate in multinational tournaments but will not follow every condition attached to bilateral or ACC fixtures.
The policy reserves full engagement for ICC events while treating continental tournaments as lower priority. India's eight Asia Cup titles demonstrate dominance in the region, yet the board signals that political considerations override ceremonial acceptance at ACC events.
Harmanpreet Kaur refused to receive the Asia Cup trophy from ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi after India's 72-run win over Sri Lanka.
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur declined to accept the Women's Asia Cup trophy from ACC chairman Mohsin Naqvi after Sunday's final in Dubai. The refusal follows a similar incident involving the Indian men's team and Naqvi during the 2025 men's Asia Cup at the same venue.
Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana scored fifties as India posted 183 for five and then bowled Sri Lanka out for 111 to win by 72 runs. Shafali reached her fifty in 24 balls, the fastest in the tournament's history, while the pair added a record 129 for the first wicket.
The BCCI had informed Naqvi before the match that the Indian team would not collect the trophy from him. Naqvi also serves as Pakistan's Interior Minister and PCB chairman.
BCCI says Naqvi knew India's position before the final. The standoff now tests the ACC's leadership structure.
Public commentary framed India's refusal to accept the Women's Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi as a sudden escalation at the presentation ceremony. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla confirmed the board had informed Naqvi of the stance before the final and had already requested changes to the ceremony format.
Naqvi, who also chairs the PCB, sat through the presentation after India's 72-run win over Sri Lanka. The side followed the men's team in skipping the ceremony in 2025. Head coach Amol Muzumdar called the boycott institutional rather than personal.
The row has already put Naqvi's future as ACC president in doubt, with reports that his extension could be blocked by member boards seeking separation between the ACC presidency and national board roles.
Smriti Mandhana calls for consistent performances against stronger sides after India's record eighth Asia Cup title.
Smriti Mandhana said India need to maintain their winning momentum against stronger opponents after the women's team claimed their eighth Asia Cup title. India beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final in Dubai on Sunday.
Shafali Verma scored 68 and Mandhana made 59 as the openers put together a 129-run stand that equalled the record for most 100-plus partnerships in women's T20Is. Shafali reached her fifty in 24 balls, the fastest in Asia Cup history.
Shree Charani took four for 20 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 111. India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament.
National song played before anthem per new protocol in Delhi.
Vande Mataram was played in full before the national anthem ahead of India's first T20I against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The national song was performed in its entirety for the first time at a men's international match following a recent legal amendment.
The protocol change requires Vande Mataram to be played at the start of every home series before the first game. All six stanzas were performed, extending the pre-match formalities to four minutes and two seconds.
The BCCI confirmed the new arrangement follows directives from the Union Home Ministry. The practice will continue for subsequent home matches in the series.
Agarkar's contract as chief selector will be decided within two days. He has held the role since 2023.
The BCCI will decide on Ajit Agarkar's contract renewal as chairman of India's senior men's selection committee within the next 48 hours. Reports indicate the board and selection committee will deliberate on the matter during upcoming meetings.
Agarkar has held the position since July 2023, overseeing a period of major transition in Indian cricket. His existing contract is approaching its end with no formal announcement on renewal yet made.
The chief selector's future has come under review following recent selection decisions. The board has not disclosed specific criteria that will guide the renewal discussion.
KL Rahul is set to become India's ODI vice-captain for the West Indies series while Shreyas Iyer participates in the Asian Games.
KL Rahul is expected to serve as India's vice-captain for the upcoming ODI series against West Indies. Shreyas Iyer will miss the three-match series due to his participation in the Asian Games. BCCI selectors will meet on September 16 to finalise the squad.
Rahul's appointment comes as India balance their limited-overs leadership across different formats. The Asian Games schedule creates complications for the ODI team's captaincy structure. Rahul has previous experience as vice-captain in white-ball cricket.
New Zealand pace great Trent Boult identified Rahul as a key player to watch during India's Test series against his country in November. The vice-captaincy role would add leadership responsibilities to Rahul's batting contributions.
Geoffrey Boycott criticised Ben Duckett's batting approach and called for his exclusion from the England Test side.
Geoffrey Boycott called England opener Ben Duckett pig-headed and urged selectors to drop him for irresponsible shots during the Pakistan Test series. Duckett's dismissals drew sharp criticism for reckless batting.
Boycott said Duckett's adherence to Bazball tactics without adaptation has put his place at risk. The opener's poor series has prompted questions about his long-term role in the England side.
England won the series 3-0 despite Duckett's struggles, with Joe Root finishing unbeaten on 62 in the final Test at Edgbaston.
Amritsar Soormas defeated Ludhiana Lions by eight wickets to win the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League 2026 title at I.S. Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Sunday. The contest concluded the domestic T20 competition played across Punjab venues.
Sahaj Dhawan scored an unbeaten half-century while Rahul Kumar remained unbeaten on 42 from 30 balls to guide Amritsar to victory. India opener Abhishek Sharma joined the title celebrations via video call after the win.
The final showcased the competitive standard of Punjab's domestic T20 competition. Naman Dhir and Prabhsimran Singh featured in the Team of the Tournament selections following their performances across the league.
Bangladesh and Nepal are set to play a bilateral series by 2027 following an invitation from the Cricket Association of Nepal.
Bangladesh Cricket Board officials confirmed on Saturday that they're planning a bilateral series with Nepal by 2027. The invitation came from the Cricket Association of Nepal, and the BCB says talks are still ongoing to sort out the schedule.
Bangladesh would host under the current proposal. Nepal's form in recent tournaments has improved enough to make the fixtures worthwhile for both sides, and the series would give each team extra match practice without the cost of a longer tour.
Goenka said he and Pant planned to meet for dinner after their professional relationship ended.
Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka said his final conversation with Rishabh Pant extended past the end of the player’s contract. Goenka told the Shubhankar Mishra podcast that the two had planned to have dinner together and that he remained fond of Pant. Pant left LSG after two seasons in which the franchise finished seventh and tenth.
Pant scored 581 runs in 28 matches after being signed for INR 27.4 crore at the 2025 mega auction. The parties agreed to part ways after IPL 2026. Pant has since returned to Delhi Capitals at a reduced fee of INR 12 crore.
Goenka said judging the value of the original deal was subjective and depended on outcome and circumstances.
Dravid's decision to keep wickets created room for an extra batter and altered India's ODI selection approach in the early 2000s.
Rahul Dravid took up wicket-keeping duties during the early 2000s to strengthen India's ODI lineup balance. The move allowed the team to include an additional specialist batter and deepen the middle order during a period of tactical evolution.
Dravid's decision came at a time when limited-overs cricket demanded greater flexibility in selections. By handling the gloves, he freed a slot that previously went to a designated keeper, giving India more batting depth against stronger attacks.
The adjustment proved effective as India adapted to changing formats and opposition strategies. Dravid's willingness to perform the additional role reinforced his reputation as a player who prioritised team requirements over personal comfort.
Hindustan Times said seven T20Is against Afghanistan in three months bring little benefit and risk player fatigue.
Hindustan Times reported that India gain little from seven T20Is against Afghanistan in three months because other top sides play the Afghans far less often.
The article said the schedule offers no competitive edge and risks player fatigue without adding meaningful preparation for larger events.
The report urged the BCCI to reassess bilateral frequency rather than treat Afghanistan as a default opposition for quick fixtures.
Abhishek Sharma's 82 guided India to a seven-wicket victory as they chased down 157 against Afghanistan in 13.4 overs.
Abhishek Sharma's 82 off 32 balls guided India to a seven-wicket victory as they chased down Afghanistan's 157 in just 13.4 overs at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday. The left-hander's explosive knock included multiple boundaries that dismantled the Afghan bowling attack from the outset.
Arshdeep Singh's three wickets for 19 runs restricted Afghanistan to 156 for eight after Azmatullah Omarzai's unbeaten 64 provided some late resistance. Jasprit Bumrah claimed an early wicket on his return from injury to set the tone for India's bowling effort.
India's comfortable chase sets up the three-match series with the team looking to maintain their dominance. The series serves as crucial preparation for the upcoming Asian Games campaign in Japan.
