Kapil Dev expressed regret over Kohli's Test retirement while acknowledging the batter's right to make his own choices about his career.
Kapil Dev said Virat Kohli should have continued playing Test cricket longer and believes the former captain will realise this in a few years. Kohli retired from the format in May 2025 after 123 Tests, finishing as India's fourth-highest run-scorer.
The 1983 World Cup-winning captain said he feels sorry about the decision and that Kohli has the ability to play more Tests. Kapil added that he would not ask Kohli to reverse his retirement, noting that the 37-year-old knows what is best for himself.
Kohli has found form in ODIs since his Test retirement, scoring an unbeaten 139 in the opening match against West Indies. Kapil said people in his position should not advise established players on career decisions.
Jos Buttler said Brendon McCullum's removal as England Test coach allows undivided attention on the 2027 ODI World Cup. McCullum was sacked from the red-ball role in July but remains in charge of the white-ball side. England won 11 of 13 limited-overs matches this summer including ODI series victories over India and Sri Lanka. Buttler told his podcast that McCullum now has one focus and can dedicate all his attention to white-ball cricket. Buttler will miss England's tri-series in Pakistan next month after sustaining a hamstring injury against Sri Lanka. Jordan Cox will replace him for the series that begins on 20 October.
Nitish Kumar Reddy's limited bowling workload in ODIs reflects India's cautious approach to developing him as a Pandya successor.
Nitish Kumar Reddy opened the bowling for India in the first ODI against West Indies, sharing the new ball with Prasidh Krishna. The 23-year-old conceded 18 runs in his first over but took a wicket in the final over, finishing with one for 45 from five overs.
India are developing Reddy as a potential successor to Hardik Pandya, who has been ruled out of the India A series against Australia A with a shin injury. Bowling coach Morne Morkel said the team wants Reddy to be consistent and fulfil the basics rather than create opportunities.
Reddy has bowled just 12.5 overs per first-class match on average since May 2025 and just over five overs per ODI since October 2025. Morkel indicated Reddy is not expected to be a full-fledged all-rounder but a passable one who contributes with the bat.
India will advance if the match is washed out due to higher T20I ranking.
Heavy rain threatens India's Asian Games men's cricket quarterfinal against Afghanistan on Monday at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin. The weather forecast indicates a 40 to 70 percent chance of precipitation with thunderstorms expected throughout the day.
Two earlier matches at the venue were abandoned without a result. India captain Shreyas Iyer said the team is prepared for any situation and will not take Afghanistan lightly. The side trained on Sunday with Arshdeep Singh, Shivam Dube, Ishan Kishan and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi among those present.
India enter the tournament as the top-ranked T20I side while Afghanistan sit tenth. If the match is washed out, India will advance to the semifinals as the higher-ranked team under tournament rules. The same outcome occurred in the 2022 Asian Games final when India received the gold medal without completing the match against Afghanistan.
Nottinghamshire have signed wicketkeeper John Simpson from Sussex on a two-year contract. The 38-year-old will remain at Trent Bridge beyond his 40th birthday and will play in both County Championship and One-Day Cup formats.
Simpson has scored more than 14,000 runs across first-class and List A cricket during a 17-year career. He spent over a decade at Middlesex before joining Sussex in 2024, where he captained the side to Division Two promotion and T20 Blast Finals Day. Simpson scored 581 County Championship runs in 2026, his first season below 1,000 runs in three years at Hove.
His arrival ends Kyle Verreynne's time at the club after the South African helped Nottinghamshire win the 2025 Championship title. Head coach Peter Moores said Simpson's presence will provide flexibility with the second overseas slot.
England defeated Sri Lanka in the third ODI at The Oval to complete their summer programme. The result capped a successful white-ball season that also included series wins in other formats.
Tom Banton scored his maiden international hundred during the campaign. England improved their ODI standing after earlier struggles in the format.
The summer also saw Warwickshire win the County Championship title.
Perth Scorchers add Zak Crawley to replace Finn Allen ahead of the 2026-27 Big Bash League season.
Perth Scorchers have signed England opener Zak Crawley on a one-year deal for the 2026-27 Big Bash League season. Crawley replaces Finn Allen, who moved to Melbourne Stars on a three-year contract.
Crawley played for the Scorchers in BBL|13, scoring 155 runs in six matches and making an unbeaten 65 against Hobart Hurricanes. Head coach Adam Voges said Crawley's familiarity with the club and players made him a straightforward addition to the top order.
Crawley has 3,586 Test runs for England, including a 267 against Pakistan in 2020. He will be available for the full tournament including finals.
TMS asks listeners to rank ten major scandals ahead of Australia's return to South Africa for Tests.
Test Match Special has asked listeners to rank ten of the most famous scandals in Test cricket history ahead of Australia's first Test in South Africa since the 2018 sandpaper incident. The list includes Bodyline, the D'Oliveira affair, the 1975 Headingley pitch vandalism and Kerry Packer's World Series Cricket.
Bodyline saw England use short-pitched bowling against Don Bradman in 1932-33, creating a diplomatic incident between the two countries. The D'Oliveira case led to the cancellation of England's 1968-69 tour of South Africa and contributed to the country's 20-year isolation from international cricket.
The Headingley pitch was vandalised in 1975 by supporters of George Davis, forcing the third Ashes Test to be abandoned as a draw. World Series Cricket emerged when Kerry Packer's broadcast offer was rejected, leading to a rival competition that changed player contracts worldwide.
Test Match Special invites listeners to rank ten historic Test cricket scandals ahead of Australia's first Test in South Africa since Sandpapergate.
Test Match Special has compiled a list of ten famous scandals in Test cricket history and is asking listeners to rank them by significance. The vote results will be revealed on the TMS podcast.
The list includes the Bodyline series of 1932-33, the D'Oliveira affair of 1968, the Headingley pitch vandalism of 1975, and the Sandpapergate incident of 2018. Each scandal is presented with historical context and consequences.
Australia are due to play their first Test in South Africa since the sandpaper scandal eight years ago, providing the immediate backdrop for the ranking exercise.
Mohammad Rizwan asked Pakistan's NCCIA to return his phone and clarify the scope of its investigation.
Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has written to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency asking the body to comply with Lahore High Court directions and return his mobile phone. The device has been held by the NCCIA since August 31, when Rizwan voluntarily handed it over during Pakistan's tour of England.
Rizwan's legal team requested written clarification on the specific incident under investigation. The Lahore High Court had dismissed Rizwan's petition challenging the NCCIA's jurisdiction but directed the agency not to subject him to harassment or unnecessary inconvenience.
The investigation concerns Rizwan and fellow batter Imam-ul-Haq and emerged after Pakistan's defeat in the second Test at Lord's. Imam chose to complete a questionnaire provided by the agency, while Rizwan sought legal advice throughout the proceedings.
Pakistan wicketkeeper seeks formal explanation from cybercrime agency over phone held since August 31.
Mohammad Rizwan has written to Pakistan's National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency demanding clarity on the investigation against him. He also seeks the return of his mobile phone seized on August 31 in England. The device has been held for nearly four weeks.
Rizwan's legal team stated that he voluntarily handed over the phone after investigators promised its return within three hours. The Lahore High Court dismissed his jurisdictional challenge two weeks ago but directed the NCCIA to avoid harassment. Rizwan now requests written details on the specific incident under investigation.
The inquiry involves Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq and emerged after Pakistan's Lord's defeat. Imam cooperated with investigators while Rizwan sought legal advice throughout the process.
K Srikkanth, S Venkataraghavan and R Ashwin will be honoured with stands at Chepauk ahead of the first BBL match outside Australia.
K Srikkanth, S Venkataraghavan and R Ashwin will have stands named after them at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk. The stands will be unveiled before the Big Bash League opener between Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Renegades on December 12.
Srikkanth played 43 Tests and 146 ODIs, scoring over 6,000 international runs and captaining India in 1989. Venkataraghavan took 156 Test wickets and later became an elite international umpire.
Ashwin claimed 537 Test wickets in 106 matches, including 37 five-wicket hauls and a joint-record 11 Player of the Series awards. He also scored 3,503 Test runs with six centuries before retiring in 2024.
Babar Azam heads list of 17 Pakistan players entering ILT20 season-five auction on October 1.
Babar Azam is one of 17 Pakistan players registered for the International League T20 season-five player auction scheduled for October 1 in Dubai. More than 200 cricketers from 23 countries will be available across three base-price brackets. Babar, Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan and Usman Tariq sit in the top USD 80,000 bracket.
Twelve further Pakistan players, including Shadab Khan and Hassan Nawaz, are listed at USD 40,000. The six franchises enter the auction with purses between USD 1.3 million and USD 1.39 million and must field squads of 18 to 23 players, including minimum numbers from Afghanistan, Ireland, the UAE and other associate nations.
The auction will take place at the ICC Academy Indoors in Dubai at 1pm local time. The season runs from November 22 to December 20 across venues in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.
CSK named Mohit Sharma as bowling coach ahead of IPL 2027 after Zaheer Khan pushed for the former Purple Cap winner.
Chennai Super Kings named former India pacer Mohit Sharma as their new bowling coach for IPL 2027. Head coach Zaheer Khan recommended the 38-year-old who took the Purple Cap for the franchise in 2014 with 23 wickets. Mohit played four seasons for CSK between 2013 and 2019 before retiring from all formats in December 2025 after 134 IPL wickets from 120 matches. He succeeds Eric Simons in the role. CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed the appointment and said the remainder of the backroom staff will be finalised on Zaheer's recommendations in the coming weeks.
Shoaib Akhtar is set for a significant PCB position as the board restructures following Pakistan’s clean sweep loss in England.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar met PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi last week to discuss the national team’s future. Naqvi has invited Akhtar to visit the National Cricket Academy and training camps. The pair strengthened ties after Naqvi offered support following the death of Akhtar’s elder brother.
Akhtar reportedly presented his own ideas and conditions for Pakistan cricket’s improvement. The PCB is also considering overseas coaches and consultants after the departures of fielding coach Shane McDermott and batting coach Ashley Noffke. A permanent head coach for the women’s team is under discussion.
Pakistan’s 0-3 Test series defeat in England has added urgency to the overhaul. Naqvi wants better results across the men’s, women’s, Shaheens and junior sides. Changes to the coaching setup are expected soon.
Greaves will miss Wednesday's second ODI after injuring his calf while scoring 101 off 108 balls in the series opener.
West Indies opener Justin Greaves has been ruled out of the second ODI against India in Guwahati after sustaining a calf injury during his century in the series opener at Thiruvananthapuram. Cricket West Indies confirmed the injury occurred during his 101 off 108 balls in the first match, which India won by eight wickets.
Greaves and John Campbell had given the visitors a strong platform by reaching 135 without loss in the opening 19 overs. Kuldeep Yadav's four for 40 then restricted West Indies to 295 for seven, and India's chase was completed in 41.4 overs. The 32-year-old's absence is a significant blow for a side that needs to win both remaining matches to claim the series.
It remains unclear whether Greaves will recover in time for the third ODI in New Chandigarh on October 3. No replacement has been named, though Jewel Andrew is among the options being considered to open alongside Campbell. Sherfane Rutherford is expected to return after missing the first match for personal reasons.
Ashwin publicly endorses Kuldeep for the 2027 ODI World Cup following the spinner’s match-winning return against West Indies.
Ravichandran Ashwin said Kuldeep Yadav must be part of India’s squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup after the wrist-spinner took 4 for 40 against West Indies on September 27. Ashwin argued that Kuldeep’s nearly 200 ODI wickets and proven ability make him indispensable on South African pitches. He praised the bowler’s recent county stint with Yorkshire for restoring rhythm.
Kuldeep had not played an ODI since early 2026 before returning for the series opener in Thiruvananthapuram. Ashwin rejected any notion of a comeback narrative, stating that Kuldeep has remained a champion spinner throughout his limited opportunities. India won the match by eight wickets after Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 139.
The second ODI is scheduled for September 30 in Guwahati. Ashwin’s comments add to public pressure on selectors to settle on a consistent role for the wrist-spinner ahead of the World Cup cycle.
Nitish Reddy's expensive spell raises selection questions ahead of the second ODI in Guwahati.
India are considering changes to their playing XI for the second ODI against West Indies after Nitish Reddy conceded 45 runs in five overs in the series opener. The all-rounder was used with the new ball and bowled two no-balls. Kuldeep Yadav took 4 for 40 to restrict West Indies to 295 for 7.
India chased the target with eight wickets and 50 balls to spare. Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill scored centuries. The team used six bowlers in the match.
Selectors must decide whether to persist with Reddy as a fifth bowler or bring in a specialist seamer. Mohammed Siraj and uncapped Auqib Nabi are the most likely replacements.
Rohit Sharma says his long-standing bond with Virat Kohli remains the same despite changing team roles.
Rohit Sharma says his relationship with Virat Kohli hasn't shifted, even though their roles inside the Indian setup have changed. They've been teammates since Rohit debuted in 2007 and Kohli a year later, and Rohit told JioStar they still swap ideas about batting and team goals. Appreciation has always run both ways, he added, though each brings a different approach to the job.
Kohli made an unbeaten 139 in the first ODI against West Indies; Rohit scored 32 in the chase. Both are set to play the rest of the series.
Glamorgan teenager and Warwickshire seamer among recipients in county season awards.
Tom Norton took a hat-trick on his Glamorgan debut in May before a stress fracture ended his season. The 18-year-old's early impact helped Glamorgan survive their first year back in Division One despite his August injury.
Ethan Bamber claimed 69 Championship wickets to finish as the competition's leading wicket-taker. The Warwickshire bowler received praise from captain Ed Barnard as cricket's nicest man and from Sam Hain as its hardest worker. Bamber spoke modestly about his ceiling as an average cricketer given space to express himself.
Somerset finished as runners-up for the seventh time this century after leading the table into the penultimate round. Kent won promotion from Division Two after a poor start prompted coach Adam Hollioake to restrict social media access for players.
