Sultana said Bangladesh's collective performance could produce unexpected results against Australia.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana believes her side can surprise any opponent when they play as a unit. She made the comment ahead of their first-ever ODI against Australia.
Coach David Hemp has stressed the need for a positive mindset as the team gets ready for the match. Bangladesh have never played an ODI on Australian soil.
The series marks a big step for the women's side, building on their recent Asia Cup and Asian Games showings.
Kagiso Rabada remains unavailable for South Africa's first Test against Australia as Anrich Nortje returns to the XI.
Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the opening Test against Australia after South Africa confirmed their playing XI on Thursday. Rabada hurt his right hamstring in winter training and hasn't played since the IPL in May. The right-arm quick went through his paces at training, but the hosts opted for a conservative approach.
Anrich Nortje will lead the pace attack alongside Marco Jansen, while spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer complete the bowling attack. Nortje returns for his first Test since March 2023 after impressing in the nets. Captain Temba Bavuma said the team expects Rabada to be available for the second Test in Gqeberha.
The Durban Test will be the first meeting between the sides since the World Test Championship Final at Lord's in 2025. Australia currently sit top of the WTC standings, with South Africa in second.
Pujara urged the team management to back Samson through his lean run and said the wicketkeeper-batter should not face pressure over his place.
Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara said there should be no questions around Sanju Samson's place in the playing XI. Samson scored 11 in the series opener in Lucknow after earlier scores of 9, 7 and 2 at the Asian Games. Pujara said Samson has won a World Cup for India and is a quality player who deserves backing through a lean patch.
The 19-year-old World Cup-winning captain gets another leadership role as Mumbai prepare for the new Ranji Trophy season.
Ayush Mhatre was named vice-captain of Mumbai for the upcoming Ranji Trophy season, with Siddhesh Lad leading the side. The 19-year-old, who guided India Under-19 to the World Cup title last year, said being vice-captain of a team as big as Mumbai is a huge responsibility. The selectors wanted a junior cricketer to be vice-captain, someone who is the future of Mumbai cricket.
Mhatre said senior players have never made him feel left out and have always supported him on the field. He singled out Lad for making him feel comfortable when he first came into the Mumbai setup. Mhatre also credited time spent around MS Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings for teaching him the importance of staying calm, particularly when things do not go according to plan.
Mumbai will begin their campaign against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday. The team will be without former captain Shardul Thakur, while former skipper Ajinkya Rahane has retired from all forms of cricket ahead of the campaign.
Lad backs the selectors' call to omit Suryakumar Yadav due to his lack of recent red-ball cricket despite the India captain making himself available.
Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad said he respects the selectors' decision to leave Suryakumar Yadav out of the team's opening Ranji Trophy fixture against Chandigarh. The India T20I captain's last first-class appearance was in February 2025, and selectors cited his lack of red-ball cricket over the past year-and-a-half. Suryakumar made himself available for the tournament but was omitted from the 15-member squad.
Lad acknowledged Suryakumar's contribution to Mumbai cricket over the years and his status as a World Cup-winning captain. He said there is tremendous respect for Suryakumar in the group but stressed that his responsibility is to work with the squad selected for the season. The door remains open for players who make a strong case for themselves.
Suryakumar is expected to feature in the President's Cup game on Sunday. Reports indicated he had entirely skipped pre-season training ahead of the MCA's squad announcement and was non-responsive when approached for selection ten days ago.
The ICC will assist China with a Centre of Excellence and Tier 2 events to capitalise on renewed interest after the sport's Olympic return.
ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta said the world body will support China in setting up a Centre of Excellence along the lines of the ICC Academy in Dubai. Gupta told PTI that the Chinese Cricket Association has expressed strong interest in fast-tracking player development and improving facilities.
Cricket's return to the Olympics at LA28 has increased government attention in China, where the sport already operates in nine of 22 provinces. Gupta said Olympic inclusion gives cricket greater relevance within institutional sporting systems and can open doors to investment and infrastructure.
The ICC is also exploring a Tier 2 event with China to boost the sport's visibility. China's women's programme maintains a 50 percent female inclusion policy across all initiatives.
Wasim Jaffer argued that Rohit Sharma should have retained both India's ODI captaincy and Mumbai Indians leadership until after the 2027 World Cup.
Former India cricketer Wasim Jaffer said Rohit Sharma should have remained captain of Mumbai Indians rather than handing over to Hardik Pandya. Jaffer said the decision to replace Rohit with Shubman Gill as India's ODI captain was understandable but the baton should have passed after the 2027 World Cup. He said when a player of Rohit Sharma's calibre is available, he should lead. Jaffer added that Gill has done well but Rohit deserved to continue until the next ODI World Cup. Rohit has scored 604 runs in 12 ODI innings this year at an average of 50.33, including two centuries. He will lead India in the upcoming five-match ODI series against New Zealand starting November 4.
ILT20 2026-27 season begins November 21 with Desert Vipers facing MI Emirates in the opening match.
The ILT20 2026-27 season will feature 34 matches across Dubai International Stadium, Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Defending champions Desert Vipers open the tournament against MI Emirates at Dubai on November 21. The afternoon matches start at 2pm local time while evening fixtures begin at 6:30pm.
Dubai International Stadium will host 15 matches while Abu Dhabi and Sharjah will stage 11 and eight games respectively. The top four teams from the double round-robin group stage will advance to the playoffs. Heinrich Klaasen, Finn Allen, Babar Azam, Shimron Hetmyer, Liam Livingstone and Naseem Shah are among the marquee players confirmed for the tournament.
The format remains unchanged from previous seasons with each of the six teams playing 10 group matches. The league has established itself as a major T20 competition in the UAE cricket calendar.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns to India's T20I squad after four years, sparking debate about whether the move signals 2027 ODI World Cup intentions.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back in India's T20I squad after four years away from international cricket. The veteran pacer was picked for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand beginning October 22 and is expected to lead the attack in Jasprit Bumrah's absence. He delivered a strong performance in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, taking 45 wickets across the last two editions.
Ravichandran Ashwin predicted that if Bhuvneshwar does well, selectors will immediately consider him for the ODI team. Ajinkya Rahane said selectors must have talked about the World Cup when bringing him back. However, former selector Saba Karim believes the selectors are looking at him only for T20 internationals, not for one-day cricket.
Bhuvneshwar last played an ODI for India in January 2022. His last List-A match for Uttar Pradesh came in December 2023. If he harbours dreams of playing the 50-over format, he must play the Vijay Hazare Trophy later this year to prove his body can handle bowling 10 overs in a match.
Ashwin linked Agarkar's departure to Bhuvneshwar's recall and suggested Shami could follow.
Ravichandran Ashwin said Mohammed Shami's prospects of an India return may have improved after Ajit Agarkar's exit as chief selector. Ashwin noted that Agarkar focused on youngsters while the new committee appears more open to experience.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's recall for the New Zealand T20I series after four years signals the shift, according to Ashwin. He said the selectors are leaning towards experience in Jasprit Bumrah's absence.
Shami last played for India in the 2025 Champions Trophy final. Ashwin said he would not rule out Shami's return following Bhuvneshwar's selection.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's surprise T20I recall tells you the selectors don't trust the current pace options for the 2027 ODI World Cup. India leaked 1,038 runs in three ODIs against West Indies, with Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna and Anshul Kamboj all under pressure.
Former selector Saba Karim thinks the move is really about the 2028 T20 World Cup, not 2027, since so many youngsters are already locked into the ODI side. Bhuvneshwar hasn't played an ODI since January 2022.
Ravichandran Ashwin said if Bhuvneshwar finds his rhythm in New Zealand, nobody can stop him and Jasprit Bumrah from opening the bowling at the 2027 World Cup.
Mendis replaces de Silva as Test captain ahead of the Pakistan series.
Dhananjaya de Silva stepped down as Sri Lanka's Test captain on Thursday, ending a tenure that began in January 2024. He led the side in 18 Tests, winning seven, and scored 1,130 runs at an average of 36.45 as captain.
Sri Lanka Cricket appointed Kusal Mendis as his successor. Mendis has played 75 Tests and has already captained the side in 22 ODIs and three T20Is. The 31-year-old will lead Sri Lanka in the two-Test series in Pakistan beginning on 9 November.
De Silva said the time had come for younger players to take charge. He remains available for selection. Sri Lanka are currently in Pakistan for a multi-format tour that includes three T20Is and an ODI tri-series.
Suryansh Shedge's 66 helped India A post 275 and beat Australia A by 49 runs to avoid a series whitewash.
India A claimed a 49-run win over Australia A in the third unofficial ODI at the CAP Siechem Stadium in Puducherry on Sunday. Suryansh Shedge, who came into the squad as a replacement for Hardik Pandya, scored 66 from 60 balls to help India A post 275 before being bowled out. Shedge formed an 85-run partnership with Vipraj Nigam, who made 40, for the seventh wicket. Priyansh Arya impressed with 49 while opening the batting. Australia followed the same template in their batting innings. Josh Philippe scored 56 from 48 balls while promoted up the order. Nathan McSweeney kept the scoreboard ticking during his partnerships with Lachlan Shaw and Nikhil Chaudhary. But once McSweeney fell, the required run rate forced the lower order into big shots. India A pacers picked the last seven wickets for just 49 runs to seal the consolation win and avoid a series whitewash.
Bryce Jackson and Jake Scott claimed seven wickets on their Sheffield Shield debuts as New South Wales reduced Tasmania to 9 for 241 on day one in Sydney.
NSW pacemen Bryce Jackson and Jake Scott took seven wickets between them on their Sheffield Shield debuts as Tasmania reached 9 for 241 at stumps on the opening day in Sydney. Jackson, who moved from Western Australia after losing his contract, finished with 3 for 36. Fellow debutant Scott claimed 4 for 35.
Tasmania lost four wickets for five runs after opener Caleb Jewell and No. 3 Tim Ward added 93 for the second wicket. Captain Jordan Silk fell for five, caught behind off Jackson's first Shield wicket. Teague Wyllie and Jake Doran both made ducks during the collapse. Ben McDermott brought up 3,500 Shield runs with 77 before falling last to a sharp chance by NSW captain Charlie Stobo at gully off Scott.
Scott had earlier scored an unbeaten 52 off 39 balls on his state debut during NSW's One-Day Cup match against Queensland. Jackson had been Western Australia's leading wicket-taker in domestic one-day cricket last season.
Bryce Jackson took 3 for 36 and fellow debutant Jake Scott claimed 4 for 35 as New South Wales reduced Tasmania to 9 for 241 on the opening day of the Sheffield Shield season in Sydney. Jackson moved from Western Australia after being unable to break into their Shield line-up despite leading their one-day wicket charts. Scott also scored an unbeaten 52 on his state debut in the One-Day Cup earlier this season.
The Pakistan Super League will run from March 18 to May 2 in 2027, setting up another scheduling clash with the Indian Premier League.
The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that PSL 12 will run from March 18 to May 2, 2027. The dates were finalised after consultations with stakeholders and partners. The schedule creates another overlap with the IPL, which traditionally occupies the March-May window. IPL and PSL first clashed directly in 2025 and repeated the conflict in 2026. PCB noted that 32,461 spectators attended the PSL final this year despite the scheduling pressure. The board is expected to announce further details including the player auction, retention lists and direct signings. The IPL 2027 mini-auction is scheduled for December, with November 15 set as the deadline for franchises to submit retention lists.
Tilak Varma said moving from the top order to the lower middle order required significant mental and technical adjustments that took time to master.
Tilak Varma said moving from number three or four to number six or seven has been really tough. The India vice-captain told Star Sports he has worked on remaining still against yorkers and slower balls when batting lower down the order.
Varma said the ball comes slower and the mechanics change compared to batting in the top order. He added that he prefers batting at number three but will open if the team requires it. Varma credited observations of Rohit Sharma's captaincy for shaping his own leadership approach.
Varma has batted at number five or lower in 19 innings since the start of this year, scoring 427 runs at a strike rate of 158.73. The 23-year-old is currently India's T20I vice-captain under Shreyas Iyer.
Brad Haddin and James Hopes left Punjab Kings to take head coaching roles in Australian domestic cricket.
Brad Haddin and James Hopes resigned from their coaching roles at Punjab Kings after accepting positions in Australian domestic cricket. Haddin joined New South Wales as head coach in March while Hopes took up head coaching roles at Queensland and Brisbane Heat in June. Both departures follow Sairaj Bahutule's exit earlier this year to join the Indian men's team.
Haddin served as fielding coach for Punjab Kings after joining as assistant coach ahead of IPL 2023. Hopes worked as fast-bowling coach after being appointed before the 2025 season. Punjab Kings reached the IPL final in 2025 under Ricky Ponting's leadership but finished fifth in 2026.
Ponting now needs to appoint replacements for the fast-bowling coach and fielding coach positions. The franchise will make recommendations but Ponting holds final authority on new coaching staff appointments.
Joburg Super Kings paid R2.9 million for teenager Jason Rowles, the highest bid at the SA20 2027 auction.
Joburg Super Kings paid R2.9 million for 18-year-old South African all-rounder Jason Rowles at the SA20 2027 auction, making him the most expensive player of the sale. The left-arm spinner and middle-order batter has represented South Africa Under-19s and scored a double century in youth cricket.
Joburg Super Kings also signed Faf du Plessis for R2.7 million and West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard for R1.5 million. Blessing Muzarabani went for R500,000 and Andries Gous for R1 million.
The franchise's squad now includes Faf du Plessis, Jason Rowles, Dayyaan Galiem, Kieron Pollard, Blessing Muzarabani, Andries Gous, Jamie Overton, Donovan Ferreira, Leus du Plooy, Rilee Rossouw and James Vince.
Nana Patekar, the veteran actor and cricket enthusiast, died at 75 after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Goa home.
Veteran actor Nana Patekar died at his residence in Dona Paula, Goa on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 75. Patekar was rushed to Manipal Hospital but doctors could not revive him after nearly 45 minutes of resuscitation.
Patekar made his acting debut in the 1978 film Gaman and went on to establish himself as one of the most prominent actors in Hindi and Marathi cinema. His performances in Parinda, Agni Sakshi and Welcome earned him widespread acclaim across villainous, intense and comic roles.
Former India cricketers Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane paid tribute to Patekar on social media. Dhawan called him a truly special talent whose work would continue to inspire generations.
