Babar Azam reached another milestone in his international career on Sunday, becoming the fifth Pakistan batter to score 16,000 international runs during the first ODI of the tri-series against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.

Babar entered the match with 15,993 runs and needed seven more to reach the 16,000-run mark. He achieved the feat in the fourth over of the day, having come out to bat after Saim Ayub was dismissed by Dilshan Madushanka. Babar needed just six deliveries to complete the milestone, getting there with a three off Asitha Fernando.

Since making his international debut for Pakistan in 2015, Babar has established himself across formats. The match against Sri Lanka was his 355th in international cricket. However, he fell short of a half-century, getting out for 45 to Pavan Rathnayake off Eshan Malinga.

Before Babar, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf and Javed Miandad were the four Pakistan batters to cross 16,000 international runs.

Inzamam leads Pakistan's run-scorers in international cricket with 20,541 runs in 495 matches across formats between 1991 and 2007. Younis is next with 17,790 runs, followed by Yousuf, who scored 17,134 runs in 374 matches.

Miandad, who represented Pakistan in Tests and ODIs from 1975 to 1996, finished his career with 16,213 runs in 357 matches.

India's Sachin Tendulkar holds the world record for the most runs in international cricket. He scored 34,357 runs during his career, which spanned from 1989 to 2013.

Virat Kohli is second on the list with 28,527 international runs.

#international #Pakistan #Career #inzamam

Shikhar Mohan, Jharkhand batter credited captain Ishan Kishan's constant guidance after making an impressive 85 on his Duleep Trophy debut against South Zone in the 2026/27 final.

Mohan, who came into the East Zone XI as a replacement for Jharkhand teammate Virat Singh, played a key role in rebuilding the innings after the early wickets. He added 94 runs for the third wicket with Kishan, helping East Zone recover and take control on the opening day.

Kishan remained unbeaten on 111 at stumps, while ******* ar Kushagra was not out on 63 as East Zone finished the day on 385/4 in 79 overs.

"Ishan bhaiya was giving me a lot of advice while batting. He was telling me what shot is on and what is not. Thanks to that, we had a great partnership," Mohan told reporters after play.
Mohan earned his place in the East Zone side after an outstanding debut Ranji Trophy season, where he scored 613 runs at an average of 55.72. Although primarily an opener, he had no issues adapting to the No. 3 position with Abhimanyu Easwaran and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi opening for East Zone.

"My journey has been very good so far. My first season in Ranji Trophy went very well, so coming into this match, I just wanted to carry that forward. I was looking to maintain that form from the Ranji Trophy," he said.

Mohan also accepted the challenge of facing South Zone's short-ball strategy, with five fielders stationed on the leg side. He showed patience before eventually falling to Chama Milind after an inside edge off a bouncer.

"The plan was that I would leave the ball first, and when they get tired, they will give me chances to score runs. I made a poor decision and got out," he admitted.

The youngster also felt his experience in the Jharkhand T20 League helped him handle the pressure of playing in front of a sizeable crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.

"I think it helped a lot. The crowds there were also very good, so today when there was a big crowd, it felt normal to me," Mohan said.

#east #ranji

Shubman Gill embraces 'uncle' role in adorable reply to viral reel about Virat Kohli's son Akaay originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Shubman Gill went viral after leaving a playful comment on an Instagram reel imagining Virat Kohli's son Akaay getting into trouble at school.
Tagging Kohli, the Indian Test captain joked he would be quick to come to school if ever needed.
The comment quickly caught fire, giving fans a rare glimpse of off-field banter.
Social media algorithms have a habit of dragging players into the most bizarre hypothetical scenarios, but very few actually play along. Shubman Gill proved to be the exception, sliding into the comments of a viral Instagram reel to offer his services as an emergency guardian for Virat Kohli's young son, Akaay.

#shubman

New Delhi: India's team management and selectors are working on backups for the middle order ahead of the ODI World Cup next year. TOI has learnt that Tilak Varma's name has come up as a potential backup option for Shreyas Iyer in the top six of the batting lineup.

Tilak, being a left-handed batter, is seen as someone who can break the monotony of right-handers in the batting lineup. Tilak has been asked to work on his bowling since it is believed that his off-breaks have a lot of potential. The team management, in fact, has flagged the dearth of bowling options in the top order, citing it as a reason for extra pressure on the lower order and the bowlers.

The planning for the ODI World Cup will only begin in earnest when India reach New Zealand in October, since most of the first-choice players will not be available for the ODI series against West Indies at home from September 27. A full-strength T20 team is also scheduled to travel to ****** an for the Asian Games at the same time.

"Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill feel there isn't any backup ready for the middle order. With Hardik Pandya and Nitish ****** ar Reddy being ****** e to injuries, they want someone in the top order who can at least chip in with four overs in an ODI," a BCCI source said.

Over the last year, the team management has been compelled to play either Washington Sundar or Axar Patel at No. 5 or No. 6 to balance the playing XI. In the last series in England, Ishan Kishan was sent in ahead of vice-captain Iyer.

"The team has to be prepared for conditions in South Africa in the World Cup. Iyer got injured in Australia and his game against pace and bounce is untested of late. The team already has two ageing players in Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. They are having niggles as well. KL Rahul too will be over 35 by the time the World Cup comes around. Ravindra Jadeja isn't a certainty either. The fielding of the team has suffered due to fitness issues. The team management feels that they need younger backups ready," the source said.
The selectors, it is learnt, are not comfortable with playing batters out of position. Last year, Ruturaj Gaikwad was played at No. 4 and scored a hundred against South Africa in Raipur. But he has not been picked in the ODI team since.

"Gaikwad was picked as backup opener since Gill was injured. The team management feels Tilak could have been tried in that place. That's why they don't want to rush Devdutt Padikkal in the ODI setup because he found his calling in white-ball cricket while opening the batting," the source said.

The team for the West Indies series, however, will be an anomaly since Iyer, Tilak, Ishan and Axar will not be available. The selectors are more focused on picking another wicketkeeper for the series.
The selection committee is due to meet by September 3 to pick the team for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in Delhi from September 13.

Sources said that the selectors are l

Rohit Sharma snubbed: Rajat Patidar picks all-time IPL XI, but five-time ******* le-winning ex-MI captain fails to make the cut originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
RCB captain Rajat Patidar named his all-time IPL XI, notably leaving out five-time champion Rohit Sharma.
The team featured Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, and Suryakumar Yadav, but no place for the former Mumbai Indians skipper.
Patidar recently led RCB to back-to-back IPL ******* les, joining MS Dhoni and Rohit on that exclusive list.
Rajat Patidar has stirred up plenty of debate with his pick of an all-time IPL XI, as he left out Rohit Sharma, who is one of the league's most decorated captains with five championships and a record to match.

#rohit #sharma

'Look at your Virat Kohli': Ex-Pakistan star drags India legend's record in England to slam Dinesh Karthik for his Babar Azam comment originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Tanveer Ahmed hit back at Dinesh Karthik over his comments on Babar Azam.
The former Pakistan pacer pointed to Virat Kohli's Test record in England.
Babar Azam missed the first Test at Headingley through a hand injury.
The Virat Kohli and Babar Azam comparison has produced more heat than light for the best part of a decade, and former Pakistan pacer Tanveer Ahmed has now used it to fire back at one of India's most prominent voices.

#england

NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant continued his remarkable rise through India's Test record books on Monday, surpassing captain Shubman Gill to become the country's highest run-scorer in ICC World Test Championship history. Pant was unbeaten on 63 at lunch on the second day of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo as India reached 419/6.

Pant now has 2,948 runs from 42 Tests in the World Test Championship, moving ahead of Gill's 2,917 from the same number of matches. Rohit Sharma is third among Indian batters with 2,716 runs from 40 Tests, followed by Ravindra Jadeja (2,675 from 50) and Virat Kohli (2,617 from 46). Among current Indian players, Yashasvi Jaiswal is next with 2,588 runs from 30 Tests.

The latest milestone came during a crucial partnership with Dhruv Jurel, who also reached his half-century. The pair had added an unbeaten 112 runs for the seventh wicket by lunch, helping India build a commanding first-innings total after losing six wickets.
Pant's latest achievement came on the back of another significant milestone earlier in the innings. The wicketkeeper-batter also moved past MS Dhoni to become India's highest run-scorer as a designated wicketkeeper in away or neutral Tests.

Pant crossed 2,500 runs in the category, edging beyond Dhoni's 2,496. He has done so at an average of almost 42, compared with Dhoni's 32.84.

Farokh Engineer is third on the list with 1,209 runs at an average of 32.67, while Syed Kirmani has 1,109 at 21.74 and Kiran More 901 at 29.06.

Pant's latest landmarks have come despite an injury scare on the opening day. He had retired hurt after being struck on the left arm by a short delivery from Sri Lanka pacer Lahiru ***** ara, having scored only three runs.
Pant returned on Day 2 after Sri Lanka dismissed debutant Saransh Jain for six and immediately helped India regain control alongside Jurel. The pair negotiated Sri Lanka's pace attack and took India beyond 400 before the lunch interval.

The total of 419/6 is only the 11th time a team has posted 400 or more in the first innings of a Test at this venue. Six of the previous 10 instances resulted in victories, while four ended in draws.

The century partnership between Pant and Jurel is also only the second time India have registered a 100-plus stand for the seventh wicket or lower in a Test in Sri Lanka. The previous instance came at the same venue in 2015, when Cheteshwar Pujara and Amit Mishra added 104.

#tests #latest

AB de Villiers believes Virat Kohli took India's batting success in overseas Test cricket to another level, while crediting Sachin Tendulkar for first showing that Indian batters could thrive in conditions traditionally considered difficult for players from the subcontinent.

The former South Africa batter and Kohli's ex-Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate was speaking after India's 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in Galle on Wednesday.

De Villiers acknowledged Tendulkar's pioneering role but argued that Kohli went a step further in establishing himself as an outstanding overseas Test batter.

"I think of someone like Sachin Tendulkar way back, who started that trend for India. Yet, he wasn't as strong as someone like Virat Kohli, who was even better. But Sachin was the first guy to show that as a subcontinent batter, you can do well in bouncy and seaming conditions. Virat took that forward and raised the bar," said de Villiers on his YouTube channel.

Tendulkar remains the highest run-scorer in Test cricket, having accumulated 15,921 runs in 200 matches before retiring in 2013. Kohli, who retired from Test cricket in May 2025, ended his career with 9,230 runs in 123 Tests, placing him 19th on the all-time list.

The statistics, however, suggest Tendulkar still holds the edge when it comes to performances away from home. Of his 15,921 Test runs, 8,705 came outside India, accounting for around 55% of his total. He is also the leading run-scorer among batters in overseas Test cricket.

Kohli scored 4,774 runs in 66 Tests outside India.

The comparison remains in Tendulkar's favour even when the focus is restricted to SENA countries: South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia. Tendulkar amassed 5,387 runs in 63 Tests in those countries at an average of 51.30, including 17 centuries and 23 fifties.

Kohli, meanwhile, scored 3,661 runs in 46 Tests in SENA conditions at an average of 42.08, with 12 centuries and 14 fifties.

De Villiers' ******* sment therefore appears to focus less on the raw numbers and more on Kohli's wider influence on Indian Test cricket. During Kohli's tenure, India established itself as a formidable side overseas, setting higher expectations for performances outside home conditions.

According to de Villiers, that influence has carried into the current generation, with batters such as KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal following the path laid by Tendulkar and Kohli.

"Because of that, there are quite a few players now like [KL] Rahul and [Devdutt] Padikkal, who have started to up that trend and follow in the footsteps of a Virat and a Sachin," he added.

De Villiers did, however, identify overseas batting as an area where Rahul needs to improve. Despite praising the Karnataka batter's technique and importance to the Indian side, he pointed out that Rahul averages only 34 away from home.

"KL is a guy with a sound technique and is a big ******* et in that Indian lineup. But he averages only 34 away f

On August 18, 2008, a 19-year-old Virat Kohli walked out at Dambulla and scored 12 on his India debut. Eighteen years later, the boy who was once a surprise selection has become one of the defining figures of modern cricket: a batter, captain, standard-setter, survivor and, perhaps most importantly, a player who changed what Indian cricket expected from itself.

Virat Kohli is not just an athlete; he has become a brand of cricket, inspiring a generation through his mindset, skills and, most importantly, his hunger for the game. That hunger made him more intense, more furious and, at his best, almost unbeatable. Across his career, Kohli has achieved almost everything: the U19 World Cup, ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy and Asia Cup.

There was nothing particularly prophetic about Virat Kohli's first international innings.

On that day at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Sri Lanka, the teenager walked out to open India's innings. He faced 22 **** , made 12 and was trapped lbw by Nuwan Kulasekara.

India lost by eight wickets. There was no century. No match-winning chase. No hint, at least in the scorecard, that something extraordinary had begun.
Eighteen years later, the numbers have become difficult to ignore.

As of August 2026, Kohli has played 314 ODIs and scored 14,941 runs at 58.59, with 54 hundreds and 79 fifties. He has 9,230 Test runs from 123 matches, including 30 centuries, and finished his T20I career with 4,188 runs from 125 matches. Across international cricket, that is 28,359 runs and 85 centuries.
Long before Dambulla, there was a December morning in 2006 that revealed something about Kohli that statistics never could. He was 18, playing for Delhi against Karnataka in a Ranji Trophy match at the Feroz Shah Kotla. He was unbeaten on 40 overnight when his father, Prem Kohli, died suddenly. Kohli returned to the ground the next morning. He scored 90. It was not just an innings. It was an early declaration of character.

Two years later, he was leading India at the Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia. India won the tournament. Kohli scored 235 runs in six innings at an average of 47.

He had a modest start to his international career during the Sri Lanka tour. In the fourth ODI of that 2008 series, Kohli made 54, his first international half-century. A year later came his first hundred: 107 against Sri Lanka in Kolkata.
By 2011, Kohli was no longer a prospect. He was part of India's World Cup-winning side. He scored a century against Bangladesh in India's opening game and later walked into the **** hede dressing room during the final when India were 31 for 2.

He made 35. Not the sort of number that usually survives in a career built on hundreds. His 35 helped India recover alongside Gautam Gambhir, before MS Dhoni's 91 finished the job against Sri Lanka.

India won the World Cup. Kohli was just 22.

#kohli #dambulla

'Someone that I've looked up to': Jordan ******* recalls Virat Kohli's words before appearing vs Pakistan in 1st Test originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Jordan ******* says Virat Kohli's advice will stay with him "forever" ahead of Pakistan Tests.
Cox will replace injured Jacob Bethell at No. 3 for England at Headingley.
Cox spent IPL 2026 with Kohli at RCB.
He recalled Kohli's support after a broken thumb ruled him out in 2024.

#jordan #tests

Devdutt Padikkal made a strong statement in India's first Test against Sri Lanka, dominating the opening day in Galle and strengthening his case for a permanent place at No. 3. Drafted into the playing XI after Sai Sudharsan was ruled out with an injury, Padikkal produced a magnificent unbeaten 131 on Day 1. He looked completely at ease against Sri Lanka's spinners and helped India finish the rain-curtailed opening day on 288/2 after 73 overs.

His performance has now earned high praise from former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar, who believes Padikkal's ability against spin makes him an ideal No. 3 option for India even after Sudharsan returns.
While Padikkal was compiling his century, Manjrekar took to X to highlight the batter's impressive technique against spin.

"Devdutt Padikkal god sent for India v spinners. Excellent technique, both in defence & attack."
Manjrekar later elaborated on Padikkal's strengths during a discussion on Sony Sports, pointing to his ability to combine defence, strike rotation and attacking strokes against spin.

"Devdutt Padikkal was the big change that India had, I really think selection is so good that when you see Padikkal walk in and play spin so comfortably, because he's good in defense against spin, he's good at picking 1s and 2s when the field is slightly deep, and then he's also good at playing attacking shots, and that too off the back foot on slow, turning pitches, " Manjrekar said.
Padikkal repeatedly used the depth of the crease to negate Sri Lanka's spinners while also stepping out whenever the bowlers offered him an opportunity. One of the standout moments came when he charged Prabath Jayasuriya and lofted the left-arm spinner over long-on for a six.

For Manjrekar, however, it was Padikkal's ability to score off the back foot on a slow, turning surface that particularly impressed him.

"That's something remarkable. On slow, turning pitches, to hit shots off the back foot with a straight bat and the pull shot tells you that it's somebody who wants to get onto the back foot, and the best way to play spin on a slow, turning pitch is to play the majority of the bowling off the back foot, " he added.

"Along with that, he's also got this knack of going down the pitch and hitting the ball over the sight screen. So on pitches where there is going to be an emphasis on spin, India should bat him at number 3 even if Sai Sudharsan comes back, because he looks such a formidable player against spin, I think it was godsent for India, Devdutt Padikkal at No. 3 with the kind of spin talent he has," Manjrekar said.
Padikkal was handed the No. 3 role following Sudharsan's injury and responded with a career-defining performance. His unbeaten 131 also made him the first Indian batter to score a Test century on Independence Day, while he became only the second Indian cricketer after Virat Kohli to score an international century on August 15.

#devdutt #good

NEW DELHI: Former India fielding coach T Dilip has revealed what made Virat Kohli stand apart on the field, even at this stage of his career, describing the star batter's intensity as a quality that continues to push everyone around him to raise their standards.

Reflecting on Kohli's influence during his five-year stint with the Indian team, Dilip said there was little difference between the former captain's approach during training and in matches — a trait that had a direct impact on his teammates.
"When it comes to Virat Kohli, intensity is non-negotiable. You have seen in power play how he is at your batsman at covers or short mid wicket with his reflexes, with his dives, with his stops. Even in the last series he was putting those dives and sharp at you all the time," Dilip said in a video shared by Star Sports.

What impressed him most, however, was that Kohli's intensity was not limited to moments when the ball came his way.

"But what impressed me most is not the actions what he does when the ball is at him but also when the ball is not at him. You will see him running towards the non-striker and to take that throw and throwing back to the wicket keeper," Dilip explained.

Dilip also highlighted Kohli's willingness to put himself in demanding fielding positions even late in an innings.

"Even at this juncture of his career, even today he goes to long on to long on in last overs and he is the first one to run out. And that's a fabulous thing to do as a team," he said.

According to Dilip, Kohli's biggest contribution was the effect his approach had on the players around him.

"The intensity is always contagious when he is around. With Virat Kohli one thing you always see is there is not much difference between him in a practice session or a match. And that's very, very important because it's just not Virat Kohli who's fielding. There are five other players who are fielding with him who have stretched their limits when they are doing with Virat Kohli. That is the influence he has on the group actually."
Dilip, who signed off as India's fielding coach early in this month after a memorable five-year tenure, also picked India's 2024 T20 World Cup triumph in Barbados as his most cherished moment with the team.

"If I have to go back to my best moment, I think Barbados 2024. The silence for few seconds before it broke. I think in that silence I could sense the amount of hard work the boys have put in that four years. And I'll always keep that frame in my mind," he said.

Dilip also took pride in how the fielding medal ceremony, introduced during the 2023 ODI World Cup, changed the team's attitude towards fielding. Rather than rewarding only spectacular catches, the ceremony recognised contributions across the field.

"What I thought was to recognize the impact overall as a fielder than just a spectacular catch. But what it brought in is then all the 11 players on the field that we may not be in the hot spot, but a little co

CHENNAI: If Javagal Srinath had been the match referee when Sourav Ganguly famously kept Steve Waugh waiting for the toss at Eden Gardens in 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the former India captain might well have faced a suspension.

"I would have banned Sourav for a few games!" Srinath said at EEMAGINE event by recalling the incident, which has been regarded as an act of gamesmanship that disturbed Waugh and the Australian team during the course of the famous series that India won 2-1. Ganguly later said that he couldn't find his blazer which led to the delay, but that's highly debatable.

Srinath, however, praised Ganguly's leadership, particularly his ability to nurture youngsters such as Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Virender Sehwag. He felt Indian cricket underwent a major transformation after the match-fixing scandal of the late 1990s, with players developing a collective resolve to restore the game's image.

"There was a bit of a resoluteness in each and every player to really put that image back and then prove the world that cricket is superior, cricket is clean," Srinath said. He added that leadership came from the top four or five players being on the same page, which helped India not only start winning consistently at home but also turn the corner overseas.

Srinath recalled that between 1991 and 1997-98, India struggled to win abroad, but things began changing from 1999 onwards.

Looking back at the 2003 World Cup final against Australia, Srinath revealed that he had wanted India to bat first after a discussion within the team. "I was one of the guys who said we should always bat first and then put them under pressure," he said. But Ganguly had a different view. And once the decision was made, Srinath said the team had to move on, but Australia were simply too strong.

He recalled recommending Zaheer to selector Chandu Borde after watching the left-arm pacer take six wickets against Air India while representing the MRF Pace Foundation. When Borde jokingly asked what would happen to Srinath if Zaheer was picked, his response was simple: "If he's good, he replaces me."

Srinath also revealed that Rahul Dravid was "not the best roommate," joking about the former India batter's habit of leaving things scattered, while describing Venkatesh Prasad as extremely "spick and span".

On Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Srinath cautioned against comparisons with Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, stressing that different eras bring different challenges.

"When you judge a player it's just not the white ball, it is the red ball cricket as well. Sooryavanshi is a wonderful talent, I think he's still too young. I hope he develops the maturity like Sachin and has that strong head on his shoulders like Virat."

Srinath also called for a better balance between bat and ball, pointing to shorter boundaries, bigger bats and less ***** ounced seams. "Something needs to be done to bring some balance into this game," he said.

#srinath #ganguly

Worcestershire captain Jake Libby has overtaken India's Ruturaj Gaikwad to record the highest List A batting average ever. His unbeaten 109 against Sussex, his third straight century with the same score, lifted his average to 61.4. Libby now has 2,456 List A runs, including six centuries and 18 fifties, after 56 matches in the format.

Jake Libby has made List A cricket history after his third consecutive century in the ongoing One-Day Cup helped him move past India batter Ruturaj Gaikwad for the highest batting average ever recorded in the format.

The Worcestershire captain played a match-winning knock against Sussex on Friday, August 7, staying unbeaten on 109 off 96 ***** as his team chased down a challenging target of 334. What makes his recent form even more remarkable is that Libby has scored exactly 109 in each of his last three innings in the competition.

His impressive streak started with an unbeaten 109 against Middlesex, helping Worcestershire chase down 294. He followed it up with another 109 against Essex, although his team could not complete the chase after being set a target of 377. Against Sussex, however, Libby once again delivered when his team needed him most.
Sussex posted 333-9 in their 50 overs after several batters made useful contributions. Fynn Hudson-Prentice top-scored with 68 from 35 ***** , while Jack Leaning added a patient 50. Four other Sussex batters also crossed the 30-run mark, while Freddie Price hit an unbeaten 22 off 13 ***** to give the innings a strong finish.

Worcestershire made a positive start to the chase, with Isaac Mohammed and Brett D'Oliveira putting together 60 runs for the opening wicket. However, both were dismissed within four overs of each other, bringing Libby to the crease with 251 runs still needed from 210 ***** .

Libby then took control of the chase and received important support from Kashif Ali, who scored 73 off 52 ***** , and Ben Allison, who smashed 20 from just nine deliveries. Together, they guided Worcestershire to victory in the penultimate over.

The unbeaten 109 lifted Libby's List A average to 61.4 from 56 matches, taking him past Gaikwad's 58.61. He now has 2,456 runs, six centuries and 18 fifties, with a highest score of 126*.

Sam Hain is third with an average of 58.18, followed by Michael Bevan, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and Shubman Gill.

#libby #sussex #runs

It's been a year since a young Indian team came out of a grueling five-Test tour of England with a memorable 2-2 scoreline. "Our next four Test matches are going to be in India. And that's going to be a different challenge. We have enough talent. This series was very important for us. Every player would feel a lot mature after the end of the series and that would really help us in the long run in this WTC cycle," Shubman Gill, otherwise measured with his words during the tour, found an ***** ertive tone to his speech after the dramatic win in the fifth Test at The Oval.

Well, the subsequent home season ended up derailing India's World Test Championship campaign with South Africa steamrolling India in the two Test matches in Nov. If the heroics in England was deemed as India's Test redemption for the preceding forgettable tour of Australia, the consolidation post the English summer never arrived. Instead, an undeniably edgy Indian team has now arrived in Sri Lanka for a two-Test series with the desperation of staying alive in the WTC.

Gill became the face of India's Test cricket in England. But the mind was undoubtedly head coach Gautam Gambhir's. Gill arrived in England understandably like deer in the headlights after being thrust to captaincy post the debacle in Australia which saw the retirements of three stalwarts in Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin. Gambhir was his shepherd in the chaos. "Before the start of the series, Gauti bhai (Gambhir) said we are a young team but we want to be looked at as a gun team," Gill had revealed Gambhir's nerve-settling words.

Gambhir did the heavy-lifting to ensure Gill the batter didn't succumb to the pressures of leading an inexperienced team in England. One can't write off Gambhir's overbearing influence in Test and T20 teams in the last one year. Perhaps, it's time Gill came out of Gambhir's shadow to resurrect India's reputation as a Test team.

When he steps out for the toss in Galle on Aug 15, it will be his 10th Test as India captain which includes a Test against South Africa where he was ruled out due to a neck injury after playing three ***** in the game. He has led in 12 ODIs. Technically, his captaincy career is still in its nascent stage. But current circumstances won't allow him much time before the swords are pulled out.

It's unusual for Indian cricket to have a captain playing the second fiddle in the engine room. Every Indian team is eventually remembered by the captain it had. TOI understands that the power forces in the BCCI have been encouraging Gill to have a firmer say in planning. If the last two ODI series are anything to go by, one may say that Gill has been taking the initiative to drive his point across with the senior players in the team. He was ***** ertive in his demand for bigger windows for preparing for crucial Test series.
The team management, with Gambhir facing the heat for India's Test performances, would want to retain Gill batting with as

'They are legends': Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli backed to deliver 2027 World Cup glory for India by former teammate originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Shikhar Dhawan backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to lead India's 2027 World Cup charge.
He praises Rohit's Lord's century and Kohli's fitness and consistency.
Rohit shut out retirement rumours after scoring the ton against England.
Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has voiced his confidence in longtime teammates Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli and backed the duo to play a decisive role in India's pursuit of the 2027 ODI World Cup ***** le.

#World #Cricket

Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has picked Sachin Tendulkar as the greatest Indian cricketer of all time, shortly after bringing the curtain down on his playing career.

Rahane, who recently announced his retirement from all forms of cricket during an episode of Stick to Cricket, was asked to name India's greatest-ever cricketer. While acknowledging that the choice was far from straightforward, the former batter eventually settled on Tendulkar.

"I think it's very hard to take one name but… probably Sachin Tendulkar. I think all the eras," Rahane said.

Tendulkar enjoyed a remarkable international career that stretched across 24 years, representing India from November 15, 1989, to November 16, 2013. During that period, he featured in 664 international matches, including 200 Tests, 463 ODIs and one T20I.

The batting icon scored 15,921 runs in Tests, 18,426 in ODIs and 10 in T20Is, finishing as the highest run-scorer in the history of both Test and ODI cricket. He also remains the only player to have appeared in 200 Test matches and holds the record for the most ODI appearances.

Tendulkar was a central figure in India's triumphant 2011 ICC Men's ODI World Cup campaign, adding the coveted trophy to an already glittering career.

As captain, he led India in 25 Tests, registering four wins, nine defeats and 12 draws. In ODIs, Tendulkar captained the side in 73 matches, winning 23, losing 43, with one tie and six no-results.

Rahane made his international debut in a T20I against England at Manchester on August 31, 2011, and went on to represent India across all three formats between 2011 and 2023.

The Mumbai batter had the opportunity to share the dressing room with Tendulkar on multiple occasions. He played one Test alongside the legendary batter for India and had earlier been his teammate at Mumbai Indians during the 2009 IPL season, apart from representing Mumbai together in domestic cricket.

Across a career spanning more than 12 years, Rahane played most of his international cricket under MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. He was a key member of India's historic 2018-19 Test series-winning squad in Australia before captaining the team to another memorable series victory there in 2020-21.

Rahane also joined an exclusive list of Indian cricketers to captain the national side in all three formats. He finished his career with Test centuries in Australia, England and New Zealand, while representing six IPL franchises: Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiants, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings.

#tendulkar #test #international

Former India captain Rohit Sharma paid tribute to T Dilip after the former India fielding coach was replaced by Subhadeep Ghosh, thanking him for his work with the team over the last five years.

Taking to Instagram Stories, Rohit wrote: "You are a legend, Dilip garu. You created magic within the group and [you are] a behind the scenes workhorse. Best wishes ahead."

Dilip worked as India's men's fielding coach under both Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir. He first joined the support staff in 2021 and served until the end of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He returned for a second stint during India's Test tour of England in 2025 on a one-year contract but was not retained after it ended.
During his time with the Indian team, India won the T20 World Cups in 2024 and 2026, along with the 2025 Champions Trophy.

One of Dilip's most recognised ideas was the 'Best Fielder of the Match' medal, introduced during the 2023 ODI World Cup. The post-match fielding medal ceremony became popular among fans because of the creative ways in which the winner was announced.

The initiative was aimed at building a stronger fielding culture within the team and encouraging players to take more risks and improve their athleticism in the field. Players such as KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were among the medal winners during the ceremony's run.

After his departure, Dilip shared a farewell message on Instagram, thanking the team and reflecting on his journey.

"Five years. It is difficult to find the right words for a journey that has meant so much. When I first walked into this setup, I came in with one simple intention, to give everything I had every single day. Fielding has always been my way of contributing to the game I love, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to have played a part in this team's journey."

He also said the fielding medal ceremony would remain one of his favourite memories.

"The fielding medal will always hold a very special place in my heart. Seeing the excitement it created in the dressing room, the smiles it brought and the value the players attached to it are memories I'll carry with me forever."

#dilip

'Proud dad to Kohli': Ravi Shastri spotted wearing Virat Kohli's One8 shoes and jumper at The Hundred 2026 originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Ravi Shastri wore Virat Kohli's One8 shoes and jumper while on commentary duty during The Hundred 2026.
A social media post describing Shastri as a "proud Dad to Virat" quickly went viral.
The One8 range has been creating a buzz beyond India.
Former Indian national team cricketer and head coach, Ravi Shastri, gave a big boost to Virat Kohli's One8 brand after he was spotted wearing the shoes and jumper of the company during the The Hundred 2026 in England.

#hundred #shoes #proud

NEW DELHI: Ajinkya Rahane on Thursday announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing the curtain down on a career that spanned more than a decade. The veteran batter took to Instagram to share the news through an emotional video message. Rahane struggled to hold back his tears as he bid farewell to international cricket, thanking fans for their constant support throughout his journey.

The right-handed batter made his India debut against England in 2011 and went on to play 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is. His last appearance for India came during the 2023 Test series against the West Indies.

Rahane signed off his Test career with 5,077 runs at an average of 38.46, including 12 centuries and 26 half-centuries. In 90 ODIs, he scored 2,962 runs at 35.26, with three centuries and 24 fifties, while he made 375 runs in 20 T20Is.

"The reality of life is that everything has a beginning, and everything has an end. When that time comes, you simply have to respect it and move forward. I always relied on timing in my batting, and I've always understood its important," Rahane said in a video message on his Instagram account.
"Today, I feel the timing is right for me to move on and announce my requirement from international cricket, and all formats," he added in the clip that was captioned "Cap number 278, signing off".

One of the defining moments of Rahane's career came during India's historic 2020-21 Test series win in Australia. Standing in as captain for Virat Kohli, he led an injury-hit Indian side to a memorable 2-1 series victory.

"From those early days, travelling from Dombivali as a young boy, just to practice, I gave this game everything I had. Every single day, every innings, every opportunity I got to bat, the dream was always to wear the India cap," he said in his farewell message.

Rahane also said that although his international career has ended, he will continue to remain involved with the game.

"I lived by one single rule, only support my country and my team ahead of myself. I played this game with complete honesty, and I always believe that if your intent is right, the game will always take care of you," Rahane said.

"Since the time I made my debut as a First-Class cricketer, Indian cricket has grown tremendously and I feel so proud to have been a part of over the last 20 years.

"While my chapter, as an Indian cricketer, comes to an end, my journey with the game doesn't. I look forward to helping the next generation, sharing the values, the sport has taught me, and giving back to the game that has given me everything," he said.

Ending on an emotional note, Rahane reflected on the lessons cricket had taught him, saying that while his name means "unbeatable", the sport has shown him the value of accepting defeat.

"There have been many wins and losses along the way, but the sheer joy of playing cricket, being part of different teams, and creating lifelong memories, that has been the greatest sati

NEW DELHI: Ajinkya Rahane never sought the spotlight. In an era dominated by classy stroke-makers and larger-than-life personalities, he quietly built a reputation as one of India's most dependable overseas batters and one of the country's most respected leaders.

On Thursday, the 38-year-old brought the curtain down on his international career, ending a journey that spanned more than a decade and produced some of Indian cricket's most memorable moments.

Having played 85 Tests, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is, Rahane finished with 8,414 international runs, 15 centuries and 51 half-centuries. Yet, numbers only tell part of his story.

"The reality of life is that everything has a beginning, and everything has an end. When that time comes, you simply have to respect it and move forward. I always relied on timing in my batting, and I've always understood its important," Rahane said in his retirement video.
If there is one chapter that defines Rahane's legacy, it is India's remarkable 2020-21 Test series win in Australia.

After India were bowled out for 36 in Adelaide and Virat Kohli returned home on paternity leave, few believed the injury-hit side could compete, let alone win.

Rahane stepped in as captain and led a depleted Indian team to a stunning 2-1 series victory, one of the greatest triumphs in Indian cricket history.
His century in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne not only rescued India's campaign but also made him the only Indian to score a Boxing Day Test hundred against Australia both as a player and as captain.

Under his leadership, India never lost a Test match, making his captaincy record (6 matches with 4 wins and 2 draws) one of the finest in Indian cricket.
Rahane earned a reputation for producing his best performances away from home. He became the first Indian batter to score both his maiden Test and ODI centuries in SENA countries, proving his ability to thrive in the toughest conditions.

His 12 Test hundreds often came in pressure situations, and remarkably, India never lost a Test whenever Rahane scored a century. He was also the first Indian to score a century in the World Test Championship, adding another milestone to an already impressive career.
One of his finest individual performances came against South Africa when he became the only Indian batter to score centuries in both innings of a Test while batting at No. 5 or lower.

#test

NEW DELHI: Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has announced his retirement from international cricket.

Rahane shared the news through a post on Instagram, where he uploaded a video message with the caption: "Cap 278 signing off".

"Thank you for all the love and support over the years. Forever grateful," Rahane wrote in his post.

"The reality of life is that everything has a beginning and everything has an end. When the time comes, you simply have to respect it and move forward. I have always relied on timing in my batting and have always understood its importance," Rahane said.

"Today, I feel the timing is right for me to move on and announce my retirement from international cricket and all formats. From those early days, travelling as a young boy just to practice, I gave this game everything I had. Every single day, every innings, every opportunity I got to bat, the dream was always to wear the India cap," he added.

"I lived by one simple rule. Always put my country and my team ahead of myself. I played this game with complete honesty and I have always believed that if your intent is right, the game will always take care of you," the veteran cricketer said.

"Since the time I made my debut as a first-class cricketer, Indian cricket has grown tremendously and I feel so proud to have been a part of it over the last 20 years. While my chapter as an Indian cricketer comes to an end, my journey with the game doesn't. I look forward to helping the next generation, sharing the values this sport has taught me and giving back to the game that has given me everything," he said.

Rahane also thanked the BCCI, Mumbai Cricket ***** ociation (MCA), his teammates, coaches, IPL franchises, family, friends and fans for their support throughout his career.
"And a very special thank you to all the cricket fans who supported me through every high and low. Ajinkya means unbeatable, but cricket has shown me defeat many times. As cricketers, we fail more often than we succeed. My team has lost matches. I have made mistakes, but there is one place where I was never defeated. And that was in your hearts. Thank you for your love, your faith and your support. Cap number 278, signing off," Rahane concluded

The 36-year-old represented India in all three formats during his international career. He played 85 Test matches, 90 ODIs and 20 T20Is.

The right-handed batter scored 5,077 runs in Tests at 38.46 with 12 centuries and 26 fifties, while in 90 ODIs, he made 2,962 runs at 35.26 including three tons and 24 fifties. In 20 T20Is, Rahane made 375 runs.
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Rahane's biggest moment came in 2021 when he famously stood in for regular skipper Virat Kohli as a heavily depleted India defeated Australia in their own backyard 2-1.

#always #game #made #international

NEW DELHI: Teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has continued his dream start to international cricket, making a stunning 230-place leap in the latest ICC Men's T20I Batting Rankings after starring in India's 3-0 series sweep over Zimbabwe.

The 15-year-old's meteoric rise headlines the latest rankings update, while Ishan Kishan tightened his grip on the world No. 1 spot after registering the third-highest batting rating in T20I history during the Harare series.
Sooryavanshi announced himself on the international stage with a memorable series against Zimbabwe, scoring 151 runs in three matches at an average of 50.33. His performances, which included two half-centuries, earned him the Player of the Series award and a remarkable rise of 230 places in the ICC rankings.

The teenage opener is now ranked 48th among T20I batters with 536 rating points, marking a new career-best ranking.

While he still trails India's senior stars, the leap underlines the rapid impact he has made in international cricket and reinforces his status as one of the game's brightest young talents.
At the top of the batting rankings, Ishan Kishan retained his position as the world's No. 1 T20I batter with 910 rating points, comfortably ahead of Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan, who is second with 848 points.

Kishan had briefly reached a career-high 916 rating points after his brilliant 81-run knock in the second T20I against Zimbabwe. That tally is the third-highest batting rating ever recorded in T20I cricket, behind only Abhishek Sharma (931) and England's Dawid Malan (919).

Although his rating dipped slightly after the final match, Kishan's career-best figure of 916 remains higher than the peak ratings achieved by Indian greats Suryakumar Yadav (912) and Virat Kohli (909).

As the ICC noted, "Sooryavanshi's rating of 536 points is well adrift of his more experienced teammates, but Kishan can now boast of having a better career batter rating than more accomplished Indian players like Suryakumar Yadav (912) and Virat Kohli (909)."
India enjoyed a productive week across the T20I rankings.

Tilak Varma climbed two places to sixth among batters, while captain Shreyas Iyer gained seven spots to 24th after the Zimbabwe series.

Among bowlers, Ravi Bishnoi surged 31 places to 41st following his three wickets in the series. Varun Chakravarthy, who missed the tour through injury, slipped three places but remained inside the top 10.

Zimbabwe also had reason to celebrate despite the series defeat. Ryan Burl climbed six places to joint 85th among T20I batters, while fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani rose 10 spots to 26th in the bowling rankings.

#series #batting #points #Career

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas has thrown his weight behind Indian batting icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, insisting that both veterans still have plenty left in the tank and should be part of India's squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

The legendary Pakistan batter, popularly known as the 'Asian Bradman', dismissed concerns surrounding the duo's age and said their skill, experience and continued ability to score runs make them automatic contenders for the marquee tournament, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

"Both are very, very good in terms of skill and, given their experience, I don't see any reason why they should not play the World Cup. Age should not be a factor as long as they are fit and continue scoring runs," news agency PTI quoted Zaheer as saying on a Pakistani television channel.
Zaheer, regarded as one of Pakistan's finest batters after scoring more than 100 first-class centuries during his illustrious career, believes Kohli and Rohit possess qualities that only grow stronger with time.

According to the former Pakistan skipper, scoring runs becomes second nature for players of their calibre after spending years at the highest level, while their experience remains invaluable in major ICC tournaments.

He also ******* sed the fitness of the two Indian greats, saying Kohli continues to maintain exceptional physical standards.

"Kohli is still supremely fit, while Rohit just needs to pay a little more attention to his fitness," Zaheer observed.

The Pakistan great added that India would benefit immensely from having both veterans in the dressing room during the 2027 World Cup campaign.

His remarks come at a time when speculation over the future of India's senior stars continues despite both producing match-winning performances in the ODI format.
Zaheer reserved special praise for Rohit after watching the former Indian captain's recent century against England, saying the opener's batting remains a delight to watch.

"I watched Rohit score a hundred against England, and it is still a pleasure to watch him bat. He plays so effortlessly and with such sweet timing," he said.

Rohit's knock against England once again underlined his credentials in the 50-over format, while Kohli has also continued to deliver consistently, strengthening the argument that the experienced pair could still play a crucial role at the next World Cup.

Reflecting on the changing nature of modern cricket, Zaheer acknowledged that T20 cricket has introduced several innovative strokes into the game. However, he insisted that the fundamentals remain just as important, saying every batter aspiring to succeed across formats must master traditional shots like the cover drive and the cut shot.

The former Pakistan captain also spoke about his country's cricketing future, expressing confidence that better days lie ahead.

"Hopefully, the return of Babar Azam as Test captain will turn thing

The debate surrounding Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's ODI future refuses to die down despite both continuing to deliver for India. While neither head coach Gautam Gambhir nor chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar has publicly committed to their participation in the 2027 World Cup, keeping the speculation around their future alive.

India's recent 1-2 ODI series defeat against England only added fuel to the conversation. Rohit silenced critics with a match-winning century in the series finale, registering his 34th ODI hundred amid speculation that the Lord's fixture could be his final international appearance. Kohli, meanwhile, chipped in with two half-centuries during the series after both senior batters struggled in the opening match.

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta believes there is no need to question Rohit and Kohli's places in the side, but stressed that both must make an immediate impact whenever a series begins instead of taking time to settle.

"That has to be a conversation with everyone, not just them (Kohli and Rohit), that they have to start the series well and hit the ground running. That is a challenge. You can't take one or two games to get into the groove. But that's where the support staff comes in and has conversations with the players by creating an environment to get the best out of everyone," Deep Dasgupta said on his YouTube channel.

Dasgupta insisted that the standards applied to the two stalwarts should remain unchanged despite the increasing scrutiny around their careers.

"There is no conversation needed with them about their places in the team. Four years back, it wasn't like they had to be reminded before every series that they would be in the team. They knew they would be in the team based on their performances. So how does that change now? It does not and should not change," he added.
Questions over the future of Rohit and Kohli have surfaced repeatedly since both retired from Test cricket last year, leaving ODIs as their only international format. Before the Lord's ODI against England, reports suggested that the selection committee was considering moving on from Rohit ahead of the 2027 World Cup to create an opening for Yashasvi Jaiswal.

However, the BCCI leadership dismissed reports that the Lord's encounter would be Rohit's final international appearance.

Dasgupta believes the constant speculation is largely because the pair now feature in only one international format, making every ODI performance subject to greater scrutiny.
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"This discussion about their future is getting exaggerated because they play only one format. When you play multiple formats, if you fail in one but score in the other, the failure is forgotten. So that's a challenge for these two that can't be denied. People will remember what they last did in this format because they play only one format. But the conversation with them should be the same as it was three years ago," he added.

#dasgupta #intern

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Farokh Engineer believes teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has already done enough to earn an ODI call-up and wants the 15-year-old to open alongside Rohit Sharma ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

Engineer feels India should reshuffle their batting order by moving Shubman Gill to No. 4, allowing Sooryavanshi to partner Rohit at the top while Virat Kohli slots in at No. 3.

"The ideal situation is Shubman Gill and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Gill is a class player. Gill, I think, is the best batsman in the team now. So, Gill should come at four," Engineer told PTI.

The former India star said the combination of a right-handed Rohit and left-handed Sooryavanshi would provide the ideal balance in ODI cricket.

"Gill is not a guy who lifts the ball. So, a left-right combination would be ideal in ODIs. So, if Rohit is playing, and I think he should be playing, let him open with Sooryavanshi.

"A batsman like him (Sooryavanshi) is much better at opening because he finds bigger gaps in the field. Virat Kohli can come third. Gill can come fourth and then we've got a solid batting line-up," he said.

Engineer's remarks come after Sooryavanshi enjoyed a breakthrough T20I series against Zimbabwe. The youngster finished as the leading run-scorer with 151 runs, including two half-centuries, and was named Player of the Series as India completed a 3-0 clean sweep.

According to Engineer, those performances are enough to fast-track the teenager into India's 50-over plans.

"This is probably the right time to draft Sooryavanshi into India's ODI side. I don't know why people distinguish so much between ODI and T20 because for me, a half-volley is a half-volley. He's been getting runs and he's got the confidence to open the innings.

"He'll win more matches for you than lose you. When he gives a start like that, the other players can have time to consolidate the innings and put on a big score," Engineer noted.

While Sooryavanshi struggled during India's T20I tour of England earlier this month, the Zimbabwe series showcased his ability to adapt. He produced a measured 81 off 49 ***** in the final T20I on a slow Harare surface after blasting a rapid half-century in the series opener.

The teenager has also shown areas that still require improvement, including handling short-pitched bowling, adapting quickly to overseas conditions and refining his shot selection. However, Engineer urged India not to overburden the youngster with technical changes, insisting his natural game is what makes him special.

"Anything which is slightly short of length, in Sooryavanshi's curve, is going to go for a six. He learned from his mistakes, he has learned to curb himself. But don't try to over-coach him. He's not from the MCC book of manual, which is completely out of date.

"He's a genius. Nor was Viv Richards. Viv was the best batsman I've ever seen play. But persevere with Sooryavanshi. He'll be a tremendous ***** et for In

When India begin their three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday, the spotlight will not only be on the result but also on the fresh faces hoping to begin their international journeys.

Over the years, tours of Zimbabwe have evolved into India's preferred platform for testing emerging talent in the shortest format. Rather than fielding full-strength squads, the BCCI has consistently used these bilateral series to reward standout domestic and IPL performers with their maiden T20I caps.

The numbers underline that trend. A total of 22 Indian men's cricketers have made their T20I debuts against Zimbabwe, making the African nation one of India's most frequent proving grounds for future stars.
India's tradition of handing out debuts in Zimbabwe dates back to 2010. During the two-match T20I series, Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and Naman Ojha all made their debuts in the opening game as India secured a comfortable six-wicket win. Kohli remained unbeaten on 26, Ashwin impressed with figures of 1/22, while Ojha managed two runs. In the following match, Amit Mishra became the fourth debutant of the series and returned figures of 1/21.

That tour also marked another milestone, with Suresh Raina captaining India in T20Is for the first time.
Five years later, India again arrived in Zimbabwe with a youthful squad. The 2015 series featured first T20I caps for Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Stuart Binny, Axar Patel and Sandeep Sharma in the opening game, while Sanju Samson debuted in the second T20I.

Although several batters endured modest starts, Axar Patel stood out with an impressive spell of 3/17. Manish Pandey scored 19, Kedar Jadhav made 9, Stuart Binny contributed 11 and Sandeep Sharma went wicketless. Samson scored 19 off 24 ****** in his maiden appearance.

The same tour also witnessed Ajinkya Rahane making his captaincy debut in both ODIs and T20Is.
India continued the trend in 2016, handing opportunities to another crop of newcomers. KL Rahul, Mandeep Singh, Jaydev Unadkat, Rishi Dhawan and Yuzvendra Chahal all made their T20I debuts in the opening match. It proved a difficult initiation for several players as Zimbabwe posted 170/6. Unadkat, Dhawan and Chahal all endured expensive spells, while Rahul was dismissed for a first-ball duck. Mandeep Singh provided one of the few positives with 31 off 27 ****** , although India lost the match by two runs.

The second T20I brought more debutants. Barinder Sran enjoyed a dream start to his international career, producing figures of 4/10, which remain the best bowling figures by an Indian on T20I debut. Dhawal Kulkarni also debuted in that match and claimed 1/32.
India once again used the Zimbabwe tour in 2024 to blood a fresh batch of youngsters. Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel made their T20I debuts in the opening match of the five-game series. Sai Sudharsan was handed his maiden cap in the second T20I, while Tushar Deshpande made his de

England's 2-1 ODI series triumph over India has been rewarded in the latest ICC Men's ODI Batting Rankings, with veteran batter Joe Root returning to the top 10 after a sensational series in which he remained unbeaten throughout.

Root, who was named Player of the Series, produced unbeaten scores of 76, 99 and 74 to anchor England's first bilateral ODI series victory over India since 2018. His consistency has lifted him four places to No. 8 in the ICC rankings, marking his return to the top 10 for the first time since 2020.

England opener Ben Duckett was another major beneficiary after his record-breaking 141 in the third ODI at Lord's. The left-hander jumped 11 places to joint-19th, with his match-winning knock becoming the highest individual score in a Men's ODI at the iconic venue, according to an ICC media release.
Despite India losing the series, several Indian batters made gains in the latest rankings following strong individual performances.

Rohit Sharma's magnificent 138 in the Lord's decider helped him reduce the gap on Virat Kohli to just nine rating points. Rohit remains fourth in the ODI batting rankings, while Kohli occupies third. India captain Shubman Gill continues to hold the No. 2 position and is just one rating point behind New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell, who remains the world's top-ranked ODI batter with 802 rating points.

Middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer also climbed two places to 13th after scoring a fighting 66 in the second ODI at Cardiff.
Rank
Player

#root #player #rohit

'More professional than Virat': Dinesh Karthik names Australian star who amazed him in the IPL originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Dinesh Karthik names Josh Hazlewood as the most professional cricketer he's worked with.
Praises Hazlewood's discipline and recovery routine even during late hours.
Mo Bobat agrees, calling both Virat Kohli and Hazlewood role models for others.
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has made a rather unexpected pick when asked to name the most professional cricketer he has ever shared a dressing room with, choosing Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood over Indian great Virat Kohli.

#virat #hazlewood #Cricket #kohli

England youngster Jacob Bethell has opened up about the unforgettable experience of opening the batting alongside Virat Kohli at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium during his stint with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), describing the atmosphere as unlike anything he had experienced before.

Bethell, who joined RCB after being signed in the 2025 IPL mega auction, shared the dressing room with Kohli during the franchise's back-to-back ******* le-winning campaigns in 2025 and 2026. Although the young all-rounder had a mixed season with the bat, he said the opportunity to walk out alongside one of the game's modern greats remains a career highlight.
Speaking on the Super Over podcast on YouTube, Bethell admitted he was overwhelmed by nerves before his first home appearance in Bengaluru.

"That was crazy. I remember being really nervous before. It was only my first game in front of home fans. I was nervous to say the least. But as soon as I got onto the ground, I just felt a sense of excitement. I ran drinks for quite a lot of the competition. Looking at the atmosphere and wanting to get a piece of it,'' Jacob Bethell said.

"We were walking out to bat. I can only hear myself think... the place is bouncing, there is no gap in it. You feel like they are on top of you. Luckily enough, we managed to put on a few runs; I scored a few, he scored a few. I remember I hit my second ball for four and I have never heard a sound that loud," he added.
Bethell also shed light on Kohli's personality away from the spotlight, saying the former RCB captain is far more relaxed than his fiery on-field persona suggests.

"Away from cricket and off the field, he's actually a very chilled individual. Great to talk to, great to spend time around. But it's just that ability to then flip into that competitive nature in and around cricket or training, " Bethell revealed

Bethell's IPL 2026 campaign yielded 163 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of 140.52, but the England all-rounder has previously credited Kohli, Rajat Patidar and Dinesh Karthik in a video posted by RCB on their official handle for helping him improve his game, particularly against spin, during his time with the Bengaluru franchise.

#england