Azmatullah Omarzai produced a stunning rescue act with the bat, smashing a record-breaking century to help Afghanistan recover from a disastrous start and post 221/7 against Zimbabwe in the second T20I at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Walking in with Afghanistan reeling at 5/4, Omarzai launched a counter-attack that completely changed the course of the innings. He hammered 116 off just 50 **** , striking five fours and 12 sixes at an astonishing strike rate of 232.

With the effort, Omarzai registered the highest individual score by a batter coming in at No. 6 or lower in T20Is involving Full Member nations. He went past the previous record of 89, scored by former Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi against Ireland in 2017.

The record-breaking knock also put Omarzai ahead of Sam Billings (87 against West Indies in 2019), Cameron White (85 not out against Sri Lanka in 2010) and David Miller (85 not out against Pakistan in 2021) on the list.

Afghanistan's innings had been in complete disarray after Zimbabwe's bowlers reduced them to 5/4. Several top-order batters departed cheaply, while Sediqullah Atal managed just 17 off 21 deliveries before falling in the ninth over.

Omarzai found an ideal partner in Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, and the duo launched a remarkable recovery. They added 142 runs off only 59 **** for the sixth wicket, with Ijaz contributing a blistering 52 off 27 deliveries, including five fours and three sixes.

The partnership was finally broken when Ijaz fell with the score at 180. Omarzai continued his **** ault before being dismissed in the 19th over, having already produced one of the finest rescue acts in Afghanistan's T20I history.

Captain Rashid Khan provided a spectacular finish, smashing an unbeaten 25 off just six **** , including four sixes. Mujeeb Ur Rahman remained not out on two as Afghanistan closed their innings at 221/7, scoring at 11.05 runs per over.

Rashid also achieved a major milestone during the match, becoming the first bowler to claim 200 wickets in T20Is.

Zimbabwe fall short despite Sikandar Raza's century

Zimbabwe were unable to overcome the imposing target despite a determined effort from captain Sikandar Raza, who scored his second T20I century.

Raza fought till the end, but the visitors ultimately fell short, with Afghanistan's early batting collapse proving to be a distant memory after Omarzai's extraordinary intervention.

Tafadzwa Tsiga offered valuable support on his debut, while the dismissal of Ryan Burl dealt another blow to Zimbabwe's hopes.

The victory also extended Afghanistan's remarkable dominance in the rivalry, marking their eighth consecutive T20I series win against Zimbabwe. The visitors are yet to win a T20I series against Afghanistan.

#record #innings

IOC president Kirsty Coventry's desire is that "politics does not take over on the field of play", but Ukraine and former executives from her organisation have told AFP that politics and sport remain inseparable.
Coventry's view will be sorely tested when Ukrainian and Russian athletes -- the nations embroiled in a war sparked by Russian President Vladimir Putin launching an invasion of Ukraine in 2022 -- compete side-by-side in the Youth Olympics which start in the Senegalese capital Dakar on Saturday.
The 13 Russian athletes will be able to parade with their national flag and hear their national anthem at an Olympic event for the first time since the 2020 Winter Youth Games in Lausanne.
The restoration of such symbols fits with the approach that Coventry indicated she would follow when she spoke at the EU Sporting Forum in Cyprus earlier this year.
"Athletes can only inspire us if they are able to compete," the Zimbabwean two-time Olympic swimming gold medallist said.

#Youth #compete

England signed off their campaign in the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series with a 55-run victory over Sri Lanka, riding on Ben Duckett's magnificent 167 before Liam Dawson's four-wicket haul derailed the chase at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday.

Asked to bat first after Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field, England piled up 386/5 in 50 overs, registering the highest ODI total at the Lahore venue. Duckett led the charge with a commanding 132-ball knock, while Tom Banton and captain Harry Brook made valuable contributions to keep the scoreboard moving.

Sri Lanka put up a spirited fight in reply, with Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis and Pavan Rathnayake scoring half-centuries. However, Dawson's spell of 4/49 broke the backbone of their middle order as the visitors were bowled out for 331 in 45.1 overs.
Duckett provided the foundation for England's imposing total with an innings of 167 off 132 deliveries. The left-hander combined patience with attacking strokeplay, setting the tone for a commanding batting performance.

He shared an opening partnership of 163 runs with Banton, who contributed 74 off 75 ****** . The stand gave England early control before Duckett continued to accelerate through the middle overs.

Captain Brook then joined the charge, helping England add another 107 runs in a brisk partnership with Duckett. The substantial contributions at the top ensured England maintained momentum throughout the innings and finished with 386/5.

The total surpassed Pakistan's 375/3 against Zimbabwe in 2015 to become the highest ODI score recorded at Gaddafi Stadium.
Sri Lanka needed a strong start to chase down the daunting target and found contributions from Fernando, Mendis and Rathnayake, who all registered half-centuries. Their efforts kept the chase alive, but England continued to find breakthroughs at crucial moments.

Dawson proved particularly effective in the middle overs, finishing with figures of 4/49 from his 10 overs. His spell disrupted Sri Lanka's progress and left the lower order with too much to do.

With the required rate climbing and wickets falling, Sri Lanka eventually folded for 331 in 45.1 overs. Sam Curran claimed the final wicket, dismissing Malinga to complete England's victory.
The 55-run victory gave England a positive finish to their campaign in Pakistan, ending their winless run in the country. However, the result did not alter the tournament's final lineup, with Sri Lanka and Pakistan having already secured qualification for the tri-series final.

#duckett

Cricket fans get a full day to savour. Oman face Nepal at Al Amerat, South Africa and Australia begin Day 2 of their Test in Gqeberha, and Afghanistan meet Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi. We will see how it unfolds. - all of which you can follow with our partners at Dafabet.
And even better, Dafabet now have the expert take of Kevin Pietersen to take their cricket coverage to the next level after he was announced this week as their new Global Ambassador!
🌟 Delighted to announce that I’m joining the Dafabet family as their Global Brand Ambassador! 🌟 Looking forward to some exciting collaborations, exclusive behind-the-scenes moments, and plenty more to come. Stay tuned! #Dafabet #BrandAmbassador #KP https://t.co/NnsY4fupAw
We're excited to see what that partnership has in store, but in the meantime you can keep up with all the latest cricket matches and schedule below. Good luck!
Match

#ambassador

Afghanistan are about to make history as they are for the first time, a team will technically host India on Indian soil, with all three matches scheduled at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Afghanistan have been playing their home international fixtures in India for several years, using venues in Lucknow, Dehradun and Greater Noida to host matches against various opponents. But they've never done it against India itself until now.
The series wraps up just ahead of the Asian Games, which kick off on September 24, giving the squad a final chance to settle combinations before heading to **** an.
India arrive with mixed white-ball form that doesn't quite match their status as reigning T20 World Cup champions. The problems began in late June with back-to-back T20I defeats to Ireland in Belfast.
England then handed India a 4-0 T20I series loss, and the ODIs followed with another setback, as India went down 2-1. The team was in Zimbabwe for another white-ball **** ignment, and they recovered some lost pride at Harare.

#India #series #white

India's search for consistency in T20I cricket will continue with a three-match series against Afghanistan, but the team's batting combination could once again come under scrutiny, particularly with vice-captain Tilak Varma's role yet to appear fully settled.

India, led by Shreyas Iyer, endured a difficult run following their second consecutive T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year. The team lost all six of its T20Is against Ireland and England before finally putting together a 3-0 clean sweep against Zimbabwe.

The Afghanistan series begins on September 13 (Saturday), with India also scheduled to play a historic T20I against ******* an before featuring in the Asian Games 2026.
With several established batters competing for places, former South Africa star AB de Villiers believes India could face a selection headache, particularly when it comes to deciding where Tilak Varma fits into the batting order.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, de Villiers pointed to the number of batting options available to India and questioned how the team would accommodate its vice-captain.

"There will definitely be some selection issues with regard to the batters. Obviously, Shreyas, captain, Ishan Kishan, Samson, Sooryavanshi, and then there are all-rounders, Tilak Varma; I think that's where the balance is quite tricky. Where will he bat?" de Villiers said.

Tilak's recent numbers also underline why his position could become a talking point.

Since the 2026 T20 World Cup, the left-hander has scored 255 runs from 10 innings at a strike rate of 159.36, with three scores of 50 or more. However, the numbers need some context. One of those half-centuries came during the recent Zimbabwe series, while another was scored in the fifth T20I against England, by which point India had already conceded the series.

His overall returns therefore look stronger in isolation than his performances across the entire period suggest. Tilak endured a particularly difficult run during India's tour of the UK, and his inconsistency has remained a concern despite the occasional big score. That makes his position in India's batting order an even bigger talking point ahead of the Afghanistan series.

The presence of Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi gives India several batting options, while the team also has to factor in its all-rounders.

For de Villiers, the challenge is not simply about selecting the strongest players but finding a combination in which every batter has a clearly defined role.

He believes India have enough quality in their squad to deal with Afghanistan, but stressed that clarity will be particularly important against a side he considers dangerous.

"Really, really strong squad, but the balance will be tricky to figure out. It is T20 cricket, so they can play around with the squad a little bit. There are different roles, but the role clarification will still be incredibly important for India, as

NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Ajinkya Rahane believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's time will come, but feels India should currently stick with the top-three combination that delivered the 2026 T20 World Cup ******* le, backing Sanju Samson to reclaim his place alongside Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan.

Samson, who was named Player of the Tournament during India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign, was dropped after a string of low scores on the tour of England. Sooryavanshi was subsequently handed his international debut in Manchester and also opened during the T20Is against Zimbabwe.

With Samson now recalled for the three-match home series against Afghanistan, beginning at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, Rahane believes the experienced batter should return to the top order.

"I feel the top three should be the same that played in the World Cup. Samson has done well, but he got dropped after two or three bad innings. I want him to get another chance. Abhishek and Ishan also did well for us," Rahane said in a video on his YouTube channel on Friday.

"Vaibhav will get his opportunities, and his time will come. But for now, I feel the top three should be Samson, Abhishek, and Ishan, who were our contributors in the World Cup," he added.
Rahane welcomed Samson's return while pointing to the batter's impact during India's World Cup-winning campaign.

"I am happy to see Sanju Samson back in the team. He was the 'Man of the Series' in the World Cup. It has been up and down, and things were happening to him that were not in his control. But he is a match-winner, and his return strengthens the team," Rahane said.

For Sooryavanshi, Rahane's message was one of patience and freedom. The 15-year-old has made a rapid rise through domestic and franchise cricket, but the former India batter believes the teenager should not overthink his early international career.

"I think he should just play his game right now. He should back the game that led him to come into the Indian team. It is a very early stage for him in his career and in international cricket," Rahane said.

"As of now, there is no need for him to think a lot, and he should be set free. His game will eventually change after two or three years, as much as he keeps playing. It will be important for him to maintain balance. Apart from cricket skills, it is important to stay balanced off the field. That will be a challenge for him."
Sooryavanshi has already provided plenty of evidence of his ability. During the Duleep Trophy, he became the youngest player to score a half-century in the competition, reaching the landmark at 15 years and 175 days.

He made 92 off 81 ******* for East Zone, reaching his fifty from just 42 deliveries and breaking a 57-year-old record previously held by Laxman Singh, who was 16 years and 23 days old when he scored his Duleep Trophy fifty in 1969.

Rahane believes the teenager's next challenge is not

Afghanistan are set for a packed international season in the UAE, with Bangladesh and Zimbabwe joining them for a series of matches across all three formats between October and November 2026.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced a one-off Test against Bangladesh, followed by an ODI tri-series involving all three teams. Afghanistan will then host Zimbabwe in a three-match T20I series and a two-match Test series to round off the tour.
The ODI leg will see Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe compete in a single round-robin format, with each team facing the other once. The top two sides will then meet in the final.

The tri-series schedule is:
October 17: Bangladesh vs Zimbabwe
October 19: Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe
October 21: Afghanistan vs Bangladesh

#november

New Delhi: As the Indian team awaits Jasprit **** rah's fitness reports ahead of the T20I series against Afghanistan next week and the subsequent Asian Games, the national selectors have identified Prince Yadav as a probable backup.

TOI understands that **** rah, Nitish **** ar Reddy, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana are due to undergo match simulation tests over the course of this week before the Indian team **** embles in Delhi on Sept 10.

"The BCCI medical team at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) had shared a report with selectors last week, where it was mentioned that these four players were clinically fit but had to be **** sed in practice matches. The CoE has lined up the matches from Sept 4-9. The CoE is confident that the players should be ready for the Afghanistan series," a BCCI source said.

Prince made his international debut in the ODI series against Afghanistan at home in June. He too suffered a hamstring injury in the second T20I in Zimbabwe on July 25.

It is learnt that he has been declared fit by the CoE and is available for selection. Prince has been doing well in T20Is since this year's IPL and the selectors see him as a serious prospect going forward.
The selectors and the team management want **** rah to get some game time in a first-class match before the Test series in New Zealand. **** rah hasn't played a red-ball match since the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati last November. He has only played T20 cricket before injuring his knee after two ODIs in England in July.

"As it is, he has to skip Test matches because of his fitness. One has to be clear that his knee can take the load of a first-class game before he takes the field in a Test in New Zealand. It needs to be seen if he plays a Ranji Trophy game or a first-class game for India 'A' in New Zealand. He is likely to be rested for the T20I series against West Indies at home in October. But the 'A' games in New Zealand overlap with the ODI series there," a source said.
133754397

#series #test #prince #bumrah

NEW DELHI: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is taking a long-term view of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's astonishing rise, with secretary Devajit Saikia revealing that the board is closely monitoring the 15-year-old and wants to ensure his early success translates into a long and distinguished international career.

Sooryavanshi's rapid emergence was among the matters discussed at Thursday's high-level BCCI review meeting in Mumbai, which was attended by Saikia, India Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, T20I captain Shreyas Iyer, head coach Gautam Gambhir, Centre of Excellence (CoE) head VVS Laxman and other senior officials.

The teenager has already gone from being an IPL sensation to becoming India's youngest men's international debutant, and the BCCI is now determined to ensure that his development is handled carefully rather than allowing the weight of expectation to derail his progress.

"We want Vaibhav Sooryavanshi or any player of his stature to continue and serve like Sachin Tendulkar did for the country or other players who in the past became legends," Saikia said.

"So we look at Vaibhav in a very serious manner. He's monitored from every angle and every step he is taking forward in his international career. The BCCI is taking a very close look at his future."
Saikia made it clear that the BCCI's objective is not simply to maximise Sooryavanshi's immediate impact but to build a career that can last for years.

"You see, the BCCI can be proud that we are promoting a player of the age of 15 years who is already making his mark in the international scenario and we are very cautious that every right step he should take forward so that it should not be a one series or one year wonder," he said.

The comparison with Tendulkar was particularly significant. Like Sooryavanshi, Tendulkar was thrust into the international spotlight as a teenager before going on to enjoy one of the longest and most successful careers in the history of the game.

The BCCI secretary stressed that Sooryavanshi's progress would be closely tracked at every stage.

"We want Vaibhav's relevance, or any player of his stature, to continue and serve as Sachin Tendulkar did for the country or other players who in the past became legends," Saikia said.

The teenager's rapid rise has given the board plenty of reason for optimism. He was India's youngest-ever men's international debutant after earning his maiden call-up following a sensational IPL 2026 campaign with Rajasthan Royals.

Sooryavanshi scored 776 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 237.30, including a century and five fifties, while his 72 sixes set an IPL record for a single season. He subsequently won several awards, including the Orange Cap, Most Valuable Player, Emerging Player, Super Striker and Super Sixes honours.

He also made an immediate impact for India against Zimbabwe, scoring 151 runs in three matches as India completed a 3-0 sweep and claimed his maiden Player of th

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia on Thursday cleared the air over chief selector Ajit Agarkar's absence from the board's review meeting, while dismissing speculation about changes to the senior men's selection committee.

Agarkar was not present at the meeting, which focused on India's recent performances and the team's preparations for a packed international calendar leading up to the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Saikia explained that Agarkar was out of station when the meeting was called at short notice and was unable to join virtually because he was in an area with poor connectivity.

"Today he (Agarkar) was out of station, so he could not be a part of the meeting. Because this meeting was called at very short notice and our head of the selection committee, Ajit Agarkar, was not in town, he could not join it, and he was in such an area that he could not join online also, despite our best efforts," Saikia told to reporters after the meeting.
Saikia also rejected reports suggesting that Agarkar's tenure could be coming to an end or that the BCCI was considering changes to the senior men's selection committee.

"There was no such discussion on this in today's meeting. I do not comment on new rumours. We did not have any such discussions, nor did we have such intentions," he said.

The BCCI secretary also ruled out any discussion about appointing a director of cricket for the men's team. According to Saikia, the meeting was primarily focused on reviewing India's performances on recent tours and mapping out preparations for the next phase of the international calendar.

"There was no discussion on the selection committee. Our whole focus was on performances in England and Ireland, as well as the recent Test series in Sri Lanka and what we are going to do in the upcoming series before the ODI World Cup, which is our ultimate goal," he said.

The meeting, Saikia clarified, was not about deciding individual player selections or fixing format-wise combinations.

"We have not discussed all these things regarding the team selection, team combination, who will be playing in what format. For that, selectors will take a call. Today, the selectors were not part of the discussion. So when the selectors meet to select the team for the West Indies series, as well as thereafter for the New Zealand series, they will consider whatever parameters are to be considered by them," concluded Saikia.
India face a packed schedule over the next several months, with the team set to play Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series before the Asian Games in ****** an later this month. The West Indies will then tour India for three ODIs and five T20Is, followed by a demanding multi-format tour of New Zealand featuring two Tests, five ODIs and five T20Is.

India will subsequently host Sri Lanka for three ODIs and three T20Is before facing Zimbabwe in a three-match ODI series in January 2027. The marquee ****** ignment will be the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy again

England have named a 15-member squad for the third and final Rothesay Test against Pakistan, with the hosts looking to complete a 3-0 series sweep at Edgbaston from September 9. England have already secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series after a dominant innings-and-103-run victory at Headingley and a 194-run win at Lord's.

Fast bowler Brydon Carse remains absent from the squad as he continues to be under police investigation following his arrest in Derby last month.
Brydon Carse was left out of the second Test at Lord's after being arrested outside a nightclub on August 22. Derbyshire Police confirmed that an investigation is ongoing into allegations of ******* ault. Although Carse returned to domestic cricket last week and featured in Durham's County Championship win over Gloucestershire, he was not selected for their ongoing fixture against Northamptonshire and has not been recalled to the England squad.

Uncapped Hampshire seamer Sonny Baker, who replaced Carse ahead of the Lord's Test, retains his place in the squad. Matthew Fisher is the only player to be left out from the group that travelled to Lord's.
With England set to play six white-ball matches against Sri Lanka immediately after the Pakistan series, the management could opt to rotate some of its frontline quicks. Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue are among those who could be managed, potentially opening the door for Baker, Sam Cook or Shoaib Bashir to feature at Edgbaston.

Cook has played just one Test, against Zimbabwe last summer, while Bashir is yet to feature in the ongoing series after England opted for an all-pace attack. Baker, meanwhile, has one Test appearance to his name, having played against New Zealand at The Oval in June.
Joe Root (captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Sam Cook, Jordan ******* , Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue.

#england #series #cook

Mumbai/New Delhi: The future of Rohit Sharma and the shape of India's ODI team for the next World Cup cycle are set to dominate discussions when the BCCI's top brass meets in Mumbai on Thursday for a wide-ranging performance review.

While recent defeats in Ireland, England and Sri Lanka will be ***** sed, board officials are understood to be more concerned about the lack of a clearly defined ODI roadmap at a time when preparations for the 2027 World Cup should be taking shape.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, president Mithun Manhas, head coach Gautam Gambhir, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and Centre of Excellence chief VVS Laxman will attend the meeting, with ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill and T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer also expected to be present.

At the centre of the discussions lies the most sensitive issue facing Indian cricket: Rohit's future. Though there is immense respect for the veteran opener's stature and achievements, selectors and members of the team management are increasingly aware of the need to prepare for a post-Rohit era.

According to sources, one option under consideration is to evaluate Rohit's role on a series-by-series basis rather than committing to a long-term plan through the entire World Cup cycle.

"It's very tough on a young captain like Shubman Gill when there is no clear direction. The dressing-room environment in the ODI team hasn't been the best, especially when it comes to dealing with stalwarts," a BCCI source said.

The uncertainty around Rohit reflects a broader concern. Of India's three national teams, the ODI side is regarded as the least settled. Injuries and workload management have prevented selectors from identifying a stable core, leaving several key positions unresolved.

The fast-bowling allrounder's role remains a particular headache. Hardik Pandya continues on a managed workload programme after recurring fitness issues, while Nitish ***** ar Reddy is yet to receive full clearance following rehabilitation.

"Hardik, at the moment, has been cleared to bowl six overs in a day. Reddy is still to clear his fitness tests. The ODI team doesn't have even half of the core ODI team ready. It has to be a joint effort between the CoE and the team management to zero in on players and formulate a roadmap to get them all on the park as soon as possible," the source said.

The review was initially planned after the Ireland and England tours but was postponed because of the subsequent Sri Lanka ***** ignment. It will now cover India's performances across multiple tours, including Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.

India's 2-0 T20I series defeat in Ireland and the 4-0 drubbing in England raised alarm bells, with the 125-run loss at Nottingham viewed internally as one of the team's poorest performances in recent years. Gill's ODI side also lost the England series 2-1.

However, officials insist the exercise will focus on solutions rather than ***** igning blame, with particular emphasis on recurri

South Africa continued their strong run in the Namibia T20I Tri-Series with another convincing victory over Zimbabwe, securing a comfortable 43-run win in the fourth match at the Namibia Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius narrowly missed out on a maiden T20I century but produced a career-best 94 to set up South Africa's second victory over Zimbabwe in the tournament. The opener's sensational knock came off just 51 ******* and featured 12 fours and three sixes.

Pretorius was named Player of the Match after helping South Africa post 185/7 before their bowlers completed the job by dismissing Zimbabwe for 142 in 17.4 overs.
Put into bat, South Africa made an aggressive start, with Pretorius anchoring the innings and playing a key role in two partnerships of more than 50 runs for the first two wickets.

He found an able partner in Dewald Brevis, who struck 41 off 27 ******* , as the Proteas built a strong platform. Zimbabwe did manage to fight back with regular wickets towards the latter stages, but South Africa had already done enough damage to reach a competitive 185/7.

Pretorius fell six runs short of a century, but the opener insisted the team victory mattered more than his individual milestone.

"Yeah, that's fine. I'm just glad we got over the line. Milestones will come and go, and yeah, it wasn't meant to be today, but I was just glad because we said at the 14-over mark we wanted to get to 200, and I knew if I got the team to 200 I'd get to the milestone. But yeah, I think milestones come and go, and today was not meant to be, but we won, so it's good," Pretorius said.
Zimbabwe needed 186 for victory but struggled to maintain momentum after a promising beginning from Brian Bennett.

Their powerplay was derailed by a double-wicket maiden from captain Bjorn Fortuin, and South Africa struck again soon after the fielding restrictions ended.

Duan Jansen produced a decisive burst, taking three wickets in four ******* across two overs to leave Zimbabwe in serious trouble.

Captain Sikandar Raza offered some resistance with 45 off 33 ******* , while Newman Nyamhuri added 27 with some aggressive hitting. But the pair could only reduce the eventual margin of defeat as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 142.

Fortuin was the standout bowler, finishing with 4/24 from 3.4 overs, while Jansen claimed 3/21. The pair shared seven wickets between them as South Africa repeatedly struck at crucial moments.

The result gives South Africa their second win over Zimbabwe in the tri-series, with Pretorius' near-century and a disciplined bowling performance combining to secure another comprehensive victory.

#south #pretorius

Marnus Labuschagne has been left out of Australia's ODI squad for the upcoming tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa, raising more questions about his future in the national team.

The batter had a poor run during Australia's recent ODI series in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Although he finished the Bangladesh campaign with an unbeaten 55 after being moved down the batting order, it was not enough to secure his place.

With Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh returning, Australia's selectors decided to leave Labuschagne out. His omission could also affect his chances of playing in the upcoming three-Test series against South Africa, especially after his disappointing performances against Bangladesh.

The six ODIs against Zimbabwe and South Africa are important for Australia's preparations for the 2027 World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Australia will be led by Mitchell Marsh in Zimbabwe, while Pat ****** mins will join the team for the South Africa leg. ****** mins and Marsh could share captaincy duties depending on ****** mins' workload. Mitchell Starc will return for the South Africa matches, while Josh Hazlewood has been selected for both series.

Australia's ODI squad:Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Pat ****** mins (SA only), Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Mitchell Marsh, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc (SA only), Adam Zampa.
New South Wales all-rounder Joel Davies has received his first ODI call-up after impressing in the T20I series against Bangladesh. Left-handed batter Ollie Peake has also kept his place.

Australia have added fast bowlers Spencer Johnson and Billy Stanlake. Johnson returns after recovering from a lengthy injury, while Stanlake recently ended a more than seven-year wait for another international appearance.

Cooper Connolly will remain with the ODI squad after his impressive 149 against Bangladesh.

The Zimbabwe series starts on September 15 in Harare, followed by matches on September 18 and 20. Australia will then play South Africa on September 24, 27 and 30.

#bangladesh

The Australian men's cricket team is set to tour South Africa and Zimbabwe this September and October.
The Aussies will play three Test matches against the reigning ICC World Test Champions South Africa next month.
But before then the two fierce international rivals will also meet in three ODI matches in South Africa with Australia also playing three more ODIs against Zimbabwe beginning in Harare on September 15.
The long-awaited tour will be the first time Australia and South Africa have met in the red-ball format since South Africa won the final of the 2025 ICC World Test Championship in London, defeating Australia by five wickets.
It will also be Australia's first tour of South Africa for a Test series since the infamous 'sandpaper gate' match of 2018 meaning emotions are sure to be running high on both sides of the boundary line.

#tour #zimbabwe #september

It's been a long time coming.
Australia is set to tour South Africa and play three Test matches against the reigning ICC World Test Champions in October 2026as well as three ODI matches against South Africa, and three more against Zimbabwe beginning in Harare on September 15.
The tour will be the first time Australia and South Africa have met in the red-ball format since South Africa won the final of the 2025 ICC World Test Championship in London, defeating Australia by five wickets.
It will also be Australia's first tour of South Africa for a Test series since the infamous 'sandpaper gate' match of 2018 meaning emotions are sure to be running high on both sides of the boundary line.
The Sporting News looks at the key details form the much-awaited tour including how to watch all nine of Australia's scheduled international matches.

#south #africa #australia #tour

Twelve months out from the World Cup, the writing is on the wall for Marnus Labuschagne after he was axed from Australia's ODI squad for tour Zimbabwe and South Africa.
After a poor 50-over tour in Pakistan and Bangladesh, Labuschagne was among five players dropped for September's tour, with Matt Short, Ben Dwarshuis, Todd Murphy and Liam Scott also left out.
Victorian teenager Ollie Peake has been an opportunity to impress with the bat, while NSW all-rounder Joel Davies could also make his ODI debut in the matches against Zimbabwe.
Lynchpin fast bowlers Pat ****** mins and Mitchell Starc have both been selected, showing their intention to feature in next year's World Cup and also be raring to go for the Australian summer of cricket.
MORE: When does Australia play its next Test match? Opponents, dates, venues for Australia's upcoming Test schedule

#labuschagne #africa

August
28 Namibia v South Africa
Play starts at 13:00 BST
Scorecard
29 South Africa v Zimbabwe

#starts

Bangladesh pacer Shoriful Islam etched his name in the record books on the second day of the second Test against Australia in Mackay, becoming the first bowler from his country to claim a seven-wicket haul against Australia. He also became the first Bangladesh bowler to take seven wickets in a Test innings, with his sensational figures of 7/48 now the best-ever by a Bangladesh pacer in Tests.

Shoriful produced a sensational spell of 7/48 in 15 overs to overshadow Mitchell Starc's six-wicket haul and keep Bangladesh alive in a Test that appeared to be slipping away after they were bowled out for just 64.

The left-arm pacer also registered the best figures by a Bangladesh bowler away from home in Tests, surpassing Taijul Islam's 7/138 against Zimbabwe in Harare earlier this year.
Australia began their innings at 41/3 but recovered through a 77-run partnership between Steve Smith and Cameron Green. Smith made 42 off 74 ***** , including six fours, while Green continued the repair work with a fluent 67 off 105 ***** , hitting 10 boundaries.

Shoriful, however, kept Bangladesh in the contest with his pace, movement and bounce. He eventually reduced Australia to 148/8 before the hosts' lower order mounted another resistance.

Green and Nathan Lyon added 38 runs before Shoriful ended Green's resistance with a pinpoint yorker to complete his magnificent seven-wicket haul. Lyon then remained unbeaten on 32 off 62 ***** , including four boundaries and a six, and helped Australia reach 210.
Lyon and Josh Hazlewood added another 24 runs for the final wicket, frustrating Bangladesh before Taijul Islam dismissed Hazlewood to end the innings.

Australia's total gave them a commanding 146-run first-innings lead.

Shoriful's achievement came only one Test after Hasan Mahmud had set a new Bangladesh record against Australia with 6/55 in Darwin. Hasan's nine wickets in that match helped Bangladesh secure their first-ever Test victory in Australia.
Earlier, Australia had won the toss and opted to field, with Starc responding to Bangladesh's first-Test victory in emphatic fashion.

The left-arm quick tore through the Bangladesh batting lineup with astonishing figures of 6/12, while Pat ***** mins claimed three wickets as the visitors were dismissed for just 64. Shoriful was Bangladesh's top scorer with 14.

Bangladesh began their second innings under pressure and reached 39/3 by the end of the first session. Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was unbeaten on 23, with Mushfiqur Rahim on four.

Starc had already taken two wickets, while ***** mins added one as Bangladesh trailed by 107 runs.

Despite Shoriful's historic spell, Australia remain firmly in control and Bangladesh face a daunting task to avoid conceding the series-levelling Test.

#bangladesh #australia #green

Bangladesh pulled off a nine-wicket win over Australia in Darwin on Sunday, giving them one of the biggest wins in Test cricket and leaving Australia's 20-Test schedule over the next 12 months off to a difficult start.

Cameron Green's maiden Test century at home delayed the result, but Bangladesh had already taken control of the match after three-and-a-half days of cricket on a Marrara Stadium pitch that offered a good contest between bat and ball.

The result was unexpected given the records of the two teams. Australia had reached the last two World Test Championship (WTC) finals and won 18 of their previous 23 Tests. Bangladesh, meanwhile, had lost 22 of their previous 26 Tests outside Asia and had suffered innings defeats against Zimbabwe and a Cricket Australia XI in the previous two months.

Yet Najmul Hossain Shanto's side produced a nine-wicket win in their first Test in Australia since 2003. It was Bangladesh's first long-format tour of Australia in 23 years and one of the biggest results in the country's 40-year history in international cricket.

The result has also changed the WTC picture.

Before the Darwin Test, Bangladesh were fourth in the WTC standings, one place above India. However, they had played only four Tests at that stage — losing 0-1 to Sri Lanka and beating Pakistan 2-0 at home — so their position was largely viewed in the context of the small number of matches they had played.

Their win in Darwin has now pushed Bangladesh to 66.67 per cent, while India remain on 48.15 per cent.

India had entered the Sri Lanka series after drawing 2-2 in England and beating the West Indies 2-0 at home. Their progress was then checked by a 0-2 home series defeat to South Africa.

The two Tests in Sri Lanka were expected to be an important part of India's push for a place in next year's WTC final. But rain disrupted the second day of the opening Test in Galle after India had made a strong start, while more rain is forecast over the next three days.

Bangladesh's win in Darwin has widened the gap between them and India to more than 18 percentage points.

For India, the remaining WTC schedule leaves little room for dropped points. After Sri Lanka, they travel to New Zealand for two Tests before hosting Australia in a five-Test series.

New Zealand have proved difficult opponents for India in their own conditions, while India may need something close to a 4-0 series win against Australia to remain in contention for the WTC final.

The current WTC standings are:
Australia — 77.77%
South Africa — 75%
New Zealand — 72.22%
Bangladesh — 66.67%

#australia #India #lanka

Devdutt Padikkal marked his return to India's Test setup in style, smashing his maiden Test century during the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. The left-hander, who has won two IPL ***** les with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, produced a fluent and ***** ured knock at No. 3 to make a strong case for himself in India's middle order.
Padikkal became only the second Indian left-handed batter in the 21st century to score a Test century from No. 3, after former captain Sourav Ganguly. Ganguly had scored 136 against Zimbabwe in Delhi in 2002.

Overall, Padikkal is the sixth Indian left-hander to score a Test hundred from the No. 3 position. The list is led by Vinod Kambli with four centuries, followed by Ganguly with three, while Salim Durani, Bapu Nadkarni, Ajit Wadekar, Eknath Solkar, Surinder Amarnath and now Padikkal have one each.
Padikkal's century also ended a prolonged wait for an Indian batter to score a Test hundred from No. 3. The last Indian to achieve the feat was Shubman Gill, who scored a century against Bangladesh in Chennai in September 2024. Since then, India had used seven different batters at No. 3 across 19 Tests, with the position collectively averaging just 27.28 and producing only five scores of 50 or more in 35 innings.

The 25-year-old had also enjoyed a productive 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, averaging 60.33, and carried that confidence into Galle. After reaching his century, Padikkal celebrated with a fist pump and a punch of the air before removing his helmet and raising his bat towards the crowd and his teammates.

India captain Shubman Gill congratulated him in the middle, while head coach Gautam Gambhir applauded from the dressing room. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar was also present at the venue and joined in the celebrations.

#test #padikkal #Indian #score

Test cricket returns to Australia's tropical Top End for the first time since 2003 when the hosts take on Bangladesh in a two-match series beginning Thursday.

The first Test at Marrara Stadium in Darwin will be Bangladesh's first Test tour of Australia in more than 20 years. It also starts a 12-month period in which Australia are scheduled to play at least 20 Tests, including series against South Africa, India and England.

Australia are set to bring back their main bowling attack, with Pat **** mins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon returning from injuries. Mitchell Starc is also in the side.

Injuries have meant the four have rarely played together in recent series. Hazlewood's expected return means Scott Boland will miss out, while allrounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster are also in the starting XI.

"We know Scotty's class, it is always a pretty tight call," **** mins said at a press conference on Wednesday. "There is not much you can say to Scotty except there is a lot of cricket coming up.

"He knows his worth, and how good he is, and I am sure he will be out there at some point pretty soon."
Australia's bowling attack looks settled, but there are questions over the batting order.

Jake Weatherald, the first Test player from Australia's Northern Territory, has kept his place after Australia's Ashes win over England last season despite his recent form. He is expected to open with Travis Head.

Usman Khawaja's retirement has allowed Australia to play both Green and Webster in the same XI. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith will bat at No. 3 and No. 4, with Labuschagne also looking for runs to strengthen his position in the side.
Bangladesh will be without Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman and Shoriful Islam for the first Test. Shoriful could return for the second match in Mackay from August 22 to 26.

Rana, 23, is one of Bangladesh's quickest bowlers and was a key part of their ODI series win over Australia two months ago. He suffered a side strain during a T20I against Zimbabwe in July.
The series against Bangladesh begins a schedule of 20 Tests for Australia over the next 12 months, with another match possible if they qualify for the World Test Championship final.

After the second Bangladesh Test, Australia will tour South Africa for three Tests in October. They will then host New Zealand for four Tests before a five-Test series in India.

Australia will also play a one-off day-night Test against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in March to mark the 150th anniversary of matches between the two countries.

The schedule will conclude with an away Ashes series beginning in June.

#series #bangladesh #match #play

NEW DELHI: For a team with two ODI World Cup ***** les, West Indies have found themselves in an unfamiliar position again. The Caribbean side will not qualify automatically for the 2027 World Cup and must now negotiate the qualifying route to make the tournament in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

It is the third straight World Cup cycle in which West Indies have been pushed into the qualifiers, underlining the difficult road the former champions now face.

The immediate challenge is the 2027 World Cup Qualifier in February, where West Indies will be joined by Ireland, four teams from the Cricket World Cup League 2 and four sides emerging from the Qualifier Playoff.
West Indies cannot secure one of the automatic qualification spots before the September 30 cut-off. They are currently 10th in the ODI rankings, and even two victories over India before the deadline would not be enough to move them into the required bracket.

That leaves the Qualifier as their route into the World Cup.

The tournament carries an important incentive: win it, and West Indies go straight into the second round of the 2027 World Cup.

But finishing between second and fourth would leave them with another hurdle. Those three teams will enter the first round of the World Cup, the Super Series, alongside another Qualifier team. Only the winner of that stage will progress to the second round.

In other words, West Indies have little room for error. Winning the Qualifier would provide the cleanest route, while anything less could mean another high-pressure battle for survival.
The Caribbean side already know what happens when the Qualifier campaign goes wrong.

West Indies failed to make the 2023 World Cup through direct qualification and subsequently finished fifth in the Super Six stage of the Qualifier. The result was historic for the wrong reasons: they missed a World Cup for the first time.

The consequences extended beyond that tournament. West Indies also failed to feature in the 2025 Champions Trophy, a competition they had not played since 2013.

Now, with another World Cup qualification campaign ahead, the former two-time champions face a familiar test. This time, the objective is simple: navigate the qualifiers successfully and ensure they are back on cricket's biggest ODI stage in 2027.

#champions #tournament

Duan Jansen, twin brother of South Africa all-rounder Marco Jansen, has earned his maiden senior call-up and could make his international debut during South Africa's upcoming white-ball tour of Namibia.

The 15-member squad, led by experienced spinner Bjorn Fortuin, will play a T20I tri-series involving Namibia and Zimbabwe before taking on Namibia in a historic three-match ODI series.
The T20I tri-series will be played in Windhoek from August 28 to September 6, followed by three ODIs against Namibia from September 9 to 13. The ODI series will be the first bilateral 50-over contest between the two neighbouring countries.

Duan's selection comes after an impressive 2025/26 domestic season. He was named Division 1 One Day Cup Player of the Year and played a key role in helping the ****** ans win the ****** le, scoring an unbeaten 61 in the final against the Lions.

Eathan Bosch is the other uncapped T20I player, while Connor Esterhuizen, Jordan Hermann and Nqobani Mokoena have received their first ODI call-ups.

"We've selected one squad for both series as we feel we have all departments well covered and it provides a great opportunity for players to build on their international caps. We saw glimpses of what Connor and Nqobani can offer during the T20I series against New Zealand earlier this year. It was unfortunate that Jordan picked up an injury in the opening match of that series, so we're looking forward to seeing him get another opportunity at this level."
Coach Shukri Conrad said using the same squad for both formats would give the players greater continuity and valuable international exposure. Nationally contracted players Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi and Kwena Maphaka will provide additional experience.

"This tour has also opened the door for players who have performed domestically. Duan is one of those players. He is a quality all-rounder who has also shown great character for the ****** ans. Bjorn is an experienced player and proven leader who has successfully captained the Lions, and we have every confidence in his ability to lead this group. It is always exciting to play against our neighbouring countries, and the first-ever ODI series between South Africa and Namibia adds further significance, especially as we build towards next year's World Cup," he added.

South Africa are scheduled to leave Johannesburg for Windhoek on August 25.

#series #namibia #players #first

NEW DELHI: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has wasted little time getting back to work after a productive tour of Zimbabwe, sharing a glimpse of his batting preparations ahead of the new domestic season and the Duleep Trophy.

The teenage India batter posted a video on his official Instagram account showing him working in the nets, focusing on both defence and attacking strokes. "Preparation," Sooryavanshi captioned the post.

The session comes at an important stage in the 15-year-old's rapidly developing career. Sooryavanshi has been named vice-captain of East Zone for the upcoming Duleep Trophy, with experienced wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan set to lead the side.

Watch: Sooryavanshi gets ready for Duleep Trophy
Sooryavanshi's elevation to the leadership group has attracted considerable attention, given his age and meteoric rise over the past year.

However, East Zone selector Pravanjan Mullick said the appointment is intended to gradually prepare the teenager for greater responsibility rather than place the burden of captaincy on him immediately.

"He has not been made the captain. He has only been made the vice-captain. The captain is Ishan Kishan. Besides, Ishan is a wicketkeeper, so he will be actively involved throughout the day. It is not as though Vaibhav will be captaining the team all day. As he grows, he is maturing day by day. Giving him more responsibility will help him mature even further," Mullick told Cricbuzz after the squad announcement.

The selectors have also pointed to Sooryavanshi's previous experience in leadership roles. He has served as Bihar's vice-captain in first-class cricket and was part of India's leadership group during their Under-19 World Cup campaign.

"This is a great opportunity for him to take on the responsibility of being vice-captain in the Duleep Trophy. He wants to do well for the country, and we believe giving young players responsibility is important. Who knows? We are keeping our fingers crossed that one day he could even become India's captain. That is the thought behind giving him the vice-captaincy," Mullick had said.
Sooryavanshi's preparations come after an impressive tour of Zimbabwe, where he finished as India's leading run-scorer with 151 runs in three innings at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 196.10.

He scored two fifties, including an unbeaten 81, and was named Player of the Series as India secured their first T20I series victory under captain Shreyas Iyer.

That was a significant response after a difficult start to his international career. Sooryavanshi made his India debut during the England tour but failed to cross the 20-run mark in his three innings.

He now has six T20I appearances and 193 runs at an average of 32.16 and a remarkable strike rate of 189.21, including two fifties.

His next challenge will be markedly different. The Duleep Trophy will provide Sooryavanshi with an opportunity to test his batting in the longer format, with national selectors s

'Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has skill but...': Shikhar Dhawan gives his verdict on India's teenage batting sensation originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Shikhar Dhawan praises Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's fearless batting, calls his rise special.
The Indian teen scored 151 runs in 3 T20Is and won Player of Series award against Zimbabwe.
Dhawan says courage, not just skill, sets the youngster apart.
Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has heaped praise on teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, as he has taken a liking to his aggressive batting approach. The former opener believes that his ability to deliver at such a young age is a remarkable quality which sets him apart from his peers.

#Cricket

Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan has praised teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, saying the youngster's fearless batting and ability to perform at such a young age make him special.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Dhawan said it is a big achievement for a 15-year-old to reach the international level and deliver consistent performances. He also pointed to Sooryavanshi's IPL displays, saying the teenager's confidence in hitting boundaries stands out.

Dhawan said talent alone is not enough, and added that having the courage and mindset to play attacking cricket at such a young age is what sets Sooryavanshi apart. He also backed the youngster to continue doing well in the years ahead.

"He is batting very superbly. And it's a very big thing that at the age of 15 or 16, reaching the international level first is a big thing in itself. Even when he was playing in the IPL. But the way he hits fours and sixes, that's a wonderful thing. Having skill is one thing, but having the heart for it, and that too at 15, is a very big thing. And I'm sure that his present is also very good and his future will also be very good," Dhawan said.

Sooryavanshi, 15, recently enjoyed a successful T20I series against Zimbabwe, scoring 151 runs in three matches to win his maiden Player of the Series award as India completed a 3-0 clean sweep.

Earlier, during the T20I series against England, Sooryavanshi became the youngest player to make his international debut for India.

His India debut came after a successful IPL 2026 season with Rajasthan Royals. He scored 776 runs at a strike rate of 237.30, including one century and five fifties. He finished as the tournament's highest run-scorer and hit a record 72 sixes.

Sooryavanshi also won the Orange Cap, Most Valuable Player, Emerging Player, Super Striker and Super Sixes awards after the season.

Earlier this year, he also impressed in the ICC Men's Under-19 Cricket World Cup, scoring 439 runs and winning the Player of the Tournament award.

#player #international #runs #t20i

NEW DELHI: Fresh from becoming the highest run-scorer in men's T20 cricket, England star Jos **** ler has already named the player he believes could eventually take the record away from him — 15-year-old Indian batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Buttler scripted history on Wednesday during Manchester Super Giants' emphatic nine-wicket win over Welsh Fire in The Hundred, smashing an unbeaten 51 off just 20 **** to surpass West Indies legend Kieron Pollard and climb to the top of the all-time T20 run charts.

But while celebrating the milestone, the England wicketkeeper-batter looked to the future and singled out Sooryavanshi as the player most likely to rewrite history.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, **** ler admitted the achievement was special but acknowledged that records are meant to be broken.

"It's really cool, actually, to think you've got the most T20 runs out of anyone. Someone will surpass it one day - and his name's probably [Vaibhav] Sooryavanshi - but it's a proud moment," **** ler said.

The praise comes after Sooryavanshi's meteoric rise over the past year. The teenage prodigy recently starred in India's 3-0 T20I series sweep over Zimbabwe, scoring 151 runs in three matches to claim his maiden Player of the Series award.

Earlier this year, he had also lit up the ICC Men's Under-19 Cricket World Cup, amassing 439 runs to finish as the tournament's leading scorer and earn the Player of the Tournament honour, further cementing his reputation as one of world cricket's brightest young talents.
The record-breaking moment came in spectacular fashion at Old Trafford. Chasing 156, **** ler hammered two fours and six sixes in his unbeaten 20-ball 51, reaching the landmark by launching Marco Jansen for three consecutive sixes.

The knock took **** ler to 14,833 runs in 522 T20 matches, surpassing Pollard's 14,803 runs in 746 games. Former West Indies superstar Chris Gayle, who held the record for years, now sits third with 14,562 runs in 463 matches.

Reflecting on the achievement, **** ler admitted he would have preferred to break the record a game earlier when Pollard was present in the opposition camp.

"We played against MI London last game and it would have been nice to get past Polly while he was there, sat in the dugout, but there's some great names on there, some special players, so I'm really proud of that," **** ler said.
132987653
On the field, Tim Seifert's unbeaten 62 and **** ler's fireworks powered Manchester Super Giants to 161/1 in just 69 **** , chasing down Welsh Fire's 155/4 with 31 **** to spare and ending a three-match losing streak.

#player #three

Former India batter Ajinkya Rahane has urged everyone to be patient with young opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, saying it is too early to predict his future in Test cricket. Rahane said the teenager should be allowed to grow, adding that the Indian Premier League and international cricket are "completely different."

The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi had a mixed start to his international career. After struggling on his debut tour of England, he bounced back strongly in the T20I series against Zimbabwe, where he finished as the Player of the Series.

Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast, Rahane said: "It's tough to say or comment on right now. I don't want to say anything and put pressure on that young kid because people are already talking a lot about him. It's just two IPL seasons."

"What I've realised is that IPL and international cricket are completely different. The pressure when you represent your country is enormous. Chasing 70 runs in the IPL in four or five overs is easy. Chasing the same number of runs in international cricket is different. So, let him just play his game, let him just grow," he said.

Sooryavanshi earned his maiden India call-up after a brilliant IPL 2026 season.

Although he was selected for the Ireland and England tours, he did not feature in Ireland. He eventually made his debut in England after Sanju Samson's poor run with the bat.

The left-handed batter struggled in his first taste of international cricket, scoring 14, 13 and 15 in three T20Is before losing his place for the final match of the series.
Sooryavanshi quickly bounced back from the disappointment of the England tour with a match-winning display against Zimbabwe.

He began the three-match T20I series with a half-century, scored 20 in the second game and then blasted 81 off 49 ****** in the final match. India completed a 3-0 clean sweep, while the youngster finished with 151 runs at an average of 50.33 to win the Player of the Series award.

#Cricket #India