📢ZIM vs IND 2026: Top 3 Players to watch out for in upcoming T20I series
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. (Photo Source: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Following their disappointment against Ireland and England, India travel to Zimbabwe to take part in a three-match T20I series, commencing on July 23. The Men in Blue are currently on a six-match losing streak in the shortest form of the game and would desperately need a win to regain some form ahead of a busy year.
India have named a slightly rotated squad for their tour to southern Africa but have maintained the core of the side, particularly in the batting department. Shreyas Iyer will therefore return as captain, with Tilak Varma serving as his deputy. The bowling, meanwhile, will see some new faces with the likes of Yash Thakur and Ashok Sharma getting their first international call-ups.
Zimbabwe , on the other hand, are in great form despite narrowly losing the T20I series to Bangladesh. The Chevrons will be looking to cause yet another upset when they face the defending T20 champions in Harare, and have quality players to accomplish the feat.
Here are three players to watch out for during the Zimbabwe vs India T20I series:
3. Rinku Singh - India
Rinku Singh (Photo Source: BCCI)
Rinku Singh is widely regarded as one of the best finishers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and had an excellent season for the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2026, averaging 59 and striking at 148.98. However, he was not selected in India's squad for the T20I series against Ireland and England.
The 28-year-old, however, makes a comeback to the national team for the three-match series against Zimbabwe with a lot to prove. Rinku could come into the side in the middle order in place of one of the all-rounders and take the role as a finisher. His international numbers are great, scoring 665 runs at a strike-rate of 155.73 whilst averaging close to 40.
2. Blessing Muzarabani - Zimbabwe
Blessing Muzarabani and Tim David. (Photo Source: Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
Blessing Muzarabani is Zimbabwe's in-form bowler heading into the series against India. The right-arm pacer has had a great 2026, which includes a decent spell in the Indian Premier League with the Kolkata Knight Riders. The 29-year-old took a four-wicket haul against the Sunrisers Hyderabad back in April.
Muzarabani has also had a great time against Bangladesh across all three formats. This included taking yet another four wickets in the first T20I in Bulawayo. He is Zimbabwe's strike bowler and will be expected to play a huge role against the Men in Blue.
1. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi - India
Vaibhav Suryavanshi. (Source:gettyimages)
The tour to Zimbabwe will be Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 's third series as part of the India squad. After failing to get a game against Ireland, the 15-year-old made his international debut against England and played three T20I matches. The Rajasthan Royals starlet, however, failed to live up to his lofty expectations and scored a mere 42 runs all season.
With less spotlight in Zimbabwe compared to England, the atmosphere is ideal for Sooryavanshi to flourish under relatively less pressure. The left-handed batter knows the Zimbabwean conditions well, having thrived in the U19 World Cup in southern Africa in 2025.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. (Photo Source: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Following their disappointment against Ireland and England, India travel to Zimbabwe to take part in a three-match T20I series, commencing on July 23. The Men in Blue are currently on a six-match losing streak in the shortest form of the game and would desperately need a win to regain some form ahead of a busy year.
India have named a slightly rotated squad for their tour to southern Africa but have maintained the core of the side, particularly in the batting department. Shreyas Iyer will therefore return as captain, with Tilak Varma serving as his deputy. The bowling, meanwhile, will see some new faces with the likes of Yash Thakur and Ashok Sharma getting their first international call-ups.
Zimbabwe , on the other hand, are in great form despite narrowly losing the T20I series to Bangladesh. The Chevrons will be looking to cause yet another upset when they face the defending T20 champions in Harare, and have quality players to accomplish the feat.
Here are three players to watch out for during the Zimbabwe vs India T20I series:
3. Rinku Singh - India
Rinku Singh (Photo Source: BCCI)
Rinku Singh is widely regarded as one of the best finishers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and had an excellent season for the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2026, averaging 59 and striking at 148.98. However, he was not selected in India's squad for the T20I series against Ireland and England.
The 28-year-old, however, makes a comeback to the national team for the three-match series against Zimbabwe with a lot to prove. Rinku could come into the side in the middle order in place of one of the all-rounders and take the role as a finisher. His international numbers are great, scoring 665 runs at a strike-rate of 155.73 whilst averaging close to 40.
2. Blessing Muzarabani - Zimbabwe
Blessing Muzarabani and Tim David. (Photo Source: Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
Blessing Muzarabani is Zimbabwe's in-form bowler heading into the series against India. The right-arm pacer has had a great 2026, which includes a decent spell in the Indian Premier League with the Kolkata Knight Riders. The 29-year-old took a four-wicket haul against the Sunrisers Hyderabad back in April.
Muzarabani has also had a great time against Bangladesh across all three formats. This included taking yet another four wickets in the first T20I in Bulawayo. He is Zimbabwe's strike bowler and will be expected to play a huge role against the Men in Blue.
1. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi - India
Vaibhav Suryavanshi. (Source:gettyimages)
The tour to Zimbabwe will be Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 's third series as part of the India squad. After failing to get a game against Ireland, the 15-year-old made his international debut against England and played three T20I matches. The Rajasthan Royals starlet, however, failed to live up to his lofty expectations and scored a mere 42 runs all season.
With less spotlight in Zimbabwe compared to England, the atmosphere is ideal for Sooryavanshi to flourish under relatively less pressure. The left-handed batter knows the Zimbabwean conditions well, having thrived in the U19 World Cup in southern Africa in 2025.
📢The Hundred Men's 2026: Match 2, SOB vs WEF Match Prediction – Who will win today’s Hundred match between Southern Brave vs Welsh Fire?
southern brave x welsh fire. (Source:instagram)
Southern Brave (SOB) take on Welsh Fire (WEF) in match No. 2 of the Hundred Men's 2026 at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday, July 22.
Hemang Badani is the head coach of the Southern Brave. He has a formidable squad to work with. The England core of Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, and Chris Jordan makes their bowling very strong. However, the batting line-up looks settled as well, with Jamie Smith, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, and Marcus Stoinis in their arsenal.
On the other hand, Welsh Fire will be coached by Michael Hussey. They have a fine mix of youth and experience in the side. Phil Salt, Joe Root, and Rachin Ravindra are batters to watch out for. Meanwhile, the seam-attack looks dangerous with Marco Jansen, Chris Woakes, and Lockie Ferguson being in the mix. However, they do not have a proven spinner in their ranks like Southern Brave have got Rashid.
SOB vs WEF: Match Details
Match
Southern Brave vs Welsh Fire, Match 2 , The Hundred Men's 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 11:00 PM (IST)
Venue
The Rose Bowl, Southampton
Broadcast and Live-Streaming
Sony Sports Network and FanCode (App & Website)
The Rose Bowl, Southampton: Pitch Report
The Rose Bowl in Southampton recently hosted the fifth T20I between India and England and 458 runs were scored across the two innings. Another belter of a surface is expected to greet the two teams. The captain who wins the toss might opt to bat first and put on a big total.
SOB vs WEF: Head-to-Head Record
Matches Played
10
Won By SOB
8
Won By WEF
1
No Result
1
First-ever Fixture
July 27, 2021
Most Recent Fixture
August 28, 2025
SOB vs WEF: Predicted Playing 11s
Southern Brave:
Jamie Smith (WK), Tom Abell, Thomas Rew, David Miller, Marcus Stoinis, Tristan Stubbs, Nikhil Chaudhary, Jofra Archer, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Dan Worrall.
Welsh Fire:
Phil Salt (WK), Jordan Cox, Joe Root, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Matthew Short, Marco Jansen, Chris Woakes, Jordan Clark, Lockie Ferguson, Sam Cook/Jafer Chohan.
SOB vs WEF: Probable Best Performers of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Phil Salt
Keep an eye on Phil Salt. He scored 135 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 140.63 in the T20I series against India. While these numbers are quite decent, if he brings his A-game to the fore, he could light up The Rose Bowl.
Probable Best Bowler: Jofra Archer
Jofra Archer has been in the form of his life in white-ball cricket this year. The right-arm seamer was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the T20Is against India, picking up seven wickets in four matches. His spell with the new ball could turn out to be defining.
Today's Match Prediction : Team batting first to win the match
southern brave x welsh fire. (Source:instagram)
Southern Brave (SOB) take on Welsh Fire (WEF) in match No. 2 of the Hundred Men's 2026 at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday, July 22.
Hemang Badani is the head coach of the Southern Brave. He has a formidable squad to work with. The England core of Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, and Chris Jordan makes their bowling very strong. However, the batting line-up looks settled as well, with Jamie Smith, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, and Marcus Stoinis in their arsenal.
On the other hand, Welsh Fire will be coached by Michael Hussey. They have a fine mix of youth and experience in the side. Phil Salt, Joe Root, and Rachin Ravindra are batters to watch out for. Meanwhile, the seam-attack looks dangerous with Marco Jansen, Chris Woakes, and Lockie Ferguson being in the mix. However, they do not have a proven spinner in their ranks like Southern Brave have got Rashid.
SOB vs WEF: Match Details
Match
Southern Brave vs Welsh Fire, Match 2 , The Hundred Men's 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 11:00 PM (IST)
Venue
The Rose Bowl, Southampton
Broadcast and Live-Streaming
Sony Sports Network and FanCode (App & Website)
The Rose Bowl, Southampton: Pitch Report
The Rose Bowl in Southampton recently hosted the fifth T20I between India and England and 458 runs were scored across the two innings. Another belter of a surface is expected to greet the two teams. The captain who wins the toss might opt to bat first and put on a big total.
SOB vs WEF: Head-to-Head Record
Matches Played
10
Won By SOB
8
Won By WEF
1
No Result
1
First-ever Fixture
July 27, 2021
Most Recent Fixture
August 28, 2025
SOB vs WEF: Predicted Playing 11s
Southern Brave:
Jamie Smith (WK), Tom Abell, Thomas Rew, David Miller, Marcus Stoinis, Tristan Stubbs, Nikhil Chaudhary, Jofra Archer, Chris Jordan, Adil Rashid, Dan Worrall.
Welsh Fire:
Phil Salt (WK), Jordan Cox, Joe Root, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Matthew Short, Marco Jansen, Chris Woakes, Jordan Clark, Lockie Ferguson, Sam Cook/Jafer Chohan.
SOB vs WEF: Probable Best Performers of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Phil Salt
Keep an eye on Phil Salt. He scored 135 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 140.63 in the T20I series against India. While these numbers are quite decent, if he brings his A-game to the fore, he could light up The Rose Bowl.
Probable Best Bowler: Jofra Archer
Jofra Archer has been in the form of his life in white-ball cricket this year. The right-arm seamer was the joint-highest wicket-taker in the T20Is against India, picking up seven wickets in four matches. His spell with the new ball could turn out to be defining.
Today's Match Prediction : Team batting first to win the match
📢'To be honest, I didn't believe him' - Sanju Samson makes honest admission about Rohit Sharma's T20 World Cup 2026 reassurance
'To be honest, I didn't believe him' - Sanju Samson makes honest admission about Rohit Sharma's T20 World Cup 2026 reassurance. (Photo Source: ICC)
India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has opened up about one of the toughest phases of his international career during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The Kerala batter revealed that he initially found it difficult to believe Rohit Sharma's reassuring words after being left out of India's playing XI following a poor T20I series against New Zealand.
Despite Rohit's attempt to lift his spirits, Samson admitted he was too disappointed at the time to see the bigger picture. However, the setback eventually became the turning point in his World Cup campaign as he bounced back in remarkable fashion to play a key role in India's title-winning run.
Following India's T20I series against New Zealand ahead of the World Cup, Rohit had encouraged Samson to stay patient, insisting that his opportunity would come during the tournament.
"Dukhi mat ho bhai. It is a long tournament, kabhi bhi mauka aa sakta hai." ("Don't be disheartened, brother. It is a long tournament. You'll get your chance. The opportunity can come anytime,") Rohit had told Samson while embracing him.
Samson admitted that he struggled to accept those words at the time.
"To be honest, I didn't believe him at that time. Sorry. He might have spoken from his heart or from his experience, but that day I wasn't able to see what he was seeing. You could see it on my face; I was a bit off that day," Samson said while speaking to JioStar.
The wicketkeeper-batter also revealed that the disappointment stayed with him during the early stages of the tournament.
"Our World Cup campaign started two days after the New Zealand series, and it takes me at least a week to recover. I don't like to bottle things up, so it shows on my face if I'm not feeling 100 per cent. I went through that phase for four or five days before getting myself back on track," he added.
Samson explained that the difficult phase forced him to reflect on his purpose, which ultimately helped him rediscover his confidence.
"You know you've failed, so what's next? You're at the bottom, so from there, you can only go up. I started working on myself mentally. I started asking myself questions, why do I play cricket? What's my purpose? It was like I was rediscovering myself while the World Cup was going on. And then everything just came back," Samson said.
His comeback turned into one of the biggest redemption stories in T20 World Cup history. After initially missing out on the playing XI, Samson returned to the side and finished as India's highest run-scorer in the tournament with 321 runs in just five matches at an outstanding average of 80.25 and a staggering strike rate of 199.37.
'To be honest, I didn't believe him' - Sanju Samson makes honest admission about Rohit Sharma's T20 World Cup 2026 reassurance. (Photo Source: ICC)
India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has opened up about one of the toughest phases of his international career during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The Kerala batter revealed that he initially found it difficult to believe Rohit Sharma's reassuring words after being left out of India's playing XI following a poor T20I series against New Zealand.
Despite Rohit's attempt to lift his spirits, Samson admitted he was too disappointed at the time to see the bigger picture. However, the setback eventually became the turning point in his World Cup campaign as he bounced back in remarkable fashion to play a key role in India's title-winning run.
Following India's T20I series against New Zealand ahead of the World Cup, Rohit had encouraged Samson to stay patient, insisting that his opportunity would come during the tournament.
"Dukhi mat ho bhai. It is a long tournament, kabhi bhi mauka aa sakta hai." ("Don't be disheartened, brother. It is a long tournament. You'll get your chance. The opportunity can come anytime,") Rohit had told Samson while embracing him.
Samson admitted that he struggled to accept those words at the time.
"To be honest, I didn't believe him at that time. Sorry. He might have spoken from his heart or from his experience, but that day I wasn't able to see what he was seeing. You could see it on my face; I was a bit off that day," Samson said while speaking to JioStar.
The wicketkeeper-batter also revealed that the disappointment stayed with him during the early stages of the tournament.
"Our World Cup campaign started two days after the New Zealand series, and it takes me at least a week to recover. I don't like to bottle things up, so it shows on my face if I'm not feeling 100 per cent. I went through that phase for four or five days before getting myself back on track," he added.
Samson explained that the difficult phase forced him to reflect on his purpose, which ultimately helped him rediscover his confidence.
"You know you've failed, so what's next? You're at the bottom, so from there, you can only go up. I started working on myself mentally. I started asking myself questions, why do I play cricket? What's my purpose? It was like I was rediscovering myself while the World Cup was going on. And then everything just came back," Samson said.
His comeback turned into one of the biggest redemption stories in T20 World Cup history. After initially missing out on the playing XI, Samson returned to the side and finished as India's highest run-scorer in the tournament with 321 runs in just five matches at an outstanding average of 80.25 and a staggering strike rate of 199.37.
📢The Hundred Women's: Match 2, SOB W vs WEF W Match Prediction – Who will win today’s LPL match between Southern Brave Women vs Welsh Fire Women?
southern brave x welsh fire. (Source:instagram)
Southern Brave Women (SOB W) square off against Welsh Fire Women (WEF W) in match No. 2 of The Hundred Women's 2026 at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday, July 22.
Sophie Molineux recently led Australia to the Women's T20 World Cup title. Now, she will be looking to help Southern Brave clinch silverware in the Hundred. She has some excellent players in the ranks like Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Lauren Bell, among others.
Meanwhile, legendary New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine will lead Welsh Fire. Michael Klinger is the head coach of the team. Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham, and Freya Kemp are some of the players to watch out for.
SOB W vs WEF W: Match Details
Match
Southern Brave Women vs Welsh Fire Women, The Hundred Women's Competition 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 7:30 PM (IST)
Venue
The Rose Bowl, Southampton
Broadcast and Live-Streaming
FanCode
The Rose Bowl, Southampton: Pitch Report
Fans can expect a high-scoring clash at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday. The pitch should provide true bounce and batters will be able to hit on the up. However, the new ball might swing around and the openers will have to be wary.
SOB W vs WEF W: Head-to-Head Record
Matches Played
9
Won By SOB W
6
Won By WEF W
3
No Result
0
First-ever Fixture
July 27, 2021
Most Recent Fixture
August 28, 2025
SOB W vs WEF W: Predicted Playing 11s
Southern Brave Women:
Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues, Maia Bouchier, Lizelle Lee (WK), Phoebe Franklin, Rebecca Odgers, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Lauren Bell, Issy Wong, Sophie Molineux (C), Sarah Glenn.
Welsh Fire Women:
Georgia Voll, Sophie Devine (C), Ella McCaughan, Freya Kemp, Georgia Wareham, Sarah Bryce, Rhianna Southby (WK), Fi Morris, Sophia Smale, Heather Graham, Em Arlott.
SOB W vs WEF W: Probable Best Performers of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Sophie Devine
Sophie Devine has retired from international cricket and her sole focus will now be on bringing glory to the franchises she plays for. She is one of the most dangerous batters when she is in her elements. Keep an eye on the New Zealand legend on Wednesday.
Probable Best Bowler: Lauren Bell
Lauren Bell has been magnificent in the power play in recent years. Even if she doesn't pick up wickets with the new ball, she keeps things very tight. Her spell with the new ball could go a long way in deciding the fate of the match.
Today's Match Prediction : The chasing team to win the match
southern brave x welsh fire. (Source:instagram)
Southern Brave Women (SOB W) square off against Welsh Fire Women (WEF W) in match No. 2 of The Hundred Women's 2026 at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday, July 22.
Sophie Molineux recently led Australia to the Women's T20 World Cup title. Now, she will be looking to help Southern Brave clinch silverware in the Hundred. She has some excellent players in the ranks like Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Lauren Bell, among others.
Meanwhile, legendary New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine will lead Welsh Fire. Michael Klinger is the head coach of the team. Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham, and Freya Kemp are some of the players to watch out for.
SOB W vs WEF W: Match Details
Match
Southern Brave Women vs Welsh Fire Women, The Hundred Women's Competition 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 7:30 PM (IST)
Venue
The Rose Bowl, Southampton
Broadcast and Live-Streaming
FanCode
The Rose Bowl, Southampton: Pitch Report
Fans can expect a high-scoring clash at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday. The pitch should provide true bounce and batters will be able to hit on the up. However, the new ball might swing around and the openers will have to be wary.
SOB W vs WEF W: Head-to-Head Record
Matches Played
9
Won By SOB W
6
Won By WEF W
3
No Result
0
First-ever Fixture
July 27, 2021
Most Recent Fixture
August 28, 2025
SOB W vs WEF W: Predicted Playing 11s
Southern Brave Women:
Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues, Maia Bouchier, Lizelle Lee (WK), Phoebe Franklin, Rebecca Odgers, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Lauren Bell, Issy Wong, Sophie Molineux (C), Sarah Glenn.
Welsh Fire Women:
Georgia Voll, Sophie Devine (C), Ella McCaughan, Freya Kemp, Georgia Wareham, Sarah Bryce, Rhianna Southby (WK), Fi Morris, Sophia Smale, Heather Graham, Em Arlott.
SOB W vs WEF W: Probable Best Performers of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Sophie Devine
Sophie Devine has retired from international cricket and her sole focus will now be on bringing glory to the franchises she plays for. She is one of the most dangerous batters when she is in her elements. Keep an eye on the New Zealand legend on Wednesday.
Probable Best Bowler: Lauren Bell
Lauren Bell has been magnificent in the power play in recent years. Even if she doesn't pick up wickets with the new ball, she keeps things very tight. Her spell with the new ball could go a long way in deciding the fate of the match.
Today's Match Prediction : The chasing team to win the match
Jacob Bethell ruled out of Hundred with knee injury
Blow for Birmingham Phoenix on eve of new season; availability for Pakistan Tests also up in the air
Blow for Birmingham Phoenix on eve of new season; availability for Pakistan Tests also up in the air
📢Jacob Bethell withdraws from The Hundred with knee injury
Jacob Bethell withdraws from The Hundred with knee injury (Photo by Philip Brown/Getty Images)
England all-rounder Jacob Bethell has withdrawn from the 2026 edition of The Hundred after sustaining a knee injury. The 22-year-old underwent an MRI scan on his right knee on July 20, and the England medical team is awaiting the results before determining the extent of the injury and the length of his recovery.
Bethell picked up the injury during England's recently concluded ODI series against India. Despite the setback, he produced an outstanding all-round performance in the third ODI at Lord's Cricket Ground, scoring 91 runs and claiming two wickets to help England secure a 2-1 series victory. As a precaution, he has now been ruled out of The Hundred, where he was set to captain Birmingham Phoenix.
The left-handed batter has become one of England's most promising multi-format players over the past year and is currently expected to bat at No. 3 in the upcoming Test series against Pakistan, which begins next month. England will be hoping the injury does not require surgery, as his absence would create a significant void in the middle order and force the team to rethink its plans ahead of the series.
The Hundred was also expected to provide valuable leadership experience for Bethell, who is regarded as one of England's future captains. He previously led England during a T20I series against Ireland last year and is viewed as a potential long-term leadership option. With concerns over managing Harry Brook's workload across all three formats, Bethell has emerged as an alternative candidate for future captaincy responsibilities. In his place Donovan Ferreira will lead the side in The Hundred.
The sixth edition of The Hundred gets underway on Tuesday at The Oval, with MI London taking on Manchester Super Giants. Both teams enter the season under new identities following the ownership auction, with MI London joining the Ambani family's global cricket portfolio, while Manchester Super Giants are owned by Sanjiv Goenka, who also owns the IPL and SA20 franchises of the same name.
Meanwhile, former England cricketer Ben Stokes has once again opted to skip The Hundred and will instead represent Durham in the One-Day Cup.
Jacob Bethell withdraws from The Hundred with knee injury (Photo by Philip Brown/Getty Images)
England all-rounder Jacob Bethell has withdrawn from the 2026 edition of The Hundred after sustaining a knee injury. The 22-year-old underwent an MRI scan on his right knee on July 20, and the England medical team is awaiting the results before determining the extent of the injury and the length of his recovery.
Bethell picked up the injury during England's recently concluded ODI series against India. Despite the setback, he produced an outstanding all-round performance in the third ODI at Lord's Cricket Ground, scoring 91 runs and claiming two wickets to help England secure a 2-1 series victory. As a precaution, he has now been ruled out of The Hundred, where he was set to captain Birmingham Phoenix.
The left-handed batter has become one of England's most promising multi-format players over the past year and is currently expected to bat at No. 3 in the upcoming Test series against Pakistan, which begins next month. England will be hoping the injury does not require surgery, as his absence would create a significant void in the middle order and force the team to rethink its plans ahead of the series.
The Hundred was also expected to provide valuable leadership experience for Bethell, who is regarded as one of England's future captains. He previously led England during a T20I series against Ireland last year and is viewed as a potential long-term leadership option. With concerns over managing Harry Brook's workload across all three formats, Bethell has emerged as an alternative candidate for future captaincy responsibilities. In his place Donovan Ferreira will lead the side in The Hundred.
The sixth edition of The Hundred gets underway on Tuesday at The Oval, with MI London taking on Manchester Super Giants. Both teams enter the season under new identities following the ownership auction, with MI London joining the Ambani family's global cricket portfolio, while Manchester Super Giants are owned by Sanjiv Goenka, who also owns the IPL and SA20 franchises of the same name.
Meanwhile, former England cricketer Ben Stokes has once again opted to skip The Hundred and will instead represent Durham in the One-Day Cup.
Bowlers leave SL U-19 in tatters after Manal and Ojha centuries
Sri Lanka Under-19 were eight down and 289 runs behind after India Under-19's 411
Sri Lanka Under-19 were eight down and 289 runs behind after India Under-19's 411
📢Abhinav Mukund picks Team India squad for ODI World Cup 2027, surprisingly snubs Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Abhinav Mukund picked an interesting Indian side for the upcoming ODI World Cup, which is going to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia next year.
The former India opener shared his picks via Cricinfo YouTube channel, where he mentioned Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli in the top three but left out backup opener Yashasvi Jaiswal . However, Mukund did name Ishan Kishan in his squad, who can be a backup to first-choice wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, or even slot in for one of the batters in India's top three. India's T20I skipper and ODI vice-captain also found a place in the side.
In the spin-bowling all-rounder's role, Mukund picked Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, leaving no space for Ravindra Jadeja. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav was the sole specialist spinner in the line-up. Hardik Pandya, on the other hand, was the lone seam-bowling all-rounder.
Considering the wickets in Africa, where the pacers are expected to get good bounce and movement, Mukund named a five-man seam-bowling department, comprising Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Gurnoor Brar. However, Mohammed Shami, who hasn't played for the Men in Blue since the Champions Trophy final last year against New Zealand, hasn't found a place in Mukund's XI. Even Arshdeep Singh, who is India's leading wicket-taker in T20Is was not picked.
Abhinav Mukund's Team India XI for 2027 ODI World Cup: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar.
Abhinav Mukund picks five 'Maybe's' for the Indian 2027 ODI World Cup squad
Mukund also mentioned five 'Maybe's' - players who could make it to the side for the marquee event. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad were the only two batters he picked in that category. Meanwhile, seam-bowling all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shivam Dube made it to that list alongside seamer Arshdeep.
The cricketer-turned-expert also named several cricketers who have not chance of making it to the side like Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma among others.
Ravindra Jadeja (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Abhinav Mukund picked an interesting Indian side for the upcoming ODI World Cup, which is going to be played in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia next year.
The former India opener shared his picks via Cricinfo YouTube channel, where he mentioned Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli in the top three but left out backup opener Yashasvi Jaiswal . However, Mukund did name Ishan Kishan in his squad, who can be a backup to first-choice wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, or even slot in for one of the batters in India's top three. India's T20I skipper and ODI vice-captain also found a place in the side.
In the spin-bowling all-rounder's role, Mukund picked Axar Patel and Washington Sundar, leaving no space for Ravindra Jadeja. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav was the sole specialist spinner in the line-up. Hardik Pandya, on the other hand, was the lone seam-bowling all-rounder.
Considering the wickets in Africa, where the pacers are expected to get good bounce and movement, Mukund named a five-man seam-bowling department, comprising Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Gurnoor Brar. However, Mohammed Shami, who hasn't played for the Men in Blue since the Champions Trophy final last year against New Zealand, hasn't found a place in Mukund's XI. Even Arshdeep Singh, who is India's leading wicket-taker in T20Is was not picked.
Abhinav Mukund's Team India XI for 2027 ODI World Cup: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar.
Abhinav Mukund picks five 'Maybe's' for the Indian 2027 ODI World Cup squad
Mukund also mentioned five 'Maybe's' - players who could make it to the side for the marquee event. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad were the only two batters he picked in that category. Meanwhile, seam-bowling all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shivam Dube made it to that list alongside seamer Arshdeep.
The cricketer-turned-expert also named several cricketers who have not chance of making it to the side like Sanju Samson, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, and Tilak Varma among others.
📢India must nurture Vaibhav as a generational talent, says Sikandar Raza
Sikandar Raza and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. (Photo Source: Star Sports/BCCI)
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza has backed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to become a generational talent, urging India not to judge the 15-year-old too quickly after a difficult start to his international cricket journey. The teenage opener broke Sachin Tendulkar's 34-year-old record as India's youngest debutant earlier this month but has struggled with short-pitched bowling in his opening three T20Is against England.
The young batter returned scores of 14, 13 and 15 in his first three innings in international cricket after he replaced Sanju Samson at the top of the order. However, his credentials before his international arrival were exceptional.
Sooryavanshi dominated IPL 2026 with authority, amassing 776 runs across 16 innings at a blazing strike rate of 237.30. His performance earned him three major awards: the Orange Cap, the MVP honour, and the Emerging Player prize. He also shattered Chris Gayle's record by smashing 72 sixes in a single IPL season. At the U19 World Cup final in February, Sooryavanshi produced a knock for the ages, blasting 175 off just 80 balls against England, with 15 fours and 15 sixes, to help India secure the title.
"Vaibhav is a supremely talented cricketer. If a 15-year-old kid is playing international cricket, criticising him after just two or three matches isn't justified. I think Vaibhav has a lot of very good senior cricketers around him. If he is managed and handled well, I think Vaibhav could be a generational talent," Raza said on JioHotstar.
How Sikandar Raza believes India should handle Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Raza stressed that the burden of success should rest with the team's management, not the young batter's shoulders. The opener stepped into international cricket already carrying immense expectations after his record-breaking IPL campaign grabbed global attention long before pulling on an India jersey. The Zimbabwe skipper highlighted that careful management at this early stage remains crucial for the teenager's development.
"To see what he has done over the last year, what he has done for India Under-19, and the fact that he made his international debut at the same age, these are no small feats by any means. You don't get to hear such stories nowadays. Vaibhav is special. It will be important how he is managed and handled," Raza added.
With the first T20I against Zimbabwe set for Thursday, July 23 at the Harare Sports Club, the team management will have a chance to ease the young batter back into form ahead of the three-match series.
Sikandar Raza and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. (Photo Source: Star Sports/BCCI)
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza has backed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to become a generational talent, urging India not to judge the 15-year-old too quickly after a difficult start to his international cricket journey. The teenage opener broke Sachin Tendulkar's 34-year-old record as India's youngest debutant earlier this month but has struggled with short-pitched bowling in his opening three T20Is against England.
The young batter returned scores of 14, 13 and 15 in his first three innings in international cricket after he replaced Sanju Samson at the top of the order. However, his credentials before his international arrival were exceptional.
Sooryavanshi dominated IPL 2026 with authority, amassing 776 runs across 16 innings at a blazing strike rate of 237.30. His performance earned him three major awards: the Orange Cap, the MVP honour, and the Emerging Player prize. He also shattered Chris Gayle's record by smashing 72 sixes in a single IPL season. At the U19 World Cup final in February, Sooryavanshi produced a knock for the ages, blasting 175 off just 80 balls against England, with 15 fours and 15 sixes, to help India secure the title.
"Vaibhav is a supremely talented cricketer. If a 15-year-old kid is playing international cricket, criticising him after just two or three matches isn't justified. I think Vaibhav has a lot of very good senior cricketers around him. If he is managed and handled well, I think Vaibhav could be a generational talent," Raza said on JioHotstar.
How Sikandar Raza believes India should handle Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
Raza stressed that the burden of success should rest with the team's management, not the young batter's shoulders. The opener stepped into international cricket already carrying immense expectations after his record-breaking IPL campaign grabbed global attention long before pulling on an India jersey. The Zimbabwe skipper highlighted that careful management at this early stage remains crucial for the teenager's development.
"To see what he has done over the last year, what he has done for India Under-19, and the fact that he made his international debut at the same age, these are no small feats by any means. You don't get to hear such stories nowadays. Vaibhav is special. It will be important how he is managed and handled," Raza added.
With the first T20I against Zimbabwe set for Thursday, July 23 at the Harare Sports Club, the team management will have a chance to ease the young batter back into form ahead of the three-match series.
🥰1
📢Matt Walker becomes Sussex head coach, replacing Paul Farbrace in November
Matt Walker. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Matt Walker will take over as Sussex's head coach from November 1, with Paul Farbrace transitioning into the role of Director of Cricket on the same date. Walker enjoyed a distinguished playing career with Kent and Essex, scoring more than 18,000 runs across all formats before shifting into coaching.
Walker arrives at Hove after eight seasons as head coach at Kent, where he steered the county to promotion to Division One before leading them to Vitality Blast success in 2021 and the One-Day Cup in 2022. He has also coached within the England men's set-up, is currently batting coach at Warwickshire and serves as an assistant coach with Oval Invincibles in The Hundred.
"I am incredibly honoured and excited to have been given the opportunity to become Head Coach of Sussex Cricket," said Walker as quoted by Sussex Express.
"Sussex is a Club I have always admired and one with a proud history. The opportunity to work with this group of players and staff, alongside Paul, was one that really excited me. There is already a strong foundation in place and I'm looking forward to building on that as we strive to help Sussex compete for trophies. I can't wait to get started," he added.
Why did Sussex conduct a thorough search process for the head coach role?
Farbrace said the club conducted a thorough three-stage recruitment involving several excellent candidates from across the cricketing world, and Walker consistently impressed throughout before emerging as the clear choice, bringing excellent reputation within the game and the experience, energy and enthusiasm Sussex sought.
"I'm really looking forward to working alongside him as we tackle the challenges in front of us and build a team capable of competing for trophies," Farbrace added.
Walker's appointment marks another significant step in Sussex's long-term plans as the club looks to build on the progress made in recent seasons. Farbrace will continue as head coach for the remainder of the 2026 season before taking up his revised director of cricket role from 1 November.
For the unversed, Sussex were slammed with a 12-point deduction for the 2026 season after "sustained operating losses" in the preceding financial year. Walker and new club chairman Ed Warner will have to work on a tight budget going forward. The club is under a player salary cap until 2028, and needs to give the ECB a three-year business model and deliver sustainable year-on-year operating profits for the same time span.
Matt Walker. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Matt Walker will take over as Sussex's head coach from November 1, with Paul Farbrace transitioning into the role of Director of Cricket on the same date. Walker enjoyed a distinguished playing career with Kent and Essex, scoring more than 18,000 runs across all formats before shifting into coaching.
Walker arrives at Hove after eight seasons as head coach at Kent, where he steered the county to promotion to Division One before leading them to Vitality Blast success in 2021 and the One-Day Cup in 2022. He has also coached within the England men's set-up, is currently batting coach at Warwickshire and serves as an assistant coach with Oval Invincibles in The Hundred.
"I am incredibly honoured and excited to have been given the opportunity to become Head Coach of Sussex Cricket," said Walker as quoted by Sussex Express.
"Sussex is a Club I have always admired and one with a proud history. The opportunity to work with this group of players and staff, alongside Paul, was one that really excited me. There is already a strong foundation in place and I'm looking forward to building on that as we strive to help Sussex compete for trophies. I can't wait to get started," he added.
Why did Sussex conduct a thorough search process for the head coach role?
Farbrace said the club conducted a thorough three-stage recruitment involving several excellent candidates from across the cricketing world, and Walker consistently impressed throughout before emerging as the clear choice, bringing excellent reputation within the game and the experience, energy and enthusiasm Sussex sought.
"I'm really looking forward to working alongside him as we tackle the challenges in front of us and build a team capable of competing for trophies," Farbrace added.
Walker's appointment marks another significant step in Sussex's long-term plans as the club looks to build on the progress made in recent seasons. Farbrace will continue as head coach for the remainder of the 2026 season before taking up his revised director of cricket role from 1 November.
For the unversed, Sussex were slammed with a 12-point deduction for the 2026 season after "sustained operating losses" in the preceding financial year. Walker and new club chairman Ed Warner will have to work on a tight budget going forward. The club is under a player salary cap until 2028, and needs to give the ECB a three-year business model and deliver sustainable year-on-year operating profits for the same time span.
📢'I can hit from ball one, but I play according to the situation' - Tilak Varma addresses strike rate criticism ahead of ZIM T20Is
Tilak Varma (Source: BCCI/X)
Tilak Varma pushed back against mounting criticism of his strike rate on recent tours, saying he prioritises adjusting his approach to match what the team needs rather than chasing aggressive batting metrics. The 23-year-old left-handed batter faced questions after his recent form across Ireland and England, where he managed to score runs but at a measured tempo compared to expectations of a specialist middle-order batter.
Recent tours exposed India's challenges in the powerplay phase. Reflecting on the lessons from India's last two T20I series defeats against Ireland and England, Tilak said the squad's focus is firmly on executing its plans and rediscovering winning momentum. The middle order often had to stabilise the innings rather than launch attacks when early batters departed quickly, placing Tilak in a difficult balancing act.
"In this game, you have to bat in different positions, and especially in those conditions, it isn't easy. At the same time, I've always said that I do whatever the team requires. If I have to grind it out for the team, I'll do that. If I have to hit from ball one, I can do that as well," Tilak was quoted as saying by ICC.
Context and match situations shape his approach
Tilak, India's T20I vice-captain, emphasised that the squad's focus remains on executing plans and regaining winning momentum.
"Honestly, it has been a big learning since the last series. And we are just looking forward and we just want to follow our basics and do well in the coming series. In this series, we will execute well and seal our best cricket. We want to get that momentum back again," the Mumbai Indians' batter said.
Tilak warned against underestimating the hosts, citing their victory in the opening match of the previous bilateral series. Shubman Gill-led India lost the first match but won the next four in the five-T20I series in 2024.
The series starts on July 23, with the second and third matches on July 25 and 26 at Harare Sports Club. India have called up three fresh faces to the T20I side in the form of pacers Yash Thakur and Ashok Sharma, as well as explosive opener Prabhsimran Singh. For Tilak, the Zimbabwe tour presents a chance to reset his form and prove that his measured innings can co-exist with his side's attacking brand when conditions demand it.
Shreyas Iyer would be hoping to register his first win as India's T20I skipper. Under his leadership, the Men in Blue lost two matches in Ireland and four in England. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, recently lost a three-match T20I series at home by a 2-1 margin.
Tilak Varma (Source: BCCI/X)
Tilak Varma pushed back against mounting criticism of his strike rate on recent tours, saying he prioritises adjusting his approach to match what the team needs rather than chasing aggressive batting metrics. The 23-year-old left-handed batter faced questions after his recent form across Ireland and England, where he managed to score runs but at a measured tempo compared to expectations of a specialist middle-order batter.
Recent tours exposed India's challenges in the powerplay phase. Reflecting on the lessons from India's last two T20I series defeats against Ireland and England, Tilak said the squad's focus is firmly on executing its plans and rediscovering winning momentum. The middle order often had to stabilise the innings rather than launch attacks when early batters departed quickly, placing Tilak in a difficult balancing act.
"In this game, you have to bat in different positions, and especially in those conditions, it isn't easy. At the same time, I've always said that I do whatever the team requires. If I have to grind it out for the team, I'll do that. If I have to hit from ball one, I can do that as well," Tilak was quoted as saying by ICC.
Context and match situations shape his approach
Tilak, India's T20I vice-captain, emphasised that the squad's focus remains on executing plans and regaining winning momentum.
"Honestly, it has been a big learning since the last series. And we are just looking forward and we just want to follow our basics and do well in the coming series. In this series, we will execute well and seal our best cricket. We want to get that momentum back again," the Mumbai Indians' batter said.
Tilak warned against underestimating the hosts, citing their victory in the opening match of the previous bilateral series. Shubman Gill-led India lost the first match but won the next four in the five-T20I series in 2024.
The series starts on July 23, with the second and third matches on July 25 and 26 at Harare Sports Club. India have called up three fresh faces to the T20I side in the form of pacers Yash Thakur and Ashok Sharma, as well as explosive opener Prabhsimran Singh. For Tilak, the Zimbabwe tour presents a chance to reset his form and prove that his measured innings can co-exist with his side's attacking brand when conditions demand it.
Shreyas Iyer would be hoping to register his first win as India's T20I skipper. Under his leadership, the Men in Blue lost two matches in Ireland and four in England. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, recently lost a three-match T20I series at home by a 2-1 margin.
Phoebe Litchfield leads Sunrisers Leeds to opening day triumph
MI London restricted 107 for 8 as Sunrisers romp home with 31 balls unused
MI London restricted 107 for 8 as Sunrisers romp home with 31 balls unused
Hameed, McCann star as Notts hunt down Somerset
Lammonby makes 92 but 258-run target is overhauled with four wickets to spare
Lammonby makes 92 but 258-run target is overhauled with four wickets to spare
Cross shoulder scare overshadows Sunrisers win
Cricinfo has learned that she did not dislocate the shoulder but Sunrisers are waiting to learn the extent of the injury in the next 24 hours
Cricinfo has learned that she did not dislocate the shoulder but Sunrisers are waiting to learn the extent of the injury in the next 24 hours
Thomas leads Surrey charge to topple Lancashire
Jennings is hosts' bedrock at Sedburgh School but stiff target proves insufficient
Jennings is hosts' bedrock at Sedburgh School but stiff target proves insufficient
Tom Prest, Ashtoush Sharma thrive to see Hampshire past Yorkshire
Prest's 89-ball century was followed by a List A best of 3 for 48 for Ashtoush
Prest's 89-ball century was followed by a List A best of 3 for 48 for Ashtoush
Stokes' matchwinning hundred steals the thunder on Hundred's opening night
Former England captain defies leg injury to produce winning display in front of 1,300 crowd at Derby
Former England captain defies leg injury to produce winning display in front of 1,300 crowd at Derby
BCCI updates domestic rules for overthrows, deliberate no-balls
The BCCI has also implemented the MCC's revised wording relating to the wicketkeeper's position at the point of delivery
The BCCI has also implemented the MCC's revised wording relating to the wicketkeeper's position at the point of delivery
Hashmatullah Shahidi resigns as Afghanistan's ODI captain
He led Afghanistan in 55 ODIs, overseeing wins against England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the 2023 World Cup
He led Afghanistan in 55 ODIs, overseeing wins against England, Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the 2023 World Cup
McSweeney trumps Hain as Northants maintain that winning feeling
Commanding 88 sets up a five-wicket victory against Warwickshire at Wantage Road
Commanding 88 sets up a five-wicket victory against Warwickshire at Wantage Road
Fernandes makes the difference as Middlesex see off Essex
Opener's century lays the foundations for Middlesex to launch Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign
Opener's century lays the foundations for Middlesex to launch Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign