📢Kuldeep Yadav joins Yorkshire for One Day Cup and County Championship games
Kuldeep Yadav. (Photo Source: Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
India spinner Kuldeep Yadav has joined the English county of Yorkshire for the ongoing One Day Cup and three matches in the County Championship in September. The 31-year-old is available for selection for the White Roses' next 50-over game against Glamorgan in Neath on Friday, July 24.
This will be the first time Kuldeep will travel to English shores to compete in domestic cricket. The left-arm spinner will return to List A cricket for the first time since facing Afghanistan last month.
“I’m really pleased to be joining Yorkshire and grateful for this opportunity. It will be a real privilege to represent a Club with Yorkshire’s proud history. I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of playing in English conditions and after speaking with the management, I became really excited to join up with the team and I’m looking forward to making a positive contribution during my time at Headingley," Kuldeep Yadav said on Yorkshire's official website.
It is worth mentioning that Kuldeep formed part of India's squad which travelled to England for a three-match ODI series, which the Men in Blue lost 2-1. The spinner, however, did not play a single game in the series and was instead played second fiddle to the likes of Axar Patel and Washington Sundar.
With Kuldeep already in the country, it makes it easier for the India international to join the Yorkshire squad and compete against Glamorgan in Wales.
Kuldeep becomes the latest Indian player to represent Yorkshire. Former stars Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh have already played for the White Rose County in the past. Current Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad had also signed a deal with Yorkshire last year, only for him to pull out due to personal reasons.
Kuldeep will join a side which suffered defeat at the hands of Hampshire in their opening game of the 2026 One Day Cup. Yorkshire reached the semi-finals of the 50-over tournament last time around, only for them to lose to the same opponents.
Kuldeep Yadav. (Photo Source: Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
India spinner Kuldeep Yadav has joined the English county of Yorkshire for the ongoing One Day Cup and three matches in the County Championship in September. The 31-year-old is available for selection for the White Roses' next 50-over game against Glamorgan in Neath on Friday, July 24.
This will be the first time Kuldeep will travel to English shores to compete in domestic cricket. The left-arm spinner will return to List A cricket for the first time since facing Afghanistan last month.
“I’m really pleased to be joining Yorkshire and grateful for this opportunity. It will be a real privilege to represent a Club with Yorkshire’s proud history. I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of playing in English conditions and after speaking with the management, I became really excited to join up with the team and I’m looking forward to making a positive contribution during my time at Headingley," Kuldeep Yadav said on Yorkshire's official website.
It is worth mentioning that Kuldeep formed part of India's squad which travelled to England for a three-match ODI series, which the Men in Blue lost 2-1. The spinner, however, did not play a single game in the series and was instead played second fiddle to the likes of Axar Patel and Washington Sundar.
With Kuldeep already in the country, it makes it easier for the India international to join the Yorkshire squad and compete against Glamorgan in Wales.
Kuldeep becomes the latest Indian player to represent Yorkshire. Former stars Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh have already played for the White Rose County in the past. Current Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain Ruturaj Gaikwad had also signed a deal with Yorkshire last year, only for him to pull out due to personal reasons.
Kuldeep will join a side which suffered defeat at the hands of Hampshire in their opening game of the 2026 One Day Cup. Yorkshire reached the semi-finals of the 50-over tournament last time around, only for them to lose to the same opponents.
The injury is a blow for both Colombo Kaps, as well as the Sri Lanka national team who are set to play India in a two-Test home series starting August 15
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📢‘If we had played them…’ - Mohammad Ashraful points to lack of practice matches after Bangladesh's disappointing Zimbabwe tour
‘If we had played them…’ - Mohammad Ashraful points to lack of practice matches after Bangladesh's disappointing Zimbabwe tour (Source: BCBtigers on X)
Bangladesh batting coach Mohammad Ashraful believes the absence of practice matches before the series played a major role in the team's underwhelming performances during their recently concluded tour of Zimbabwe.
Bangladesh endured a disappointing start to the tour, losing the one-off Test and the three-match ODI series. However, they managed to finish on a positive note by clinching the three-match T20I series before returning home.
Speaking to reporters at the airport after the team's arrival on Wednesday, July 22, Ashraful said the lack of warm-up games made it difficult for the players to adapt to the local conditions.
"Previously there used to be practice games before the main matches, this option is no longer there. When we go on tour nowadays we start with the series straightaway and do not have the opportunity to get adjusted with the condition," Ashraful told reporters at the airport after the team arrives from Zimbabwe on Wednesday (July 22).
The former Bangladesh batter added that both the Test and ODI squads had travelled early but still missed out on valuable match practice, which, according to him, could have changed the outcome of the series.
"Even though both the Test and ODI team travelled there early they didn't have the chance to play practice matches. If we had played them then I believe the result would have been in our favour,” he added.
Despite the setbacks in Zimbabwe , Ashraful remains optimistic about Bangladesh's upcoming Test tour of Australia. The Tigers are scheduled to play two Tests in August as part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle, with the first Test set to be played in Darwin from August 13 to 17, followed by the second in Mackay from August 22 to 26.
The batting coach highlighted that Bangladesh will reach Australia well in advance and will also play a three-day practice match before the Test series, giving the players enough time to acclimatise to the conditions.
"It will be tough in Australia, the positive is we will travel there early - 10-12 days early, we will have the opportunity to play a three-day practice match, hopefully if all our players are fit, we will be able to do well there," he said.
Ashraful also defended Bangladesh's batting unit despite the poor results in Zimbabwe. He said one disappointing series should not overshadow the progress the batters have made over the past several months.
The 42-year-old pointed out that many players were touring Zimbabwe for the first time and gained valuable experience in unfamiliar conditions. He also noted that injuries to key players, including Mustafizur Rahman, affected Bangladesh during the ODI series.
"Our batters did really well in the last seven months, one series can go bad, one Test match went bad, the four Tests prior to that our batters played extremely well. If you notice we took the ODIs seriously, Mustafizur and the others were there, but they couldn't play due to injury, Mustafizur couldn't play from the second game," he concluded.
Australia have named a full-strength squad for the series and currently sit at the top of the World Test Championship standings with a points percentage of 87.50 after winning seven of their first eight matches.
‘If we had played them…’ - Mohammad Ashraful points to lack of practice matches after Bangladesh's disappointing Zimbabwe tour (Source: BCBtigers on X)
Bangladesh batting coach Mohammad Ashraful believes the absence of practice matches before the series played a major role in the team's underwhelming performances during their recently concluded tour of Zimbabwe.
Bangladesh endured a disappointing start to the tour, losing the one-off Test and the three-match ODI series. However, they managed to finish on a positive note by clinching the three-match T20I series before returning home.
Speaking to reporters at the airport after the team's arrival on Wednesday, July 22, Ashraful said the lack of warm-up games made it difficult for the players to adapt to the local conditions.
"Previously there used to be practice games before the main matches, this option is no longer there. When we go on tour nowadays we start with the series straightaway and do not have the opportunity to get adjusted with the condition," Ashraful told reporters at the airport after the team arrives from Zimbabwe on Wednesday (July 22).
The former Bangladesh batter added that both the Test and ODI squads had travelled early but still missed out on valuable match practice, which, according to him, could have changed the outcome of the series.
"Even though both the Test and ODI team travelled there early they didn't have the chance to play practice matches. If we had played them then I believe the result would have been in our favour,” he added.
Despite the setbacks in Zimbabwe , Ashraful remains optimistic about Bangladesh's upcoming Test tour of Australia. The Tigers are scheduled to play two Tests in August as part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle, with the first Test set to be played in Darwin from August 13 to 17, followed by the second in Mackay from August 22 to 26.
The batting coach highlighted that Bangladesh will reach Australia well in advance and will also play a three-day practice match before the Test series, giving the players enough time to acclimatise to the conditions.
"It will be tough in Australia, the positive is we will travel there early - 10-12 days early, we will have the opportunity to play a three-day practice match, hopefully if all our players are fit, we will be able to do well there," he said.
Ashraful also defended Bangladesh's batting unit despite the poor results in Zimbabwe. He said one disappointing series should not overshadow the progress the batters have made over the past several months.
The 42-year-old pointed out that many players were touring Zimbabwe for the first time and gained valuable experience in unfamiliar conditions. He also noted that injuries to key players, including Mustafizur Rahman, affected Bangladesh during the ODI series.
"Our batters did really well in the last seven months, one series can go bad, one Test match went bad, the four Tests prior to that our batters played extremely well. If you notice we took the ODIs seriously, Mustafizur and the others were there, but they couldn't play due to injury, Mustafizur couldn't play from the second game," he concluded.
Australia have named a full-strength squad for the series and currently sit at the top of the World Test Championship standings with a points percentage of 87.50 after winning seven of their first eight matches.
📢Zimbabwe vs India Prediction, 1st T20I – Who will win today’s match between ZIM vs IND?
Zimbabwe and India. (Photo Source: ZIM/BCCI)
On Thursday, July 23, Zimbabwe (ZIM) lock horns with India (IND) in the first T20I in the three-match series. This clash is going to be held at the Harare Sports Club in Harare.
Zimbabwe recently defeated Bangladesh 2-1 in a three-match ODI series at home. However, the Chevrons lost the subsequent T20I series by the same score. Sikandar Raza and Co. will back themselves to cause one or two upsets against an Indian side looking to end a winless streak of seven matches in the format.
Talking about India, Shreyas Iyer took over the reins from Suryakumar Yadav after the IPL. However, under his leadership, the Men in Blue have lost back-to-back T20I series against Ireland and England. The record three-time T20 World Cup champions would want to start strongly against the home side and a win would serve as a shot in the arm.
ZIM vs IND: Match Details
Match
Zimbabwe vs India, 1st T20I, India tour of Zimbabwe 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Thursday, July 23, 4:30 PM
Venue
Harare Sports Club, Harare
Broadcast and Live Streaming
Unite8 Sports Network (TV Channels), FanCode (App & Website)
Harare Sports Club: Pitch Report
Fans can expect a good contest between bat and ball on Thursday. The pacers will have a crucial role to play inside the power play overs. Spinners might come into play once the ball gets older. Batters who are willing to spend some time in the middle can score big. However, going for the big shots from ball one could be difficult.
ZIM vs IND: Head-to-Head ODI Record
Matches Played
14
Won by ZIM
03
Won by IND
11
Tied
-
No Results
-
First-ever Fixture
June 12, 2010 (IND Won)
Most Recent Fixture
February 26, 2026 (IND Won)
ZIM vs IND: Predicted Playing 11s
Zimbabwe (ZIM):
Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (WK), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Milton Shumba/Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri.
India (IND):
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Prince Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Yash Thakur/Ashok Sharma.
ZIM vs IND: Probable Best Performers of the Match:
Probable Best Batter: Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer (Photo Source: BCCI)
Shreyas Iyer failed to make a mark during the T20Is against Ireland, scoring just 13 runs across two innings. However, he was the lone warrior for India with the bat against England, scoring 218 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 157.97. The right-handed batter will want to lead from the front.
Probable Best Bowler: Blessing Muzarabani
Blessing Muzarabani. (Photo by DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images)
Blessing Muzarabani has time and again showed that he is right up their with some of the best fast bowlers in modern-day cricket. His spell with the new ball could be defining. He can extract bounce with his tall frame and seam the ball around. Indian batters will have to be wary of him.
Today's Match Prediction : India to win the match
Zimbabwe and India. (Photo Source: ZIM/BCCI)
On Thursday, July 23, Zimbabwe (ZIM) lock horns with India (IND) in the first T20I in the three-match series. This clash is going to be held at the Harare Sports Club in Harare.
Zimbabwe recently defeated Bangladesh 2-1 in a three-match ODI series at home. However, the Chevrons lost the subsequent T20I series by the same score. Sikandar Raza and Co. will back themselves to cause one or two upsets against an Indian side looking to end a winless streak of seven matches in the format.
Talking about India, Shreyas Iyer took over the reins from Suryakumar Yadav after the IPL. However, under his leadership, the Men in Blue have lost back-to-back T20I series against Ireland and England. The record three-time T20 World Cup champions would want to start strongly against the home side and a win would serve as a shot in the arm.
ZIM vs IND: Match Details
Match
Zimbabwe vs India, 1st T20I, India tour of Zimbabwe 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Thursday, July 23, 4:30 PM
Venue
Harare Sports Club, Harare
Broadcast and Live Streaming
Unite8 Sports Network (TV Channels), FanCode (App & Website)
Harare Sports Club: Pitch Report
Fans can expect a good contest between bat and ball on Thursday. The pacers will have a crucial role to play inside the power play overs. Spinners might come into play once the ball gets older. Batters who are willing to spend some time in the middle can score big. However, going for the big shots from ball one could be difficult.
ZIM vs IND: Head-to-Head ODI Record
Matches Played
14
Won by ZIM
03
Won by IND
11
Tied
-
No Results
-
First-ever Fixture
June 12, 2010 (IND Won)
Most Recent Fixture
February 26, 2026 (IND Won)
ZIM vs IND: Predicted Playing 11s
Zimbabwe (ZIM):
Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (WK), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (C), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Milton Shumba/Wellington Masakadza, Brad Evans, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri.
India (IND):
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer (C), Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Harsh Dubey, Prince Yadav, Ravi Bishnoi, Yash Thakur/Ashok Sharma.
ZIM vs IND: Probable Best Performers of the Match:
Probable Best Batter: Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer (Photo Source: BCCI)
Shreyas Iyer failed to make a mark during the T20Is against Ireland, scoring just 13 runs across two innings. However, he was the lone warrior for India with the bat against England, scoring 218 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 157.97. The right-handed batter will want to lead from the front.
Probable Best Bowler: Blessing Muzarabani
Blessing Muzarabani. (Photo by DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images)
Blessing Muzarabani has time and again showed that he is right up their with some of the best fast bowlers in modern-day cricket. His spell with the new ball could be defining. He can extract bounce with his tall frame and seam the ball around. Indian batters will have to be wary of him.
Today's Match Prediction : India to win the match
📢Rahmat Shah announced as Afghanistan's new Test and ODI captain after Hashmatullah Shahidi's resignation
Rahmat Shah. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
Rahmat Shah has been promoted to the captain's role in Afghanistan's Test and ODI setup, replacing Hashmatullah Shahidi. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) made this announcement on Wednesday, July 22, less than 24 hours after Shahidi resigned from the role.
Shahidi had been named captain of the Afghanistan national team on May 31, 2021, and began his tenure with a series victory over the Netherlands in January 2022. During his successful tenure as captain, Afghanistan registered quite a few memorable victories and milestones while making prominent improvement in the international rankings.
Under his leadership, the Blue Tigers won 27 out of 55 ODIs. He also guided the team to four memorable victories at the ODI World Cup in 2023, where Afghanistan defeated England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands, resulting in the Asian side finishing sixth in the tournament.
During this phase, Rahmat Shah served as Shahidi's deputy in Tests and ODIs. The top-order batter has played 128 ODI and 12 Tests for Afghanistan and scored more than 5,000 international runs.
"With extensive experience in international cricket, leadership, and the team’s overall structure, Rahmat Shah is well positioned to take on this important responsibility. The ACB is confident that his experience, leadership, and understanding of the team will help Afghanistan achieve further significant success," the board wrote in a statement, expressing their confidence in the 33-year-old.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz appointed vice-captain
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the aggressive wicketkeeper-batter, has all the ingredients to be Afghanistan's all-format captain in the future. For now, the board has named him as Afghanistan's vice-captain in Tests and ODIs.
The 24-year-old has played three Tests, 55 ODIs, and 87 T20Is so far. His ODI record in quite impressive, as he has scored 2036 runs at an average of 37.70 and a strike rate of 90.29.
The upcoming series against Ireland will be the first assignment for Shah and Gurbaz in their new roles. Afghanistan will travel to Ireland to play five ODIs next month, starting on August 5.
Rahmat Shah. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
Rahmat Shah has been promoted to the captain's role in Afghanistan's Test and ODI setup, replacing Hashmatullah Shahidi. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) made this announcement on Wednesday, July 22, less than 24 hours after Shahidi resigned from the role.
Shahidi had been named captain of the Afghanistan national team on May 31, 2021, and began his tenure with a series victory over the Netherlands in January 2022. During his successful tenure as captain, Afghanistan registered quite a few memorable victories and milestones while making prominent improvement in the international rankings.
Under his leadership, the Blue Tigers won 27 out of 55 ODIs. He also guided the team to four memorable victories at the ODI World Cup in 2023, where Afghanistan defeated England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands, resulting in the Asian side finishing sixth in the tournament.
During this phase, Rahmat Shah served as Shahidi's deputy in Tests and ODIs. The top-order batter has played 128 ODI and 12 Tests for Afghanistan and scored more than 5,000 international runs.
"With extensive experience in international cricket, leadership, and the team’s overall structure, Rahmat Shah is well positioned to take on this important responsibility. The ACB is confident that his experience, leadership, and understanding of the team will help Afghanistan achieve further significant success," the board wrote in a statement, expressing their confidence in the 33-year-old.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz appointed vice-captain
Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the aggressive wicketkeeper-batter, has all the ingredients to be Afghanistan's all-format captain in the future. For now, the board has named him as Afghanistan's vice-captain in Tests and ODIs.
The 24-year-old has played three Tests, 55 ODIs, and 87 T20Is so far. His ODI record in quite impressive, as he has scored 2036 runs at an average of 37.70 and a strike rate of 90.29.
The upcoming series against Ireland will be the first assignment for Shah and Gurbaz in their new roles. Afghanistan will travel to Ireland to play five ODIs next month, starting on August 5.
📢PCB makes padel a mandatory part of training at National Cricket Academy
PCB makes padel a mandatory part of training at National Cricket Academy (Photo by Matt Roberts-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made padel a compulsory part of its training programme at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, aiming to improve players' fitness and overall athletic ability.
Under the new initiative, players attending long-term training camps at the NCA will be required to play the racket sport for 40 minutes every alternate day as part of their fitness routine. The move is intended to enhance agility, reflexes, stamina, and fielding skills while also making training sessions more engaging.
The decision has been taken by senior selector and director of high performance Aqib Javed, who believes padel can offer significant fitness benefits and complement cricket-specific training.
"Many of our players are already playing padel sports regularly but had to travel long distances to the limited courts in their home towns. We have now built a padel court facility at the NCA for the players," Aqib was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
Padel, which combines elements of tennis and squash, is played on a smaller enclosed court. Despite its compact playing area, the sport demands quick movement, sharp reflexes, and high levels of endurance. According to Aqib, these qualities make it an ideal activity for cricketers looking to improve their athleticism and on-field performance.
The PCB's latest initiative is part of a broader effort to modernise training facilities at the National Cricket Academy and provide players with a more well-rounded development programme.
In addition to mandatory padel sessions every alternate day, the board is planning to introduce several new recreational and sporting facilities at the academy. These include basketball courts and an indoor games hall equipped with snooker and other indoor sports.
Aqib also revealed that the NCA has already installed an AI-powered bowling machine, reflecting the board's commitment to using advanced technology to enhance player preparation.
With these upgrades, the PCB aims to transform the National Cricket Academy into a comprehensive high-performance centre where players can improve not only their cricketing skills but also their fitness, agility, and overall physical conditioning ahead of international assignments.
PCB makes padel a mandatory part of training at National Cricket Academy (Photo by Matt Roberts-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made padel a compulsory part of its training programme at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, aiming to improve players' fitness and overall athletic ability.
Under the new initiative, players attending long-term training camps at the NCA will be required to play the racket sport for 40 minutes every alternate day as part of their fitness routine. The move is intended to enhance agility, reflexes, stamina, and fielding skills while also making training sessions more engaging.
The decision has been taken by senior selector and director of high performance Aqib Javed, who believes padel can offer significant fitness benefits and complement cricket-specific training.
"Many of our players are already playing padel sports regularly but had to travel long distances to the limited courts in their home towns. We have now built a padel court facility at the NCA for the players," Aqib was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
Padel, which combines elements of tennis and squash, is played on a smaller enclosed court. Despite its compact playing area, the sport demands quick movement, sharp reflexes, and high levels of endurance. According to Aqib, these qualities make it an ideal activity for cricketers looking to improve their athleticism and on-field performance.
The PCB's latest initiative is part of a broader effort to modernise training facilities at the National Cricket Academy and provide players with a more well-rounded development programme.
In addition to mandatory padel sessions every alternate day, the board is planning to introduce several new recreational and sporting facilities at the academy. These include basketball courts and an indoor games hall equipped with snooker and other indoor sports.
Aqib also revealed that the NCA has already installed an AI-powered bowling machine, reflecting the board's commitment to using advanced technology to enhance player preparation.
With these upgrades, the PCB aims to transform the National Cricket Academy into a comprehensive high-performance centre where players can improve not only their cricketing skills but also their fitness, agility, and overall physical conditioning ahead of international assignments.
Raichandani, Venkata leave India on verge of victory
Sri Lanka Under-19 finished the day needing 317 runs to win with six wickets in hand
Sri Lanka Under-19 finished the day needing 317 runs to win with six wickets in hand
Sri Lanka Under-19 finished the day needing 317 runs to win with six wickets in hand
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#CricketFans #BreakingNews #TrendingNews
India are yet to win a T20I under their new captain Shreyas Iyer
#CricketFans #BreakingNews #TrendingNews
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Zimbabwe look to expose vulnerable India searching for winning formula
India are yet to win a T20I under their new captain Shreyas Iyer
India are yet to win a T20I under their new captain Shreyas Iyer
📢“Not a single player selected from two-time champions RCB” - Sadagoppan Ramesh slams selection hypocrisy ahead of ZIM vs IND 2026 T20Is
Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar. (Photo source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Sadagoppan Ramesh claimed that while IPL performances are considered a criterion for selection to India's T20I team for some players, others fail to earn call-ups despite doing well in the cash-rich league. The former India opener shared this opinion ahead of the Men in Blue's three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe.
Ramesh said that Shreyas Iyer's appointment as captain of the T20I team and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's selection have happened on the back of their IPL performances. However, no one has been selected in the side from two-time IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
"T20I selections clearly happen based on IPL performances but only for some. India's current T20I captain Shreyas Iyer has clearly been picked based on the IPL. Yet, there is not a single player selected from two-time defending champions RCB. Similarly, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been selected based on his IPL performance but from the same IPL, they selected a Ravi Bishnoi in India's 11 when he couldn't even find a place in the playing 11 for his franchise in the entire second half of the IPL," Ramesh said on his Instagram handle.
"Shedge didn't even bowl a single over in the IPL, yet, was selected as an all-rounder for India. So this clearly shows that IPL performances are considered for some but not several others," he added.
"The obvious metric will be picking the ten highest scorers" - Sadagoppan Ramesh slams the selection of bowlers for the Zimbabwe T20I series
Ramesh also questioned why the bowlers who were in the top 10 list in the Purple Cap race in IPL 2026 were not picked for the Zimbabwe tour, while the likes of Yash Thakur, Mayank Yadav, Harsh Dubey, and Ashok Sharma, who only played a handful of matches got selected.
"If selections happen based on an exam for 104 students, the obvious metric will be picking the ten highest scorers. If we take this to the IPL, there were 104 bowlers who picked up atleast one wicket and qualified for the Purple Cap list in the 2026 season. Five of the top 10 are Indian bowlers, including Bhuvneshwar Kumar," said Ramesh (via the aforementioned source).
"Yet, the bowlers selected for the Zimbabwe series include Harsh Dubey, who's 47th, Ashok Sharma, who's 55th, Yash Thakur, who's 89th out of 104, and Mayank Yadav, who's not even in the list. After playing three matches for India in 2024, Mayank Yadav has played only six matches," he added.
The first T20I between India and Zimbabwe is scheduled to be played at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on Thursday, July 23. The two remaining games will be played at the same venue on Saturday and Sunday.
Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar. (Photo source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Sadagoppan Ramesh claimed that while IPL performances are considered a criterion for selection to India's T20I team for some players, others fail to earn call-ups despite doing well in the cash-rich league. The former India opener shared this opinion ahead of the Men in Blue's three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe.
Ramesh said that Shreyas Iyer's appointment as captain of the T20I team and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's selection have happened on the back of their IPL performances. However, no one has been selected in the side from two-time IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
"T20I selections clearly happen based on IPL performances but only for some. India's current T20I captain Shreyas Iyer has clearly been picked based on the IPL. Yet, there is not a single player selected from two-time defending champions RCB. Similarly, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been selected based on his IPL performance but from the same IPL, they selected a Ravi Bishnoi in India's 11 when he couldn't even find a place in the playing 11 for his franchise in the entire second half of the IPL," Ramesh said on his Instagram handle.
"Shedge didn't even bowl a single over in the IPL, yet, was selected as an all-rounder for India. So this clearly shows that IPL performances are considered for some but not several others," he added.
"The obvious metric will be picking the ten highest scorers" - Sadagoppan Ramesh slams the selection of bowlers for the Zimbabwe T20I series
Ramesh also questioned why the bowlers who were in the top 10 list in the Purple Cap race in IPL 2026 were not picked for the Zimbabwe tour, while the likes of Yash Thakur, Mayank Yadav, Harsh Dubey, and Ashok Sharma, who only played a handful of matches got selected.
"If selections happen based on an exam for 104 students, the obvious metric will be picking the ten highest scorers. If we take this to the IPL, there were 104 bowlers who picked up atleast one wicket and qualified for the Purple Cap list in the 2026 season. Five of the top 10 are Indian bowlers, including Bhuvneshwar Kumar," said Ramesh (via the aforementioned source).
"Yet, the bowlers selected for the Zimbabwe series include Harsh Dubey, who's 47th, Ashok Sharma, who's 55th, Yash Thakur, who's 89th out of 104, and Mayank Yadav, who's not even in the list. After playing three matches for India in 2024, Mayank Yadav has played only six matches," he added.
The first T20I between India and Zimbabwe is scheduled to be played at the Harare Sports Club in Harare on Thursday, July 23. The two remaining games will be played at the same venue on Saturday and Sunday.
📢Kusal Mendis sustains hamstring injury, gets ruled out of LPL 2026
Kusal Mendis. (Photo Source: Sameera Peiris/Getty Images)
Kusal Mendis has been ruled out of the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026. This puts his participation in Sri Lanka's upcoming Test series against India in a cloud of uncertainty.
The experienced wicketkeeper-batter sustained a hamstring injury while playing for the Colombo Kaps on Sunday, July 20, at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo against the Kandy Royals. The home side won the match by six wickets but Mendis had retired hurt after facing just four balls.
The 31-year-old, who was leading the franchise this season, will now begin rehabilitation under Sri Lanka Cricket's medical team.
"Mendis sustained a right hamstring injury while attempting a run during the Colombo Kaps' match against the Kandy Royals on 19 July at the SSC, Colombo. Accordingly, he will return to the National High Performance Centre to commence his rehabilitation program,” an SLC media release said.
The timing of the injury will give a few sleepless nights to Sri Lankan fans. Dhananjaya de Silva and Co. are set to face India in a two-match Test series next month. The first Test is scheduled to be played from August 15 to August 19 at the Galle International Stadium. The second Test is set to be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo from August 23 to August 27. These two games are part of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The final will be held next year between the top two teams, much like the last three editions.
India have played nine matches so far in the 2025-2027 WTC cycle. They have won four games, lost four, and drawn one. They have 48.15 percentage points and are stationed at No. 5 in the standings. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka find themselves at No. 6, having played four Tests, winning one, losing one, and drawing two.
Mendis has played 75 Tests for Sri Lanka, scoring 4,836 runs at an average of 36.36. He has registered 23 fifties and 10 centuries and has a highest score of 245. He would be hoping to recover in time for the high-profile series against India.
Kusal Mendis. (Photo Source: Sameera Peiris/Getty Images)
Kusal Mendis has been ruled out of the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026. This puts his participation in Sri Lanka's upcoming Test series against India in a cloud of uncertainty.
The experienced wicketkeeper-batter sustained a hamstring injury while playing for the Colombo Kaps on Sunday, July 20, at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo against the Kandy Royals. The home side won the match by six wickets but Mendis had retired hurt after facing just four balls.
The 31-year-old, who was leading the franchise this season, will now begin rehabilitation under Sri Lanka Cricket's medical team.
"Mendis sustained a right hamstring injury while attempting a run during the Colombo Kaps' match against the Kandy Royals on 19 July at the SSC, Colombo. Accordingly, he will return to the National High Performance Centre to commence his rehabilitation program,” an SLC media release said.
The timing of the injury will give a few sleepless nights to Sri Lankan fans. Dhananjaya de Silva and Co. are set to face India in a two-match Test series next month. The first Test is scheduled to be played from August 15 to August 19 at the Galle International Stadium. The second Test is set to be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo from August 23 to August 27. These two games are part of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The final will be held next year between the top two teams, much like the last three editions.
India have played nine matches so far in the 2025-2027 WTC cycle. They have won four games, lost four, and drawn one. They have 48.15 percentage points and are stationed at No. 5 in the standings. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka find themselves at No. 6, having played four Tests, winning one, losing one, and drawing two.
Mendis has played 75 Tests for Sri Lanka, scoring 4,836 runs at an average of 36.36. He has registered 23 fifties and 10 centuries and has a highest score of 245. He would be hoping to recover in time for the high-profile series against India.
Iyer: Need to 'adapt as soon as possible' after getting a 'reality check'
The India T20I captain said a lot of positives came out of the series losses against Ireland and England
The India T20I captain said a lot of positives came out of the series losses against Ireland and England
The India T20I captain said a lot of positives came out of the series losses against Ireland and England
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Leonard Curtis report shows that Hundred equity sale has strengthened the hold of strongest clubs
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New county report warns of looming 'realities' as financial gulfs widen
Leonard Curtis report shows that Hundred equity sale has strengthened the hold of strongest clubs
Leonard Curtis report shows that Hundred equity sale has strengthened the hold of strongest clubs
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📢'This could be a very important series for him' - Aakash Chopra on Ravi Bishnoi ahead of ZIM vs IND 2026 T20Is
Ravi Bishnoi (Photo by Stuart Leggett/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Aakash Chopra believes that the three-match T20I series between India and Zimbabwe will give Ravi Bishnoi a chance to redeem himself after his forgettable outing in the 2nd T20I against England. The leg-spinner conceded 60 runs in his four-over spell and bowled multiple no-balls. In one of his overs, he gave away 29 runs as India failed to defend a 191-run target.
Chopra mentioned that in the absence of spin-bowling all-rounders like Washington Sundar and Axar Patel in the squad for the T20Is against the Chevrons, Bishnoi should get game time and look to make a mark.
"The obsession we have had for spin-bowling all-rounders won't be there in this series because Washington Sundar and Axar Patel aren't there. So you don't really have much. You have to play one of Ravi Bishnoi or Harsh Dubey. You might play both. You will play them because they are actually proper bowlers. They can take wickets for you," Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.
"This could be a slight redemption for Ravi Bishnoi because the last time he played for India, he bowled no-balls and conceded 29 runs in an over. India lost the match to England, and he was criticized a lot after that. So this could be a very important series for him," he added.
The former India opener said that in this series the Indian management is giving a chance to Harsh Dubey, who can be a backup for Axar Patel in the future.
"Harsh Dubey is getting chances because Washi gets injured so much. So, if Axar Patel isn't there at any time, at least Harsh Dubey. So you are starting to look for more options in the bowling department," he observed.
"We are unleashing pace" - Aakash Chopra on India's seam attack for ZIM vs IND 2026 T20Is
The cricketer-turned-commentator noted that India have packed their bowling attack with tearaway speedsters for the upcoming series. He pointed out the names of Ashok Sharma and Mayank Yadav - two pacers who are capable of consistently touching speeds of around 150 kmph.
"India have done a new thing for this series. We are unleashing pace. We have picked Ashok Sharma and Mayank Yadav. We are not going for medium pace now, although the ball moves a little in Zimbabwe, and that's why this team (Zimbabwe) does well. It is a very decent bowling surface. So you go with seam at times, but we have picked pace here. We have picked an out-and-out pace battery," he said.
Chopra wondered whether India would play Ashok and Mayank together or have either one of them pairing up with Yash Thakur, who doesn't have express pace but is equally talented.
"One of the two might play, or both might play. Yash Thakur is also a part of this team. In fact, that's the change that we have done. Batting is identical. The bowling is extremely young. So who among the young fast bowlers get opportunities and how they fare will be worth watching. We might actually go for Ashok and Mayank, pace from both ends, speeds of 150 kph. We can also try that," Chopra observed.
Ravi Bishnoi (Photo by Stuart Leggett/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Aakash Chopra believes that the three-match T20I series between India and Zimbabwe will give Ravi Bishnoi a chance to redeem himself after his forgettable outing in the 2nd T20I against England. The leg-spinner conceded 60 runs in his four-over spell and bowled multiple no-balls. In one of his overs, he gave away 29 runs as India failed to defend a 191-run target.
Chopra mentioned that in the absence of spin-bowling all-rounders like Washington Sundar and Axar Patel in the squad for the T20Is against the Chevrons, Bishnoi should get game time and look to make a mark.
"The obsession we have had for spin-bowling all-rounders won't be there in this series because Washington Sundar and Axar Patel aren't there. So you don't really have much. You have to play one of Ravi Bishnoi or Harsh Dubey. You might play both. You will play them because they are actually proper bowlers. They can take wickets for you," Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.
"This could be a slight redemption for Ravi Bishnoi because the last time he played for India, he bowled no-balls and conceded 29 runs in an over. India lost the match to England, and he was criticized a lot after that. So this could be a very important series for him," he added.
The former India opener said that in this series the Indian management is giving a chance to Harsh Dubey, who can be a backup for Axar Patel in the future.
"Harsh Dubey is getting chances because Washi gets injured so much. So, if Axar Patel isn't there at any time, at least Harsh Dubey. So you are starting to look for more options in the bowling department," he observed.
"We are unleashing pace" - Aakash Chopra on India's seam attack for ZIM vs IND 2026 T20Is
The cricketer-turned-commentator noted that India have packed their bowling attack with tearaway speedsters for the upcoming series. He pointed out the names of Ashok Sharma and Mayank Yadav - two pacers who are capable of consistently touching speeds of around 150 kmph.
"India have done a new thing for this series. We are unleashing pace. We have picked Ashok Sharma and Mayank Yadav. We are not going for medium pace now, although the ball moves a little in Zimbabwe, and that's why this team (Zimbabwe) does well. It is a very decent bowling surface. So you go with seam at times, but we have picked pace here. We have picked an out-and-out pace battery," he said.
Chopra wondered whether India would play Ashok and Mayank together or have either one of them pairing up with Yash Thakur, who doesn't have express pace but is equally talented.
"One of the two might play, or both might play. Yash Thakur is also a part of this team. In fact, that's the change that we have done. Batting is identical. The bowling is extremely young. So who among the young fast bowlers get opportunities and how they fare will be worth watching. We might actually go for Ashok and Mayank, pace from both ends, speeds of 150 kph. We can also try that," Chopra observed.
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Thriller at Kibworth as Gloucestershire's low total nearly proves enough
Thriller at Kibworth as Gloucestershire's low total nearly proves enough
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📢'Results in England brought the team closer to each other' - Shreyas Iyer hopes to end winless run during ZIM vs IND T20Is
Shreyas Iyer (Source: BCCI)
Shreyas Iyer asserted that despite India's T20I series defeats against Ireland and England, there were a lot of positives that emerged and it will benefit the team going forward.
Since Iyer took over the reins from Suryakumar Yadav as India's T20I skipper, the Men in Blue have lost six out of the seven matches they played, two against Ireland and four against England. The three-time T20 World Cup champions will look to redeem themselves when they take on Zimbabwe in a three-match T20I series at the Harare Sports Club this week.
"We had a rough patch in England, but there were a lot of positives out of that. We got to know what we have to build as a team going forward, what kind of presence of mind, awareness and adaptability we need once we step onto the field," Iyer said on the eve of Thursday's first T20I.
The 31-year-old said that it is important for the Indian players, especially the ones who are touring Zimbabwe for the first time, to get accustomed to the conditions.
"Some of us are playing here for the first time, so the quicker we adapt, the better results we will get," the Mumbai batter said.
Iyer also stated that the disappointing results in Ireland and England have brought his players closer to each other and hoped that they would be able to bounce back strongly from the debacle.
"The results didn't go our way, but that has brought the team closer to each other. We've been having a lot of discussions about how we're going to play as a unit going forward, especially against Zimbabwe right now. We've had three series outside India, and it's a great exposure for us as a team because you don't get this often. This is a challenging phase, and the quicker you overcome it, the better you become as a team and the results will eventually follow," Iyer mentioned.
When you don't have that fear, you can get the best out of yourself: Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer explained why fear of failure can be detrimental to India's chances. He also urged his players to refrain from adhering to outside noise and focus on playing good cricket and performing as a unit.
"I don't think they should fear failure because when you have such thoughts at the back of your mind, then you play to save yourself. When you don't have that fear, you can get the best out of yourself. We don't have to think much about what people are saying outside. We have to stay in the present. The more we play good cricket and play together as a unit, the better it will be for the team," Iyer stated.
Shreyas Iyer (Source: BCCI)
Shreyas Iyer asserted that despite India's T20I series defeats against Ireland and England, there were a lot of positives that emerged and it will benefit the team going forward.
Since Iyer took over the reins from Suryakumar Yadav as India's T20I skipper, the Men in Blue have lost six out of the seven matches they played, two against Ireland and four against England. The three-time T20 World Cup champions will look to redeem themselves when they take on Zimbabwe in a three-match T20I series at the Harare Sports Club this week.
"We had a rough patch in England, but there were a lot of positives out of that. We got to know what we have to build as a team going forward, what kind of presence of mind, awareness and adaptability we need once we step onto the field," Iyer said on the eve of Thursday's first T20I.
The 31-year-old said that it is important for the Indian players, especially the ones who are touring Zimbabwe for the first time, to get accustomed to the conditions.
"Some of us are playing here for the first time, so the quicker we adapt, the better results we will get," the Mumbai batter said.
Iyer also stated that the disappointing results in Ireland and England have brought his players closer to each other and hoped that they would be able to bounce back strongly from the debacle.
"The results didn't go our way, but that has brought the team closer to each other. We've been having a lot of discussions about how we're going to play as a unit going forward, especially against Zimbabwe right now. We've had three series outside India, and it's a great exposure for us as a team because you don't get this often. This is a challenging phase, and the quicker you overcome it, the better you become as a team and the results will eventually follow," Iyer mentioned.
When you don't have that fear, you can get the best out of yourself: Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer explained why fear of failure can be detrimental to India's chances. He also urged his players to refrain from adhering to outside noise and focus on playing good cricket and performing as a unit.
"I don't think they should fear failure because when you have such thoughts at the back of your mind, then you play to save yourself. When you don't have that fear, you can get the best out of yourself. We don't have to think much about what people are saying outside. We have to stay in the present. The more we play good cricket and play together as a unit, the better it will be for the team," Iyer stated.
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