Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Shreyanka Patil stretchered off the field after twisting her ankle
The off-spinner landed awkwardly on her right ankle while picking up the ball and turning, and immediately fell to the ground.
The off-spinner landed awkwardly on her right ankle while picking up the ball and turning, and immediately fell to the ground.
📢Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Shreyanka Patil stretchered off the field after twisting her ankle
Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Shreyanka Patil stretchered off the field after twisting her ankle(Photo Source: BCCI Women)
India Women 's all-rounder Shreyanka Patil was stretchered off the field after twisting her ankle during the 95-run win over the Netherlands Women in Headingley on Wednesday, June 17. Bowling her first ball of the game, Patil ran towards mid-on to stop the ball, where she twisted her ankle and had to be taken off the field on a stretcher.
In the first ball of the sixth over, Netherlands batter Phebe Molkenboer tapped the ball towards mid-on. Patil ran after it to stop the single and reached the ball after Yastika Bhatia palmed the ball away with a diving effort. The off-spinner landed awkwardly on her right ankle while picking up the ball and turning, and immediately fell to the ground.
She lay on the ground, clutching her right ankle, as the Indian team physiotherapist came out. While trying to stand up, she was unable to balance any weight on her right leg, and eventually had to be stretchered off the field. Shafali Verma completed the sixth over with Radha Yadav being brought in to field.
Patil has been out of action for multiple periods due to long injury layoffs in 2024 and 2025. She suffered a finger fracture on her left hand in July 2024, which was followed by shin splints in both legs and then a stress issue in her wrist. She was back to full fitness in September of 2025, where she represented the Barbados Royals in the Women's CPL and was a regular feature of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2026 WPL.
Speaking of the match, India put on a massive 209 for 5 in their 20 overs after being put into bat. A 115-run opening stand between Shafali and Smriti Mandhana , with late fireworks from Richa Ghosh, took the team to the mammoth total. Mandhana top-scored with a well-made 74 off 47 balls, her second consecutive half-century of the tournament, while Shafali scored 55 off 38 balls. The Netherlands were bowled out for 114, with Shree Charani finishing with figures of 4 for 19 and Shafali picking up figures of 3 for 20.
India sit top of Group A, with two wins from two matches. Their next match is against South Africa Women on June 21 at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Shreyanka Patil stretchered off the field after twisting her ankle(Photo Source: BCCI Women)
India Women 's all-rounder Shreyanka Patil was stretchered off the field after twisting her ankle during the 95-run win over the Netherlands Women in Headingley on Wednesday, June 17. Bowling her first ball of the game, Patil ran towards mid-on to stop the ball, where she twisted her ankle and had to be taken off the field on a stretcher.
In the first ball of the sixth over, Netherlands batter Phebe Molkenboer tapped the ball towards mid-on. Patil ran after it to stop the single and reached the ball after Yastika Bhatia palmed the ball away with a diving effort. The off-spinner landed awkwardly on her right ankle while picking up the ball and turning, and immediately fell to the ground.
She lay on the ground, clutching her right ankle, as the Indian team physiotherapist came out. While trying to stand up, she was unable to balance any weight on her right leg, and eventually had to be stretchered off the field. Shafali Verma completed the sixth over with Radha Yadav being brought in to field.
Patil has been out of action for multiple periods due to long injury layoffs in 2024 and 2025. She suffered a finger fracture on her left hand in July 2024, which was followed by shin splints in both legs and then a stress issue in her wrist. She was back to full fitness in September of 2025, where she represented the Barbados Royals in the Women's CPL and was a regular feature of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2026 WPL.
Speaking of the match, India put on a massive 209 for 5 in their 20 overs after being put into bat. A 115-run opening stand between Shafali and Smriti Mandhana , with late fireworks from Richa Ghosh, took the team to the mammoth total. Mandhana top-scored with a well-made 74 off 47 balls, her second consecutive half-century of the tournament, while Shafali scored 55 off 38 balls. The Netherlands were bowled out for 114, with Shree Charani finishing with figures of 4 for 19 and Shafali picking up figures of 3 for 20.
India sit top of Group A, with two wins from two matches. Their next match is against South Africa Women on June 21 at Old Trafford in Manchester.
📢'I love doing it' - Ellyse Perry on her ability to contribute as an all-rounder after Australia vs Bangladesh
Ellyse Perry. (Photo Source: George Wood/Getty Images)
Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry said she relishes contributing across all facets of her game, including bowling, after helping her side beat Bangladesh in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup on Wednesday, June 17. The 35-year-old returned to her best with the ball, taking 2 for 14 from three overs to restrict the opposition to just 77 in the first innings.
Perry stated that she enjoys working on her bowling and learning new things to keep things different. She was pleased that her hard work came to fruition at Headingley on Wednesday.
"Any opportunity (I get) to contribute, I really enjoy doing that with this wonderful group of players. I've been chipping away with my bowling, I love doing it, it keeps me interested at training to have a trundle. There's bits and pieces you've always got to learn and try and develop and I've been doing that for the last little bit. So to have an opportunity today was really enjoyable," Perry said after the Bangladesh match via Cricket Australia.
Perry has been renowned for her all-round skill across her 19-year-long international career. The right-hander, however, has not bowled regularly over the past few years and has instead focused more on their contributions with the bat. In the last 32 T20Is that Australia has played in, Perry has bowled just eight times. However, she showed her prowess with the bowl against Bangladesh and remains a valuable asset to her side's arsenal.
Australia captain Sophie Molineux also talked about the importance of having an experienced bowler in Perry amongst their ranks. Despite the reduction in her role as a bowler, the experienced all-rounder is also prepared to come in and bowl whenever required, as she remains match-ready thanks to constant training.
"She bowls every single training. And even when she hasn't bowled, she's ready at any point, which is really admirable for someone to have been playing the game for 20 years and still has such an impact with the bat and has chipped away at something in the background. When she gets the opportunity, she makes that count, so I'm really pleased for her," Sophie Molineux said.
Perry has 129 wickets from 176 T20I matches since making her debut back in 2008. She is renowned for being extremely economical, conceding runs at just 5.83. Before the start of the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, she bowled twice in the warm-up matches, against South Africa and the West Indies, where she picked a wicket each.
Ellyse Perry. (Photo Source: George Wood/Getty Images)
Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry said she relishes contributing across all facets of her game, including bowling, after helping her side beat Bangladesh in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup on Wednesday, June 17. The 35-year-old returned to her best with the ball, taking 2 for 14 from three overs to restrict the opposition to just 77 in the first innings.
Perry stated that she enjoys working on her bowling and learning new things to keep things different. She was pleased that her hard work came to fruition at Headingley on Wednesday.
"Any opportunity (I get) to contribute, I really enjoy doing that with this wonderful group of players. I've been chipping away with my bowling, I love doing it, it keeps me interested at training to have a trundle. There's bits and pieces you've always got to learn and try and develop and I've been doing that for the last little bit. So to have an opportunity today was really enjoyable," Perry said after the Bangladesh match via Cricket Australia.
Perry has been renowned for her all-round skill across her 19-year-long international career. The right-hander, however, has not bowled regularly over the past few years and has instead focused more on their contributions with the bat. In the last 32 T20Is that Australia has played in, Perry has bowled just eight times. However, she showed her prowess with the bowl against Bangladesh and remains a valuable asset to her side's arsenal.
Australia captain Sophie Molineux also talked about the importance of having an experienced bowler in Perry amongst their ranks. Despite the reduction in her role as a bowler, the experienced all-rounder is also prepared to come in and bowl whenever required, as she remains match-ready thanks to constant training.
"She bowls every single training. And even when she hasn't bowled, she's ready at any point, which is really admirable for someone to have been playing the game for 20 years and still has such an impact with the bat and has chipped away at something in the background. When she gets the opportunity, she makes that count, so I'm really pleased for her," Sophie Molineux said.
Perry has 129 wickets from 176 T20I matches since making her debut back in 2008. She is renowned for being extremely economical, conceding runs at just 5.83. Before the start of the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, she bowled twice in the warm-up matches, against South Africa and the West Indies, where she picked a wicket each.
'I love doing it' - Ellyse Perry on her ability to contribute as an all-rounder after Australia vs Bangladesh
The 35-year-old returned to her best with the ball, taking 2 for 14 from three overs to restrict the opposition to just 77 in the first innings.
The 35-year-old returned to her best with the ball, taking 2 for 14 from three overs to restrict the opposition to just 77 in the first innings.
Deepti Sharma matches Jhulan Goswami's all-time record for most women's international wickets
Deepti Sharma has started her Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign brilliantly. She has played handy cameos and taken important wickets through the middle overs in the two games India have played.
Deepti Sharma has started her Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign brilliantly. She has played handy cameos and taken important wickets through the middle overs in the two games India have played.
📢Deepti Sharma matches Jhulan Goswami's all-time record for most women's international wickets
Deepti Sharma (Source - Pankaj Nangia/Getty Image)
Deepti Sharma has made a fine start to her campaign in the Women's T20 World Cup 2026. She has played handy cameos and taken important wickets through the middle overs in the two games India have played.
After bagging a five-for in India's opening game against arch-rivals Pakistan at Edgbaston, Birmingham, the spin-bowling all-rounder created history on Wednesday, June 17, against the Netherlands at Headingley, Leeds.
Deepti dismissed Phebe Molkenboer in the eighth over on Wednesday and tied with compatriot and former pacer Jhulan Goswami for most wickets in women's international cricket.
Now, both Jhulan and Deepti are tied with 355 wickets at the international level each, followed by England's Katherine Sciver-Brunt (335), Australia legend Ellyse Perry (332), England spinner Sophie Ecclestone (327) and South Africa pacer Shabnim Ismail (318).
With 166 wickets in 124 matches, Deepti is India's second-highest ODI wicket-taker next to Jhulan (255). In T20Is, Deepti is exclusively holding the top spot, having taken 167 wickets in 146 matches globally. She also has 22 wickets in six Tests for India.
In the game against the Netherlands, India were invited to bat first, and the opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma smashed exhilarating half-centuries to put the Women's ODI World Cup champions in a position of strength. Yastika Bhatia, Richa Ghosh, and Deepti played enterprising cameos to take India's total beyond the 200-run mark. The Dutch side was set a daunting target of 210.
Apart from the top four batters in the Netherlands' batting order, no one else got to double figures. Skipper Babette de Leede was the top-scorer, but her 28-run knock came off 27 balls. For India, Shree Charani starred with a four-for. Shafali also chipped in with three wickets. Nandni Sharma, making her Women's T20 World Cup debut, took two wickets. However, the Asian giants suffered a setback when Shreyanka Patil had to be stretchered off the field after sustaining a leg injury while fielding.
Deepti Sharma (Source - Pankaj Nangia/Getty Image)
Deepti Sharma has made a fine start to her campaign in the Women's T20 World Cup 2026. She has played handy cameos and taken important wickets through the middle overs in the two games India have played.
After bagging a five-for in India's opening game against arch-rivals Pakistan at Edgbaston, Birmingham, the spin-bowling all-rounder created history on Wednesday, June 17, against the Netherlands at Headingley, Leeds.
Deepti dismissed Phebe Molkenboer in the eighth over on Wednesday and tied with compatriot and former pacer Jhulan Goswami for most wickets in women's international cricket.
Now, both Jhulan and Deepti are tied with 355 wickets at the international level each, followed by England's Katherine Sciver-Brunt (335), Australia legend Ellyse Perry (332), England spinner Sophie Ecclestone (327) and South Africa pacer Shabnim Ismail (318).
With 166 wickets in 124 matches, Deepti is India's second-highest ODI wicket-taker next to Jhulan (255). In T20Is, Deepti is exclusively holding the top spot, having taken 167 wickets in 146 matches globally. She also has 22 wickets in six Tests for India.
In the game against the Netherlands, India were invited to bat first, and the opening pair of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma smashed exhilarating half-centuries to put the Women's ODI World Cup champions in a position of strength. Yastika Bhatia, Richa Ghosh, and Deepti played enterprising cameos to take India's total beyond the 200-run mark. The Dutch side was set a daunting target of 210.
Apart from the top four batters in the Netherlands' batting order, no one else got to double figures. Skipper Babette de Leede was the top-scorer, but her 28-run knock came off 27 balls. For India, Shree Charani starred with a four-for. Shafali also chipped in with three wickets. Nandni Sharma, making her Women's T20 World Cup debut, took two wickets. However, the Asian giants suffered a setback when Shreyanka Patil had to be stretchered off the field after sustaining a leg injury while fielding.
📢'As soon as he switches to India jersey from IPL, he's a different player' - Manoj Tiwary's huge praise for Arshdeep Singh after heroics in 2nd ODI
Arshdeep Singh (Source: BCCI)
Former Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary lauded Arshdeep Singh after the left-arm pacer bagged a three-for in the second ODI against Afghanistan at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, June 17.
Arshdeep wasn't at his best during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. In 14 matches, he picked up as many wickets at an average of 38.64 and conceded runs at an economy rate of 10.21. While these numbers aren't too impressive, the left-arm spinner has returned to his best after putting on the India jersey, picking up five wickets in the first two ODIs against Afghanistan.
Tiwary said that IPL is "just entertainment cricket" and that the setup is designed so batters will dominate bowlers. He also pointed out that Arshdeep looks to have regained his rhythm, something that he lacked during the IPL. The Punjab pacer also started vlogging actively, posting videos on social media and sometimes landing in controversy. However, he hasn't been doing that during the ongoing series, and Tiwary feels that having no distractions is helping the 27-year-old.
"IPL is just entertainment cricket, to be honest with you. The format is T20, but it is just full-on entertainment, where things are set up for batters and bowlers only get hit. So you cannot compare and judge performances from there. As soon as he switches to India jersey from IPL, he's a different player. We have seen that in T20Is, he has a better numbers of striking in the first over than Jasprit Bumrah," Manoj Tiwary said on Cricbuzz.
"His rhythm has come back now. He has stopped doing some things that he was doing in the IPL. He used to do all of that in the IPL, he has stopped now, we don't see much of him on social media. When you move away from distractions and focus on things that matter, then the consistency in performances is there. It is good to see him leading the attack and pick wickets for his country," he added.
Arshdeep finished with figures of 3/45 in nine overs on Wednesday. Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav took three and two wickets, respectively, as Afghanistan were bowled out for 232 in 44.3 overs. They lost by 170 runs, chasing down an improbable 403-run target.
Earlier in the day, Shubman Gill (154) and Ishan Kishan (125) slammed blistering centuries to help India post a massive total after being asked to bat first. On the back of this convincing win, the hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Arshdeep Singh (Source: BCCI)
Former Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary lauded Arshdeep Singh after the left-arm pacer bagged a three-for in the second ODI against Afghanistan at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, June 17.
Arshdeep wasn't at his best during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. In 14 matches, he picked up as many wickets at an average of 38.64 and conceded runs at an economy rate of 10.21. While these numbers aren't too impressive, the left-arm spinner has returned to his best after putting on the India jersey, picking up five wickets in the first two ODIs against Afghanistan.
Tiwary said that IPL is "just entertainment cricket" and that the setup is designed so batters will dominate bowlers. He also pointed out that Arshdeep looks to have regained his rhythm, something that he lacked during the IPL. The Punjab pacer also started vlogging actively, posting videos on social media and sometimes landing in controversy. However, he hasn't been doing that during the ongoing series, and Tiwary feels that having no distractions is helping the 27-year-old.
"IPL is just entertainment cricket, to be honest with you. The format is T20, but it is just full-on entertainment, where things are set up for batters and bowlers only get hit. So you cannot compare and judge performances from there. As soon as he switches to India jersey from IPL, he's a different player. We have seen that in T20Is, he has a better numbers of striking in the first over than Jasprit Bumrah," Manoj Tiwary said on Cricbuzz.
"His rhythm has come back now. He has stopped doing some things that he was doing in the IPL. He used to do all of that in the IPL, he has stopped now, we don't see much of him on social media. When you move away from distractions and focus on things that matter, then the consistency in performances is there. It is good to see him leading the attack and pick wickets for his country," he added.
Arshdeep finished with figures of 3/45 in nine overs on Wednesday. Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav took three and two wickets, respectively, as Afghanistan were bowled out for 232 in 44.3 overs. They lost by 170 runs, chasing down an improbable 403-run target.
Earlier in the day, Shubman Gill (154) and Ishan Kishan (125) slammed blistering centuries to help India post a massive total after being asked to bat first. On the back of this convincing win, the hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
'As soon as he switches to India jersey from IPL, he's a different player' - Manoj Tiwary's huge praise for Arshdeep Singh after heroics in 2nd ODI
"IPL is just entertainment cricket, to be honest with you. The format is T20, but it is just full-on entertainment, where things are set up for batters and bowlers only get hit," Manoj Tiwary said.
"IPL is just entertainment cricket, to be honest with you. The format is T20, but it is just full-on entertainment, where things are set up for batters and bowlers only get hit," Manoj Tiwary said.
📢Ireland vs India 2026: Where to Watch Matches - TV Channels & Live Streaming in India
Ireland vs India. (Photo Source: Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has confirmed the acquisition of exclusive television and digital media rights for India's upcoming tour of Ireland in 2026 .
The agreement will see Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV exclusively broadcast the two T20I matches from the tour, bringing Indian cricket fans closer to every moment of Team India's action on Irish soil.
With this acquisition, SPNI has deepened its investment in premium live sports, further enhancing its position as one of India's destinations for international cricket. The addition of the Ireland tour expands Sony's year-round cricket offering and provides fans with more opportunities to follow Team India beyond marquee multi-nation tournaments and bilateral contests.
The tour will showcase a mix of established stars and emerging talent while also highlighting the growing cricketing ties between India and Ireland.
The Indian squad led by Shreyas Iyer with Tilak Varma as second in command has an eclectic mix of young and experienced players such as Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Prasidh Krishna and the batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi .
Fans can look forward to comprehensive coverage, expert analysis, multilingual commentary, and immersive viewing experiences across television and digital platforms.
IRE vs IND 2026: Full Schedule
Match
Date
Time (IST)
Venue
First T20I
Friday, June 26
6:00 PM
Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast
Second T20I
Sunday, June 28
6:00 PM
Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Ireland vs India 2026 series get underway?
The upcoming T20I series between Ireland and India will get underway on June 26, 2026. It will conclude with the second and final match of the series on June 28, 2026.
What are the venues for the Ireland vs India 2026 T20I series?
Both the matches of the Ireland vs India T20I series will be held in Belfast.
Where can fans watch the broadcast of the India tour of Ireland 2026 on television (TV) in India?
The live television (TV) broadcast for India's tour of Ireland 2026 will be available on Sony Sports Network channels in India.
Where can fans enjoy the live-streaming of India's tour of Ireland 2026 in India?
The digital live streaming for India's tour of Ireland 2026 can be accessed via SonyLIV's mobile application and website in India.
(Inputs: Sony Pictures Network India)
Ireland vs India. (Photo Source: Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has confirmed the acquisition of exclusive television and digital media rights for India's upcoming tour of Ireland in 2026 .
The agreement will see Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV exclusively broadcast the two T20I matches from the tour, bringing Indian cricket fans closer to every moment of Team India's action on Irish soil.
With this acquisition, SPNI has deepened its investment in premium live sports, further enhancing its position as one of India's destinations for international cricket. The addition of the Ireland tour expands Sony's year-round cricket offering and provides fans with more opportunities to follow Team India beyond marquee multi-nation tournaments and bilateral contests.
The tour will showcase a mix of established stars and emerging talent while also highlighting the growing cricketing ties between India and Ireland.
The Indian squad led by Shreyas Iyer with Tilak Varma as second in command has an eclectic mix of young and experienced players such as Sanju Samson, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Abhishek Sharma, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Prince Yadav, Prasidh Krishna and the batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi .
Fans can look forward to comprehensive coverage, expert analysis, multilingual commentary, and immersive viewing experiences across television and digital platforms.
IRE vs IND 2026: Full Schedule
Match
Date
Time (IST)
Venue
First T20I
Friday, June 26
6:00 PM
Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast
Second T20I
Sunday, June 28
6:00 PM
Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Ireland vs India 2026 series get underway?
The upcoming T20I series between Ireland and India will get underway on June 26, 2026. It will conclude with the second and final match of the series on June 28, 2026.
What are the venues for the Ireland vs India 2026 T20I series?
Both the matches of the Ireland vs India T20I series will be held in Belfast.
Where can fans watch the broadcast of the India tour of Ireland 2026 on television (TV) in India?
The live television (TV) broadcast for India's tour of Ireland 2026 will be available on Sony Sports Network channels in India.
Where can fans enjoy the live-streaming of India's tour of Ireland 2026 in India?
The digital live streaming for India's tour of Ireland 2026 can be accessed via SonyLIV's mobile application and website in India.
(Inputs: Sony Pictures Network India)
Ireland vs India 2026: Where to Watch Matches - TV Channels & Live Streaming in India
The series will get underway on Friday, June 26, 2026.
The series will get underway on Friday, June 26, 2026.
📢'This team needs him as a leader' - Michael Vaughan wants Ben Stokes to return as England captain
Ben Stokes and Michael Vaughan. (Photo Source: Getty Images)
Former captain Michael Vaughan claimed England desperately need Ben Stokes back as their leader in Test cricket, thanks to his tactical prowess. This comes after the all-rounder was not picked for his side's second Test match against New Zealand following a nightclub incident involving him and teammate Gus Atkinson last week.
Stokes and Atkinson broke a team curfew after the Three Lions' victory over the Black Caps in the first Test match at Lord's. The duo were then involved in a brawl with the rugby player, resulting in them getting suspended for the Oval Test.
Despite the off-field controversies, Vaughan fully backs the left-handed batter and wants him back in the team as captain. The former player-turned-expert also claimed that it would be difficult for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to turn up and say Stokes is no longer the captain of the Test side.
"This team needs him as a leader, as a captain. His tactical awareness of the game has been right up there with the best captains I have seen. I wouldn't want to be that person that says to the English cricket fan 'Ben Stokes is not our captain any more'," Vaughan said on BBC Test Match Special.
However, should the ECB decide to sack Stokes for his nightclub antics, Vaughan believes that the only player under whom the 35-year-old would be comfortable playing is Joe Root. The right-handed batter has been given the captaincy on an interim basis in the absence of England 's regular Test skipper for the second Test against New Zealand.
Vaughan suggests that the leadership qualities Stokes possesses would make it extremely difficult for him to remain just a player in the team. However, with Root's stature in the side, he would not mind playing under the former England captain.
"If the ECB make a call Ben can't come back in a leadership role, the only captain he could play under is Joe," said Vaughan. I don't see Ben as the kind of character that would just walk into the dressing room as a player. I see him purely as the leader. I would have found it very difficult to go into a team after captaining for a while. I think Ben would struggle but, if there was one respected player in the dressing room he would do it for, it is Joe," Vaughan added.
It is worth mentioning that Root captained England 65 times in the longest format of the game before being replaced by Stokes in the summer of 2022 as the Three Lions kick-started their new regime under coach Brendon McCullum.
Ben Stokes and Michael Vaughan. (Photo Source: Getty Images)
Former captain Michael Vaughan claimed England desperately need Ben Stokes back as their leader in Test cricket, thanks to his tactical prowess. This comes after the all-rounder was not picked for his side's second Test match against New Zealand following a nightclub incident involving him and teammate Gus Atkinson last week.
Stokes and Atkinson broke a team curfew after the Three Lions' victory over the Black Caps in the first Test match at Lord's. The duo were then involved in a brawl with the rugby player, resulting in them getting suspended for the Oval Test.
Despite the off-field controversies, Vaughan fully backs the left-handed batter and wants him back in the team as captain. The former player-turned-expert also claimed that it would be difficult for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to turn up and say Stokes is no longer the captain of the Test side.
"This team needs him as a leader, as a captain. His tactical awareness of the game has been right up there with the best captains I have seen. I wouldn't want to be that person that says to the English cricket fan 'Ben Stokes is not our captain any more'," Vaughan said on BBC Test Match Special.
However, should the ECB decide to sack Stokes for his nightclub antics, Vaughan believes that the only player under whom the 35-year-old would be comfortable playing is Joe Root. The right-handed batter has been given the captaincy on an interim basis in the absence of England 's regular Test skipper for the second Test against New Zealand.
Vaughan suggests that the leadership qualities Stokes possesses would make it extremely difficult for him to remain just a player in the team. However, with Root's stature in the side, he would not mind playing under the former England captain.
"If the ECB make a call Ben can't come back in a leadership role, the only captain he could play under is Joe," said Vaughan. I don't see Ben as the kind of character that would just walk into the dressing room as a player. I see him purely as the leader. I would have found it very difficult to go into a team after captaining for a while. I think Ben would struggle but, if there was one respected player in the dressing room he would do it for, it is Joe," Vaughan added.
It is worth mentioning that Root captained England 65 times in the longest format of the game before being replaced by Stokes in the summer of 2022 as the Three Lions kick-started their new regime under coach Brendon McCullum.
'This team needs him as a leader' - Michael Vaughan wants Ben Stokes to return as England captain
Despite the off-field controversies, Vaughan fully backs the left-handed batter and wants him back in the team as captain.
Despite the off-field controversies, Vaughan fully backs the left-handed batter and wants him back in the team as captain.
'No new tips, team management told me to back my strengths' - Gurnoor Brar shares experience of playing for India
Gurnoor Brar has been a pleasant revelation for India during the ongoing three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.
Gurnoor Brar has been a pleasant revelation for India during the ongoing three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.
📢'No new tips, team management told me to back my strengths' - Gurnoor Brar shares experience of playing for India
Gurnoor Brar (Source - BCCI)
Gurnoor Brar has been a pleasant revelation for India during the ongoing three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. He didn't get a game for the Gujarat Titans this IPL season, but he has been impressive on his India debut.
In his first two matches, Brar has picked up six wickets at an average of 14.50 and an economy rate of 5.87. After finishing with figures of 3/60 in 10 overs in India's 170-run win in the second ODI at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, Brar advised every fast bowler to develop a lethal yorker. He said that he is working really hard to hone his death-bowling skills.
“According to me, every fast bowler should work on yorkers. I work on my death bowling to see how consistently I can bowl yorkers because when you have to bowl at the death, yorkers are very useful, especially when good hitters come in," Gurnoor told reporters on Wednesday (News18 CricketNext).
Brar also credited the Indian team management and bowling coach Morne Morkel for giving him a lot of freedom and asking him to back his strengths without making wholesale changes to his bowling approach.
“The management and bowling coach back me a lot, which gives me the chance to bowl more openly. They didn’t give me any new tips; they just told me to back my strength," he said.
While Brar has been bowling consistently in the 140 kmph zone, he said that only pace is not going to help him get the better of the batters. Instead, he revealed that correct field positioning and the ability to swing the ball would help him get the upper hand.
“You can’t just bowl fast. Many batsmen like pace if there is nothing in the wicket. It becomes about how we plan against a good opposition or a good batsman and how we set our field positions," he said.
“If your outswing is good, every batsman faces problems, so I try to swing it as much as I can. When the swing is less, I push my length back," he added.
The pitch at the Ekana Cricket Stadium proved to be a batting paradise as India piled up 402 runs in 50 overs. Brar revealed how the Indian bowlers altered their plans to put the batters under pressure.
“The ball wasn’t swinging much due to the heat and the wicket. So we adjusted the plan. If we don’t get swing, we put the ball back. It all works according to the batsman, the wicket, and the match situation," Gurnoor explained.
Lastly, the Muktsar-born asserted that he does not easily get satisfied and always looks to improve his craft, so that he can help the Indian team more in the future.
“I don’t get satisfied. I am happy that I did well, but I want to do more for Team India. I want to keep doing better. I just keep doing my work," he said.
Gurnoor Brar (Source - BCCI)
Gurnoor Brar has been a pleasant revelation for India during the ongoing three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. He didn't get a game for the Gujarat Titans this IPL season, but he has been impressive on his India debut.
In his first two matches, Brar has picked up six wickets at an average of 14.50 and an economy rate of 5.87. After finishing with figures of 3/60 in 10 overs in India's 170-run win in the second ODI at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, Brar advised every fast bowler to develop a lethal yorker. He said that he is working really hard to hone his death-bowling skills.
“According to me, every fast bowler should work on yorkers. I work on my death bowling to see how consistently I can bowl yorkers because when you have to bowl at the death, yorkers are very useful, especially when good hitters come in," Gurnoor told reporters on Wednesday (News18 CricketNext).
Brar also credited the Indian team management and bowling coach Morne Morkel for giving him a lot of freedom and asking him to back his strengths without making wholesale changes to his bowling approach.
“The management and bowling coach back me a lot, which gives me the chance to bowl more openly. They didn’t give me any new tips; they just told me to back my strength," he said.
While Brar has been bowling consistently in the 140 kmph zone, he said that only pace is not going to help him get the better of the batters. Instead, he revealed that correct field positioning and the ability to swing the ball would help him get the upper hand.
“You can’t just bowl fast. Many batsmen like pace if there is nothing in the wicket. It becomes about how we plan against a good opposition or a good batsman and how we set our field positions," he said.
“If your outswing is good, every batsman faces problems, so I try to swing it as much as I can. When the swing is less, I push my length back," he added.
The pitch at the Ekana Cricket Stadium proved to be a batting paradise as India piled up 402 runs in 50 overs. Brar revealed how the Indian bowlers altered their plans to put the batters under pressure.
“The ball wasn’t swinging much due to the heat and the wicket. So we adjusted the plan. If we don’t get swing, we put the ball back. It all works according to the batsman, the wicket, and the match situation," Gurnoor explained.
Lastly, the Muktsar-born asserted that he does not easily get satisfied and always looks to improve his craft, so that he can help the Indian team more in the future.
“I don’t get satisfied. I am happy that I did well, but I want to do more for Team India. I want to keep doing better. I just keep doing my work," he said.
📢BCCI mulling to start IPL 2027 early, hold Final by May 15
Virat Kohli (Photo Source: IPL)
The 2027 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set for an earlier-than-expected start. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Devajit Saikia, has suggested that they are considering starting the next season of the cash-rich tournament by the second week of March and have it concluded with the final to be played around May 15.
Usually, the IPL commences in the last week of March and runs up until the entirety of May. However, with weather conditions changing around this time, Saikia has acknowledged that the players and fans face difficulties during the conduct of the matches. As a result, there have been ongoing discussions around an early window for the marquee event.
"This year, IPL started around the 29th of March, and it was over by the 31st of May. The only thing we are discussing is that during the fag end of the tournament, after 15th of May, there are issues regarding the weather, particularly in some areas, there is apprehension of having rainfall or the pre-monsoon season starting or on the other hand, there are warm weather, hot conditions, which are not very conducive either for the players or for the crowds or the fans," Saikia was quoted as saying by India TV.
Sakia has further added that the BCCI is set to make all efforts possible to make sure that the tournament gets underway by mid-March, which will be beneficial in overcoming the adverse changes in weather in some parts of the country. The Board is also quite adamant on playing the final by the fortnight into the month of May, which will help in tackling any possible rain interruptions in the playoffs since they do not have a reserve day.
"So, there is a discussion going on in the BCCI as well as in our IPL Governing Council regarding whether we can start the tournament a little bit earlier than the fag end of March. From next year, we'll make an effort, and I have already instructed our general manager of games development to look for the windows whether we can start it by the 10th of March so that we want to conclude it by the 15th of May so that there is no adverse weather conditions in the run-up to the final stages of the playoffs and the finals of the IPL 2027, which will be the 20th edition of IPL.
The IPL 2027 is expected to be a grand spectacle as it will see the Royal Challengers Bengaluru looking to become the first team to maker it a hat-trick of championships.
Virat Kohli (Photo Source: IPL)
The 2027 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set for an earlier-than-expected start. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Devajit Saikia, has suggested that they are considering starting the next season of the cash-rich tournament by the second week of March and have it concluded with the final to be played around May 15.
Usually, the IPL commences in the last week of March and runs up until the entirety of May. However, with weather conditions changing around this time, Saikia has acknowledged that the players and fans face difficulties during the conduct of the matches. As a result, there have been ongoing discussions around an early window for the marquee event.
"This year, IPL started around the 29th of March, and it was over by the 31st of May. The only thing we are discussing is that during the fag end of the tournament, after 15th of May, there are issues regarding the weather, particularly in some areas, there is apprehension of having rainfall or the pre-monsoon season starting or on the other hand, there are warm weather, hot conditions, which are not very conducive either for the players or for the crowds or the fans," Saikia was quoted as saying by India TV.
Sakia has further added that the BCCI is set to make all efforts possible to make sure that the tournament gets underway by mid-March, which will be beneficial in overcoming the adverse changes in weather in some parts of the country. The Board is also quite adamant on playing the final by the fortnight into the month of May, which will help in tackling any possible rain interruptions in the playoffs since they do not have a reserve day.
"So, there is a discussion going on in the BCCI as well as in our IPL Governing Council regarding whether we can start the tournament a little bit earlier than the fag end of March. From next year, we'll make an effort, and I have already instructed our general manager of games development to look for the windows whether we can start it by the 10th of March so that we want to conclude it by the 15th of May so that there is no adverse weather conditions in the run-up to the final stages of the playoffs and the finals of the IPL 2027, which will be the 20th edition of IPL.
The IPL 2027 is expected to be a grand spectacle as it will see the Royal Challengers Bengaluru looking to become the first team to maker it a hat-trick of championships.
📢'That is the kind of fast bowler I want to be' - Gurnoor Brar shares his bowling inspiration & feeling of being capped by India
Gurnoor Brar (Source : BCCI/X)
Newly capped India bowler Gurnoor Brar has talked highly of former South Africa speedster Dale Steyn and also shared his thoughts on getting a chance to represent his country on the international stage.
Brar stated how he takes inspiration from Steyn, not only as a bowler but also as a fiery competitor. The 26-year-old strives to be like the now-retired fast bowler and replicate the level of consistency, pace and aggression in his bowling as he looks to build on the incredible start to his international career.
"My favourite bowler is Dale Steyn. Being the number one bowler for seven to eight years is a huge achievement. That kind of consistency is rare. The aggression he bowled with was incredible. He didn't just take wickets; he made batters fear him. Every time he ran in, you knew something was going to happen. I am a big fan of that attitude. The way he celebrated after picking up a wicket, the roar, the energy, the intensity, I loved that. It showed how much it meant to him. He didn't just want wickets; he wanted to dominate. I really liked his whole approach. That is the kind of fast bowler I want to be," Gurnoor Brar said to JioStar.
Brar made his India debut against Afghanistan during the first One Day International (ODI) in Dharamshala, and had an immediate impact on the proceedings. The right-arm fast bowler was the pick of the Indian bowlers, taking 3 for 27 on debut. In the second ODI in Lucknow, the 26-year-old once again ended up with a three-wicket haul, helping the Men in Blue secure the three-match series with one match to spare.
The Gujarat Titans bowler, however, does not want to take the India call-up for granted and instead wants to work hard to play for a long period of time. He understands that he has been given an opportunity dreamed of by millions in the country and must deliver whenever he dons the iconic blue jersey.
"Every cricketer dreams of playing for India. I feel truly blessed to have been selected. When I started my career, my only goal was to get here. Now that I am here, my mindset hasn't changed. I don't just want to play; I want to perform, succeed, and stay at this level. I want to prove that I belong in international cricket. That mindset will never change – whether it's my first game or my 100th. When I wear the Indian jersey, I want to give everything for it. I don't want to carry unnecessary pressure about what might happen or how I will perform. Of course, nervousness and pressure will always be there. But I choose to see it as a proud moment. Out of millions of people in this country, I have been given this chance. That is a huge honour. I feel blessed, and now I must deliver. With that positive mindset, I will go out and give my absolute best every time," Gurnoor Brar added.
Brar also pulled back the curtain on the time when he first learned he had been selected to represent India, not only in Tests but also in ODIs. The seam bowler talked about the emotional moment he shared with his parents and also with the rest of the Punjab squad.
"Before every practice session, I take a 45-minute nap. It's my routine. On the day of the squad announcement, I was doing the same, just resting at home. While I was sleeping, my friend called and told me that I had been selected. I was expecting to make Test squad only, but then I found out I was also in the ODI squad. That was unexpected. I don't have enough words to describe that feeling. It was overwhelming. My parents called immediately. They were emotional. When I reached the ground for practice, the entire Punjab team congratulated me. The coaches shook my hand. It was a special moment. That day felt different as all the hard work had finally paid off," Brar added when speaking to JioStar.
Gurnoor Brar (Source : BCCI/X)
Newly capped India bowler Gurnoor Brar has talked highly of former South Africa speedster Dale Steyn and also shared his thoughts on getting a chance to represent his country on the international stage.
Brar stated how he takes inspiration from Steyn, not only as a bowler but also as a fiery competitor. The 26-year-old strives to be like the now-retired fast bowler and replicate the level of consistency, pace and aggression in his bowling as he looks to build on the incredible start to his international career.
"My favourite bowler is Dale Steyn. Being the number one bowler for seven to eight years is a huge achievement. That kind of consistency is rare. The aggression he bowled with was incredible. He didn't just take wickets; he made batters fear him. Every time he ran in, you knew something was going to happen. I am a big fan of that attitude. The way he celebrated after picking up a wicket, the roar, the energy, the intensity, I loved that. It showed how much it meant to him. He didn't just want wickets; he wanted to dominate. I really liked his whole approach. That is the kind of fast bowler I want to be," Gurnoor Brar said to JioStar.
Brar made his India debut against Afghanistan during the first One Day International (ODI) in Dharamshala, and had an immediate impact on the proceedings. The right-arm fast bowler was the pick of the Indian bowlers, taking 3 for 27 on debut. In the second ODI in Lucknow, the 26-year-old once again ended up with a three-wicket haul, helping the Men in Blue secure the three-match series with one match to spare.
The Gujarat Titans bowler, however, does not want to take the India call-up for granted and instead wants to work hard to play for a long period of time. He understands that he has been given an opportunity dreamed of by millions in the country and must deliver whenever he dons the iconic blue jersey.
"Every cricketer dreams of playing for India. I feel truly blessed to have been selected. When I started my career, my only goal was to get here. Now that I am here, my mindset hasn't changed. I don't just want to play; I want to perform, succeed, and stay at this level. I want to prove that I belong in international cricket. That mindset will never change – whether it's my first game or my 100th. When I wear the Indian jersey, I want to give everything for it. I don't want to carry unnecessary pressure about what might happen or how I will perform. Of course, nervousness and pressure will always be there. But I choose to see it as a proud moment. Out of millions of people in this country, I have been given this chance. That is a huge honour. I feel blessed, and now I must deliver. With that positive mindset, I will go out and give my absolute best every time," Gurnoor Brar added.
Brar also pulled back the curtain on the time when he first learned he had been selected to represent India, not only in Tests but also in ODIs. The seam bowler talked about the emotional moment he shared with his parents and also with the rest of the Punjab squad.
"Before every practice session, I take a 45-minute nap. It's my routine. On the day of the squad announcement, I was doing the same, just resting at home. While I was sleeping, my friend called and told me that I had been selected. I was expecting to make Test squad only, but then I found out I was also in the ODI squad. That was unexpected. I don't have enough words to describe that feeling. It was overwhelming. My parents called immediately. They were emotional. When I reached the ground for practice, the entire Punjab team congratulated me. The coaches shook my hand. It was a special moment. That day felt different as all the hard work had finally paid off," Brar added when speaking to JioStar.
BCCI mulling to start IPL 2027 early, hold Final by May 15
"There is a discussion going on in the BCCI as well as in our IPL Governing Council regarding whether we can start the tournament a little bit earlier than the fag end of March."
"There is a discussion going on in the BCCI as well as in our IPL Governing Council regarding whether we can start the tournament a little bit earlier than the fag end of March."
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'That is the kind of fast bowler I want to be' - Gurnoor Brar shares his bowling inspiration & feeling of being capped by India
Brar made his India debut against Afghanistan during the first One Day International (ODI) in Dharamshala.
Brar made his India debut against Afghanistan during the first One Day International (ODI) in Dharamshala.
📢ENG vs NZ 2026: 'Thankful to have a proper debut' - Sonny Baker opens up on eventful Test debut
ENG vs NZ 2026: 'Thankful to have a proper debut' - Sonny Baker speaks after eventful Test debut (Photo Source: Andy Kearns/Getty Images)
England seamer Sonny Baker expressed his elation at having a proper debut during England's second Test against New Zealand at the Oval. Baker is one of three players, alongside Jordan Cox and James Rew, debuting after the fallout of Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson's nightclub incident after the win at Lord's.
Baker made his debut for England in early September 2025 in an ODI against South Africa, recording horrific figures of 0 for 76 from seven overs. He made his T20 debut against Ireland later that month, finishing with figures of 0 for 52. He put up a better showing during his Test debut, finishing the first day with figures of 2 for 63 from 15 overs.
"Awesome, could you tell? I'm so thankful to have a proper debut that is reflective of where I'm at. My biggest learning from the Ireland debut was I felt like I wasn't being myself," Baker said, as reported by BBC Sport.
Baker's first wicket in international cricket came in his seventh over, when he had Rachin Ravindra nick one to Jacob Bethell at gully. He followed it up with the wicket of Daryl Mitchell, who mistimed a pull to Emilio Gay at short mid-wicket.
"I'm the biggest carry-on ever. Surely I should get stuck in, oohs and aahs if the ball beats the bat, super excited, a long follow-through every time that happens. That's just how I am. I made a big commitment to myself coming into this, of that's how I want to be and go about things. That's me, so I might as well be authentic," he said.
After his tumultuous white-ball debut, Baker spoke of the nerves he felt on the occasion, which impacted his performances on the day. He spoke of feeling nervous ahead of the game, and until being handed his cap on the day. He was told of his debut days earlier and was able to mentally prepare himself due to the relaxed nature of the team environment.
"Even last night I was struggling to eat, and fuelling as a fast bowler is super important. This morning I felt the anxiety build up in my stomach. I was pretty honest with people that I was pretty nervous going into the day. Once you start warming up, everything goes away and you get stuck in. It's actually been great. The lads have tried to put that behind us and deal with the situation as it is. The relaxed nature of the environment really helps from a nerves point of view," he added.
New Zealand finished the day on a score of 291 for 7 in 77 overs after being put into bat. Wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell top-scored with 51, and Glenn Phillips remained unbeaten on 49.
ENG vs NZ 2026: 'Thankful to have a proper debut' - Sonny Baker speaks after eventful Test debut (Photo Source: Andy Kearns/Getty Images)
England seamer Sonny Baker expressed his elation at having a proper debut during England's second Test against New Zealand at the Oval. Baker is one of three players, alongside Jordan Cox and James Rew, debuting after the fallout of Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson's nightclub incident after the win at Lord's.
Baker made his debut for England in early September 2025 in an ODI against South Africa, recording horrific figures of 0 for 76 from seven overs. He made his T20 debut against Ireland later that month, finishing with figures of 0 for 52. He put up a better showing during his Test debut, finishing the first day with figures of 2 for 63 from 15 overs.
"Awesome, could you tell? I'm so thankful to have a proper debut that is reflective of where I'm at. My biggest learning from the Ireland debut was I felt like I wasn't being myself," Baker said, as reported by BBC Sport.
Baker's first wicket in international cricket came in his seventh over, when he had Rachin Ravindra nick one to Jacob Bethell at gully. He followed it up with the wicket of Daryl Mitchell, who mistimed a pull to Emilio Gay at short mid-wicket.
"I'm the biggest carry-on ever. Surely I should get stuck in, oohs and aahs if the ball beats the bat, super excited, a long follow-through every time that happens. That's just how I am. I made a big commitment to myself coming into this, of that's how I want to be and go about things. That's me, so I might as well be authentic," he said.
After his tumultuous white-ball debut, Baker spoke of the nerves he felt on the occasion, which impacted his performances on the day. He spoke of feeling nervous ahead of the game, and until being handed his cap on the day. He was told of his debut days earlier and was able to mentally prepare himself due to the relaxed nature of the team environment.
"Even last night I was struggling to eat, and fuelling as a fast bowler is super important. This morning I felt the anxiety build up in my stomach. I was pretty honest with people that I was pretty nervous going into the day. Once you start warming up, everything goes away and you get stuck in. It's actually been great. The lads have tried to put that behind us and deal with the situation as it is. The relaxed nature of the environment really helps from a nerves point of view," he added.
New Zealand finished the day on a score of 291 for 7 in 77 overs after being put into bat. Wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell top-scored with 51, and Glenn Phillips remained unbeaten on 49.
📢The spin department is where India will be looking to tick a few boxes: Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar (Source: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Sunil Gavaskar opined that India will have to decide whether to continue with the experienced Kuldeep Yadav or groom the young and talented Harsh Dubey for the future.
Harsh Dubey made his international debut in the first ODI against Afghanistan in Dharamsala. While the left-arm spinner conceded 47 runs in five overs in a rain-curtailed 25-over-per-side contest, he picked up three important wickets. However, in the second ODI in Lucknow, the Indian team management left him out of the side and brought Kuldeep Yadav in as his replacement. The veteran wrist spinner bowled 10 overs and conceded 42 runs but didn't pick up a wicket.
India won both matches to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The third ODI is scheduled to be played at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday, June 20. While Sunil Gavaskar believes that Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal will once again open the batting as they did in the second ODI, India will have to contemplate whether to bring back Dubey or continue with Kuldeep.
The former India captain opined that over the next few ODIs, the Men in Blue will look to sort out the spin-bowling department, especially with the 50-over World Cup set to take place next year, with South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia being the co-hosts.
"I think Rohit and Jaiswal at the top will be the combination again for the last game. The spin department is where India will be looking to tick a few boxes. Kuldeep has bowled well without getting the wickets, and Harsh Dubey bowled well and picked up three wickets in the first game, but he was a little on the expensive side. That is where India will be looking for some answers over the next few ODIs, not just in the final game of the series in Chennai," the legendary Gavaskar said while speaking on JioStar's 'Cricket Live'.
Sunil Gavaskar (Source: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Sunil Gavaskar opined that India will have to decide whether to continue with the experienced Kuldeep Yadav or groom the young and talented Harsh Dubey for the future.
Harsh Dubey made his international debut in the first ODI against Afghanistan in Dharamsala. While the left-arm spinner conceded 47 runs in five overs in a rain-curtailed 25-over-per-side contest, he picked up three important wickets. However, in the second ODI in Lucknow, the Indian team management left him out of the side and brought Kuldeep Yadav in as his replacement. The veteran wrist spinner bowled 10 overs and conceded 42 runs but didn't pick up a wicket.
India won both matches to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The third ODI is scheduled to be played at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday, June 20. While Sunil Gavaskar believes that Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal will once again open the batting as they did in the second ODI, India will have to contemplate whether to bring back Dubey or continue with Kuldeep.
The former India captain opined that over the next few ODIs, the Men in Blue will look to sort out the spin-bowling department, especially with the 50-over World Cup set to take place next year, with South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia being the co-hosts.
"I think Rohit and Jaiswal at the top will be the combination again for the last game. The spin department is where India will be looking to tick a few boxes. Kuldeep has bowled well without getting the wickets, and Harsh Dubey bowled well and picked up three wickets in the first game, but he was a little on the expensive side. That is where India will be looking for some answers over the next few ODIs, not just in the final game of the series in Chennai," the legendary Gavaskar said while speaking on JioStar's 'Cricket Live'.
ENG vs NZ 2026: 'Thankful to have a proper debut' - Sonny Baker opens up on eventful Test debut
The seamer put up a better showing during his Test debut, finishing the first day with figures of 2 for 63 from 15 overs, after eventful debuts in ODIs and T20Is.
The seamer put up a better showing during his Test debut, finishing the first day with figures of 2 for 63 from 15 overs, after eventful debuts in ODIs and T20Is.