'We have made him a one-format player very soon' - Aakash Chopra's massive statement on Mohammed Siraj amid IND vs AFG 2026 ODIs
Aakash Chopra believes that Mohammed Siraj was labelled a one-format player very early in his career, but the right-arm seamer has managed to prove himself in the shorter formats as well.
Aakash Chopra believes that Mohammed Siraj was labelled a one-format player very early in his career, but the right-arm seamer has managed to prove himself in the shorter formats as well.
📢'Prepare him for failure' - Former RR coach Paddy Upton on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's meteoric rise
'One of the things I would do is prepare him for failure' - Former RR coach Paddy Upton on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's meteoric rise (Source:Gettyimages)
Former Rajasthan Royals head coach Paddy Upton has highlighted the required emphasis on handling off-field scrutiny in terms of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 's career growth and development.
The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi has taken the cricketing world by storm with a stellar season in the IPL, scoring over 700 runs at a strike rate of over 230. His meteoric rise has also seen him become the youngest player to be called up to an India squad, being added to the T20I squad for the tour of Ireland and England.
Upton stated that he would have worked on Sooryavanshi's ability to expect and deal with low scores, and believes that his on-field performances speak for themselves.
"For me, in terms of his on-field performance, as was repeatedly demonstrated in IPL, he’s got the right mindset to deliver on-field performance and even in the big moments. That’s pretty clear. Secondly, it’s important to give a dose of reality that nobody continues on a hot run of form. He’s had a seriously hot run of form in IPL. It’s almost impossible to expect that to continue. So, if I were around, I would work with him to expect a few low scores, some failure, some results not going his way. It’s absolutely normal and to be expected. And there’s no way anything different to that is going to happen,” Upton said, speaking on Sportstar.
Upton, who has been the mental conditioning coach of the 2011 World Cup-winning side, stated that the major issue to be dealt with is how Sooryavanshi manages external noise, something that even top athletes in the world struggle with.
"His single biggest challenge, I believe, is how he manages the external noise away from the playing arena. And I can tell you, some of the mentally strongest, some of the best athletes in the world, who’ve got significant experience, still get derailed by external noise, external expectations, external judgment. Whether it’s from fans, the media, sponsors, team owners, parents, coaches or teammates. And that’s going to be his single biggest challenge, to manage that noise, which is something that will be foreign to him. It’s not something that he’s ever faced before,” he added.
He further adds that with the young athletes like Sooryavanshi, there will be situations where people would associate with him in order to boost their own personal credentials.
“What happens with young superstars like this is that so many people crowd around them and want a piece of the action, and want to be seen to be part of his entourage. So he is going to get surrounded by a lot of people who don’t actually have his best interests at heart. They’ve got their own public visibility and ego and their own self-image at the front and centre,” Upton said.
The former coach further added that the first thing he would do as a mental conditioning coach is to prepare the batter for periods of failure, where he will be tested on how he deals with career lows.
"One of the first things I would do is prepare him for failure. To say there’s a good chance that in your first two or three innings, you don’t score runs. What is that going to feel like? What’s that going to look like? What’s that experience going to be like? And how are you going to manage yourself? So one of the key things is to prepare him for failure. That’s going to come, whether it comes now or later, it’s going to come,” he said.
Sooryavashi was recently in the headlines over a heated altercation with a Sri Lanka A player during a match for India A in the ongoing tri-nation series.
'One of the things I would do is prepare him for failure' - Former RR coach Paddy Upton on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's meteoric rise (Source:Gettyimages)
Former Rajasthan Royals head coach Paddy Upton has highlighted the required emphasis on handling off-field scrutiny in terms of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 's career growth and development.
The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi has taken the cricketing world by storm with a stellar season in the IPL, scoring over 700 runs at a strike rate of over 230. His meteoric rise has also seen him become the youngest player to be called up to an India squad, being added to the T20I squad for the tour of Ireland and England.
Upton stated that he would have worked on Sooryavanshi's ability to expect and deal with low scores, and believes that his on-field performances speak for themselves.
"For me, in terms of his on-field performance, as was repeatedly demonstrated in IPL, he’s got the right mindset to deliver on-field performance and even in the big moments. That’s pretty clear. Secondly, it’s important to give a dose of reality that nobody continues on a hot run of form. He’s had a seriously hot run of form in IPL. It’s almost impossible to expect that to continue. So, if I were around, I would work with him to expect a few low scores, some failure, some results not going his way. It’s absolutely normal and to be expected. And there’s no way anything different to that is going to happen,” Upton said, speaking on Sportstar.
Upton, who has been the mental conditioning coach of the 2011 World Cup-winning side, stated that the major issue to be dealt with is how Sooryavanshi manages external noise, something that even top athletes in the world struggle with.
"His single biggest challenge, I believe, is how he manages the external noise away from the playing arena. And I can tell you, some of the mentally strongest, some of the best athletes in the world, who’ve got significant experience, still get derailed by external noise, external expectations, external judgment. Whether it’s from fans, the media, sponsors, team owners, parents, coaches or teammates. And that’s going to be his single biggest challenge, to manage that noise, which is something that will be foreign to him. It’s not something that he’s ever faced before,” he added.
He further adds that with the young athletes like Sooryavanshi, there will be situations where people would associate with him in order to boost their own personal credentials.
“What happens with young superstars like this is that so many people crowd around them and want a piece of the action, and want to be seen to be part of his entourage. So he is going to get surrounded by a lot of people who don’t actually have his best interests at heart. They’ve got their own public visibility and ego and their own self-image at the front and centre,” Upton said.
The former coach further added that the first thing he would do as a mental conditioning coach is to prepare the batter for periods of failure, where he will be tested on how he deals with career lows.
"One of the first things I would do is prepare him for failure. To say there’s a good chance that in your first two or three innings, you don’t score runs. What is that going to feel like? What’s that going to look like? What’s that experience going to be like? And how are you going to manage yourself? So one of the key things is to prepare him for failure. That’s going to come, whether it comes now or later, it’s going to come,” he said.
Sooryavashi was recently in the headlines over a heated altercation with a Sri Lanka A player during a match for India A in the ongoing tri-nation series.
'Prepare him for failure' - Former RR coach Paddy Upton on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's meteoric rise
The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi has taken the cricketing world by storm with a stellar season in the IPL, which has seen him become the youngest player to be called up to an India squad.
The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi has taken the cricketing world by storm with a stellar season in the IPL, which has seen him become the youngest player to be called up to an India squad.
BCCI allows Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s parents to accompany him on Ireland-England tour
The two match T20 series will begin on June 26.
The two match T20 series will begin on June 26.
📢BCCI allows Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s parents to accompany him on Ireland-England tour
BCCI allows Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s parents to accompany him on Ireland-England tour (Photo by Johan Rynners-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has allowed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ’s parents to accompany him on his maiden India tour of Ireland and England in June and July, with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirming that the board will bear all their travel and accommodation expenses.
Sooryavanshi earned his maiden India T20I call-up after a sensational IPL 2026 campaign, where he amassed 776 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 237.30. His outstanding performances saw him finish as the tournament's leading run-scorer, winning the Orange Cap, while also claiming the MVP and Emerging Player of the Season awards.
"You see, not all national teams at the senior level have a 14 or 15-year-old in their squad. After many decades, we have someone like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. At one point in time, it was Sachin Tendulkar who made it to the national team at such a young age. When such a young kid is part of the senior team, there are obviously a lot of issues that can crop up,” said Saikia as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
"Therefore, to make him comfortable and help him get used to an adult environment, where all the other players are above 18 years of age, and the team management members are also adults, we felt it would be helpful. We are doing this because we believe it will ease a lot of issues as far as Vaibhav is concerned,” he added.
Currently in Sri Lanka on his first India A assignment, Sooryavanshi is part of the 50-over tri-series featuring India A, Afghanistan A, and Sri Lanka A. The young batter recently found himself at the centre of an on-field altercation during India's match against Sri Lanka A, an incident that reportedly involved physical contact between players.
However, no official sanctions have been announced for any alleged breach of the code of conduct. Since the A-team tri-series is being conducted under the authority of Sri Lanka Cricket, disciplinary matters fall within the jurisdiction of the host board rather than the International Cricket Council or the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Saikia dismissed suggestions that the Indian board would take action against Sooryavanshi, indicating that the matter rests with the tournament organisers and host authorities.
"A lot of things are going on in the social media that BCCI is contemplating action, etc. Do you want the BCCI to step into the domain of match referee?. The BCCI is not an authority, we should not intrude into the area where the match referee and the umpires are the main persons who can take any decision regarding any incident that had happened in the playground,” said Saikia.
"Whatever had happened, it was a part of the game, and the BCCI had no role to play. The role is of the match referee. If anything is going wrong, he will take a call, the umpires will take a call, and there is a system in place,” he added.
BCCI allows Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s parents to accompany him on Ireland-England tour (Photo by Johan Rynners-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has allowed Vaibhav Sooryavanshi ’s parents to accompany him on his maiden India tour of Ireland and England in June and July, with BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirming that the board will bear all their travel and accommodation expenses.
Sooryavanshi earned his maiden India T20I call-up after a sensational IPL 2026 campaign, where he amassed 776 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 237.30. His outstanding performances saw him finish as the tournament's leading run-scorer, winning the Orange Cap, while also claiming the MVP and Emerging Player of the Season awards.
"You see, not all national teams at the senior level have a 14 or 15-year-old in their squad. After many decades, we have someone like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. At one point in time, it was Sachin Tendulkar who made it to the national team at such a young age. When such a young kid is part of the senior team, there are obviously a lot of issues that can crop up,” said Saikia as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
"Therefore, to make him comfortable and help him get used to an adult environment, where all the other players are above 18 years of age, and the team management members are also adults, we felt it would be helpful. We are doing this because we believe it will ease a lot of issues as far as Vaibhav is concerned,” he added.
Currently in Sri Lanka on his first India A assignment, Sooryavanshi is part of the 50-over tri-series featuring India A, Afghanistan A, and Sri Lanka A. The young batter recently found himself at the centre of an on-field altercation during India's match against Sri Lanka A, an incident that reportedly involved physical contact between players.
However, no official sanctions have been announced for any alleged breach of the code of conduct. Since the A-team tri-series is being conducted under the authority of Sri Lanka Cricket, disciplinary matters fall within the jurisdiction of the host board rather than the International Cricket Council or the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Saikia dismissed suggestions that the Indian board would take action against Sooryavanshi, indicating that the matter rests with the tournament organisers and host authorities.
"A lot of things are going on in the social media that BCCI is contemplating action, etc. Do you want the BCCI to step into the domain of match referee?. The BCCI is not an authority, we should not intrude into the area where the match referee and the umpires are the main persons who can take any decision regarding any incident that had happened in the playground,” said Saikia.
"Whatever had happened, it was a part of the game, and the BCCI had no role to play. The role is of the match referee. If anything is going wrong, he will take a call, the umpires will take a call, and there is a system in place,” he added.
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📢KSCA launches official Maharaja Trophy T20 2026 anthem in Mysuru, Mysore Warriors unveil squad and name Vyshak Vijay Kumar captain
KSCA launches official Maharaja Trophy T20 2026 anthem in Mysuru, Mysore Warriors unveil squad and name Vyshak Vijay Kumar captain (Source : KSCA)
MYSURU, June 18, 2026 – A grand joint media event was held today at the Radisson Blu on MG Road to usher in the highly anticipated season of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament, scheduled to run from June 20 to July 12. Because the cultural city of Mysuru plays host to the crucial inaugural leg of the tournament, the event brought together the top leadership of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and the city's home franchise, the Mysore Warriors, for a dual celebration of regional cricket.
Official Maharaja Trophy T20 2026 Anthem Launch
The proceedings commenced with the official unveiling of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026 tournament anthem. The anthem was proudly launched by legendary Indian cricketer and former KSCA Secretary Shri Javagal Srinath, alongside Shri Santosh Menon (Hon. Secretary, KSCA) and Shri Srinivas Prasad (Convenor, Mysore Zone).
Speaking on the grand launch of the tournament's sonic identity, Shri Javagal Srinath said, The Maharaja Trophy has consistently served as the premier launchpad for regional talent. Seeing the energy behind this official new anthem gives me immense confidence that the 2026 season will set a brand-new benchmark for competitive cricket and fan engagement across Karnataka.
Shri Santosh Menon, Hon. Secretary of the KSCA, emphasized the tournament's growing vision, “Our goal at the KSCA has always been to bridge the gap between rural grassroots talent and the professional stage. This anthem embodies the spirit, hunger, and passion of Karnataka’s cricket ecosystem, which grows stronger with every passing year."
Shri Srinivas Prasad, Convenor of the Mysore Zone, welcomed the dignitaries and highlighted the city's pivotal role "Mysuru has a deep-rooted love for sports, and it is a privilege that our city is playing host to the inaugural leg of this edition. Unveiling the tournament's official anthem right here in the cultural capital sets an incredibly exciting tone for the entire cricket festival."
Mysore Warriors Team Introduction & Captaincy Announcement
Reflecting the excitement of hosting the opening leg of the tournament, the Mysore Warriors powered by Cycle Pure Agarbathi and owned by the NR Group took center stage to officially present its highly anticipated team structure for the upcoming season.
The franchise announced that renowned Karnataka and IPL fast bowler Vyshak Vijay Kumar has been handed the responsibility of leading the team as captain this season. Vyshak brings invaluable domestic and IPL experience to the role and will pull double-duty as a mentor to the squad's younger players.
The new roster features a potent blend of experienced powerhouses and fresh talent:
Marquee Players: International star Devdutt Padikkal, dynamic all-rounder Manoj Bhandage, Chethan L.R.and Ritesh Bhatkal. The franchise has also placed a distinct emphasis on promoting grassroots and rural talent this season.
Expressing his pride in the new roster, Shri Arjun Ranga, Managing Director of Cycle Pure Agarbathi and Owner of the Mysore Warriors, stated, This year's team reflects the bright future of Karnataka cricket. The hunger to win is evident among the young players, and we are incredibly proud to provide a prominent platform for talents who have consistently performed at the rural level.
Head Coach RX Muralidhar echoed this optimism regarding the team's tactical approach, “Our team has a perfect balance of experience and youth. Under the leadership of a captain like Vyshak, our team will play highly positive and fearless cricket this season, keeping the fans thoroughly entertained."
Accepting the leadership mantle, Captain Vyshak Vijay Kumar expressed immense confidence in his squad, promising to deliver a brand of cricket that will make the city of Mysuru proud.
Reaffirming the
KSCA launches official Maharaja Trophy T20 2026 anthem in Mysuru, Mysore Warriors unveil squad and name Vyshak Vijay Kumar captain (Source : KSCA)
MYSURU, June 18, 2026 – A grand joint media event was held today at the Radisson Blu on MG Road to usher in the highly anticipated season of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament, scheduled to run from June 20 to July 12. Because the cultural city of Mysuru plays host to the crucial inaugural leg of the tournament, the event brought together the top leadership of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and the city's home franchise, the Mysore Warriors, for a dual celebration of regional cricket.
Official Maharaja Trophy T20 2026 Anthem Launch
The proceedings commenced with the official unveiling of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026 tournament anthem. The anthem was proudly launched by legendary Indian cricketer and former KSCA Secretary Shri Javagal Srinath, alongside Shri Santosh Menon (Hon. Secretary, KSCA) and Shri Srinivas Prasad (Convenor, Mysore Zone).
Speaking on the grand launch of the tournament's sonic identity, Shri Javagal Srinath said, The Maharaja Trophy has consistently served as the premier launchpad for regional talent. Seeing the energy behind this official new anthem gives me immense confidence that the 2026 season will set a brand-new benchmark for competitive cricket and fan engagement across Karnataka.
Shri Santosh Menon, Hon. Secretary of the KSCA, emphasized the tournament's growing vision, “Our goal at the KSCA has always been to bridge the gap between rural grassroots talent and the professional stage. This anthem embodies the spirit, hunger, and passion of Karnataka’s cricket ecosystem, which grows stronger with every passing year."
Shri Srinivas Prasad, Convenor of the Mysore Zone, welcomed the dignitaries and highlighted the city's pivotal role "Mysuru has a deep-rooted love for sports, and it is a privilege that our city is playing host to the inaugural leg of this edition. Unveiling the tournament's official anthem right here in the cultural capital sets an incredibly exciting tone for the entire cricket festival."
Mysore Warriors Team Introduction & Captaincy Announcement
Reflecting the excitement of hosting the opening leg of the tournament, the Mysore Warriors powered by Cycle Pure Agarbathi and owned by the NR Group took center stage to officially present its highly anticipated team structure for the upcoming season.
The franchise announced that renowned Karnataka and IPL fast bowler Vyshak Vijay Kumar has been handed the responsibility of leading the team as captain this season. Vyshak brings invaluable domestic and IPL experience to the role and will pull double-duty as a mentor to the squad's younger players.
The new roster features a potent blend of experienced powerhouses and fresh talent:
Marquee Players: International star Devdutt Padikkal, dynamic all-rounder Manoj Bhandage, Chethan L.R.and Ritesh Bhatkal. The franchise has also placed a distinct emphasis on promoting grassroots and rural talent this season.
Expressing his pride in the new roster, Shri Arjun Ranga, Managing Director of Cycle Pure Agarbathi and Owner of the Mysore Warriors, stated, This year's team reflects the bright future of Karnataka cricket. The hunger to win is evident among the young players, and we are incredibly proud to provide a prominent platform for talents who have consistently performed at the rural level.
Head Coach RX Muralidhar echoed this optimism regarding the team's tactical approach, “Our team has a perfect balance of experience and youth. Under the leadership of a captain like Vyshak, our team will play highly positive and fearless cricket this season, keeping the fans thoroughly entertained."
Accepting the leadership mantle, Captain Vyshak Vijay Kumar expressed immense confidence in his squad, promising to deliver a brand of cricket that will make the city of Mysuru proud.
Reaffirming the
ir commitment to social responsibility, the Mysore Warriors also announced key community partnerships for the 2026 season. The franchise is joining forces with Usha Kiran Eye Hospital and the ASL T20 Cricket Association to actively raise awareness about eye health and to support and empower differently-abled athletes.
The tournament will commence in Mysuru before moving to Hubballi and Bengaluru, bringing high-quality cricket to fans across Karnataka. Cricket enthusiasts can catch all the action from June 20 to July 12, 2026, with tickets available on District by Zomato.
The tournament will commence in Mysuru before moving to Hubballi and Bengaluru, bringing high-quality cricket to fans across Karnataka. Cricket enthusiasts can catch all the action from June 20 to July 12, 2026, with tickets available on District by Zomato.
KSCA launches official Maharaja Trophy T20 2026 anthem in Mysuru, Mysore Warriors unveil squad and name Vyshak Vijay Kumar captain
The Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament is scheduled to run from June 20 to July 12.
The Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 tournament is scheduled to run from June 20 to July 12.
📢APL 2026: Match 15, BB vs VIJ Match Prediction – Who will win today’s APL match between Bhimavaram Bulls vs Vijayawada Sunshiners?
Bhimavaram Bulls vs Vijayawada Sunshiners (bhimavaram_bulls on IG/vijayawadasunshiners on IG)
The Bhimavaram Bulls (BB) will play their second match against the Vijayawada Sunshiners (VIJ) in Match 15 of the 2026 Andhra Premier League on Friday, June 19, at the YS Raja Reddy Cricket Stadium in Kadapa. BB will hope to do the double over their opponents after securing a three-wicket victory earlier this month.
The Bulls are currently second in the standings, having picked up three wins from their first four matches of the season. Their solitary defeat of the campaign came against the Amaravati Royals in their previous match in a rain-affected game.
VIJ, on the other hand, have two wins and as many defeats from their first four outings this season. Their most recent game saw them secure a 19-run victory over the Tungabhadra Warriors.
BB vs VIJ: Match Details
Match
Bhimavaram Bulls vs Vijayawada Sunshiners, Match 15 , Andhra Premier League 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Friday, June 19, 2026, 2:00 PM (IST)
Venue
YS Raja Reddy Cricket Stadium, Kadapa
Broadcast and Live Streaming
JioStar Network Channels and JioHotstar (App & Website)
YS Raja Reddy Cricket Stadium, Kadapa: Pitch Report
Despite the Andhra Premier League moving away from Vizag, the YS Raja Reddy Cricket Stadium in Kadapa offers the same kind of batting-friendly pitches. The team batting first can expect to post scores in and around the 200-run mark. The wicket, however, does tend to grip in the second innings, which will aid the spinners on both sides.
BB vs VIJ: Head-to-Head Record
Matches Played
2
Won By BB
2
Won By VIJ
0
No Result
0
First Meeting
August 21, 2025
Last Meeting
June 10, 2026
BB vs VIJ: Predicted Playing XIs
Bhimavaram Bulls:
Revanth Reddy (WK), Mopada Ravikiran, Dheeraj Kumar, Bendalam Satvik, Thota Sravan, Hemanth Reddy (C), Bhupathiraju Munish Verma, Satyanarayana Raju, Bailapudi Yeswanth, Chennupati Teja, Yeddala Reddy
Vijayawada Sunshiners:
Ashwin Hebbar (C), Munnangi Abhinav, Prasanth Kumar, Akash Gaddipathi, Penmetsa Raju (WK), Shaik-Zaheer Abbas, Shaik-Zaheer Abbas, Chennu Siddhardha, T Bharath, Lalith Mohan, Sai Venkata Sumith
BB vs VIJ: Probable Best Performers of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Ashwin Hebbar
Vijayawada Sunshiners captain Ashwin Hebbar is by far the best batter in the Andhra Premier League 2026, thanks to his consistency. The 30-year-old has scored 275 runs from four matches, averaging 68.75 while striking at a staggering 197.84. He already has two half-centuries and one century to his name this season.
Probable Best Bowler: T Bharath
T Bharath has been the pick of the bowlers in this edition of the Andhra Premier League. The 25-year-old has picked up 10 wickets from three matches. However, he has been a little expensive with the ball, conceding runs at an economy rate of 10.50.
Today's Match Prediction : Bhimavaram Bulls to hold a slight edge
Bhimavaram Bulls vs Vijayawada Sunshiners (bhimavaram_bulls on IG/vijayawadasunshiners on IG)
The Bhimavaram Bulls (BB) will play their second match against the Vijayawada Sunshiners (VIJ) in Match 15 of the 2026 Andhra Premier League on Friday, June 19, at the YS Raja Reddy Cricket Stadium in Kadapa. BB will hope to do the double over their opponents after securing a three-wicket victory earlier this month.
The Bulls are currently second in the standings, having picked up three wins from their first four matches of the season. Their solitary defeat of the campaign came against the Amaravati Royals in their previous match in a rain-affected game.
VIJ, on the other hand, have two wins and as many defeats from their first four outings this season. Their most recent game saw them secure a 19-run victory over the Tungabhadra Warriors.
BB vs VIJ: Match Details
Match
Bhimavaram Bulls vs Vijayawada Sunshiners, Match 15 , Andhra Premier League 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Friday, June 19, 2026, 2:00 PM (IST)
Venue
YS Raja Reddy Cricket Stadium, Kadapa
Broadcast and Live Streaming
JioStar Network Channels and JioHotstar (App & Website)
YS Raja Reddy Cricket Stadium, Kadapa: Pitch Report
Despite the Andhra Premier League moving away from Vizag, the YS Raja Reddy Cricket Stadium in Kadapa offers the same kind of batting-friendly pitches. The team batting first can expect to post scores in and around the 200-run mark. The wicket, however, does tend to grip in the second innings, which will aid the spinners on both sides.
BB vs VIJ: Head-to-Head Record
Matches Played
2
Won By BB
2
Won By VIJ
0
No Result
0
First Meeting
August 21, 2025
Last Meeting
June 10, 2026
BB vs VIJ: Predicted Playing XIs
Bhimavaram Bulls:
Revanth Reddy (WK), Mopada Ravikiran, Dheeraj Kumar, Bendalam Satvik, Thota Sravan, Hemanth Reddy (C), Bhupathiraju Munish Verma, Satyanarayana Raju, Bailapudi Yeswanth, Chennupati Teja, Yeddala Reddy
Vijayawada Sunshiners:
Ashwin Hebbar (C), Munnangi Abhinav, Prasanth Kumar, Akash Gaddipathi, Penmetsa Raju (WK), Shaik-Zaheer Abbas, Shaik-Zaheer Abbas, Chennu Siddhardha, T Bharath, Lalith Mohan, Sai Venkata Sumith
BB vs VIJ: Probable Best Performers of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Ashwin Hebbar
Vijayawada Sunshiners captain Ashwin Hebbar is by far the best batter in the Andhra Premier League 2026, thanks to his consistency. The 30-year-old has scored 275 runs from four matches, averaging 68.75 while striking at a staggering 197.84. He already has two half-centuries and one century to his name this season.
Probable Best Bowler: T Bharath
T Bharath has been the pick of the bowlers in this edition of the Andhra Premier League. The 25-year-old has picked up 10 wickets from three matches. However, he has been a little expensive with the ball, conceding runs at an economy rate of 10.50.
Today's Match Prediction : Bhimavaram Bulls to hold a slight edge
APL 2026: Match 15, BB vs VIJ Match Prediction – Who will win today’s APL match between Bhimavaram Bulls vs Vijayawada Sunshiners?
BB will hope to do the double over their opponents after securing a three-wicket victory earlier this month.
BB will hope to do the double over their opponents after securing a three-wicket victory earlier this month.
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📢Delhi-born Nikhil Chaudhary says he's more comfortable being Australian than Indian
Delhi-born Nikhil Chaudhary says he's more comfortable being Australian than Indian. (Photo Source: Cricket Australia)
All-rounder Nikhil Chaudhary recently made his international debut for Australia, but it isn't the country he honed his skills in. Born in Delhi, Chaudhary grew up playing professional cricket for Punjab and other teams in the northern part of India. He also shared the dressing room alongside legendary players like Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh in the early part of his career.
However, his life took an expected turn due to COVID-19, which forced him to stay in Australia for an extended period. Once the lockdowns cleared, Chaudhary started playing locally in Brisbane. A meeting with James Hopes also helped him get his maiden Big Bash League contract, and since then, Chaudhary has become more of an Australian than an Indian at heart.
"It was my birthday plan. So from March to May, I already had my return tickets for India. I just went for holidays. My uncle was there. I got stuck in March. Covid happened. I probably got stuck for six months and then the next wave came on. So I got stuck for another three months and then obviously I started playing for Norths in Brisbane," Chaudary told as quoted by ESPN.
"And then that's where I met James Hopes . He was actually very excited about me. He gave my name to a couple of franchises in the Big Bash. Eventually I got the contract for Hobart Hurricanes in 2023 after I got that local thing going on. So you have to play for three years in Australia, stay for three years. So yeah, it was a journey," he added.
The stint in the BBL and playing domestic cricket for Australia nourished Chaudhary in such a way that he felt welcoming and valued in the set-up despite being an outsider. As a result, he did not have to ponder a lot upon whether he wanted to continue being down under to not only play cricket but also be an Aussie at heart.
"That's why I actually moved [to Australia ] because I think I'm closer to Australian culture than Indian culture. People here are very straightforward. They are very real with you, which I love. And then obviously when someone's straightforward, it's actually easy to talk to them, live with them, and cherish all the memories. It wasn't difficult," Chaudhary explained.
Chaudhary was called to the Australian T20I squad and became the 117th player to represent the nation in the format, also becoming the first male cricketer after 60 years to play international cricket for the Aussies.
Delhi-born Nikhil Chaudhary says he's more comfortable being Australian than Indian. (Photo Source: Cricket Australia)
All-rounder Nikhil Chaudhary recently made his international debut for Australia, but it isn't the country he honed his skills in. Born in Delhi, Chaudhary grew up playing professional cricket for Punjab and other teams in the northern part of India. He also shared the dressing room alongside legendary players like Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh in the early part of his career.
However, his life took an expected turn due to COVID-19, which forced him to stay in Australia for an extended period. Once the lockdowns cleared, Chaudhary started playing locally in Brisbane. A meeting with James Hopes also helped him get his maiden Big Bash League contract, and since then, Chaudhary has become more of an Australian than an Indian at heart.
"It was my birthday plan. So from March to May, I already had my return tickets for India. I just went for holidays. My uncle was there. I got stuck in March. Covid happened. I probably got stuck for six months and then the next wave came on. So I got stuck for another three months and then obviously I started playing for Norths in Brisbane," Chaudary told as quoted by ESPN.
"And then that's where I met James Hopes . He was actually very excited about me. He gave my name to a couple of franchises in the Big Bash. Eventually I got the contract for Hobart Hurricanes in 2023 after I got that local thing going on. So you have to play for three years in Australia, stay for three years. So yeah, it was a journey," he added.
The stint in the BBL and playing domestic cricket for Australia nourished Chaudhary in such a way that he felt welcoming and valued in the set-up despite being an outsider. As a result, he did not have to ponder a lot upon whether he wanted to continue being down under to not only play cricket but also be an Aussie at heart.
"That's why I actually moved [to Australia ] because I think I'm closer to Australian culture than Indian culture. People here are very straightforward. They are very real with you, which I love. And then obviously when someone's straightforward, it's actually easy to talk to them, live with them, and cherish all the memories. It wasn't difficult," Chaudhary explained.
Chaudhary was called to the Australian T20I squad and became the 117th player to represent the nation in the format, also becoming the first male cricketer after 60 years to play international cricket for the Aussies.
Delhi-born Nikhil Chaudhary says he's more comfortable being Australian than Indian
The stint in the BBL and playing domestic cricket for Australia nourished Chaudhary in such a way that he felt welcoming and valued in the set-up despite being an outsider.
The stint in the BBL and playing domestic cricket for Australia nourished Chaudhary in such a way that he felt welcoming and valued in the set-up despite being an outsider.
📢MPL T20 2026: Match 36, JRL vs CG Match Prediction – Who will win today’s MPL T20 match between Jabalpur Royal Lions vs Chambal Ghariyals?
Jabalpur Royal Lions vs Chambal Ghariyals (Source : jabalpurroyallions
on IG/chambalghariyals on IG)
An in-form Chambal Ghariyals (CG) side take on Jabalpur Royal Lions (JRL) in Match 36 of the 2026 Madhya Pradesh T20 League at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Friday, June 18. The Ghariyals are currently the only side left in the tournament who have yet to suffer defeat.
CG have secured seven wins from as many matches and comfortably sits at the top of the standings on 14 points. They recently secured a convincing 39-run win over the Bundelkhand Bulls thanks to half-centuries by captain Shubham Sharma and Tripuresh Singh.
As things stand, JRL are fourth in the standings with four wins from their first five matches of the 2026 season. They were on a four-match winning streak before losing to the Rewa Jaguars on Tuesday. They would have, however, faced the Royal Nimar Eagles before taking on the table-toppers on Friday.
JRL vs CG: Match Details
Match
Jabalpur Royal Lions vs Chambal Ghariyals, Match 36 , Madhya Pradesh T20 League 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Friday, June 19, 3:00 PM (IST)
Venue
Holkar Stadium, Indore
Broadcast and Live Streaming
JioStar Network Channels and JioHotstar (App & Website)
Holkar Stadium, Indore: Pitch Report
A flat pitch, lightning-fast outfield and shorter boundaries at the Holkar Stadium in Indore make it one of the best batting wickets across the country. Scores of above 200 have become the norm in this season's Madhya Pradesh T20 League, making it incredibly difficult for the bowlers to defend totals.
JRL vs CG: Head-to-Head T20 Record
Matches Played
1
Won By JRL
1
Won By CG
0
No Result
0
Only Meeting
June 18, 2025
JRL vs CG: Predicted Playing XIs
Jabalpur Royal Lions:
Arpit Gaud, Ajay Rohera (WK), Akarsh Singh, Nayanraj Mewada, Ritik Tada, Vedant Awasthi, Sanjog Nijjar, Rahul Batham (C), Akshay Sharma, Pankaj Patel, Puneet Datey
Chambal Ghariyals:
Ankush Singh, Apurve Dwivedi (WK), Shubham Sharma (C), Rohit Kumar Gupta, Gautam Raghuwanshi, Tripuresh Singh, Avesh Khan, Aman Bhadoriya, Mayur Singh Patel, Yash Kumar Lodhi, Sandeep Singh
JRL vs CG: Probable Best Performers of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Ajay Rohera
The Royal Lions' wicketkeeper Ajay Rohera is currently his side's leading run-scorer in the tournament, having hit 268 runs at a strike-rate of 165.43, whilst averaging 67. The right-handed batter has a century to his name this season, hitting 130 against the Malwa Stallions to help his side secure a 54-run victory.
Probable Best Bowler: Tripuresh Singh
The tournament's leading wicket-taker, Tripuresh Singh, has 15 wickets from seven matches at an economy of 9.54, whilst averaging less than 18.
Today's Match Prediction : Chambal Ghariyals to win the match
Jabalpur Royal Lions vs Chambal Ghariyals (Source : jabalpurroyallions
on IG/chambalghariyals on IG)
An in-form Chambal Ghariyals (CG) side take on Jabalpur Royal Lions (JRL) in Match 36 of the 2026 Madhya Pradesh T20 League at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Friday, June 18. The Ghariyals are currently the only side left in the tournament who have yet to suffer defeat.
CG have secured seven wins from as many matches and comfortably sits at the top of the standings on 14 points. They recently secured a convincing 39-run win over the Bundelkhand Bulls thanks to half-centuries by captain Shubham Sharma and Tripuresh Singh.
As things stand, JRL are fourth in the standings with four wins from their first five matches of the 2026 season. They were on a four-match winning streak before losing to the Rewa Jaguars on Tuesday. They would have, however, faced the Royal Nimar Eagles before taking on the table-toppers on Friday.
JRL vs CG: Match Details
Match
Jabalpur Royal Lions vs Chambal Ghariyals, Match 36 , Madhya Pradesh T20 League 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Friday, June 19, 3:00 PM (IST)
Venue
Holkar Stadium, Indore
Broadcast and Live Streaming
JioStar Network Channels and JioHotstar (App & Website)
Holkar Stadium, Indore: Pitch Report
A flat pitch, lightning-fast outfield and shorter boundaries at the Holkar Stadium in Indore make it one of the best batting wickets across the country. Scores of above 200 have become the norm in this season's Madhya Pradesh T20 League, making it incredibly difficult for the bowlers to defend totals.
JRL vs CG: Head-to-Head T20 Record
Matches Played
1
Won By JRL
1
Won By CG
0
No Result
0
Only Meeting
June 18, 2025
JRL vs CG: Predicted Playing XIs
Jabalpur Royal Lions:
Arpit Gaud, Ajay Rohera (WK), Akarsh Singh, Nayanraj Mewada, Ritik Tada, Vedant Awasthi, Sanjog Nijjar, Rahul Batham (C), Akshay Sharma, Pankaj Patel, Puneet Datey
Chambal Ghariyals:
Ankush Singh, Apurve Dwivedi (WK), Shubham Sharma (C), Rohit Kumar Gupta, Gautam Raghuwanshi, Tripuresh Singh, Avesh Khan, Aman Bhadoriya, Mayur Singh Patel, Yash Kumar Lodhi, Sandeep Singh
JRL vs CG: Probable Best Performers of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Ajay Rohera
The Royal Lions' wicketkeeper Ajay Rohera is currently his side's leading run-scorer in the tournament, having hit 268 runs at a strike-rate of 165.43, whilst averaging 67. The right-handed batter has a century to his name this season, hitting 130 against the Malwa Stallions to help his side secure a 54-run victory.
Probable Best Bowler: Tripuresh Singh
The tournament's leading wicket-taker, Tripuresh Singh, has 15 wickets from seven matches at an economy of 9.54, whilst averaging less than 18.
Today's Match Prediction : Chambal Ghariyals to win the match
Brazilian cricketer Roberta Moretti retires from international cricket
Moretti has played the most T20Is for Brazil, with 1278 runs and 33 wickets in 68 T20I appearances.
Moretti has played the most T20Is for Brazil, with 1278 runs and 33 wickets in 68 T20I appearances.
📢Brazilian cricketer Roberta Moretti retires from international cricket
Brazilian cricketer Roberta Moretti retires from international cricket (robertadmmoretti on IG)
Brazil Women's cricketer Roberta Moretti has announced her retirement from international cricket, calling time on a 13-year-long career. She has played the most T20Is for Brazil, with 1278 runs and 33 wickets in 68 appearances in the shortest format of the game.
Making her debut in 2014, she captained Brazil 33 times before stepping down in 2023. She led Brazil to South American Women's Championship glory twice in three years, also leading them in the Women's T20 World Cup Americas Region Qualifier in 2021 and 2023.
"It has been a long journey. We had a lot of tears but now I feel the moment is right. Since I started playing cricket in 2013, my dream was to represent the Brazilian national team. When I started playing for Brazil, my dream was to win championships. When we started winning, my dream turned out to be about not just winning but winning with clear values, a purpose and that we could be better people through sport. I have given this game everything, but cricket gave me more" Moretti said in a video on Instagram, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
"It was never only about a sport; it was always about growing as people. I am thrilled with every achievement for Cricket Brazil from the time we were just playing South American tournaments when we needed to sell raffles and pizzas to fundraise and compete to know where we are in an Olympic sport. Every story has a cycle, and every cycle has an ending. Talking to people in the last few months, I have a lot of respect, care and gratitude for everything that cricket has given me and I can say I have made this decision with peace in my heart," she added.
She took over as the president of Cricket Brazil in September 2025, a role she has been juggling with her playing career. After retirement, she will continue in the role. She was also part of the group which was first awarded central contracts by Cricket Brazil in 2020. She retires as one of only two players from Brazil, along with Laura Agatha, to score over 1000 runs in T20 internationals.
"I'll continue to work in cricket on the other side, so that more people have the opportunity I had to wear the Brazil jersey, play the sport they love and become better people and leaders so that they can carry Cricket Brazil with the same pride I carried in my heart for years. The most important thing in all of this is that I leave cricket still loving the game," she said.
Brazilian cricketer Roberta Moretti retires from international cricket (robertadmmoretti on IG)
Brazil Women's cricketer Roberta Moretti has announced her retirement from international cricket, calling time on a 13-year-long career. She has played the most T20Is for Brazil, with 1278 runs and 33 wickets in 68 appearances in the shortest format of the game.
Making her debut in 2014, she captained Brazil 33 times before stepping down in 2023. She led Brazil to South American Women's Championship glory twice in three years, also leading them in the Women's T20 World Cup Americas Region Qualifier in 2021 and 2023.
"It has been a long journey. We had a lot of tears but now I feel the moment is right. Since I started playing cricket in 2013, my dream was to represent the Brazilian national team. When I started playing for Brazil, my dream was to win championships. When we started winning, my dream turned out to be about not just winning but winning with clear values, a purpose and that we could be better people through sport. I have given this game everything, but cricket gave me more" Moretti said in a video on Instagram, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
"It was never only about a sport; it was always about growing as people. I am thrilled with every achievement for Cricket Brazil from the time we were just playing South American tournaments when we needed to sell raffles and pizzas to fundraise and compete to know where we are in an Olympic sport. Every story has a cycle, and every cycle has an ending. Talking to people in the last few months, I have a lot of respect, care and gratitude for everything that cricket has given me and I can say I have made this decision with peace in my heart," she added.
She took over as the president of Cricket Brazil in September 2025, a role she has been juggling with her playing career. After retirement, she will continue in the role. She was also part of the group which was first awarded central contracts by Cricket Brazil in 2020. She retires as one of only two players from Brazil, along with Laura Agatha, to score over 1000 runs in T20 internationals.
"I'll continue to work in cricket on the other side, so that more people have the opportunity I had to wear the Brazil jersey, play the sport they love and become better people and leaders so that they can carry Cricket Brazil with the same pride I carried in my heart for years. The most important thing in all of this is that I leave cricket still loving the game," she said.
MPL T20 2026: Match 36, JRL vs CG Match Prediction – Who will win today’s MPL T20 match between Jabalpur Royal Lions vs Chambal Ghariyals?
The Ghariyals are currently the only side left in the tournament who have yet to suffer defeat.
The Ghariyals are currently the only side left in the tournament who have yet to suffer defeat.
‘Board has no role in such matters’ - BCCI clears stance on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's controversy on Sri Lanka tour
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has stated that the cricket-governing body will not penalise Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his controversial behaviour during a match between India A and Sri Lanka A.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has stated that the cricket-governing body will not penalise Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his controversial behaviour during a match between India A and Sri Lanka A.
📢‘Board has no role in such matters’ - BCCI clears stance on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's controversy on Sri Lanka tour
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Photo by Johan Rynners-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has stated that the cricket-governing body will not penalise Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his controversial behaviour during a match between India A and Sri Lanka A on Monday, June 15, in Dambulla.
The incident took place after India A failed to chase down an 18-run target in the Super Over. As Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Suryansh Shedge, the two players who batted in the Super Over, were making their way back to the hut, there were words exchanged between them and the Sri Lanka A players. Sooryavanshi lost his temper and shoved Sri Lankan player Vishen Halambage. Later, it was reported that Halambage had been sledging the 15-year-old not just in this game but also in the previous one, where India A met Sri Lanka A on June 9.
The match referee for the game, which was decided in the Super Over, was Pradeep Jeyaprakashdaran. He imposed a fine on Halambage and also sanctioned Niroshan Dickwella, who was trying to restore peace.
Saikia, representing the BCCI, cleared the air once and for all, stating that the board has no role to play in the matter, as the match referee is the one who has the authority to decide penalties for on-field incidents
"A lot of things are being discussed on social media, including speculation that the BCCI is contemplating action. But do you want the BCCI to step into the domain of the match referee? The BCCI is not the authority in such matters. We should not intrude into an area where the match referee and the umpires are the primary officials empowered to take decisions regarding incidents that occur on the field of play," Saikia was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
"The BCCI does not have the authority to take any action or interfere with the conduct of a game. Whatever happened was part of the game and, under BCCI rules and ICC regulations, the board has no role to play in such matters. The responsibility lies with the match referee. If anything goes wrong, the match referee will take a call, and the umpires will take a call. There is already a system in place," he added.
BCCI had suspended Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul after they said controversial things on a popular show called 'Koffee with Karan'. However, that was an off-field incident, and BCCI had stepped in. However, the board will not take action this time as the incident involving Sooryavanshi and the Sri Lanka A players happened on the field of play.
"A lot of speculation is being made, but these are baseless speculations. I assure you that the BCCI will not intrude into the domain of the match referee, who is the competent authority. If there is anything wrong on the field relating to a player or any cricketing activity, the appropriate officials will deal with it," Saikia stated.
"Otherwise, it would set a wrong precedent. It would amount to interference in the domain of the match referee, which the BCCI is not going to do. This is not our job, and it is not provided for in our rule book," he added.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Photo by Johan Rynners-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has stated that the cricket-governing body will not penalise Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for his controversial behaviour during a match between India A and Sri Lanka A on Monday, June 15, in Dambulla.
The incident took place after India A failed to chase down an 18-run target in the Super Over. As Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Suryansh Shedge, the two players who batted in the Super Over, were making their way back to the hut, there were words exchanged between them and the Sri Lanka A players. Sooryavanshi lost his temper and shoved Sri Lankan player Vishen Halambage. Later, it was reported that Halambage had been sledging the 15-year-old not just in this game but also in the previous one, where India A met Sri Lanka A on June 9.
The match referee for the game, which was decided in the Super Over, was Pradeep Jeyaprakashdaran. He imposed a fine on Halambage and also sanctioned Niroshan Dickwella, who was trying to restore peace.
Saikia, representing the BCCI, cleared the air once and for all, stating that the board has no role to play in the matter, as the match referee is the one who has the authority to decide penalties for on-field incidents
"A lot of things are being discussed on social media, including speculation that the BCCI is contemplating action. But do you want the BCCI to step into the domain of the match referee? The BCCI is not the authority in such matters. We should not intrude into an area where the match referee and the umpires are the primary officials empowered to take decisions regarding incidents that occur on the field of play," Saikia was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
"The BCCI does not have the authority to take any action or interfere with the conduct of a game. Whatever happened was part of the game and, under BCCI rules and ICC regulations, the board has no role to play in such matters. The responsibility lies with the match referee. If anything goes wrong, the match referee will take a call, and the umpires will take a call. There is already a system in place," he added.
BCCI had suspended Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul after they said controversial things on a popular show called 'Koffee with Karan'. However, that was an off-field incident, and BCCI had stepped in. However, the board will not take action this time as the incident involving Sooryavanshi and the Sri Lanka A players happened on the field of play.
"A lot of speculation is being made, but these are baseless speculations. I assure you that the BCCI will not intrude into the domain of the match referee, who is the competent authority. If there is anything wrong on the field relating to a player or any cricketing activity, the appropriate officials will deal with it," Saikia stated.
"Otherwise, it would set a wrong precedent. It would amount to interference in the domain of the match referee, which the BCCI is not going to do. This is not our job, and it is not provided for in our rule book," he added.
Stuart Broad picks only one Indian in his best Test playing XI
Broad, who himself is a veteran of the modern-day era, with more than 600 wickets in Test cricket, is also regarded as one of the finest of his generation.
Broad, who himself is a veteran of the modern-day era, with more than 600 wickets in Test cricket, is also regarded as one of the finest of his generation.
📢Stuart Broad picks only one Indian in his best Test playing XI
Stuart Broad picks only one Indian in his best Test playing XI(Source: Philip Brown/Getty Images)
Legendary England fast bowler Stuart Broad has picked his best Test-playing XI. However, the criteria for picking the team were to only choose players against whom Broad has actually played as an opposite counterpart. All the names taken by Broad are legendary, but there have been a few notable omissions as well. He picked only one Indian in the list.
Broad, who himself is a veteran of the modern-day era, with more than 600 wickets in Test cricket, is also regarded as one of the finest of his generation. He was tasked with cherry-picking the best he has shared the field with.
For the starters, Broad picked South African opener and legendary captain Graeme Smith, who would open alongside wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Sangakkara. To follow them at number three, the ex-paceman went with Australian batter Ricky Ponting. Completely ignoring the legendary Sachin Tendulkar , highest run-scorer ever in the format, Broad went for Virat Kohli, slotting the New Delhi-born at number four.
Stuart Broad had some tough decisions to make when picking his ultimate Test XI of cricketers he’s played against 👀
Wisden 🤝 @ctshirts @StuartBroad8 #Cricket #CricketVideos #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/oFtXqEBjGn
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) June 18, 2026
As his interaction with Wisden continued, Broad seemed to be confused with quite a few options in the middle order but eventually went with Steven Smith and Jacques Kallis at five and six. Kallis is also the only all-rounder in the list. The former cricketer chose the likes of AB de Villiers at number seven, who also emerges as a handy wicketkeeping option if needed.
When it comes to bowlers, Broad did not hesitate at all in picking the names of tearaway pacers – Mitchell Johnson and Dale Steyn, both of whom have held the position as No. 1-ranked bowlers in Test cricket during various times. Apart from Johnson, Mitchell Starc is another Australian left-arm seamer to have made it to the XI, while Muttiah Muralitharan, who has 800 Test wickets, would be the sole spinner.
Stuart Broad's Test XI
Graeme Smith, Kumar Sangakkara (WK), Ricky Ponting, Virat Kohli , Steven Smith, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Mitchell Johnson, Dale Steyn, Muttiah Muralitharan, Mitchell Starc
Stuart Broad picks only one Indian in his best Test playing XI(Source: Philip Brown/Getty Images)
Legendary England fast bowler Stuart Broad has picked his best Test-playing XI. However, the criteria for picking the team were to only choose players against whom Broad has actually played as an opposite counterpart. All the names taken by Broad are legendary, but there have been a few notable omissions as well. He picked only one Indian in the list.
Broad, who himself is a veteran of the modern-day era, with more than 600 wickets in Test cricket, is also regarded as one of the finest of his generation. He was tasked with cherry-picking the best he has shared the field with.
For the starters, Broad picked South African opener and legendary captain Graeme Smith, who would open alongside wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Sangakkara. To follow them at number three, the ex-paceman went with Australian batter Ricky Ponting. Completely ignoring the legendary Sachin Tendulkar , highest run-scorer ever in the format, Broad went for Virat Kohli, slotting the New Delhi-born at number four.
Stuart Broad had some tough decisions to make when picking his ultimate Test XI of cricketers he’s played against 👀
Wisden 🤝 @ctshirts @StuartBroad8 #Cricket #CricketVideos #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/oFtXqEBjGn
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) June 18, 2026
As his interaction with Wisden continued, Broad seemed to be confused with quite a few options in the middle order but eventually went with Steven Smith and Jacques Kallis at five and six. Kallis is also the only all-rounder in the list. The former cricketer chose the likes of AB de Villiers at number seven, who also emerges as a handy wicketkeeping option if needed.
When it comes to bowlers, Broad did not hesitate at all in picking the names of tearaway pacers – Mitchell Johnson and Dale Steyn, both of whom have held the position as No. 1-ranked bowlers in Test cricket during various times. Apart from Johnson, Mitchell Starc is another Australian left-arm seamer to have made it to the XI, while Muttiah Muralitharan, who has 800 Test wickets, would be the sole spinner.
Stuart Broad's Test XI
Graeme Smith, Kumar Sangakkara (WK), Ricky Ponting, Virat Kohli , Steven Smith, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Mitchell Johnson, Dale Steyn, Muttiah Muralitharan, Mitchell Starc
📢[Watch] Kumar Sangakkara plays village cricket wearing helmet gifted by Yashasvi Jaiswal
Kumar Sangakara (Source : WisdenCricket on X)
Kumar Sangakkara has returned to playing village cricket in England. This is his third season, playing for his local team - Shillingstone Cricket Club. The former Sri Lankan captain is 48 years old, but he is still scoring big in village cricket.
In his first match this season, the stylish wicketkeeper-batter amassed 168 not out, hitting 16 fours and 11 sixes against Broadstone CC. A whopping 130 runs came from boundaries. The stalwart seems to have cut down on rotating strike as he used to during his days in Sri Lankan cricket and is relying on boundaries to score the bulk of his runs, something that is understandable for someone his age.
Details of his stint in village cricket this season were revealed during the latest episode of The Scoop. One of the most fascinating things that was noticeable was the helmet Sangakkara wore. It had the Indian national flag and the BCCI logo embedded. During the episode, it was mentioned that Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal gifted Sangakkara the helmet.
Imagine rocking up for a village cricket game and Kumar Sangakkara is playing for the opposition… wearing Yashasvi Jaiswal’s helmet! 😅
Watch the latest episode of The Scoop 👉 https://t.co/QxK33HtIh2
How are Kumar Sangakkara and Yashasvi Jaiswal connected?
For the unversed, Sangakkara has been a mentor for Jaiswal during his time at the Rajasthan Royals. The former is the head coach of the Rajasthan Royals, where Jaiswal is the vice-captain. Both share a warm relationship, and Sangakkara has played a key role in the Mumbai batter's development through the years.
In IPL 2026, Yashasvi had a decent season if you look at his numbers exclusively. In 16 matches, he scored 427 runs at an average of 30.50 and a strike rate of 152.50, including three half-centuries. He also stepped in to lead the side in matches that Riyan Parag missed due to injury. However, when compared to fellow young Indian openers like Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi's performance was underwhelming.
The 24-year-old is currently a part of the Indian side that is playing the ongoing three-match ODI series against Afghanistan at home. In the second ODI, he opened the batting with Rohit Sharma, but got dismissed for four runs on a belter of a track.
Kumar Sangakara (Source : WisdenCricket on X)
Kumar Sangakkara has returned to playing village cricket in England. This is his third season, playing for his local team - Shillingstone Cricket Club. The former Sri Lankan captain is 48 years old, but he is still scoring big in village cricket.
In his first match this season, the stylish wicketkeeper-batter amassed 168 not out, hitting 16 fours and 11 sixes against Broadstone CC. A whopping 130 runs came from boundaries. The stalwart seems to have cut down on rotating strike as he used to during his days in Sri Lankan cricket and is relying on boundaries to score the bulk of his runs, something that is understandable for someone his age.
Details of his stint in village cricket this season were revealed during the latest episode of The Scoop. One of the most fascinating things that was noticeable was the helmet Sangakkara wore. It had the Indian national flag and the BCCI logo embedded. During the episode, it was mentioned that Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal gifted Sangakkara the helmet.
Imagine rocking up for a village cricket game and Kumar Sangakkara is playing for the opposition… wearing Yashasvi Jaiswal’s helmet! 😅
Watch the latest episode of The Scoop 👉 https://t.co/QxK33HtIh2
How are Kumar Sangakkara and Yashasvi Jaiswal connected?
For the unversed, Sangakkara has been a mentor for Jaiswal during his time at the Rajasthan Royals. The former is the head coach of the Rajasthan Royals, where Jaiswal is the vice-captain. Both share a warm relationship, and Sangakkara has played a key role in the Mumbai batter's development through the years.
In IPL 2026, Yashasvi had a decent season if you look at his numbers exclusively. In 16 matches, he scored 427 runs at an average of 30.50 and a strike rate of 152.50, including three half-centuries. He also stepped in to lead the side in matches that Riyan Parag missed due to injury. However, when compared to fellow young Indian openers like Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Yashasvi's performance was underwhelming.
The 24-year-old is currently a part of the Indian side that is playing the ongoing three-match ODI series against Afghanistan at home. In the second ODI, he opened the batting with Rohit Sharma, but got dismissed for four runs on a belter of a track.
YouTube
Is the India-Pakistan rivalry over? Williamson’s shock retirement & Sangakkara plays village cricket
On today's episode of The Scoop... 🏏
Roha Nadeem and Annesha Ghosh discuss the state of the India-Pakistan rivalry 🇮🇳🇵🇰
Santokie Nagulendran explains why you can never write off the West Indies 🌴
Paul Ford shares the feeling in New Zealand following Kane…
Roha Nadeem and Annesha Ghosh discuss the state of the India-Pakistan rivalry 🇮🇳🇵🇰
Santokie Nagulendran explains why you can never write off the West Indies 🌴
Paul Ford shares the feeling in New Zealand following Kane…
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