Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: ‘We’ve shown we can compete’ - Ireland coach Lloyd Tennant finds positives despite England defeat
Ireland Women will take on New Zealand Women on June 19.
Ireland Women will take on New Zealand Women on June 19.
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IND vs AFG 2026: Harshit Rana makes surprise comeback to ODI squad ahead of Chennai clash
He underwent his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru
He underwent his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru
📢IND vs AFG 2026: Harshit Rana makes surprise comeback to ODI squad ahead of Chennai clash
Harshit Rana.(Photo by Ayush Kumar/Getty Images)
Ace pacer Harshit Rana has fully recovered from his hamstring injury and has now joined the Indian squad ahead of the third and final ODI of the ongoing series against Afghanistan. Rana had torn his hamstring during a warm-up match of the T20 World Cup 2026 and had to continue being away from the main event as well as the subsequent IPL season for the Kolkata Knight Riders.
He underwent and successfully completed his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, where he had spent a lot of time with the Sports & Science as well as the Medical team to get fitness clearance before taking part in high-level cricket once again. The BCCI confirmed the development via a press release on Friday.
Now that Rana is back, he is expected to walk right in to the playing XI for the third ODI, with Prince Yadav likely to sit out. Rana's incoming can also be sought as a replacement for the injured Hardik Pandya , for whom the BCCI had not named a replacement. It is understood that the board was waiting for Rana's comeback to add him to the squad ahead of naming a replacement.
The third and final ODI of the series is slated to be played at the historic venue of the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Chennai, on Saturday, June 20. The game is a dead rubber for the Indian team , as they already have a 2-0 lead in the three-match assignment. However, with Rana back to the squad, the Men in Blue will look to assert dominance over the Afghans by completing a whitewash.
India's updated ODI squad for 3rd ODI vs AFG
Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Harshit Rana
Harshit Rana.(Photo by Ayush Kumar/Getty Images)
Ace pacer Harshit Rana has fully recovered from his hamstring injury and has now joined the Indian squad ahead of the third and final ODI of the ongoing series against Afghanistan. Rana had torn his hamstring during a warm-up match of the T20 World Cup 2026 and had to continue being away from the main event as well as the subsequent IPL season for the Kolkata Knight Riders.
He underwent and successfully completed his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, where he had spent a lot of time with the Sports & Science as well as the Medical team to get fitness clearance before taking part in high-level cricket once again. The BCCI confirmed the development via a press release on Friday.
Now that Rana is back, he is expected to walk right in to the playing XI for the third ODI, with Prince Yadav likely to sit out. Rana's incoming can also be sought as a replacement for the injured Hardik Pandya , for whom the BCCI had not named a replacement. It is understood that the board was waiting for Rana's comeback to add him to the squad ahead of naming a replacement.
The third and final ODI of the series is slated to be played at the historic venue of the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Chennai, on Saturday, June 20. The game is a dead rubber for the Indian team , as they already have a 2-0 lead in the three-match assignment. However, with Rana back to the squad, the Men in Blue will look to assert dominance over the Afghans by completing a whitewash.
India's updated ODI squad for 3rd ODI vs AFG
Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Harshit Rana
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Women's T20 World Cup 2026: SCO W vs WI W Today's Match Highlights: Unmissable video recap, POTM, match analysis, stats and more
The last-over thriller went in favour of the Caribbeans.
The last-over thriller went in favour of the Caribbeans.
📢Women's T20 World Cup 2026: SCO W vs WI W Today's Match Highlights: Unmissable video recap, POTM, match analysis, stats and more
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How did Match 12 of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 go between Scotland Women and West Indies Women?
A last-over thriller was witnessed by cricket fans on Thursday, June 18, as the West Indies Women clinched a dramatic seven-run win over Scotland Women in Match 12 of the ongoing ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.
Playing at the iconic venue of Headingley in Leeds, Scotland bowled first after winning the toss and dominated right away. Against the might of the Windies side, the Scots conceded only 33 runs and also accounted for the fall of Qiana Joseph in the powerplay. Skipper Hayley Matthews tried to hang in but fell cheaply after a 22-ball 14. However, Shemaine Campbell upped the ante with a 26-ball 36, batting at four.
Scotland had to eventually chase down 154, for which they had an exceptional start, putting up a 51-run opening stand in just five overs. The next thirteen balls, though, resulted in four wickets, as the Caribbeans pulled things back in their favour. Alisa Lister tried to play a rescue act with her 33 off 25, but it wasn't enough as the Scottish side was bundled out for 146 on the last ball of the innings.
Best Batting Performance of the Match: Stafanie Taylor
While the majority part of the Windies innings had runs being scored at a sluggish rate, the arrival of Stafanie Taylor at the crease saw a shift in the flow of boundaries. With four boundaries and three huge sixes in a perfect rescue act, Taylor not only made a quickfire 47* off just 19 balls but also took her team to a respectable total, which proved to be the difference at the end.
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Best Bowling Performance of the Match: Hayley Matthews
While the things started getting out of hands for the West Indies, skipper Matthews brought herself into the attack at the right moment and gave the side their first breakthrough during the defence. She took two further scalps during her exceptional four-over spell, giving away only 19 runs. Her victims of the evening were Katherine Fraser (20 off 11), Kathryn Bryce (0 off 2), and Megan McColl (1 off 2).
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Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved?
299 runs were scored in total in the match; This is the highest match aggregate for WT20Is involving Scotland and West Indies
Who won the Player of the Match?
For scoring runs at a blazing fast pace on an evening where boundaries were hard to come by, Stafanie Taylor truly stood out and was handed the Player of the Match award, as the West Indies also got their second consecutive win of their Women's T20 World Cup campaign.
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When is the next match?
As the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 moves forward, the next encounter will see Ireland Women and New Zealand Women fight it out in Match 13 at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. The West Indies will be playing their next game against Sri Lanka on June 21, while Scotland have their challenge scheduled against England for June 20.
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How did Match 12 of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 go between Scotland Women and West Indies Women?
A last-over thriller was witnessed by cricket fans on Thursday, June 18, as the West Indies Women clinched a dramatic seven-run win over Scotland Women in Match 12 of the ongoing ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.
Playing at the iconic venue of Headingley in Leeds, Scotland bowled first after winning the toss and dominated right away. Against the might of the Windies side, the Scots conceded only 33 runs and also accounted for the fall of Qiana Joseph in the powerplay. Skipper Hayley Matthews tried to hang in but fell cheaply after a 22-ball 14. However, Shemaine Campbell upped the ante with a 26-ball 36, batting at four.
Scotland had to eventually chase down 154, for which they had an exceptional start, putting up a 51-run opening stand in just five overs. The next thirteen balls, though, resulted in four wickets, as the Caribbeans pulled things back in their favour. Alisa Lister tried to play a rescue act with her 33 off 25, but it wasn't enough as the Scottish side was bundled out for 146 on the last ball of the innings.
Best Batting Performance of the Match: Stafanie Taylor
While the majority part of the Windies innings had runs being scored at a sluggish rate, the arrival of Stafanie Taylor at the crease saw a shift in the flow of boundaries. With four boundaries and three huge sixes in a perfect rescue act, Taylor not only made a quickfire 47* off just 19 balls but also took her team to a respectable total, which proved to be the difference at the end.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by ICC (@icc)
Best Bowling Performance of the Match: Hayley Matthews
While the things started getting out of hands for the West Indies, skipper Matthews brought herself into the attack at the right moment and gave the side their first breakthrough during the defence. She took two further scalps during her exceptional four-over spell, giving away only 19 runs. Her victims of the evening were Katherine Fraser (20 off 11), Kathryn Bryce (0 off 2), and Megan McColl (1 off 2).
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by ICC (@icc)
Records Broken and Major Milestones Achieved?
299 runs were scored in total in the match; This is the highest match aggregate for WT20Is involving Scotland and West Indies
Who won the Player of the Match?
For scoring runs at a blazing fast pace on an evening where boundaries were hard to come by, Stafanie Taylor truly stood out and was handed the Player of the Match award, as the West Indies also got their second consecutive win of their Women's T20 World Cup campaign.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by ICC (@icc)
When is the next match?
As the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 moves forward, the next encounter will see Ireland Women and New Zealand Women fight it out in Match 13 at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. The West Indies will be playing their next game against Sri Lanka on June 21, while Scotland have their challenge scheduled against England for June 20.
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Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Injured Shreyanka Patil gets replaced by Prema Rawat in Indian squad
The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup has approved the replacement.
The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup has approved the replacement.
📢Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Injured Shreyanka Patil gets replaced by Prema Rawat in Indian squad
Shreyanka Patil (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Bowler Shreyanka Patil sustained an ankle injury while fielding during India's ICC Women's T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands on June 17, 2026, and has been ruled out of the tournament.
The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup has approved her replacement. Accordingly, the Women's Selection Committee has named leg spinner Prema Rawat in India's squad for the remainder of the World Cup.
Prema, who has been a part of India A Women, picked up eight wickets in five matches during India's victorious campaign in the Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament. She was also the joint-leading wicket-taker on India A's tour of Australia last year, claiming seven wickets in three matches.
India's updated squad for the ongoing World Cup:
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (WK), Nandni Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Radha Yadav, Prema Rawat.
Following Prema's inclusion in the national squad, the Women's Selection Committee has made the following additions to the India A squads for the upcoming series against England A:
Niki Prasad has been added to the India A T20 squad.
Minnu Mani has been added to the India A One-Day squad.
Updated India A squad for T20s against England A:
Anushka Sharma (C), Vrinda Dinesh (VC), G Kamalini (WK), Uma Chetry, Vaishnavi Sharma , Purvaja Verlekar, Jintimani Kalita, Saima Thakor, Simran Bahadur, Shweta Sehrawat, Deeya Yadav, Minnu Mani, Shabnam Shakil, Tanuja Kanwer, Niki Prasad
Updated India A squad for One-Days against England A:
Harleen Deol (C), Pratika Rawal (VC), Priya Punia, Tanisha Singh, G Kamalini (WK), Uma Chetry (WK), Tejal Hasabnis, Niki Prasad, Tanuja Kanwer, Vaishnavi Sharma, Shabnam Shakil, Sayali Satghare, Jintimani Kalita, Saima Thakor, Minnu Mani
(Inputs: BCCI)
Shreyanka Patil (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Bowler Shreyanka Patil sustained an ankle injury while fielding during India's ICC Women's T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands on June 17, 2026, and has been ruled out of the tournament.
The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup has approved her replacement. Accordingly, the Women's Selection Committee has named leg spinner Prema Rawat in India's squad for the remainder of the World Cup.
Prema, who has been a part of India A Women, picked up eight wickets in five matches during India's victorious campaign in the Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament. She was also the joint-leading wicket-taker on India A's tour of Australia last year, claiming seven wickets in three matches.
India's updated squad for the ongoing World Cup:
Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (WK), Sree Charani, Yastika Bhatia (WK), Nandni Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud, Radha Yadav, Prema Rawat.
Following Prema's inclusion in the national squad, the Women's Selection Committee has made the following additions to the India A squads for the upcoming series against England A:
Niki Prasad has been added to the India A T20 squad.
Minnu Mani has been added to the India A One-Day squad.
Updated India A squad for T20s against England A:
Anushka Sharma (C), Vrinda Dinesh (VC), G Kamalini (WK), Uma Chetry, Vaishnavi Sharma , Purvaja Verlekar, Jintimani Kalita, Saima Thakor, Simran Bahadur, Shweta Sehrawat, Deeya Yadav, Minnu Mani, Shabnam Shakil, Tanuja Kanwer, Niki Prasad
Updated India A squad for One-Days against England A:
Harleen Deol (C), Pratika Rawal (VC), Priya Punia, Tanisha Singh, G Kamalini (WK), Uma Chetry (WK), Tejal Hasabnis, Niki Prasad, Tanuja Kanwer, Vaishnavi Sharma, Shabnam Shakil, Sayali Satghare, Jintimani Kalita, Saima Thakor, Minnu Mani
(Inputs: BCCI)
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📢IND vs AFG 2026: 3rd ODI Match Preview
IND vs AFG 2026: 3rd ODI Match Preview (Source: BCCI)
The stage is set for the final encounter of the tour, as Afghanistan (AFG) will be hosted by India (IND) for one last time during the third ODI of the series on Saturday, June 20 , in a contest which will be played at the historic venue M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai .
India have already gained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and will now be looking to complete a clean sweep against their neighbours. The Men in Blue have shown clinical performances in both the matches thus far to show how strong a team they are. They have also welcomed the addition of Harshit Rana into the squad, and the pacer is expected to walk right in to the playing XI in Chennai.
Afghanistan , on the other hand, have had their set of positives in both the matches played so far. However, the only problem is that they have not been able to compile them into winning performances. With a point to prove in the last dance of the Indian tour, the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side will be looking to register a consolation win on Saturday.
IND vs AFG: Match Details
Match
India vs Afghanistan, 3rd ODI , Afghanistan Tour of India, 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Saturday, June 20, 1:30 PM
Venue
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Broadcast and Live Streaming
JioStar Network Channels and JioHotstar (App & Website)
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai: Pitch Report
One of the most iconic landmarks in the country for the game of cricket, the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, located in Chennai, is set to host its first ODI match after its recent renovation. The venue held the reputation of being a bat-first surface, but in the five most recent encounters played here, the teams chasing have emerged victorious, indicating a shift in the nature of the wickets.
While spinners are expected to dominate at Chepauk, there will most likely be a batting-friendly track dished out for the series finale.
IND vs AFG: Head-to-Head ODI Record
Matches Played
06
IND Won
05
AFG Won
00
Tied / No Results
01
First-ever Fixture
March 05, 2014 (IND Won)
Most Recent Fixture
June 17, 2026 (IND Won)
IND vs AFG: Probable Playing XIs
India
Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma , Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Harshit Rana, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh
Afghanistan
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediq Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Azmat Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Ziaur Rahman, Mohammad Saleem
IND vs AFG 2026: 3rd ODI Match Preview (Source: BCCI)
The stage is set for the final encounter of the tour, as Afghanistan (AFG) will be hosted by India (IND) for one last time during the third ODI of the series on Saturday, June 20 , in a contest which will be played at the historic venue M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai .
India have already gained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and will now be looking to complete a clean sweep against their neighbours. The Men in Blue have shown clinical performances in both the matches thus far to show how strong a team they are. They have also welcomed the addition of Harshit Rana into the squad, and the pacer is expected to walk right in to the playing XI in Chennai.
Afghanistan , on the other hand, have had their set of positives in both the matches played so far. However, the only problem is that they have not been able to compile them into winning performances. With a point to prove in the last dance of the Indian tour, the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side will be looking to register a consolation win on Saturday.
IND vs AFG: Match Details
Match
India vs Afghanistan, 3rd ODI , Afghanistan Tour of India, 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Saturday, June 20, 1:30 PM
Venue
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Broadcast and Live Streaming
JioStar Network Channels and JioHotstar (App & Website)
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai: Pitch Report
One of the most iconic landmarks in the country for the game of cricket, the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, located in Chennai, is set to host its first ODI match after its recent renovation. The venue held the reputation of being a bat-first surface, but in the five most recent encounters played here, the teams chasing have emerged victorious, indicating a shift in the nature of the wickets.
While spinners are expected to dominate at Chepauk, there will most likely be a batting-friendly track dished out for the series finale.
IND vs AFG: Head-to-Head ODI Record
Matches Played
06
IND Won
05
AFG Won
00
Tied / No Results
01
First-ever Fixture
March 05, 2014 (IND Won)
Most Recent Fixture
June 17, 2026 (IND Won)
IND vs AFG: Probable Playing XIs
India
Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma , Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Harshit Rana, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh
Afghanistan
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediq Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Azmat Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Ziaur Rahman, Mohammad Saleem
IND vs AFG 2026: 3rd ODI Match Preview
Harshit Rana has been added to India's squad for this encounter. He is expected to walk right into the playing XI.
Harshit Rana has been added to India's squad for this encounter. He is expected to walk right into the playing XI.
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‘The reason I didn't kill myself’ - Sreesanth makes stunning revelation about spot-fixing ordeal
Sreesanth remains one of the few Indian cricketers to have been part of two World Cup-winning squads.
Sreesanth remains one of the few Indian cricketers to have been part of two World Cup-winning squads.
📢‘The reason I didn't kill myself’ - Sreesanth makes stunning revelation about spot-fixing ordeal
‘The reason I didn't kill myself’ - Sreesanth makes stunning revelation about spot-fixing ordeal. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
Former India pacer S Sreesanth has opened up about one of the darkest phases of his life, revealing how the unwavering support of his wife, Bhuvneshwari Devi, helped him survive his time in jail during the 2013 IPL spot-fixing controversy.
Sreesanth remains one of the few Indian cricketers to have been part of two World Cup-winning squads, featuring in India's victorious campaigns at the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. However, despite his achievements on the field, his career took a dramatic turn when he was arrested in connection with the alleged IPL spot-fixing case in 2013.
The former Rajasthan Royals pacer spent nearly a month in Tihar Jail alongside fellow cricketers Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan. Although he was acquitted of all charges in 2015, the episode remains one of the most challenging periods of his life.
Speaking in an interview, Sreesanth reflected on how his relationship with Bhuvneshwari evolved over the years before they eventually got married. He revealed that they first met in 2007 and remained in touch throughout the years leading up to his arrest.
"First meeting was in the school where I had gone as a guest, second meeting the very next day on the ground, third meeting after three years poolside with uncle, fourth meeting in Indore, fifth meeting we got engaged when I was out on bail," Sreesanth said while in conversation with Lallantop.
The 42-year-old also spoke candidly about the emotional toll of the controversy and credited Bhuvneshwari for helping him stay strong during that difficult period.
"When I was there, one of the main reasons I didn't kill myself is her. I had promised her in 2010 that if we won the 2011 World Cup, I will marry her. I met her when she was in 10th grade in 2007, and we were in touch till 2013. She is the main reason I got bail," he continued.
Sreesanth further revealed that Bhuvneshwari played an active role in coordinating with lawyers and supporting him throughout the legal proceedings. He also praised her family, saying they stood firmly by his side at a time when public perception had turned heavily against him.
The Kerala-born cricketer admitted that his stint in police custody and later in Tihar Jail changed his perspective on life. According to him, the experience made him mentally stronger and gave him a deeper understanding of the hardships faced by undertrial prisoners.
"Those 12 days in Delhi Police cell and 27 days in Tihar jail made me realise that the problems we face in normal life are nothing. I used to hear that years pass on for a trial. That incident made me strong. At that time I was thinking about my mother and father, about the niece and nephew. I didn't let them go to school back then," Sreesanth said.
Sreesanth represented India in 27 Tests, 53 ODIs and 10 T20Is during his international career, claiming 169 wickets across formats. While his cricketing achievements remain significant, his latest revelations shed light on the personal battles he fought away from the game and the role his family played in helping him overcome them.
‘The reason I didn't kill myself’ - Sreesanth makes stunning revelation about spot-fixing ordeal. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
Former India pacer S Sreesanth has opened up about one of the darkest phases of his life, revealing how the unwavering support of his wife, Bhuvneshwari Devi, helped him survive his time in jail during the 2013 IPL spot-fixing controversy.
Sreesanth remains one of the few Indian cricketers to have been part of two World Cup-winning squads, featuring in India's victorious campaigns at the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. However, despite his achievements on the field, his career took a dramatic turn when he was arrested in connection with the alleged IPL spot-fixing case in 2013.
The former Rajasthan Royals pacer spent nearly a month in Tihar Jail alongside fellow cricketers Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan. Although he was acquitted of all charges in 2015, the episode remains one of the most challenging periods of his life.
Speaking in an interview, Sreesanth reflected on how his relationship with Bhuvneshwari evolved over the years before they eventually got married. He revealed that they first met in 2007 and remained in touch throughout the years leading up to his arrest.
"First meeting was in the school where I had gone as a guest, second meeting the very next day on the ground, third meeting after three years poolside with uncle, fourth meeting in Indore, fifth meeting we got engaged when I was out on bail," Sreesanth said while in conversation with Lallantop.
The 42-year-old also spoke candidly about the emotional toll of the controversy and credited Bhuvneshwari for helping him stay strong during that difficult period.
"When I was there, one of the main reasons I didn't kill myself is her. I had promised her in 2010 that if we won the 2011 World Cup, I will marry her. I met her when she was in 10th grade in 2007, and we were in touch till 2013. She is the main reason I got bail," he continued.
Sreesanth further revealed that Bhuvneshwari played an active role in coordinating with lawyers and supporting him throughout the legal proceedings. He also praised her family, saying they stood firmly by his side at a time when public perception had turned heavily against him.
The Kerala-born cricketer admitted that his stint in police custody and later in Tihar Jail changed his perspective on life. According to him, the experience made him mentally stronger and gave him a deeper understanding of the hardships faced by undertrial prisoners.
"Those 12 days in Delhi Police cell and 27 days in Tihar jail made me realise that the problems we face in normal life are nothing. I used to hear that years pass on for a trial. That incident made me strong. At that time I was thinking about my mother and father, about the niece and nephew. I didn't let them go to school back then," Sreesanth said.
Sreesanth represented India in 27 Tests, 53 ODIs and 10 T20Is during his international career, claiming 169 wickets across formats. While his cricketing achievements remain significant, his latest revelations shed light on the personal battles he fought away from the game and the role his family played in helping him overcome them.
Retired Indian wicketkeeper KS Bharat gets selected in UAE local squad
Bharat might soon be seen playing cricket for the United Arab Emirates.
Bharat might soon be seen playing cricket for the United Arab Emirates.
📢Retired Indian wicketkeeper KS Bharat gets selected in UAE local squad
Retired Indian wicketkeeper KS Bharat gets selected in UAE local squad (Source: K S Bharat/Instagram)
Indian wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat may soon be seen donning the United Arab Emirates (UAE) jersey. Bharat, who recently made headlines for taking a retirement from international cricket on June 04, has now been picked for the training camp of the UAE side. While the selection has been evident, the opportunity to play for the UAE will require him to wait for at least February 2027.
According to the ICC ruling, moving on from a full-member nation to an associate nation requires a player to have at least three years of cooling-off period. Since Bharat played his last international match for India against England in February 2024, there is some time before the cricketer can represent the UAE in internationals, according to a report by Sportstak.
Bharat's international career has been marred with warming the bench. However, he could not prove his worth while he was in the playing XI. Playing seven Tests for India, Bharat scored only 221 runs at an underwhelming average of 20.09, which does not include a single half-century. He mostly featured for the side in the absence of regular wicketkeepers like Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan before being discarded.
The most notable match of Bharat's career was when he played for the Rohit Sharma -led side in the World Test Championship final in 2023 against Australia at the Kennington Oval and could not do much to help India's cause as Pat Cummins' team lifted the crown. He was once again picked for the five-match series at home against England, and the Test at Vizag, his home ground, became Bharat's last red-ball appearance.
If a UAE call-up eventually materialises, Bharat will become the first cricketer in the 21st century and fourth overall to play international cricket for two countries. Before him, Abdul Hafeez Kardar, Amir Elahi, and Gul Mohammad have played for two countries, with all of them having represented both India and Pakistan in international cricket.
Retired Indian wicketkeeper KS Bharat gets selected in UAE local squad (Source: K S Bharat/Instagram)
Indian wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat may soon be seen donning the United Arab Emirates (UAE) jersey. Bharat, who recently made headlines for taking a retirement from international cricket on June 04, has now been picked for the training camp of the UAE side. While the selection has been evident, the opportunity to play for the UAE will require him to wait for at least February 2027.
According to the ICC ruling, moving on from a full-member nation to an associate nation requires a player to have at least three years of cooling-off period. Since Bharat played his last international match for India against England in February 2024, there is some time before the cricketer can represent the UAE in internationals, according to a report by Sportstak.
Bharat's international career has been marred with warming the bench. However, he could not prove his worth while he was in the playing XI. Playing seven Tests for India, Bharat scored only 221 runs at an underwhelming average of 20.09, which does not include a single half-century. He mostly featured for the side in the absence of regular wicketkeepers like Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan before being discarded.
The most notable match of Bharat's career was when he played for the Rohit Sharma -led side in the World Test Championship final in 2023 against Australia at the Kennington Oval and could not do much to help India's cause as Pat Cummins' team lifted the crown. He was once again picked for the five-match series at home against England, and the Test at Vizag, his home ground, became Bharat's last red-ball appearance.
If a UAE call-up eventually materialises, Bharat will become the first cricketer in the 21st century and fourth overall to play international cricket for two countries. Before him, Abdul Hafeez Kardar, Amir Elahi, and Gul Mohammad have played for two countries, with all of them having represented both India and Pakistan in international cricket.
India vs Afghanistan Match Prediction, 3rd ODI – Who will win today’s match between IND vs AFG?
It rained in Chennai two days prior to the game, but bright sunshine was on offer a day ahead of the series finale.
It rained in Chennai two days prior to the game, but bright sunshine was on offer a day ahead of the series finale.
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📢India vs Afghanistan Match Prediction, 3rd ODI – Who will win today’s match between IND vs AFG?
India vs Afghanistan Match Prediction, 3rd ODI – Who will win today’s match between IND vs AFG? (Source: BCCI)
For the last dance of the tour, India (IND) will be crossing swords with Afghanistan (AFG) for the third ODI of the series on Saturday, June 20 , at the iconic setting of the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai .
The Indian team has been in some form in white-ball cricket recently, and they are continuing to showcase their dominance against the Afghans as well. In Dharamshala, they chased the target easily in the rain-curtailed encounter and smashed one of their highest totals in ODIs in the Lucknow clash. Now, they will be looking to ensure a complete 3-0 dominance to end the series on a perfect note.
Afghanistan , meanwhile, have been struggling to put up an impressive team effort on the board despite moments of individual brilliance on the field. While it was Rahmanullah Gurbaz's century in the first match that caught the eye, Nangeyal Kharote's brilliant four-wicket haul kept the Indians on their toes. However, lack of support from others is what the Afghans have lacked. They will aim for a better performance now.
IND vs AFG: Match Details
Match
India vs Afghanistan, 3rd ODI , Afghanistan Tour of India, 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Saturday, June 20, 1:30 PM
Venue
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Broadcast and Live Streaming
JioStar Network Channels and JioHotstar (App & Website)
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai: Pitch Report
A fresh surface at the iconic venue of the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, situated in Chepauk, Chennai, is likely to offer a balanced pitch for the third ODI between India and Afghanistan. Despite being outsiders, the spinners of the Afghan side are likely to dominate on the surface here, with the amount of assistance for spin likely to be on the cards.
A couple of days prior to the game, it rained as well, but no rain is likely to play a part on the day of the match, though there might be some extra moisture in the pitch. Bowling first on this kind of a track is always a wise decision, and the trend is expected to repeat on Saturday as well.
IND vs AFG: Head-to-Head ODI Record
Matches Played
06
IND Won
05
AFG Won
00
Tied / No Results
01
First-ever Fixture
March 05, 2014 (IND Won)
Most Recent Fixture
June 17, 2026 (IND Won)
IND vs AFG: Probable Playing XIs
India
Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma , Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Harshit Rana, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh
Afghanistan
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediq Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Azmat Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Ziaur Rahman, Mohammad Saleem
IND vs AFG: Probable Best Performers of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma (Photo by Mark Evans - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
In both the matches thus far, Rohit Sharma got starts before losing his wickets. However, a fresh start in Chennai is likely to witness a strong batting performance by the legendary Indian opener. Rohit has been the key to India's batting over the years and is known to make comebacks. With another opportunity awaiting him on Saturday, the Nagpur-born will be looking to get some runs under his belt to sign off the tour on a high.
Probable Best Bowler: Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan(Source: AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)
The deck at Chennai is expected to offer a lot of assistance to someone like Rashid Khan . The experienced mystery spinner showed great signs of form in Lucknow, where the pitch was a spin-friendly one. With his immense experience of playing in the Indian conditions, he is expected to trouble a lot of Indian batters in the upcoming match. It will be interesting to see if the seasoned campaigner utilises his ten overs as he did not finish his full quota at Ekana.
Today's Match Prediction : Chasing team to win the match
India vs Afghanistan Match Prediction, 3rd ODI – Who will win today’s match between IND vs AFG? (Source: BCCI)
For the last dance of the tour, India (IND) will be crossing swords with Afghanistan (AFG) for the third ODI of the series on Saturday, June 20 , at the iconic setting of the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai .
The Indian team has been in some form in white-ball cricket recently, and they are continuing to showcase their dominance against the Afghans as well. In Dharamshala, they chased the target easily in the rain-curtailed encounter and smashed one of their highest totals in ODIs in the Lucknow clash. Now, they will be looking to ensure a complete 3-0 dominance to end the series on a perfect note.
Afghanistan , meanwhile, have been struggling to put up an impressive team effort on the board despite moments of individual brilliance on the field. While it was Rahmanullah Gurbaz's century in the first match that caught the eye, Nangeyal Kharote's brilliant four-wicket haul kept the Indians on their toes. However, lack of support from others is what the Afghans have lacked. They will aim for a better performance now.
IND vs AFG: Match Details
Match
India vs Afghanistan, 3rd ODI , Afghanistan Tour of India, 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Saturday, June 20, 1:30 PM
Venue
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai
Broadcast and Live Streaming
JioStar Network Channels and JioHotstar (App & Website)
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai: Pitch Report
A fresh surface at the iconic venue of the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, situated in Chepauk, Chennai, is likely to offer a balanced pitch for the third ODI between India and Afghanistan. Despite being outsiders, the spinners of the Afghan side are likely to dominate on the surface here, with the amount of assistance for spin likely to be on the cards.
A couple of days prior to the game, it rained as well, but no rain is likely to play a part on the day of the match, though there might be some extra moisture in the pitch. Bowling first on this kind of a track is always a wise decision, and the trend is expected to repeat on Saturday as well.
IND vs AFG: Head-to-Head ODI Record
Matches Played
06
IND Won
05
AFG Won
00
Tied / No Results
01
First-ever Fixture
March 05, 2014 (IND Won)
Most Recent Fixture
June 17, 2026 (IND Won)
IND vs AFG: Probable Playing XIs
India
Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma , Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Harshit Rana, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh
Afghanistan
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediq Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Azmat Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Ziaur Rahman, Mohammad Saleem
IND vs AFG: Probable Best Performers of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma (Photo by Mark Evans - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
In both the matches thus far, Rohit Sharma got starts before losing his wickets. However, a fresh start in Chennai is likely to witness a strong batting performance by the legendary Indian opener. Rohit has been the key to India's batting over the years and is known to make comebacks. With another opportunity awaiting him on Saturday, the Nagpur-born will be looking to get some runs under his belt to sign off the tour on a high.
Probable Best Bowler: Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan(Source: AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)
The deck at Chennai is expected to offer a lot of assistance to someone like Rashid Khan . The experienced mystery spinner showed great signs of form in Lucknow, where the pitch was a spin-friendly one. With his immense experience of playing in the Indian conditions, he is expected to trouble a lot of Indian batters in the upcoming match. It will be interesting to see if the seasoned campaigner utilises his ten overs as he did not finish his full quota at Ekana.
Today's Match Prediction : Chasing team to win the match
Ben Stokes likely to lead England in third Test following as nightclub episode anger cools down
Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson were involved in a late-night altercation at a nightclub after the victory at Lord's in the first Test against New Zealand.
Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson were involved in a late-night altercation at a nightclub after the victory at Lord's in the first Test against New Zealand.
📢Ben Stokes likely to lead England in third Test following as nightclub episode anger cools down
Reports: Ben Stokes likely to return as England Test skipper amid nightclub altercation (Photo Source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
England Test skipper Ben Stokes appears likely to return to the squad as captain for the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in Nottingham after investigations into his nightclub curfew breach.
Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson were involved in a late-night altercation at a nightclub after the victory at the Lord's in the first Test. The incident was also a breach of the curfew imposed on the team after the fallout from several drinking-related incidents from the Ashes. Stokes himself was among the decision-makers who put the curfew in place.
As per The Telegraph , the pair were interviewed by the England and Wales Cricket Board this week, and the reports of the internal investigation into the matter will be released before the ongoing second Test. The ECB maintains the position that no final decisions have been made over Stokes' trip to Nottingham on Thursday, but during the past week, the initially irate team management has clearly softened its stance.
Stokes is set to feature for Durham in the County Championship clash against Northamptonshire, having been added to the 15-member squad for the clash at Chester-Le-Street. In Stokes’ absence, Joe Root took over the reins to captain England for the second Test at the Oval as vice-captain Harry Brook himself was involved in a nightclub incident ahead of an ODI in Wellington, a revelation which only came to light months after the incident.
Brendon McCullum and Men’s Director of Cricket Rob Key did not ascertain Stokes losing his captaincy, but it has been speculated that if the star all-rounder returns to the team after the investigation, he will be taking the field as captain of the side. The head coach also spoke of Stokes’ mental well-being after the incident, after reports of the latter wanting to retire from the game started doing the rounds.
The fallout from the incident and further squad absences in Ollie Robinson and Jamie Smith saw the trio of Jordan Cox, James Rew, and Sonny Baker make their Test debuts at the Oval.
Reports: Ben Stokes likely to return as England Test skipper amid nightclub altercation (Photo Source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
England Test skipper Ben Stokes appears likely to return to the squad as captain for the third Test against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in Nottingham after investigations into his nightclub curfew breach.
Stokes and teammate Gus Atkinson were involved in a late-night altercation at a nightclub after the victory at the Lord's in the first Test. The incident was also a breach of the curfew imposed on the team after the fallout from several drinking-related incidents from the Ashes. Stokes himself was among the decision-makers who put the curfew in place.
As per The Telegraph , the pair were interviewed by the England and Wales Cricket Board this week, and the reports of the internal investigation into the matter will be released before the ongoing second Test. The ECB maintains the position that no final decisions have been made over Stokes' trip to Nottingham on Thursday, but during the past week, the initially irate team management has clearly softened its stance.
Stokes is set to feature for Durham in the County Championship clash against Northamptonshire, having been added to the 15-member squad for the clash at Chester-Le-Street. In Stokes’ absence, Joe Root took over the reins to captain England for the second Test at the Oval as vice-captain Harry Brook himself was involved in a nightclub incident ahead of an ODI in Wellington, a revelation which only came to light months after the incident.
Brendon McCullum and Men’s Director of Cricket Rob Key did not ascertain Stokes losing his captaincy, but it has been speculated that if the star all-rounder returns to the team after the investigation, he will be taking the field as captain of the side. The head coach also spoke of Stokes’ mental well-being after the incident, after reports of the latter wanting to retire from the game started doing the rounds.
The fallout from the incident and further squad absences in Ollie Robinson and Jamie Smith saw the trio of Jordan Cox, James Rew, and Sonny Baker make their Test debuts at the Oval.
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ENG vs NZ 2026: 'I know he's watching' - Glenn Phillips dedicates maiden Test century to late father
The all-rounder became the third New Zealand cricketer to score centuries in all three formats of the game, after Martin Guptill and current England head coach Brendon McCullum.
The all-rounder became the third New Zealand cricketer to score centuries in all three formats of the game, after Martin Guptill and current England head coach Brendon McCullum.
📢ENG vs NZ 2026: 'I know he's watching' - Glenn Phillips dedicates maiden Test century to late father
ENG vs NZ 2026: 'I know he's watching in some stage' - Glenn Phillips dedicates maiden Test century to his father (Photo Source: Getty Images)
Glenn Phillips notched up his maiden Test century on Day 2 of the second Test between England and New Zealand at the Oval. The all-rounder became the third New Zealand cricketer to score centuries in all three formats of the game, after Martin Guptill and current England head coach Brendon McCullum. He reached a milestone a day before his father Roland's death anniversary and celebrated by raising his bat to the sky. Speaking after the day's play, Phillips dedicated his century to his father.
"It's the anniversary of my dad's passing tomorrow. Hopefully, with our boys doing their thing, maybe I'm not going to be needed tomorrow. But today is close enough for the moment to matter, and he's been a big role in my life. I know he would have loved to be here to see that, and Test cricket was his favourite format. I know he's watching in some stage," Phillips said, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
He finished day 1 unbeaten on 49 off 74 balls, withstanding a short-ball onslaught from Jofra Archer. He then scored 51 runs off 61 balls the following morning, putting up 100 runs for the last three wickets, and taking New Zealand to a competitive score of 391. The battle between Phillips and Archer brought back memories of a 2019 New Zealand A tour, where he faced a similar experience from the England quick.
"We've actually had one of those duels before, six or seven years back in New Zealand, and he pretty much hit me in the exact same spots all over. He bowls with great heat, great accuracy, and he just kept coming back. Obviously, it was a thrilling contest for the crowd to see as well, and sometimes you've just got to enjoy it, laugh, and hope for the best," Phillips said.
New Zealand are also without their talisman Kane Williamson, who announced his retirement from international cricket after the loss at Lord's. Phillips emphasised on Williamson's constant messaging about how the runs are always for the team.
"Kane obviously speaks about it quite a lot: we score our runs, but they're never our runs. We're just custodians of those runs for the team. We try to do things for the team," Phillips said.
Before the Test series, Phillips was at the IPL with the Gujarat Titans, where he played the first five games, but was dropped for Jason Holder. He used his time to prepare for the Test series, trying to play the ball as late as possible.
"I still had to be prepared to play, but we were very, very lucky at Gujarat with the amount of facilities that we had. [I was] not necessarily training red-ball cricket per se, but having that same mindset of being still, trying to keep my head as still as possible, and play the ball as late as possible, under my eyes. Definitely, there was time to be able to have those sorts of nets sessions, do my throwdowns," he said.
"We were very spoiled for choice over there with the number of facilities and people that we had on board. It's just a matter of trying to get used to that red ball when you get over here, and obviously the Dukes is always slightly different [to the Kookaburra]. For me, it was then about making that adjustment when we got to Lord's, trying to adjust as quick as possible," he added.
The Kiwis find themselves in a dominant position at the close of Day 2, with England reeling at 222 for 6 in 59 overs, trailing by 169 runs.
ENG vs NZ 2026: 'I know he's watching in some stage' - Glenn Phillips dedicates maiden Test century to his father (Photo Source: Getty Images)
Glenn Phillips notched up his maiden Test century on Day 2 of the second Test between England and New Zealand at the Oval. The all-rounder became the third New Zealand cricketer to score centuries in all three formats of the game, after Martin Guptill and current England head coach Brendon McCullum. He reached a milestone a day before his father Roland's death anniversary and celebrated by raising his bat to the sky. Speaking after the day's play, Phillips dedicated his century to his father.
"It's the anniversary of my dad's passing tomorrow. Hopefully, with our boys doing their thing, maybe I'm not going to be needed tomorrow. But today is close enough for the moment to matter, and he's been a big role in my life. I know he would have loved to be here to see that, and Test cricket was his favourite format. I know he's watching in some stage," Phillips said, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
He finished day 1 unbeaten on 49 off 74 balls, withstanding a short-ball onslaught from Jofra Archer. He then scored 51 runs off 61 balls the following morning, putting up 100 runs for the last three wickets, and taking New Zealand to a competitive score of 391. The battle between Phillips and Archer brought back memories of a 2019 New Zealand A tour, where he faced a similar experience from the England quick.
"We've actually had one of those duels before, six or seven years back in New Zealand, and he pretty much hit me in the exact same spots all over. He bowls with great heat, great accuracy, and he just kept coming back. Obviously, it was a thrilling contest for the crowd to see as well, and sometimes you've just got to enjoy it, laugh, and hope for the best," Phillips said.
New Zealand are also without their talisman Kane Williamson, who announced his retirement from international cricket after the loss at Lord's. Phillips emphasised on Williamson's constant messaging about how the runs are always for the team.
"Kane obviously speaks about it quite a lot: we score our runs, but they're never our runs. We're just custodians of those runs for the team. We try to do things for the team," Phillips said.
Before the Test series, Phillips was at the IPL with the Gujarat Titans, where he played the first five games, but was dropped for Jason Holder. He used his time to prepare for the Test series, trying to play the ball as late as possible.
"I still had to be prepared to play, but we were very, very lucky at Gujarat with the amount of facilities that we had. [I was] not necessarily training red-ball cricket per se, but having that same mindset of being still, trying to keep my head as still as possible, and play the ball as late as possible, under my eyes. Definitely, there was time to be able to have those sorts of nets sessions, do my throwdowns," he said.
"We were very spoiled for choice over there with the number of facilities and people that we had on board. It's just a matter of trying to get used to that red ball when you get over here, and obviously the Dukes is always slightly different [to the Kookaburra]. For me, it was then about making that adjustment when we got to Lord's, trying to adjust as quick as possible," he added.
The Kiwis find themselves in a dominant position at the close of Day 2, with England reeling at 222 for 6 in 59 overs, trailing by 169 runs.
'These are strategic discussions' - BCCI tight-lipped over Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma's selection ahead of 2027 World Cup
Whatever decisions are made involve the cricket committee and the selectors, including support staff, head coach and the players concerned. There are regular conversations taking place," Saikia said.
Whatever decisions are made involve the cricket committee and the selectors, including support staff, head coach and the players concerned. There are regular conversations taking place," Saikia said.
📢'These are strategic discussions' - BCCI tight-lipped over Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma's selection ahead of 2027 World Cup
'These are strategic discussions' - BCCI tight-lipped over Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma's selection ahead of 2027 World Cup (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is actively discussing the selection of senior cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the upcoming 2027 ODI World Cup. With the quadrennial global tournament on the horizon once again, it is slated to be the last dance for the Indian duo. However, their availability, fitness, and an eventual inclusion for the event remain a huge question mark at the moment.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has said that a team of experts is sitting in the office to discuss the team for the future, with Rohit and Virat being the centre point of the decision-making process. Saikia has suggested the duo themselves are involved in such meetings alongside other stakeholders, selectors, coaches and the captain, but none of these will ever be out in the open.
"As the head of the board, we have a very well-knit team and a lot of experts. All stakeholders are taken on board. Whatever decisions are made involve the cricket committee, the selectors and all other stakeholders, including the support staff, the head coach and the players concerned. There are regular conversations taking place," Saikia told as quoted by India TV .
Saikia has suggested that the selection for the 2027 World Cup is already a work in progress, and there might not be separate calls taken in this regard. He believes that such matters will remain confined to the meeting rooms of the BCCI and its office-bearers. As a result, it lies solely with the meeting personnel to take calls based on the strategy aimed at lifting the crown in the prestigious tournament.
"For that reason, we do not need any special session of interaction. This is an ongoing process. Further, I do not think I should disclose anything before the media or the public because these are strategic discussions. I am not authorised to speak about them before the media. Secondly, these are matters that should remain within the boardroom," he added.
Notably, both Rohit and Virat have expressed their desires to play for the Men in Blue and help the country win the ODI World Cup in Africa. However, reports keep popping up regarding the doubts over their selection in the squad for the marquee event.
'These are strategic discussions' - BCCI tight-lipped over Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma's selection ahead of 2027 World Cup (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is actively discussing the selection of senior cricketers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the upcoming 2027 ODI World Cup. With the quadrennial global tournament on the horizon once again, it is slated to be the last dance for the Indian duo. However, their availability, fitness, and an eventual inclusion for the event remain a huge question mark at the moment.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has said that a team of experts is sitting in the office to discuss the team for the future, with Rohit and Virat being the centre point of the decision-making process. Saikia has suggested the duo themselves are involved in such meetings alongside other stakeholders, selectors, coaches and the captain, but none of these will ever be out in the open.
"As the head of the board, we have a very well-knit team and a lot of experts. All stakeholders are taken on board. Whatever decisions are made involve the cricket committee, the selectors and all other stakeholders, including the support staff, the head coach and the players concerned. There are regular conversations taking place," Saikia told as quoted by India TV .
Saikia has suggested that the selection for the 2027 World Cup is already a work in progress, and there might not be separate calls taken in this regard. He believes that such matters will remain confined to the meeting rooms of the BCCI and its office-bearers. As a result, it lies solely with the meeting personnel to take calls based on the strategy aimed at lifting the crown in the prestigious tournament.
"For that reason, we do not need any special session of interaction. This is an ongoing process. Further, I do not think I should disclose anything before the media or the public because these are strategic discussions. I am not authorised to speak about them before the media. Secondly, these are matters that should remain within the boardroom," he added.
Notably, both Rohit and Virat have expressed their desires to play for the Men in Blue and help the country win the ODI World Cup in Africa. However, reports keep popping up regarding the doubts over their selection in the squad for the marquee event.
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