Hardik Pandya's fitness could be key to India's 2027 ODI World Cup hopes: WV Raman
Pandya's ability to balance the side by serving as a genuine pace-bowling all-rounder makes him one of India's most valuable assets in the 50-over format.
Pandya's ability to balance the side by serving as a genuine pace-bowling all-rounder makes him one of India's most valuable assets in the 50-over format.
💘1
📢Hardik Pandya's fitness could be key to India's 2027 ODI World Cup hopes: WV Raman
Hardik Pandya's fitness could be key to India's 2027 ODI World Cup hopes, says WV Raman (Photo by Surjeet Yadav/MB Media/Getty Images)
Former cricketer WV Raman feels that all-rounder Hardik Pandya is slated to play a pivotal role in India's quest for a third ODI World Cup title in 2027, provided the star cricketer remains fit and available to contribute with both bat and ball.
Pandya's ability to balance the side by serving as a genuine pace-bowling all-rounder makes him one of India's most valuable assets in the 50-over format. Raman believes that if the 32-year-old can consistently bowl his full quota of overs, he could offer the team significant flexibility during the marquee tournament.
"I believe that he can be a terrific cricketer for the Indian team. The flexibility he can provide if fit and able to bowl 10 overs is invaluable. But I think it will all come down to the fitness levels he can maintain," Raman was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express .
Raman also pointed out that Pandya's recurring fitness concerns remain a major factor. The former India coach highlighted that the all-rounder was initially included in India's squad for the ODI series against Afghanistan but had to withdraw due to injury issues.
"Even for this Afghanistan series, he was picked in the squad, but unfortunately, he was pulled out at the last minute because of injuries," he observed.
With India scheduled to play only around 15 ODIs before the 2027 World Cup, Raman stressed the importance of using every available opportunity to build the ideal squad and identify the most effective combinations.
India have consistently reached the knockout stages of the last three ODI World Cups in recent years, but they have often fallen short at crucial moments. Raman believes the team management should focus on experimentation over the next 12 to 15 months to avoid repeating past mistakes.
"Having reached the knockout stage eight times and succeeded only twice shows that the team management needs to look at various options and get into an experimental mode," he said.
The veteran further explained that bilateral series should be viewed as opportunities to assess both first-choice players and backup options ahead of the global event.
"The 12 to 15 months leading up to the tournament are very important. They must utilise all bilateral series to try different combinations. This will help players discover themselves and allow the management to assess their main strength, bench strength and possible options as the World Cup approaches," he added.
India will enter the 2027 ODI World Cup aiming to end a prolonged wait for the trophy. The Men in Blue lifted the coveted title in 1983 and 2011 but have since endured heartbreak in several knockout matches, including runner-up finishes in 2003 and 2023.
Hardik Pandya's fitness could be key to India's 2027 ODI World Cup hopes, says WV Raman (Photo by Surjeet Yadav/MB Media/Getty Images)
Former cricketer WV Raman feels that all-rounder Hardik Pandya is slated to play a pivotal role in India's quest for a third ODI World Cup title in 2027, provided the star cricketer remains fit and available to contribute with both bat and ball.
Pandya's ability to balance the side by serving as a genuine pace-bowling all-rounder makes him one of India's most valuable assets in the 50-over format. Raman believes that if the 32-year-old can consistently bowl his full quota of overs, he could offer the team significant flexibility during the marquee tournament.
"I believe that he can be a terrific cricketer for the Indian team. The flexibility he can provide if fit and able to bowl 10 overs is invaluable. But I think it will all come down to the fitness levels he can maintain," Raman was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express .
Raman also pointed out that Pandya's recurring fitness concerns remain a major factor. The former India coach highlighted that the all-rounder was initially included in India's squad for the ODI series against Afghanistan but had to withdraw due to injury issues.
"Even for this Afghanistan series, he was picked in the squad, but unfortunately, he was pulled out at the last minute because of injuries," he observed.
With India scheduled to play only around 15 ODIs before the 2027 World Cup, Raman stressed the importance of using every available opportunity to build the ideal squad and identify the most effective combinations.
India have consistently reached the knockout stages of the last three ODI World Cups in recent years, but they have often fallen short at crucial moments. Raman believes the team management should focus on experimentation over the next 12 to 15 months to avoid repeating past mistakes.
"Having reached the knockout stage eight times and succeeded only twice shows that the team management needs to look at various options and get into an experimental mode," he said.
The veteran further explained that bilateral series should be viewed as opportunities to assess both first-choice players and backup options ahead of the global event.
"The 12 to 15 months leading up to the tournament are very important. They must utilise all bilateral series to try different combinations. This will help players discover themselves and allow the management to assess their main strength, bench strength and possible options as the World Cup approaches," he added.
India will enter the 2027 ODI World Cup aiming to end a prolonged wait for the trophy. The Men in Blue lifted the coveted title in 1983 and 2011 but have since endured heartbreak in several knockout matches, including runner-up finishes in 2003 and 2023.
'Really just trying to enjoy my cricket' - Henry Nicholls after second-innings century to decimate England
Nicholls came into the squad in the wake of the talismanic Kane Williamson announcing his retirement from all formats of the game.
Nicholls came into the squad in the wake of the talismanic Kane Williamson announcing his retirement from all formats of the game.
📢'Really just trying to enjoy my cricket' - Henry Nicholls after second-innings century to decimate England
ENG vs NZ 2026: 'Really just trying to enjoy my cricket' - Henry Nicholls after second-innings century to decimate England (Source- Philip Brown/Getty Image)
New Zealand batter Henry Nicholls notched up his 11th Test century in the second innings of the second Test against England at the Oval. The southpaw remained unbeaten on 119 as the BlackCaps finished the third day in a dominant position with a score of 252 for 3, leading by 352.
Nicholls made his last Test appearance in August 2025 but has been churning out the runs for Canterbury in the domestic game. He reached his century off 136 balls and put on a stand of 161 runs off 201 for the fourth wicket with Rachin Ravindra, piling further misery on the hosts.
"Being out of the team for a bit and playing domestically, [I've been] really just trying to enjoy my cricket. I certainly, in the last couple of years, feel like I've actually been playing my best cricket. For me as well, having played a significant number of Tests [58] knew what it takes at this level," Nicholls told Sky Sports after the day's play, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
"I guess I had the confidence coming in here to believe in myself. I've done it before, but to come out here today and do it and contribute in this innings [is pleasing]. It's obviously a great day personally, but from the team perspective, to bowl them out with the lead and then to be where we are now was exactly what we wanted at the start of the day," he added.
Nicholls was the highest run scorer in the 2025-26 Plunket Shield. He scored 870 runs at an average of 96.66 from 11 innings with five half-centuries and three centuries as Canterbury lifted the title. He credited the domestic cricket and the team environment for enabling him to come into the team and perform immediately.
"You've seen over the last probably four or five years, every player that's come into the group, they don't look out of place and they're really comfortable. It's a credit to domestic cricket, but the Black Caps environment as well," he said.
Nicholls came into the squad in the wake of the talismanic Kane Williamson announcing his retirement from all formats of the game. Promoted to number 3, he made an immediate impact, taking the fight to an inexperienced English bowling attack.
"I certainly knew when I was coming in for him, I wasn't going to be able to replace him," he explained. "He's just such an incredible player, but I just really enjoyed being back in the team - and even in the first innings, enjoyed being back in Test-match cricket," he added.
"In the second innings, I just wanted to try to replicate that, and you want to contribute, and you want to do all of these things. But it was just building a partnership with Rachin [Ravindra] and even Daz [Daryl Mitchell] at the end there."
England were bowled out for 291, with Matt Henry finishing with figures of 5 for 80. Matt Fisher scored his maiden first-class half-century to reduce New Zealand's lead to 100 runs, but with Nicholls' innings, they are back firmly in the driver's seat.
ENG vs NZ 2026: 'Really just trying to enjoy my cricket' - Henry Nicholls after second-innings century to decimate England (Source- Philip Brown/Getty Image)
New Zealand batter Henry Nicholls notched up his 11th Test century in the second innings of the second Test against England at the Oval. The southpaw remained unbeaten on 119 as the BlackCaps finished the third day in a dominant position with a score of 252 for 3, leading by 352.
Nicholls made his last Test appearance in August 2025 but has been churning out the runs for Canterbury in the domestic game. He reached his century off 136 balls and put on a stand of 161 runs off 201 for the fourth wicket with Rachin Ravindra, piling further misery on the hosts.
"Being out of the team for a bit and playing domestically, [I've been] really just trying to enjoy my cricket. I certainly, in the last couple of years, feel like I've actually been playing my best cricket. For me as well, having played a significant number of Tests [58] knew what it takes at this level," Nicholls told Sky Sports after the day's play, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
"I guess I had the confidence coming in here to believe in myself. I've done it before, but to come out here today and do it and contribute in this innings [is pleasing]. It's obviously a great day personally, but from the team perspective, to bowl them out with the lead and then to be where we are now was exactly what we wanted at the start of the day," he added.
Nicholls was the highest run scorer in the 2025-26 Plunket Shield. He scored 870 runs at an average of 96.66 from 11 innings with five half-centuries and three centuries as Canterbury lifted the title. He credited the domestic cricket and the team environment for enabling him to come into the team and perform immediately.
"You've seen over the last probably four or five years, every player that's come into the group, they don't look out of place and they're really comfortable. It's a credit to domestic cricket, but the Black Caps environment as well," he said.
Nicholls came into the squad in the wake of the talismanic Kane Williamson announcing his retirement from all formats of the game. Promoted to number 3, he made an immediate impact, taking the fight to an inexperienced English bowling attack.
"I certainly knew when I was coming in for him, I wasn't going to be able to replace him," he explained. "He's just such an incredible player, but I just really enjoyed being back in the team - and even in the first innings, enjoyed being back in Test-match cricket," he added.
"In the second innings, I just wanted to try to replicate that, and you want to contribute, and you want to do all of these things. But it was just building a partnership with Rachin [Ravindra] and even Daz [Daryl Mitchell] at the end there."
England were bowled out for 291, with Matt Henry finishing with figures of 5 for 80. Matt Fisher scored his maiden first-class half-century to reduce New Zealand's lead to 100 runs, but with Nicholls' innings, they are back firmly in the driver's seat.
Bangladesh vs Australia Prediction, 3rd T20I – Who will win today’s match between BAN vs AUS?
Australia won the 2nd T20I by 7 runs, and now have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
Australia won the 2nd T20I by 7 runs, and now have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
📢Bangladesh vs Australia Prediction, 3rd T20I – Who will win today’s match between BAN vs AUS?
Bangladesh vs Australia Prediction, 3rd T20I – Who will win today’s match between BAN vs AUS? (Source:Gettyimages)
Bangladesh (BAN) will take on Australia (AUS) in the third T20I , which is also slated to be the series finale, on Sunday, June 21 , at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram .
Bangladesh will enter into this clash having already lost the series. They have been unable to pip the Aussies the way they did in the ODI leg of the tour but have offered solid fights in both the 20-over contests thus far. The Bangla Tigers came close to chasing down a mammoth 197, falling short by just seven runs in the previous clash, but they would be looking to sign off with a consolation win, nonetheless.
Australia have responded brilliantly from their ODI series loss, sealing the T20I series early. They have found their groove on wickets that have assisted spin bowling, with their batters scoring vital runs and both spinners and pacers taking wickets. They will be looking to seal the T20I series with a win to complete a whitewash.
BAN vs AUS: Match Details
Match
Bangladesh vs Australia, 3rd T20I , Australia tour of Bangladesh 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Sunday, June 21, 1:30 PM (IST)
Venue
Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium, Chattogram
Live-streaming Details
Fancode (App & Website)
Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium, Chattogram: Pitch Report
The pitch at Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram has been one of a sluggish nature this series, assisting spinners and slower bowlers. The Aussies were able to score a total of over 190, despite batters taking their time to score freely. Batters have not been able to get going from ball one, instead having to bide their time to score big.
BAN vs AUS: Head-to-Head T20I Record
Matches Played
13
Won by BAN
04
Won by AUS
09
No Results
00
First-ever Fixture
September 16, 2007 (AUS Won)
Most Recent Fixture
June 19, 2026 (AUS Won)
BAN vs AUS: Predicted Playing XIs
Bangladesh
Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar , Parvez Hossain Emon (WK), Towhid Hridoy (C), Shamim Hossain,, Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana
Australia
Mitchell Marsh (C), Josh Inglis (WK), Cooper Connolly, Matt Renshaw, Tim David, Nikhil Chaudhary, Joel Davies, Aaron Hardie, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson
BAN vs AUS: Probable Best Performers of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Matt Renshaw
Matthew Renshaw (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
The left-handed Matt Renshaw has been Australia's rock in the middle order. He scored a brilliant 89 off 52 balls on a slow wicket in the 2nd T20I, an innings which took the Aussies to the dominant total of 196. Australia will be banking on him to score vital runs, which would help them seal a series whitewash.
Probable Best Bowler: Joel Davies
Joel Davies (Source : ausmencricket on IG)
Left-arm spinner Joel Davies made his debut in the first T20 and put on a brilliant showing with figures of 3 for 17. He was just able to add a solitary wicket in the second T20I but is still the joint-highest wicket-taker of the series with Adam Zampa . He has looked threatening throughout on the spin-friendly wickets and will be looking to finish his debut series on a high note.
Today's Match Prediction : Team batting first to win the match
Bangladesh vs Australia Prediction, 3rd T20I – Who will win today’s match between BAN vs AUS? (Source:Gettyimages)
Bangladesh (BAN) will take on Australia (AUS) in the third T20I , which is also slated to be the series finale, on Sunday, June 21 , at the Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram .
Bangladesh will enter into this clash having already lost the series. They have been unable to pip the Aussies the way they did in the ODI leg of the tour but have offered solid fights in both the 20-over contests thus far. The Bangla Tigers came close to chasing down a mammoth 197, falling short by just seven runs in the previous clash, but they would be looking to sign off with a consolation win, nonetheless.
Australia have responded brilliantly from their ODI series loss, sealing the T20I series early. They have found their groove on wickets that have assisted spin bowling, with their batters scoring vital runs and both spinners and pacers taking wickets. They will be looking to seal the T20I series with a win to complete a whitewash.
BAN vs AUS: Match Details
Match
Bangladesh vs Australia, 3rd T20I , Australia tour of Bangladesh 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Sunday, June 21, 1:30 PM (IST)
Venue
Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium, Chattogram
Live-streaming Details
Fancode (App & Website)
Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium, Chattogram: Pitch Report
The pitch at Bir Sreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Stadium in Chattogram has been one of a sluggish nature this series, assisting spinners and slower bowlers. The Aussies were able to score a total of over 190, despite batters taking their time to score freely. Batters have not been able to get going from ball one, instead having to bide their time to score big.
BAN vs AUS: Head-to-Head T20I Record
Matches Played
13
Won by BAN
04
Won by AUS
09
No Results
00
First-ever Fixture
September 16, 2007 (AUS Won)
Most Recent Fixture
June 19, 2026 (AUS Won)
BAN vs AUS: Predicted Playing XIs
Bangladesh
Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Soumya Sarkar , Parvez Hossain Emon (WK), Towhid Hridoy (C), Shamim Hossain,, Abdul Gaffar Saqlain, Rishad Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Nahid Rana
Australia
Mitchell Marsh (C), Josh Inglis (WK), Cooper Connolly, Matt Renshaw, Tim David, Nikhil Chaudhary, Joel Davies, Aaron Hardie, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson
BAN vs AUS: Probable Best Performers of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Matt Renshaw
Matthew Renshaw (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
The left-handed Matt Renshaw has been Australia's rock in the middle order. He scored a brilliant 89 off 52 balls on a slow wicket in the 2nd T20I, an innings which took the Aussies to the dominant total of 196. Australia will be banking on him to score vital runs, which would help them seal a series whitewash.
Probable Best Bowler: Joel Davies
Joel Davies (Source : ausmencricket on IG)
Left-arm spinner Joel Davies made his debut in the first T20 and put on a brilliant showing with figures of 3 for 17. He was just able to add a solitary wicket in the second T20I but is still the joint-highest wicket-taker of the series with Adam Zampa . He has looked threatening throughout on the spin-friendly wickets and will be looking to finish his debut series on a high note.
Today's Match Prediction : Team batting first to win the match
'No compromises' - Sunil Gavaskar wants BCCI to crack down on IPL no-show overseas stars
"They should also ban those who come to the IPL and, when they find they aren't being picked regularly, feign an injury and return home and then play in their domestic cricket," wrote Gavaskar.
"They should also ban those who come to the IPL and, when they find they aren't being picked regularly, feign an injury and return home and then play in their domestic cricket," wrote Gavaskar.
📢'No compromises' - Sunil Gavaskar wants BCCI to crack down on IPL no-show overseas stars
'No compromises' - Sunil Gavaskar wants BCCI to crack down on IPL no-show overseas stars (Photo by Izhar Khan/Getty Images)
Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has urged the BCCI to take strict action against overseas players who deliberately cite injuries and withdraw from tournaments after failing to secure regular playing opportunities. He noted that some cricketers tend to take the IPL for granted and return to their home countries midway through the season to participate in domestic competitions.
Gavaskar emphasised that such actions are unfair to franchises, as finding suitable replacements at an advanced stage of the tournament is an extremely difficult task. He added that teams invest significant resources in assembling their squads and should not be left struggling due to the premature departure of overseas players.
"The BCCI's ban for two years on those who enter the auction and, after being picked, then withdraw at the last moment, not for injury but brownie points with their local media, is another good move. They should also ban those who come to the IPL and, when they find they aren't being picked regularly, feign an injury and return home and then play in their domestic cricket even while the IPL is still going on," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.
"Plenty of overseas players take the IPL for granted and sometimes, in connivance with their boards, make some excuse and not play in the full tournament as they agreed before they entered the auction. The franchise cannot go running around for a replacement at this late hour, and so has no option but to wait for the Board to release the player," he added.
The former Indian captain further pointed out that foreign cricket boards receive a 10% commission on their players' IPL earnings once they are bought at the auction. He suggested that players should be paid strictly in proportion to the number of matches they are available for during the tournament. Gavaskar also took a direct swipe at certain overseas cricketers, remarking that the IPL has often turned relatively ordinary players into millionaires.
"Remember, the boards get 10% of the player fee, not from the player. This is an additional cost to the franchise, and that is why it is important for BCCI to be firm and ensure this does not happen. Cutting the player's fee according to the number of matches he is missing should also apply to the percentage that the overseas Boards get for their player," Gavaskar wrote.
"The cricketing world has been ruled by the old powers without giving anything to the other Boards. Here, BCCI is giving to the Boards too, and so should be telling them not to take the helplessness of the franchise as a weakness and to cancel the contracts of those who don't want to play the full tournament. No compromises. This is the IPL, not just the best T20 tournament in the world, but also the making of millionaires out of some really ordinary overseas players," he concluded.
'No compromises' - Sunil Gavaskar wants BCCI to crack down on IPL no-show overseas stars (Photo by Izhar Khan/Getty Images)
Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has urged the BCCI to take strict action against overseas players who deliberately cite injuries and withdraw from tournaments after failing to secure regular playing opportunities. He noted that some cricketers tend to take the IPL for granted and return to their home countries midway through the season to participate in domestic competitions.
Gavaskar emphasised that such actions are unfair to franchises, as finding suitable replacements at an advanced stage of the tournament is an extremely difficult task. He added that teams invest significant resources in assembling their squads and should not be left struggling due to the premature departure of overseas players.
"The BCCI's ban for two years on those who enter the auction and, after being picked, then withdraw at the last moment, not for injury but brownie points with their local media, is another good move. They should also ban those who come to the IPL and, when they find they aren't being picked regularly, feign an injury and return home and then play in their domestic cricket even while the IPL is still going on," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.
"Plenty of overseas players take the IPL for granted and sometimes, in connivance with their boards, make some excuse and not play in the full tournament as they agreed before they entered the auction. The franchise cannot go running around for a replacement at this late hour, and so has no option but to wait for the Board to release the player," he added.
The former Indian captain further pointed out that foreign cricket boards receive a 10% commission on their players' IPL earnings once they are bought at the auction. He suggested that players should be paid strictly in proportion to the number of matches they are available for during the tournament. Gavaskar also took a direct swipe at certain overseas cricketers, remarking that the IPL has often turned relatively ordinary players into millionaires.
"Remember, the boards get 10% of the player fee, not from the player. This is an additional cost to the franchise, and that is why it is important for BCCI to be firm and ensure this does not happen. Cutting the player's fee according to the number of matches he is missing should also apply to the percentage that the overseas Boards get for their player," Gavaskar wrote.
"The cricketing world has been ruled by the old powers without giving anything to the other Boards. Here, BCCI is giving to the Boards too, and so should be telling them not to take the helplessness of the franchise as a weakness and to cancel the contracts of those who don't want to play the full tournament. No compromises. This is the IPL, not just the best T20 tournament in the world, but also the making of millionaires out of some really ordinary overseas players," he concluded.
Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: ‘Like a duck to water’ - Sophie Ecclestone confident Charlie Dean will shine as stand-in captain
"It's pretty weird not to have Nat in a World Cup game, but Charlie's been amazing... she's been such a great captain, everyone feels so calm under Charlie," said Ecclestone.
"It's pretty weird not to have Nat in a World Cup game, but Charlie's been amazing... she's been such a great captain, everyone feels so calm under Charlie," said Ecclestone.
📢Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: ‘Like a duck to water’ - Sophie Ecclestone confident Charlie Dean will shine as stand-in captain
Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: ‘Like a duck to water’ - Sophie Ecclestone confident Charlie Dean will shine as stand-in captain (Photo Source: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
England Women will take on Scotland Women at Headingley on June 20 without regular captain Nat Sciver-Brunt , who has been sidelined after aggravating a calf injury during the closing stages of England's victory over Ireland in Southampton.
As a result, Sciver-Brunt will miss the upcoming matches against Scotland and the West Indies, with Charlie Dean set to lead the side in her absence. Dean previously captained England in T20I series victories against New Zealand and India, guiding the team to 2-1 wins in both contests ahead of the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Sophie Ecclestone revealed that Sciver-Brunt remains in good spirits despite the setback. Ecclestone also expressed confidence in Dean's leadership, highlighting her growing experience as captain and noting that the two players share a similar approach to leading the team.
"Not ideal that she's missing the next two games but Deano's going to take charge and it's obviously a really exciting place to be back in charge and captain at the World Cup. Charlie's obviously captained recently. It's been really cool to play with her for a bit and it's quite nice for her to not come in blindsided now. She's been captain for a few games of England now, so it'd just be like a duck to water again, I reckon,” said Ecclestone as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
"It's pretty weird not to have Nat in a World Cup game, but Charlie's been amazing... she's been such a great captain, everyone feels so calm under Charlie and I feel like we've actually not even spoken about it recently. It's just the norm that if Nat's not fit, then Charlie's captain and that's fine,” she added.
Left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon, who represented England at the 2018 Women's T20 World Cup before recently switching allegiance to Scotland, will be one of the key players to watch. Gordon impressed in Scotland's match against the West Indies Women, maintaining a tidy economy rate and providing crucial control with the ball.
Meanwhile, Rachel Slater expects Scotland, who qualified for the tournament through the qualifiers, to adopt a similarly aggressive approach against England as they did against the Caribbean side.
"It just comes from confidence, knowing we deserve to be here and knowing that if we actually play our best and bowl well, a good ball is a good ball no matter whose hand it's coming out of. So just trying to take that element out of it, of like, 'oh my God, I'm bowling at XYZ'. A good ball is a good ball on whatever pitch, whoever you bowl it at, and whoever's bowled it,” said Slater.
"It's the exact same. We don't need to approach any game any differently. Just keep doing the basics well and hopefully do that for a little bit longer in those high-pressure moments and you get over the line in a game like that,” she added.
Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: ‘Like a duck to water’ - Sophie Ecclestone confident Charlie Dean will shine as stand-in captain (Photo Source: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
England Women will take on Scotland Women at Headingley on June 20 without regular captain Nat Sciver-Brunt , who has been sidelined after aggravating a calf injury during the closing stages of England's victory over Ireland in Southampton.
As a result, Sciver-Brunt will miss the upcoming matches against Scotland and the West Indies, with Charlie Dean set to lead the side in her absence. Dean previously captained England in T20I series victories against New Zealand and India, guiding the team to 2-1 wins in both contests ahead of the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Sophie Ecclestone revealed that Sciver-Brunt remains in good spirits despite the setback. Ecclestone also expressed confidence in Dean's leadership, highlighting her growing experience as captain and noting that the two players share a similar approach to leading the team.
"Not ideal that she's missing the next two games but Deano's going to take charge and it's obviously a really exciting place to be back in charge and captain at the World Cup. Charlie's obviously captained recently. It's been really cool to play with her for a bit and it's quite nice for her to not come in blindsided now. She's been captain for a few games of England now, so it'd just be like a duck to water again, I reckon,” said Ecclestone as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
"It's pretty weird not to have Nat in a World Cup game, but Charlie's been amazing... she's been such a great captain, everyone feels so calm under Charlie and I feel like we've actually not even spoken about it recently. It's just the norm that if Nat's not fit, then Charlie's captain and that's fine,” she added.
Left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon, who represented England at the 2018 Women's T20 World Cup before recently switching allegiance to Scotland, will be one of the key players to watch. Gordon impressed in Scotland's match against the West Indies Women, maintaining a tidy economy rate and providing crucial control with the ball.
Meanwhile, Rachel Slater expects Scotland, who qualified for the tournament through the qualifiers, to adopt a similarly aggressive approach against England as they did against the Caribbean side.
"It just comes from confidence, knowing we deserve to be here and knowing that if we actually play our best and bowl well, a good ball is a good ball no matter whose hand it's coming out of. So just trying to take that element out of it, of like, 'oh my God, I'm bowling at XYZ'. A good ball is a good ball on whatever pitch, whoever you bowl it at, and whoever's bowled it,” said Slater.
"It's the exact same. We don't need to approach any game any differently. Just keep doing the basics well and hopefully do that for a little bit longer in those high-pressure moments and you get over the line in a game like that,” she added.
📢Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi be targeted in tri-series final after heated altercation? Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige shares candid take
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Photo by Ashley Allen-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige drew the battle lines ahead of his team's tri-series final against India A at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday, June 21. However, he asserted that his team won't be targeting Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who had a physical altercation with Sri Lanka A batter Vishen Halambage the last time these two teams faced each other.
The incident happened after India A lost the Super Over against Sri Lanka A on Monday, June 15. Sooryavanshi shoved Halambage, who had reportedly been sledging the 15-year-old since the first time these two sides met in the tri-series on June 9. Since then, Halambage has been fined and Niroshan Dickwella, who tried to pacify things, has been sanctioned. However, the BCCI stated that they won't pull up Sooryavanshi as the incident happed on the field of play and left it to the match referree to decide his fate.
Amid the chaos, Arachchige made it clear that his squad has moved past the incident and added that they won't be targeting the Rajasthan Royals' batter on Sunday.
"The boys are not targeting anyone or anything. We are just enjoying ourselves. In a close game like a Super Over, emotions come out. That's normal," Arachchige told Sportstar.
The 30-year-old exuded confidence, saying that his team has no issues in the batting department and the bowlers have also stepped up. Sri Lanka A topped the group with three wins and one defeat from four matches.
"With the batting, there is no issue. And with the bowling, every fast bowler and spinner is doing very well. I think we are in good shape," the left-handed batter said.
Meanwhile, Sooryavanshi is due for a big knock, as he has thrown away some blistering starts during the campaign. In four innings, he has scored 117 runs at a strike rate of 153.95. The Bihar batter will look to make a mark in the summit clash.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Photo by Ashley Allen-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige drew the battle lines ahead of his team's tri-series final against India A at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday, June 21. However, he asserted that his team won't be targeting Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who had a physical altercation with Sri Lanka A batter Vishen Halambage the last time these two teams faced each other.
The incident happened after India A lost the Super Over against Sri Lanka A on Monday, June 15. Sooryavanshi shoved Halambage, who had reportedly been sledging the 15-year-old since the first time these two sides met in the tri-series on June 9. Since then, Halambage has been fined and Niroshan Dickwella, who tried to pacify things, has been sanctioned. However, the BCCI stated that they won't pull up Sooryavanshi as the incident happed on the field of play and left it to the match referree to decide his fate.
Amid the chaos, Arachchige made it clear that his squad has moved past the incident and added that they won't be targeting the Rajasthan Royals' batter on Sunday.
"The boys are not targeting anyone or anything. We are just enjoying ourselves. In a close game like a Super Over, emotions come out. That's normal," Arachchige told Sportstar.
The 30-year-old exuded confidence, saying that his team has no issues in the batting department and the bowlers have also stepped up. Sri Lanka A topped the group with three wins and one defeat from four matches.
"With the batting, there is no issue. And with the bowling, every fast bowler and spinner is doing very well. I think we are in good shape," the left-handed batter said.
Meanwhile, Sooryavanshi is due for a big knock, as he has thrown away some blistering starts during the campaign. In four innings, he has scored 117 runs at a strike rate of 153.95. The Bihar batter will look to make a mark in the summit clash.
Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi be targeted in tri-series final after heated altercation? Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige shares candid take
Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige drew the battle lines ahead of his team's tri-series final against India A at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday, June 21.
Sri Lanka A captain Sahan Arachchige drew the battle lines ahead of his team's tri-series final against India A at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday, June 21.
‘If I compare myself with anyone, it’s with myself’ - Tilak Varma opens up on his constant pursuit of improvement
"For me, it only matters how good I am today and how good I can be tomorrow. That’s the comparison I make every day," said Tilak.
"For me, it only matters how good I am today and how good I can be tomorrow. That’s the comparison I make every day," said Tilak.
😱1
Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Match 18, SA W vs IND W Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match between South Africa Women vs India Women?
South Africa Women take on India Women in a high-stakes clash in Match No. 18 of the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup on Sunday, June 21, at Old Trafford in Manchester.
South Africa Women take on India Women in a high-stakes clash in Match No. 18 of the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup on Sunday, June 21, at Old Trafford in Manchester.
📢‘If I compare myself with anyone, it’s with myself’ - Tilak Varma opens up on his constant pursuit of improvement
‘If I compare myself with anyone, it’s with myself’ - Tilak Varma opens up on his constant pursuit of improvement (Photo Source: BCCI)
India A captain Tilak Varma has had to shoulder significant responsibility during the tri-series in Sri Lanka over the last few days. Apart from scoring crucial runs, he has guided the team throughout the tournament, handled pressure situations effectively, and ultimately led India A to the summit clash against Sri Lanka A.
Tilak has also been appointed vice-captain of the Indian team, giving him an opportunity to further develop his leadership skills and learn from experienced players and support staff.
When asked about his biggest learnings from the series, he admitted that handling pressure had been a key takeaway. He added that the most important lesson was understanding each player better, recognising their strengths, and learning how to get the best out of them in different situations.
“There have been a lot of learnings, especially around handling pressure. We came into this tournament as a group that hadn’t played together before. Everyone was coming from different teams and different IPL environments, and then suddenly they had to come together for India-A,” said Tilak to Sportstar
“What helped was that everyone has played enough domestic cricket. As a captain, the biggest learning for me has been understanding each player — how they react under pressure, what their mindset is and how to get the best out of them. I spend a lot of time with players off the field because that helps me understand them better,” he added.
Asked about the Super Over contest, Tilak said the team had worked hard throughout the day and wanted a decisive result. He added that representing India comes with a rich legacy and immense expectations, so handling pressure is simply part of the job.
“Honestly, if you look at that game, the light wasn’t ideal for a Super Over. But we had worked hard throughout the day and wanted a result because both teams were playing for two points. That’s all I was asking the umpires about. There wasn’t much argument from our side,” said Tilak.
"As for pressure, yes, it comes with leading India because of the legacy attached to the team. But pressure is part of the job. We’ve actually played good cricket in this tournament. Against Afghanistan-A, the DLS result didn’t go our way. Against Sri Lanka-A, it was a very close game. But overall, we’ve played well as a team, and now we have one game left. We’ll give it our best,” he added.
Tilak also spoke about his personal growth as a cricketer, saying that he strives to improve every day and prefers to compare himself with his previous performances rather than with other players. The India A captain also had words of praise for youngster Vaibhav Suryavanshi, highlighting his immense talent and potential. Tilak emphasised that young players need proper backing and support.
“I don’t really look at the competition. I don’t think about who’s coming in or who’s doing what. For me, it only matters how good I am today and how good I can be tomorrow. That’s the comparison I make every day. I focus on improving my game, on and off the field. If I compare myself with anyone, it’s with myself. That’s the only thing that matters,” said Tilak.
‘If I compare myself with anyone, it’s with myself’ - Tilak Varma opens up on his constant pursuit of improvement (Photo Source: BCCI)
India A captain Tilak Varma has had to shoulder significant responsibility during the tri-series in Sri Lanka over the last few days. Apart from scoring crucial runs, he has guided the team throughout the tournament, handled pressure situations effectively, and ultimately led India A to the summit clash against Sri Lanka A.
Tilak has also been appointed vice-captain of the Indian team, giving him an opportunity to further develop his leadership skills and learn from experienced players and support staff.
When asked about his biggest learnings from the series, he admitted that handling pressure had been a key takeaway. He added that the most important lesson was understanding each player better, recognising their strengths, and learning how to get the best out of them in different situations.
“There have been a lot of learnings, especially around handling pressure. We came into this tournament as a group that hadn’t played together before. Everyone was coming from different teams and different IPL environments, and then suddenly they had to come together for India-A,” said Tilak to Sportstar
“What helped was that everyone has played enough domestic cricket. As a captain, the biggest learning for me has been understanding each player — how they react under pressure, what their mindset is and how to get the best out of them. I spend a lot of time with players off the field because that helps me understand them better,” he added.
Asked about the Super Over contest, Tilak said the team had worked hard throughout the day and wanted a decisive result. He added that representing India comes with a rich legacy and immense expectations, so handling pressure is simply part of the job.
“Honestly, if you look at that game, the light wasn’t ideal for a Super Over. But we had worked hard throughout the day and wanted a result because both teams were playing for two points. That’s all I was asking the umpires about. There wasn’t much argument from our side,” said Tilak.
"As for pressure, yes, it comes with leading India because of the legacy attached to the team. But pressure is part of the job. We’ve actually played good cricket in this tournament. Against Afghanistan-A, the DLS result didn’t go our way. Against Sri Lanka-A, it was a very close game. But overall, we’ve played well as a team, and now we have one game left. We’ll give it our best,” he added.
Tilak also spoke about his personal growth as a cricketer, saying that he strives to improve every day and prefers to compare himself with his previous performances rather than with other players. The India A captain also had words of praise for youngster Vaibhav Suryavanshi, highlighting his immense talent and potential. Tilak emphasised that young players need proper backing and support.
“I don’t really look at the competition. I don’t think about who’s coming in or who’s doing what. For me, it only matters how good I am today and how good I can be tomorrow. That’s the comparison I make every day. I focus on improving my game, on and off the field. If I compare myself with anyone, it’s with myself. That’s the only thing that matters,” said Tilak.
📢Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Match 18, SA W vs IND W Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match between South Africa Women vs India Women?
Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Match 18, SA W vs IND W Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match between South Africa Women vs India Women? (Source:GettyImages)
South Africa Women take on India Women in a high-stakes clash in Match No. 18 of the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup on Sunday, June 21 , at Old Trafford in Manchester .
India come into this clash with two wins on their back. They first beat arch-rivals Pakistan by 64 runs in their opening game and followed it up with a 95-run win over the Netherlands. They will be bolstered by the early form of star batter Smriti Mandhana, who scored brilliant half-centuries in both matches, while fellow opener Shafali Verma has also shown fine all-round performances.
South Africa Women , on the other hand, come into this clash needing a victory after starting their campaign off with a loss to Australia. The group, consisting of three heavyweights, sees only two teams make the semi-finals, which means South Africa will need to take maximum points from this clash. They sealed a nervy win against Pakistan, chasing down a total of 127 with just two wickets in hand.
SA W vs IND W: Match Details
Match
South Africa Women vs India Women, Match 18 , Women's T20 World Cup 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Sunday, June 21, 2026, 7:00 PM
Venue
Old Trafford, Manchester
Broadcast and Live Streaming
JioStar Network Channels and JioHotstar (App & Website)
Old Trafford, Manchester: Pitch Report
The surface at Old Trafford in Manchester is one of the bouncier tracks in the country. The ball comes onto the bat quite well, with there being good bounce and carry. Seamers get help with lateral movement, making the new ball overs the most difficult to face. The boundaries are fairly large with a rapid outfield, making run scoring easier. The two games at the venue have seen spinners play a significant role.
SA W vs IND W: Head-to-Head T20I Record
Matches Played
24
Won by IND W
11
Won by SA W
10
Tie/NR
03
First-Ever Fixture
November 30, 2014
Most-Recent Fixture
April 27, 2026
SA W vs IND W: Predicted Playing XIs
India Women (IND W):
Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Renuka Singh Thakur, Kranti Gaud, N Shree Charani
South Africa Women (SA W):
Laura Wolvaardt (c), Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Kayla Reyneke, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba
SA W vs IND W: Probable Best Performers of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
The mercurial Smriti Mandhana was the best batter for India in their clashes against Pakistan and the Netherlands. The southpaw scored a well-made 68 off just 44 balls and followed it up with a commanding 74 off 47 balls. Mandhana has started the tournament in fine form, and India will be hopeful of runs from her bat in their marquee clash against South Africa.
Probable Best Bowler: N Shree Charani
Shree Charani. (Source: Getty Images)
Left-arm spinner N Shree Charani is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, with seven scalps. She picked up a three-wicket haul against Pakistan and followed it up with figures of 4 for 19 against the Netherlands. With the injury to Shreyanka Patil, more responsibility would fall on Shree Charani's shoulders.
Today's Match Prediction : Team batting first to win the match
Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Match 18, SA W vs IND W Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match between South Africa Women vs India Women? (Source:GettyImages)
South Africa Women take on India Women in a high-stakes clash in Match No. 18 of the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup on Sunday, June 21 , at Old Trafford in Manchester .
India come into this clash with two wins on their back. They first beat arch-rivals Pakistan by 64 runs in their opening game and followed it up with a 95-run win over the Netherlands. They will be bolstered by the early form of star batter Smriti Mandhana, who scored brilliant half-centuries in both matches, while fellow opener Shafali Verma has also shown fine all-round performances.
South Africa Women , on the other hand, come into this clash needing a victory after starting their campaign off with a loss to Australia. The group, consisting of three heavyweights, sees only two teams make the semi-finals, which means South Africa will need to take maximum points from this clash. They sealed a nervy win against Pakistan, chasing down a total of 127 with just two wickets in hand.
SA W vs IND W: Match Details
Match
South Africa Women vs India Women, Match 18 , Women's T20 World Cup 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Sunday, June 21, 2026, 7:00 PM
Venue
Old Trafford, Manchester
Broadcast and Live Streaming
JioStar Network Channels and JioHotstar (App & Website)
Old Trafford, Manchester: Pitch Report
The surface at Old Trafford in Manchester is one of the bouncier tracks in the country. The ball comes onto the bat quite well, with there being good bounce and carry. Seamers get help with lateral movement, making the new ball overs the most difficult to face. The boundaries are fairly large with a rapid outfield, making run scoring easier. The two games at the venue have seen spinners play a significant role.
SA W vs IND W: Head-to-Head T20I Record
Matches Played
24
Won by IND W
11
Won by SA W
10
Tie/NR
03
First-Ever Fixture
November 30, 2014
Most-Recent Fixture
April 27, 2026
SA W vs IND W: Predicted Playing XIs
India Women (IND W):
Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia, Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Renuka Singh Thakur, Kranti Gaud, N Shree Charani
South Africa Women (SA W):
Laura Wolvaardt (c), Sune Luus, Annerie Dercksen, Nadine de Klerk, Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tryon, Kayla Reyneke, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba
SA W vs IND W: Probable Best Performers of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)
The mercurial Smriti Mandhana was the best batter for India in their clashes against Pakistan and the Netherlands. The southpaw scored a well-made 68 off just 44 balls and followed it up with a commanding 74 off 47 balls. Mandhana has started the tournament in fine form, and India will be hopeful of runs from her bat in their marquee clash against South Africa.
Probable Best Bowler: N Shree Charani
Shree Charani. (Source: Getty Images)
Left-arm spinner N Shree Charani is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament, with seven scalps. She picked up a three-wicket haul against Pakistan and followed it up with figures of 4 for 19 against the Netherlands. With the injury to Shreyanka Patil, more responsibility would fall on Shree Charani's shoulders.
Today's Match Prediction : Team batting first to win the match
🔥1
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026: Match 3, CKM vs HT Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match between CKM vs HT?
Coastal Kings Mangaluru take on the Hubli Tigers in Match 3 of the 2026 Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 at the Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Ground in Mysore on Sunday, June 21.
Coastal Kings Mangaluru take on the Hubli Tigers in Match 3 of the 2026 Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 at the Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Ground in Mysore on Sunday, June 21.
📢Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026: Match 3, CKM vs HT Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match between CKM vs HT?
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026: Match 3, CKM vs HT Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match between CKM vs HT? (Source - Coastal Kings Mangaluru vs Hubli Tigers /Instagram)
The Coastal Kings Mangaluru (CKM) will take on the Hubli Tigers (HT) in Match 3 of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026 at the Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Ground in Mysore on Sunday, June 21 .
The Coastal Kings Mangaluru enter the new season carrying plenty of confidence after an impressive 2025 campaign. The Kings won the final of the 2025 season, beating the Hubli Tigers. They will once again rely on a strong core featuring experienced campaigners and exciting young talents to set the tone early in the competition.
The Hubli Tigers, on the other hand, will be seeking revenge after that final loss. With several proven performers returning to the setup, Hubli will be aiming to build on last year's momentum and establish themselves as early title contenders.
CKM vs HT: Match Details
Match
Coastal Kings Mangaluru vs Hubli Tigers , Match 3 , Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Sunday, June 21, 2026, 2:30 PM
Venue
Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Ground, Mysore
Broadcast and Live Streaming
Fancode (App & Website)
Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Ground, Mysore: Pitch Report
The venue of Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Ground, Mysore, hosted the whole of the 2025 season of Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20. This time though, the matches will be split. The pitch at this venue is known to be a cricketing wicket, with assistance to both batters and bowlers. With the game being played in the afternoon, there might be some assistance for the spinners.
CKM vs HT: Head-to-Head Record
Matches Played
7
Won By CKM
2
Won By HT
5
No Result
0
First Meeting
August 26, 2023 (HT Won)
Recent Meeting
August 26, 2025 (HT Won)
CKM vs HT: Predicted Playing XIs
Coastal Kings Mangaluru :
Nikin Jose, Dheeraj J Gowda, Karun Nair (C), Aadharsh SJ, Suraj Ahuja (WK), Muralidhara Venkatesh, Siddharth Akhil, Shreyas Gopal, Prithviraj Shekhawat, Aaron Christie, Rajvir Wadhwa
Hubli Tigers :
Mayank Agarwal , Mohammed Taha, Abhinav Manohar, Kruthik Krishna (WK), Aneeshwar Gautam (C), Hardik Raj, Manvanth Kumar L, Abhishek Ahlawat, Shikhar Shetty, LR Kumar, Tanish Mahesh
CKM vs HT: Probable Best Performers of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Mohammed Taha
The 32-year-old Mohammed Taha will be the batter to watch out for in this contest. The attacking batter had a stellar season in 2025, where he scored 342 runs in 12 matches with a strike rate of 146.15. Taha was one of the leading run-scorers of the tournament and now will be eager to replicate the same in the 2026 edition of the marquee state league.
Probable Best Bowler: Shreyas Gopal
The experienced leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal will be the bowler to watch out for in this contest. He had a great season in 2025, where he picked up 17 wickets in just 12 matches and was the third-highest wicket-taker of the season. The seasoned campaigner will be looking to carry his form from the previous season forward.
Today's Match Prediction : Chasing team to win the match
Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026: Match 3, CKM vs HT Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match between CKM vs HT? (Source - Coastal Kings Mangaluru vs Hubli Tigers /Instagram)
The Coastal Kings Mangaluru (CKM) will take on the Hubli Tigers (HT) in Match 3 of the Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20 2026 at the Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Ground in Mysore on Sunday, June 21 .
The Coastal Kings Mangaluru enter the new season carrying plenty of confidence after an impressive 2025 campaign. The Kings won the final of the 2025 season, beating the Hubli Tigers. They will once again rely on a strong core featuring experienced campaigners and exciting young talents to set the tone early in the competition.
The Hubli Tigers, on the other hand, will be seeking revenge after that final loss. With several proven performers returning to the setup, Hubli will be aiming to build on last year's momentum and establish themselves as early title contenders.
CKM vs HT: Match Details
Match
Coastal Kings Mangaluru vs Hubli Tigers , Match 3 , Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20, 2026
Date and Time (IST)
Sunday, June 21, 2026, 2:30 PM
Venue
Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Ground, Mysore
Broadcast and Live Streaming
Fancode (App & Website)
Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Ground, Mysore: Pitch Report
The venue of Srikantadatta Narasimha Raja Wadeyar Ground, Mysore, hosted the whole of the 2025 season of Maharaja Trophy KSCA T20. This time though, the matches will be split. The pitch at this venue is known to be a cricketing wicket, with assistance to both batters and bowlers. With the game being played in the afternoon, there might be some assistance for the spinners.
CKM vs HT: Head-to-Head Record
Matches Played
7
Won By CKM
2
Won By HT
5
No Result
0
First Meeting
August 26, 2023 (HT Won)
Recent Meeting
August 26, 2025 (HT Won)
CKM vs HT: Predicted Playing XIs
Coastal Kings Mangaluru :
Nikin Jose, Dheeraj J Gowda, Karun Nair (C), Aadharsh SJ, Suraj Ahuja (WK), Muralidhara Venkatesh, Siddharth Akhil, Shreyas Gopal, Prithviraj Shekhawat, Aaron Christie, Rajvir Wadhwa
Hubli Tigers :
Mayank Agarwal , Mohammed Taha, Abhinav Manohar, Kruthik Krishna (WK), Aneeshwar Gautam (C), Hardik Raj, Manvanth Kumar L, Abhishek Ahlawat, Shikhar Shetty, LR Kumar, Tanish Mahesh
CKM vs HT: Probable Best Performers of the Match
Probable Best Batter: Mohammed Taha
The 32-year-old Mohammed Taha will be the batter to watch out for in this contest. The attacking batter had a stellar season in 2025, where he scored 342 runs in 12 matches with a strike rate of 146.15. Taha was one of the leading run-scorers of the tournament and now will be eager to replicate the same in the 2026 edition of the marquee state league.
Probable Best Bowler: Shreyas Gopal
The experienced leg-spinner Shreyas Gopal will be the bowler to watch out for in this contest. He had a great season in 2025, where he picked up 17 wickets in just 12 matches and was the third-highest wicket-taker of the season. The seasoned campaigner will be looking to carry his form from the previous season forward.
Today's Match Prediction : Chasing team to win the match
5 IPL captains who left one team to lead another
Over the years, several prominent captains have made high-profile switches, leaving behind successful stints with one franchise to begin a new chapter elsewhere.
Over the years, several prominent captains have made high-profile switches, leaving behind successful stints with one franchise to begin a new chapter elsewhere.
📢5 IPL captains who left one team to lead another
5 IPL captains who left one team to lead another. (Source -Twitter/X)
Captaincy changes are always among the biggest talking points in the Indian Premier League (IPL). While players switching franchises has become common over the years, seeing a captain leave one team and take charge of another often grabs even more attention.
Over the years, several prominent captains have made high-profile switches, leaving behind successful stints with one franchise to begin a new chapter elsewhere. Some managed to recreate their success, while others found it difficult to make the same impact in different environments.
Here are 5 IPL captains who left one franchise to lead another:
5. Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist. (Source: IPL)
The legendary player from Australia, Adam Gilchrist , was one of the pioneers of the Indian Premier League in the early years of the competition. The dashing left-hander led the Deccan Chargers to a championship victory in IPL 2009 as a captain. He led his side from the front that season, smashing 495 runs in 16 matches, with a strike rate of 152.30.
But, ahead of IPL 2011, Gilchrist was picked up by Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in the player auction and was naturally named as captain of the side as well. In the Punjab jersey, though, he could not replicate the same impact as a captain. His record at KXIP was poor, with just 12 wins in 34 matches as a captain. This switch remains one of the major switches in IPL history by a captain.
4. Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson (Photo source: RR)
The most successful Rajasthan Royals captain ever, Sanju Samson shocked everyone with his stunning trade ahead of IPL 2026 to Chennai Super Kings. The former RR captain led the franchise for five years, with 33 wins in just 67 matches as captain.
Under his captaincy, RR reached their first-ever IPL final since 2008 when they played the IPL 2022 final against the Gujarat Titans. But, after having a poor season in 2025 and struggling with injuries, Sanju Samson decided to part ways with the franchise and was involved in one of the biggest trades in IPL history, with Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran going to the Jaipur-based franchise.
Shreyas Iyer
IPL 2024 Champions. (Source - IPL/BCCI)
Shreyas Iyer remains one of the most successful IPL captains ever. He has led three different IPL teams, namely DC, KKR, and PBKS to an IPL final as a captain, and that speaks volumes of his credentials as a captain.
In IPL 2024, the three-time IPL winners KKR claimed their third IPL title under Shreyas Iyer’s leadership, and everyone expected that this would be the start of a long journey for both Iyer and KKR. But, to everyone’s surprise, Shreyas was released in the IPL 2025 auctions by KKR. He was then bought by PBKS for a record price of INR 26.75 crore. This remains one of the few instances where an IPL-winning skipper was released by a team ahead of the next season.
Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir. (Source - IPL/BCCI)
Gautam Gambhir enjoyed a stellar IPL career, both as a player and as a captain. The left-hander first captained an IPL side in IPL 2009 when he was named the captain of the Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals). He led them for one more year before switching to KKR in IPL 2011.
He was bought by KKR for a record price of $2.4 million in 2011, and that marked the start of his beautiful journey with the Kolkata-based franchise. He built a literal dynasty at KKR under his captaincy, winning the IPL title twice. But, ahead of the IPL 2018 auction, he decided to part ways with the franchise and returned back to Delhi as a captain. After a string of poor results, he stepped down as Delhi’s captain and eventually retired from IPL after the same season.
Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya (Source: JioStar)
The most high-profile IPL switch happened in 2024 when Gujarat Titans' championship-winning captain Hardik Pandya was traded to the Mumbai Indians ahead of the 2024 edition. What made this even more surprising was that he replaced Rohit Sharma as Mumbai Indians’ captain. Hard
5 IPL captains who left one team to lead another. (Source -Twitter/X)
Captaincy changes are always among the biggest talking points in the Indian Premier League (IPL). While players switching franchises has become common over the years, seeing a captain leave one team and take charge of another often grabs even more attention.
Over the years, several prominent captains have made high-profile switches, leaving behind successful stints with one franchise to begin a new chapter elsewhere. Some managed to recreate their success, while others found it difficult to make the same impact in different environments.
Here are 5 IPL captains who left one franchise to lead another:
5. Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist. (Source: IPL)
The legendary player from Australia, Adam Gilchrist , was one of the pioneers of the Indian Premier League in the early years of the competition. The dashing left-hander led the Deccan Chargers to a championship victory in IPL 2009 as a captain. He led his side from the front that season, smashing 495 runs in 16 matches, with a strike rate of 152.30.
But, ahead of IPL 2011, Gilchrist was picked up by Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in the player auction and was naturally named as captain of the side as well. In the Punjab jersey, though, he could not replicate the same impact as a captain. His record at KXIP was poor, with just 12 wins in 34 matches as a captain. This switch remains one of the major switches in IPL history by a captain.
4. Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson (Photo source: RR)
The most successful Rajasthan Royals captain ever, Sanju Samson shocked everyone with his stunning trade ahead of IPL 2026 to Chennai Super Kings. The former RR captain led the franchise for five years, with 33 wins in just 67 matches as captain.
Under his captaincy, RR reached their first-ever IPL final since 2008 when they played the IPL 2022 final against the Gujarat Titans. But, after having a poor season in 2025 and struggling with injuries, Sanju Samson decided to part ways with the franchise and was involved in one of the biggest trades in IPL history, with Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran going to the Jaipur-based franchise.
Shreyas Iyer
IPL 2024 Champions. (Source - IPL/BCCI)
Shreyas Iyer remains one of the most successful IPL captains ever. He has led three different IPL teams, namely DC, KKR, and PBKS to an IPL final as a captain, and that speaks volumes of his credentials as a captain.
In IPL 2024, the three-time IPL winners KKR claimed their third IPL title under Shreyas Iyer’s leadership, and everyone expected that this would be the start of a long journey for both Iyer and KKR. But, to everyone’s surprise, Shreyas was released in the IPL 2025 auctions by KKR. He was then bought by PBKS for a record price of INR 26.75 crore. This remains one of the few instances where an IPL-winning skipper was released by a team ahead of the next season.
Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir. (Source - IPL/BCCI)
Gautam Gambhir enjoyed a stellar IPL career, both as a player and as a captain. The left-hander first captained an IPL side in IPL 2009 when he was named the captain of the Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals). He led them for one more year before switching to KKR in IPL 2011.
He was bought by KKR for a record price of $2.4 million in 2011, and that marked the start of his beautiful journey with the Kolkata-based franchise. He built a literal dynasty at KKR under his captaincy, winning the IPL title twice. But, ahead of the IPL 2018 auction, he decided to part ways with the franchise and returned back to Delhi as a captain. After a string of poor results, he stepped down as Delhi’s captain and eventually retired from IPL after the same season.
Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya (Source: JioStar)
The most high-profile IPL switch happened in 2024 when Gujarat Titans' championship-winning captain Hardik Pandya was traded to the Mumbai Indians ahead of the 2024 edition. What made this even more surprising was that he replaced Rohit Sharma as Mumbai Indians’ captain. Hard
ik remains one of the most successful IPL captains ever, but his stint with MI has been far from successful.
In the three seasons under the star all-rounder's leadership, the five-time champions managed to reach the playoffs only once while finishing at the last position in 2024. They further had a ninth-spot finish in the most recent 2026 season, following which, talks of the Choryasi-born player being traded to other franchises have caught fire once again, with Rajasthan Royals and CSK being the frontrunners to bag him.
In the three seasons under the star all-rounder's leadership, the five-time champions managed to reach the playoffs only once while finishing at the last position in 2024. They further had a ninth-spot finish in the most recent 2026 season, following which, talks of the Choryasi-born player being traded to other franchises have caught fire once again, with Rajasthan Royals and CSK being the frontrunners to bag him.