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  Batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (PC: RevSportz) India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak provided crucial updates on team composition and strategy ahead of the second T20I against New Zealand, confirming that wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan is dealing with a groin injury. Addressing speculation surrounding batting order changes, with Tilak Varma batting at number three in the first T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch, Kotak clarified the situation. “There was a lot of speculation I have also seen,, just because Ishan had a strain in his groin, the batting order was changed,” Kotak stated, adding that it is “unlikely he will play tomorrow’s match as well”. Should Kishan remain sidelined, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is poised to step into the lineup. “If Ishan doesn’t play, unless he recovers completely, which the medical team will advise— Vaibhav could definitely step in for him,” Kotak affirmed. “He is one o...

Smith will bat despite neck issues. (PC: X/cricket.com.au) Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood shared an update on Steve Smith ahead of the final day of the Gqeberha Test against South Africa, saying that the veteran batter was experiencing a neck issue but would be fit to bat on the decisive final day at St George’s Park. During Australia’s first innings, Smith was visibly uncomfortable because of his neck. The veteran Australian batter scored 28 off 88 balls but never looked settled at the crease. After being forced to follow on, Australia came out to bat again, with Smith not taking his usual position at number four. “Yeah, I think it was just a sore neck, really,” Hazlewood told broadcasters ahead of day five. “It wasn’t like from an incident or anything? I don’t think so. I think it’s probably just from time in the middle and fielding in the slips, batting, training, all that sort of thing. Different beds and different pillows every second night on tour doesn...

Nike and Mumbai Indians (PC: Mumbai Indians) Nike and Mumbai Indians, one of the most successful franchises in global cricket, today announced a multi-year partnership that names Nike the official kit partner of both its women’s and men’s team in India, beginning with the 2027 season. “Mumbai Indians have always been about more than cricket,” says Devang Bhimjyani, Head, Reliance Sports. “We are one family — our players, our Paltan — built on nurturing talent, backing it fearlessly and playing for a city that never stops. Nike shares our belief in athletes and in the power of sport to inspire. Together, we see an opportunity to connect cricket and culture, inspire the next generation, and take the spirit of MI and Mumbai to fans around the world.” “Cricket is woven into the heartbeat of India, and few teams capture its energy like Mumbai Indians,” says Tarundeep Singh, General Manager, Nike India. “The club embodies the ambition and belief that make sport so p...

Amit_Mishra (PC:X/Amit Mishra) Former India spinner Amit Mishra has joined Delhi Capitals as their spin-bowling coach ahead of IPL 2027. The franchise confirmed his appointment on October 21. Mishra is the fourth new member to join the coaching staff, following Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh and Chaminda Vaas. It all started with Ganguly’s appointment as head coach, followed by Yuvraj Singh’s appointment as assistant coach and batting coach, and Vaas’s appointment as fast-bowling coach. Speaking about his newfound role, Mishra recalled that he was part of DC (then Delhi Daredevils) in the inaugural IPL season. Now, he has landed his first coaching job in the cash-rich league with the same franchise, thanks to destiny. “I don’t know about legends, but I did really decently in the IPL. Dilli dilwallon ki hai (Delhi belongs to people with big hearts). When the first season of the IPL was held, I was part of DC. Today, as I begin my coaching career, it is wi...

Temba Bavuma for South Africa (Source: X) South Africa captain Temba Bavuma refused to say that the conditions had become easier to bat in on Day 3 of the second Test after scoring a career-best 179 at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. Rain interrupted play for most of the first two days of the match, during which South Africa were reduced to 97/5. With support from Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer, Bavuma took the hosts past 400 on the third day before declaring the innings. Bavuma disagreed with the view that batting had become easier in the absence of rain interruptions on Day 3. “I wouldn’t say it was easier to bat,” Bavuma said at the press conference. “From a mindset point of view, for me, nothing really changed. I was always trying to be as tight as I could and trying to hit the ball as straight as I could, and to stick to that game plan for as long as I could. I never really felt in. Every now and then, a ball would jump off a length or nip around. But once the ball got a bit soft...

India vs Zimbabwe, WT20I series (PC: BCCI, Cricketcscs Insta) The three-match WT20I series between India and Zimbabwe came to an end in Raipur on Tuesday, with the Women in Blue registering an expected 3-0 clean sweep. Smriti Mandhana’s full-time captaincy era began on a winning note, but beyond the scoreline, did India tick all the boxes, or were there still unanswered questions? Let’s take a closer look. Niki Prasad, Harmanpreet and Shafali Lead the Positives The biggest positive for India was undoubtedly 20-year-old Niki Prasad. Her match-winning unbeaten 39 in the series opener, followed by three wickets across the next two games and some electrifying fielding, made it an impressive series for the youngster. She made the most of the opportunities presented to her, contributing with both bat and ball. Harmanpreet Kaur’s return to form was another major boost ahead of bigger challenges, including the South Africa tour. Questions had been raised about the veteran batter’s recent l...