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Rohit Sharma (PC: BCCI) India captain Shubman Gill dismissed the speculations around Rohit Sharma’s retirement from ODI cricket after the veteran Indian opener smashed 138 runs off 110 deliveries to become the first Indian to score an ODI century at Lord’s. Though India lost the series decider by 27 runs and conceded the three-ODI series 2-1, Gill admitted that the last few overs with the ball made the difference against England in the third ODI at Lord’s on Sunday. When asked about media reports surrounding Rohit’s future in ODI cricket, Gill said all the talks are only in the media. “He (Rohit) has not told us anything about that it will be his last game,” Gill told reporters in the post-match press conference. “It is all out in media only.” During the post-match presentation, captain Gill reflected on where India lost control of the game. “We were right in the game until the 45th over,” he said to the broadcasters. “I think in this match particularly, we didn’t b...

Matheesha Pathirana  (PC: X/SLC) Sri Lankan fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has started his rehabilitation after successfully getting operated for his left biceps femoris hamstring injury. His surgery took place in Paris in June. The pacer is expected to be back in action early next year. Pathirana last played in the Indian Premier League game for Kolkata Knight Riders against Gujarat Titans at Eden Gardens on May 16, where he suffered the hamstring injury. He is also not taking part in the ongoing Lanka Premier League. Confirming the development to Revsportz, Pathirana’s manager, Amila Kalugalage said, “He is back from Paris after his surgery and is currently in Kandy. He has started his rehabilitation. He is expected to be back in action early next year, tentatively February.” The KKR pacer was sent to France for his treatment by his IPL franchise. He bowled just 1.2 overs in the game against Gujarat Titans before complaining of a hamstring injury. Shah Rukh Khan owned ...

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma (Image: BCCI) Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli created history at Lord’s on Sunday, becoming the first Indian pair to be a part of 400 international matches together. The landmark moment came during the series decider against England, adding yet another remarkable chapter to their journey as team-mates for India. The duo had already set the record for the most international appearances by an Indian pair, going past the iconic partnership of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, who played 391 matches together. Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene lead the global list with 550 appearances, followed by Tillakaratne Dilshan and Jayawardene with 426. Rohit and Kohli currently occupy seventh place on this elite chart, highlighting their consistency and longevity together. The two stalwarts began their international careers almost at the same time. Rohit in 2007 and Kohli in 2008. Since then, the two have emerged as the pillars of Indian cricket for n...

Samantha Dodanwela PC: Debasis Sen On the day the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League was due to begin, just hours before the opening match, news broke that a co-owner of one of the franchises had been arrested over an alleged match-fixing approach made to a player. The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports carried out the arrest on Thursday night, highlighting Sri Lanka Cricket’s swift response to an alleged match-fixing approach. It later emerged that the individual arrested was Manjot Kalra, a former India Under-19 player, who had been announced as a co-owner ahead of LPL 2026. According to a source close to the developments, the player approached by Kalra reported the matter to SLC, following which action was taken. The fact that SLC proceeded with the arrest even as preparations were under way for the grand opening ceremony of LPL 2026 on the same day underlined its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, misconduct an...

Rohit Sharma in action. (PC: BCCI) Boria Majumdar in London There is no question that it has been difficult for Rohit Sharma. While Virat Kohli was cruising in Cardiff, Rohit was battling. Nine dot balls before getting off the mark, then a false shot against Will Jacks brought his innings to an end, undoing all the hard work. That extra second he spent at the crease before walking off showed just how disappointed he was. He had put in every effort, yet it had not worked out for him. These are tough times. A Rohit in full flow would have dispatched Jacks over the boundary with ease, danced down the track and taken control. Not so in Cardiff. Yet he was prepared to grind it out. That is what you want to see in a performer – the effort. He did not let his ego take over and remained humble. That is what could work in his favour at Lord’s. Clive Lloyd has often spoken about the importance of looking ugly when necessary and refusing to give up. That is exactly what Rohit appears prepared...

  Images: X Trisha Ghosal, London The debate over India’s next women’s captain is no longer just a conversation among fans. It has become one of the biggest questions confronting Indian cricket following another disappointing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign. Two successive group-stage exits, in 2024 and now in 2026, have exposed a pattern that can no longer be dismissed as a one-off. India continue to possess one of the strongest talent pools in women’s cricket, yet the team has repeatedly failed to translate that potential into sustained success on the biggest stage. The issue, therefore, is no longer just about personnel. It is about leadership, planning and mindset. Smriti Mandhana’s recent interview with The Times of India added fresh momentum to the discussion. Asked if she was ready to captain India, her answer was simple: “I am ready.” It was not a public campaign for the role, but a statement of preparedness from someone who has served as Harmanpreet Kaur’s deputy s...