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Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India captain across all formats

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Harmanpreet Kaur with the ODI World Cup (PC: ICC) Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down as captain of the Indian women’s cricket team across all formats on Tuesday, which brought to an end a leadership stint that lasted nearly a decade. The 37-year-old batting all-rounder led India through major moments in their cricket history, including the historic 2025 World Cup triumph. During her tenure, India also reached the final of the T20 World Cup in 2019-20. Sharing the decision on Instagram, Harmanpreet wrote, “I step down as captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team across all formats. This is not an easy decision. It carries years of memories, emotions, sacrifices, and moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life.” Harmanpreet took over as India’s full-time T20I captain in 2016. As a batter, she became one of India’s finest match-winners; her notable achievement includes scoring an unbeaten 171 against Australia in the 2017 50-over World Cup semi-final. Harmanpreet also mentione...
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Road to 2027: The Crucial Gaps India Must Close Before the World Cup

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ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 (PC: ICC) Exactly a year from now, India will open their 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup campaign against Australia in Cape Town. With the marquee tournament set across the challenging conditions of the African continent, the next 12 months represent a critical preparation window. While the batting lineup features established match-winners and promising talent, India’s recent performances have exposed structural vulnerabilities that require urgent correction if they are to mount a serious title challenge away from the subcontinent. The noise around Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s future has reduced, which will bring in much-needed positivity around the ODI squad, and that’s a great sign for the Men in Blue. One of the most glaring concerns for the team management is the recent lack of penetration from the pace attack. The flat decks in India, where 350s and 400s are being chased for fun, haven’t helped the cause. South A...
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Why More T20Is When Tests and ODIs Are India’s Priorities

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Gautam Gambhir (L) with Shubman Gill (R). (PC: BCCI) India are set to lock horns with the West Indies in a five-match T20I series, which begins at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium on October 6. It is a quick turnaround for the Men in Blue. Just two days ago, the T20I side was in Japan, competing in a high-stakes match against Pakistan, which they won in a last-over thriller. The ODI series also came to a close on the same day in Mullanpur, with West Indies winning. Now, they have to play five T20Is against the West Indies. At a time when the focus is firmly on two formats — Tests and ODIs — playing a five-match T20I series makes little sense. The Test team are currently fifth in the points table, and every match from here on becomes a must-win for them. There is a particular emphasis on qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, which will be played at The Oval next year. With the next major white-ball event set to be played in Africa next year being an ODI World Cup, the focus ...
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Fitter and better Akash Deep returns with a six-wicket statement, strengthens case for New Zealand tour

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Akash Deep made a successful return to competitive cricket. (PC: CAB) “God gave me this injury and I utilised it well” — these were the words of Akash Deep, who had to sit out for seven months without playing any sort of cricket. Since February, Akash Deep had been playing the waiting game, but he never got impatient and kept his focus firmly on his recovery. Midway through the year, it felt like Akash wouldn’t be able to return to the playing field this year. However, when the Rest of India squad was announced, it reignited hopes. The subplot of the recently concluded Irani Trophy was Akash’s comeback. Generally, when a big chunk of the year is lost, individuals are often found to be upset about the injury that kept them on the sidelines. Surprisingly, Akash’s response was different. He felt that his body needed that ‘fix’. “As I told you earlier, I felt that my body needed a fix,” Akash said as quoted by Cricinfo. “God gave me this injury and I utilised it well. When I went for tr...
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Anrich Nortje Targets Test Return With Australia Series in Sight

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Nortje is in line for a Test comeback. (PC: SA20) South Africa fast bowler Anrich Nortje is excited about the possibility of playing Test cricket for his team once again after a long hiatus, with the three-match Test series against Australia approaching. Nortje has been named in South Africa’s preliminary squad for the home series against Australia. Although he hasn’t played Test cricket for more than three years, Nortje knows there is a strong possibility of a Test recall. “I’ll be very excited if I can put my Test cap on again. Growing up, it’s the format you want to play. It’s the motivation when you train,” Nortje said as quoted by Cricinfo. Nortje is impressed with the way the Test side has performed under the guidance of head coach Shukri Conrad and is hoping to contribute in his own way to help the team achieve success. “The way the team’s progressed over the last few years has been amazing under coach Shuks (Shukri Conrad, head coach),” h...
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Gavaskar Sets Special Century Target for Rohit Sharma

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Rohit Sharma (PC: BCCI) India legend Sunil Gavaskar wishes that whenever Rohit Sharma chooses to end his career, his century count in ODI cricket should be higher than his age at that time. Rohit, 39, missed out on scoring his 36th ODI hundred after getting out for 92 against the West Indies in the third ODI in Mullanpur. Gavaskar was disappointed that Rohit missed out on a century and explained the reason behind his disappointment. “The reason I was disappointed with Rohit getting out on 92 is that he didn’t get a hundred, and he might possibly quit international cricket after the end of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027. At that particular point in time, when he decides to call it a day, I personally would like Rohit to have more ODI hundreds than his age,” Gavaskar said on the Star Sports Network. For Gavaskar, ending one’s career with more centuries than their age is a special achievement for a player. “Had he got a century in the third ODI, he would have ...
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Virender Sehwag’s Son Aaryavir Named Delhi U-19 Captain for Vinoo Mankad Trophy

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Aaryavir Sehwag Pc- Instagram) Aaryavir Sehwag, son of former India opener Virender Sehwag, has been handed his first major leadership assignment after being named captain of Delhi’s Under-19 team for the upcoming Vinoo Mankad Trophy. The 18-year-old will lead a 16-member squad in the tournament, which begins in Visakhapatnam on October 8. The appointment comes shortly after Aaryavir’s India Under-19 debut against Australia in Rajkot last month. He finished the three-match Youth ODI series with 109 runs from three innings. Aaryavir started the series with 28 off 26 balls in a rain-shortened match as India secured a seven-run win. He then top-scored with 47 in the second ODI before being run out, three runs short of a half-century. He added another 34 in the final game to complete a consistent series. The youngster has also gained experience in the Delhi Premier League, where he represented West Delhi Lions. He will now return to domestic cricket with the added responsibility of lea...
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