Cricket now

  PC- RevSportz The Asian Games are well and truly up and running, with all eyes on some of the biggest contingents and sporting nations as they chase medals across disciplines. Among the sports drawing attention is cricket — a sport that continues to grow far and wide, and one that offers something particularly significant at a continental event like this: an opportunity for associate nations to compete with the bigger cricketing powers. Nepal_Men’s_Cricket_Team (PC: ICC) For these teams, it is not always about defeating a Test-playing nation. Sometimes, simply getting the opportunity to play against one is an achievement in itself. Behind that moment are years of hard work, qualification, preparation and dedication, all driven by the hope of representing their country on one of the biggest sporting stages in Asia. Which is what makes the rain-related outcomes at the Asian Games particularly difficult to digest. India’s T20 quarterfinal match against Afghanistan was co...

Gautam Gambhir and  Sitanshu Kotak. Image Credit: Debasis Sen. A total of 811 runs were scored in the second ODI between India and West Indies at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium on Wednesday. India successfully chased West Indies’ 405 with eight wickets in hand and 39 balls to spare. There were five centurions across the two sides, with Indian captain Shubman Gill scoring a stellar 223 not out in the winning cause. Rohit Sharma also scored a brilliant 101. The visitors, meanwhile, had three centurions in John Campbell (101), Shai Hope (104) and Amir Jangoo (114). India successfully chased a record target with eight wickets in hand and 39 balls to spare. However, the nature of the pitch came under scrutiny after the high-scoring contest. Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir was critical of the 22 yards on offer for the second ODI. Speaking to the host broadcaster after the match, Gambhir said: “Look, if I have to be absolutely honest, I feel I think there has to be a bit...

PC: Instagram (Indian Cricket Team) It took a herculean effort, and Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill delivered it in spectacular fashion as India pulled off a record chase against the West Indies in the second ODI at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium on Wednesday. In front of a packed crowd, the Indian openers produced a breathtaking batting display to chase down 406 with eight wickets in hand and 39 balls to spare. Rohit smashed a 72-ball century, with his innings featuring 10 fours and six sixes, while Gill followed up his hundred in the series opener with another three-figure score, reaching the milestone in just 62 balls. Gill remained unbeaten on 233, while Ruturaj Gaikwad finished on 31 not out as India completed the second-biggest run chase in ODI history, behind South Africa’s 438 at The Wanderers two decades ago . The emphatic victory also gave India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with one game to play. Gill completed his century off just 62 balls ...

Head coach Daren Sammy in Guwahati. (PC: Debasis Sen) West Indies batting coach Floyd Reifer admitted that the team’s batting group will have to work on their game against spin, which plays a major role during the middle overs of ODI cricket, in order to perform well. In the first ODI, West Indies got off to a solid start, with the openers adding a century partnership. The visitors were going strong before Kuldeep Yadav turned things in India’s favour during the middle overs, finishing with a four-wicket haul. That spell proved to be the difference in the high-scoring game. “When you play on slow, turning wickets in different parts of the world, guys have to make adjustments and wickets will fall on those types of surfaces,” said Reifer ahead of the second ODI. “But batting in the middle overs is something that we continue to work on. We want to get really consistent with that. The aim is to get back to 2024 and 2025, when we scored at more than six runs an over in the middle overs....

  Siraj (PC: RevSportz/Debasis Sen) Although the Indian team had no training session on Tuesday, head coach, Gautam Gambhir, and captain, Shubman Gill turned up at the Assam Cricket Association stadium in the evening, on the eve of the second ODI against the West Indies. It was learnt they were at the stadium to discuss with the selectors about the squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour. For Gill and Gambhir, the immediate objective, however, would be to win the second ODI and seal the three-match series against the Caribbean side with a game in hand. The Men in Blue registered a convincing win in the series opener at Thiruvananthapuram. The spotlight will once again be on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for Wednesday’s game. Kohli scored a stunning hundred in the first ODI while Gill also struck a century as the hosts chased down 296 runs with 8 wickets remaining and 50 balls to spare. Rohit also looked good before he was dismissed on 32 runs. For the local fans, it could probabl...

  Subhayan Chakraborty For a cricketer traversing the gruelling landscape of India’s domestic circuit, the ultimate validation is the presentation of a Test cap. For 33-year-old off-spinning all-rounder Saransh Jain, that long-cherished dream materialised in August on the sun-baked turf of Colombo. Becoming India’s 320th Test cricketer in the second Test against Sri Lanka was the culmination of over a decade of persistence and toil. Now, with the aura of an international player, Jain is setting his sights on the Irani Cup, where he will feature for the Rest of India squad against the reigning Ranji Trophy champions, Jammu and Kashmir, in Srinagar starting on Wednesday. In an exclusive interview detailing his journey, Jain opened up on the emotional highs of his debut and his steadfast focus on the road ahead. Stepping into the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium for the Irani fixture, Jain acknowledges that the dynamics of his career have fundamentally shifted. “It will ab...

Shubha Satheesh, Tanisha Singh, and Niki Prasad (PC: ECB, Tanisha Insta, Niki Insta) India A Women overcame a mid-innings wobble to finish Day 1 on 351/9 against Australia A Women in the only unofficial Test in Mohali on Tuesday, with Tanisha Singh (92) and Niki Prasad (78*) leading a strong recovery. After opting to bat first, the home side made a solid start, courtesy a 102-run opening partnership between Priya Punia (46 off 65) and Shubha Satheesh (59 off 117). However, after Priya’s dismissal, Australia A triggered a mini-collapse, picking up three more wickets for 18 runs to reduce India A to 120/4. Lilly Mills, the 25-year-old off-spinner, accounted for Shubha, skipper Yastika Bhatia and Tejal Hasabnis. Anushka Sharma then steadied the innings with a crucial 44. Coming off a good run of form in the recent three-match unofficial ODI series, she put on 82 with Tanisha for the fifth wicket to help India A regain momentum. Tanisha took charge from there, finding the gaps with co...

ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 (PC: ICC) The International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket South Africa will unveil the schedule for the 2027 ODI World Cup at 6 pm local time (9.30 pm IST) in Cape Town on Thursday, October 1. According to a source in the know, the launch will take place as part of a programme, with India and Pakistan potentially being placed in the same group once again. The World Cup is scheduled to begin on October 2 next year. “The schedule is being given the final touches, but going by previous ICC events, you can assume that India and Pakistan would be in the same group,” said the source. The India-Pakistan fixture, despite losing some of its sheen as an on-field rivalry, remains hugely lucrative for broadcasters and commercial partners. On the field, however, Pakistan have not beaten India in the 50-over format at an ICC event since June 2017, when they won the Champions Trophy final. In the 14-team World Cup, the top eight teams in the ICC ODI ranki...

Shubman Gill. Photo: Debasis Sen The Indian team has opted to skip training ahead of the second ODI against the West Indies at the ACA Stadium on Wednesday. Shubman Gill and his teammates were scheduled to have an optional practice session but decided to cancel it. Both teams arrived in Guwahati on Monday. Team India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir visited the Kamakhya Temple on Tuesday morning. India registered a thumping eight-wicket victory in the first ODI at Thiruvananthapuram, chasing down the target with 50 balls to spare. The West Indies, however, will go ahead with their scheduled afternoon training session. It remains to be seen whether the Indian team management make any changes to the playing XI for the second ODI. Mohammed Siraj was surprisingly left out of the first ODI, with India opting for a different bowling combination, while Naman Dhir was handed his ODI debut. With several key bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh, unavailable due to their A...

  Shreyas Iyer, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma, PC: JioHotstar   JioStar’s latest campaign film ahead of India’s five-match T20I series against the West Indies brings together Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma and India’s T20I captain Shreyas Iyer in a fun take on how the Indian side plans to approach the series. The film is set at the team hotel, where Sooryavanshi and Abhishek are seen looking at a stadium map and discussing different stands, rows and seats. It sounds like they are trying to figure out where to sit for the upcoming matches. They are picking out the parts of the ground where they want to send the ball. Shreyas then gets involved and makes his own intentions clear, he plans to hit the ball out of the stadium too. The campaign, ‘Andaaz Toofani, Khel Asmaani’ , plays on the confidence and attacking approach of India’s T20 side. The five-match series begins on October 6 and runs until October 17, following India’s three-match ODI serie...

Kohli_Rohit (PC: ICC) The last time the Indian senior men’s cricket team played an international match in Guwahati, the new Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport was not yet operational. The airport, which began operations on February 22, 2026, is arguably among the finest in eastern India. The Shubman Gill-led India arrived at the new airport on Monday evening after completing a thumping eight-wicket victory over the West Indies in the first ODI at Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. The excitement surrounding the team’s arrival was evident, with giant LED screens at the baggage conveyor belts constantly displaying images of Gill, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma ahead of Wednesday’s second ODI at Barsapara Cricket Stadium. Understandably, the anticipation to watch two of Indian cricket’s biggest superstars is immense in this north-eastern state. The last time Kohli and Rohit played in Guwahati was the second ODI against Sri Lanka, which India won by four wickets. Rohit, who was c...

Rohit Sharma (PC: BCCI) Some of Rohit Sharma’s stump-mic chatter is part of Indian cricket folklore. Most of the time, it is funny, sometimes even uncensored. Tactical advice is delivered in typical Mumbai-maidan style. Remember his berating of his team-mates during a Test against England in Vizag: “Koi garden mein nahi ghoomega”? Then there was the way he admonished Sarfaraz Khan during a home Test against New Zealand, when the youngster went to field close-in without wearing a helmet: “Hero mat ban.” On Sunday, during the first ODI against the West Indies, it was different. It was the voice of a leader, passing instructions to a bowler. Rohit is no longer India’s captain, but his leadership qualities remain undiminished. The West Indies got off to a rollicking start and raced to 62 without loss after eight overs, when Shubman Gill, the skipper, decided to introduce spin. John Campbell, however, took the attack to Ravindra Jadeja from the outset, hitting a four and a couple of six...

Kuldeep Yadav. Image: BCCI Two contrasting identities are part and parcel of several superheroes. It forces you to delve deeper and gauge the two sides of a character. Somewhere in an imaginary world, Kuldeep, the redoubtable wrist-spinner, also belongs to the fantasy land of Marvel Comics. On occasions, he can rip through a batting unit by imparting enough revs and getting the ball to dip tantalisingly on the unsuspecting batter. On other days, it is a different version of Kuldeep on display, one bereft of confidence. On a hot and humid afternoon in Thiruvananthapuram, it was Kuldeep at his very best. All he needed was one wicket, and after that, he did not look back. The stock ball. The googly. Pace variation. All those well-known ingredients in Kuldeep’s quiver were on display. To make it a perfect day for Kuldeep, a bit of timely advice from Rohit Sharma on how to bowl at Shai Hope also worked wonders. By now, one can also visualise the macro picture on a large canvas: he des...

  Image :X Bharath Ramaraj, Thiruvananthapuram The first innings of the India-West Indies ODI in Thiruvananthapuram turned out to be a game of three parts. At one point, Justin Greaves (101) and John Campbell looked set to power the West Indies well past the 300-run mark, with the visitors reaching 141/0 in 21 overs. However, Kuldeep Yadav then spun a web around the West Indies batters, bagging four wickets to help India claw their way back into the game. Amir Jangoo (58 not out) then landed crucial blows to propel the West Indies to a competitive 295/7. At the start of the West Indies’ innings, Greaves took on the trio of Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna and Nitish Reddy with drives and punches as the visitors raced to 85/0 in 10 overs. Ravindra Jadeja, the left-arm spinner, also went for plenty in his opening over. With Campbell effectively countering Kuldeep and Jadeja with slog sweeps and lofted shots, India seemed to be in trouble. At that point, Kuldeep dismissed Campbell ...

Prasidh Krishna in the middle. (PC: Debasis Sen) India fast bowler Prasidh Krishna expects New Zealand to pose a unique challenge, with the conditions likely to test the skills and fitness of the players involved in the two-match series later this year. New Zealand will host India for the two-Test series, which will begin on November 19 in Wellington. Although he has never travelled to New Zealand with the senior team, Prasidh understands that the bowling unit will be tested in unfamiliar conditions. “New Zealand is going to be a completely different challenge,” Prasidh told JioStar. “It’s a beautiful place to play, but as a bowler, it tests you in every way, your skill, your endurance and your ability to keep coming back session after session.” Prasidh believes his consistency stems from his ability to adapt to different conditions and build effective partnerships with his fellow bowlers. “I think it’s the ability to adapt and deliver, no ...

Rohit Sharma (PC: BCCI) As yours truly entered the Greenfield Cricket Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, the eyes zoomed in on an interesting activity: a few workers were bringing down the signboard of IDFC First Bank from the top of the stadium. Ahead of the opening India-West Indies ODI, it was to be replaced by Muthoot FinCorp’s signboard, the new title sponsor of the BCCI. A mere glance at the chain of events took me back to my school days, when the teacher would say: change is the only constant in life. The connecting link to the above-mentioned adage is Rohit Sharma, one of the finest cricketers in ODI cricket. When Rohit failed to make an impression in the opening two ODIs against England, the whispers surrounding his place in the 50-over set-up had turned into a crescendo of noise. There was enough speculation that he had been told by the selection panel that it was time for the curtains to come down on his career. As it turned out, he shut the outside noise with a hundred in t...

Cricket South Africa (CSA) have announced a 28-player group for a women’s red-ball training camp in Tshwane from September 27 to 30. The camp will be held at Irene Cricket Club in Centurion and includes nationally contracted players, Emerging Academy members and selected performers from the Hollywoodbets Pro Series. Captain Laura Wolvaardt will be part of the group, along with several players who featured in South Africa’s recent Test matches against England, Australia and India. The camp is part of South Africa’s preparations for a busy international summer featuring two home Tests. The Proteas Women will host India at St George’s Park in Gqeberha from December 9 to 12, before taking on Australia in Potchefstroom in March 2027. A second red-ball camp will also be held as the team continues its preparations for the two Tests. The Proteas Women head into their next international assignment after completing a 5-0 T20I series sweep against Zimbabwe Women in Bulawayo. South Africa wi...

    “I think he is fine, I think good to open (the innings),” Sitanshu Kotak, India’s batting coach, said at the press conference ahead of the opening ODI between India and the West Indies in Thiruvananthapuram. Two days before the India-West Indies ODI, Gill, the India Test and ODI skipper, was hit on the elbow while facing Mohammed Siraj’s lifter. He needed medical attention for about 20 minutes. Eventually, he returned to face some throwdowns. Meanwhile, on matchday minus one, India had an optional practice session. One of the few players who made his way to the nets session was Auqib Nabi. The bowling all-rounder, who is yet to make his India senior debut, batted for about an hour. He also landed some meaty blows at the fag end of the practice session. The West Indies, who haven’t won a bilateral ODI rubber against India since 2006, will hope to upset the applecart in the upcoming series. From India’s point of view, all eyes will...

Rohit_and_Kohli (PC:X) Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who now play just one format at the highest level, are keen to walk the extra mile to achieve success at the next year’s ODI World Cup. Speaking to JioStar ahead of the new home season starting on Sunday, Kohli and Rohit shared their thoughts on the challenge of playing an ICC tournament, while looking ahead to the showpiece event in South Africa in 2027. The three-match ODI series against the West Indies starts tomorrow. “The intensity of a 50-over World Cup is greater than anything,” said Kohli. “Because now, it’s about 10 games at a T20 level of intensity. But you are playing 2.5 T20 games in one day. And to maintain that intensity for 10 games in a big tournament and World Cup is a big deal. Also now, it’s in foreign conditions. It takes a lot out of you. For me, it’s the last World Cup I’m going to play for India. And that is my motivation. Like, you know, to leave everything out there. And of cour...

  Shamik Chakrabarty, Mumbai The India vs West ODI series, starting on Sunday, is not the lead sports story at the moment. It has slipped under the radar a bit, with the Asian Games accounting for column inches. But make no mistake, tomorrow there will be a full house at Thiruvananthapuram, thanks mainly to Ro-Ko. The selection committee under Ajit Agarkar decided to de-hyphenate Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The outgoing chief selector wanted to move on from the veteran opener with an eye on the 2027 World Cup. The turn of events has led to Agarkar’s departure instead, with Rohit going into the series armed with the backing from the cricket board. “He (Rohit) is playing superbly in all the matches,” BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told reporters after the review meeting earlier this month. “So what more (do) you want? In the last match, he scored 138 runs. So why is there a speculation? I do not want to give some fodder for the speculators.” Rohit is also going into the...

Niki Prasad, Minnu Mani, and Anushka Sharma (PC: Niki Prasad Insta, Minnu Mani Insta, PCA) A remarkable effort from India A Women saw them chase down a mammoth target of 363 against Australia A Women in the third unofficial ODI in Mohali, sealing the three-match series 2-1. In the series decider, the home side conceded 362 before completing a historic chase with four wickets in hand. Chasing 363, India A needed a solid start, and the opening duo of Tanisha Singh (60 off 58) and Vrinda Dinesh (34 off 31) provided just that, putting on 67 for the first wicket. However, Australia A hit back with three wickets at regular intervals to reduce India A to 119/4 in 19.4 overs. With Yastika Bhatia unavailable for the match, Anushka Sharma took over the captaincy. The skipper and Niki Prasad then took responsibility, adding 91 runs for the fifth wicket from just 63 balls. Anushka was eventually dismissed for 58 off 42, making it three consecutive fifties in the series after scores of 55 in the...

India A completed a convincing win over Australia A in the first unofficial Test. (PC: Screengrab/BCCI) Delay the inevitable — that’s what Australia A did as their tailenders frustrated the India A bowlers to extend the game. But the fight didn’t last too long, as the hosts managed to wrap up the innings and win the first unofficial Test by 162 runs. Anshul Kamboj and Tushar Deshpande took four important wickets between them with the old ball in what was an impressive display of reverse-swing bowling from the pace duo on the final day. After setting a target of 363, Australia A had already lost two wickets yesterday. On a fast-deteriorating pitch, it was only a matter of time before India A bowled the visitors out on the last day. For India A, it was about taking eight wickets, while for Australia A, the focus was on the capped duo of Nathan McSweeney and Peter Handscomb. If Australia A were to chase down the target, these two had to play a big role. McSweeney was already set, while ...

Smriti Mandhana in Asian Games 2026 (PC: BCCI Women) India Women successfully defended their gold medal at the Asian Games in Japan on September 22. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana once again stood up on a big stage, scoring a crucial 79 off 45 balls in the final against Sri Lanka. Mandhana finished the Asian Games as the third-highest run-scorer, with 116 runs in two innings at an average of 58 and a strike rate of 181.25. After the triumph, Mandhana had an exclusive interaction with RevSportz Editor-in-Chief Boria Majumdar, where she opened up about representing India in a multi-sport event such as the Asian Games, winning the gold medal, areas of improvement going forward in T20Is, her LA 2028 Olympic aspirations and much more. Asian Games, back-to-back gold medals. Your first thoughts? Firstly, thank you for having me. It’s always good to come with an Indian contingent and have that feeling of representing the whole of India at the Asian Games. We had an opportunity to do that a...