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<p>India’s stand-in captain KL Rahul has backed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to flourish as the duo return to the ODI set-up on Sunday (Nov 30). Having announced retirement from the T20I and Test format, Rohit and Virat will be part of the ODI set-up as they face South Africa. Ahead of the ODI series, stand-in captain Rahul has underlined the importance of Rohit and Virat, insisting they will play a huge role for the Men in Blue.</p><h2><strong>Rahul underlines importance of Ro-Ko</strong></h2><p>"Their importance at any time is huge," Rahul told a news conference in Ranchi on Saturday.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"To have senior players in the team makes the dressing room feel a lot more confident and their presence (and) experience helps a lot of players in the dressing room. I am really happy they are here," he said.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Both Virat and Rohit are expected to keep their usual places in the side, meaning the former will open alongside either Yashasvi Jaiswal or Ruturaj Gaikwad. The Indian team management will take a call on the opener’s position in the coming hours, while Virat is expected to play at number three. Rishabh Pant is likely to play at number four with KL Rahul coming down at number five.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>ALSO READ | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-leonard-hutton-to-don-bradman-5-batters-with-highest-individual-score-in-ashes-bob-simpson-bob-cowper-ashes-2025-26-1762276944046"><strong>From Leonard Hutton to Don Bradman, 5 batters with highest individual score in Ashes</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Interestingly, Pant could play in the opening ODI as a specialist batter as India struggles with first-team absentees. The Indian team is already without Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer as both captain and vice-captain are missing from the squad.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>ALSO READ | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-steve-smith-to-joe-root-5-active-batters-with-most-runs-in-ashes-ben-stokes-jonny-bairstow-usman-khawaja-1762275784636"><strong>From Steve Smith to Joe Root, 5 active batters with most runs in Ashes</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Indian Playing XI could also feature Ravindra Jadeja, who has returned back into the fold for ODIs, having been dropped for the series against Australia last month.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The first ODI will be played at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, as the match will start at 1:30 pm IST, while the toss will take place at 1:00 pm IST.</p>

Having announced retirement from the T20I and Test format, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be part of the ODI set-up as they face South Africa. 

India’s stand-in captain KL Rahul has backed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to flourish as the duo return to the ODI set-up on Sunday (Nov 30). Having announced retirement from the T20I and Test format, Rohit and Virat will be part of the ODI set-up as they face South Africa. Ahead of the ODI series, stand-in captain Rahul has underlined the importance of Rohit and Virat, insisting they will play a huge role for the Men in Blue. Rahul underlines importance of Ro-Ko "Their importance at any time is huge," Rahul told a news conference in Ranchi on Saturday. "To have senior players in the team makes the dressing room feel a lot more confident and their presence (and) experience helps a lot of players in the dressing room. I am really happy they are here," he said. Both Virat and Rohit are expected to keep their usual places in the side, meaning the former will open alongside either Yashasvi Jaiswal or Ruturaj Gaikwad. The Indian team management will take a call on the opener’s position in the coming hours, while Virat is expected to play at number three. Rishabh Pant is likely to play at number four with KL Rahul coming down at number five. ALSO READ | From Leonard Hutton to Don Bradman, 5 batters with highest individual score in Ashes Interestingly, Pant could play in the opening ODI as a specialist batter as India struggles with first-team absentees. The Indian team is already without Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer as both captain and vice-captain are missing from the squad. ALSO READ | From Steve Smith to Joe Root, 5 active batters with most runs in Ashes The Indian Playing XI could also feature Ravindra Jadeja, who has returned back into the fold for ODIs, having been dropped for the series against Australia last month. The first ODI will be played at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, as the match will start at 1:30 pm IST, while the toss will take place at 1:00 pm IST.

<p>Having announced retirement from the T20I and Test format, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be part of the ODI set-up as they face South Africa.&nbsp;</p>

IND vs SA, 1st ODI: KL Rahul backs Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma to make difference, says 'their importance is...'

<p>Former Indian Premier League (IPL) winner Faf du Plessis has officially pulled out of the coveted tournament after confirming the same on his social media handle on Saturday (Nov 29). Du Plessis, who the IPL with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2021, played in 154 IPL matches and was a handy player, also confirmed his commitment to the Pakistan Super League. The former South Africa captain won’t be in the auction pool for IPL 2026, which takes place on Dec 16 in Abu Dhabi.</p>

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<h2><strong>Faf pulls out of IPL 2026 auction</strong></h2><p>“After 14 seasons in the IPL, I’ve decided not to put my name into the auction this year,” he wrote. “This league has been a massive part of my journey. I’ve been lucky to play with world-class teammates, for amazing franchises, and in front of fans whose passion is like nothing else.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>ALSO READ | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-leonard-hutton-to-don-bradman-5-batters-with-highest-individual-score-in-ashes-bob-simpson-bob-cowper-ashes-2025-26-1762276944046"><strong>From Leonard Hutton to Don Bradman, 5 batters with highest individual score in Ashes</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“Fourteen years is a long time, and I’m proud of what this chapter has meant to me. India has a special place in my heart, and this certainly isn’t goodbye — you’ll see me again.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“This year, I’ve chosen to take on a new challenge and will be playing in the upcoming PSL season,” he said in the post. “A new country. A new environment. A new challenge. I’m looking forward to the Pakistan hospitality.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>ALSO READ | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-steve-smith-to-joe-root-5-active-batters-with-most-runs-in-ashes-ben-stokes-jonny-bairstow-usman-khawaja-1762275784636"><strong>From Steve Smith to Joe Root, 5 active batters with most runs in Ashes</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Du Plessis has been one of the best foreign players in the history of the IPL and scored 4773 runs in 154 matches. During his IPL career, he played for Delhi Capitals, Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiants and Royal Challengers Benglauru (RCB). His career highlight was the 2021 IPL win with CSK, where he was second second-highest scorer with 633 runs while missing out on the Orange Cap by just two runs.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>His commitment to the PSL also means Du Plessis has all but shut down his way back to the IPL. His desire to play in the league comes after he has played 14 seasons in the world’s richest cricket league.</p>

Faf du Plessis, who the IPL with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2021, played in 154 IPL matches and was a handy player, also confirmed his commitment to the Pakistan Super League. 

Former Indian Premier League (IPL) winner Faf du Plessis has officially pulled out of the coveted tournament after confirming the same on his social media handle on Saturday (Nov 29). Du Plessis, who the IPL with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2021, played in 154 IPL matches and was a handy player, also confirmed his commitment to the Pakistan Super League. The former South Africa captain won’t be in the auction pool for IPL 2026, which takes place on Dec 16 in Abu Dhabi.

<p>Du Plessis, who the IPL with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in 2021, played in 154 IPL matches and was a handy player, also confirmed his commitment to the Pakistan Super League.&nbsp;</p>

Faf du Plessis pulls out of IPL 2026 auctions, confirms commitment to Pakistan Super League

<p>England pacer Mark Wood is likely to sit out of the second Test match of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 as he continues to recover from a long-term issue. As revealed by media reports on Saturday (Nov 29), Wood will miss the pink-ball Test in Gabba, which starts on Thursday, while Josh Tongue could be a like-for-like replacement. England are currently trailing 0-1 in the ongoing Ashes against Australia, having lost by eight wickets in Perth.</p><h2><strong>Mark Wood to miss out Brisbane Test?</strong></h2><p>Wood recently returned to the Test set-up, having missed the majority of the year due to a knee issue, on which he also had surgery. The pacer, who was part of the all-pace attack in Perth, had surgery in March that addressed medial ligament damage. His last Test match before the return was against Sri Lanka in August 2024. While he is still not 100 per cent, the medical team is closely monitoring his situation and doesn’t want to take any risk.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>ALSO READ | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-leonard-hutton-to-don-bradman-5-batters-with-highest-individual-score-in-ashes-bob-simpson-bob-cowper-ashes-2025-26-1762276944046"><strong>From Leonard Hutton to Don Bradman, 5 batters with highest individual score in Ashes</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The medical team’s first priority is to keep Wood free of injuries for the rest of the Ashes. He will turn 36 in January, meaning Wood has already passed his peak and will need close match-to-match monitoring in order to stay fit.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>ALSO READ | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-steve-smith-to-joe-root-5-active-batters-with-most-runs-in-ashes-ben-stokes-jonny-bairstow-usman-khawaja-1762275784636"><strong>From Steve Smith to Joe Root, 5 active batters with most runs in Ashes</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Speaking to Fox Cricket during the opening Test in Perth, Wood conceded he would "definitely not play five".</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Wood was England's best bowler on show on the 2021-22 tour (17 wickets at 26.64) and he took nine wickets in final Test at Hobart - England's last pink-ball match in Australia. Nevertheless, he will be parked this week, with Josh Tongue likeliest to take his spot.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The second Ashes Test will start on Thursday (Dec 4) with England trailing 0-1 and as they try to win their first match Down Under since 2010-11.</p>

As revealed by media reports on Saturday (Nov 29), Mark Wood will miss the pink-ball Test in Gabba, which starts on Thursday, while Josh Tongue could be a like-for-like replacement. 

England pacer Mark Wood is likely to sit out of the second Test match of the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 as he continues to recover from a long-term issue. As revealed by media reports on Saturday (Nov 29), Wood will miss the pink-ball Test in Gabba, which starts on Thursday, while Josh Tongue could be a like-for-like replacement. England are currently trailing 0-1 in the ongoing Ashes against Australia, having lost by eight wickets in Perth. Mark Wood to miss out Brisbane Test? Wood recently returned to the Test set-up, having missed the majority of the year due to a knee issue, on which he also had surgery. The pacer, who was part of the all-pace attack in Perth, had surgery in March that addressed medial ligament damage. His last Test match before the return was against Sri Lanka in August 2024. While he is still not 100 per cent, the medical team is closely monitoring his situation and doesn’t want to take any risk. ALSO READ | From Leonard Hutton to Don Bradman, 5 batters with highest individual score in Ashes The medical team’s first priority is to keep Wood free of injuries for the rest of the Ashes. He will turn 36 in January, meaning Wood has already passed his peak and will need close match-to-match monitoring in order to stay fit. ALSO READ | From Steve Smith to Joe Root, 5 active batters with most runs in Ashes Speaking to Fox Cricket during the opening Test in Perth, Wood conceded he would "definitely not play five". Wood was England's best bowler on show on the 2021-22 tour (17 wickets at 26.64) and he took nine wickets in final Test at Hobart - England's last pink-ball match in Australia. Nevertheless, he will be parked this week, with Josh Tongue likeliest to take his spot. The second Ashes Test will start on Thursday (Dec 4) with England trailing 0-1 and as they try to win their first match Down Under since 2010-11.

<p>As revealed by media reports on Saturday (Nov 29), Mark Wood will miss the pink-ball Test in Gabba, which starts on Thursday, while Josh Tongue could be a like-for-like replacement.&nbsp;</p>

Ashes 2025-26: Mark Wood set to miss pink-ball Test in Gabba, Josh Tongue likely to feature - Report

<p>India’s stand-in skipper KL Rahul is all set to take charge of the side as the Men in Blue take on South Africa in the first of three ODI matches on Sunday (Nov 30). Having lost to South Africa 0-2 in the Test series, India will be eager for a reaction as the side will feature the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. However, Rahul, who will lead the side in Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer’s absence, has hinted at the possible inclusion of Rishabh Pant as a specialist batter.</p><h2><strong>Pant to play as specialist batter?</strong></h2><p>“Rishabh obviously missed out due to injury, and again, he is someone who has been with the team for a long time. Everyone has seen what he brings and what he can do for the team. Like I answered them earlier, the players who are already in the team and have been performing - sometimes you just have to wait for your opportunity,” Rahul said in the pre-match press conference.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>ALSO READ | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-steve-smith-to-joe-root-5-active-batters-with-most-runs-in-ashes-ben-stokes-jonny-bairstow-usman-khawaja-1762275784636"><strong>From Steve Smith to Joe Root, 5 active batters with most runs in Ashes</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“You’ll get to know tomorrow who will play - whether it’s me or him behind the stumps - but obviously, he is good enough to play as a batter as well. But if he is in the eleven, then obviously he will take the gloves, and I will be in the field,” Rahul added.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Interestingly, if Pant plays, it will be his first ODI for more than a year, having last featured for the Indian side in August 2024. India lost the series 2-0 against Sri Lanka, which also marked the debut of Gautam Gambhir as coach.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>ALSO READ | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-leonard-hutton-to-don-bradman-5-batters-with-highest-individual-score-in-ashes-bob-simpson-bob-cowper-ashes-2025-26-1762276944046"><strong>From Leonard Hutton to Don Bradman, 5 batters with highest individual score in Ashes</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Moreover, India will have the likes of Virat and Rohit playing with Yashasvi Jaiswal likely to open in Gill’s absence. The middle-order will also feature the likes of Rahul, with the possible inclusion of Tilak Varma in the Playing XI.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The first ODI will be played at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, as the match will start at 1:30 pm IST, while the toss will take place at 1:00 pm IST.</p>

The first ODI between India and South Africa will be played at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, as the match will start at 1:30 pm IST, while the toss will take place at 1:00 pm IST.

India’s stand-in skipper KL Rahul is all set to take charge of the side as the Men in Blue take on South Africa in the first of three ODI matches on Sunday (Nov 30). Having lost to South Africa 0-2 in the Test series, India will be eager for a reaction as the side will feature the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. However, Rahul, who will lead the side in Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer’s absence, has hinted at the possible inclusion of Rishabh Pant as a specialist batter. Pant to play as specialist batter? “Rishabh obviously missed out due to injury, and again, he is someone who has been with the team for a long time. Everyone has seen what he brings and what he can do for the team. Like I answered them earlier, the players who are already in the team and have been performing - sometimes you just have to wait for your opportunity,” Rahul said in the pre-match press conference. ALSO READ | From Steve Smith to Joe Root, 5 active batters with most runs in Ashes “You’ll get to know tomorrow who will play - whether it’s me or him behind the stumps - but obviously, he is good enough to play as a batter as well. But if he is in the eleven, then obviously he will take the gloves, and I will be in the field,” Rahul added. Interestingly, if Pant plays, it will be his first ODI for more than a year, having last featured for the Indian side in August 2024. India lost the series 2-0 against Sri Lanka, which also marked the debut of Gautam Gambhir as coach. ALSO READ | From Leonard Hutton to Don Bradman, 5 batters with highest individual score in Ashes Moreover, India will have the likes of Virat and Rohit playing with Yashasvi Jaiswal likely to open in Gill’s absence. The middle-order will also feature the likes of Rahul, with the possible inclusion of Tilak Varma in the Playing XI. The first ODI will be played at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, as the match will start at 1:30 pm IST, while the toss will take place at 1:00 pm IST.

<p>The first ODI between India and South Africa will be played at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi, as the match will start at 1:30 pm IST, while the toss will take place at 1:00 pm IST.</p>

IND vs SA, 1st ODI: KL Rahul hints at Rishabh Pant inclusion as specialist batter for Ranchi opener

<p>India and South Africa are set to kick off the ODI series on November 30 in Ranchi, with KL Rahul taking charge in the absence of the injured Shubman Gill. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to the team as India look to steady themselves after the bruising 0–2 whitewash in the Test series. Whereas South Africa, under the leadership of Temba Bavuma, will look to carry the momentum and start the ODI series on a high note. Here’s everything you need to know about catching the action from the India vs South Africa 1st ODI live.</p><h2>India vs South Africa 1st ODI live telecast and streaming details</h2><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bcci-set-to-discuss-future-of-virat-kohli-and-rohit-sharma-for-2027-odi-world-cup-1764406588721"><strong>BCCI set to discuss future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for 2027 ODI World Cup</strong></a></p><h2>When does the IND vs SA 1st ODI match take place?</h2><p>The 1st India vs South Africa ODI will be played on Sunday, 30 November 2025.</p><h2>What is the venue of the IND vs SA 1st ODI match?</h2><p>The 1st India vs South Africa ODI match will be held at the JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi.</p><h2>At what time will the toss for the IND vs SA 1st ODI take place?</h2><p>The toss for the India vs South Africa 1st ODI will be held at 1:00 PM IST.</p><h2>At what time will the IND vs SA 1st ODI match begin?</h2><p>The 1st India vs South Africa ODI match will begin at 1:30 PM IST.</p><h2>Which TV channel will live telecast the IND vs SA 1st ODI match in India?</h2><p>The live telecast of the India vs South Africa 1st ODI will be available on the Star Sports network in India.</p><h2>How to watch the live streaming of the IND vs SA 1st ODI match in India?</h2><p>Live streaming of the India vs South Africa 1st ODI will be available on the JioHotstar app and website.</p>

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to the team as India look to steady themselves after the bruising 0–2 whitewash in the Test series. Whereas South Africa, under the leadership of Temba Bavuma, will look to carry the momentum and start the ODI series on a high note. 

India and South Africa are set to kick off the ODI series on November 30 in Ranchi, with KL Rahul taking charge in the absence of the injured Shubman Gill. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to the team as India look to steady themselves after the bruising 0–2 whitewash in the Test series. Whereas South Africa, under the leadership of Temba Bavuma, will look to carry the momentum and start the ODI series on a high note. Here’s everything you need to know about catching the action from the India vs South Africa 1st ODI live. India vs South Africa 1st ODI live telecast and streaming details Also read | BCCI set to discuss future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for 2027 ODI World Cup When does the IND vs SA 1st ODI match take place? The 1st India vs South Africa ODI will be played on Sunday, 30 November 2025. What is the venue of the IND vs SA 1st ODI match? The 1st India vs South Africa ODI match will be held at the JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi. At what time will the toss for the IND vs SA 1st ODI take place? The toss for the India vs South Africa 1st ODI will be held at 1:00 PM IST. At what time will the IND vs SA 1st ODI match begin? The 1st India vs South Africa ODI match will begin at 1:30 PM IST. Which TV channel will live telecast the IND vs SA 1st ODI match in India? The live telecast of the India vs South Africa 1st ODI will be available on the Star Sports network in India. How to watch the live streaming of the IND vs SA 1st ODI match in India? Live streaming of the India vs South Africa 1st ODI will be available on the JioHotstar app and website.

<p>Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli return to the team as India look to steady themselves after the bruising 0–2 whitewash in the Test series. Whereas South Africa, under the leadership of Temba Bavuma, will look to carry the momentum and start the ODI series on a high note.&nbsp;</p>

India vs South Africa: When and where to watch IND vs SA 1st ODI

<p>&nbsp;</p><p>Two of India’s biggest names, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, are back in the headlines, not for a knock or a milestone, but for what their future in ODI cricket looks like. With the 2027 ODI World Cup still some distance away, early discussions have already started behind the scenes, and both stalwarts sit right at the centre of that conversation. The talk isn’t about what they’ve done. It’s about what comes next and how Indian cricket wants to shape the next ODI World Cup cycle.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>According to a report by NDTV, the BCCI is preparing to hold internal meetings to map out the future of senior players as part of its long-term planning for the 2027 World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The idea is to start this cycle with clarity: who fits into the 2027 framework, who transitions out gradually, and which roles need new faces. Nothing official has been announced yet, but early indications suggest the board doesn’t want to wait until the last minute to make tough calls.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/what-is-virat-kohli-s-record-against-south-africa-in-odi-cricket-1764326478360"><strong>What is Virat Kohli’s record against South Africa in ODI cricket?</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Kohli and Rohit remain pillars of India’s white-ball cricket, and their experience still holds serious value. But age, workload, and the long path to 2027 naturally make them part of the bigger planning debate. Over the last two years, both have delivered in crucial moments, showing they can still change games. At the same time, the selectors know a World Cup-winning squad needs balance, depth, and game-time for the next group of players who will carry the baton forward.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>A more fluid leadership model in ODIs, increased focus on all-rounders, and a younger, more adaptable middle order are all on the table as part of the early blueprint. Recent series have already hinted at a shift in approach, with more players being rotated into key roles.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>For now, nothing is set in stone, but one thing is obvious: decisions made in the coming months will shape India’s journey to 2027.</p>

BCCI is preparing to hold internal meetings to map out the future of senior players as part of its long-term planning for the 2027 World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Two of India’s biggest names, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, are back in the headlines, not for a knock or a milestone, but for what their future in ODI cricket looks like. With the 2027 ODI World Cup still some distance away, early discussions have already started behind the scenes, and both stalwarts sit right at the centre of that conversation. The talk isn’t about what they’ve done. It’s about what comes next and how Indian cricket wants to shape the next ODI World Cup cycle. According to a report by NDTV, the BCCI is preparing to hold internal meetings to map out the future of senior players as part of its long-term planning for the 2027 World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. The idea is to start this cycle with clarity: who fits into the 2027 framework, who transitions out gradually, and which roles need new faces. Nothing official has been announced yet, but early indications suggest the board doesn’t want to wait until the last minute to make tough calls. Also read | What is Virat Kohli’s record against South Africa in ODI cricket? Kohli and Rohit remain pillars of India’s white-ball cricket, and their experience still holds serious value. But age, workload, and the long path to 2027 naturally make them part of the bigger planning debate. Over the last two years, both have delivered in crucial moments, showing they can still change games. At the same time, the selectors know a World Cup-winning squad needs balance, depth, and game-time for the next group of players who will carry the baton forward. A more fluid leadership model in ODIs, increased focus on all-rounders, and a younger, more adaptable middle order are all on the table as part of the early blueprint. Recent series have already hinted at a shift in approach, with more players being rotated into key roles. For now, nothing is set in stone, but one thing is obvious: decisions made in the coming months will shape India’s journey to 2027.

<p>BCCI is preparing to hold internal meetings to map out the future of senior players as part of its long-term planning for the 2027 World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.</p>

BCCI set to discuss future of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for 2027 ODI World Cup

<p>Australian opener Usman Khawaja has found himself in hot water over his latest remarks on the Perth pitch used in the first Ashes Test that ended inside two days. The bouncy track at the Optus Stadium saw batters struggling big time before makeshift Aussie opener Travis Head hit a hundred for the ages to win it for his team inside six sessions.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Considering that 19 wickets fell on day one, making it the shortest Test in Australia in 93 years, and second shortest overall Down Under (in terms of balls bowled – just 847 in the match), questions were raised around the Perth pitch, only for ICC to rate it 'very good' in their latest assessment.<br>&nbsp;</p><p>Speaking at a fundraising lunch for the Usman Khawaja Foundation, the veteran Test opener criticised the pitch’s variable bounce, saying, "Nineteen wickets on the first day and about 20 people got hit. That's a great wicket, that seems real fair.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p><p>"The same thing happened last year in the India Test. It's just that day-one wicket; the ball just does not react.<br>&nbsp;</p><p>"Steve Smith's by far the best cricketer I've ever played with, and he's missing the middle of his bat by a long way. He does not miss the middle of his bat (yet); he's getting hit in the elbow.<br>&nbsp;</p><p>"So, day-one wicket at Perth is a piece of sh*t, I'm happy to say that. Has been last year, it was this year,” he continued.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/-we-have-moved-on-ben-stokes-resets-tone-ahead-of-pink-ball-test-in-brisbane-1764396342290"><strong>‘We have moved on’: Ben Stokes resets tone ahead of pink-ball Test in Brisbane</strong></a><br>&nbsp;</p><p>Even though CA praised Perth’s wicket, with chief of cricket James Allsopp agreeing with ICC’s rating, Khawaja kept forward his point, with his main issue being the invariable bounce it provided. However, England’s poor batting, also bashed left, right and centre by their batting great Geoffrey Boycott, saw the visitors getting wrapped up within 70 overs across both innings.<br>&nbsp;</p><p>"You can't really predict up and down. Up and down is the hardest. Sideways is a little bit easier," he said. But up and down, your hands can't catch up. They do get better. Day two, day three and then day four, they start to crack up and cure again.<br>&nbsp;</p><p>"Whenever we play at Perth, it's one of the few places we win the toss, bat first, hoping that we can bat again maybe at the end of day two and into day three,” he added.<br>&nbsp;</p><p>The left-hander is expected to return to the side for the second Test, a Day/Night game at the Gabba in Brisbane, starting Dec 4.</p>

CA seeks an explanation from Khawaja for his criticism of the Perth pitch before deciding to punish him or not.

Australian opener Usman Khawaja has found himself in hot water over his latest remarks on the Perth pitch used in the first Ashes Test that ended inside two days. The bouncy track at the Optus Stadium saw batters struggling big time before makeshift Aussie opener Travis Head hit a hundred for the ages to win it for his team inside six sessions. Considering that 19 wickets fell on day one, making it the shortest Test in Australia in 93 years, and second shortest overall Down Under (in terms of balls bowled – just 847 in the match), questions were raised around the Perth pitch, only for ICC to rate it 'very good' in their latest assessment. Speaking at a fundraising lunch for the Usman Khawaja Foundation, the veteran Test opener criticised the pitch’s variable bounce, saying, "Nineteen wickets on the first day and about 20 people got hit. That's a great wicket, that seems real fair. "The same thing happened last year in the India Test. It's just that day-one wicket; the ball just does not react. "Steve Smith's by far the best cricketer I've ever played with, and he's missing the middle of his bat by a long way. He does not miss the middle of his bat (yet); he's getting hit in the elbow. "So, day-one wicket at Perth is a piece of sh*t, I'm happy to say that. Has been last year, it was this year,” he continued. Also read | ‘We have moved on’: Ben Stokes resets tone ahead of pink-ball Test in Brisbane Even though CA praised Perth’s wicket, with chief of cricket James Allsopp agreeing with ICC’s rating, Khawaja kept forward his point, with his main issue being the invariable bounce it provided. However, England’s poor batting, also bashed left, right and centre by their batting great Geoffrey Boycott, saw the visitors getting wrapped up within 70 overs across both innings. "You can't really predict up and down. Up and down is the hardest. Sideways is a little bit easier," he said. But up and down, your hands can't catch up. They do get better. Day two, day three and then day four, they start to crack up and cure again. "Whenever we play at Perth, it's one of the few places we win the toss, bat first, hoping that we can bat again maybe at the end of day two and into day three,” he added. The left-hander is expected to return to the side for the second Test, a Day/Night game at the Gabba in Brisbane, starting Dec 4.

<p>CA seeks an explanation from Khawaja for his criticism of the Perth pitch before deciding to punish him or not.</p>

Ashes: Cricket Australia seeks explanation from Khawaja over his ‘piece of s***’ Perth pitch remarks

<p>Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management has been a topic of discussion ever since. The ace seamer has spent plenty of time on the sidelines recovering from a persistent back injury that troubled him over the years, something that also kept the Indian fans and team management on their toes. Ravichandran Ashwin, Bumrah’s former India teammate and bowling great, recently shared his views on managing his workload better, suggesting a bold move - something that differs from Bumrah’s goals. Despite BCCI selectors preferring to play him in Tests over white-ball cricket, Ashwin suggests otherwise, urging the Indian quick to play Tests only when he’s dearly needed.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Since missing the final Test against England at the Oval this year, Bumrah featured in the triumph 2025 Asia Cup campaign, the home Tests against West Indies, the five away T20Is against Australia, and just concluded Proteas Tests. Although he sits out of the forthcoming ODI series against South Africa, Bumrah will return for the five T20Is that follow.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-sa-2025-shubman-gill-shreyas-iyer-return-from-injuries-bowling-coach-morne-morkel-answers-1764393411615"><strong>How long before Gill and Iyer return from injuries? Bowling coach Morkel answers</strong></a><br>&nbsp;</p><p>Speaking with AB de Villiers during a YouTube chat, Ashwin suggested, “If I were anywhere near him, I'd tell him to stick to white-ball cricket. Unless India desperately need him, don’t step into the Test side. But I know him well. He loves the format and wants to keep playing despite the challenge.”<br>He continued that Bumrah must only feature in high-stakes Test matches, urging him to focus more on T20 cricket.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p><p>“For India’s sake and Bumrah’s sake, I’d rather he focus on T20 cricket. Not waste energy on meaningless ODIs. Play only the Tests that matter, especially the away ones. And we should be developing a group of fast bowlers for home conditions anyway,” he added.</p><h3>De Villiers shares same thoughts</h3><p>Agreeing with Ashwin’s remarks, the former South African captain shared the same sentiments, suggesting that Bumrah must skip playing Tests in India and the Asian conditions, and only appear when Team India travels to SENA countries.<br>&nbsp;</p><p>“I’d pull him out of all the home and Asian Tests,” de Villiers said. “Use him only in Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and England. Keep him fresh for those, and let him focus on the white-ball formats where World Cups are on the line.”<br>&nbsp;</p><p>Meanwhile, Bumrah’s fitness remains key to India’s international calendar, considering the home T20 World Cup early next year, where he is assumed to lead the pace attack.&nbsp;</p>

Since missing the final Test against England at the Oval this year, Bumrah featured in the triumph 2025 Asia Cup campaign, the home Tests against West Indies, the five away T20Is against Australia, and just concluded Proteas Tests.

Jasprit Bumrah’s workload management has been a topic of discussion ever since. The ace seamer has spent plenty of time on the sidelines recovering from a persistent back injury that troubled him over the years, something that also kept the Indian fans and team management on their toes. Ravichandran Ashwin, Bumrah’s former India teammate and bowling great, recently shared his views on managing his workload better, suggesting a bold move - something that differs from Bumrah’s goals. Despite BCCI selectors preferring to play him in Tests over white-ball cricket, Ashwin suggests otherwise, urging the Indian quick to play Tests only when he’s dearly needed. Since missing the final Test against England at the Oval this year, Bumrah featured in the triumph 2025 Asia Cup campaign, the home Tests against West Indies, the five away T20Is against Australia, and just concluded Proteas Tests. Although he sits out of the forthcoming ODI series against South Africa, Bumrah will return for the five T20Is that follow. Also read | How long before Gill and Iyer return from injuries? Bowling coach Morkel answers Speaking with AB de Villiers during a YouTube chat, Ashwin suggested, “If I were anywhere near him, I'd tell him to stick to white-ball cricket. Unless India desperately need him, don’t step into the Test side. But I know him well. He loves the format and wants to keep playing despite the challenge.” He continued that Bumrah must only feature in high-stakes Test matches, urging him to focus more on T20 cricket. “For India’s sake and Bumrah’s sake, I’d rather he focus on T20 cricket. Not waste energy on meaningless ODIs. Play only the Tests that matter, especially the away ones. And we should be developing a group of fast bowlers for home conditions anyway,” he added. De Villiers shares same thoughts Agreeing with Ashwin’s remarks, the former South African captain shared the same sentiments, suggesting that Bumrah must skip playing Tests in India and the Asian conditions, and only appear when Team India travels to SENA countries. “I’d pull him out of all the home and Asian Tests,” de Villiers said. “Use him only in Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and England. Keep him fresh for those, and let him focus on the white-ball formats where World Cups are on the line.” Meanwhile, Bumrah’s fitness remains key to India’s international calendar, considering the home T20 World Cup early next year, where he is assumed to lead the pace attack.

<p>Since missing the final Test against England at the Oval this year, Bumrah featured in the triumph 2025 Asia Cup campaign, the home Tests against West Indies, the five away T20Is against Australia, and just concluded Proteas Tests.</p>

‘Stick to white-ball cricket,’ Ashwin’s BOLD take on protecting Bumrah from injuries; de Villiers agrees

<p>England suffered a heavy defeat in the first Ashes Test in Perth, where Australia chased down the target with eight wickets to spare and took a 1-0 lead in the series. The match finished inside two days, and the result hit England hard. But captain Ben Stokes says the team has moved on and is focused on getting things right in Brisbane.</p><p><br>Stokes spoke to the media ahead of the second day-night Test at the Gabba and said the group had honest conversations after the Perth collapse. According to him, the players know exactly where things slipped and what needs to improve.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kapil-dev-slams-india-after-heavy-test-series-defeat-to-south-africa-1764392952494"><strong>Kapil Dev slams India after heavy Test series defeat to South Africa</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“We’ve talked about it, and we’ve moved on,” he said. “There were moments where we were in control, but we didn’t hold those moments for long enough.”</p><p><br>The first Test saw batting collapses from both sides, but Travis Head’s outstanding 123 turned the match. Stokes praised Head’s innings but made it clear that England’s defeat wasn’t because of one knock alone. Instead, he pointed to chances missed, poor decision-making, and the failure to build on strong positions.</p><p><br>England now heads into a tougher challenge at the Gabba, where Australia has dominated pink-ball Tests, winning 13 of their 14 matches under lights. England’s own record with the pink ball is mixed, which made their preparation even more debated.</p><h2>Michael Vaughan questions England's decision</h2><p>The team management faced criticism for skipping a two-day pink-ball warm-up match against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra. Former captain Michael Vaughan called the decision 'amateurish”, arguing that England needed more match practice. Stokes defended the move, saying the conditions in Canberra had no relevance to Brisbane and that extra training sessions were a better option.</p><p><br>“You look at the pros and cons. We felt preparing here, in these conditions, was the right call,” Stokes said. “We know we are doing everything we can to be ready.”</p><p><br>England now needs a strong response to keep the Ashes alive. Australia has the momentum, the home crowd, and a pitch that suits them.</p>

The first Test saw batting collapses from both sides, but Travis Head’s outstanding 123 turned the match. Stokes praised Head’s innings but made it clear that England’s defeat wasn’t because of one knock alone. 

England suffered a heavy defeat in the first Ashes Test in Perth, where Australia chased down the target with eight wickets to spare and took a 1-0 lead in the series. The match finished inside two days, and the result hit England hard. But captain Ben Stokes says the team has moved on and is focused on getting things right in Brisbane. Stokes spoke to the media ahead of the second day-night Test at the Gabba and said the group had honest conversations after the Perth collapse. According to him, the players know exactly where things slipped and what needs to improve. Also read | Kapil Dev slams India after heavy Test series defeat to South Africa “We’ve talked about it, and we’ve moved on,” he said. “There were moments where we were in control, but we didn’t hold those moments for long enough.” The first Test saw batting collapses from both sides, but Travis Head’s outstanding 123 turned the match. Stokes praised Head’s innings but made it clear that England’s defeat wasn’t because of one knock alone. Instead, he pointed to chances missed, poor decision-making, and the failure to build on strong positions. England now heads into a tougher challenge at the Gabba, where Australia has dominated pink-ball Tests, winning 13 of their 14 matches under lights. England’s own record with the pink ball is mixed, which made their preparation even more debated. Michael Vaughan questions England's decision The team management faced criticism for skipping a two-day pink-ball warm-up match against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra. Former captain Michael Vaughan called the decision 'amateurish”, arguing that England needed more match practice. Stokes defended the move, saying the conditions in Canberra had no relevance to Brisbane and that extra training sessions were a better option. “You look at the pros and cons. We felt preparing here, in these conditions, was the right call,” Stokes said. “We know we are doing everything we can to be ready.” England now needs a strong response to keep the Ashes alive. Australia has the momentum, the home crowd, and a pitch that suits them.

<p>The first Test saw batting collapses from both sides, but Travis Head’s outstanding 123 turned the match. Stokes praised Head’s innings but made it clear that England’s defeat wasn’t because of one knock alone.&nbsp;</p>

‘We have moved on’: Ben Stokes resets tone ahead of pink-ball Test in Brisbane

<p>The WPL 2026 full schedule is now out. While the forthcoming season, starting January 9, will see two double-headers, both played on Saturdays, its final will also be played on a weekday (February 5) for the first time in four seasons. The 28-day tournament will get underway in Navi Mumbai – the very venue where the Indian women’s team lifted its maiden ODI World Cup crown earlier this month, with the remaining matches scheduled in Vadodara, the second of the two venues for WPL 2026.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai will host the first 11 matches, including two double headers, before the action moves to Vadodara’s Kotambi Stadium, which will also stage the Eliminator (February 3) and the finale on Thursday (Feb 5).</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-sa-2025-shubman-gill-shreyas-iyer-return-from-injuries-bowling-coach-morne-morkel-answers-1764393411615"><strong>How long before Gill and Iyer return from injuries? Bowling coach Morkel answers</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>While the dates and the two venues were confirmed ahead of the first-ever WPL 2026 mega auction this Thursday (Nov 27) in New Delhi, with the league chairman Jayesh George making it official, all games, barring the first fixtures in the double headers, will be played in the evenings.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Besides the two first-timers, including a weekday hosting the finale and two double headers, it’s also for the first time that a WPL season shall be held in the January-February window. Since its inception in 2023, the February-March window has hosted the three concluded seasons. Also, for the first time, WPL 2026 will not coincide with significant international fixtures.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Meanwhile, the Mumbai Indians (MI) won it twice in three seasons, while the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) also tasted success in 2024. Delhi Capitals (DC), however, were the runners-up in all three seasons.</p><h2><strong>WPL 2026 Full Schedule –</strong></h2><p><strong>Navi Mumbai leg</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Jan 9: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru</li><li>Jan 10: UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants</li><li>Jan 10: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals</li><li>Jan 11: Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants</li><li>Jan 12: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz</li><li>Jan 13: Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants</li><li>Jan 14: UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals</li><li>Jan 15: Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz</li><li>Jan 16: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants</li><li>Jan 17: UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians</li><li>Jan 17: Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru</li></ul><p><strong>Vadodara leg</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Jan 19: Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru</li><li>Jan 20: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians</li><li>Jan 22: Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz</li><li>Jan 24: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals</li><li>Jan 26: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians</li><li>Jan 27: Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals</li><li>Jan 29: UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru</li><li>Jan 30: Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians</li><li>Feb 1: Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz</li><li>Feb 3: Eliminator</li><li>Feb 5: Final</li></ul>

Navi Mumbai will host the first 11 matches, including two double headers, before the action moves to Vadodara’s Kotambi Stadium, which will also stage the Eliminator (February 3) and the finale on Thursday (Feb 5).

The WPL 2026 full schedule is now out. While the forthcoming season, starting January 9, will see two double-headers, both played on Saturdays, its final will also be played on a weekday (February 5) for the first time in four seasons. The 28-day tournament will get underway in Navi Mumbai – the very venue where the Indian women’s team lifted its maiden ODI World Cup crown earlier this month, with the remaining matches scheduled in Vadodara, the second of the two venues for WPL 2026. The DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai will host the first 11 matches, including two double headers, before the action moves to Vadodara’s Kotambi Stadium, which will also stage the Eliminator (February 3) and the finale on Thursday (Feb 5). Also read | How long before Gill and Iyer return from injuries? Bowling coach Morkel answers While the dates and the two venues were confirmed ahead of the first-ever WPL 2026 mega auction this Thursday (Nov 27) in New Delhi, with the league chairman Jayesh George making it official, all games, barring the first fixtures in the double headers, will be played in the evenings. Besides the two first-timers, including a weekday hosting the finale and two double headers, it’s also for the first time that a WPL season shall be held in the January-February window. Since its inception in 2023, the February-March window has hosted the three concluded seasons. Also, for the first time, WPL 2026 will not coincide with significant international fixtures. Meanwhile, the Mumbai Indians (MI) won it twice in three seasons, while the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) also tasted success in 2024. Delhi Capitals (DC), however, were the runners-up in all three seasons. WPL 2026 Full Schedule – Navi Mumbai leg Jan 9: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Jan 10: UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants Jan 10: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals Jan 11: Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants Jan 12: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs UP Warriorz Jan 13: Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants Jan 14: UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals Jan 15: Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz Jan 16: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants Jan 17: UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians Jan 17: Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Vadodara leg Jan 19: Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Jan 20: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians Jan 22: Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz Jan 24: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals Jan 26: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians Jan 27: Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals Jan 29: UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Jan 30: Gujarat Giants vs Mumbai Indians Feb 1: Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz Feb 3: Eliminator Feb 5: Final

<p>Navi Mumbai will host the first 11 matches, including two double headers, before the action moves to Vadodara’s Kotambi Stadium, which will also stage the Eliminator (February 3) and the finale on Thursday (Feb 5).</p>

WPL 2026 Full Schedule - Two double headers, final on weekday; details inside

<p>Team India will be without their two star batters, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, for the forthcoming ODI series, as both are recovering from respective injuries. While Gill suffered a neck injury two weeks ago during the Kolkata Test against South Africa and has been out since, Iyer has been missing from the cricketing scene since he lacerated his spleen during the Australian ODIs. When asked about their status ahead of Team India's first ODI on Sunday (Nov 30) in Ranchi, Morkel dropped a welcoming update on their road to recovery.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"I think the best is for the medical [team] to give that [update]," Morkel said. "I spoke to Shubman two days ago just to check in with him, and he is recovering well. So, that is pleasing to hear.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p><p>"Shreyas has also started his rehab, which is great. So, we are looking forward to welcoming them back into the squad. The good thing is that they are healthy, and they are starting their preparation on their way back into the team,” he continued.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/smat-2025-26-ayush-mhatre-creates-history-with-record-ton-breaks-rohit-sharma-s-record-1764342057347"><strong>SMAT 2025-26: Ayush Mhatre creates history with record ton; breaks Rohit Sharma’s record</strong></a><br>&nbsp;</p><p>With both missing South Africa's white-ball leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal could take up Gill’s place for the three One-Dayers, while one of Rishabh Pant or Tilak Varma could come in at number four.</p><h3>‘Time to refocus’</h3><p>Team India surrendered its home dominance with a series defeat to the Proteas, having lost five of the last seven matches at home. Sitting fifth on the points table for the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, they have plenty to do to get back to the top, but Morkel feels the format change will help them rediscover their form and place they think they belong in across formats.<br>&nbsp;</p><p>"Look, it's a change of colour by clothing, and it's a change of ball which always brings a different energy," Morkel said. "But I feel you know the South African team, they have that momentum with them, and a confident Proteas team is a dangerous team. It will be important to start well, for us to play good cricket over the next week or two, because they're here to win.<br>&nbsp;</p><p>"Luckily, we have got some good experience ahead now in the team. For us, it is now a focus for the next two days. Give ourselves the best opportunity to prepare well and go out there and put the last couple of weeks behind us and really focus on playing solid cricket,” he added.&nbsp;</p>

After losing the home Test series to South Africa, Team India will engage in the white-ball leg, including three ODIs and five T20Is, starting this Sunday in Ranchi.

Team India will be without their two star batters, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, for the forthcoming ODI series, as both are recovering from respective injuries. While Gill suffered a neck injury two weeks ago during the Kolkata Test against South Africa and has been out since, Iyer has been missing from the cricketing scene since he lacerated his spleen during the Australian ODIs. When asked about their status ahead of Team India's first ODI on Sunday (Nov 30) in Ranchi, Morkel dropped a welcoming update on their road to recovery. "I think the best is for the medical [team] to give that [update]," Morkel said. "I spoke to Shubman two days ago just to check in with him, and he is recovering well. So, that is pleasing to hear. "Shreyas has also started his rehab, which is great. So, we are looking forward to welcoming them back into the squad. The good thing is that they are healthy, and they are starting their preparation on their way back into the team,” he continued. Also read | SMAT 2025-26: Ayush Mhatre creates history with record ton; breaks Rohit Sharma’s record With both missing South Africa's white-ball leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal could take up Gill’s place for the three One-Dayers, while one of Rishabh Pant or Tilak Varma could come in at number four. ‘Time to refocus’ Team India surrendered its home dominance with a series defeat to the Proteas, having lost five of the last seven matches at home. Sitting fifth on the points table for the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, they have plenty to do to get back to the top, but Morkel feels the format change will help them rediscover their form and place they think they belong in across formats. "Look, it's a change of colour by clothing, and it's a change of ball which always brings a different energy," Morkel said. "But I feel you know the South African team, they have that momentum with them, and a confident Proteas team is a dangerous team. It will be important to start well, for us to play good cricket over the next week or two, because they're here to win. "Luckily, we have got some good experience ahead now in the team. For us, it is now a focus for the next two days. Give ourselves the best opportunity to prepare well and go out there and put the last couple of weeks behind us and really focus on playing solid cricket,” he added.

<p>After losing the home Test series to South Africa, Team India will engage in the white-ball leg, including three ODIs and five T20Is, starting this Sunday in Ranchi.</p>

How long before Gill and Iyer return from injuries? Bowling coach Morkel answers

<p>India’s 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev expressed his frustration after the home Test series loss against South Africa, saying the team has become too focused on white-ball cricket and is ignoring the basics needed to succeed in the longest format. India were beaten 0-2 on home soil, marking their second straight Test series loss at home in two years, something that has not happened since 1984.</p><p><br>Kapil Dev felt India’s batting looked unprepared for tough conditions and a strong South African attack, especially against off-spinner Simon Harmer, who ended as the Player of the Series. He said India’s players are not getting enough domestic cricket, which helps them understand different pitches and styles of bowling.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/what-is-virat-kohli-s-record-against-south-africa-in-odi-cricket-1764326478360"><strong>What is Virat Kohli’s record against South Africa in ODI cricket?</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He pointed out that earlier players improved because they played many domestic games on varied surfaces. According to him, today’s players skip domestic cricket and therefore lack the technique and patience required in Test matches.</p><p><br>Kapil also criticised the pitch used for the first Test in Kolkata, where the match ended inside three days. He said such pitches do not help the game, as the team that loses the toss instantly falls behind.</p><p><br>He added that the focus on ODIs and T20Is has changed the mindset of batters. With white-ball cricket dominating schedules, batters rarely face bowler-friendly wickets anymore. As a result, when they come across turning or seam tracks in Tests, they struggle because they are used to flat pitches and high-scoring games.</p><p><br>India’s defeat has dropped them to fifth place in the World Test Championship table. With nine more Tests left in this cycle, including four away from home, the challenge becomes even tougher for the Shubman Gill-led side. India will be away from red-ball cricket till August 2026, but they will need to ensure steps from now to make a mark</p>

Kapil also criticised the pitch used for the first Test in Kolkata, where the match ended inside three days. He said such pitches do not help the game, as the team that loses the toss instantly falls behind.

India’s 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev expressed his frustration after the home Test series loss against South Africa, saying the team has become too focused on white-ball cricket and is ignoring the basics needed to succeed in the longest format. India were beaten 0-2 on home soil, marking their second straight Test series loss at home in two years, something that has not happened since 1984. Kapil Dev felt India’s batting looked unprepared for tough conditions and a strong South African attack, especially against off-spinner Simon Harmer, who ended as the Player of the Series. He said India’s players are not getting enough domestic cricket, which helps them understand different pitches and styles of bowling. Also read | What is Virat Kohli’s record against South Africa in ODI cricket? He pointed out that earlier players improved because they played many domestic games on varied surfaces. According to him, today’s players skip domestic cricket and therefore lack the technique and patience required in Test matches. Kapil also criticised the pitch used for the first Test in Kolkata, where the match ended inside three days. He said such pitches do not help the game, as the team that loses the toss instantly falls behind. He added that the focus on ODIs and T20Is has changed the mindset of batters. With white-ball cricket dominating schedules, batters rarely face bowler-friendly wickets anymore. As a result, when they come across turning or seam tracks in Tests, they struggle because they are used to flat pitches and high-scoring games. India’s defeat has dropped them to fifth place in the World Test Championship table. With nine more Tests left in this cycle, including four away from home, the challenge becomes even tougher for the Shubman Gill-led side. India will be away from red-ball cricket till August 2026, but they will need to ensure steps from now to make a mark

<p>Kapil also criticised the pitch used for the first Test in Kolkata, where the match ended inside three days. He said such pitches do not help the game, as the team that loses the toss instantly falls behind.</p>

Kapil Dev slams India after heavy Test series defeat to South Africa

<p>India's emerging name in cricket, Ayush Mhatre, had a day he will remember for a long time. The 18-year-old Mumbai batter smashed his maiden T20 century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Friday (Nov 28) and, in the process, broke Rohit Sharma’s record to become the youngest man to score a hundred in all three domestic formats: First-class, List A and T20.</p><h2><strong>Five youngest to score hundreds in all three domestic formats</strong></h2><p>Mhatre reached this rare milestone at 18 years and 135 days, going past Rohit’s mark of 19 years and 339 days. Unmukt Chand (20y 0d), Quinton de Kock (20y 62d), and Ahmed Shehzad (20y 97d) follow next on the list. For Mhatre to join and top such a group at this age shows how quickly he is rising.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/what-is-virat-kohli-s-record-against-south-africa-in-odi-cricket-1764326478360"><strong>What is Virat Kohli’s record against South Africa in ODI cricket?</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Mumbai were chasing 193 against Vidarbha in Lucknow, and the pressure was high. But from the moment Mhatre walked in, he looked calm and in control. He picked the right balls to attack, kept rotating the strike, and slowly took the game away from the bowlers.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;His hundred arrived in only 49 balls; a knock full of confidence and clean hitting.</p><p>He ended unbeaten on 110 off 53 balls, hitting eight fours and seven sixes. Shivam Dube supported him well with 39 not out off 19 balls as Mumbai cruised to a seven-wicket win, making it their second victory of the tournament.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>This T20 hundred now completes a century each in First-class, List A and T20 cricket for Mhatre. Very few players have managed this before turning 20, and even fewer have done it with such authority. The fact that he has now broken Rohit Sharma’s record makes the achievement even more special, considering Rohit went on to become one of India’s greatest white-ball batters.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>To add a cherry on the top, Mhatre was also announced as India’s Under-19 captain for the Asia Cup in Dubai.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Mumbai were chasing 193 against Vidarbha in Lucknow, and the pressure was high. But from the moment Mhatre walked in, he looked calm and in control. He picked the right balls to attack, kept rotating the strike, and slowly took the game away from the bowlers.

India's emerging name in cricket, Ayush Mhatre, had a day he will remember for a long time. The 18-year-old Mumbai batter smashed his maiden T20 century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Friday (Nov 28) and, in the process, broke Rohit Sharma’s record to become the youngest man to score a hundred in all three domestic formats: First-class, List A and T20. Five youngest to score hundreds in all three domestic formats Mhatre reached this rare milestone at 18 years and 135 days, going past Rohit’s mark of 19 years and 339 days. Unmukt Chand (20y 0d), Quinton de Kock (20y 62d), and Ahmed Shehzad (20y 97d) follow next on the list. For Mhatre to join and top such a group at this age shows how quickly he is rising. Also read | What is Virat Kohli’s record against South Africa in ODI cricket? Mumbai were chasing 193 against Vidarbha in Lucknow, and the pressure was high. But from the moment Mhatre walked in, he looked calm and in control. He picked the right balls to attack, kept rotating the strike, and slowly took the game away from the bowlers. His hundred arrived in only 49 balls; a knock full of confidence and clean hitting. He ended unbeaten on 110 off 53 balls, hitting eight fours and seven sixes. Shivam Dube supported him well with 39 not out off 19 balls as Mumbai cruised to a seven-wicket win, making it their second victory of the tournament. This T20 hundred now completes a century each in First-class, List A and T20 cricket for Mhatre. Very few players have managed this before turning 20, and even fewer have done it with such authority. The fact that he has now broken Rohit Sharma’s record makes the achievement even more special, considering Rohit went on to become one of India’s greatest white-ball batters. To add a cherry on the top, Mhatre was also announced as India’s Under-19 captain for the Asia Cup in Dubai.

<p>Mumbai were chasing 193 against Vidarbha in Lucknow, and the pressure was high. But from the moment Mhatre walked in, he looked calm and in control. He picked the right balls to attack, kept rotating the strike, and slowly took the game away from the bowlers.</p>

SMAT 2025-26: Ayush Mhatre creates history with record ton; breaks Rohit Sharma’s record

<p>India will take on South Africa in a three-match ODI series starting Sunday (Nov 30), and the hosts will be desperate for a turnaround after being swept 0–2 in the Tests. KL Rahul will lead the side with Shubman Gill ruled out injured, while the big boost comes with the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. And here’s the thing: Kohli has a strong record against South Africa in ODIs, so let’s break down his numbers.</p><p><br>Kohli has always enjoyed batting against the Proteas, and the numbers back that up. Across 29 innings, he has scored 1504 runs at an average of 65.39, which is one of his best returns against any major team. His highest score against South Africa is an unbeaten 160, a knock that still stands out in his ODI career for its control and quality.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/from-amelia-kerr-to-sophie-devine-top-5-foreign-buys-in-wpl-2025-auctions-1764315034072"><strong>From Amelia Kerr to Sophie Devine: Top 5 foreign buys in WPL 2025 auctions</strong></a></p><h2><strong>5 hundreds and 8 fifties in 29 innings</strong></h2><p>When you look deeper, the consistency is even clearer. Kohli has hit five hundreds and eight fifties against South Africa in ODIs. That means in almost every third innings, he crosses fifty, which shows how reliable he has been at key moments. His strike rate of 85.74 also shows that he scores at a steady pace without taking too many risks, something that has always made him one of the best chase masters in modern cricket.</p><p><br>He has also hit 121 fours and 17 sixes against South Africa, which tells you how often he finds the gaps and how rarely he needs to go aerial. &nbsp;For India, his return comes at the right time. The team needs stability after a tough Test series, and Kohli’s presence in the middle order gives them experience and control.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>With Rohit Sharma also back, the side suddenly looks more settled and confident heading into the ODIs.South Africa will know that stopping Kohli early is half the battle. India, on the other hand, will hope their most dependable ODI batter once again delivers.</p>

 KL Rahul will lead the side with Shubman Gill ruled out injured, while the big boost comes with the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

India will take on South Africa in a three-match ODI series starting Sunday (Nov 30), and the hosts will be desperate for a turnaround after being swept 0–2 in the Tests. KL Rahul will lead the side with Shubman Gill ruled out injured, while the big boost comes with the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. And here’s the thing: Kohli has a strong record against South Africa in ODIs, so let’s break down his numbers. Kohli has always enjoyed batting against the Proteas, and the numbers back that up. Across 29 innings, he has scored 1504 runs at an average of 65.39, which is one of his best returns against any major team. His highest score against South Africa is an unbeaten 160, a knock that still stands out in his ODI career for its control and quality. Also read | From Amelia Kerr to Sophie Devine: Top 5 foreign buys in WPL 2025 auctions 5 hundreds and 8 fifties in 29 innings When you look deeper, the consistency is even clearer. Kohli has hit five hundreds and eight fifties against South Africa in ODIs. That means in almost every third innings, he crosses fifty, which shows how reliable he has been at key moments. His strike rate of 85.74 also shows that he scores at a steady pace without taking too many risks, something that has always made him one of the best chase masters in modern cricket. He has also hit 121 fours and 17 sixes against South Africa, which tells you how often he finds the gaps and how rarely he needs to go aerial. For India, his return comes at the right time. The team needs stability after a tough Test series, and Kohli’s presence in the middle order gives them experience and control. With Rohit Sharma also back, the side suddenly looks more settled and confident heading into the ODIs.South Africa will know that stopping Kohli early is half the battle. India, on the other hand, will hope their most dependable ODI batter once again delivers.

<p>&nbsp;KL Rahul will lead the side with Shubman Gill ruled out injured, while the big boost comes with the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.</p>

What is Virat Kohli’s record against South Africa in ODI cricket?

<p>Th 2008 IPL champions Rajasthan Royals are reportedly being considered for sale before the 2026 season. This information comes from Harsha Goenka, the elder brother of Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka and he claims that RR is looking for new owners. Goenka on Thursday (Nov 27) posted on his X, saying that not one but two franchises, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are now reportedly up for sale.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"I hear, not one, but two IPL teams are now up for sale- RCB and RR. It seems clear that people want to cash in the rich valuations today. So two teams for sale and 4/5 possible buyers! Who will be the successful buyers- will it be from Pune, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru or USA?" Harsh Goenka wrote.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/from-amelia-kerr-to-sophie-devine-top-5-foreign-buys-in-wpl-2025-auctions-1764315034072"><strong>From Amelia Kerr to Sophie Devine: Top 5 foreign buys in WPL 2025 auctions</strong></a></p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I hear, not one, but two IPL teams are now up for sale- RCB and RR. It seems clear that people want to cash in the rich valuations today. So two teams for sale and 4/5 possible buyers! Who will be the successful buyers- will it be from Pune, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru or USA?</p>&mdash; Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) <a href="https://twitter.com/hvgoenka/status/1994055287712674098?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>While his claim about RR remains unverified by the franchise, but Harsh statement quickly led to a wave of rumours. Unlike, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), which has openly started a formal sale process, RR’s situation is not clear yet.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Royals are owned by Royal Multisports Private Limited, with Manoj Badale as the main shareholder. So far, neither the owners nor the team have said anything about selling of the franchise. &nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read - </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wpl-mega-auction-2026-check-complete-squads-of-mi-gg-rcb-dc-upw-1764305575242"><strong>WPL 2026: How teams stack up after auction - Check full squads of all five franchises</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Whereas, On Nov 5, RCB’s parent company, United Spirits Ltd (USL), which is owned by UK-based Diageo, announced that it was reviewing its investment in the team.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>If both RCB and RR end up with new owners, it could bring big changes to the IPL, as fresh investment could influence auction strategies, player spending and long-term planning. It could also affect fan loyalty, especially for RCB, one of the league’s most popular teams.</p>



Unlike the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), which has openly started a formal sale process, RR’s situation is not clear yet. 

Th 2008 IPL champions Rajasthan Royals are reportedly being considered for sale before the 2026 season. This information comes from Harsha Goenka, the elder brother of Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka and he claims that RR is looking for new owners. Goenka on Thursday (Nov 27) posted on his X, saying that not one but two franchises, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) are now reportedly up for sale. "I hear, not one, but two IPL teams are now up for sale- RCB and RR. It seems clear that people want to cash in the rich valuations today. So two teams for sale and 4/5 possible buyers! Who will be the successful buyers- will it be from Pune, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru or USA?" Harsh Goenka wrote. Also read | From Amelia Kerr to Sophie Devine: Top 5 foreign buys in WPL 2025 auctions

<p>Unlike, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), which has openly started a formal sale process, RR’s situation is not clear yet.&nbsp;</p>

Indian Premier League: Is Rajasthan Royals on sale? Harsh Goenka thinks so

<p>Abhishek Sharma walked into the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as the world’s No. 1 T20I batter and the captain of Punjab. The expectation was clear: he had to lead from the front. But so far, the tournament has not gone the way he or his team would have hoped. On Friday (Nov 28) in Hyderabad, those struggles continued, and Punjab once again felt the impact.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Punjab were chasing a big target of 208 against Haryana at the Gymkhana Ground. They needed Abhishek to give them a strong start, but he fell early for just six runs from five balls. Anshul Kamboj bowled him in the third over, pushing Punjab into trouble right at the beginning of the chase.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/from-amelia-kerr-to-sophie-devine-top-5-foreign-buys-in-wpl-2025-auctions-1764315034072"><strong>From Amelia Kerr to Sophie Devine: Top 5 foreign buys in WPL 2025 auctions</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Before getting out, Abhishek managed one boundary and put on a 27-run opening stand with Prabhsimran Singh. But their start did not last long. Prabhsimran, who made waves in the IPL 2025 season with Punjab Kings, also fell quickly. He made 20 from 10 balls, hitting one four and two sixes, but could not turn it into a big knock.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>For Abhishek, this was his second straight failure in the SMAT 2025. He had scored just four runs in Punjab’s first match against Himachal Pradesh. Even before this tournament, his form was dipping. In the three unofficial ODIs between India A and South Africa A, he scored 31, 32, and 11. Steady numbers, but no impactful knocks.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>This phase has hurt his chances of breaking into India’s ODI squad. There was a window after Shubman Gill’s injury, but Maharashtra’s Ruturaj Gaikwad stepped up instead. Gaikwad scored a century and a half-century in the India A series and earned the ODI call-up as Gill’s replacement.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>While Abhishek struggled, the match still had strong batting on display. Haryana’s young all-rounder Nishant Sindhu stood out with a sharp 61 off 32 balls. He smashed eight fours and three sixes and stitched important partnerships with Ankit Kumar and Yashvardhan Dalal, keeping Haryana in control from the start.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Punjab now need their captain to find rhythm quickly. With a big T20I series against South Africa coming up next month, Abhishek’s form will be watched closely.&nbsp;</p>

Punjab were chasing a big target of 208 against Haryana at the Gymkhana Ground. They needed Abhishek to give them a strong start, but he fell early for just six runs from five balls.

Abhishek Sharma walked into the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as the world’s No. 1 T20I batter and the captain of Punjab. The expectation was clear: he had to lead from the front. But so far, the tournament has not gone the way he or his team would have hoped. On Friday (Nov 28) in Hyderabad, those struggles continued, and Punjab once again felt the impact. Punjab were chasing a big target of 208 against Haryana at the Gymkhana Ground. They needed Abhishek to give them a strong start, but he fell early for just six runs from five balls. Anshul Kamboj bowled him in the third over, pushing Punjab into trouble right at the beginning of the chase. Also read | From Amelia Kerr to Sophie Devine: Top 5 foreign buys in WPL 2025 auctions Before getting out, Abhishek managed one boundary and put on a 27-run opening stand with Prabhsimran Singh. But their start did not last long. Prabhsimran, who made waves in the IPL 2025 season with Punjab Kings, also fell quickly. He made 20 from 10 balls, hitting one four and two sixes, but could not turn it into a big knock. For Abhishek, this was his second straight failure in the SMAT 2025. He had scored just four runs in Punjab’s first match against Himachal Pradesh. Even before this tournament, his form was dipping. In the three unofficial ODIs between India A and South Africa A, he scored 31, 32, and 11. Steady numbers, but no impactful knocks. This phase has hurt his chances of breaking into India’s ODI squad. There was a window after Shubman Gill’s injury, but Maharashtra’s Ruturaj Gaikwad stepped up instead. Gaikwad scored a century and a half-century in the India A series and earned the ODI call-up as Gill’s replacement. While Abhishek struggled, the match still had strong batting on display. Haryana’s young all-rounder Nishant Sindhu stood out with a sharp 61 off 32 balls. He smashed eight fours and three sixes and stitched important partnerships with Ankit Kumar and Yashvardhan Dalal, keeping Haryana in control from the start. Punjab now need their captain to find rhythm quickly. With a big T20I series against South Africa coming up next month, Abhishek’s form will be watched closely.

<p>Punjab were chasing a big target of 208 against Haryana at the Gymkhana Ground. They needed Abhishek to give them a strong start, but he fell early for just six runs from five balls.</p>

Abhishek Sharma falls early again in SMAT, raising concerns over form

<p>The WPL Mega Auctions 2025 showed again how important overseas players are in shaping a squad. Teams are allowed only four overseas names in an eleven, which means every pick has to bring real value. These signings give balance, depth, and the kind of all-round strength that can lift a side through long tournaments. Now, let's glance at the top five costliest overseas players snapped in the auction.</p><h2><strong>1. Amelia Kerr – Mumbai Indians (₹3 Cr / $360,000)</strong></h2><p>Amelia Kerr ended as the top overseas buy. Mumbai Indians wanted a dependable all-rounder who can control the middle overs and guide chases with calm batting. Her strong game awareness and steady approach make her a major addition to their squad.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Amelia Kerr

<p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/james-anderson-expects-england-to-stick-with-same-xi-in-brisbane-despite-perth-defeat-1764233387837"><strong>James Anderson expects England to stick with same XI in Brisbane despite Perth defeat</strong></a></p><h2><strong>2. Sophie Devine – Gujarat Giants (₹2 Cr / $240,000)</strong></h2><p>Sophie Devine’s power at the top and her experience made her a priority pick. Gujarat Giants signed her for her quick scoring, sharp fitness and ability to change a match within a few overs. She also adds proven leadership.</p>

Sophie Devine

<h2><strong>3. Meg Lanning – UP Warriorz (₹1.9 Cr / $229,000)</strong></h2><p>UP Warriorz moved fast for Meg Lanning, knowing what her presence brings. Her clear thinking, steady batting and record in pressure games lift the team’s top order. She adds control, confidence and a winning mindset to the dressing room.</p>

Meg Lanning

<h2><strong>4. Chinelle Henry – Delhi Capitals (₹1.3 Cr / $157,000)</strong></h2><p>Delhi Capitals selected Chinelle Henry for her pace, energy, and athletic ability. She provides a lively fast-bowling option who can also contribute useful lower-order runs. Her fielding strengths make her a valuable overseas acquisition.</p>

Chinelle Henry

<h2><strong>5. Phoebe Litchfield – UP Warriorz (₹1.2 Cr / $145,000)</strong></h2><p>UP Warriorz invested in Phoebe Litchfield for her clean stroke play and calm attitude at the crease. She reads situations well for her age and can anchor an innings or lift the scoring when needed. A bright young overseas pick.</p>

Phoebe Litchfield

Teams are allowed only four overseas names in an eleven, which means every pick has to bring real value. These signings give balance, depth, and the kind of all-round strength that can lift a side through long tournaments.

The WPL Mega Auctions 2025 showed again how important overseas players are in shaping a squad. Teams are allowed only four overseas names in an eleven, which means every pick has to bring real value. These signings give balance, depth, and the kind of all-round strength that can lift a side through long tournaments. Now, let's glance at the top five costliest overseas players snapped in the auction. 1. Amelia Kerr – Mumbai Indians (₹3 Cr / $360,000) Amelia Kerr ended as the top overseas buy. Mumbai Indians wanted a dependable all-rounder who can control the middle overs and guide chases with calm batting. Her strong game awareness and steady approach make her a major addition to their squad.

<p>Teams are allowed only four overseas names in an eleven, which means every pick has to bring real value. These signings give balance, depth, and the kind of all-round strength that can lift a side through long tournaments.</p>

From Amelia Kerr to Sophie Devine: Top 5 foreign buys in WPL 2025 auctions

<p>The former Indian captain and legendary wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni hosted Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant for dinner at his residence in Ranchi on Thursday (Nov 27). Kohli and Pant are in Ranchi for the first ODI of the three-match India vs South Africa series, which will be played at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday (Nov 30). Kohli arrived in India on Wednesday after flying in from London, where he lives with his family. On Thursday evening, he was seen entering Dhoni’s house and later his fans shared pictures and videos on X showing Dhoni driving Kohli back to the team hotel and the clips quickly went viral on the social media.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read - </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wpl-mega-auction-2026-check-complete-squads-of-mi-gg-rcb-dc-upw-1764305575242"><strong>WPL 2026: How teams stack up after auction - Check full squads of all five franchises</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Here’s a look at the viral video&nbsp;</strong></h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just their 5-second glimpse is enough to break the internet 🔥<br><br>KING 🫂 THALA<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvSA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvSA</a> 1st ODI | SUN, 30 NOV, 12:30 PM <a href="https://t.co/IpojMWYs8Z">pic.twitter.com/IpojMWYs8Z</a></p>&mdash; Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/StarSportsIndia/status/1994256400214864173?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">In THALAinagaram, long drives and Mahirat bonding are a must! 💯💛 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhistlePodu?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WhistlePodu</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Yellove?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Yellove</a> 🦁💛 <br> <a href="https://t.co/RZHBZoTgH1">pic.twitter.com/RZHBZoTgH1</a></p>&mdash; Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChennaiIPL/status/1994261598157066591?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>India vs South Africa, ODI series</h2><p>India and South Africa are all set to lock horns in a three-match ODI series, starting on Sunday (Nov 30) in Ranchi. The Indian team will be eager to get back on track after a poor Test series, with KL Rahul set to lead in the absence of Shubman Gill.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Both Rohit Sharma&nbsp;and&nbsp;Virat Kohli&nbsp;are returning to India’s ODI setup after a break. Their comeback will bring strength and experience to the top order. Virat Kohli, who is expected to bat at no. 3, last played for India on Oct 25 in Sydney against Australia. He scored an unbeaten fifty in that match and helped his team to avoid a clean sweep.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Rishabh Pant has returned to India’s ODI squad after more than a year. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja and Tilak Varma are also back.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read - </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/which-player-got-the-highest-bid-at-the-wpl-2026-auction-here-s-the-list-of-top-buys-deepti-sharma-amelia-kerr-shikha-pandey-sophie-devine-meg-lanning-1764307874785"><strong>Which player got the highest bid at the WPL 2026 auction? Here’s the list of top buys</strong></a></p><h2><strong>India ODI squad for South Africa series 2025</strong></h2>

<p> Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul (C) (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh and Dhruv Jurel</p>

On Thursday (Nov 27) evening, Kohli was seen entering Dhoni’s house and later his fans shared pictures and videos on X showing Dhoni driving Kohli back to the team hotel 

The former Indian captain and legendary wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni hosted Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant for dinner at his residence in Ranchi on Thursday (Nov 27). Kohli and Pant are in Ranchi for the first ODI of the three-match India vs South Africa series, which will be played at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi on Sunday (Nov 30). Kohli arrived in India on Wednesday after flying in from London, where he lives with his family. On Thursday evening, he was seen entering Dhoni’s house and later his fans shared pictures and videos on X showing Dhoni driving Kohli back to the team hotel and the clips quickly went viral on the social media. Also Read - WPL 2026: How teams stack up after auction - Check full squads of all five franchises Here’s a look at the viral video

<p>On Thursday (Nov 27) evening, Kohli was seen entering Dhoni’s house and later his fans shared pictures and videos on X showing Dhoni driving Kohli back to the team hotel&nbsp;</p>

MS Dhoni drives Virat Kohli back to team hotel after reunion - WATCH

<p>Former South Africa batter AB de Villiers has opined on India coach Gautam Gambhir's style after India lost home Test series against the Proteas 0-2. The series loss opened a pandora box in Indian cricket with many asking for removal of Gambhir as the coach in Test cricket at least. Gambhir, meanwhile, has left the fate up to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He may have not been able to get the desired results in Test cricket but has won Champions Trophy 2025 and Asia Cup in white-ball cricket.</p><h2>AB de Villiers opines on Gambhir's coaching style</h2><p>"I don’t know what GG is like when it comes to leadership. I’ve known him as an emotional player and if that is the case in the change room, generally an emotional coach is not a good thing to have. But it’s not to say he’s that kind of a coach and the kind of leader behind the scenes,” De Villiers said while talking on Ashwin’s YouTube channel.</p><p><strong>Also Read</strong> - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/former-spinner-harbhajan-asks-for-better-pitches-and-says-current-indian-team-lacks-temperament-to-play-tests-1764307812451">Former spinner Harbhajan asks for better pitches and says current Indian team lacks 'temperament' to play Tests</a></p><p>While there have been many calls to sack Gambhir as coach from Tests, the decision on it might not be taken by next year before India's next Test series.</p><h2>When do India play next Test?</h2><p>India have already played three of the six series in this World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle and have four games out of nine. In the next three series scheduled, they play nine more Tests. India next play Sri Lanka in two-Test series in mid 2026 before going to New Zealand for the same number of Tests. The Gill-led team then hosts Australia for the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) at home.</p><p>To have a shot at the WTC Final spot, India need about 84 points more which means they need to win seven of nine Tests remaining with each Test win offering 12 points.</p>

The series loss opened a pandora box in Indian cricket with many asking for removal of Gambhir as the coach in Test cricket at least. Gambhir, meanwhile, has left the fate up to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Former South Africa batter AB de Villiers has opined on India coach Gautam Gambhir's style after India lost home Test series against the Proteas 0-2. The series loss opened a pandora box in Indian cricket with many asking for removal of Gambhir as the coach in Test cricket at least. Gambhir, meanwhile, has left the fate up to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He may have not been able to get the desired results in Test cricket but has won Champions Trophy 2025 and Asia Cup in white-ball cricket. AB de Villiers opines on Gambhir's coaching style "I don’t know what GG is like when it comes to leadership. I’ve known him as an emotional player and if that is the case in the change room, generally an emotional coach is not a good thing to have. But it’s not to say he’s that kind of a coach and the kind of leader behind the scenes,” De Villiers said while talking on Ashwin’s YouTube channel. Also Read - Former spinner Harbhajan asks for better pitches and says current Indian team lacks 'temperament' to play Tests While there have been many calls to sack Gambhir as coach from Tests, the decision on it might not be taken by next year before India's next Test series. When do India play next Test? India have already played three of the six series in this World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle and have four games out of nine. In the next three series scheduled, they play nine more Tests. India next play Sri Lanka in two-Test series in mid 2026 before going to New Zealand for the same number of Tests. The Gill-led team then hosts Australia for the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) at home. To have a shot at the WTC Final spot, India need about 84 points more which means they need to win seven of nine Tests remaining with each Test win offering 12 points.

<p>The series loss opened a pandora box in Indian cricket with many asking for removal of Gambhir as the coach in Test cricket at least. Gambhir, meanwhile, has left the fate up to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).</p>

Ex-Protea AB de Villiers says 'not good thing to have emotional coach' like Gambhir

<p>The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction took place in New Delhi on Thursday (Nov 27) with 277 players competing for 73 spots. Franchises ended up by buying 67 cricketers only. Here's a look at some of the most expensive players from the WPL 2026 mega auction:</p>

Deepti Sharma (UP-W) - INR 3.2 crore

<p>Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma became the costliest signing of the WPL 2026 auction after UP Warriorz used their Right to Match (RTM) card to bring her back for INR 3.20 crore ($3,57,000). This signing also made her the second-most expensive Indian player in the auction and also the first one to be retained through RTM.</p>

Amelia Kerr (MI) - INR 3 crore

<p>Mumbai Indians spent INR 3 crore ($3,35,000) to sign New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr again, even though they had released her before the auction. She became the second-most expensive overseas player.</p>

Shikha Pandey (UP-W) - INR 2.4 crore

<p>UP Warriorz created a big surprise in the WPL 2026 auction by paying INR 2.40 crore ($2,68,000) for experienced Indian fast bowler Shikha Pandey, who has not played for India since 2023.</p>

Sophie Devine (GG) - INR 2 crore

<p>Gujarat Giants sign Kiwis star Sophie Devine for INR 2 crore ($2,23,000). With her all-round skills and experience, she is expected to be a key player for the side in the upcoming WPL season.</p>

Meg Lanning (UP-W) - INR 1.90 crore

<p>In the WPL 2026 auction, UP Warriorz spent INR 1.90 crore ($2,12,000) to sign former Australian captain Meg Lanning. Her experience with bat will be a key factor for the team in the upcoming WPL season. She is likely to captain the side.</p>

Check the biggest signings from the WPL 2026 mega auction, where teams picked up 67 players. The list includes major names like Deepti Sharma and Amelia Kerr.

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction took place in New Delhi on Thursday (Nov 27) with 277 players competing for 73 spots. Franchises ended up by buying 67 cricketers only. Here's a look at some of the most expensive players from the WPL 2026 mega auction:

<p>Check the biggest signings from the WPL 2026 mega auction, where teams picked up 67 players. The list includes major names like Deepti Sharma and Amelia Kerr.</p>

Which player got the highest bid at the WPL 2026 auction? Here’s the list of top buys

<p>Former spinner Harbhajan Singh has asked the Indian Test team to play on better wickets after their latest 0-2 home drubbing against South Africa. The series loss, second at home in little more than an year, has raised a lot of questions on ability of the Indian Test batters to play spin in the home conditions. While head coach Gautam Gambhir has called it a 'transition phase', Harbhajan thinks current Indian Test team lacks the 'temperament' to play five days.</p><h2>Harbhajan calls for better pitches</h2><p>"For the betterment of Indian cricket, I think they should forget what has happened in the last 10 to 12 years... start playing on better wickets to save the future generation of Indian cricket," said the former spinner on his YouTube channel. "The kind of temperament needed to play Test cricket requires effort, hard work, discipline, and I feel that for many years this has been missing."</p><p><strong>Also Read</strong> - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wpl-mega-auction-2026-check-complete-squads-of-mi-gg-rcb-dc-upw-1764305575242">WPL 2026: How teams stack up after auction - Check full squads of all five franchises</a></p><p>India's series loss to South Africa has also dented their hopes of making it to the final of the current World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.</p><h2>How can India qualify for WTC Final?</h2><p>India have already played three of the six series in the current WTC 2025-27 cycle - against England, West Indies, and South Africa. They drew the five-Test series against England 2-2, won the two-Test series against West Indies 2-0 and lost against South Africa. They are currently at fifth place with 48.15 percent points with three more series left - two Test each against Sri Lanka and New Zealand away from home and five Tests against Australia at home.</p><p>To have a shot at the WTC Final spot, India need about 84 points more which means they need to win seven of nine Tests remaining with each Test win offering 12 points.</p>

India's series loss to South Africa has also dented their hopes of making it to the final of the current World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle. To have a shot at the WTC Final spot, India need about 84 points more which means they need to win seven of nine Tests remaining.

Former spinner Harbhajan Singh has asked the Indian Test team to play on better wickets after their latest 0-2 home drubbing against South Africa. The series loss, second at home in little more than an year, has raised a lot of questions on ability of the Indian Test batters to play spin in the home conditions. While head coach Gautam Gambhir has called it a 'transition phase', Harbhajan thinks current Indian Test team lacks the 'temperament' to play five days. Harbhajan calls for better pitches "For the betterment of Indian cricket, I think they should forget what has happened in the last 10 to 12 years... start playing on better wickets to save the future generation of Indian cricket," said the former spinner on his YouTube channel. "The kind of temperament needed to play Test cricket requires effort, hard work, discipline, and I feel that for many years this has been missing." Also Read - WPL 2026: How teams stack up after auction - Check full squads of all five franchises India's series loss to South Africa has also dented their hopes of making it to the final of the current World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle. How can India qualify for WTC Final? India have already played three of the six series in the current WTC 2025-27 cycle - against England, West Indies, and South Africa. They drew the five-Test series against England 2-2, won the two-Test series against West Indies 2-0 and lost against South Africa. They are currently at fifth place with 48.15 percent points with three more series left - two Test each against Sri Lanka and New Zealand away from home and five Tests against Australia at home. To have a shot at the WTC Final spot, India need about 84 points more which means they need to win seven of nine Tests remaining with each Test win offering 12 points.

<p>India's series loss to South Africa has also dented their hopes of making it to the final of the current World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle. To have a shot at the WTC Final spot, India need about 84 points more which means they need to win seven of nine Tests remaining.</p>

Former spinner Harbhajan asks for better pitches and says current Indian team lacks 'temperament' to play Tests

<p>The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction took place in New Delhi on Thursday (Nov 27) with 277 players competing for 73 spots. Deepti Sharma became the costliest signing of the day after UP Warriorz used their Right to Match (RTM) card to bring her back for INR 3.20 crore. This signing also made her the second-most expensive Indian player in the auction and also the first one to be retained through RTM.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Mumbai Indians spent INR 3 crore to sign New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr again, even though they had released her before the auction. She became the second-most expensive overseas player.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>One of the biggest shocks came right at the start of the auction when Australian captain Alyssa Healy went unsold. Another Australian player, Alana King, also did not receive any bids, even during the accelerated round.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read - </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ashes-2025-26-cummins-misses-as-australia-name-unchanged-14-man-squad-for-brisbane-test-1764302924158"><strong>Ashes 2025-26: Cummins misses as Australia name unchanged 14-man squad for Brisbane Test</strong></a></p><h2><strong>WPL 2026: Complete squads for all teams</strong></h2><p>Here's a look at the complete squads of all teams after Women's Premier League 2026 mega auction which took place on Thursday (Nov 27) in New Delhi:</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Mumbai Indians:</strong>&nbsp;Nat Sciver-Brunt (Retained 3.5 Cr),&nbsp;Harmanpreet Kaur&nbsp;(Retained 2.5 Cr), Hayley Mathews (Retained 1.75 Cr),&nbsp;Amanjot Kaur&nbsp;(Retained 1 Cr),&nbsp;G Kamalini&nbsp;(Retained 50 Lakh), Amelia Kerr (3 Cr), Shabnim Ismail (60 Lakh),&nbsp;Sanskriti Gupta&nbsp;(20 Lakh),&nbsp;Sajeevan Sajana&nbsp;(75 Lakh),&nbsp;Triveni Vasistha&nbsp;(20 Lakh), Nalla Reddy (10 Lakh),&nbsp;Saika Ishaque&nbsp;(30 Lakh), Rahila Firdous&nbsp;(10 Lakh), Nicola Carey (30 Lakh),&nbsp;Poonam Khemnar&nbsp;(10 Lakh) and Milly Illingworth&nbsp;(10 Lakh)</p><p><br><strong>Delhi Capitals:</strong>&nbsp;Jemimah Rodrigues (Retained 2.2 Cr),&nbsp;Shafali Verma&nbsp;(Retained 2.2 Cr),&nbsp;Annabel Sutherland&nbsp;(Retained 2.2 Cr),&nbsp;Marizanne Kapp&nbsp;(Retained 2.2 Cr),&nbsp;Niki Prasad&nbsp;(Retained 50 Lakh),&nbsp;Laura Wolvaardt&nbsp;(1.1 Cr), Chinelle Henry (1.3 Cr), Sree Charani (1.3 Cr),&nbsp;Sneh Rana&nbsp;(50 Lakh), Lizelee Lee (30 Lakh),&nbsp;Deeya Yadav&nbsp;(10 Lakh), Taniyaa Bhatia (30 Lakh),&nbsp;Mamatha Madiwala&nbsp;(10 Lakh),&nbsp;Nandani Sharma&nbsp;(20 Lakh), Lucy Hamilton (10 Lakh) and Minnu Mani&nbsp;(40 Lakh)</p><p><br><strong>Royal Challengers Bengaluru:&nbsp;</strong>Smriti Mandhana&nbsp;(Retained 3.5 Cr),&nbsp;Richa Ghosh&nbsp;(Retained 2.75 Cr),&nbsp;Ellyse Perry&nbsp;(Retained 2 Cr),&nbsp;Shreyanka Patil&nbsp;(Retained 60 Lakh),&nbsp;Georgia Voll&nbsp;(60 Lakh),&nbsp;Nadine de Klerk&nbsp;(65 Lakh),&nbsp;Radha Yadav&nbsp;(65 Lakh),&nbsp;Lauren Bell&nbsp;(90 Lakh),&nbsp;Linsey Smith&nbsp;(30 Lakh),&nbsp;Prema Rawat&nbsp;(RTM 20 Lakh), Arundathi Reddy (75 Lakh),&nbsp;Pooja Vastrakar&nbsp;(85 Lakh),&nbsp;Grace Harris&nbsp;(75 Lakh),&nbsp;Gautami Naik&nbsp;(10 Lakh),&nbsp;Prathyoosha Kumar&nbsp;(10 Lakh) and D Hemalatha (30 Lakh)</p><p><br><strong>Gujarat Giants:</strong>&nbsp;Ashleigh Gardner&nbsp;(Retained 3.5 Cr),&nbsp;Beth Mooney&nbsp;(Retained 2.5 Cr),&nbsp;Sophie Devine&nbsp;(2 Cr),&nbsp;Renuka Singh&nbsp;(60 Lakh),&nbsp;Bharti Fulmali&nbsp;(RTM 70 Lakh),&nbsp;Titas Sadhu&nbsp;(30 Lakh),&nbsp;Kashvee Gautam&nbsp;(RTM 65 Lakh),&nbsp;Kanika Ahuja&nbsp;(30 Lakh),&nbsp;Tanuja Kanwar&nbsp;(45 Lakh),&nbsp;Georgia Wareham&nbsp;(1 Cr),&nbsp;Anushka Sharma&nbsp;(45 Lakh),&nbsp;Happy Kumari&nbsp;(10 Lakh), Kim Garth (50 Lakh),&nbsp;Yastika Bhatia&nbsp;(50 Lakh),&nbsp;Shivani Singh&nbsp;(10 Lakh), Danni Wyatt-Hodge (50 Lakh),&nbsp;Rajeshwari Gayakwad&nbsp;(40 Lakh) and Ayushi Soni&nbsp;(30 Lakh)</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>UP Warriorz:</strong>&nbsp;Shweta Sehrawat&nbsp;(Retained 50 Lakh), Deepti Sharma (RTM 3.2 Cr),&nbsp;Sophie Ecclestone&nbsp;(RTM 85 Lakh),&nbsp;Meg Lanning&nbsp;(1.9 Cr),&nbsp;Phoebe Litchfield&nbsp;(1.2 Cr),&nbsp;Kiran Navgire&nbsp;(RTM 60 Lakh),&nbsp;Harleen Deol&nbsp;(50 Lakh),&nbsp;Kranti Goud&nbsp;(RTM 50 Lakh), Asha Sobhana (1.1 Crore),&nbsp;Deandra Dottin&nbsp;(80 Lakh), Shikha Pandey (2.4 Crore), Shipra Giri (10 Lakh),&nbsp;Simran Shaikh&nbsp;(10 Lakh),&nbsp;Tara Norris&nbsp;(10 Lakh),&nbsp;Chloe Tryon&nbsp;(30 Lakh),&nbsp;Suman Meena&nbsp;(10 Lakh),&nbsp;G Trisha&nbsp;(10 Lakh) and&nbsp;Pratika Rawal&nbsp;(50 Lakh)</p>

Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma became the costliest signing of the day after UP Warriorz used their Right to Match (RTM) card to bring her back for INR 3.20 crore. 

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction took place in New Delhi on Thursday (Nov 27) with 277 players competing for 73 spots. Deepti Sharma became the costliest signing of the day after UP Warriorz used their Right to Match (RTM) card to bring her back for INR 3.20 crore. This signing also made her the second-most expensive Indian player in the auction and also the first one to be retained through RTM. Mumbai Indians spent INR 3 crore to sign New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr again, even though they had released her before the auction. She became the second-most expensive overseas player. One of the biggest shocks came right at the start of the auction when Australian captain Alyssa Healy went unsold. Another Australian player, Alana King, also did not receive any bids, even during the accelerated round. Also Read - Ashes 2025-26: Cummins misses as Australia name unchanged 14-man squad for Brisbane Test WPL 2026: Complete squads for all teams Here's a look at the complete squads of all teams after Women's Premier League 2026 mega auction which took place on Thursday (Nov 27) in New Delhi: Mumbai Indians: Nat Sciver-Brunt (Retained 3.5 Cr), Harmanpreet Kaur (Retained 2.5 Cr), Hayley Mathews (Retained 1.75 Cr), Amanjot Kaur (Retained 1 Cr), G Kamalini (Retained 50 Lakh), Amelia Kerr (3 Cr), Shabnim Ismail (60 Lakh), Sanskriti Gupta (20 Lakh), Sajeevan Sajana (75 Lakh), Triveni Vasistha (20 Lakh), Nalla Reddy (10 Lakh), Saika Ishaque (30 Lakh), Rahila Firdous (10 Lakh), Nicola Carey (30 Lakh), Poonam Khemnar (10 Lakh) and Milly Illingworth (10 Lakh) Delhi Capitals: Jemimah Rodrigues (Retained 2.2 Cr), Shafali Verma (Retained 2.2 Cr), Annabel Sutherland (Retained 2.2 Cr), Marizanne Kapp (Retained 2.2 Cr), Niki Prasad (Retained 50 Lakh), Laura Wolvaardt (1.1 Cr), Chinelle Henry (1.3 Cr), Sree Charani (1.3 Cr), Sneh Rana (50 Lakh), Lizelee Lee (30 Lakh), Deeya Yadav (10 Lakh), Taniyaa Bhatia (30 Lakh), Mamatha Madiwala (10 Lakh), Nandani Sharma (20 Lakh), Lucy Hamilton (10 Lakh) and Minnu Mani (40 Lakh) Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Smriti Mandhana (Retained 3.5 Cr), Richa Ghosh (Retained 2.75 Cr), Ellyse Perry (Retained 2 Cr), Shreyanka Patil (Retained 60 Lakh), Georgia Voll (60 Lakh), Nadine de Klerk (65 Lakh), Radha Yadav (65 Lakh), Lauren Bell (90 Lakh), Linsey Smith (30 Lakh), Prema Rawat (RTM 20 Lakh), Arundathi Reddy (75 Lakh), Pooja Vastrakar (85 Lakh), Grace Harris (75 Lakh), Gautami Naik (10 Lakh), Prathyoosha Kumar (10 Lakh) and D Hemalatha (30 Lakh) Gujarat Giants: Ashleigh Gardner (Retained 3.5 Cr), Beth Mooney (Retained 2.5 Cr), Sophie Devine (2 Cr), Renuka Singh (60 Lakh), Bharti Fulmali (RTM 70 Lakh), Titas Sadhu (30 Lakh), Kashvee Gautam (RTM 65 Lakh), Kanika Ahuja (30 Lakh), Tanuja Kanwar (45 Lakh), Georgia Wareham (1 Cr), Anushka Sharma (45 Lakh), Happy Kumari (10 Lakh), Kim Garth (50 Lakh), Yastika Bhatia (50 Lakh), Shivani Singh (10 Lakh), Danni Wyatt-Hodge (50 Lakh), Rajeshwari Gayakwad (40 Lakh) and Ayushi Soni (30 Lakh) UP Warriorz: Shweta Sehrawat (Retained 50 Lakh), Deepti Sharma (RTM 3.2 Cr), Sophie Ecclestone (RTM 85 Lakh), Meg Lanning (1.9 Cr), Phoebe Litchfield (1.2 Cr), Kiran Navgire (RTM 60 Lakh), Harleen Deol (50 Lakh), Kranti Goud (RTM 50 Lakh), Asha Sobhana (1.1 Crore), Deandra Dottin (80 Lakh), Shikha Pandey (2.4 Crore), Shipra Giri (10 Lakh), Simran Shaikh (10 Lakh), Tara Norris (10 Lakh), Chloe Tryon (30 Lakh), Suman Meena (10 Lakh), G Trisha (10 Lakh) and Pratika Rawal (50 Lakh)

<p>Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma became the costliest signing of the day after UP Warriorz used their Right to Match (RTM) card to bring her back for INR 3.20 crore.&nbsp;</p>

WPL 2026: How teams stack up after auction - Check full squads of all five franchises

<p>Australia skipper Pat Cummins has been ruled of the second Ashes Test against England after missing the series opener in Perth as well. The pacer is recuperating from an injury and has returned to bowling but continues to build his workload before making a return. The second Test, which would be a day-night fixture, is set to be played from December 4 at the Gabba in Brisbane. Australia have named the same 14-man squad for the second match which they had announced for the Perth Test. The hosts are currently leading the series 1-0.</p><h2>Khawaja retains place, for now</h2><p>Opening batter Usman Khawaja, who could not open in any of the Perth Test innings because of back spasm, has retained his place. The 39-year-old, however, will be under intense scrutiny given Travis Head's success at the top including a blistering 123 in the second innings of the first Test which handed Australia the win. Khawaja's age might also become a factor in decided a new opening pair for Australia after the series if not in between.</p><p><strong>Also Read</strong> - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-sa-ipl-blamed-for-team-india-series-loss-to-south-africa-herschelle-gibbs-calls-for-overhaul-1764253773702">IPL blamed for India's series loss to SA as Proteas great calls for overhaul</a></p><h2>Will Lyon play or not?</h2><p>With Australia being without Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, pacer Brendan Doggett is most likely to retain his place in the playing XI along with Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc. There's however, a doubt over spinner Nathan Lyon's inclusion for the pink-ball Test given he did not play in Australia's day-night fixture in West Indies earlier this year. In Perth as well, Lyon bowled only two overs only as the pacers did all the work.</p><p>With Josh Inglis, Michael Neser, and Beau Webster being the three players in 14-man squad who did not make it to the playing XI in Perth, Lyon could be replaced by either Webster or Inglish to bolster the batting a bit.</p>

Australia have named the same 14-man squad for the second match which they had announced for the Perth Test. The hosts are currently leading the series 1-0. Opening batter Usman Khawaja, who could not open in any of the Perth Test innings because of back spasm, has retained his place.

Australia skipper Pat Cummins has been ruled of the second Ashes Test against England after missing the series opener in Perth as well. The pacer is recuperating from an injury and has returned to bowling but continues to build his workload before making a return. The second Test, which would be a day-night fixture, is set to be played from December 4 at the Gabba in Brisbane. Australia have named the same 14-man squad for the second match which they had announced for the Perth Test. The hosts are currently leading the series 1-0. Khawaja retains place, for now Opening batter Usman Khawaja, who could not open in any of the Perth Test innings because of back spasm, has retained his place. The 39-year-old, however, will be under intense scrutiny given Travis Head's success at the top including a blistering 123 in the second innings of the first Test which handed Australia the win. Khawaja's age might also become a factor in decided a new opening pair for Australia after the series if not in between. Also Read - IPL blamed for India's series loss to SA as Proteas great calls for overhaul Will Lyon play or not? With Australia being without Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, pacer Brendan Doggett is most likely to retain his place in the playing XI along with Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc. There's however, a doubt over spinner Nathan Lyon's inclusion for the pink-ball Test given he did not play in Australia's day-night fixture in West Indies earlier this year. In Perth as well, Lyon bowled only two overs only as the pacers did all the work. With Josh Inglis, Michael Neser, and Beau Webster being the three players in 14-man squad who did not make it to the playing XI in Perth, Lyon could be replaced by either Webster or Inglish to bolster the batting a bit.

<p>Australia have named the same 14-man squad for the second match which they had announced for the Perth Test. The hosts are currently leading the series 1-0. Opening batter Usman Khawaja, who could not open in any of the Perth Test innings because of back spasm, has retained his place.</p>

Ashes 2025-26: Cummins misses as Australia name unchanged 14-man squad for Brisbane Test

<p>Team India suffered its second home Test series defeat under head coach Gautam Gambhir, with both being clean sweeps. While the one against New Zealand exposed all loopholes within the team and its players' technique, the latest one against South Africa brought them down to the fifth spot on the current World Test Championships (WTC) standings. Despite India enjoying unparalleled success in red-ball cricket at home (the past decade), they are nowhere near their best even in favourable conditions, with the former South African opener Herschelle Gibbs having some advice for them, which involves pointing fingers at the money-minting IPL.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The IPL is T20 cricket’s grandest and most popular product, valued the most among all franchise-based leagues worldwide. That, however, has less to do with how the Indian Test team fares anywhere; their recent performances have left everyone concerned. Even though Gambhir has helped the white-ball team taste enormous success this year with two multi-team event wins, he has failed to replicate the same outcome with the Test side, with India winning just two Test series since his arrival last year.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-sa-2025-the-coach-can-prepare-the-team-but-sunil-gavaskar-backs-under-fire-coach-gautam-gambhir-after-south-africa-test-series-whitewash-1764242116041"><strong>‘The coach can prepare the team but…’ Gavaskar backs under fire Gambhir after SA whitewash</strong></a><br>&nbsp;</p><p>Losing to the current WTC champions at home comes as a massive blow to the Indian Team. Gibbs, who also enjoyed his time playing in the IPL over the years, urged the BCCI to reduce the IPL window, instead pushing players to play more red-ball cricket. In the wake of this series defeat, which came on the back of back-to-back losses in Kolkata and Guwahati Tests, Gibbs replied to a social media user’s question on X (formerly Twitter) on where Team India should improve to return to winning ways in Tests.<br>&nbsp;</p><p>“Shorten IPL and play more test cricket,” Gibbs replied on X.&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shorten IPL and play more test cricket ✔️ <a href="https://t.co/PrnQeN97yj">https://t.co/PrnQeN97yj</a></p>&mdash; Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) <a href="https://twitter.com/hershybru/status/1993646404259152032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h3>How is IPL calendar impacting Indian players?</h3><p>IPL’s growth also came with its drawbacks; the now-ten-team tournament is played across close to ten weeks, four more than the inaugural edition, which lasted six weeks. It, however, impacts the international calendar, with fewer national team games across formats, further reducing the number of Tests and white-ball cricket.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;</p><p>With so much cricket played around the world, the players are bound to get little rest, which eventually becomes a reason for their depleted performances across three formats.<br>&nbsp;</p><p>Meanwhile, since losing to the touring Kiwis (0-3) late last year, India lost the away Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia and then the home Test series against Temba Bavuma-led South Africa.</p>

It's the first time in 25 years that South Africa beat India in an away Test series. 

Team India suffered its second home Test series defeat under head coach Gautam Gambhir, with both being clean sweeps. While the one against New Zealand exposed all loopholes within the team and its players' technique, the latest one against South Africa brought them down to the fifth spot on the current World Test Championships (WTC) standings. Despite India enjoying unparalleled success in red-ball cricket at home (the past decade), they are nowhere near their best even in favourable conditions, with the former South African opener Herschelle Gibbs having some advice for them, which involves pointing fingers at the money-minting IPL. The IPL is T20 cricket’s grandest and most popular product, valued the most among all franchise-based leagues worldwide. That, however, has less to do with how the Indian Test team fares anywhere; their recent performances have left everyone concerned. Even though Gambhir has helped the white-ball team taste enormous success this year with two multi-team event wins, he has failed to replicate the same outcome with the Test side, with India winning just two Test series since his arrival last year. Also read | ‘The coach can prepare the team but…’ Gavaskar backs under fire Gambhir after SA whitewash Losing to the current WTC champions at home comes as a massive blow to the Indian Team. Gibbs, who also enjoyed his time playing in the IPL over the years, urged the BCCI to reduce the IPL window, instead pushing players to play more red-ball cricket. In the wake of this series defeat, which came on the back of back-to-back losses in Kolkata and Guwahati Tests, Gibbs replied to a social media user’s question on X (formerly Twitter) on where Team India should improve to return to winning ways in Tests. “Shorten IPL and play more test cricket,” Gibbs replied on X.

<p>It's the first time in 25 years that South Africa beat India in an away Test series.&nbsp;</p>

IPL blamed for India's series loss to South Africa as Proteas great calls for overhaul

<p>India and South Africa will lock horns for a three-match ODI series with the first ODI to be played in Ranchi on Sunday (Nov 30). India were crushed at home with a Test series whitewash of 0-3 and South Africa also handed India a 408-run defeat, the largest ever in terms of runs. Now, India will look to bounce back in white-ball cricket. Before the first ODI begins, let’s understand what happened when India last played an ODI in Ranchi.</p><p><br>South Africa had batted first and put up 278 for 7, a score built around steady knocks from Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram. Hendricks made 74, Markram added 79, and the pair stitched a strong stand in the middle overs. India, though, kept their discipline.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rishabh-pant-breaks-silence-after-india-s-worst-home-test-loss-against-south-africa-1764247214940"><strong>Rishabh Pant breaks silence after India’s worst home Test loss against South Africa</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets and played a key role in slowing South Africa at the death. Shahbaz Ahmed and Kuldeep Yadav c</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>hipped in with one each, ensuring the visitors didn’t run away with a bigger total.<br>India’s reply didn’t begin smoothly. Shikhar Dhawan fell early. Shubman Gill followed soon, and at 48 for 2 the chase looked fragile. But this is where the game shifted. Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer came together and turned the match into a two-man show.</p><p><br>Kishan looked right at home in Ranchi. He started steady, then opened up with clean sixes and smart placement, racing to 93 off 84 balls. Iyer played the perfect foil, calm and fluent from the moment he walked in. His unbeaten 113 off 111 balls wasn’t flashy, but it was commanding. The pair added 161 runs for the third wicket and pulled the game completely away from South Africa.</p><p><br>India chased down the target in 45.5 overs, winning by seven wickets with plenty left in the bank. As India returns to Ranchi now, they come in with bruises from the Test series and a point to prove.&nbsp;</p>

South Africa also handed India a 408-run defeat, the largest ever in terms of runs. Now, India will look to bounce back in white-ball cricket.

India and South Africa will lock horns for a three-match ODI series with the first ODI to be played in Ranchi on Sunday (Nov 30). India were crushed at home with a Test series whitewash of 0-3 and South Africa also handed India a 408-run defeat, the largest ever in terms of runs. Now, India will look to bounce back in white-ball cricket. Before the first ODI begins, let’s understand what happened when India last played an ODI in Ranchi. South Africa had batted first and put up 278 for 7, a score built around steady knocks from Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram. Hendricks made 74, Markram added 79, and the pair stitched a strong stand in the middle overs. India, though, kept their discipline. Also read | Rishabh Pant breaks silence after India’s worst home Test loss against South Africa Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets and played a key role in slowing South Africa at the death. Shahbaz Ahmed and Kuldeep Yadav c hipped in with one each, ensuring the visitors didn’t run away with a bigger total. India’s reply didn’t begin smoothly. Shikhar Dhawan fell early. Shubman Gill followed soon, and at 48 for 2 the chase looked fragile. But this is where the game shifted. Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer came together and turned the match into a two-man show. Kishan looked right at home in Ranchi. He started steady, then opened up with clean sixes and smart placement, racing to 93 off 84 balls. Iyer played the perfect foil, calm and fluent from the moment he walked in. His unbeaten 113 off 111 balls wasn’t flashy, but it was commanding. The pair added 161 runs for the third wicket and pulled the game completely away from South Africa. India chased down the target in 45.5 overs, winning by seven wickets with plenty left in the bank. As India returns to Ranchi now, they come in with bruises from the Test series and a point to prove.

<p>South Africa also handed India a 408-run defeat, the largest ever in terms of runs. Now, India will look to bounce back in white-ball cricket.</p>

What happened last time India played an ODI in Ranchi?

<p>Indian Test vice-captain Rishabh Pant owned up to India’s mistakes after the 0-2 series loss to South Africa and apologised to fans, saying the team didn’t play the kind of cricket the country expects. India were outplayed across both Tests, and the second match in Guwahati hurt the most. South Africa beat India by 408 runs, making it one of India’s biggest defeats at home.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>With Shubman Gill out, Pant led the side as stand-in captain, but nothing clicked for him or the team. His own form dipped badly as he scored only 49 runs in four innings. Questions were raised about his choices as captain and his shots with the bat, and the pressure showed.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="Can England bounce back in Brisbane? A look at their Gabba and pink-ball stats"><strong>Can England bounce back in Brisbane? A look at their Gabba and pink-ball stats</strong></a></p>

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<p>After the loss, Pant posted a long message to the fans. He said the team didn’t shy away from the fact that they simply weren’t good enough over the last two weeks. He wrote that every player wants to perform at the highest level and make the country proud, but this time they fell short. He admitted the team didn’t match South Africa’s intensity and accepted that the criticism was fair.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Pant called playing for India the biggest honour of his life. He said the team knows what they are capable of and promised they would work harder, regroup and come back stronger. He reminded fans that sport teaches you to learn and grow, and this series would be a lesson for everyone in the dressing room.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He ended the message by thanking supporters for their love and patience, saying their backing means a lot, especially during tough times.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Despite the disappointment, there’s no time for India to dwell on the result. Pant will now join the ODI squad for the three-match series against South Africa, starting November 30 in Ranchi.</p>

With Shubman Gill out, Pant led the side as stand-in captain, but nothing clicked for him or the team. His own form dipped badly as he scored only 49 runs in four innings.

Indian Test vice-captain Rishabh Pant owned up to India’s mistakes after the 0-2 series loss to South Africa and apologised to fans, saying the team didn’t play the kind of cricket the country expects. India were outplayed across both Tests, and the second match in Guwahati hurt the most. South Africa beat India by 408 runs, making it one of India’s biggest defeats at home. With Shubman Gill out, Pant led the side as stand-in captain, but nothing clicked for him or the team. His own form dipped badly as he scored only 49 runs in four innings. Questions were raised about his choices as captain and his shots with the bat, and the pressure showed. Also read | Can England bounce back in Brisbane? A look at their Gabba and pink-ball stats

<p>With Shubman Gill out, Pant led the side as stand-in captain, but nothing clicked for him or the team. His own form dipped badly as he scored only 49 runs in four innings.</p>

Rishabh Pant breaks silence after India’s worst home Test loss against South Africa

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Pant breaks silence after India’s worst home Test loss against South Africa