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The Indian women’s cricket team has beaten Pakistan in their T20 World Cup opener by 64 runs at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sunday (Jun 14). The tournament favourites pulled off an incredible show to crush their arch-rivals in a lop-sided contest. Deepti Sharma put on a clinical show, picking up five wickets for just 10 runs in her overs to help India defend 171 in their tournament opener. India dismissed Pakistan for 106 in 17 overs.&nbsp;In front of the highest attendance recorded in a Women’s T20 World Cup league game (18,814), Deepti ran through Pakistan’s batting unit to hand them an embarrassing defeat in their tournament opener.&nbsp; &nbsp;“I am very thrilled, very grateful, and I like these kinds of wickets. All credit goes to the team. Hanuman Ji is great. I like the ICC tournaments; I started here, and today I am here as well. It was turning a bit, so I just bowled slower in the air and just believed in myself. I just bowled in the right areas,” the Player of the Match, Deepti, said after her record performance. &nbsp;Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to bat first in this high-octane clash. After losing both openers for just 18 runs inside the fourth over, the Women in Blue found themselves in a tricky spot. Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet then bailed the team out of trouble with a 91-run stand for the third wicket before Mandhana departed on a well-made 68. &nbsp;Bharti Fulmali was the next to depart on just one. Pakistani captain Fatima Sana dismissed her counterpart on an almost run-a-ball 36. However, the turning point came when keeper-batter Richa Ghosh played a superb cameo of 34 in 17 balls, hitting a six and five fours, helping India put on a fighting 170 for six in the first innings. &nbsp;Pakistan began strongly, with opener Muneeba Ali stitching a 38-run stand for the first wicket. Gull Feroza’s wicket started the turmoil for the Women in Green as they were folded for 106 after being at 75 for three at one stage. &nbsp;Deepti ran through Pakistan’s middle and lower order, despite Aliya Riaz’s gritty 18 off just 17 balls. The off-spinner broke the opponent’s back with a brilliant spell and single-handedly won this significant match for her team in Group B.&nbsp;

Deepti Sharma delivered a historic, masterclass spell of 5 for 10 as India dismantled arch-rivals Pakistan by 64 runs at Edgbaston to kick off their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign in style.

The Indian women’s cricket team has beaten Pakistan in their T20 World Cup opener by 64 runs at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sunday (Jun 14). The tournament favourites pulled off an incredible show to crush their arch-rivals in a lop-sided contest. Deepti Sharma put on a clinical show, picking up five wickets for just 10 runs in her overs to help India defend 171 in their tournament opener. India dismissed Pakistan for 106 in 17 overs. In front of the highest attendance recorded in a Women’s T20 World Cup league game (18,814), Deepti ran through Pakistan’s batting unit to hand them an embarrassing defeat in their tournament opener. “I am very thrilled, very grateful, and I like these kinds of wickets. All credit goes to the team. Hanuman Ji is great. I like the ICC tournaments; I started here, and today I am here as well. It was turning a bit, so I just bowled slower in the air and just believed in myself. I just bowled in the right areas,” the Player of the Match, Deepti, said after her record performance. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and elected to bat first in this high-octane clash. After losing both openers for just 18 runs inside the fourth over, the Women in Blue found themselves in a tricky spot. Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet then bailed the team out of trouble with a 91-run stand for the third wicket before Mandhana departed on a well-made 68. Bharti Fulmali was the next to depart on just one. Pakistani captain Fatima Sana dismissed her counterpart on an almost run-a-ball 36. However, the turning point came when keeper-batter Richa Ghosh played a superb cameo of 34 in 17 balls, hitting a six and five fours, helping India put on a fighting 170 for six in the first innings. Pakistan began strongly, with opener Muneeba Ali stitching a 38-run stand for the first wicket. Gull Feroza’s wicket started the turmoil for the Women in Green as they were folded for 106 after being at 75 for three at one stage. Deepti ran through Pakistan’s middle and lower order, despite Aliya Riaz’s gritty 18 off just 17 balls. The off-spinner broke the opponent’s back with a brilliant spell and single-handedly won this significant match for her team in Group B.

Deepti Sharma delivered a historic, masterclass spell of 5 for 10 as India dismantled arch-rivals Pakistan by 64 runs at Edgbaston to kick off their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign in style.

Deepti Sharma picks historic five-for as India crush Pakistan in Women’s T20 World Cup

Bangladesh was denied a historic clean sweep over Australia in ODIs after Cooper Connolly’s maiden hundred saw the visitors conclude the One-Day series with a close win. The left-hander came good in the third and final ODI in Dhaka on Sunday (Jun 14), smashing a brilliant 149 to help Australia complete a narrow one-wicket win inside the 50th over. Trailing 0-2 in the lead-up to the final game, Australia needed a heroic effort to avoid a whitewash, and it came through the newbie Connolly, who has further cemented his place in the white-ball side.&nbsp;Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first. The two openers, Tanzid and Sarkar, departed inside the Powerplay, followed by captain Shanto. Australia had Bangladesh’s back against the wall before seasoned campaigner Litton Das and in-form batter Towhid Hridoy added 185 runs for the fourth wicket to revive the hosts.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wion-exclusive-the-system-isn-t-as-potent-shane-watson-s-big-warning-about-australian-cricket-s-future-1781432377533">WION Exclusive | 'The system isn't as potent': Shane Watson's big warning about Australian cricket's future</a> &nbsp;First game hero Mosaddek Hossain scored his second fifty of the series, remaining unbeaten on 56 off 51 balls, hitting five fours and a six, with Bangladesh putting up 274 for five in the first innings.<h3>Connolly's heroics save Australia from historic embarrassment</h3>Without most of their A-listers, Australia had enough firepower to put the past results behind and go for the win once again. Two successive losses couldn’t hold them back as they came all guns blazing during the run chase. &nbsp;Seamer Shoriful Islam picked up two wickets in his first over, removing captain Josh Inglis and Matthew Renshaw. Taskin Ahmed then accounted for Alex Carey, reducing Australia to 70 for three in 12 overs. Marnus Labuschagne and Connolly saved Australia’s sinking ship with a 64-run stand. Shoriful bagged the big fish in Labuschagne on 29.&nbsp; &nbsp;Connolly held one end and kept scoring regularly, adding 68 for the fifth wicket with Cameron Green. He also completed his maiden One-Day hundred in the meantime, putting Australia closer to their target. Green’s dismissal brought Oliver Peake to the crease, who initially struggled against the left-armer Mustafizur Rahman. &nbsp;However, a late twist awaited, as Shoriful removed Peake and the two quicks (Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis) before Mustafizur dismissed Connolly on 149 to give themselves little chance of doing the unthinkable.&nbsp; &nbsp;With three needed off the last over with just one wicket remaining, Bangladesh fancied their chances only for Adam Zampa to find a boundary and escape an embarrassing series loss. &nbsp;Australia won by one wicket but lost the three-match series 1-2.&nbsp; &nbsp;The two teams will next face off on Wednesday (Jun 17) in the first of the three T20Is.&nbsp;

Cooper Connolly smashed a magnificent 149 to rescue a short-handed Australia, guiding them to a thrilling one-wicket win over Bangladesh in Dhaka to prevent a historic ODI series whitewash.

Bangladesh was denied a historic clean sweep over Australia in ODIs after Cooper Connolly’s maiden hundred saw the visitors conclude the One-Day series with a close win. The left-hander came good in the third and final ODI in Dhaka on Sunday (Jun 14), smashing a brilliant 149 to help Australia complete a narrow one-wicket win inside the 50th over. Trailing 0-2 in the lead-up to the final game, Australia needed a heroic effort to avoid a whitewash, and it came through the newbie Connolly, who has further cemented his place in the white-ball side. Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first. The two openers, Tanzid and Sarkar, departed inside the Powerplay, followed by captain Shanto. Australia had Bangladesh’s back against the wall before seasoned campaigner Litton Das and in-form batter Towhid Hridoy added 185 runs for the fourth wicket to revive the hosts. Also read | WION Exclusive | 'The system isn't as potent': Shane Watson's big warning about Australian cricket's future First game hero Mosaddek Hossain scored his second fifty of the series, remaining unbeaten on 56 off 51 balls, hitting five fours and a six, with Bangladesh putting up 274 for five in the first innings. Connolly's heroics save Australia from historic embarrassment Without most of their A-listers, Australia had enough firepower to put the past results behind and go for the win once again. Two successive losses couldn’t hold them back as they came all guns blazing during the run chase. Seamer Shoriful Islam picked up two wickets in his first over, removing captain Josh Inglis and Matthew Renshaw. Taskin Ahmed then accounted for Alex Carey, reducing Australia to 70 for three in 12 overs. Marnus Labuschagne and Connolly saved Australia’s sinking ship with a 64-run stand. Shoriful bagged the big fish in Labuschagne on 29. Connolly held one end and kept scoring regularly, adding 68 for the fifth wicket with Cameron Green. He also completed his maiden One-Day hundred in the meantime, putting Australia closer to their target. Green’s dismissal brought Oliver Peake to the crease, who initially struggled against the left-armer Mustafizur Rahman. However, a late twist awaited, as Shoriful removed Peake and the two quicks (Bartlett and Ben Dwarshuis) before Mustafizur dismissed Connolly on 149 to give themselves little chance of doing the unthinkable. With three needed off the last over with just one wicket remaining, Bangladesh fancied their chances only for Adam Zampa to find a boundary and escape an embarrassing series loss. Australia won by one wicket but lost the three-match series 1-2. The two teams will next face off on Wednesday (Jun 17) in the first of the three T20Is.

Cooper Connolly smashed a magnificent 149 to rescue a short-handed Australia, guiding them to a thrilling one-wicket win over Bangladesh in Dhaka to prevent a historic ODI series whitewash.

BAN vs AUS 3rd ODI: Cooper Connolly's maiden ton denies Bangladesh historic clean sweep

American football coach Vince Lombardi once said, ‘Winning is a habit,’ and Indian women’s cricket team star Jemimah Rodrigues resonates with it. After her heroics led to India winning its maiden Women’s ODI World Cup in November last year, the batting mainstay said the taste of the trophy feels addictive. Her words came just on the cusp of India’s T20 World Cup opener in Group B against its arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday evening at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Jemimah said winning the ODI trophy makes the team want more.&nbsp;“What has happened with that World Cup win is that it has empowered us to be motivated to do even better. When you win one, and it may sound like a negative word, it is almost like an addiction; you want to win another one. It pushes you even more,” she said on Jiostar ahead of the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-pak-womens-t20-world-cup-2026-rohit-sharma-gautam-gambhir-shubman-gill-rally-behind-women-in-blue-1781429563683">IND vs PAK, Women’s T20 World Cup: Rohit, Gambhir, Gill rally behind Women in Blue</a>&nbsp;While India is not among the title contenders this time, their November 2 win against the Proteas in the final of the home ODI World Cup proves why they should not be underestimated. Speaking of adapting to the needs of a new format and how a change in mindset sets the tone for a banger of a tournament, she said, “As a batter, it is just a shift in mindset. In T20 cricket, compared to other formats, you have to take calculated risks. For me, it is about being smart with when to take those risks and how to put the bowlers and the opposition under pressure. That will be my mindset.”<h3>Harmanpreet on ‘importance of middle overs’</h3>While acknowledging how crucial the Powerplay and the death overs remain, the women’s team captain Harmanpreet noted the&nbsp;importance of making the most of the middle overs.&nbsp;“In terms of tactics, there is a lot of attention on the Powerplay and the last few overs, but I feel it is the middle overs that control the entire game. So, how you fare in that phase is critical. That’s why you need to identify your best players, those who can handle pressure in that period, and prepare accordingly,” she said in a chat with Jiostar.&nbsp;&nbsp;Harmanpreet’s deputy and fellow batting star, Smriti Mandhana, pointed out her weakness and addressed it, saying, “For me, the biggest change has been making better use of the Powerplay and understanding what I can do between overs 6 and 10, then pacing my innings accordingly, whether we are chasing or batting first.”

"It is almost like an addiction." Indian batting star Jemimah Rodrigues, captain Harmanpreet Kaur, and Smriti Mandhana break down their tactical mindset and World Cup hunger ahead of the blockbuster IND vs PAK clash at Edgbaston.

American football coach Vince Lombardi once said, ‘Winning is a habit,’ and Indian women’s cricket team star Jemimah Rodrigues resonates with it. After her heroics led to India winning its maiden Women’s ODI World Cup in November last year, the batting mainstay said the taste of the trophy feels addictive. Her words came just on the cusp of India’s T20 World Cup opener in Group B against its arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday evening at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Jemimah said winning the ODI trophy makes the team want more. “What has happened with that World Cup win is that it has empowered us to be motivated to do even better. When you win one, and it may sound like a negative word, it is almost like an addiction; you want to win another one. It pushes you even more,” she said on Jiostar ahead of the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match. Also read | IND vs PAK, Women’s T20 World Cup: Rohit, Gambhir, Gill rally behind Women in Blue While India is not among the title contenders this time, their November 2 win against the Proteas in the final of the home ODI World Cup proves why they should not be underestimated. Speaking of adapting to the needs of a new format and how a change in mindset sets the tone for a banger of a tournament, she said, “As a batter, it is just a shift in mindset. In T20 cricket, compared to other formats, you have to take calculated risks. For me, it is about being smart with when to take those risks and how to put the bowlers and the opposition under pressure. That will be my mindset.” Harmanpreet on ‘importance of middle overs’ While acknowledging how crucial the Powerplay and the death overs remain, the women’s team captain Harmanpreet noted the importance of making the most of the middle overs. “In terms of tactics, there is a lot of attention on the Powerplay and the last few overs, but I feel it is the middle overs that control the entire game. So, how you fare in that phase is critical. That’s why you need to identify your best players, those who can handle pressure in that period, and prepare accordingly,” she said in a chat with Jiostar. Harmanpreet’s deputy and fellow batting star, Smriti Mandhana, pointed out her weakness and addressed it, saying, “For me, the biggest change has been making better use of the Powerplay and understanding what I can do between overs 6 and 10, then pacing my innings accordingly, whether we are chasing or batting first.”

"It is almost like an addiction." Indian batting star Jemimah Rodrigues, captain Harmanpreet Kaur, and Smriti Mandhana break down their tactical mindset and World Cup hunger ahead of the blockbuster IND vs PAK clash at Edgbaston.

‘It’s like an addiction’: Jemimah Rodrigues warns Pakistan as India chase T20 World Cup crown

Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, India will begin their Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday (Jun 14) at Edgbaston. While India have enjoyed the better record in this rivalry, matches between the two teams always attract huge attention both on and off the field. Ahead of the game, one of the main talking points has been whether the players will take part in the traditional pre- or post-match handshake.&nbsp;Since the Men’s Asia Cup last year, Indian and Pakistani players across both men’s and women’s teams have generally avoided from exchanging handshakes. Similar scenes were witnessed during several major events, including the Women’s World Cup, U19 World Cup, Rising Stars Asia Cup and Men’s T20 World Cup.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-pak-womens-t20-world-cup-2026-rohit-sharma-gautam-gambhir-shubman-gill-rally-behind-women-in-blue-1781429563683">IND vs PAK, Women’s T20 World Cup: Rohit, Gambhir, Gill rally behind Women in Blue</a>&nbsp;Speaking before the match, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur was questioned about the possibility of a handshake and whether the BCCI had provided any guidance on the matter.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Well, I think we are here for cricket, and we only talk about cricket; except for cricket, we don’t talk about anything, and I don’t even think about anything except cricket. Cricket has been our dream from day one, and we only talk about it. For tomorrow’s game, we are thinking of it as just another game we are going to play," Harmanpreet told reporters.&nbsp;“Definitely pressure is going to be there, which I earlier agreed to that, whenever we play against Pakistan, pressure will be there, but at the same time it’s only about how we are going to enjoy that pressure because in any International game, pressure is going to be there; it’s only about giving your 100% in that game and enjoying every moment," she added.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-2026-lionel-messi-trains-hard-ahead-of-argentina-s-tournament-opener-1781423577506">FIFA 2026: Lionel Messi trains hard ahead of Argentina's tournament opener</a>&nbsp;On the field, India enter the game as strong favourites, supported by a strong record and a commanding head-to-head advantage. They have won 13 of the 16 T20Is played against Pakistan and hold a 6-2 edge in Women’s T20 World Cup meetings. Even so, Harmanpreet admitted that matches between the two nations comes with added expectations and pressure.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I won’t say there’s no pressure; there is pressure. Since I started watching cricket as a supporter, I have felt that pressure, and now that we play, it’s even more. But at the same time, we always say that the more we enjoy this game, the better it is for us, because we are the lucky ones who are picked for this big occasion, and we just want to enjoy ourselves on the field," said Harmanpreet.

The question of whether India and Pakistan players will shake hands has become a major talking point ahead of their Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 encounter.

Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, India will begin their Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday (Jun 14) at Edgbaston. While India have enjoyed the better record in this rivalry, matches between the two teams always attract huge attention both on and off the field. Ahead of the game, one of the main talking points has been whether the players will take part in the traditional pre- or post-match handshake. Since the Men’s Asia Cup last year, Indian and Pakistani players across both men’s and women’s teams have generally avoided from exchanging handshakes. Similar scenes were witnessed during several major events, including the Women’s World Cup, U19 World Cup, Rising Stars Asia Cup and Men’s T20 World Cup. Also Read - IND vs PAK, Women’s T20 World Cup: Rohit, Gambhir, Gill rally behind Women in Blue Speaking before the match, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur was questioned about the possibility of a handshake and whether the BCCI had provided any guidance on the matter. “Well, I think we are here for cricket, and we only talk about cricket; except for cricket, we don’t talk about anything, and I don’t even think about anything except cricket. Cricket has been our dream from day one, and we only talk about it. For tomorrow’s game, we are thinking of it as just another game we are going to play," Harmanpreet told reporters. “Definitely pressure is going to be there, which I earlier agreed to that, whenever we play against Pakistan, pressure will be there, but at the same time it’s only about how we are going to enjoy that pressure because in any International game, pressure is going to be there; it’s only about giving your 100% in that game and enjoying every moment," she added. Also Read - FIFA 2026: Lionel Messi trains hard ahead of Argentina's tournament opener On the field, India enter the game as strong favourites, supported by a strong record and a commanding head-to-head advantage. They have won 13 of the 16 T20Is played against Pakistan and hold a 6-2 edge in Women’s T20 World Cup meetings. Even so, Harmanpreet admitted that matches between the two nations comes with added expectations and pressure. “I won’t say there’s no pressure; there is pressure. Since I started watching cricket as a supporter, I have felt that pressure, and now that we play, it’s even more. But at the same time, we always say that the more we enjoy this game, the better it is for us, because we are the lucky ones who are picked for this big occasion, and we just want to enjoy ourselves on the field," said Harmanpreet.

The question of whether India and Pakistan players will shake hands has become a major talking point ahead of their Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 encounter.

Women's T20 World Cup: Will Harmanpreet Kaur's team India shake hands with Pakistan? Here's what she said

Team India ODI captain Shubman Gill, head coach Gautam Gambhir and veteran Rohit Sharma rallied behind the women’s team as they prepare for their T20 World Cup 2026 opener against arch-rivals Pakistan at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sunday evening. The defending ODI champions, the Indian women’s team, will open its campaign in Group B, with all eyes on this mouth-watering contest. It is the first time the two neighbours are facing off on a cricket field since the February 14 men’s T20 World Cup match in Colombo, which India won convincingly.&nbsp;The star of that game for India, Ishan Kishan, shared towering words for the women’s side, which aims to do a double of ICC trophies in less than a year.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-can-win-two-more-world-cups-in-the-next-five-years-sayali-satghare-on-women-s-cricket-boom-1780856079820">'India can win two more World Cups in the next five years': Sayali Satghare on women's cricket boom</a> &nbsp;"You all have been playing amazing cricket. Just keep it simple and trust what you have done throughout the year. We are all very proud of you and hope we win this trophy," Kishan said in his message.&nbsp; &nbsp;Shortly after the men’s team opened its account against the touring Afghanistan side in the ODI series opener in Dharamsala the other night, Rohit said, "They've been playing really good cricket for the past few years now. I know in T20 cricket they've come very close, but I want this time around to go all the way. Everyone's rooting for them. They have a solid team, very well-balanced team. And they'll enjoy playing in England. Best wishes from all of us here in Men's Team India.” &nbsp;Head coach Gambhir echoed the same words, saying, "I'm sure that you're going to make 140 crore Indians proud. Not many people get the opportunity to represent the country on the world stage. Don't be scared of making a mistake. Every time you're in doubt, take the positive route. Good luck, bring the cup home.” &nbsp;Looking ahead to his own leadership ambitions down the line, One-Day skipper Gill noted, "You guys have won it before, and you'll do it again. Our full wishes to you and all the best for the World Cup.” &nbsp;The newly appointed men’s T20I captain, Shreyas Iyer, also joined in, urging them to be fearless and play ruthless cricket. &nbsp;"Here's wishing all the very best to the Indian women's cricket team. Be fearless, be ruthless and play to win," Iyer said. &nbsp;WATCH VIDEO –

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">From <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/MenInBlue?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MenInBlue</a> to <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WomenInBlue?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WomenInBlue</a> 💙🏆 A special message as <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/TeamIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TeamIndia</a> gears up for the ICC Women&#39;s <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/T20WorldCup?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#T20WorldCup</a> 2026 in England ✉️ <a href="https://t.co/P0WkRI320f">pic.twitter.com/P0WkRI320f</a>&mdash; BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://x.com/BCCI/status/2066033147096314304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Meanwhile, Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the Indian women’s team against Pakistan.

Team India stars Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir, and Shubman Gill rally behind the Women in Blue ahead of their high-octane T20 World Cup 2026 opener against arch-rivals Pakistan at Edgbaston. Read their inspiring messages.

Team India ODI captain Shubman Gill, head coach Gautam Gambhir and veteran Rohit Sharma rallied behind the women’s team as they prepare for their T20 World Cup 2026 opener against arch-rivals Pakistan at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sunday evening. The defending ODI champions, the Indian women’s team, will open its campaign in Group B, with all eyes on this mouth-watering contest. It is the first time the two neighbours are facing off on a cricket field since the February 14 men’s T20 World Cup match in Colombo, which India won convincingly. The star of that game for India, Ishan Kishan, shared towering words for the women’s side, which aims to do a double of ICC trophies in less than a year. Also read | 'India can win two more World Cups in the next five years': Sayali Satghare on women's cricket boom "You all have been playing amazing cricket. Just keep it simple and trust what you have done throughout the year. We are all very proud of you and hope we win this trophy," Kishan said in his message. Shortly after the men’s team opened its account against the touring Afghanistan side in the ODI series opener in Dharamsala the other night, Rohit said, "They've been playing really good cricket for the past few years now. I know in T20 cricket they've come very close, but I want this time around to go all the way. Everyone's rooting for them. They have a solid team, very well-balanced team. And they'll enjoy playing in England. Best wishes from all of us here in Men's Team India.” Head coach Gambhir echoed the same words, saying, "I'm sure that you're going to make 140 crore Indians proud. Not many people get the opportunity to represent the country on the world stage. Don't be scared of making a mistake. Every time you're in doubt, take the positive route. Good luck, bring the cup home.” Looking ahead to his own leadership ambitions down the line, One-Day skipper Gill noted, "You guys have won it before, and you'll do it again. Our full wishes to you and all the best for the World Cup.” The newly appointed men’s T20I captain, Shreyas Iyer, also joined in, urging them to be fearless and play ruthless cricket. "Here's wishing all the very best to the Indian women's cricket team. Be fearless, be ruthless and play to win," Iyer said. WATCH VIDEO –

Team India stars Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir, and Shubman Gill rally behind the Women in Blue ahead of their high-octane T20 World Cup 2026 opener against arch-rivals Pakistan at Edgbaston. Read their inspiring messages.

IND vs PAK, Women’s T20 World Cup: Rohit, Gambhir, Gill rally behind Women in Blue

A brilliant unbeaten 90 from Shemaine Campbelle and a four-wicket haul by Aaliyah Alleyne powered the West Indies to a seven-wicket victory over defending champions New Zealand in their opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Southampton on Saturday. Chasing 163, the West Indies were guided home by Campbelle’s calm and match-winning innings, which included seven boundaries and three sixes. Earlier, Alleyne’s impressive 4/27 helped restrict New Zealand to 162/6 in their 20 overs.&nbsp;After electing to field, West Indies struck early through Alleyne, who removed Georgia Plimmer for eight to break an opening stand of 49 runs. She then dealt further blows by dismissing Amelia Kerr (5) and Isabella Gaze, who made 39 from 29 balls with eight fours, reducing New Zealand to 56/3 in the eighth over.&nbsp;A 45-run partnership between captain Sophie Devine (22 off 15) and Brooke Halliday helped rebuild the innings and take the score beyond 100. Halliday contributed 40 from 32 balls, while Maddy Green remained unbeaten on 35 off 22 deliveries, helping the defending champions post a competitive total.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pv-sindhu-lakshya-sen-and-satwik-chirag-headline-india-s-asian-games-2026-squad-1781364621276">PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen and Satwik-Chirag headline India's Asian Games 2026 squad</a>&nbsp;West Indies’ chase began with an early setback when Qiana Joseph was run out for just two, however, skipper Hayley Matthews counterattacked quickly and added a 74-run partnership with Shemaine Campbelle. Matthews struck 48 off 37 balls, including six fours and a six, before departing just short of a half-century.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-brazil-fans-take-over-new-york-s-times-square-ahead-of-fifa-world-cup-clash-against-morocco-1781363516539">WATCH | Brazil fans take over Times Square ahead of World Cup clash with Morocco</a>&nbsp;Campbelle then took control of the chase, accelerating in the closing overs with a series of powerful strokes. The Guyanese batter reached her maiden T20I fifty in style and held her composure in a tense finish, steering West Indies to victory with one ball remaining.&nbsp;For New Zealand, Jess Kerr was the standout bowler, claiming 2/17 from her four overs.&nbsp;The result also served as sweet revenge for West Indies, who overturned the disappointment of their semi-final loss to New Zealand at the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup.

Shemaine Campbelle played a superb unbeaten knock of 90 off 62 balls to guide the West Indies to a successful chase of 163 in 19.5 overs.

A brilliant unbeaten 90 from Shemaine Campbelle and a four-wicket haul by Aaliyah Alleyne powered the West Indies to a seven-wicket victory over defending champions New Zealand in their opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Southampton on Saturday. Chasing 163, the West Indies were guided home by Campbelle’s calm and match-winning innings, which included seven boundaries and three sixes. Earlier, Alleyne’s impressive 4/27 helped restrict New Zealand to 162/6 in their 20 overs. After electing to field, West Indies struck early through Alleyne, who removed Georgia Plimmer for eight to break an opening stand of 49 runs. She then dealt further blows by dismissing Amelia Kerr (5) and Isabella Gaze, who made 39 from 29 balls with eight fours, reducing New Zealand to 56/3 in the eighth over. A 45-run partnership between captain Sophie Devine (22 off 15) and Brooke Halliday helped rebuild the innings and take the score beyond 100. Halliday contributed 40 from 32 balls, while Maddy Green remained unbeaten on 35 off 22 deliveries, helping the defending champions post a competitive total. Also Read - PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen and Satwik-Chirag headline India's Asian Games 2026 squad West Indies’ chase began with an early setback when Qiana Joseph was run out for just two, however, skipper Hayley Matthews counterattacked quickly and added a 74-run partnership with Shemaine Campbelle. Matthews struck 48 off 37 balls, including six fours and a six, before departing just short of a half-century. Also Read - WATCH | Brazil fans take over Times Square ahead of World Cup clash with Morocco Campbelle then took control of the chase, accelerating in the closing overs with a series of powerful strokes. The Guyanese batter reached her maiden T20I fifty in style and held her composure in a tense finish, steering West Indies to victory with one ball remaining. For New Zealand, Jess Kerr was the standout bowler, claiming 2/17 from her four overs. The result also served as sweet revenge for West Indies, who overturned the disappointment of their semi-final loss to New Zealand at the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup.

Shemaine Campbelle played a superb unbeaten knock of 90 off 62 balls to guide the West Indies to a successful chase of 163 in 19.5 overs.

Women's T20 World Cup 2026: West Indies begin campaign with seven-wicket victory over New Zealand

Debutant Gurnoor Brar returned with three wickets, and captain Shubman Gill scored an unbeaten 84 as India beat Afghanistan by seven wickets in the rain-hit ODI series opener in Dharamsala on Saturday (Jun 13). India completed a clinical chase, scoring 195 inside 23 overs to take a 1-0 lead in this three-match series.&nbsp;Rahmanullah Gurbaz created history with the quickest ODI hundred for Afghanistan, scoring a brilliant 102 off 51 balls, smashing eight sixes and as many fours. After India sent Afghanistan out to bat first, they took advantage of the conditions by reducing the visitors to 26 for three at one stage. Even with chips down, Gurbaz played his natural game, keeping IPL heroes, including Prasidh Krishna and Washington Sundar, in check with wild shots all across.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-pak-women-s-t20-world-cup-2026-when-and-where-to-watch-live-streaming-in-india-1781342947686">IND vs PAK, Women's T20 World Cup 2026: When and where to watch live streaming in India?</a> &nbsp;Another debutant, Harsh Dubey, also suffered an early wrath, but made a comeback with three wickets for 47 runs. Brar, who was economical at the start, also returned with as many scalps but at an improved economy of 5.6. India wrapped up Afghanistan’s first innings on 194.<h3>Gill continues his superb run</h3>Fresh off a 12th Test hundred against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, the ODI captain Gill continued from where he had left. Misunderstanding led to Rohit Sharma’s run-out inside the sixth over, with Ishan Kishan joining Gill in the middle. The two added 70 runs for the second wicket in 43 balls before Rashid Khan cleaned up the attacking left-hander. &nbsp;Gill completed his fifty in the meantime, with the newly appointed T20I captain Shreyas Iyer also contributing a bit with the bat. His early dismissal brought KL Rahul to the crease, who scored over 200 (strike rate) to help India complete the run chase. Rahul scored an unbeaten 39 off just 19 balls, clobbering three maximums and four fours, while Gill remained unbeaten at the other end, having hit two sixes and 11 beautiful boundaries.&nbsp; &nbsp;Lucknow will host the second ODI on Wednesday (Jun 17).&nbsp;

Skipper Shubman Gill's unbeaten 84 and debutant Gurnoor Brar's 3-wicket haul guided India to a clinical 7-wicket win over Afghanistan in a rain-hit 1st ODI at Dharamsala.

Debutant Gurnoor Brar returned with three wickets, and captain Shubman Gill scored an unbeaten 84 as India beat Afghanistan by seven wickets in the rain-hit ODI series opener in Dharamsala on Saturday (Jun 13). India completed a clinical chase, scoring 195 inside 23 overs to take a 1-0 lead in this three-match series. Rahmanullah Gurbaz created history with the quickest ODI hundred for Afghanistan, scoring a brilliant 102 off 51 balls, smashing eight sixes and as many fours. After India sent Afghanistan out to bat first, they took advantage of the conditions by reducing the visitors to 26 for three at one stage. Even with chips down, Gurbaz played his natural game, keeping IPL heroes, including Prasidh Krishna and Washington Sundar, in check with wild shots all across. Also read | IND vs PAK, Women's T20 World Cup 2026: When and where to watch live streaming in India? Another debutant, Harsh Dubey, also suffered an early wrath, but made a comeback with three wickets for 47 runs. Brar, who was economical at the start, also returned with as many scalps but at an improved economy of 5.6. India wrapped up Afghanistan’s first innings on 194. Gill continues his superb run Fresh off a 12th Test hundred against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, the ODI captain Gill continued from where he had left. Misunderstanding led to Rohit Sharma’s run-out inside the sixth over, with Ishan Kishan joining Gill in the middle. The two added 70 runs for the second wicket in 43 balls before Rashid Khan cleaned up the attacking left-hander. Gill completed his fifty in the meantime, with the newly appointed T20I captain Shreyas Iyer also contributing a bit with the bat. His early dismissal brought KL Rahul to the crease, who scored over 200 (strike rate) to help India complete the run chase. Rahul scored an unbeaten 39 off just 19 balls, clobbering three maximums and four fours, while Gill remained unbeaten at the other end, having hit two sixes and 11 beautiful boundaries. Lucknow will host the second ODI on Wednesday (Jun 17).

Skipper Shubman Gill's unbeaten 84 and debutant Gurnoor Brar's 3-wicket haul guided India to a clinical 7-wicket win over Afghanistan in a rain-hit 1st ODI at Dharamsala.

IND vs AFG 1st ODI: Debutant Gurnoor, captain Gill star as India crush Afghanistan in rain-hit opener

Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, India will begin their T20 World Cup journey with a high-profile clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday (Jun 14) at Edgbaston in Birmingham. The match is expected to be a key opening fixture for the reigning ODI World Cup champions. India have historically dominated this rivalry in T20Is, winning 13 of the 16 meetings between the two sides and their latest encounter came during the 2024 T20 World Cup in Dubai, where India cruised to a six-wicket victory.&nbsp;Since then, India have strengthened their reputation as one of the most reliable white-ball teams in the world, a status reinforced by their ODI World Cup triumph. With the majority of that title-winning squad still available, the team will be eager to convert its success into a maiden T20 World Cup crown.&nbsp;A strong start from opening pair Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma could prove vital against a Pakistan attack spearheaded by captain Fatima Sana.&nbsp;Sana has enjoyed an impressive run of form over the past year, contributing significantly with both bat and ball. The all-rounder has averaged more than 50 with the bat while maintaining a bowling average below 25.&nbsp;She is expected to be a major threat, particularly against an Indian bowling unit that will be missing injured duo Amanjot Kaur and Kashvee Gautam.&nbsp;As the crucial Women's T20 World Cup 2026 clash between India and Pakistan approaches, here’s a look at the live streaming details for fans in India.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/brazil-vs-morocco-group-c-fifa-world-cup-2026-when-and-where-to-watch-matches-in-india-1781334860220">BRA vs MAR, Group C, FIFA World Cup 2026: When and where to watch live streaming in India?</a><h2>India vs Pakistan, Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Match Details</h2><h2>When will the IND vs PAK, Women's T20 World Cup 2026 match be played?</h2>The Women's T20 World Cup 2026 match between India and Pakistan will be played on Sunday (Jun 14, 2026). The toss will take place at 06:30 pm IST.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/how-much-does-the-fifa-world-cup-trophy-cost-in-2026-the-answer-may-surprise-you-1781271547454">How much does the FIFA World Cup trophy cost in 2026? The answer may surprise you</a><h2>Where is the match being played?</h2>The match will be held at Edgbaston in Birmingham.<h2>Where can fans watch the match on television?</h2>The live telecast of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 match between India and Pakistan will be available on Star Sports in India.<h2>Where to livestream IND vs PAK, Women's T20 World Cup 2026?</h2>The livestream of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 match between India and Pakistan will be available on the JioHotstar app and website.<h2>IND vs PAK Squad</h2>India: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Nandani Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav Pakistan: Fatima Sana (C), Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Iram Javed, Eyman Fatima, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Parvaiz, Saira Jabeen, Muneeba Ali, Tuba Hassan, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig and Tasmia Rubab

As the crucial Women's T20 World Cup 2026 clash between India and Pakistan approaches, here’s a look at the live streaming details for fans in India.

Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, India will begin their T20 World Cup journey with a high-profile clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday (Jun 14) at Edgbaston in Birmingham. The match is expected to be a key opening fixture for the reigning ODI World Cup champions. India have historically dominated this rivalry in T20Is, winning 13 of the 16 meetings between the two sides and their latest encounter came during the 2024 T20 World Cup in Dubai, where India cruised to a six-wicket victory. Since then, India have strengthened their reputation as one of the most reliable white-ball teams in the world, a status reinforced by their ODI World Cup triumph. With the majority of that title-winning squad still available, the team will be eager to convert its success into a maiden T20 World Cup crown. A strong start from opening pair Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma could prove vital against a Pakistan attack spearheaded by captain Fatima Sana. Sana has enjoyed an impressive run of form over the past year, contributing significantly with both bat and ball. The all-rounder has averaged more than 50 with the bat while maintaining a bowling average below 25. She is expected to be a major threat, particularly against an Indian bowling unit that will be missing injured duo Amanjot Kaur and Kashvee Gautam. As the crucial Women's T20 World Cup 2026 clash between India and Pakistan approaches, here’s a look at the live streaming details for fans in India. Also Read - BRA vs MAR, Group C, FIFA World Cup 2026: When and where to watch live streaming in India? India vs Pakistan, Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Match Details When will the IND vs PAK, Women's T20 World Cup 2026 match be played? The Women's T20 World Cup 2026 match between India and Pakistan will be played on Sunday (Jun 14, 2026). The toss will take place at 06:30 pm IST. Also Read - How much does the FIFA World Cup trophy cost in 2026? The answer may surprise you Where is the match being played? The match will be held at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Where can fans watch the match on television? The live telecast of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 match between India and Pakistan will be available on Star Sports in India. Where to livestream IND vs PAK, Women's T20 World Cup 2026? The livestream of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 match between India and Pakistan will be available on the JioHotstar app and website. IND vs PAK Squad India: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Nandani Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav Pakistan: Fatima Sana (C), Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Iram Javed, Eyman Fatima, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Parvaiz, Saira Jabeen, Muneeba Ali, Tuba Hassan, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig and Tasmia Rubab

As the crucial Women's T20 World Cup 2026 clash between India and Pakistan approaches, here’s a look at the live streaming details for fans in India.

IND vs PAK, Women's T20 World Cup 2026: When and where to watch live streaming in India?

A brilliant unbeaten century from Danni Wyatt-Hodge, along with contributions from Amy Jones and captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, powered England to a commanding 87-run victory over Sri Lanka in their opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Birmingham on Saturday (Jun 12).&nbsp;After being invited to bat first, England posted a record-breaking 219/1 in their allotted 20 overs, the highest team total in their women’s T20I history. Wyatt-Hodge anchored the innings with a magnificent 105 not out off 62 deliveries, striking 15 boundaries and a six to register her third T20I hundred for England.&nbsp;&nbsp;She shared a record 135-run opening partnership with wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones, who scored 53 from 38 balls, including four fours and a six. The stand became England’s highest opening-wicket partnership in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-afg-1st-odi-when-and-where-to-watch-live-streaming-in-india-1781271767949">IND vs AFG, 1st ODI: When and where to watch live streaming in India?</a>&nbsp;Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt added further momentum with an unbeaten 46 off just 22 balls, smashing six fours and a six. During her innings, she became only the second England women’s player to surpass 3,000 runs in T20 internationals. She now has 3,006 runs from 138 matches at an average of 29.47, with 18 half-centuries to her name.&nbsp;&nbsp;Malki Madara was Sri Lanka’s lone wicket-taker, finishing with figures of 1/51.&nbsp;Chasing a huge target, Sri Lanka never gained control of the match and were bowled out for 132 in their 20 overs. Harshitha Samarawickrama (29 off 18) and Nilakshika Silva (39 off 33) were the only batters to offer some resistance.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2026-neymar-set-to-miss-brazil-s-opening-match-against-morocco-1781319683298">FIFA World Cup 2026: Neymar set to miss Brazil’s opening match against Morocco</a>&nbsp;England’s bowlers delivered a clinical performance, led by Freya Kemp, who claimed 4/22. While, Sophie Ecclestone (2/27) and Charlie Dean (2/18) provided excellent support to complete a dominant all-round display.&nbsp;Kemp’s four-wicket haul also earned her a place in the record books, making her just the third woman to take four wickets on her T20 World Cup debut, joining teammate Danni Wyatt-Hodge and former India spinner Diana David.&nbsp;&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

England made a strong start to the Women’s T20 World Cup as Danni Wyatt-Hodge scored a brilliant century to help her team beat Sri Lanka by 87 runs on Friday.

A brilliant unbeaten century from Danni Wyatt-Hodge, along with contributions from Amy Jones and captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, powered England to a commanding 87-run victory over Sri Lanka in their opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Birmingham on Saturday (Jun 12). After being invited to bat first, England posted a record-breaking 219/1 in their allotted 20 overs, the highest team total in their women’s T20I history. Wyatt-Hodge anchored the innings with a magnificent 105 not out off 62 deliveries, striking 15 boundaries and a six to register her third T20I hundred for England. She shared a record 135-run opening partnership with wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones, who scored 53 from 38 balls, including four fours and a six. The stand became England’s highest opening-wicket partnership in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Also Read - IND vs AFG, 1st ODI: When and where to watch live streaming in India? Skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt added further momentum with an unbeaten 46 off just 22 balls, smashing six fours and a six. During her innings, she became only the second England women’s player to surpass 3,000 runs in T20 internationals. She now has 3,006 runs from 138 matches at an average of 29.47, with 18 half-centuries to her name. Malki Madara was Sri Lanka’s lone wicket-taker, finishing with figures of 1/51. Chasing a huge target, Sri Lanka never gained control of the match and were bowled out for 132 in their 20 overs. Harshitha Samarawickrama (29 off 18) and Nilakshika Silva (39 off 33) were the only batters to offer some resistance. Also Read - FIFA World Cup 2026: Neymar set to miss Brazil’s opening match against Morocco England’s bowlers delivered a clinical performance, led by Freya Kemp, who claimed 4/22. While, Sophie Ecclestone (2/27) and Charlie Dean (2/18) provided excellent support to complete a dominant all-round display. Kemp’s four-wicket haul also earned her a place in the record books, making her just the third woman to take four wickets on her T20 World Cup debut, joining teammate Danni Wyatt-Hodge and former India spinner Diana David. With inputs from agencies

England made a strong start to the Women’s T20 World Cup as Danni Wyatt-Hodge scored a brilliant century to help her team beat Sri Lanka by 87 runs on Friday.

Women’s T20 World Cup 2026: Danni’s century guides England to 87-run win over Sri Lanka in opener

Star India batter Virat Kohli congratulated New Zealand legend Kane Williamson on his retirement from international cricket, which he announced on Friday (Jun 12). Bringing the curtain down on an illustrious 16-year international career, Williamson leaves the game as New Zealand’s highest run-scorer across all formats. The 35-year-old amassed 19,346 international runs, including 48 centuries and six double centuries, earning widespread respect for his consistency, composure and exceptional leadership.&nbsp;Kohli, who has long shared a close friendship with Williamson, took to X to pay tribute to the retiring Kiwi great.&nbsp; &nbsp;“From an opponent to a friend over the years. It’s been a pleasure watching you bat and compete against you over so many years but more than that I value our friendship and shared perspectives on the game and beyond. I continue to cherish every time we speak or meet. Wishing you nothing but the best always brother. You’ve done your bit, you deserve to enjoy all of it now and put your feet up. Well done mate, life’s only just begun," Kohli wrote on X.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">From an opponent to a friend over the years. It’s been a pleasure watching you bat and compete against you over so many years but more than that I value our friendship and shared perspectives on the game and beyond. I continue to cherish every time we speak or meet. Wishing you…&mdash; Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) <a href="https://x.com/imVkohli/status/2065413424994254861?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Williamson’s tenure as captain marked one of the most successful eras in New Zealand cricket and under his leadership, the Black Caps reached two ICC World Cup finals, three World Cup semi-finals and secured the inaugural ICC World Test Championship title in 2021. Individually, he was recognised as the ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2015 and ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year in 2019.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-afg-1st-odi-when-and-where-to-watch-live-streaming-in-india-1781271767949">IND vs AFG, 1st ODI: When and where to watch live streaming in India?</a>&nbsp;Currently touring England for an ongoing Test series, Williamson endured a difficult outing in the opening match, which New Zealand lost by 115 runs. He managed scores of 0 and 18 in the contest.&nbsp;Speaking about his decision, Williamson said he had been thinking on retirement for some time before concluding that this moment was right.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I’ve thought about it for a while, but over the last few days it’s become clear now is the right time. I’ve always felt a strong drive and hunger for international cricket, and I take pride in knowing I’ve given it my all in every match I’ve played for New Zealand," Williamson said in a statement issued by New Zealand Cricket.&nbsp;“Continuing with anything less wouldn’t be right, and I feel fortunate to step away on my own terms," he added.

After a successful international career, Kane Williamson retired from cricket on Friday (Jun 12). The former New Zealand captain scored more than 19,000 runs and earned praise for his calm approach and strong leadership.

Star India batter Virat Kohli congratulated New Zealand legend Kane Williamson on his retirement from international cricket, which he announced on Friday (Jun 12). Bringing the curtain down on an illustrious 16-year international career, Williamson leaves the game as New Zealand’s highest run-scorer across all formats. The 35-year-old amassed 19,346 international runs, including 48 centuries and six double centuries, earning widespread respect for his consistency, composure and exceptional leadership. Kohli, who has long shared a close friendship with Williamson, took to X to pay tribute to the retiring Kiwi great. “From an opponent to a friend over the years. It’s been a pleasure watching you bat and compete against you over so many years but more than that I value our friendship and shared perspectives on the game and beyond. I continue to cherish every time we speak or meet. Wishing you nothing but the best always brother. You’ve done your bit, you deserve to enjoy all of it now and put your feet up. Well done mate, life’s only just begun," Kohli wrote on X.

After a successful international career, Kane Williamson retired from cricket on Friday (Jun 12). The former New Zealand captain scored more than 19,000 runs and earned praise for his calm approach and strong leadership.

Virat Kohli pens emotional note for Kane Williamson, says 'Wishing you nothing but the best always brother'

India will kick off their preparations for the ODI World Cup 2027 with a three-match series against Afghanistan in Dharamsala starting on Saturday (Jun 13). Attention will be focused on Rohit Sharma’s fitness, the progress of pace-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and the potential international debuts of youngsters Prince Yadav and Harsh Dubey. The hosts will also need to adjust their batting combination after Virat Kohli was sidelined with a hamstring injury. As a result, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer are expected to take on batting responsibility in the lineup.&nbsp;Reddy’s performances will be closely monitor as India assesses his ability to offer a reliable seam-bowling all-round option and provide depth behind Hardik Pandya, whose fitness remains a concern.&nbsp;Whereas, Afghanistan arrive as a strong limited-overs team, boosted by the return of Rashid Khan and experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nabi.&nbsp;&nbsp;As the crucial ODI clash between India and Afghanistan approaches, here’s a look at the live streaming details for fans in India.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kane-williamson-announces-retirement-from-international-cricket-1781258980691">Kane Williamson, ex-NZ captain, announces retirement from international cricket</a><h2>India vs Afghanistan, 1st ODI: Match Details</h2><h2>When will the IND vs AFG, 1st ODI be played?</h2>The first ODI between India and Afghanistan will be played on Saturday (Jun 13, 2026). The toss will take place at 01:00 pm IST.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/how-much-does-the-fifa-world-cup-trophy-cost-in-2026-the-answer-may-surprise-you-1781271547454">How much does the FIFA World Cup trophy cost in 2026? The answer may surprise you</a><h2>Where is the match being played?</h2>The match will be held at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.<h2>Where can fans watch the match on television?</h2>The live telecast of the first ODI between India and Afghanistan will be available on Star Sports in India.<h2>Where to livestream IND vs AFG, 1st ODI?</h2>The livestream of the first ODI between India and Afghanistan will be available on the JioHotstar app and website.<h2>IND vs AFG ODI Squad</h2>India: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer (VC), KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey&nbsp;Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharotai, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Malik and Bilal Sami

As the crucial ODI clash between India and Afghanistan approaches, here’s a look at the live streaming details for fans in India.

India will kick off their preparations for the ODI World Cup 2027 with a three-match series against Afghanistan in Dharamsala starting on Saturday (Jun 13). Attention will be focused on Rohit Sharma’s fitness, the progress of pace-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and the potential international debuts of youngsters Prince Yadav and Harsh Dubey. The hosts will also need to adjust their batting combination after Virat Kohli was sidelined with a hamstring injury. As a result, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer are expected to take on batting responsibility in the lineup. Reddy’s performances will be closely monitor as India assesses his ability to offer a reliable seam-bowling all-round option and provide depth behind Hardik Pandya, whose fitness remains a concern. Whereas, Afghanistan arrive as a strong limited-overs team, boosted by the return of Rashid Khan and experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nabi. As the crucial ODI clash between India and Afghanistan approaches, here’s a look at the live streaming details for fans in India. Also Read - Kane Williamson, ex-NZ captain, announces retirement from international cricket India vs Afghanistan, 1st ODI: Match Details When will the IND vs AFG, 1st ODI be played? The first ODI between India and Afghanistan will be played on Saturday (Jun 13, 2026). The toss will take place at 01:00 pm IST. Also Read - How much does the FIFA World Cup trophy cost in 2026? The answer may surprise you Where is the match being played? The match will be held at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. Where can fans watch the match on television? The live telecast of the first ODI between India and Afghanistan will be available on Star Sports in India. Where to livestream IND vs AFG, 1st ODI? The livestream of the first ODI between India and Afghanistan will be available on the JioHotstar app and website. IND vs AFG ODI Squad India: Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer (VC), KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey Afghanistan: Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharotai, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Malik and Bilal Sami

As the crucial ODI clash between India and Afghanistan approaches, here’s a look at the live streaming details for fans in India.

IND vs AFG, 1st ODI: When and where to watch live streaming in India?

From Virat Kohli to Mohammad Shahzad, here's a look at the top five batters with most runs in India vs Afghanistan ODIs. This list also includes Mohammad Nabi, Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rohit Sharma

From Virat Kohli to Mohammad Shahzad, here's a look at the top five batters with most runs in India vs Afghanistan ODIs. This list also includes Mohammad Nabi, Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rohit Sharma

Meet top 5 batters with most runs in India vs Afghanistan ODIs

England Test captain Ben Stokes is contemplating quitting captaincy and cricket altogether following the nightclub episode. Stokes and his England teammate Gus Atkinson have breached ECB protocols following their team’s 115-run win over New Zealand in the series opener at Lord’s. The two were reportedly involved in an altercation with a rugby player from Saracens' academy on Sunday night, as the ECB investigates the matter.&nbsp;On Monday, the ECB offered Stokes a chance to relinquish Test captaincy on his terms and continue his career as a cricketer. Should he not take that option, the ECB would anyway remove him as the English Test skipper, ending his partnership with head coach Brendon McCullum. Either way, Stokes is highly unlikely to lead England in the second Test against the Kiwis at the Oval in London.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ban-vs-aus-1st-odi-bangladesh-shock-australia-clinch-2nd-ever-odi-win-over-aussies-after-21-years-1781017798131">BAN vs AUS 1st ODI: Bangladesh shock Australia, clinch 2nd ever ODI win over Aussies</a> &nbsp;His replacement, the Test vice-captain, Harry Brook, was also involved in a nightclub incident in Wellington last year, with the ECB sparing him with a stern warning. &nbsp;The latest reports emerged that Stokes is considering retiring from international cricket altogether, with the latest incident creating friction between him and the ECB. Although he plays only Test cricket, calling time on a decorated 15-year career like this would be huge.&nbsp; &nbsp;Meanwhile, following the away Ashes Down Under, Stokes had reportedly drifted away from the head coach, with this episode putting the final nail in the coffin.<h3>What is next for Stokes and Atkinson?</h3>The two are sure to be out of action for the remainder of the series, with the ECB likely to impose suspensions for breaching the team protocol. Until they hear from Stokes about his decision on relinquishing the Test captaincy, the selectors will hold off on naming the squad for the second Test, starting June 17. &nbsp;Unless he decides to announce his international retirement, Stokes will be investigated over this episode, putting his future in limbo. Atkinson, on the other hand, could see himself out of contention for an indefinite period.

A bombshell report reveals England Test captain Ben Stokes is considering quitting the leadership role—and cricket altogether—following a shocking nightclub altercation in London. Get the exclusive details on the ECB ultimatum.

England Test captain Ben Stokes is contemplating quitting captaincy and cricket altogether following the nightclub episode. Stokes and his England teammate Gus Atkinson have breached ECB protocols following their team’s 115-run win over New Zealand in the series opener at Lord’s. The two were reportedly involved in an altercation with a rugby player from Saracens' academy on Sunday night, as the ECB investigates the matter. On Monday, the ECB offered Stokes a chance to relinquish Test captaincy on his terms and continue his career as a cricketer. Should he not take that option, the ECB would anyway remove him as the English Test skipper, ending his partnership with head coach Brendon McCullum. Either way, Stokes is highly unlikely to lead England in the second Test against the Kiwis at the Oval in London. Also read | BAN vs AUS 1st ODI: Bangladesh shock Australia, clinch 2nd ever ODI win over Aussies His replacement, the Test vice-captain, Harry Brook, was also involved in a nightclub incident in Wellington last year, with the ECB sparing him with a stern warning. The latest reports emerged that Stokes is considering retiring from international cricket altogether, with the latest incident creating friction between him and the ECB. Although he plays only Test cricket, calling time on a decorated 15-year career like this would be huge. Meanwhile, following the away Ashes Down Under, Stokes had reportedly drifted away from the head coach, with this episode putting the final nail in the coffin. What is next for Stokes and Atkinson? The two are sure to be out of action for the remainder of the series, with the ECB likely to impose suspensions for breaching the team protocol. Until they hear from Stokes about his decision on relinquishing the Test captaincy, the selectors will hold off on naming the squad for the second Test, starting June 17. Unless he decides to announce his international retirement, Stokes will be investigated over this episode, putting his future in limbo. Atkinson, on the other hand, could see himself out of contention for an indefinite period.

A bombshell report reveals England Test captain Ben Stokes is considering quitting the leadership role—and cricket altogether—following a shocking nightclub altercation in London. Get the exclusive details on the ECB ultimatum.

Ben Stokes could quit England captaincy, retire over nightclub fallout: Report

There is no stopping Bangladesh. The Tigers have scripted history in Dhaka on Tuesday (Jun 9) with a massive 86-run win via the DLS method over Australia in the series opener, which also happens to be their second-ever One-Day victory over the world champions. Having last beaten the mighty Aussies in ODIs 21 years ago during the famous run-chase in Cardiff, Bangladesh have struck the first blow in this three-match series. Seamer Nahid Rana impressed with his four-wicket haul, and Mosaddek Hossain with his unbeaten 86 off just 70 balls in the first innings.&nbsp;Nahid’s express pace did it again for the hosts, who are now on a winning spree against the top Test-playing nations. After mauling Pakistan across the home white-ball series, Bangladesh look to create history with a maiden ODI series win over Australia. Rana, who starred against Pakistan, troubling their top-order with tight lines and steamy bouncers, bowled his heart out against the second-string Aussie team on the Dhaka wicket.&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lords-lahore-pitches-rated-unsatisfactory-by-icc-receive-one-demerit-point-each-eng-vs-nz-test-pak-vs-aus-odi-1781010020980">Lord’s and Lahore pitches rated ‘unsatisfactory’ by ICC; receive one demerit point each</a> &nbsp;Mosaddek, who returned to the One-Day side after four years, kept Australians on the back foot with his all-round show. While his classy 86, including seven fours and three sixes, propelled the hosts to 284 for eight, he returned to haunt the visitors with his two wickets for 37 runs in 10 overs. &nbsp;Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first in the first ODI. They failed to create pressure despite picking up an early wicket inside the second over. A handy 96-run second-wicket stand between Tanzid and Shanto dragged the game away from the Aussies. Three quick wickets did bring them back, but Mosaddek’s innings kept Bangladesh’s nose in front.&nbsp; &nbsp;Australia never looked comfortable in the run chase after losing Matthew Short on the first ball of their innings.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">What a Delivery from Taskin Ahmed! Matthew Short departs on the very first delivery! 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/55ffwbbI91">pic.twitter.com/55ffwbbI91</a>&mdash; Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) <a href="https://x.com/BCBtigers/status/2064285924813688881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Marnus Labuschagne departed on just one in the next over, before Rana broke their back with two wickets in the middle overs.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">CAREY DEPARTS! Nahid Rana strikes, Litton Das with the catch! 💥 <a href="https://t.co/CSGX0e7bFB">pic.twitter.com/CSGX0e7bFB</a>&mdash; Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) <a href="https://x.com/BCBtigers/status/2064319031306592336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Mosaddek accounted for the two lefties, opener Cooper Connolly and Matthew Renshaw, while Cameron Green held one end.

Green tried saving Australia’s grace with an unbeaten fifty but failed as a complete bowling show reduced them to 191 for nine in 43 overs before rain interrupted play and resulted in Bangladesh’s second ODI win over Australia.&nbsp; &nbsp;The next match is on Thursday (Jun 11) at the same venue.

The Tigers script a monumental upset in Dhaka! Driven by Mosaddek Hossain's stunning unbeaten 86 and Nahid Rana's fiery 4-wicket haul, Bangladesh crushed Australia by 86 runs (DLS) in the 1st ODI to end a 21-year wait. Read the match report here.

There is no stopping Bangladesh. The Tigers have scripted history in Dhaka on Tuesday (Jun 9) with a massive 86-run win via the DLS method over Australia in the series opener, which also happens to be their second-ever One-Day victory over the world champions. Having last beaten the mighty Aussies in ODIs 21 years ago during the famous run-chase in Cardiff, Bangladesh have struck the first blow in this three-match series. Seamer Nahid Rana impressed with his four-wicket haul, and Mosaddek Hossain with his unbeaten 86 off just 70 balls in the first innings. Nahid’s express pace did it again for the hosts, who are now on a winning spree against the top Test-playing nations. After mauling Pakistan across the home white-ball series, Bangladesh look to create history with a maiden ODI series win over Australia. Rana, who starred against Pakistan, troubling their top-order with tight lines and steamy bouncers, bowled his heart out against the second-string Aussie team on the Dhaka wicket. Also read | Lord’s and Lahore pitches rated ‘unsatisfactory’ by ICC; receive one demerit point each Mosaddek, who returned to the One-Day side after four years, kept Australians on the back foot with his all-round show. While his classy 86, including seven fours and three sixes, propelled the hosts to 284 for eight, he returned to haunt the visitors with his two wickets for 37 runs in 10 overs. Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first in the first ODI. They failed to create pressure despite picking up an early wicket inside the second over. A handy 96-run second-wicket stand between Tanzid and Shanto dragged the game away from the Aussies. Three quick wickets did bring them back, but Mosaddek’s innings kept Bangladesh’s nose in front. Australia never looked comfortable in the run chase after losing Matthew Short on the first ball of their innings.

The Tigers script a monumental upset in Dhaka! Driven by Mosaddek Hossain's stunning unbeaten 86 and Nahid Rana's fiery 4-wicket haul, Bangladesh crushed Australia by 86 runs (DLS) in the 1st ODI to end a 21-year wait. Read the match report here.

BAN vs AUS 1st ODI: Bangladesh shock Australia, clinch 2nd ever ODI win over Aussies

A historic sixth FIFA World Cup appearance for both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could set the stage for a long-awaited international showdown between two of football’s most iconic rivals. Given their ages and current club commitments with Inter Miami and Al Nassr, the 2026 tournament may represent the final opportunity for the pair to meet on football’s biggest stage.&nbsp;&nbsp;While Messi and Ronaldo have faced each other numerous times at club level, they have never met in a competitive World Cup match for their national teams. The expanded 2026 tournament could finally change that.<h3>Group Stage fixtures</h3>Argentina, led by Messi, have been drawn into Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan. Their group-stage fixtures are scheduled for Jun 16, Jun 22 and Jun 27 respectively.&nbsp;If Argentina finish top of the group, as many expect, they would face the runner-up from Group H, which includes Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, in the Round of 32 on Jul 4.&nbsp;Portugal, captained by Ronaldo, begin their campaign in Group K against DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia on Jun 17, Jun 23 and Jun 27.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/beat-the-heat-why-fifa-is-introducing-mandatory-hydration-breaks-for-world-cup-2026-north-america-canada-mexico-heat-soaring-temperatures-1781003287452">‘Beat the Heat’ — Why FIFA is introducing mandatory drink breaks for World Cup</a>&nbsp;If Portugal also secure first place in their group, they would advance to a Round of 32 encounter against teams from Groups D, E, I, J or L.&nbsp;<h3>How can Messi and Ronaldo meet in knockouts?</h3>The most straightforward route to a meeting between Argentina and Portugal would see both nations win their groups and then progress through the Round of 32 and Round of 16. In that scenario, they would meet in a quarterfinal.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2026-iran-alleges-ticket-allocation-withdrawn-days-before-tournament-leaving-fans-in-limbo-1781001565064">FIFA WC 2026: Iran alleges ticket allocation withdrawn days before tournament</a><h3>Which records could they break in FIFA World Cup 2026?</h3>Messi enters the tournament already holding several World Cup records. He owns the records for most World Cup appearances (26 matches) and most minutes played (2,314), surpassing Paolo Maldini during the 2022 tournament.&nbsp;&nbsp;He is also Argentina’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with 13 goals and sits just three behind Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16. That is one record Messi has a good chance of breaking as he looks to add to his achievements.&nbsp;Ronaldo does not hold many World Cup records, but he could still break some in 2026. If Argentina gets eliminated early while Portugal go deep into the tournament, Ronaldo could set new records for most World Cup matches and minutes played.&nbsp;&nbsp;However, with eight World Cup goals to his name, he would need an exceptional tournament to surpass Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 goals.<h2>How to watch and stream FIFA World Cup 2026 in India</h2>You can watch FIFA 2026 on Zee’s new Unite8 Sports network (Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD). Multiple group-stage matches that take place simultaneously will be aired across the four channels with English and Hindi feeds.&nbsp;All games will also be streamed live on the Zee5 app and website (<a href="https://www.zee5.com/">https://www.zee5.com/</a>).

The FIFA World Cup 2026 could finally see Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo face each other in a competitive international match for their countries. Here’s a look at the possible scenarios in which the two football icons could meet on the biggest stage.

A historic sixth FIFA World Cup appearance for both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could set the stage for a long-awaited international showdown between two of football’s most iconic rivals. Given their ages and current club commitments with Inter Miami and Al Nassr, the 2026 tournament may represent the final opportunity for the pair to meet on football’s biggest stage. While Messi and Ronaldo have faced each other numerous times at club level, they have never met in a competitive World Cup match for their national teams. The expanded 2026 tournament could finally change that. Group Stage fixtures Argentina, led by Messi, have been drawn into Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan. Their group-stage fixtures are scheduled for Jun 16, Jun 22 and Jun 27 respectively. If Argentina finish top of the group, as many expect, they would face the runner-up from Group H, which includes Spain, Uruguay, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia, in the Round of 32 on Jul 4. Portugal, captained by Ronaldo, begin their campaign in Group K against DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia on Jun 17, Jun 23 and Jun 27. Also Read - ‘Beat the Heat’ — Why FIFA is introducing mandatory drink breaks for World Cup If Portugal also secure first place in their group, they would advance to a Round of 32 encounter against teams from Groups D, E, I, J or L. How can Messi and Ronaldo meet in knockouts? The most straightforward route to a meeting between Argentina and Portugal would see both nations win their groups and then progress through the Round of 32 and Round of 16. In that scenario, they would meet in a quarterfinal. Also Read - FIFA WC 2026: Iran alleges ticket allocation withdrawn days before tournament Which records could they break in FIFA World Cup 2026? Messi enters the tournament already holding several World Cup records. He owns the records for most World Cup appearances (26 matches) and most minutes played (2,314), surpassing Paolo Maldini during the 2022 tournament. He is also Argentina’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with 13 goals and sits just three behind Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16. That is one record Messi has a good chance of breaking as he looks to add to his achievements. Ronaldo does not hold many World Cup records, but he could still break some in 2026. If Argentina gets eliminated early while Portugal go deep into the tournament, Ronaldo could set new records for most World Cup matches and minutes played. However, with eight World Cup goals to his name, he would need an exceptional tournament to surpass Miroslav Klose’s record of 16 goals. How to watch and stream FIFA World Cup 2026 in India You can watch FIFA 2026 on Zee’s new Unite8 Sports network (Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2 and Unite8 Sports 2 HD). Multiple group-stage matches that take place simultaneously will be aired across the four channels with English and Hindi feeds. All games will also be streamed live on the Zee5 app and website (https://www.zee5.com/).

The FIFA World Cup 2026 could finally see Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo face each other in a competitive international match for their countries. Here’s a look at the possible scenarios in which the two football icons could meet on the biggest stage.

FIFA World Cup 2026: When will Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo face off?

In a massive blow to two historic cricket grounds, the Lord's (in England) and the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the ICC has officially penalised both after rating their recently-used wickets as ‘unsatisfactory’ following the conclusion of a Test match between England and New Zealand (at Lord’s) and an ODI between Pakistan and Australia in Lahore. The two venues have also received a demerit point each under ICC’s Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.&nbsp;The match referees at the two grounds, Andy Pycroft (Lord’s) and Graeme La Brooy (Gaddafi Stadium), have expressed concerns raised by team captains and match officials in their submitted reports. &nbsp;On the Lord’s pitch, Pycroft said, “There was plenty of excessive seam movement throughout the Test, and the ball also kept extremely low on several occasions. The bounce was variable throughout as 16 wickets fell on the first day and 17 on the second. There was simply an over-balance in favour of the ball against the bat caused by the pitch."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">MCC statement following the conclusion of today’s match. <a href="https://t.co/YSuoy1rKAD">pic.twitter.com/YSuoy1rKAD</a>&mdash; Lord&#39;s Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) <a href="https://x.com/HomeOfCricket/status/2063621640785646017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 7, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Similarly, about the Gaddafi Stadium pitch, La Brooy reported, "The pitch was slow and low and made scoring runs very difficult. It did not suit a One-Day International game as batters had to spend more time to settle in. It helped spin very early in the match and continued the same way throughout."&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/mohammed-siraj-withdraws-from-ireland-and-england-t20is-prasidh-krishna-named-replacement-1780997117119">Mohammed Siraj withdraws from Ireland and England T20Is, Prasidh Krishna named replacement</a> &nbsp;The apex body has also forwarded the two reports to the respective boards, with the ECB and the PCB having 14 days to appeal against the sanction. &nbsp;Meanwhile, per ICC rules, the demerit points acquired remain active for a rolling five-year period. When a venue receives six demerit points (or surpasses that number), the ICC suspends it from hosting any international match for 12 months. However, upon accumulating 12 demerit points, the particular venue faces a 24-month suspension from staging an international game. &nbsp;The two venues in question here, the Lord’s and the Gaddafi Stadium, have no previous demerit points on their records.

Severe sanctions from the ICC: The historic pitches at Lord’s (London) and the Gaddafi Stadium (Lahore) have officially been rated ‘unsatisfactory,’ triggering automatic demerit points for both legendary venues.

In a massive blow to two historic cricket grounds, the Lord's (in England) and the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, the ICC has officially penalised both after rating their recently-used wickets as ‘unsatisfactory’ following the conclusion of a Test match between England and New Zealand (at Lord’s) and an ODI between Pakistan and Australia in Lahore. The two venues have also received a demerit point each under ICC’s Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process. The match referees at the two grounds, Andy Pycroft (Lord’s) and Graeme La Brooy (Gaddafi Stadium), have expressed concerns raised by team captains and match officials in their submitted reports. On the Lord’s pitch, Pycroft said, “There was plenty of excessive seam movement throughout the Test, and the ball also kept extremely low on several occasions. The bounce was variable throughout as 16 wickets fell on the first day and 17 on the second. There was simply an over-balance in favour of the ball against the bat caused by the pitch."

Severe sanctions from the ICC: The historic pitches at Lord’s (London) and the Gaddafi Stadium (Lahore) have officially been rated ‘unsatisfactory,’ triggering automatic demerit points for both legendary venues.

Lord’s and Lahore pitches rated ‘unsatisfactory’ by ICC; receive one demerit point each

Star pacer Mohammed Siraj has been ruled out of India’s upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England, despite being included in the original 16-player squad captained by Shreyas Iyer. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the development on Tuesday (Jun 9), stating that the call was made after discussions involving the medical staff and team management.&nbsp;Pacer Prasidh Krishna has been included into the squad as Siraj’s replacement. According to the BCCI, Siraj has been advised to take a break as a part of a workload management plan.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Following discussions between the BCCI Medical Team and the team management, Siraj has been advised a period of rest as part of his workload management programme. The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure adequate recovery ahead of a long international season," BCCI said in a statement.&nbsp;India will first face Ireland in two T20Is on Jun 26 and Jun 28 before beginning a five-match series against England on Jul 1 in Chester-le-Street.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-2026-playing-for-both-of-us-scotland-captain-robertson-pays-emotional-tribute-to-diogo-jota-1780995131529">FIFA 2026 | ‘Playing for both of us’: Scotland captain Robertson pays emotional tribute to Diogo Jota</a>&nbsp;Siraj was recently part of India’s dominant one-off Test victory over Afghanistan in Mullanpur, where the hosts secured an innings and 300-run triumph inside three days. He bowled 13 overs in the match and claimed one wicket.&nbsp;Earlier this year, Siraj featured in all 17 matches for Gujarat Titans during the IPL 2026 season, playing a key role in the team’s run to the final, however, Gujarat finished as runners-up after losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Ahmedabad.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/my-father-s-dream-manav-suthar-reflects-on-emotional-india-test-debut-1780989449766">'My father’s dream’: Manav Suthar reflects on emotional India Test debut</a>&nbsp;Krishna, meanwhile, represented Gujarat Titans in 12 IPL matches this season and also featured in the Mullanpur Test against Afghanistan, where he bowled 14 overs and took three wickets.<h2>India’s updated squad for Ireland and England T20Is</h2>Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prasidh Krishna

Siraj misses India’s upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England to manage workload, while Prasidh Krishna comes in as his replacement.

Star pacer Mohammed Siraj has been ruled out of India’s upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England, despite being included in the original 16-player squad captained by Shreyas Iyer. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the development on Tuesday (Jun 9), stating that the call was made after discussions involving the medical staff and team management. Pacer Prasidh Krishna has been included into the squad as Siraj’s replacement. According to the BCCI, Siraj has been advised to take a break as a part of a workload management plan. “Following discussions between the BCCI Medical Team and the team management, Siraj has been advised a period of rest as part of his workload management programme. The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure adequate recovery ahead of a long international season," BCCI said in a statement. India will first face Ireland in two T20Is on Jun 26 and Jun 28 before beginning a five-match series against England on Jul 1 in Chester-le-Street. Also Read - FIFA 2026 | ‘Playing for both of us’: Scotland captain Robertson pays emotional tribute to Diogo Jota Siraj was recently part of India’s dominant one-off Test victory over Afghanistan in Mullanpur, where the hosts secured an innings and 300-run triumph inside three days. He bowled 13 overs in the match and claimed one wicket. Earlier this year, Siraj featured in all 17 matches for Gujarat Titans during the IPL 2026 season, playing a key role in the team’s run to the final, however, Gujarat finished as runners-up after losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Ahmedabad. Also Read - 'My father’s dream’: Manav Suthar reflects on emotional India Test debut Krishna, meanwhile, represented Gujarat Titans in 12 IPL matches this season and also featured in the Mullanpur Test against Afghanistan, where he bowled 14 overs and took three wickets. India’s updated squad for Ireland and England T20Is Shreyas Iyer (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shivam Dube, Tilak Varma (vice-captain), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Varun Chakaravarthy, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prasidh Krishna

Siraj misses India’s upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England to manage workload, while Prasidh Krishna comes in as his replacement.

Mohammed Siraj withdraws from Ireland and England T20Is, Prasidh Krishna named replacement

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stalwart Virat Kohli shared an emotional message on X after the franchise completed a remarkable IPL 2026 campaign by securing back-to-back titles. RCB retained the trophy with a five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in the final at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on May 31. With the victory, Bengaluru became only the third franchise in IPL history, after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, to successfully defend their title.&nbsp;Posting a video on X, Kohli reflected on the team’s memorable journey throughout the season and praised the unity that defined the squad’s success.&nbsp;"Started the season with belief. Ended with back to back titles. This team lived every emotion together. The highs, the pressure, the hurdles, and the unwavering support. It feels extra special because... this place is HOME!" Kohli wrote.<h3>WATCH</h3>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Started the season with belief. Ended with back to back titles. 🏆 This team lived every emotion together. The highs, the pressure, the hurdles, and the unwavering support. It feels extra special because… this place is HOME! ❤️ <a href="https://x.com/RCBTweets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RCBTweets</a> <a href="https://t.co/H02HdsHCX3">pic.twitter.com/H02HdsHCX3</a>&mdash; Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) <a href="https://x.com/imVkohli/status/2064190014779695610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Led by Rajat Patidar, RCB delivered a dominant all-round display in the final, as their bowlers restricted Gujarat Titans to 155/8 in 20 overs before the batters comfortably chased down the target with two overs remaining.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/my-father-s-dream-manav-suthar-reflects-on-emotional-india-test-debut-1780989449766">'My father’s dream’: Manav Suthar reflects on emotional India Test debut</a>&nbsp;Earlier in the evening, Gujarat struggled to build momentum after being asked to bat first. Washington Sundar fought hard with an unbeaten 50 off 37 deliveries, while Nishant Sindhu contributed 20 runs.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-2026-meet-legend-with-two-world-cup-appearance-two-finals-and-most-goals-in-finals-already-who-is-1780991474271">FIFA 2026 | Meet 27-year-old legend with two world cup appearance, two finals, and most goals in finals already</a>&nbsp;RCB’s bowling unit was spearheaded by Rasikh Dar Salam, who claimed 3/27, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood picked up two wickets each.&nbsp;Chasing 156, RCB laid a strong foundation through a 62-run opening stand between Venkatesh Iyer and Kohli. Although Gujarat managed to reduce the defending champions to 132/5, Kohli remained unbeaten and guided his side across the line to seal another historic IPL crown.&nbsp;Kohli also enjoyed a stellar individual season as he ended IPL 2026 as the tournament’s fourth-highest run-scorer, accumulating 675 runs in 16 innings at an average of 56.25 and a strike rate of 165.84. His campaign featured one century and five half-centuries, with a highest score of 105 not out.

Virat Kohli shared a heartfelt message after RCB’s successful IPL title defence, calling the franchise his “home” and reflecting on the team’s historic back-to-back championship triumphs.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stalwart Virat Kohli shared an emotional message on X after the franchise completed a remarkable IPL 2026 campaign by securing back-to-back titles. RCB retained the trophy with a five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in the final at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on May 31. With the victory, Bengaluru became only the third franchise in IPL history, after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, to successfully defend their title. Posting a video on X, Kohli reflected on the team’s memorable journey throughout the season and praised the unity that defined the squad’s success. "Started the season with belief. Ended with back to back titles. This team lived every emotion together. The highs, the pressure, the hurdles, and the unwavering support. It feels extra special because... this place is HOME!" Kohli wrote. WATCH

Virat Kohli shared a heartfelt message after RCB’s successful IPL title defence, calling the franchise his “home” and reflecting on the team’s historic back-to-back championship triumphs.

‘This place is home’: Virat Kohli reflects on RCB’s back-to-back IPL titles

Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar has called his Test debut for India an unforgettable and emotional milestone, describing it as the realisation of a dream he and his family had cherished for years. The 23-year-old made an impressive entry into international red-ball cricket during India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh. India secured a dominant innings and 300-run victory, while Suthar played a starring role with figures of 6/33 in the first innings and an additional wicket in the second.&nbsp;Reflecting on the moment he informed of his selection, Suthar revealed that head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team captain personally informed him about his debut.&nbsp;According to Suthar, red-ball cricket remained central to his ambitions throughout his rise in age-group cricket and domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, describing it as the "pinnacle" of the sport. &nbsp;The Rajasthan all-rounder also acknowledged the encouragement he received from his teammates and even singled out Kuldeep Yadav’s words during the presentation of his debut cap, saying the gesture made the occasion even more memorable and motivating.&nbsp;Speaking to JioStar, Suthar said, "Gautam sir and the skipper informed me that I would be making my debut. It was a very proud moment because, ever since I started playing, it had been my dream, my father's dream, and everyone's dream for me to play Test cricket for India. From the very first day I started playing and as I progressed through the ranks, red-ball cricket meant everything to me. It is the pinnacle of the sport. So, whether I was playing U-19 cricket or the Ranji Trophy, the goal was always to play Test cricket for India. Kuldeep bhai's speech while presenting me with the cap was very motivating. Everyone encouraged and motivated me a lot, so it felt really special."&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-2026-painful-but-luckily-i-play-with-my-feet-spence-with-broken-jaw-ready-to-go-the-extra-mile-for-england-at-world-cup-1780986530616">FIFA 2026 | 'Painful but luckily I play with my feet': Spence, with broken jaw, ready to go the extra mile for England at World Cup</a>&nbsp;Suthar also spoke about the quick transition from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 to Test cricket, highlighting his preparation mindset and the importance of consistent red-ball practice ahead of his international debut. "When my name came up in the team, I was practising with the red ball during the IPL as well, thinking about how I would approach things if given the opportunity. After coming here, I had three or four long practice sessions. With bowling, it's not really about how many hours you put in. If you enjoy bowling, you can bowl 20-25 overs without even realising it. So, the key is to keep bowling as much as you can," Suthar said.&nbsp;His remarkable debut performance earned him the Player of the Match award and secured his place in Indian cricket history. Suthar became only the 10th Indian bowler and the seventh spinner from the country to claim a five-wicket haul on Test debut.&nbsp;His figures of 6/33 also rank as the second-best bowling performance by an Indian on Test debut, behind Narendra Hirwani’s famous 8/61 against the West Indies in 1988.&nbsp;Coming to the match, after centuries from Rahul and Gill guided Team India to a formidable total of 564/8 declared in the first innings, exceptional bowling performances from spin all-rounders Suthar (6/33) and Washington Sundar (4/36) sealed India's biggest-ever win in Test cricket by an innings margin.&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

Manav Suthar described his India Test debut as a dream come true after playing a key role in the team's record innings and 300-run win over Afghanistan. The left-arm spinner claimed seven wickets in the match, including a six-wicket haul in the first innings.

Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar has called his Test debut for India an unforgettable and emotional milestone, describing it as the realisation of a dream he and his family had cherished for years. The 23-year-old made an impressive entry into international red-ball cricket during India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh. India secured a dominant innings and 300-run victory, while Suthar played a starring role with figures of 6/33 in the first innings and an additional wicket in the second. Reflecting on the moment he informed of his selection, Suthar revealed that head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team captain personally informed him about his debut. According to Suthar, red-ball cricket remained central to his ambitions throughout his rise in age-group cricket and domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, describing it as the "pinnacle" of the sport. The Rajasthan all-rounder also acknowledged the encouragement he received from his teammates and even singled out Kuldeep Yadav’s words during the presentation of his debut cap, saying the gesture made the occasion even more memorable and motivating. Speaking to JioStar, Suthar said, "Gautam sir and the skipper informed me that I would be making my debut. It was a very proud moment because, ever since I started playing, it had been my dream, my father's dream, and everyone's dream for me to play Test cricket for India. From the very first day I started playing and as I progressed through the ranks, red-ball cricket meant everything to me. It is the pinnacle of the sport. So, whether I was playing U-19 cricket or the Ranji Trophy, the goal was always to play Test cricket for India. Kuldeep bhai's speech while presenting me with the cap was very motivating. Everyone encouraged and motivated me a lot, so it felt really special." Also Read - FIFA 2026 | 'Painful but luckily I play with my feet': Spence, with broken jaw, ready to go the extra mile for England at World Cup Suthar also spoke about the quick transition from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 to Test cricket, highlighting his preparation mindset and the importance of consistent red-ball practice ahead of his international debut. "When my name came up in the team, I was practising with the red ball during the IPL as well, thinking about how I would approach things if given the opportunity. After coming here, I had three or four long practice sessions. With bowling, it's not really about how many hours you put in. If you enjoy bowling, you can bowl 20-25 overs without even realising it. So, the key is to keep bowling as much as you can," Suthar said. His remarkable debut performance earned him the Player of the Match award and secured his place in Indian cricket history. Suthar became only the 10th Indian bowler and the seventh spinner from the country to claim a five-wicket haul on Test debut. His figures of 6/33 also rank as the second-best bowling performance by an Indian on Test debut, behind Narendra Hirwani’s famous 8/61 against the West Indies in 1988. Coming to the match, after centuries from Rahul and Gill guided Team India to a formidable total of 564/8 declared in the first innings, exceptional bowling performances from spin all-rounders Suthar (6/33) and Washington Sundar (4/36) sealed India's biggest-ever win in Test cricket by an innings margin. With inputs from agencies

Manav Suthar described his India Test debut as a dream come true after playing a key role in the team's record innings and 300-run win over Afghanistan. The left-arm spinner claimed seven wickets in the match, including a six-wicket haul in the first innings.

'My father’s dream’: Manav Suthar reflects on emotional India Test debut

England Test captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson are facing disciplinary action after being investigated by the ECB for an undisclosed incident. The incident took place at a nightclub in the early hours of Monday (Jun 8) morning, following England's 115-run win over New Zealand in the first Test at Lord's. It is also understood to have involved players from Saracens Rugby Club, who were present for their end-of-season celebrations, and reportedly stemmed from a disagreement between Atkinson and an unnamed Saracens academy player. Neither player is reported to have been injured. The matter has since been referred to the Cricket Regulator for formal review by the England board and Stokes' captaincy is on the line pending outcome.<h2>Stokes to be sacked as England Test captain?</h2>The ECB confirmed in a statement on Monday (Jun 8) evening that it is "currently investigating a breach of team protocols following the conclusion of the first Men's Test against New Zealand." The board added that it is gathering further information and that an announcement on the second Test squad would follow once proceedings progress, with both Stokes and Atkinson looking set to miss the second Test starting at The Oval on June 17.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/triple-titles-meet-3-players-who-have-surpassed-every-ipl-team-in-wining-trophies-who-are-1780913261430">Meet 3 players who have surpassed every IPL team in winning trophies</a>The consequences for Stokes, England's Test captain, carries extra weight as he could lose his leadership role. The Cricket Regulator's involvement signals the matter will be treated seriously, with the ECB under renewed pressure to demonstrate that off-field conduct has genuinely improved.Harry Brook, England's Test vice-captain, would be expected to lead the side in the second Test should Stokes misses amid ongoing investigation. The timing is awkward as Stokes had publicly stated after the Lord's win that he was looking forward to sharing "a proper beer with the boys." Stokes had announced last year that he has quit alcohol.<h2>England's off-field behavious under scrutiny again</h2>This is not the first time England's off-field behaviour has attracted scrutiny. Harry Brook had an altercation with a bouncer at a nightclub in New Zealand in November 2025 and was close to losing his white-ball captaincy, escaping with only a fine. England also faced allegations of a drinking culture during their 4-1 Ashes series loss in Australia, concluded in January 2026, after which a team curfew was introduced. For Stokes personally, this echoes his 2017 Bristol nightclub arrest, which led to him missing that year's Ashes tour entirely before he was eventually acquitted of affray in 2018.

England captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson face ECB investigation after a nightclub incident post-Lord's Test win over New Zealand. Both may miss The Oval Test as the Cricket Regulator reviews the breach of team protocols.

England Test captain Ben Stokes and fast bowler Gus Atkinson are facing disciplinary action after being investigated by the ECB for an undisclosed incident. The incident took place at a nightclub in the early hours of Monday (Jun 8) morning, following England's 115-run win over New Zealand in the first Test at Lord's. It is also understood to have involved players from Saracens Rugby Club, who were present for their end-of-season celebrations, and reportedly stemmed from a disagreement between Atkinson and an unnamed Saracens academy player. Neither player is reported to have been injured. The matter has since been referred to the Cricket Regulator for formal review by the England board and Stokes' captaincy is on the line pending outcome. Stokes to be sacked as England Test captain? The ECB confirmed in a statement on Monday (Jun 8) evening that it is "currently investigating a breach of team protocols following the conclusion of the first Men's Test against New Zealand." The board added that it is gathering further information and that an announcement on the second Test squad would follow once proceedings progress, with both Stokes and Atkinson looking set to miss the second Test starting at The Oval on June 17. Also Read - Meet 3 players who have surpassed every IPL team in winning trophies The consequences for Stokes, England's Test captain, carries extra weight as he could lose his leadership role. The Cricket Regulator's involvement signals the matter will be treated seriously, with the ECB under renewed pressure to demonstrate that off-field conduct has genuinely improved. Harry Brook, England's Test vice-captain, would be expected to lead the side in the second Test should Stokes misses amid ongoing investigation. The timing is awkward as Stokes had publicly stated after the Lord's win that he was looking forward to sharing "a proper beer with the boys." Stokes had announced last year that he has quit alcohol. England's off-field behavious under scrutiny again This is not the first time England's off-field behaviour has attracted scrutiny. Harry Brook had an altercation with a bouncer at a nightclub in New Zealand in November 2025 and was close to losing his white-ball captaincy, escaping with only a fine. England also faced allegations of a drinking culture during their 4-1 Ashes series loss in Australia, concluded in January 2026, after which a team curfew was introduced. For Stokes personally, this echoes his 2017 Bristol nightclub arrest, which led to him missing that year's Ashes tour entirely before he was eventually acquitted of affray in 2018.

England captain Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson face ECB investigation after a nightclub incident post-Lord's Test win over New Zealand. Both may miss The Oval Test as the Cricket Regulator reviews the breach of team protocols.

Stokes set to be sacked as England Test captain? Skipper and pacer Atkinson under investigation by ECB

India men's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has indicated that both Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya are likely to be available for the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan, which begins on Saturday (Jun 13) in Dharamsala. Although both players were included in the squad, the BCCI clarified that their participation remains dependent on receiving fitness clearance from its medical team.&nbsp;Rohit was sidelined for a few matches during IPL 2026 because of a hamstring issue, while Hardik missed games for Mumbai Indians due to back spasms and illness.&nbsp;&nbsp;Both players joined the squad before the end of the season, with Rohit even declared fully fit by team management. However, uncertainty still remains and the BCCI is reportedly waiting for their assessment at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru before making a final call.&nbsp;Speaking in New Chandigarh after India's convincing victory over Afghanistan in the one-off Test, Kotak said that he had heard positive reports regarding both the players. However, he did not confirm their status and mentioned that the ODI squad could have a light training session on Wednesday.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/we-hope-to-play-our-best-cricket-and-make-an-impact-says-harmanpreet-kaur-ahead-of-women-s-t20-world-cup-1780924235677">‘We hope to play our best cricket and make an impact,’ says Harmanpreet Kaur ahead of Women’s T20 World Cup</a>&nbsp;“I don’t know the status of Hardik and Rohit’s fitness, but whatever I have heard, both may be fine," Kotak said in New Chandigarh after India’s win over Afghanistan in the one-off Test.&nbsp;There has been no official confirmation that either Rohit or Hardik has reported to the Centre of Excellence, although images circulating on social media have fueled speculation.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2026-ederson-replaces-injured-wesley-in-brazil-squad-1780910821209">FIFA World Cup 2026: Ederson replaces injured Wesley in Brazil squad</a>&nbsp;With the 2027 ODI World Cup just over a year away, both players will want to make the most of their chances in the format.&nbsp;&nbsp;Meanwhile, India’s dominant three-day win over Afghanistan has also provided the team with two additional days to prepare for the opening ODI of the series.<h2>India's updated ODI squad vs Afghanistan</h2>Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey

India coach Sitanshu Kotak said that he is unsure whether Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have passed their fitness tests ahead of the ODI series against Afghanistan.

India men's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has indicated that both Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya are likely to be available for the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan, which begins on Saturday (Jun 13) in Dharamsala. Although both players were included in the squad, the BCCI clarified that their participation remains dependent on receiving fitness clearance from its medical team. Rohit was sidelined for a few matches during IPL 2026 because of a hamstring issue, while Hardik missed games for Mumbai Indians due to back spasms and illness. Both players joined the squad before the end of the season, with Rohit even declared fully fit by team management. However, uncertainty still remains and the BCCI is reportedly waiting for their assessment at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru before making a final call. Speaking in New Chandigarh after India's convincing victory over Afghanistan in the one-off Test, Kotak said that he had heard positive reports regarding both the players. However, he did not confirm their status and mentioned that the ODI squad could have a light training session on Wednesday. Also Read - ‘We hope to play our best cricket and make an impact,’ says Harmanpreet Kaur ahead of Women’s T20 World Cup “I don’t know the status of Hardik and Rohit’s fitness, but whatever I have heard, both may be fine," Kotak said in New Chandigarh after India’s win over Afghanistan in the one-off Test. There has been no official confirmation that either Rohit or Hardik has reported to the Centre of Excellence, although images circulating on social media have fueled speculation. Also Read - FIFA World Cup 2026: Ederson replaces injured Wesley in Brazil squad With the 2027 ODI World Cup just over a year away, both players will want to make the most of their chances in the format. Meanwhile, India’s dominant three-day win over Afghanistan has also provided the team with two additional days to prepare for the opening ODI of the series. India's updated ODI squad vs Afghanistan Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey

India coach Sitanshu Kotak said that he is unsure whether Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have passed their fitness tests ahead of the ODI series against Afghanistan.

‘Both may be fine’: India coach provides fitness update on Rohit Sharma & Hardik Pandya

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has expressed confidence in her team’s chances of winning the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, saying the key will be to stay composed and focus on playing good cricket rather than being burdened by expectations. Speaking at the Captains’ Carnival in London ahead of the tournament’s opening match on Jun 12, Harmanpreet also highlighted the growing popularity of women’s cricket in India and how the national team’s success has inspired more girls to take up the sport.&nbsp;"We have seen that during last year's World Cup when we won. After that, we have seen massive change," she said. "Many girls, they're coming to play cricket, and I think when we do well, a lot of things change, and hopefully, we hope to play our best cricket and try to make an impact on women's cricket," she added.&nbsp;The captain further said that Team India has the potential to win the World Cup, adding that the side should stay balanced without pressure or overconfidence and focus simply on playing good T20 cricket.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wtc-2025-27-updated-standings-new-zealand-slip-to-fourth-after-defeat-to-england-india-sixth-1780908858590">WTC 2025-27 updated standings: New Zealand slip to fourth after defeat to England, India sixth</a>&nbsp;India have been placed in Group 1 alongside Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Netherlands.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2026-ederson-replaces-injured-wesley-in-brazil-squad-1780910821209">FIFA World Cup 2026: Ederson replaces injured Wesley in Brazil squad</a>&nbsp;The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side will begin its campaign against Pakistan at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Jun 14. India will then face the Netherlands in Leeds, followed by South Africa in Manchester. After another match in Manchester against Bangladesh, they will wrap up their group-stage fixtures against Australia in London on Jun 28.<h2>India's squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026</h2>Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Nandani Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav&nbsp;With inputs from agencies

India have been placed in Group 1 alongside Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Netherlands. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side will begin its campaign against Pakistan at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Jun 14.

India captain Harmanpreet Kaur has expressed confidence in her team’s chances of winning the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, saying the key will be to stay composed and focus on playing good cricket rather than being burdened by expectations. Speaking at the Captains’ Carnival in London ahead of the tournament’s opening match on Jun 12, Harmanpreet also highlighted the growing popularity of women’s cricket in India and how the national team’s success has inspired more girls to take up the sport. "We have seen that during last year's World Cup when we won. After that, we have seen massive change," she said. "Many girls, they're coming to play cricket, and I think when we do well, a lot of things change, and hopefully, we hope to play our best cricket and try to make an impact on women's cricket," she added. The captain further said that Team India has the potential to win the World Cup, adding that the side should stay balanced without pressure or overconfidence and focus simply on playing good T20 cricket. Also Read - WTC 2025-27 updated standings: New Zealand slip to fourth after defeat to England, India sixth India have been placed in Group 1 alongside Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Netherlands. Also Read - FIFA World Cup 2026: Ederson replaces injured Wesley in Brazil squad The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side will begin its campaign against Pakistan at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Jun 14. India will then face the Netherlands in Leeds, followed by South Africa in Manchester. After another match in Manchester against Bangladesh, they will wrap up their group-stage fixtures against Australia in London on Jun 28. India's squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Nandani Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav With inputs from agencies

India have been placed in Group 1 alongside Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Netherlands. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side will begin its campaign against Pakistan at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Jun 14.

‘We hope to play our best cricket and make an impact,’ says Harmanpreet Kaur ahead of Women’s T20 World Cup

Winning an IPL title is hard enough. Doing it in back-to-back years is something only a handful of players have ever managed — and doing it three years running, switching franchises along the way, is a feat that puts you in truly rare company. In the 17-year history of the tournament before 2024, only one player had ever managed three consecutive IPL titles — leg-spinner Karn Sharma, who did it with SRH (2016), MI (2017), and CSK (2018). Now, in the space of just two seasons, two more players have joined that list: young leg-spinner Suyash Sharma and England wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt, both of whom won titles with KKR in 2024 and with RCB in both 2025 and 2026.<h2>The titles, the teams, and the numbers</h2>Karn Sharma is the original and still the only player to win three titles consecutively with three different teams. He won with SRH in 2016, MI in 2017, and CSK in 2018. Across 90 IPL appearances, he has taken 83 wickets for four different franchises, making him one of the tournament's most quietly decorated performers. His international career never matched his franchise dominance as he played only one T20I for India in 2014 - before his triple-IPL feat.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-afg-1st-test-manav-suthar-takes-over-ashwin-to-become-india-s-best-test-debutant-since-1988-1780898431468">IND vs AFG: Suthar passes Ashwin to become India's best Test debutant since 1988</a>Suyash Sharma is the newest entrant to this club. He made his IPL debut with KKR in 2023, taking 10 wickets in 11 matches, and was part of the squad that won the 2024 title. Released ahead of the mega auction, RCB snapped him up for ₹2.60 crore and the gamble paid off immediately, as he was part of RCB's title-winning campaigns in both 2025 and 2026. In 39 IPL appearances overall, the 23-year-old has taken 27 wickets at an economy of 8.90, with his deceptive googly making him a consistent threat in the middle overs.Phil Salt is the most expensive of the three and the only foreign player to achieve the feat. After making his IPL debut with Delhi Capitals in 2023, he joined KKR in 2024 and played a central role in their title win, scoring 435 runs in 12 matches at a strike rate of 182.01. He then won the title again with RCB in 2025, before repeating the feat in 2026. Across 40 IPL appearances, Salt has amassed 1,258 runs at an average of 34.00 and a strike rate that hovers above 174, making him one of the most destructive openers the tournament has seen.<h2>What about India? The Suyash Sharma question</h2>For Karn Sharma, the cruelest part of his IPL story was always the international footnote. Despite three consecutive IPL titles, he never played another T20I after September 2014, his only appearance, where he took 1/28 against England. His last game for India in any format came in a Test against Australia in Adelaide.in December 2014.Suyash Sharma now faces a strikingly similar narrative. Despite three IPL titles, a growing wicket tally, and performances that have drawn praise from Anil Kumble, he is yet to earn a senior India cap. With India's spin department crowded and selectors showing a preference for players who have come through the white-ball pipeline, the question is whether three titles as a franchise asset will ever translate into a national call-up or whether Suyash, like Karn before him, will be remembered as the IPL's most decorated uncapped spinner.

These three players have achieved what no IPL team has been able to - back-to-back-to-back titles. While two of them are Indian spinners, one is England batter Phil Salt.

Winning an IPL title is hard enough. Doing it in back-to-back years is something only a handful of players have ever managed — and doing it three years running, switching franchises along the way, is a feat that puts you in truly rare company. In the 17-year history of the tournament before 2024, only one player had ever managed three consecutive IPL titles — leg-spinner Karn Sharma, who did it with SRH (2016), MI (2017), and CSK (2018). Now, in the space of just two seasons, two more players have joined that list: young leg-spinner Suyash Sharma and England wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt, both of whom won titles with KKR in 2024 and with RCB in both 2025 and 2026. The titles, the teams, and the numbers Karn Sharma is the original and still the only player to win three titles consecutively with three different teams. He won with SRH in 2016, MI in 2017, and CSK in 2018. Across 90 IPL appearances, he has taken 83 wickets for four different franchises, making him one of the tournament's most quietly decorated performers. His international career never matched his franchise dominance as he played only one T20I for India in 2014 - before his triple-IPL feat. Also Read - IND vs AFG: Suthar passes Ashwin to become India's best Test debutant since 1988 Suyash Sharma is the newest entrant to this club. He made his IPL debut with KKR in 2023, taking 10 wickets in 11 matches, and was part of the squad that won the 2024 title. Released ahead of the mega auction, RCB snapped him up for ₹2.60 crore and the gamble paid off immediately, as he was part of RCB's title-winning campaigns in both 2025 and 2026. In 39 IPL appearances overall, the 23-year-old has taken 27 wickets at an economy of 8.90, with his deceptive googly making him a consistent threat in the middle overs. Phil Salt is the most expensive of the three and the only foreign player to achieve the feat. After making his IPL debut with Delhi Capitals in 2023, he joined KKR in 2024 and played a central role in their title win, scoring 435 runs in 12 matches at a strike rate of 182.01. He then won the title again with RCB in 2025, before repeating the feat in 2026. Across 40 IPL appearances, Salt has amassed 1,258 runs at an average of 34.00 and a strike rate that hovers above 174, making him one of the most destructive openers the tournament has seen. What about India? The Suyash Sharma question For Karn Sharma, the cruelest part of his IPL story was always the international footnote. Despite three consecutive IPL titles, he never played another T20I after September 2014, his only appearance, where he took 1/28 against England. His last game for India in any format came in a Test against Australia in Adelaide.in December 2014. Suyash Sharma now faces a strikingly similar narrative. Despite three IPL titles, a growing wicket tally, and performances that have drawn praise from Anil Kumble, he is yet to earn a senior India cap. With India's spin department crowded and selectors showing a preference for players who have come through the white-ball pipeline, the question is whether three titles as a franchise asset will ever translate into a national call-up or whether Suyash, like Karn before him, will be remembered as the IPL's most decorated uncapped spinner.

These three players have achieved what no IPL team has been able to - back-to-back-to-back titles. While two of them are Indian spinners, one is England batter Phil Salt.

'Triple titles': Meet 3 players who have surpassed every IPL team in winning trophies

India registered a commanding victory over Afghanistan, winning by an innings and 300 runs in the one-off Test at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Monday (Jun 8). The triumph marked India's biggest innings victory in Test cricket, surpassing their previous record of an innings and 272 runs against the West Indies in Rajkot in 2018.&nbsp;Resuming on Day 3, Afghanistan were dismissed for 152 before lunch in response to India’s first-innings declaration of 564/8. Holding a massive lead of 412 runs, India opted to enforce the follow-on.&nbsp;Afghanistan’s second innings began positively, with openers Sediqullah Atal and Abdul Malik putting together a 42-run partnership, however, the visitors’ momentum quickly faded after Mohammed Siraj removed Malik, triggering a collapse.&nbsp;Washington Sundar star with the ball, claiming 4/36, while Kuldeep Yadav contributed 3/30 as India bundled Afghanistan out for 112 in 35.5 overs.&nbsp;&nbsp;Earlier, India’s first innings was built around centuries from captain Shubman Gill (126) and KL Rahul (100), while Sai Sudharsan (81), Rishabh Pant (81) and Washington Sundar (52*) added valuable contributions. Debutant Manav Suthar added 28.&nbsp;For Afghanistan, Mohammad Saleem Safi claimed a six-wicket haul, while Ziaur Rahman Sharifi and Hashmatullah Shahidi took one wicket each.&nbsp;The focus now shifts to ODIs, with the three-match series beginning on Saturday (Jun 13) at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.&nbsp;<h2>India’s five biggest innings wins in Test history</h2>

<ul><li>IND vs AFG, New Chandigarh - By an innings &amp; 300 runs - 6 Jun 2026</li><li>IND vs WI, Rajkot - By an innings &amp; 272 runs - 4 Oct 2018</li><li>IND vs AFG, Bengaluru - By an innings &amp; 262 runs - 14 Jun 2018</li><li>IND vs BAN, Mirpur - By an innings &amp; 239 runs - 25 May 2007</li><li>IND vs SL, Nagpur - By an innings &amp; 239 runs - 24 Nov 2017</li></ul>

India beat Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs, their biggest Test win, surpassing their previous record of an innings and 272 runs against the West Indies in 2018.

India registered a commanding victory over Afghanistan, winning by an innings and 300 runs in the one-off Test at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on Monday (Jun 8). The triumph marked India's biggest innings victory in Test cricket, surpassing their previous record of an innings and 272 runs against the West Indies in Rajkot in 2018. Resuming on Day 3, Afghanistan were dismissed for 152 before lunch in response to India’s first-innings declaration of 564/8. Holding a massive lead of 412 runs, India opted to enforce the follow-on. Afghanistan’s second innings began positively, with openers Sediqullah Atal and Abdul Malik putting together a 42-run partnership, however, the visitors’ momentum quickly faded after Mohammed Siraj removed Malik, triggering a collapse. Washington Sundar star with the ball, claiming 4/36, while Kuldeep Yadav contributed 3/30 as India bundled Afghanistan out for 112 in 35.5 overs. Earlier, India’s first innings was built around centuries from captain Shubman Gill (126) and KL Rahul (100), while Sai Sudharsan (81), Rishabh Pant (81) and Washington Sundar (52*) added valuable contributions. Debutant Manav Suthar added 28. For Afghanistan, Mohammad Saleem Safi claimed a six-wicket haul, while Ziaur Rahman Sharifi and Hashmatullah Shahidi took one wicket each. The focus now shifts to ODIs, with the three-match series beginning on Saturday (Jun 13) at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. India’s five biggest innings wins in Test history

India beat Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs, their biggest Test win, surpassing their previous record of an innings and 272 runs against the West Indies in 2018.

IND vs AFG: India crush Afghanistan in just three days to record their biggest Test victory

New Zealand slipped two places to fourth in the updated ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings following a 115-run defeat against England in the opening Test at Lord’s on Sunday. The result dented the Black Caps’ hopes of maintaining a strong position in the race for a place in the WTC final, scheduled for Jun 2027.&nbsp;The match was heavily affected by rain interruptions and a challenging Lord’s surface that produced inconsistent bounce throughout the match. England struggled in their first innings and were dismissed for 140, but their bowlers responded brilliantly by restricting New Zealand to 113, securing a narrow first-innings advantage.&nbsp;England then recovered in the second innings, thanks to a valuable 57 from Emilio Gay, helping the hosts reach 226 and set New Zealand a difficult target to chase.&nbsp;The visitors found batting difficult for most of the match and despite weather disruptions reducing play on day three, New Zealand batters failed to capitalise when action resumed.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nba-finals-at-msg-trump-and-penn-station-stabbing-new-york-s-world-cup-readiness-came-into-question-1780907916869">Trump at MSG forces watch party shutdown — Penn Station stabbing adds to NYC's security concern</a>&nbsp;Starting the fourth day at 55/5, they eventually folded for 138, with Glenn Phillips providing the lone resistance through an unbeaten 44.&nbsp;Fast bowler Ollie Robinson played an important role in England’s victory. After claiming a five-wicket haul in New Zealand’s first innings, he also contributed 29 useful runs and followed up with two wickets in the second innings to complete an impressive all-round performance.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-afg-1st-test-manav-suthar-takes-over-ashwin-to-become-india-s-best-test-debutant-since-1988-1780898431468">IND vs AFG: Suthar passes Ashwin to become India's best Test debutant since 1988</a>&nbsp;The victory offered England a much-needed lift after their recent Ashes disappointment against Australia, however, despite securing the win, England remain seventh in the WTC table, having registered four victories from 11 matches so far.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Australia continue to lead the standings with 84 points and an impressive points percentage of 87.50, winning seven of their first eight matches. South Africa occupy second place, while Sri Lanka sit third.&nbsp;New Zealand’s defeat leaves them fourth with a points percentage of 58.33, level with Bangladesh. India remain sixth with 52 points and a points percentage of 48.15, while England stay seventh.&nbsp;At the bottom end of the table, Pakistan are placed ninth with just one win from four Tests, ahead of only the West Indies.&nbsp;<h2>ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 Points Table</h2>

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Team</td><td>M</td><td>W</td><td>L</td><td>Drawn</td><td>PTS</td><td>Point Percentage</td></tr><tr><td>1. Australia</td><td>8</td><td>7</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>84</td><td>87.50</td></tr><tr><td>2. South Africa</td><td>4</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>36</td><td>75</td></tr><tr><td>3. Sri Lanka</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>16</td><td>66.67</td></tr><tr><td>4. New Zealand</td><td>4</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>28</td><td>58.33</td></tr><tr><td>5. Bangladesh</td><td>4</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>28</td><td>58.33</td></tr><tr><td>6. India</td><td>9</td><td>4</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>52</td><td>48.15</td></tr><tr><td>7. England</td><td>11</td><td>4</td><td>6</td><td>1</td><td>50</td><td>37.88</td></tr><tr><td>8. Pakistan</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>8.33</td></tr><tr><td>9. West Indies</td><td>8</td><td>0</td><td>7</td><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>4.17</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>

Here’s a look at the updated ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 standings following England’s first-Test victory against New Zealand.

New Zealand slipped two places to fourth in the updated ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings following a 115-run defeat against England in the opening Test at Lord’s on Sunday. The result dented the Black Caps’ hopes of maintaining a strong position in the race for a place in the WTC final, scheduled for Jun 2027. The match was heavily affected by rain interruptions and a challenging Lord’s surface that produced inconsistent bounce throughout the match. England struggled in their first innings and were dismissed for 140, but their bowlers responded brilliantly by restricting New Zealand to 113, securing a narrow first-innings advantage. England then recovered in the second innings, thanks to a valuable 57 from Emilio Gay, helping the hosts reach 226 and set New Zealand a difficult target to chase. The visitors found batting difficult for most of the match and despite weather disruptions reducing play on day three, New Zealand batters failed to capitalise when action resumed. Also Read - Trump at MSG forces watch party shutdown — Penn Station stabbing adds to NYC's security concern Starting the fourth day at 55/5, they eventually folded for 138, with Glenn Phillips providing the lone resistance through an unbeaten 44. Fast bowler Ollie Robinson played an important role in England’s victory. After claiming a five-wicket haul in New Zealand’s first innings, he also contributed 29 useful runs and followed up with two wickets in the second innings to complete an impressive all-round performance. Also Read - IND vs AFG: Suthar passes Ashwin to become India's best Test debutant since 1988 The victory offered England a much-needed lift after their recent Ashes disappointment against Australia, however, despite securing the win, England remain seventh in the WTC table, having registered four victories from 11 matches so far. Meanwhile, Australia continue to lead the standings with 84 points and an impressive points percentage of 87.50, winning seven of their first eight matches. South Africa occupy second place, while Sri Lanka sit third. New Zealand’s defeat leaves them fourth with a points percentage of 58.33, level with Bangladesh. India remain sixth with 52 points and a points percentage of 48.15, while England stay seventh. At the bottom end of the table, Pakistan are placed ninth with just one win from four Tests, ahead of only the West Indies. ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 Points Table

Here’s a look at the updated ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 standings following England’s first-Test victory against New Zealand.

WTC 2025-27 updated standings: New Zealand slip to fourth after defeat to England, India sixth

Manav Suthar, India's latest Test debutant, had a dream outing with the ball in the first innings of ongoing India vs Afghanistan Test. Suthar finished with 6/33 - the best figures in an innings for an Indian bowler on Test debut since Narendra Hirwani's 8/61 in 1988. Suthar also went past Ravichandran Ashwin for the best bowling figures in an innings on Test debut for India in last quarter of a century. Ashwin had taken 6/47 on his debut in 2011 against West Indies in Delhi. Thanks to Suthar's performance, Afghanistan were bundled out for a paltry 152 in the first innings in reply to India's 564/8-dec.<h2>Suthar become India's best Test debutant bowler since 1988</h2>The spinner, who had finished on 3/21 on Day 2 (Jun 7) of the Test, picked up three more wickets on day 3 (Jun 8) to enter the record books. Suthar is now part of 10 elite Indian bowlers who took five or more wickets in their debut innigs. He's also only the third left-arm orthodox spinner after Dilip Doshi and Axar Patel to take a five-for in debut Test for India. Here's the list of players with five or more wickets in an innings in debut Test for India:Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/not-ideal-england-win-test-but-skipper-ben-stokes-isn-t-happy-with-lord-s-pitch-1780892505238">'Not ideal': England win Test but skipper Ben Stokes isn't happy with Lord's pitch</a><ul><li>Narendra Hirwani - 8/61 in 1988</li><li>Manav Suthar - 6/33 in 2026</li><li>Ravi Ashwin - 6/47 in 2011</li><li>S Abid Ali - 6/55 in 1967</li><li>Dilip Doshi - 6/103 in 1979</li><li>Mohammed Shami - 5/47 in 2013</li><li>Axar Patel - 5/60 in 2021</li><li>Vaman Kumar - 5/64 in 1961</li><li>Amit Mishra - 5/71 in 2008</li><li>Mohammad Nissar - 5/93 in 1932</li></ul><h2>Suthar speaks about success on debut</h2>After the play on Day 2, Suthar was asked about his impressive performance and the spinner credited the pitch as well as backing his own strengths for the impact he made."My focus was to bowl in the right areas and back my strengths," said the spinner. He added: "There was help from the surface, so my idea was to get the landing right. My strength is to turn the ball. So that is what I tried to do. I wanted to land in consistent areas, that was my focus."

Suthar finsihed with 6/33 in his debut Test innings for India - the second best figures for an Indian bowler since Narendra Hiwarni's 8/61 against West Indies in 1988 at New Delhi. Ashwin was next best with 6/47 in 2011.

Manav Suthar, India's latest Test debutant, had a dream outing with the ball in the first innings of ongoing India vs Afghanistan Test. Suthar finished with 6/33 - the best figures in an innings for an Indian bowler on Test debut since Narendra Hirwani's 8/61 in 1988. Suthar also went past Ravichandran Ashwin for the best bowling figures in an innings on Test debut for India in last quarter of a century. Ashwin had taken 6/47 on his debut in 2011 against West Indies in Delhi. Thanks to Suthar's performance, Afghanistan were bundled out for a paltry 152 in the first innings in reply to India's 564/8-dec. Suthar become India's best Test debutant bowler since 1988 The spinner, who had finished on 3/21 on Day 2 (Jun 7) of the Test, picked up three more wickets on day 3 (Jun 8) to enter the record books. Suthar is now part of 10 elite Indian bowlers who took five or more wickets in their debut innigs. He's also only the third left-arm orthodox spinner after Dilip Doshi and Axar Patel to take a five-for in debut Test for India. Here's the list of players with five or more wickets in an innings in debut Test for India: Also Read - 'Not ideal': England win Test but skipper Ben Stokes isn't happy with Lord's pitch Narendra Hirwani - 8/61 in 1988 Manav Suthar - 6/33 in 2026 Ravi Ashwin - 6/47 in 2011 S Abid Ali - 6/55 in 1967 Dilip Doshi - 6/103 in 1979 Mohammed Shami - 5/47 in 2013 Axar Patel - 5/60 in 2021 Vaman Kumar - 5/64 in 1961 Amit Mishra - 5/71 in 2008 Mohammad Nissar - 5/93 in 1932 Suthar speaks about success on debut After the play on Day 2, Suthar was asked about his impressive performance and the spinner credited the pitch as well as backing his own strengths for the impact he made. "My focus was to bowl in the right areas and back my strengths," said the spinner. He added: "There was help from the surface, so my idea was to get the landing right. My strength is to turn the ball. So that is what I tried to do. I wanted to land in consistent areas, that was my focus."

Suthar finsihed with 6/33 in his debut Test innings for India - the second best figures for an Indian bowler since Narendra Hiwarni's 8/61 against West Indies in 1988 at New Delhi. Ashwin was next best with 6/47 in 2011.

IND vs AFG, 1st Test: Manav Suthar takes over Ashwin to become India's best Test debutant since 1988

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