Cricket Australia has revealed its international schedule for the 2026-27 season, outlining a demanding calendar that leaves minimal recovery time ahead of the high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India, likely to start in mid or late January.

The five-match Test tour of India is expected to be a defining stretch for an experienced Australian side led by Pat Cummins, with several senior players facing one of the toughest assignments of their careers.



In total, Australia are scheduled to play 10 Tests within a 14-week span from December to March, making it one of the most intense periods in the team’s history.

The home summer begins in August 2026 with a two-Test series against Bangladesh and runs through to March 2027, ending with a landmark day-night Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to celebrate the 150th anniversary Test against England national cricket team.

A four-Test home series against New Zealand national cricket team has been squeezed into just over a month, adding further pressure to an already tight schedule. Before that, Australia will tour South Africa national cricket team for a three-Test series that runs until the end of October, followed by an eight-match white-ball series against England in November.

According to CA, the India tour represents a significant challenge for senior players such as Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, all of whom are yet to win a Test series in India.

“That Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour, a final frontier for the likes of Cummins, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, who have never won a series in India, will also be a quick-fire campaign given CA’s anniversary Test begins back in Melbourne on March 11,” CA said in a statement.

The board also indicated a cautious approach to workload management, pointing out that the decision to rest key fast bowlers like Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood for the early stages of the Indian Premier League reflects concerns over sustaining them through the packed season.

“The call to hold back all three of Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood from at least the first few rounds of the soon-to-begin IPL shows CA is wary of getting their trio to the finishing line of the intense 2026-27 run," the statement added.

Australia’s packed Test itinerary includes:

August: Two Tests vs Bangladesh (home)

October: Three Tests vs South Africa (away)

December-January: Four Tests vs New Zealand (home)

January-March: Five Tests vs India (away)

March 11-15: 150th anniversary Test vs England (home)

Looking further ahead, Australia could feature in the World Test Championship final in June if they qualify, before embarking on a five-Test tour of England between June and August.

Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant is set to bat at number three in a potentially make or break IPL season beginning on March 28. Stakes are high for Pant going into second season as LSG skipper with the franchise having shelled out a record Rs 27 crore for his services at the 2025 mega auction.

Following the disappointment of last year, a successful season as a leader as well as a top-order batter can make him part of India's T20 plans going forward. Across formats, Pant is only an integral member of the Indian Test side while being a back up wicket-keeper to K L Rahul in ODIs.

Fight for India T20 Comeback

The 28-year-old lost his place in the T20 side following India's World Cup triumph in 2024 and would need to do something special to make a comeback considering Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan have made themselves automatic picks by the sheer weight of their recent performances.

Therefore, the upcoming IPL is not just about delivering on a exorbitant price tag, it is also about staying relevant in the shortest format.

Pant majorly batted at number four last season before rightly pushing himself to number three towards the end of the season by when it was too late to turn LSG's fortunes. Nicholas Pooran will move down the order to make way for Pant with number four, five, six being used as floating positions.

The squad had a camp in Chennai and at the moment, they are going through the paces at their home ground in Lucknow ahead of their opener against Delhi Capitals on April 1. The Justin Langer-led support staff and Pant are on the same page when it comes to their leader's batting position.

"It is clear to the team management as well as Pant that his game is best suited for number three. This season the top-order is locked in with Aiden, Marsh and Pant. The middle-order is flexible and players will be floated as per the game situation," an IPL source told PTI.

Flexible Middle Order Setup

Pant batted at an underwhelming strike rate of 133.17 last year and 118 not out of his 269 runs came only in one innings. The LSG middle-order comprises Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Abdul Samad and Shabaz Ahmed.

Bowling was LSG's weakest link last season with pacers including Mayank Yadav and Mohsin Khan not available due to injuries. The other pace options include Avesh Khan and Anrich Nortje, who is another injury prone quick.

"The batting is settled. The bowling group looks a lot better than last year but combinations are yet to be worked. Mayank is fit but needs to bowl a lot more in the nets. Hopefully he will repay the faith the team has shown him over the past four to five years," the source added.

Stand-in Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Ishan Kishan found himself at the centre of a fiery on-field moment during a practice game on Saturday, when teammate Zeeshan Ansari gave him an animated send-off after dismissing him.

The incident unfolded in the eighth over of the second innings. Kishan, who looked in sublime touch early on, took the attack to the 26-year-old leg-spinner, smashing two sixes and two boundaries off the first four deliveries. However, Ansari had the final say. He deceived the wicketkeeper-batter with a full ball, leading to a mistimed shot that was safely caught at deep square leg.



What followed was a charged reaction from the bowler, who gestured Kishan to head back to the pavilion. The SRH skipper, though, chose to take it sportingly and responded with a smile, diffusing the tension.



The moment comes at a time when Kishan has been handed leadership responsibilities for the early phase of the Indian Premier League 2026 season. The franchise named him interim captain, with Abhishek Sharma serving as his deputy, as regular skipper Pat Cummins continues his recovery from a lower back stress injury.

Cummins’ injury had already ruled him out of a significant portion of the recent The Ashes in Australia and also sidelined him during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. While confirming the leadership change, SRH stated that Cummins would miss a few matches but did not clarify the exact duration of his absence.

Kishan steps into the role on the back of an outstanding run in the T20 World Cup, where he played a pivotal part in India’s title-winning campaign. The left-hander finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer with 317 runs from nine matches, striking at 193 and averaging 35.22, including three half-centuries.

His performances also propelled him to No.2 in the ICC rankings for T20I batters, a chart currently topped by his SRH teammate Abhishek Sharma. Earlier in the domestic season, Kishan had also led Jharkhand to their maiden title in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, further underlining his growing credentials as a leader.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), three-time IPL champions, are gearing up for the 2026 season amid serious concerns in their pace bowling department. With Indian pacers Harshit Rana and Akash Deep ruled out due to injuries, and Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana expected to miss the initial phase, the team management has been forced to rework their strategy significantly.

KKR underwent a major rebuild at the IPL 2026 auction, entering with a massive purse of Rs 64.30 crore. The franchise made headlines by signing Australian all-rounder Cameron Green for a record Rs 25.20 crore, making him the most expensive player of the season. They also secured Matheesha Pathirana for Rs 18 crore to strengthen their pace attack. Despite the overhaul, KKR retained a strong core featuring: Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, Captain Ajinkya Rahane


Here is the KKR's strongest predicted playing XI for IPL 2026


Finn Allen (WK): New Zealand’s explosive opener Finn Allen is expected to take charge at the top. He recently smashed one of the fastest centuries in the T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal against South Africa which helped New Zealand reach into the finals.


Ajinkya Rahane (C): Captain Ajinkya Rahane is likely to partner Allen at the top. While his strike rate in T20s remains under scrutiny, the management continues to back his experience and leadership.


Angkrish Raghuvanshi: In IPL 2025, Angkrish Raghuvanshi was a key middle-order batter for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), scoring 300 runs in 12 matches with a strike rate of 139.53. He is expected to anchor the No. 3 position.


Cameron Green: Australian all-rounder Cameron Green was signed by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for Rs 25.20 crore in the IPL 2026 auction, making him the most expensive player this season. Expected to be a crucial all-round replacement for Andre Russell.



Rinku Singh: At No. 5 is the crowd favorite, Rinku Singh, who has been the backbone of KKR in the last few IPL seasons. With Andre Russell gone, Rinku is no longer just the "finisher" - he is the senior batter of the lower order.


Ramandeep Singh: In early 2025 tournament appearances, he maintained a high strike rate, exemplified by an early-season performance of 22* runs from 9 balls against Mumbai Indians (MI). Ramandeep Singh offers balance as a reliable all-rounder, contributing in both departments.


Sunil Narine: No. 7 come the Veteran Sunil Narine who has remained a match-winner for KKR for more than a decade, providing mystery spin in the middle overs and valuable depth with the bat.


Varun Chakravarthy: Varun Chakravarthy forms a deadly spin duo with Narine. Although he had a mix 2026 T20 World Cup, finishing as a joint-highest wicket-taker with 14 scalps, but facing criticism for inconsistency. After a dominant start (9 wickets, 4 matches) in the group stages, he was expensive and less effective from the Super 8s onwards. He is expected bounce back in IPL for Kolkata.


Vaibhav Arora: Vaibhav Arora steps into a bigger role following injuries to key pacers Harshit Rana and Akashdeep. He has the best IPL campaign 2025, claiming 17 wickets in 12 matches.


Kartik Tyagi: Kartik Tyagi is the young gun pacer in the team and is likely to make debut for Kolkata will be assisting Vaibhav Arora in the team as an fast Indian pacer along side Blessing Muzarabani.




Blessing Muzarabani: Zimbabwean speedster Blessing Muzarabani has joined KKR as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman. Standing at 6’8”, he brings steep bounce and valuable T20 experience, he left PSL and joined IPL as replacement.


Impact Sub (Umran Malik): Sri Lanka pacer Matheesha Pathirana was likely to be an Impact Player option for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the upcoming IPL 2026 season. However, his injury has created trouble for KKR ahead of the upcoming season. In absence of Pathirana, bringing in Umran Malik as an Impact Sub during the bowling innings is the most likely move for the side in the upcoming IPL 2026 season. Umran Malik finds himself in a critical "redemption" role for the KKR. After being signed for Rs 75 lakhs in the 2025 mega-auction but missing that season due to injury, KKR has shown faith by retaining him for this year's campaign.



KKR's potential playing XI for IPL 2026: Finn Allen (WK), Ajinkya Rahane (C), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Cameron Green, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, Vaibhav Arora, Kartik Tyagi, Blessing Muzarabani, Umran Malik (Imp)

NEW DELHI: The Rs 27 crore price tag, Lucknow Super Giants’ failure to enter the playoffs in IPL 2025, and poor form with the bat — Rishabh Pant will hope to bury all ghosts of the 2025 season and start afresh when the 2026 edition kicks off. Lucknow Super Giants will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Delhi Capitals on April 1 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

Will Pant be under any pressure?



Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis believes that Lucknow Super Giants skipper Pant will be the player under the most pressure in the tournament.

Pant became the most expensive player in the tournament's history last year when LSG secured the wicketkeeper-batter for Rs 27 crore.

However, his performances with the bat failed to justify his price tag. Although he scored a century, his overall campaign remained underwhelming, as the ton came when LSG were already out of the race for the playoffs.

Pant scored just 269 runs in the 13 matches he played last season at a poor average of 24.45.

"For me, Rishabh Pant is probably the player in the IPL who is under the most pressure this season. Some guys flourish under the price tag pressure, while some don’t. I think last season was a really tough one for him. The team struggled, and he also struggled with runs in the way that he batted," Du Plessis told Jio Hotstar.



"So, there is all that pressure coming into the season, along with the expectations of what the team is going to do. With a batting-heavy team, how are they going to maximise their bowling? Because there is pressure on your captain, scoring runs is your first job.

"So, if he is scoring runs as a captain, it takes pressure off in the first instance. But then there is a second instance, which is the team performance overall. And last year, both of those things had big red crosses against them," he said.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have been forced into urgent action ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season after a major injury blow to promising pacer Harshit Rana. With their bowling attack suddenly weakened, the franchise has turned to mid-preseason trials at Eden Gardens to identify a suitable replacement.

His absence has left a significant gap in both the powerplay and death overs, forcing the team management to rethink their pace combination just days before the tournament.

Trials Begin: Five Pacers Under Scanner

In response, KKR have invited a group of Indian fast bowlers for trials, hoping to find a reliable replacement:

1. Navdeep Saini
2. Akash Madhwal
3. Simarjeet Singh
4. Sandeep Warrier
5. KM Asif

Among them, Navdeep Saini has attracted attention for his raw pace and bounce, while Akash Madhwal has also put himself in strong contention following his impactful performances for Mumbai Indians in previous IPL seasons. Simarjeet Singh, meanwhile, who has previously been part of Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad squads, has taken 11 wickets in 14 IPL appearances. The Kerala medium-pacer duo of Warrier and Asif were also seen at the trials. Adding an element of intrigue is Sunil Kumar from Jammu & Kashmir. The left-arm seamer, who has impressed in longer formats.

KKR’s Bowling Concerns Grow

KKR’s worries extend beyond just one injury. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will be without Akash Deep for IPL 2026 after the seamer failed to recover in time from a lower-back stress injury. The franchise had already released Mustafizur Rahman and brought in Blessing Muzarabani as a replacement. While Muzarabani is a strong addition, the tall Zimbabwean pacer has limited experience in the IPL. There is, however, some positive news for KKR fans. Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana is reportedly nearing full fitness after injury concerns.

The three times IPL champion KKR have several other domestic medium-pace bowling options in their squad, their Indian seam options currently comprise Vaibhav Arora, Umran Malik and Kartik Tyagi, with Cameron Green providing a seam-bowling allrounder option.

Despite persisting with a strong core for years, Mumbai Indians have failed to win the Indian Premier League title since 2020. To end this drought in 2026, they will need their superstar players to put the team above individual ambitions and respond positively to Hardik Pandya’s leadership style.

MI’s leadership group is vastly experienced, with Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah all capable of turning matches in pressure situations. With most of their top players in form, the fivetime champions would want their title drought to end this season.



With a lethal batting lineup, multiple allrounders, a worldclass pace spearhead in Bumrah and a crafty T20 spinner in Mitchell Santner, MI possess a combination most teams will envy. Being one of the most successful franchises in IPL history, they know the winning formula. They simply need to rediscover it.

Less than a month ago, Pandya delivered another strong allround performance in India’s triumph at the 2026 T20 World Cup, earning praise for his bowling contributions, something R Ashwin recently highlighted as being underappreciated. As a senior player, Hardik played a crucial role in helping India lift the trophy under Suryakumar Yadav’s captaincy.

When MI begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29, Pandya will expect a similar level of commitment from his India teammates — Suryakumar, Rohit, Bumrah and Tilak Varma.

Add overseas firepower in Will Jacks, Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton and New Zealand’s white-ball captain Santner and MI appear, on paper, to be one of the strongest franchise sides in world cricket.



Yet, this star-studded outfit — the IPL’s version of the Galacticos — has struggled to gel into a champion team since Pandya returned as captain in 2024. His first season as MI captain was disastrous, with the team managing only four wins in 14 matches.

The situation worsened with the crowd booing him as he had replaced sentimental favourite Rohit as captain. Then, there were reports of dressing-room unrest. However, the management kept faith in Pandya and retained him for IPL 2025. The results improved as MI reached the playoffs, before Shreyas Iyer’s sensational innings knocked them out in Qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings.

IPL 2026 could be a defining test for Pandya’s leadership. Suryakumar Yadav’s stature has risen after leading India to the T20 World Cup title and he too would be nursing captaincy ambitions in the IPL. Rohit too remains one of the most respected leaders in world cricket. If MI struggle early, calls for a leadership rethink may grow louder. The best approach for Pandya and head coach Mahela Jayawardene would be a collaborative leadership model that actively involves senior players in decision-making. Such a consultative approach would keep the dressing room united and focused on the trophy rather than individual egos.

This season could also be crucial for Rohit. Now visibly leaner and fitter, the 38-year-old looks motivated for a strong campaign. Used as an ‘Impact Sub’ at times last season, Rohit could play a larger on-field role this year, allowing him to contribute more to tactical decisions. The Mumbaikar remains the emotional heartbeat of MI, though a prolonged dip in form could raise uncomfortable questions for the team.

MI’s batting has tremendous depth. Rohit is likely to open with either Quinton de Kock or Ryan Rickelton, followed by a strong middle order featuring Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak and Hardik, along with power-hitters Sherfane Rutherford and Jacks. Pandya’s own batting position will be key — ideally, he should bat no lower than No. 6 to maximise his impact in the death overs.

Much will also depend on Jasprit Bumrah, whose match-winning spells powered India’s T20 World Cup campaign. Pandya would be wise to use him as a strike bowler throughout the innings, much like Suryakumar did for India, rather than saving him only for the death overs.

Beyond Bumrah and Santner, MI’s bowling could be vulnerable on the flat Wankhede pitch, especially against big-hitting lineups.

Ultimately, Pandya’s biggest challenge is to ensure MI function as a happy, united team rather than a group of superstars with bruised egos. Keeping emotions in check and fostering harmony in the dressing room will be crucial. If MI get that right, Hardik could find himself smiling on the podium after the IPL final on May 31.

THE MI SWOT



Be it a power-packed batting unit, skillful allrounders or a bowling lineup with depth and potency, Mumbai Indians have most bases covered to go deep in IPL 2026...

Strength : Mumbai Indians’ biggest strength is their batting core of India’s 2026 T20 World Cup winners— Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma—who bring stability and firepower. Overseas stars like Will Jacks, Sherfane Rutherford and Mitchell Santner add depth, while Jasprit Bumrah remains the side’s biggest USP, capable of changing games at any stage. A strong pool of allrounders gives MI flexibility and balance across conditions.

Weakness: The lack of a reliable Indian opener alongside Rohit Sharma and an experienced Indian wicketkeeper could force MI to play both Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock, using up overseas slots. With Piyush Chawla retired, Santner becomes the frontline spinner, further limiting combinations and tactical flexibility.



Opportunity: Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar offer a potent new-ball threat, while allrounders like Hardik, Santner, Jacks and Shardul Thakur provide balance. Hardik and Naman Dhir add finishing power, giving MI the ability to dominate key phases of the game. If their bowling unit clicks, and does so collectively, MI could dominate the powerplay and death overs.

Threat: Ageing stars like Rohit, de Kock, Boult and Santner raise concerns over fielding and consistency. Heavy dependence on senior players and too many options could create selection confusion resulting in issues with role clarity. —Gaurav Gupta

NEW DELHI: Former England batter Kevin Pietersen has named his all-time IPL XI, leaving out several big names, including Rohit Sharma, who captained Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles. Pietersen, who represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), and Rising Pune Supergiants during his IPL career, also left out star all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

While unveiling his XI, Pietersen described Yuzvendra Chahal’s release by Royal Challengers Bengaluru as the 'worst decision' in the league’s history.




On For the Love of Cricket, Pietersen and Jos Buttler selected their all-time IPL XI.

Pietersen referred to MS Dhoni as the “only non-negotiable” pick in his side.

He included Yuzvendra Chahal in the XI and reiterated that Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s decision to release him was “the worst in IPL history”.

Pietersen’s IPL XI:



Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Andre Russell, Ravindra Jadeja, Sunil Narine, Yuzvendra Chahal, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah.



Pietersen also overlooked a key IPL rule while finalising his XI, selecting more than the permitted four overseas players in the lineup.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the defending champions, having won the IPL 2025 title after defeating Punjab Kings in the final.

NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Chennai Super Kings on March 30 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, with the spotlight firmly on 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

Renowned for his aggressive strokeplay, Sooryavanshi has already piled up records across formats. He heads into IPL 2026 on the back of a stunning 175 in the Under-19 World Cup final, an innings that powered India to the title. He was the second-highest run-scorer with 439 runs in seven matches in the Under-19 World Cup, averaging 62.71 at a strike rate of 169.49, including a century and three fifties. He also smashed a record 30 sixes — the most in the tournament’s history.


Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan said the season will be an important learning phase for the young batter, especially with opposition teams closely studying his game.

Speaking on JioStar’s IPL show, Pathan explained that after succeeding across formats, Sooryavanshi now faces a new challenge as rivals have taken note of both his strengths and potential weaknesses.

“This season of the IPL for Vaibhav Suryavanshi will be a learning one. He played in the tournament last year, he has played domestic cricket and he is playing cricket in all formats everywhere.

He played in the Under-19 World Cup, he has taken part in the Ranji Trophy with Bihar, and he has scored runs everywhere," Pathan said.

“In white-ball cricket and red-ball cricket, everyone is taking note of him. Bowlers are doing the same. Since he has played so much cricket since his IPL debut last year, other players are watching his videos and analysing his weaknesses," he added.

Pathan emphasised that the 14-year-old left-hander must continue evolving his game and addressing areas of improvement. He added that Sooryavanshi’s recent dominance across formats will keep his confidence high as he looks to make a statement.

“He has slammed centuries with ease in all forms of cricket. When you do that consistently, not just in IPL but in domestic cricket, Under-19 cricket and emerging matches, your confidence keeps going higher," Pathan said.

“This IPL season, all bowlers will be ready with their strategies, and Vaibhav will be looking to prove a point. He can do that by slamming another hundred in the IPL. When he scores runs consistently this season, that is when we can say Vaibhav Suryavanshi has upgraded his game," he concluded.

NEW DELHI: All eyes will be on young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as he prepares to take the field in IPL 2026, with expectations of fireworks following his stunning performances in recent months.

His remarkable 175 in the final of the U-19 World Cup 2026, which played a key role in India lifting the title, is still fresh in memory. A lot will be expected from the 14-year-old as he gears up for his maiden IPL appearance.


Rajasthan Royals will begin their campaign against Chennai Super Kings on March 30 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.

Known for his solid technique, fearless approach and ability to dominate even top-quality bowling attacks, Sooryavanshi has already made a name for himself with the bat. He has shown the ability to accelerate the scoring rate, build strong foundations and clear the ropes with ease.

Now, he seems to be mastering another skill — handling the spotlight off the field.

While he was initially shy in front of the media, Sooryavanshi is now growing more confident and comfortable in such interactions.

Recently, he left everyone amused with his witty response during a Rajasthan Royals event. The youngster, who also became the youngest-ever player to score an IPL century last season, turned a routine question into a light-hearted moment.

When asked about his personal goals for IPL 2026, he responded with humour.

Reporter: What are your plans for IPL 2026? How many runs you want to score, what are your goals?

Sooryavanshi: Aisa question bologe to main do-teen hazaar runs bol doonga (If you ask me such a question, I will say two to three thousand runs), leaving the whole room break in laughter.


Sooryavanshi: Aisa kuch plan nehi kar sakta na ki mujhe itne run banana hae. Jo process hae wo follow kar rahe hae aur team ke liye trophy jeetna hae (I cannot plan that I have to score so many runs. I am following the process and winning trophies for the team).

Baaki personal goals pe aisa kuch focus nehi hae. Bas humlog apne process pe dhyan de rahe hain aur accha karke ko dekh rahe hae is season. (There is no such focus on other personal goals. We are just focusing on our process and looking to perform well this season).

Virat Kohli’s decision to step away from Test cricket last year came as a surprise to many, particularly given the widespread belief that he still had more to contribute in the longest format. The announcement arrived in the middle of IPL 2025, at a time when scrutiny around his red-ball form had intensified.

A challenging tour of Australia had once again highlighted his vulnerability outside the off-stump, a pattern that drew consistent criticism. In an effort to regain form and confidence, Kohli even returned to domestic cricket, featuring in the Ranji Trophy, but the expected turnaround did not materialise. With pressure mounting and little respite from constant attention, he eventually decided to bring the curtain down on his Test career, ending a significant chapter in Indian cricket.



Over the course of 123 Tests, Kohli amassed 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, with a highest score of 254*. Since making his debut in 2011, he combined intensity with consistency, particularly during his tenure as captain, leading India to several landmark victories and establishing himself as one of the country’s most successful Test leaders.

Former teammate Ravichandran Ashwin, who shared the dressing room with Kohli for years, revealed that he had personally expressed his belief that the batter still had more to offer in Test cricket.

"I've directly told him that he had cricket left him in Test cricket. There was something left in Test cricket, but it’s okay, honestly. There is a problem in India about the perception," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Reflecting further on the decision, Ashwin underlined the values that shaped Kohli’s career, particularly his commitment to putting the team above everything else, while acknowledging how difficult such a call would have been.

“He has retired, I mean, even look at it from Virat's value and Virat's principle, he always kept team first. Even at press conferences, he always said that the team is very important, that we have got to win. He has said all this. And for him to say okay, I've taken a retirement, I want to come back, it’s not an easy decision for him to make, also, but I do certainly believe he had some cricket left," he added.

Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa has cast serious doubts over Sunrisers Hyderabad’s chances in IPL 2026, stating that despite their explosive batting lineup, they are “not a serious title contender.” Speaking on JioHotstar, Uthappa acknowledged SRH’s aggressive approach with the bat but emphasized that it alone cannot win championships.

"SRH's aggressive batting is entertaining to watch. But batting like that won't help them win the IPL. Their bowling is a bit on the weaker side. Bowlers are the ones who make you win the trophy," said Uthappa.



Uthappa suggested that SRH's bowling is a concern and the bowlers need to bowl with not too much pace on Hyderabad's 'flat wickets'.

"In Hyderabad, where they play seven matches, the pitch is a batting paradise. It is a super belter wicket. Even someone like Mohammed Shami could not be penetrative on those flat wickets. You need a bowler like Bhuvneshwar Kumar. He is a very clever guy. He swings the ball, changes pace, bowls yorkers. At the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, you don't want to put too much pace on the ball because the ball does not seam around much. I don't think SRH have the bowling unit right now that can back the instability their aggressive batting can cause if the top order does not fire."

Captaincy blow adds to concerns

SRH suffered a big blow ahead of the season when their skipper, Pat Cummins, was ruled out of the first few matches due to an injury. Ishan Kishan will lead the franchise in his absence. Uthappa also stressed that SRH's bowling has failed to defend whenever their batters have failed to score a big total.

"We saw what happened last season. Apart from Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen, no other batter was able to step up. When the top order failed, the bowlers were not able to defend the totals. So I won't consider SRH as a serious title contender this season," concluded Uthappa.

SRH squad for IPL 2026 season:

Salil Arora, Travis Head, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, Ravichandran Smaran, Aniket Verma, Abhishek Sharma, Brydon Carse, Harsh Dubey, Liam Livingstone, Kamindu Mendis, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Mavi, Pat Cummins, Amit Kumar, Krains Fuletra, Praful Hinge, Eshan Malinga, Harshal Patel, Sakib Hussain, Shivang Kumar, Onkar Tarmale, Jaydev Unadkat, Zeeshan Ansari.

LUCKNOW: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was honoured as the ‘Federation of the Year’ at the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2025 on Saturday, capping off a year of administrative consistency and global dominance.

BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla accepted the award on behalf of the board during the gala event in Lucknow, which recognised excellence across 45 sporting categories for the 2025 evaluation period.

The recognition comes on the back of a relentless calendar where the BCCI managed high-stakes ICC events, bilateral series, and a robust domestic structure for both men’s and women’s cricket.

The jury, featuring legends like Abhinav Bindra, Mithali Raj, and PR Sreejesh, acknowledged the board’s role in maintaining operations at a massive scale while fostering player pathways that keep India at the pinnacle of world cricket.

In his acceptance speech, Shukla took the opportunity to address a significant point raised by the Uttar Pradesh administration regarding the expansion of domestic cricket.

Addressing the demand for more representation from India’s most populous state, Shukla clarified the legal constraints involved in creating new state units.

"The BCCI has received the award for Best Sports Federation. Today, I would like to clarify one point regarding what the Chief Minister had mentioned earlier," Shukla stated.

"The Chief Minister had said that Uttar Pradesh is such a large state that it should have four Ranji teams, so that more players can get opportunities. However, the challenge we face is that the Supreme Court has already settled this matter. It has clearly stated that there can be only one cricket association per state, except in cases where multiple associations already existed historically."

Shukla cited existing exceptions like Gujarat and Maharashtra but noted that the current legal framework prevents the fragmentation of newer associations.

"For example, Gujarat has three associations, Andhra Pradesh has two... and Maharashtra has multiple associations such as the Mumbai Cricket Association, Maharashtra Cricket Association, and Vidarbha. Apart from such exceptions, the rule remains the same. A new association can only be formed only if a state is divided," he explained.

To bypass these limitations and ensure young talent in Uttar Pradesh does not go unnoticed, Shukla highlighted the success of the UP T20 League.

"This creates a significant limitation... we ourselves want more opportunities for young players, we are bound by the Supreme Court’s directive. To address this, we discussed the matter with the Chief Minister and subsequently launched the UP T20 League, which provides opportunities to around 200 players," he added.

Closing his address, Shukla lauded the TOISA platform for its role in the Indian sporting ecosystem. "Once again, I would like to thank The Times of India for organising these awards. It is wonderful to see so many talented individuals here. Their achievements are truly extraordinary, and it is important that they are recognised," he concluded.

LUCKNOW: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was named 'Federation of the Year' at the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2025 on Saturday.

BCCI vice president Rajiv Shukla received the award on behalf of the board.

The ceremony in Lucknow recognised athletes, teams, and organisations across more than 45 sporting categories, honouring performances delivered during the evaluation period from January 1 to December 31, 2025.

This edition reflected a year where Indian cricket continued to deliver results across formats, alongside administrative consistency in conducting domestic and international competitions.

The BCCI oversaw multiple tournaments during the year, including bilateral series, ICC events and domestic competitions, ensuring continuity across men’s and women’s cricket.

India’s performances on the field across formats contributed to the federation’s recognition, along with its role in managing infrastructure, scheduling and player pathways through domestic cricket.

The award acknowledged the federation’s role in maintaining operations at scale while supporting teams competing at the international level.

The winners were selected by an illustrious jury comprising legendary athletes whose achievements have shaped Indian sport.

Abhinav Bindra, PR Sreejesh, Mithali Raj, Achanta Sharath Kamal, Leander Paes, and Devendra Jhajharia formed the panel for this edition.

Their collective experience ensured that the honours reflected contributions across levels, recognising organisations that shaped India’s sporting ecosystem.

LUCKNOW: The India women's cricket team and the India women's blind cricket team led the honours in the team category as they were named ‘Team of the Year’ at the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2025 on Saturday.

The ceremony in Lucknow recognised athletes across more than 45 sporting categories, honouring performances delivered during the evaluation period from January 1 to December 31, 2025.

This edition reflected a year where Indian women’s teams delivered results on the global stage and marked milestones in both mainstream and disability cricket.

For the India women’s cricket team, 2025 marked a breakthrough year.

The team secured the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title, registering its first triumph in the tournament. The campaign was defined by consistent performances across departments, with the side remaining unbeaten through the competition to clinch the title.

In the blind cricket category, the India women’s blind cricket team registered a milestone achievement.

They won the inaugural Blind Women’s T20 World Cup, becoming the first team to lift the title. The side went through the tournament without a loss, completing an unbeaten run to finish as champions.

The winners were selected by an illustrious jury comprising legendary athletes whose achievements have shaped Indian sport.

Abhinav Bindra, PR Sreejesh, Mithali Raj, Achanta Sharath Kamal, Leander Paes, and Devendra Jhajharia formed the panel for this edition.

Their collective experience ensured that the honours reflected performances across levels, recognising contributions that shaped India’s sporting year.

LUCKNOW: Shubman Gill and Deepti Sharma headlined the honours in the cricket category as they were named 'Cricketer of the Year' (Male and Female) at the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2025 here on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav and Harmanpreet Kaur bagged the award for special recognition in the Cricket (Male) and special recognition in Cricket (Female), respectively.

The ceremony in Lucknow recognised athletes across more than 45 sporting categories, honouring performances during the evaluation period from January 1 to December 31, 2025.

This edition reflected a year where Indian cricket recorded strong performances across formats and tournaments on the global stage.

For Shubman Gill, 2025 marked a phase of consistency and leadership.

He won two ICC Men’s Player of the Month awards during the year, becoming the first male cricketer to claim the honour four times overall. Entering the ICC Champions Trophy as the top-ranked ODI batter, Gill scored an unbeaten 101 against Bangladesh in the group stage, setting the tone for India’s title-winning campaign. He also served as deputy to Suryakumar Yadav in the Asia Cup (T20), where India defeated Pakistan in the final to lift the trophy.

In Tests, Gill took over as captain following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He began his tenure with a century at Headingley, becoming one of the Indian captains to score a hundred in their first Test in charge. He followed it with successive centuries at Edgbaston, including 269 — the highest Test score by an Indian captain — and 161 in the same match, aggregating 430 runs, the second-highest in a Test after Graham Gooch. Gill also became only the third Indian captain to score five Test centuries in a calendar year.

In the women’s category, Deepti Sharma delivered a key all-round performance in 2025.

She was named Player of the Tournament at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup after scoring 215 runs and taking 22 wickets in nine matches. She became the first cricketer to register the double of 200 runs and 20 wickets in a single World Cup edition. Her contribution in the final in Mumbai played a role in India winning the title.

The winners were selected by an illustrious jury comprising legendary athletes whose achievements have shaped Indian sport.

Abhinav Bindra, PR Sreejesh, Mithali Raj, Achanta Sharath Kamal, Leander Paes, and Devendra Jhajharia formed the panel for this edition.

Their collective experience ensured that the honours reflected performances across levels, recognising contributions that shaped India’s sporting year.

Former India left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan said Mumbai Indians (MI) hold the edge over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the debate over the greatest Indian Premier League (IPL) team, citing the former’s role in contributing to giving match-winners to the Indian team.

MI vs CSK debate: Pathan picks his side

"On picking the side between CSK and MI as the greatest team in the IPL, this will always be debatable. CSK started winning the IPL title from 2010 onwards. They won back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011 and were the first team to do so. But when MI started winning from 2013, they kept winning after every alternate year. Then they won the IPL trophy back-to-back in 2019 & 2020,'' Irfan Pathan said.

“MI have given more match-winners to India”

“But what I like about MI is their contribution to Indian cricket. The number of match winners they have produced for the Indian team is absolutely tremendous. How do you achieve that? First, you make your franchise big. Second, you deliver results with the team you have. Even now, MI had a great squad last season that could have easily won the trophy, but they couldn't for different reasons,'' Pathan added.

“CSK don't have four Indian captains, MI do. In that respect, assembling a team and contributing to a bigger cause, I think MI are the greatest IPL team. I know CSK will always say they are also the greatest, having won five trophies too. There is no doubt. There will always be a debate and it is a fair debate. But I think MI take the edge because they have given so many wonderful cricketers and young talents to Indian cricket," said Pathan on JioStar.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi faces crucial IPL 2026 season

He also spoke about how the 2026 IPL season would become a crucial learning phase for teenaged batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The left-hander became the fastest Indian batter to hit a century in the IPL in just 35 balls last year and was retained by Rajasthan Royals (RR) ahead of IPL 2026.

Sooryavanshi is also coming on the back of being Player of the Tournament and Player of the Final in the 2026 Men’s U19 World Cup won by India. "This season of the IPL for Vaibhav Suryavanshi will be a learning one. He has played in the tournament last year, he has played domestic cricket, and he is playing cricket in all formats everywhere.

“He played in the Under-19 World Cup, he has taken part in the Ranji Trophy with Bihar, and he has scored runs everywhere. In white-ball cricket and red-ball cricket, everyone is taking note of him. Bowlers are doing the same. Since he has played so much cricket since his IPL debut last year, other players are watching his videos and analysing his weaknesses,” he said.

Opposition bowlers set to target weaknesses

Pathan signed off by saying it would be interesting to see if Sooryavanshi upgrades his game when the opposition bowlers target his weak areas. “So he needs to find a way to upgrade his game and work on his weaknesses. He has slammed centuries with ease in all forms of cricket. When you do that consistently, not just in IPL but in domestic cricket, Under-19 cricket and emerging matches, your confidence keeps going higher.



“This IPL season, all bowlers will be ready with their strategies and Vaibhav will be looking to prove a point. He can do that by slamming another hundred in the IPL. When he scores runs consistently this season, that is when we can say Vaibhav Suryavanshi has upgraded his game."

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season is scheduled to begin on March 28, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

How is the Most Valuable Player selected?

The league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) is decided through a points system that measures a player’s overall contribution during the season. Players do not earn points for runs directly. Instead, each four earns 2.5 points and each six fetches 3.5 points. Bowlers receive 3.5 points per wicket and one point for every dot ball. Fielding efforts are also counted, with 2.5 points awarded for each catch and stumping. The player with the highest points total at the end of the season is named MVP.



The concept was introduced in 2017, replacing the earlier Player of the Tournament award. Under this system, performance across batting, bowling and fielding is factored into a single points tally.

The highest points recorded in a single IPL season stands at 450, achieved by Sunil Narine in the 2024 edition.

Shane Watson was the first recipient of the Player of the Tournament award in 2008, playing a key role in Rajasthan Royals’ title win. He won it again in 2013 with the same franchise, becoming the first player to claim the honour twice. That season also marked the introduction of the points-based system. He remains one of three players to have won the award more than once.

Among others, Kolkata Knight Riders players Andre Russell and Sunil Narine have won the award multiple times, with Narine holding the record with three wins in 2012, 2018 and 2024. Players such as Adam Gilchrist, Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, Glenn Maxwell, Virat Kohli, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Harshal Patel, Jos Buttler and Shubman Gill have each won it once.

Suryakumar Yadav of Mumbai Indians was named the Player of the Tournament (MVP) in the 2025 season.

Full list of MVPs from IPL 2008-2025

Year	Player	Team
2008	Shane Watson	Rajasthan Royals
2009	Adam Gilchrist	Deccan Chargers
2010	Sachin Tendulkar	Mumbai Indians
2011	Chris Gayle	Royal Challengers Bangalore
2012	Sunil Narine	Kolkata Knight Riders
2013	Shane Watson	Rajasthan Royals
2014	Glenn Maxwell	Punjab Kings
2015	Andre Russell	Kolkata Knight Riders
2016	Virat Kohli	Royal Challengers Bangalore
2017	Ben Stokes	Rising Pune Supergiant
2018	Sunil Narine	Kolkata Knight Riders
2019	Andre Russell	Kolkata Knight Riders
2020	Jofra Archer	Rajasthan Royals
2021	Harshal Patel	Royal Challengers Bangalore
2022	Jos Buttler	Rajasthan Royals
2023	Shubman Gill	Gujarat Titans
2024	Sunil Narine	Kolkata Knight Riders
2025	Surya Kumar Yadav	Mumbai Indians

NEW DELHI: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain Rishabh Pant, principal owner and chairman of the franchise Sanjiv Goenka, and several other members of the squad offered prayers at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The 19th edition of the tournament is set to begin on March 28.


The franchise posted a picture of the group’s visit to the holy shrine on X and wrote, “Dr. Sanjiv Goenka visits Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya along with captain Rishabh Pant and other members of the squad to receive blessings.”


LSG have experienced mixed results since their debut. Under KL Rahul, they reached the IPL 2022 playoffs but were eliminated in the eliminator. In IPL 2023, LSG advanced to the second round but lost in the Eliminator again. Krunal Pandya led the team during the second half of that season.


The Rahul-led LSG did not advance past the league stage in IPL 2024. The management released Rahul ahead of the IPL 2025 mega-auction. The Lucknow-based franchise committed a record bid of Rs 27 crore for Rishabh Pant, making him the most expensive player in league history as he was eventually appointed captain.

Pant-led LSG had a subpar IPL season, exiting after only six wins in 14 matches. Their performance dipped in the latter half, with four consecutive losses damaging their chances. They ended their second season with a defeat to Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Pant struggled with the bat, scoring 269 runs in 13 innings. He recorded one century and one half-century during the season.

Lucknow will now aim to reach their first IPL final in 2026. They will start their season against the Delhi Capitals on April 1, followed by a match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 5. Their next two games, as per the first phase of the schedule announced by the BCCI, are against the Kolkata Knight Riders on April 9 and the Gujarat Titans on April 12.

Cheteshwar Pujara believes Shubman Gill has the perfect motivation to deliver a standout campaign in IPL 2026 after missing out on India’s T20 World Cup squad.

Speaking on JioHotstar, Pujara backed the Gujarat Titans captain to respond strongly, stressing that Gill remains a complete, multi-format player who can force his way back into India’s T20I setup with a strong showing this season.



"The T20 World Cup squad snub will definitely fire up Shubman Gill. He is a quality player suited for all three formats. If he has a good IPL 2026 season, he will surely put his name in India's T20I squad. He is leading the Test squad and is also the ODI captain. He is a multi-format player. If he has a good season, he will be back in the scheme of things for the Indian team," Pujara said.

Pujara acknowledged that the omission could bring added pressure but also described it as a major opportunity for Gill to showcase his growth in the shortest format. He emphasised that improving his scoring rate will be key.

"There will be some pressure on him because he has not been part of the India squad in the shortest format. But at the same time, it is a great opportunity for him to carry on batting the way he has. He needs to try to accelerate a little more because that is something he has been working on. This IPL season is the perfect one for him to show he can bat at a strike rate of 150 to 160," he added.

Explaining why Gujarat Titans could emerge as strong title contenders, Pujara highlighted the consistency and firepower of their top order, which includes Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler.

"GT look like a title favourite this season. If you look at their squad, the top order of Captain Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler is incredible. You cannot have a better top order than them. These three have scored runs with amazing consistency. That is their main strength," he said.

He also pointed to the depth provided by all-rounders, particularly the addition of Jason Holder, while identifying Rahul Tewatia as the side’s primary finisher and Shahrukh Khan as a potential game-changer.

"The number of all-rounders they have, especially with the addition of Jason Holder, makes them even stronger. Holder is in great form with both bat and ball, and will love to contribute in both departments. Rahul Tewatia will be their main finisher. He can bowl a few overs if needed, but his primary job is to bat well at number six or seven. Shahrukh Khan is also a key player. If he starts performing as per his potential, GT will be a different team altogether," Pujara said.

On the bowling front, Pujara underlined the strength of GT’s pace attack, led by Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, with experienced backup and variety in the squad.

"When it comes to bowling, their strength is their seamers. Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna are their main pacers, and Ishant Sharma is also on the bench if needed. Ashok Sharma will be unleashed with his fiery pace at some point in the season. Left-armer Luke Wood is another seamer who knows how to do well. If Rabada does not perform, Wood can replace him. But I hope Rabada, being a strike bowler, has a good IPL. All GT fans will be hoping the same," he concluded.



Gujarat Titans will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur on March 31. They will then play their first home game against Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium on April 4, followed by an away clash against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on April 8. Their next fixture is against Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on April 12.