test tour of england

England launched their "Bazball" era with a commanding 115-run victory over New Zealand at Lord's. Gus Atkinson's five-wicket haul dismantled the visitors for 138, securing a win despite a challenging pitch. Debutant Emilio Gay and returning seamer Ollie Robinson impressed, signaling a positive start for the new regime.

India took charge on Day One, posting an impressive score of 368/3 against Afghanistan, highlighted by KL Rahul and Shubman Gill's centuries and a vital 81 from Sai Sudharsan. Although the innings began with some jitters from post-IPL fatigue, the Indian top order found its rhythm, culminating in strong performances from Gill and Rishabh Pant.

Ahead of the Afghanistan Test, coach Gautam Gambhir stressed the importance of this match for the World Test Championship roadmap. He highlighted the need to identify a fourth spinner for the Sri Lanka tour and expressed confidence in Sai Sudharsan's potential at number three, emphasizing a long-term approach to player development.

“I am glad he has been picked, for the sake of world cricket. He is the box-office man of the moment. I think he should play against Ireland. I was not entirely sure how good he was coming into this IPL," Swann said.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday named Shreyas Iyer as India's new T20I captain, replacing Suryakumar Yadav. Soon after the announcement, Suryakumar posted an Instagram story backing the team.

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar voiced concerns over Jasprit Bumrah's inconsistent availability for national duty. He expressed confusion regarding Bumrah's career path, particularly his absence from upcoming T20I tours after a full IPL season. Manjrekar also revealed Bumrah was his preferred choice for T20 captaincy, a role now taken by others due to the pacer's limited commitments.

Shubman Gill is experiencing a career-defining period as India's Test captain, transforming into a prolific run-scorer. His recent century against Afghanistan highlights his exceptional record, boasting 1,076 runs in 15 innings at an average of 82.76. Gill's captaincy has seen him achieve significant milestones, including becoming the second-fastest Indian captain to reach 1,000 Test runs.

Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar's unwavering support for Sanjay Manjrekar's 1989 West Indies tour selection is highlighted. Despite resistance, Vengsarkar championed the young batter, who emerged as India's top scorer. Manjrekar also shared anecdotes about Vengsarkar's mentorship and his unique personality, calling him a "buddy" and a "Legend with a Difference."

As BCCI looks for successors, India T20I skipper unlikely to be called up for selection meeting

South African legend AB de Villiers lauded India's decision to select 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi for international duty, calling it a "brave" and "right call." De Villiers believes Sooryavanshi possesses the talent to succeed across formats, though he acknowledged the unique challenges of Test cricket. The young prodigy's selection follows a dominant performance in IPL 2026.

Agarkar said Suryakumar's recent form was one of the factors behind the change, though not the only one.

India's upcoming Test against Afghanistan highlights emerging talent, with Ravichandran Ashwin particularly keen to watch all-rounder Harsh Dubey. Kuldeep Yadav is set to lead the spin attack in Ravindra Jadeja's absence, supported by Washington Sundar. Mohammed Siraj is expected to spearhead the pace attack, potentially alongside uncapped Gurnoor Brar, offering a glimpse into India's future stars.

Australian captain Pat Cummins is considering skipping IPL 2027 due to a demanding international schedule. With major tours and tournaments ahead, he indicated that franchise cricket might be sacrificed to prioritize national duties. Cummins emphasized Test matches and the ODI World Cup as his primary focus, suggesting workload management for the pace attack is crucial.

Speaking at an event in Mumbai on Sunday, de Villiers said Sooryavanshi has the skill to succeed in Test cricket but questioned whether the teenager would want to take that path.

Rishabh Pant, set for his 50th Test, displays his usual cheerful demeanor despite a shift in leadership role. While his playful spirit remains, the team management seeks adjustments to his game, focusing on situational play. This milestone match marks a new chapter for the impactful batter, emphasising his commitment to senior player responsibilities.

Manav Suthar on Sunday bagged a six-wicket haul in his debut Test outing. The 23-year-old, who was given the nod ahead of Harsh Dubey for the one-off Test against Afghanistan, became only the tenth Indian bowler and seventh Indian spinner to claim a five-wicket haul on Test debut.

Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed bewilderment at the management of Kuldeep Yadav, contrasting the current setup with the consistent backing he received under Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma. Ashwin noted Kuldeep's past match-winning performances and suggested Test cricket should now be his priority, while also commenting on Ravi Bishnoi's return to the T20I squad.

Shreyas Iyer has been appointed captain for India's upcoming T20 tours of Ireland and England, marking his return to the T20 setup. Teenage prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi also earned a historic maiden call-up as the youngest player ever selected for an Indian team. This signals a new direction for India's T20 squad.

In a strategic move, the BCCI is considering a leadership overhaul for the T20I team, leaving Suryakumar Yadav out of the Asian Games longlist. Key contenders for the captaincy include Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, and Axar Patel. The final decision on fielding a full-strength squad will depend on discussions with the government.

In a historic move, the BCCI has appointed three former India women cricketers – Nooshin Al Khadeer, Sunetra Paranjpe, and Vellaswamy Ramu Vanitha – as specialist coaches for women's cricket at its Bengaluru Centre of Excellence. This significant development aims to bolster the future of Indian women's cricket by building bench strength and providing expert guidance.

Former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi asserts India's dominance in global cricket, stating the sport's economy hinges on the Indian market. He argues that international cricket, including the Future Tours Programme, is impossible without India's participation. Modi also advocates for a shift towards club-based competitions and a four-year cycle for major ICC events, drawing parallels with football's successful model.

Young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi earned a maiden India call-up for Ireland, England tours, and Asian Games after a stellar IPL 2026. The 15-year-old, who became the youngest Indian male player selected, dreams of excelling in all three formats, emphasising his dedication to red-ball cricket despite his explosive T20 success.

Rachin Ravindra returns home from IPL early. He feels ready for New Zealand's Test matches in Ireland and England. Ravindra gained valuable insights from top players like Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli. He believes these conversations and training sessions have prepared him for challenging conditions. The experience has boosted his confidence for the upcoming red-ball assignments.

In 1976, Queen Elizabeth II made history by sending an electronic message from a secure lab, a moment that foreshadowed modern communication. This event, facilitated by a transatlantic network connection, showcased her embrace of technology and set a precedent for digital literacy in state representation, demonstrating the potential of networked systems for human interaction.