India's chances of reaching the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 final heavily depend on the upcoming 2-Test series against Sri Lanka, with a 2-0 loss potentially ending their hopes and boosting Sri Lanka's prospects.
India's warm-up cricket match against a Sri Lanka XI, ahead of their two-Test series, has been reduced from four days to three days. The practice game will now be played from August 7 to August 9 at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo, as confirmed by Sri Lanka Cricket.
Rishabh Pant trains with MS Dhoni in Ranchi as he prepares for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, while Dhoni's future in competitive cricket remains uncertain amid rumors of a mentorship role with Chennai Super Kings.
Justin Greaves, West Indies all-rounder, made history by taking wickets in five consecutive maiden overs in the 1st Test against Pakistan, surpassing Stuart Broad's record of four.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced its 2027 home schedule, highlighted by simultaneous men's and women's Ashes series against Australia. The men's Ashes will begin June 18 at Trent Bridge, with the Rose Bowl hosting its first Test. Northern venues Headingley and Old Trafford were notably excluded from the men's Ashes fixtures, sparking debate.
The Oval in London is confirmed to host the 2027 ICC World Test Championship Final from June 9-13, marking its second time hosting. The ECB secured hosting rights for the 2027, 2029, and 2031 finals, with the 2027 event coinciding with Test cricket's 150th anniversary.
Australia's cricket captain Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon are back in the 13-man squad for the upcoming two-Test home series against Bangladesh in August, following their recovery from injuries sustained during the Ashes.
India's senior selection committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar, is preparing to pick the squad for the upcoming two-Test tour of Sri Lanka, with uncertainty surrounding all-rounder Washington Sundar's hamstring injury. The team is expected to see the return of key players like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.
Cricket Australia announced a 13-member squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh, starting August 13. Captain Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon return after recovering from injuries, bolstering the reigning World Test Championship holders.
India's senior men's cricket selection committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar, will soon pick the squad for the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka starting August 15. The selectors await clarity on all-rounder Washington Sundar's hamstring injury, which could impact his inclusion.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) Annual Conference in Edinburgh concluded without decisions on reducing ODIs to 40 overs or expanding the World Test Championship. Suspensions for USA Cricket and Cricket Canada were maintained, while France Cricket was put on notice and Mauritius Cricket Federation admitted as an Associate Member.
New Zealand faces a significant setback in the decisive third Test against England at Trent Bridge, with key players Matt Henry and Glenn Phillips ruled out due to injury. England also made lineup changes, including captain Ben Stokes' return, as the series is tied 1-1.
England will face Bangladesh in a one-off Test in late May as part of their preparations for the Ashes series. The venue is undecided, pending the location of the World Test Championship final in June.
New Zealand dropped to fourth in the ICC World Test Championship standings after a 115-run loss to England in the first Test at Lord's, despite Australia leading the table with 84 points and a 87.50% points percentage.
India, led by captain Shubman Gill, prepares to face Afghanistan in a one-off Test in Mullanpur, marking the beginning of their red-ball season. Despite the match not contributing to the World Test Championship standings, Gill emphasizes its significance for building momentum ahead of crucial Test engagements.
Bangladesh have moved to fifth in the World Test Championship standings after a 2-0 series win over Pakistan, pushing India down to sixth. Australia leads the table.
Bangladesh has climbed to fifth in the World Test Championship rankings after a 2-0 series win over Pakistan. India dropped to sixth, having not played a WTC match this year, and now ranks above only Pakistan among Asian teams.
Babar Azam scored a crucial 68 off 84 balls to stabilize Pakistan's innings against Bangladesh in the second Test. The knock also saw him surpass Ben Stokes in the ICC World Test Championship half-century list.
India's senior selection committee, chaired by Ajit Agarkar, will select squads for the one-off Test against Afghanistan and three subsequent ODIs on May 19. Shubman Gill is expected to lead the batting unit in the Test, with fresh faces like Gurnoor Brar potentially included in the bowling group. For the ODIs, KL Rahul is likely to remain the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter despite Rishabh Pant's inconsistency, while Ishan Kishan's form may earn him consideration. The spin-bowling all-rounder role, currently held by Ravindra Jadeja, is under discussion, with Axar Patel as a potential alternative.
Pakistan lost to Bangladesh by 104 runs in the first Test, marking their third consecutive Test loss against Bangladesh.
Longer UK series planned for South Africa and PakistanSingle Sri Lanka and Bangladesh games OK for ICC’s WTCEngland’s men will face a lopsided Test schedule in the next future tours programme (FTP), with a move to stage more five-match series at home to be offset by an increase in one-off Tests overseas.The England and Wales Cricket Board is abandoning the principle of aiming for reciprocal home and away series in the next World Test Championship (WTC), which will begin with the home Ashes series next summer. The ECB has already held talks with South Africa and Pakistan over touring for five Test matches for the first time in decades, but on the flip side England’s future tours to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh could comprise a single Test complemented by white-ball games that are more commercially viable to the host Boards. Continue reading...
Following their T20 World Cup win, selectors are prioritising the World Test Championship and 2027 ODI World Cup, focusing on managing Jasprit Bumrah's workload. Bumrah is expected to play all nine upcoming WTC Tests, with potential rest from ODIs. Middle-order prospects like Padikkal, Jurel, and Gaikwad are also being considered.
