In cricket news today, New Zealand faced injury setbacks ahead of their T20I series against India, drafting in Josh Clarkson and Blair Tickner. Meanwhile, India assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak detailed the factors behind recalling veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the same tour. In domestic developments, the BCCI allocated Rs 127 crore to its Centre of Excellence following dozens of player rehabilitations. Across the international circuit, Pat Cummins addressed Australia's past controversies, Kagiso Rabada was sidelined in Durban, and Kusal Mendis took over Sri Lanka's Test leadership.
Clarkson and Tickner Replace Injured Chapman and Foulkes in New Zealand T20I Squad
New Zealand have encountered significant injury problems prior to their five-match T20I series against India. Batter Mark Chapman has been ruled out of the contest with a hamstring tear, while bowling all-rounder Zak Foulkes will miss out because of a hip flexor problem. The bilateral series is scheduled to begin on October 22 in Christchurch.
To fill the vacancies created by the injured duo, the national selectors have drafted all-rounder Josh Clarkson and fast bowler Blair Tickner into the squad. Both players will link up with the team as New Zealand prepare to face the Indian side across five fixtures.
“We're fortunate to be able to lean on the expertise of Josh and Blair. I know they're both very excited to be involved in what's shaping up to be an epic T20 series.”
Rob Walter
Why it matters: Indian fans now know the revised New Zealand squad their team will face in Christchurch starting October 22.
↑ HeadlinesSitanshu Kotak Explains Bhuvneshwar Kumar's Recall for New Zealand T20I Series
India assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak addressed reporters in Ranchi to explain the selection decision regarding Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The thirty-six-year-old fast bowler earned a recall to the national T20I squad for the upcoming series in New Zealand following his domestic and league displays. Kotak highlighted Kumar's influential role with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where the seamer claimed forty-five wickets during consecutive title-winning campaigns in 2025 and 2026.
Kotak noted that the team management and national selectors wanted experienced bowling cover to guide a relatively young pace group while Jasprit Bumrah remains absent.
“In England, I personally felt that with Bumrah not being around and a lot of young bowlers playing, you can't beat experience.”
Sitanshu Kotak
Why it matters: Fans understand why India recalled veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar to support the pace attack during Jasprit Bumrah's absence.
↑ HeadlinesBCCI Centre of Excellence Budget Reaches Rs 127 Crore After 32 Player Rehabs
An annual report released by the BCCI Centre of Excellence showed that 32 premier men's cricketers underwent rehabilitation between April 2025 and March 2026. Among those treated at the facility were 20 centrally contracted Indian players. In response to the recurring physical breakdowns across various series, the BCCI increased the facility's projected budget to Rs 127 crore for the 2026-27 period.
The frequent injuries have created notable tour planning challenges for India head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill as they manage squad availability across formats.
Why it matters: The report highlights the extent of player fitness issues directly affecting India's tour preparations under Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill.
↑ HeadlinesPat Cummins Unfazed by Usman Khawaja's Book Raising 2018 Ball-Tampering Episode
Australian captain Pat Cummins dismissed concerns regarding the upcoming autobiography written by teammate Usman Khawaja. Speaking prior to the first Test against South Africa in Durban, Cummins revealed that Khawaja had informed him beforehand about the book's impending release. The publication touches upon the 2018 ball-tampering incident that took place in South Africa.
Cummins asserted that the Australian national squad addressed the matter thoroughly years ago and moved forward. The captain maintained that the dressing room remains unaffected by the renewed public discussion surrounding the historical episode.
“Tell your story. It's fine. It's obviously a long time ago and all the investigations, everything was done back then and we answered every question a million times.”
Pat Cummins
Why it matters: Fans get clarity that Australia's team leadership remains focused on the South Africa series despite past controversies re-emerging in print.
↑ HeadlinesHamstring Injury Rules Kagiso Rabada Out of Opening Test Against Australia
South African strike bowler Kagiso Rabada has been omitted from the first Test against Australia at Kingsmead in Durban. The fast bowler is recovering from a hamstring injury, prompting the team management to take a conservative approach with his fitness ahead of an extensive home Test calendar.
Proteas captain Temba Bavuma confirmed the playing XI on Thursday, revealing that Anrich Nortje will make his return to Test cricket for the first time since March 2023. Bavuma explained that holding Rabada back allows the pace bowler additional time to achieve a full recovery.
“As soon as he gets that green light we expect him to be within that starting lineup.”
Temba Bavuma
Why it matters: Followers of the South Africa-Australia series learn that Kagiso Rabada is being preserved for future matches while Anrich Nortje makes his Test comeback.
↑ HeadlinesKusal Mendis Takes Over Sri Lanka Test Captaincy From Dhananjaya de Silva
Sri Lanka Cricket has made a leadership change in the longest format after Dhananjaya de Silva decided to step down as Test captain. De Silva ended his captaincy tenure with immediate effect after overseeing eighteen Test matches. Sri Lanka Cricket's selection committee subsequently chose white-ball captain Kusal Mendis to take over the Test role.
Mendis will now captain Sri Lanka across all three international formats, beginning with the upcoming two-Test series in Pakistan scheduled for November. Meanwhile, de Silva will continue to represent Sri Lanka strictly as a player.
“It's my genuine opinion that the mantle should go down to the next generation”
Dhananjaya de Silva
Why it matters: Fans tracking Sri Lanka cricket witness a leadership transition as Kusal Mendis takes charge across all formats ahead of the Pakistan tour.
↑ HeadlinesEllyse Perry Voices Concern Over WPL Clash With Australian Cricket Summer
Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry has expressed frustration with the timing of the Women's Premier League as it encroaches on the home international summer in Australia. The upcoming fifth edition of the WPL is scheduled to run from January 14 to February 7, 2027.
Perry pointed out that staging the tournament during the January window directly restricts opportunities for the Australian national team to play fixtures in front of home supporters. The schedule reduces the available dates for Australia's home international summer matches as the league's timing overlaps with the domestic season.
“The WPL has crept into the January window, which for me is the height of the Australian summer. For there not to be an opportunity for the Australian team to play in that window feels really sad in a lot of senses”
Ellyse Perry
Why it matters: Supporters are alerted to scheduling challenges between the Women's Premier League and Australia's international summer fixtures.
↑ HeadlinesCricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg Expects 12-Team World Test Championship
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg revealed that expanding the World Test Championship into a 12-team format is close to becoming reality for the 2029-2031 cycle. The competition model under consideration would allow full members Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe to participate in the championship. These talks are being held alongside discussions regarding the next Future Tours Programme.
A final determination on the proposed competition format is slated for the ICC board meetings in Bali next month, where the governing body will consider expanding the tournament to include the three additional full member sides.
“I think that's what will happen for the next two years.”
Todd Greenberg
Why it matters: Fans of world cricket could soon see twelve teams competing in the World Test Championship cycle starting in 2029.
↑ HeadlinesLegal Dispute Forces Arunachal Pradesh to Forfeit Vinoo Mankad Trophy Fixture
An internal legal dispute within the Arunachal Pradesh Cricket Association forced the state team to forfeit its scheduled Vinoo Mankad Trophy fixture against Sikkim in Bhubaneswar. The row stems from allegations raised by district associations over election irregularities within the body. These claims led to the Gauhati High Court issuing an interim stay on the association's functioning.
The resulting administrative paralysis has stalled squad selection procedures and placed the state's upcoming Ranji Trophy opener against Nagaland in jeopardy, leaving the cricket association unable to field its squads for scheduled matches.
“As far as the BCCI is concerned, it cannot step into the matter right now because the matter is sub judice and, till now, the court has not appointed any administrator. The BCCI on its own will not step into the matter when the litigation is going on in the court, and until the matter is resolved”
Devajit Saikia
Why it matters: Domestic cricket followers see how court proceedings have disrupted Arunachal Pradesh's participation in national tournaments.
↑ HeadlinesStafanie Taylor Reaches 3,000 Runs and 100 Wickets in Women's T20I History
West Indies all-rounder Stafanie Taylor entered the record books by becoming the fourth woman in international cricket history to surpass 3,000 runs and take 100 wickets in T20Is. Taylor achieved this dual statistical milestone during the West Indies' eight-wicket victory against Zimbabwe in Harare.
Taylor influenced the match across both innings, first taking bowling figures of 2-8 with the ball and then scoring an unbeaten 64 with the bat. The victory in Harare sealed a 3-0 T20I series sweep for the West Indies against Zimbabwe to conclude the tour schedule.
Why it matters: Cricket fans see Stafanie Taylor join a select group of four players to achieve a historic dual milestone in women's T20Is.
↑ HeadlinesQuick hits
- India assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak explained Bhuvneshwar Kumar's recall and stated that performing players like Mohammed Shami remain eligible depending on team requirements.
- The Asian Cricket Council scheduled the Under-19 Asia Cup 2026 in Oman, with India facing Pakistan in Group A on November 8.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal practiced wicketkeeping ahead of representing Mumbai in their Ranji Trophy opener before departing for India's tour of New Zealand.
- Mumbai captain Siddhesh Lad supported the selectors' decision to omit Suryakumar Yadav from the Ranji opener in favor of players with red-ball preparation.
- Following his three wickets on T20I debut, Naman Dhir highlighted that the IPL's Impact Player rule previously restricted his bowling opportunities in franchise cricket.
Frequently asked questions
Why was Bhuvneshwar Kumar recalled to India's T20I squad?
Assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak explained that Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 45 wickets across consecutive IPL title campaigns with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The selectors and management wanted experienced bowling depth to balance a young pace attack while Jasprit Bumrah is absent.
Which players were ruled out of New Zealand's squad for the India T20I series?
Mark Chapman was ruled out with a hamstring tear, and Zak Foulkes was sidelined due to a hip flexor issue. Josh Clarkson and Blair Tickner were called up as replacements.
Why did Kagiso Rabada miss the first Test against Australia in Durban?
Kagiso Rabada was left out of the first Test due to a hamstring injury. South Africa took a conservative approach to his recovery ahead of their home Test schedule, bringing in Anrich Nortje.
What changes were made to Sri Lanka's Test captaincy?
Dhananjaya de Silva stepped down after leading the team in 18 matches, remaining available as a player. Kusal Mendis was appointed Test captain and will lead Sri Lanka across all formats starting with the Pakistan tour in November.
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