In cricket news today, the Indian men's team has arrived in Christchurch to kick off their multi-format tour of New Zealand with split captaincy across formats. Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc became the fastest bowler by balls bowled to claim 450 Test wickets, and Temba Bavuma struck a career-best 179 against Australia in Gqeberha. On the domestic circuit, R Sai Kishore picked up a hat-trick for Tamil Nadu, while Sarfaraz Khan notched 154 for Mumbai. India Women also completed a 3-0 T20I sweep against Zimbabwe behind Harmanpreet Kaur's unbeaten 91.
India Men's Team Arrives in Christchurch for New Zealand Tour
The Indian men's cricket team reached Christchurch on Tuesday to start a six-week multi-format tour of New Zealand. The tour includes five T20Is, five ODIs, and two Test matches. Action begins with the opening T20I scheduled to be played at Hagley Oval on October 22.
The touring squad features split leadership across the series. Shubman Gill will lead India in the two Tests and the first three ODIs. Shreyas Iyer has been tasked with captaining the side in the five T20Is as well as the final two ODIs of the tour.
Why it matters: Fans will see how India manages split leadership under Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer across formats in New Zealand conditions.
↑ HeadlinesMitchell Starc Becomes Fastest Bowler to 450 Test Wickets
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc reached 450 Test wickets on Day 3 of the second Test against South Africa at St George's Park in Gqeberha. Starc dismissed South African batter Wiaan Mulder to achieve the landmark in his 109th Test match.
The dismissal made Starc the tenth bowler in Test history and the fourth Australian bowler to secure 450 wickets. He also set a world record by becoming the fastest bowler to reach 450 Test wickets in terms of balls bowled, taking 20,577 deliveries to surpass Glenn McGrath's mark of 23,474 balls.
Why it matters: Starc's achievement places him among the most prolific and quickest wicket-takers in Test cricket history.
↑ HeadlinesHarmanpreet Kaur Reflects on Form and Captaincy After Unbeaten 91
Former India captain Harmanpreet Kaur struck an unbeaten 91 off 41 deliveries to guide India to a 92-run win over Zimbabwe in Raipur. Her innings helped the hosts complete a 3-0 sweep in the T20I series.
Speaking during a broadcast interview at the innings break, Harmanpreet addressed regaining her batting form following a lean spell. She shared a sense of relief after giving up the captaincy and expressed gratitude to former India women's coach WV Raman for backing her to play freely.
“I don't think there is any pressure anymore. Now it's all about going out there and enjoying myself on the field, and that's exactly what I want to do”
Harmanpreet Kaur
Why it matters: Indian supporters can see Harmanpreet batting with renewed freedom without the burden of leadership.
↑ HeadlinesIndia Women Sweep T20I Series Against Zimbabwe in Raipur
India Women concluded their home T20I series against Zimbabwe with a 92-run victory in the third and final match in Raipur. The result secured an emphatic 3-0 clean sweep for the home side.
Former skipper Harmanpreet Kaur led the batting display by scoring an unbeaten 91 from 41 deliveries to set up the total. The bowling attack then sealed victory to wrap up the contest, which served as the team's final preparation ahead of the inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy.
“It (bowling options) is looking good for sure.”
Smriti Mandhana
Why it matters: The dominant series result wraps up India's preparation ahead of the upcoming ICC Women's Champions Trophy.
↑ HeadlinesR Sai Kishore Leads Tamil Nadu to Ranji Trophy Win Over Uttarakhand
Tamil Nadu captain R Sai Kishore produced a standout bowling performance to guide his team to an innings-and-66-run win over Uttarakhand at Chennai. The home side completed the victory on Day 3 of the Ranji Trophy Group D encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Sai Kishore collected a hat-trick and a 10-wicket match haul during the contest. Fellow spinner Ajith Ram provided control from the other end as Uttarakhand struggled in overcast conditions, allowing Tamil Nadu to earn seven points, including a bonus point.
Why it matters: The dominant victory and bonus point give Tamil Nadu strong early momentum in the Ranji Trophy campaign.
↑ HeadlinesTemba Bavuma Hits Career-Best 179 in Second Test Against Australia
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma recorded a career-best Test innings of 179 on Day 3 of the second Test against Australia at St George's Park in Gqeberha. His knock helped the Proteas recover from a precarious position of 110 for six.
Bavuma shared a 132-run partnership with Marco Jansen and a South African record 183-run eighth-wicket stand alongside Simon Harmer before the innings was declared at 425 for nine. At 36 years and 154 days, Bavuma became the oldest captain to score 150 or more runs against Australia in Test matches.
“But I think what was nice was my ability to take it even further and make it count.”
Temba Bavuma
Why it matters: Bavuma's historic innings turned the second Test around and set a new benchmark for veteran captains against Australia.
↑ HeadlinesSarfaraz Khan Strikes 154 for Mumbai Against Himachal Pradesh
Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan registered a strong score of 154 against Himachal Pradesh on Day 3 of their Ranji Trophy match in Bilaspur. The century served as the 18th first-class hundred of his career.
Sarfaraz anchored Mumbai's innings through key partnerships with captain Siddhesh Lad and wicketkeeper Akash Anand. The big hundred came after Sarfaraz was left out of recent Indian red-ball squads, providing an emphatic reminder of his domestic form to the national selection panel.
Why it matters: Sarfaraz's big hundred reinforces his credentials for an Indian Test recall.
↑ HeadlinesShafali Verma Handed ICC Reprimand for Code of Conduct Breach
India opener and vice-captain Shafali Verma has received an official reprimand and one demerit point from the ICC. The sanction follows a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct during the second T20I against Zimbabwe in Raipur.
The breach took place during the 12th over of Zimbabwe's innings when Verma threw the ball to the ground in frustration after dropping Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano at mid-off. Verma admitted to the offence and accepted the penalty issued by match referee G.S. Lakshmi, removing the need for a formal hearing.
Why it matters: The sanction adds a demerit point to Verma's disciplinary record during India's international home series.
↑ HeadlinesAdelaide Strikers Re-Sign Leg-Spinner Anesu Mushangwe for WBBL|12
Adelaide Strikers have confirmed that Zimbabwean leg-spinner Anesu Mushangwe has agreed to a contract extension ahead of the 2026–27 Women's Big Bash League season. The 30-year-old was the first cricketer from Zimbabwe to play in the tournament when she debuted in 2022.
Mushangwe previously contributed to Adelaide's back-to-back championship-winning campaigns. She is set to link up with the squad as the Strikers prepare to begin their title defence when the WBBL season starts later this month.
Why it matters: Mushangwe's return keeps a key championship-winning spinner in Adelaide's squad for the upcoming WBBL campaign.
↑ HeadlinesQuick hits
- All-rounder Arafat Minhas made 59 and claimed 6-40 to become the third Pakistani men's player to score a half-century and take five wickets in the same ODI during Pakistan's 87-run win over England in Rawalpindi.
- New Zealand seamer Jacob Duffy praised Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate Bhuvneshwar Kumar's skill, tactical reading of batters, and international recall ahead of the first T20I in Christchurch.
- Australia Women retained the Rose Bowl with a 40-run win over New Zealand at North Sydney Oval behind Ashleigh Gardner's 84, extending their T20I winning streak to 12 matches.
- South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince praised Temba Bavuma's shot selection and resilience against Australia in Gqeberha while noting Scott Boland's bowling threat on a seaming surface.
- Barishal Division opener Zawad Abrar recorded the fastest fifty in Bangladesh first-class history off 22 balls on his way to 91 against Rajshahi Division in the National Cricket League.
Frequently asked questions
Who will captain India on the New Zealand tour?
Shubman Gill will captain India in the two Tests and the first three ODIs, while Shreyas Iyer will lead the team in the five T20Is and the final two ODIs.
What record did Mitchell Starc break against South Africa?
Mitchell Starc reached 450 Test wickets in 20,577 balls, breaking Glenn McGrath's record of 23,474 balls to become the fastest bowler in Test history to the milestone by deliveries bowled.
How did India Women perform in the T20I series against Zimbabwe?
India Women completed a 3-0 series sweep with a 92-run win in the final T20I in Raipur, powered by Harmanpreet Kaur's unbeaten 91 off 41 balls.
Why was Shafali Verma reprimanded by the ICC?
Shafali Verma was reprimanded and given one demerit point for throwing the ball into the ground in frustration after dropping a catch during the second T20I against Zimbabwe.
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