Cricket News Today: Mandhana Named Captain, CSK Trade, CA Stands Firm

Smriti Mandhana named India Women all-format captain for South Africa tour

The BCCI Women's Selection Committee has announced India's squads for the all-format tour of South Africa scheduled for December. The assignment features one Test, three ODIs, and three T20Is. Smriti Mandhana will captain the national side across all three formats during the tour. Deepti Sharma has been appointed vice-captain for the Test and ODI matches, while Shafali Verma will serve as vice-captain in the T20Is.

The tour also marks the return of Jemimah Rodrigues to international cricket across all three squads. Rodrigues had been sidelined with a hamstring injury and makes her comeback after finishing her rehabilitation.

Why it matters: Indian fans see a leadership transition with Mandhana taking charge across all three formats alongside a strengthened batting lineup.

Kane Williamson shares how Virat Kohli conversation guided his retirement

Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson revealed that a phone conversation with Virat Kohli the day before his public announcement helped him decide to retire from international cricket. Williamson explained that sharing his thoughts with the Indian batter provided him with vital clarity during a crucial moment in his career.

He noted that comparing their parallel journeys in leadership, long careers, and family life felt like looking in a mirror. Williamson explained that sharing vulnerable thoughts with Kohli gave him the reassurance and understanding he needed to walk away from international cricket on his own terms.

“I spoke to a number of people I trust and I've been really really close with. And then I actually had a really really cool chat with Virat like the day before I announced it and it was really like looking in the mirror just sharing the experiences that we've had in the game for so long.”

Kane Williamson

Why it matters: It offers fans an inside view of the mutual respect and bond between two modern batting icons.

Cricket Australia declines to reopen Cape Town ball-tampering investigation

Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has stated that the governing body will not reopen an investigation into the 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering scandal. The decision follows recent claims alleging widespread dressing room awareness of the sandpaper plot. Those allegations surfaced through Usman Khawaja's autobiography and public statements from David Warner.

In addressing the matter, Greenberg noted that former teammates hold conflicting recollections of the events in South Africa. He maintained that re-examining the sandpaper issue in hindsight provides no benefit, officially ruling out any fresh inquiry into the incident by the national board.

Why it matters: Fans wondering if the 2018 sandpaper scandal would face fresh official scrutiny now have a definitive answer from Cricket Australia.

Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad finalise four-player IPL trade

Chennai Super Kings have acquired England all-rounder Liam Livingstone and Australian all-rounder Jack Edwards from Sunrisers Hyderabad in a trade deal. In exchange, Sunrisers Hyderabad received pace bowlers Nathan Ellis and Khaleel Ahmed from Chennai. Both fast bowlers make the move to Hyderabad on their existing contract terms.

The transaction between the two franchises was finalised ahead of the upcoming player retention deadline for the IPL 2027 mini-auction. The trade allows both squads to adjust their personnel before submitting their official retention lists.

Why it matters: IPL followers get an early look at squad restructuring between Chennai and Hyderabad ahead of the 2027 mini-auction.

Zimbabwe make Test history with consecutive 500-run innings against Afghanistan

Zimbabwe became the first team in Test cricket history to score more than 500 runs in both innings of a single match during their drawn first Test against Afghanistan in Sharjah. Zimbabwe declared their second innings at 523 for 5, building on their first-innings total of 504.

Captain Craig Ervine led the way with an unbeaten 206, becoming the third-oldest player in Test history to score a double century. Wessly Madhevere also reached his maiden Test century, finishing on 100 not out as the pair compiled an unbroken 208-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Why it matters: Cricket followers witnessed a unique world record in Test history driven by Ervine's veteran milestone and Madhevere's maiden century.

Ryan ten Doeschate questions Yashasvi Jaiswal's absence from India ODI plans

Former India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has publicly questioned the team management's decision to keep Yashasvi Jaiswal out of the one-day international lineup. Ten Doeschate raised concerns regarding why the young opening batter remains outside the regular setup despite delivering strong performances when given opportunities.

Ten Doeschate praised Jaiswal's dedicated work ethic and his immense hunger for scoring runs across all formats of the game. He noted that despite Jaiswal averaging over 70 in his brief one-day international career, the batter remains on the fringes of India's white-ball plans ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

“He is so hungry to do well. You know, even when he gets runs but doesn't get a big one, the genuine disappointment in leaving runs out there, you can see it really hurts him. He is also, just touching on the ODI point, he is desperate to play ODI cricket as well. He doesn't get into the team, which is – it's crazy.”

Ryan ten Doeschate

Why it matters: Indian supporters get insight from a former coach on the debate surrounding Jaiswal's white-ball opportunities ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

England select uncapped spinner Liam Patterson-White for South Africa Tests

England have selected a 15-man squad for their three-match Test series in South Africa, which begins on December 17 in Johannesburg against the reigning World Test Championship winners. Uncapped Nottinghamshire left-arm spinner Liam Patterson-White earned his first international call-up following a county season in which he collected 42 wickets in Division One.

The touring party also welcomes back Jacob Bethell after his recovery from a knee injury. Meanwhile, off-spinner Shoaib Bashir missed out on selection for the senior squad and has instead been reassigned to the concurrent England Lions tour.

Why it matters: Test fans will see England test a new spin option against South Africa as competition for red-ball places intensifies.

BCCI sets ₹157 crore salary cap ahead of IPL 2027 retention deadline

Indian Premier League franchises are finalizing their retention and release choices ahead of the November 17 deadline for the IPL 2027 mini-auction in Goa. The BCCI has outlined tournament regulations confirming that each team will operate under a total salary cap of ₹157 crore. This budget encompasses all auction spending, player performance payments, and individual match fees.

The submission date was moved back by two days from its initial November 15 schedule. That adjustment was made to prevent a timing clash with the fifth ODI between India and New Zealand.

Why it matters: Fans track how franchises manage their ₹157 crore purse as teams prepare their rosters for the upcoming auction in Goa.

BCCI announces India U19 squads for home T20 tri-series with Nepal

The BCCI Women's Selection Committee has chosen the India U19 A and India U19 B squads for an upcoming T20 tri-series featuring Nepal U19. The matches will be played at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru as part of early preparations for the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup 2027.

Bhavika Ahire will captain the India U19 A team with Ira Jadhav serving as vice-captain. The India U19 B squad will be led by Anaadi Tagde, with Uma Kashvi appointed as her deputy for the tournament.

Why it matters: Supporters can follow the next generation of Indian women cricketers preparing for the 2027 U19 T20 World Cup.

Bangladesh announce Test squad for South Africa as injuries sideline openers

The Bangladesh Cricket Board has named a 16-member squad for their two-match Test tour of South Africa starting on November 15. Opening batters Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy were both excluded from the touring group because of injuries sustained ahead of the series.

Their absence resulted in a recall for Mohammad Naim Sheikh alongside a maiden Test call-up for uncapped batter Mahfijul Islam Robin. In the bowling department, pacer Khaled Ahmed returns to the squad, taking the place of spinner Nayeem Hasan.

“We brought in Robin because we needed a right-handed opener. We didn't have anyone ready, and we wanted to give Robin some more time to get ready. We were considering Mahmudul Hasan Joy as another opener, which is why we withheld announcing the team, but unfortunately he was ruled out yesterday evening”

Habibul Bashar

Why it matters: Fans will monitor how an altered Bangladesh top order handles challenging South African bowling conditions without its regular openers.