Report: Hardik Pandya to join KKR as captain
Hardik Pandya has been playing as the captain for Mumbai Indians (MI) since the 2024 IPL season. His captaincy tenure proved to be quite disappointing for the team. Hardik had replaced Rohit Sharma, the legendary captain who had led the franchise to five titles. However, speculation regarding a trade involving Hardik has intensified following the conclusion of the 2026 season. Initially, there was talk of him joining Chennai Super Kings, but now, rumors about him joining Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have gained significant momentum—with discussions even extending to him taking over the captaincy.
It is worth noting that Hardik, who captained Gujarat Titans in 2022 and 2023, had rejoined his former franchise, Mumbai Indians, through a trade. Now, social media is abuzz with speculation that he will join Kolkata for the upcoming season—IPL 2027. The conversation isn’t limited to him merely joining KKR; there is also talk that he might take charge as the team’s captain. While there has been no official confirmation regarding a trade involving Hardik, social media has been flooded with reports suggesting he might join KKR.
Gill injured ahead of the Test series, KL Rahul leads in the warm up match
Team India, led by Shubman Gill, is scheduled to tour Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series, beginning on August 15th. Prior to that, the Men in Blue will play a three-day match against Sri Lanka XI, starting on August 7th. However, ahead of the series and warm-up match, an injury to Indian captain Shubman Gill has added to the tension. Team India was reportedly practicing in Colombo when Gill suffered an injury to his right thumb.
Gill’s injury was somewhat serious, forcing him to stop batting and consult the medical team. However, it’s a relief that after treatment, Gill returned to the nets to bat again. According to reports, Gill suffered a thumb injury after being hit by a ball during fielding practice. In the absence of Shubman Gill, veteran batsman KL Rahul was named captain of the Indian team for the practice match. Rahul lead the toss and on-field strategy. The primary purpose of this warm-up match in Colombo is to allow the Indian players to acclimate to local conditions and spin-friendly pitches before the two-match Test series starting in Galle on August 15th.
CSA announces major changes in India-South Africa schedule
The Indian women’s cricket team will tour South Africa in December 2026, with a three-match T20I series added to the schedule, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced on Thursday. According to the board, the T20I series has been added to the schedule to prepare for the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy next year. The Champions Trophy will be held in Sri Lanka in February 2027.
The two countries will play a T20 series starting December 26th. The first match will be held in Benoni. Potchefstroom will then host the second match on December 29th. The final match of the series will be played in Potchefstroom on December 30th.
Mitchell Starc on verge of breaking Kapil Dev and Dale Steyn’s record
Australia’s star fast bowler Mitchell Starc is close to breaking Kapil Dev and Dale Steyn’s “enormous record” in Test cricket. Mitchell Starc will make history by taking just seven wickets. Australia will play a two-match Test series against Bangladesh on home soil, starting August 13th. The first Test will be played in Darwin from August 13th-17th. The second Test will be held in Queensland from August 22nd-26th. Mitchell Starc enters this Test series with 433 Test wickets, just one wicket short of Kapil Dev’s record of 434 wickets.
If 36-year-old Mitchell Starc takes two wickets in the first Test in Darwin, he will surpass former Indian captain Kapil Dev and enter the top 10 on the all-time list of highest wicket-takers in Tests. The Australian fast bowler could also climb the rankings for fast bowlers. Seven wickets in two Tests would take his career tally to 440. This would move him past South African legend Dale Steyn’s 439 wickets and place him fifth on the list of highest wicket-takers in Test history, behind only James Anderson (704), Stuart Broad (604), Glenn McGrath (563), and Courtney Walsh (519).
John Turner retires from cricket at 25
England and Hampshire fast bowler John Turner has called time on his professional cricket career at just 25, after a long battle with a back stress fracture kept him sidelined for more than a year. It is a heartbreaking decision, but one made after facing repeated injury setbacks and thinking carefully about life beyond the game.
Born in Johannesburg and eligible for England through his mother, Turner broke through on England’s white-ball tour of the West Indies in late 2024, where he played two ODIs and two T20Is and took three wickets. His home team, Hampshire, issued a statement on Thursday (August 6) announcing the English player’s retirement. The post read, “Fast bowler John Turner has sadly announced his retirement from professional cricket.”
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