BCCI denies IND vs SL venue shift from Delhi to Ahmedabad
India and Sri Lanka will play a three-match ODI series in December. The first match of the series will be played in Delhi. Delhi fans are excited to see Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli play in their city. Recently, reports revealed that the first ODI scheduled for Delhi will be shifted to Ahmedabad. However, the BCCI Secretary has now clarified the situation. There has been no change in the venue.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia has dismissed rumors of a venue change. The match will be played in Delhi. He clarified that the BCCI has not taken any such decision. Speaking to news agency ANI, Saikia said, “Such reports are completely untrue. The ODI match scheduled in Delhi is not being shifted to Ahmedabad. The BCCI has not taken any such decision yet. We request all media colleagues to refer only to BCCI information for any information related to the schedule. It is also important to know that matches between two countries are scheduled under a standard policy.”
‘You can see my fitness…’ Mohammed Shami gives a fitting reply to critics.
Mohammed Shami played his last match for India in 2025, having participated in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Following that, he got dropped out of the Indian team. Shami has delivered outstanding performances for India and continues to play domestic cricket for Bengal. He has also given a fitting reply to critics questioning his fitness; he is currently representing Bengal in the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy.
Addressing the criticism, Shami said, “People talk and claim that I lack rhythm and fitness. I don’t even care about such things; I simply enjoy my game.” When asked if national team selectors had contacted him, he replied, “You can see for yourselves and write about it. I am out there on the field, playing. You can observe my fitness—go ahead and write. You are watching me. What would happen if I said something? I am on the field; I am playing. I play wherever I get the opportunity. My job is simply to keep bowling.”
39 players awarded central contracts by ECB
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced its central contracts for the 2026-27 season. A total of 39 players have been awarded contracts: 30 have received central contracts, while nine emerging players have been given England Development Contracts. Additionally, 11 players—including stars like Joe Root and Harry Brook—have secured ‘mega deals.’ Players on these central contracts will earn between approximately ₹2 crore and ₹10 crore annually.
The ECB has awarded two-year central contracts to 11 players. Alongside Joe Root and Harry Brook, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Sam Curran, and Will Jacks have received these two-year deals. Jordan Cox and Henry Crocombe have been included in the contract list for the first time; notably, they have also been signed for a two-year term.
Tom Banton, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Henry Crocombe, Emilio Gay, Matthew Fisher, and Dan Lawrence have been awarded contracts for the first time. The ECB has also given an opportunity to 18-year-old Thomas Rew, making him the youngest player on the list. The England team is currently performing exceptionally well, having recently won the ODI and T20 series against India.
Tara Norris joins Mumbai Indians for 2027 edition
Mumbai Indians have added Tara Norris to their squad for the 2027 Women’s Premier League. The fast bowler was traded for just ₹10 lakh. Mumbai Indians made this significant trade with UP Warriors ahead of the players’ auction for the 2027 WPL. Norris was signed by UP Warriors for ₹10 lakh before the 2026 season. She has now joined Mumbai Indians for the same price.
This is an all-cash deal, and Mumbai did not give UP any player in return. Norris played for Delhi in the 2023 Women’s Premier League and created a stir in her very first match. She is the first associate player to play in the league and is also the first bowler to take a five-wicket haul against Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2023.
Sunil Gavaskar questions the structure of Indian domestic cricket
Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar says the level of competition in the Ranji Trophy has declined. He attributed this decline to the introduction of plate teams. This first-class tournament in India began in 1934-35. At that time, teams were divided into four or five zones, but the format was changed in the early 21st century. After the 2002-03 season, the BCCI abolished the zone system and replaced it with a two-tier league stage. Teams are divided into Elite and Plate groups. The Elite stage consists of 32 teams, divided into four groups of eight teams each.
At the end of the season, the two worst-performing teams across all four groups are relegated to the Plate Group for the next season. On the other hand, the two finalists from the six Plate Group teams are promoted to the Elite Group for the next season. Sunil Gavaskar said, “The standard in the Elite division has levelled to a great extent as can be seen by teams who were not very competitive earlier, now going on to win the Ranji Trophy. That’s most encouraging though with the India international players hardly playing in the domestic competitions, it’s difficult to know how good some of the individual players are,”
“This is noticeable when some of the leading run makers and wicket takers in the Ranji Trophy are picked to play for India. They struggle to find their feet, and some fade away quickly, while some still stay on the fringes but are not quite able to crack it,” he added.
ACB hopes to revive the Afghanistan Premier League
The Afghanistan Cricket Board is fully confident about reviving the Afghanistan Premier League, confirming that five parties remain interested in securing the two remaining franchise slots. The inaugural APL took place in 2018 but was halted after the first season; a planned second season was subsequently postponed after the ACB revoked its approval for the league. Balkh Legends, Kabul Zwanan, Kandahar Knights, Nangarhar Leopards and Paktia Panthers played in the inaugural edition of the APL in 2018
The ACB is optimistic about the league’s revival, with interest in acquiring franchises coming from a party in Afghanistan as well as parties from India and other markets. The ACB has finalized three owners with the aim of hosting the league in the UAE, while also retaining the option to move the tournament to other locations in the future.
Pakistan declares emergency, relocates cricket match venues
The political crisis in Pakistan is beginning to impact cricket. The Pakistani government recently declared a state of emergency in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, forcing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reschedule the cricket season. The President Cup first-class tournament began on September 12th, with matches scheduled to run until October 24th.
Major areas like Peshawar and Abbottabad fall within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Following the imposition of a state of emergency and Governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by the Pakistan government, the PCB relocated matches scheduled for Peshawar and Abbottabad to Sheikhupura and Lahore. Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari declared a state of emergency under Articles 232(1) and 234(1) of the Constitution.
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