The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 is set to be a landmark tenth edition of the tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. A total of 20 nations will compete in 55 high-octane matches, following the successful format of the 2024 edition with a group stage, Super 8s, and knockouts. The tournament will be spread across eight iconic venues, including the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

This edition also marks a historic debut for Italy, highlighting the growing global footprint of the T20 format as it approaches its inclusion in the 2028 Olympics. Fans are eagerly anticipating the final, which is slated to take place on March 8, potentially at the world’s largest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.

“You can never write them off”: Graeme Smith names his favourite team to win the T20 World Cup 2026

Speaking in Durban on January 10, 2026, South African legend Graeme Smith named India as a primary favorite for the upcoming World Cup, despite the team navigating a period of structural change. Smith highlighted that the combination of home conditions and raw talent makes India an automatic candidate for the final four. He described the current state of the team under head coach Gautam Gambhir as a fascinating watch:

“With India’s talent, you can never write them off. It’s a home World Cup. And it does seem an interesting transition phase in Indian cricket, you know, between Gautam (Gambhir) and senior players and, you know, who’s next and how that transition happens. And it seems to be in an interesting place. So, it’s going to be good to watch how things go. But certainly from a talent perspective, India, if they’re not in the last four at least, I’ll be very surprised.” Smith was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Also READ: Not Jasprit Bumrah! Sourav Ganguly picks ‘X factor’ for India in the T20 World Cup 2026

Smith reveals his T20 World Cup final dream

While acknowledging India’s prowess, Smith admitted that his heart remains with the Proteas, especially after their narrow seven-run loss to India in the 2024 final. He expressed strong belief in South Africa’s current group, particularly their ability to handle subcontinental spin, which will be the defining factor in matches across India and Sri Lanka. Smith candidly shared his hope for a rematch in the final:

“Obviously, I’d like us to beat India in the final (laughs). I think if Shukri [Conrad] and the team can get their combinations right, I think there’s a real opportunity that the team can do very well. And, you know, I think there’s enough quality of ability to play spin there as well in that middle order, particularly in India. So, let’s hope, you know, that there will be a good World Cup around the corner.” Smith concluded.

Also READ: Shubman Gill speaks out on T20 World Cup 2026 exclusion

The much-awaited ODI series between India and New Zealand kicked off at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara today. After winning the toss, India skipper Shubman Gill chose to bowl first. However, the team announcement sparked surprise as Rishabh Pant was missing from the playing XI.

Here’s why Rishabh Pant is not playing the first ODI

Notably, ahead of the match BCCI clarified that Pant had been ruled out of the entire three-match series. The news came as a major blow for India and dampened the mood among fans who had turned up in large numbers at the Vadodara venue. The injury occurred during India’s practice session yesterday (Saturday, January 10). According to the BCCI medical team, Pant felt a ‘sudden onset of discomfort’ in his right lateral abdominal area while batting in the nets.

Reports indicate he was struck on the ribcage/side by a delivery from a throwdown specialist during an extended session. He was immediately taken for scans, which revealed a side strain (oblique muscle tear). Given the nature of side strains, which typically require several weeks of rehabilitation, Pant was declared unfit for the series. He is expected to report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) for rehabilitation.

Also READ: Shubman Gill speaks out on T20 World Cup 2026 exclusion as India gears up for New Zealand ODIs

KL Rahul to keep in place of Pant

In Pant’s absence, the spotlight shifts firmly to KL Rahul. Already a vital cog in India’s ODI setup, Rahul will now don the wicketkeeping gloves for the series. Rahul is no stranger to this dual role. He has successfully kept wickets for India in ODIs previously, providing balance to the side and allowing the team to play an extra batter or all-rounder. His experience and calmness behind the stumps will be crucial against a tricky New Zealand batting lineup. This situation presents another opportunity for Rahul to cement his spot as India’s versatile “Mr. Dependable” in the middle order, anchoring the innings while shouldering the keeping responsibilities.

Playing XI for both sides

India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

New Zealand: Devon Conway, Henry Nicholls, Will Young, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay(wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Zakary Foulkes, Kristian Clarke, Kyle Jamieson, Adithya Ashok

Also READ: Not Jasprit Bumrah! Sourav Ganguly picks ‘X factor’ for India in the T20 World Cup 2026

Delhi Capitals will compete with Gujarat Giants in Match 4 of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai, on Sunday. Delhi Capitals, reeling from a 50-run loss to Mumbai Indians, aim to bounce back under new captain Jemimah Rodrigues, while Ashleigh Gardner’s Gujarat Giants ride momentum from a 10-run victory over UP Warriorz.

DC-W vs GG-W, WPL 2026: Match details

• Date and Time: January 11; 12:35 pm IST / 7:05 am GMT / 6:05 pm Local
• Venue: Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai

DC-W vs GG-W, Head-to-Head Record in WPL

Matches played: 06 | Delhi Capitals won: 04 | Gujarat Giants won: 02 | No result/Tied: 0

Dr DY Patil Sports Academy Pitch Report

The Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy features a classic batting paradise defined by its hard, flat surface and consistent bounce. In this evening match, the ball should come onto the bat smoothly, enabling aggressive stroke-play. While the red soil provides pacers with some early swing and carry, the combination of short boundaries and a rapid outfield creates a significant advantage for the batting side.

History suggests that dew will become a major factor during the second innings. This moisture typically makes the ball slippery and difficult for spinners to control, often neutralizing the bowling attack as the night progresses. Consequently, the toss is expected to be crucial; winning captains will likely opt to bowl first, looking to exploit any early movement before chasing under the lights when conditions are at their most favorable for scoring.

Squads

Gujarat Giants: Beth Mooney (wk), Sophie Devine, Anushka Sharma, Ashleigh Gardner (c), Georgia Wareham, Bharti Fulmali, Kanika Ahuja, Kashvee Gautam, Tanuja Kanwar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh Thakur, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Yastika Bhatia, Kim Garth, Titas Sadhu, Ayushi Soni, Shivani Singh, Happy Kumari

Delhi Capitals: Shafali Verma, Lizelle Lee (wk), Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues (c), Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Chinelle Henry, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma, Taniya Bhatia, Alana King, Lucy Hamilton, Mamatha Madiwala, Deeya Yadav

Also READ – WPL 2026: Nat Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet Kaur power Mumbai Indians to dominant win over Delhi Capitals

DC-W vs GG-W, WPL 2026: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Delhi Capitals wins the toss and bowls first
• Gujarat Giants’ powerplay score: 50-60 (6 overs)
• Gujarat Giants’ total score: 180-190

Case 2:

• Gujarat Giants wins the toss and bowls first
• Delhi Capitals’ powerplay score: 40-50 (6 overs)
• Delhi Capitals’ total score: 170-180

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest.

Also READ: WPL 2026 – Georgia Wareham outshines Phoebe Litchfield in Gujarat Giants’ narrow win over UP Warriorz; fans react

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

A thrilling finale awaits as Sri Lanka and Pakistan gear up for the third T20I at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Tuesday. The series remains finely poised after the second match was washed out completely, allowing Pakistan to retain a 1–0 advantage in the three-match contest. With the visitors in front, Sri Lanka find themselves in a do-or-die situation and must win the final game to square the series.

The hosts struggled in the opener, being bowled out for 128. They will rely heavily on Pathum Nissanka and captain Dasun Shanaka to provide a more competitive total. Pakistan, led by Salman Ali Agha looked clinical in the first game. With Sahibzada Farhan in form and a balanced bowling attack, they start as favorites to take the series. Both teams are using this series as a vital blueprint for the 2026 T20 World Cup, experimenting with combinations on slow, subcontinental tracks.

SL vs PAK, 3rd T20I: Match Details

• Date and Time: January 11 (Sunday); 7:00 pm IST / 1:30 pm GMT / 7:00 pm LOCAL
• Venue: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla

SL vs PAK Head-to-Head Record in T20Is

Matches played: 29 | Pakistan won: 17 | Sri Lanka won: 11 | No result: 01

Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium Pitch Report

The surface for the third T20I is likely to mirror the conditions seen in the opener, providing an even contest with bowlers enjoying a slight edge. Although the pitch supports strokeplay, the ball held up at times in the first match, which made timing shots difficult for the hosts. Records at this venue show that sides batting first have won around 60% of the games, but Pakistan’s ease in chasing the target in the opening fixture highlighted how much dew can come into play later in the evening. In light of that, the toss-winning captain may again be inclined to field first to negate the impact of moisture on the ball, particularly for the spinners.

Also READ: Shadab Khan’s all-round show powers Pakistan to a dominant win over Sri Lanka in 1st T20I

Squad

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Traveen Mathew, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, and Eshan Malinga.

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq

SL vs PAK, 3rd T20I: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Sri Lanka wins the toss and bowls first
• Pakistan powerplay score: 45-55 (6 overs)
• Pakistan total score: 160-170

Case 2:

• Pakistan wins the toss and bowls first
• Sri Lanka powerplay score: 40-50 (6 overs)
• Sri Lanka total score: 150-160

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest.

Also READ: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan 2025, T20I Series: Schedule, Squads, Broadcast and Live Streaming details

As the first rays of the 2026 cricketing season dawn, all eyes turn to the cultural capital of Gujarat, Vadodara. The BCA Stadium in Kotambi is set to make history on Sunday, January 11, by hosting its first-ever men’s One Day International. This series opener between India and New Zealand isn’t just a match; it’s a high-stakes encounter where world-class talent meets a brand-new international venue.

With heavyweights like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning to the fold under Shubman Gill’s captaincy, and a resilient New Zealand side led by Michael Bracewell looking to repeat their giant-killing heroics, the atmosphere in Baroda is nothing short of electric.

Vadodara Weather Forecast

On Sunday, the city is expected to experience typical winter conditions for Gujarat – bright, sunny, and dry. The maximum temperature will hover around 28°C to 29°C during the afternoon, providing a comfortable environment for the players and the thousands of fans expected to pack the Kotambi stands.

As the sun sets over the BCA Stadium, the mercury is projected to dip significantly, reaching a minimum of 15°C to 16°C. While there is absolutely zero probability of rain, the humidity levels are expected to rise from 40% in the afternoon to nearly 65% late in the evening. For the players, this means a pleasant day in the field, but for the strategists, the dropping temperatures signal the arrival of a familiar foe: the evening moisture.

Dew Factor

In day-night ODIs across the Indian subcontinent, dew often plays a more decisive role than the opposition’s bowling attack. At the Kotambi International Stadium, which is situated on the outskirts of the city amidst open fields, the impact of dew is expected to be substantial. As the temperature drops after 6:30 PM, a thick layer of moisture will likely settle on the outfield, making the ball greasy and difficult to grip for the spinners and the seamers alike.

For the Indian spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja, the second innings could become a battle of control. A wet ball rarely turns as effectively and often skids onto the bat, significantly neutralizing any assistance the pitch might offer. Consequently, the team bowling second will need to be equipped with plenty of saw-dust and towels to manage the “invisible twelfth man” that often turns a competitive total into an easy chase.

Also READ: Former opener explains how Yashasvi Jaiswal can become a three-format player for Team India

Toss Prediction

Given the significant dew forecast, the toss prediction for the 1st ODI heavily favors the side winning the coin flip to bowl first. Captain Gill and his counterpart Michael Bracewell are well aware that defending a total becomes a nightmare once the ball becomes like a bar of soap.

Statistically, at newer venues like the BCA Stadium—where the pitch is fresh and the bounce is true—chasing provides a tactical advantage. By bowling first, a team can exploit any early morning moisture or zip available for pacers. More importantly, it ensures their own batters have the best of the conditions under the lights, where the ball will likely come onto the bat much better due to the skidding effect of the dew.

Par Score at the BCA stadium

On this surface, a score of 280-290 is no longer considered safe. To truly challenge a chasing team under the lights, the side batting first should aim for a minimum target of 315-325. India’s pace attack should prioritize early wickets with the new ball while it swings, whereas New Zealand must use cutters and variations to stifle the middle-order scoring rate. For the chasing side, the strategy is to keep wickets in hand to capitalize on the skidding ball and wet outfield during the final 15 overs of the match.

Also READ: Aakash Chopra names Indian cricket’s top 5 defining moments of 2025

Adelaide Strikers return home to the Adelaide Oval for a high-stakes encounter against the Perth Scorchers in Match 32 of BBL|15. With the tournament entering its business end, this match is a classic “six-pointer.” The Scorchers are fighting to stay in the top two, while the Strikers are desperate to break back into the top four following a string of inconsistent results.

Perth Scorchers currently sit at 2nd on the points table with 4 wins and 3 losses. They have dominated recent meetings, including a convincing 33-run victory over the Strikers just a week ago in Perth. The Adelaide Strikers are positioned at 5th, coming off a tough away loss to the Hobart Hurricanes. While they have been travel-weary, their home form remains their greatest asset; both of their signature wins this season have come at the Adelaide Oval.

AS vs PS, BBL|15: Match details

• Date and Time: January 11 (Sunday); 1:45 pm IST / 8:15 am GMT / 6:45 pm Local
• Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

AS vs PS, Head-to-Head Record in BBL

Matches played: 28 | Adelaide Strikers won: 12 | Perth Scorcher won: 16 | No result/Tied: 0

Adelaide Oval Pitch Report

Adelaide Oval is widely regarded as a paradise for batters in the BBL, thanks to its even bounce and reliable pace that reward free-flowing stroke play. That said, the ground is not without its tests. Under lights, the new ball can move through the air and off the seam, giving fast bowlers a chance to strike early. As the match progresses, the surface tends to slow slightly in the middle overs, bringing spinners and bowlers with smart variations into the contest.

Squad

Adelaide Strikers: Matthew Short (c), Chris Lynn, Mackenzie Harvey, Liam Scott, Harry Manenti, Jamie Overton, Jerrssis Wadia, Luke Wood, Harry Nielsen (wk), Hasan Ali, Lloyd Pope, Jason Sangha, Henry Thornton

Perth Scorchers: Mitchell Marsh, Sam Fanning, Cooper Connolly, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Turner (c), Nick Hobson, Brody Couch, Finn Allen, Mahli Beardman, Jhye Richardson, Laurie Evans, Joel Paris, David Payne, Corey Rocchiccioli

Also WATCH: Sean Abbott rattles Jack Wildermuth’s stumps with a peach of a delivery in BBL|15

AS vs PS, BBL|15: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Adelaide Strikers wins the toss and bats first
• Adelaide Strikers’ powerplay score: 48-58 (6 overs)
• Adelaide Strikers’ total score: 170-185

Case 2:

• Perth Scorchers wins the toss and bats first
• Perth Scorchers’ powerplay score: 52-62 (6 overs)
• Perth Scorchers’ total score: 175-195

Match result: Team batting first to win the contest

Also WATCH: Riley Meredith floors Mackenzie Harvey with an unplayable delivery in BBL|15

Legendary fast bowler James Anderson has openly criticized England captain Ben Stokes after their humiliating 4–1 Ashes loss to Australia. He was really disappointed and unhappy with the way the defeat was explained by Ben Stokes.

The fallout from England’s 4-1 Ashes 2025-26 defeat has taken a dramatic turn, as James Anderson has publicly blasted captain Ben Stokes, describing the captain’s post-series comments as “nonsense.”

The former England fast bowler slammed Stokes for praising the effort of bowlers like Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse after the loss. Anderson believes that praising effort after such a poor Ashes series sends the wrong message and hides the real problems inside the team.

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Read Also: Ben Stokes faces BAN THREAT after accusing ICC, Umpires of destroying cricket

England was completely outplayed by Australia in the recent Ashes 2025-26. Australia looked stronger, sharper, and far better prepared, while England arrived with almost no warm-up matches and was later accused of lacking discipline between tests.

Their Noosa break was heavily criticized by the former cricketers and fans, as they were already 2-0 down in the five-match Test series in Australia. Because of this, questions have now been raised about the overall culture and standards within the England cricket team.

Anderson’s Explosive Criticism: “You’re in the wrong sport”

The legendary fast bowler said that running in hard and giving effort is not something special, as mentioned by Ben Stokes, because it is simply the basic requirement of being an international cricketer.

Anderson on BBC Radio: “When I saw Stokes come out and say the way Josh Tongue and Brydon Carse have just run in so consistently, I had a Roy Keane moment. I was like, that’s your job. If you’re not willing to run in all day for your team, don’t bother. You’re in the wrong sport.”

The Mitchell Starc Benchmark: Anderson attacked Stokes

To explain his point, Anderson highlighted Mitchell Starc as the best example of what top-level commitment looks like. Starc finished the Ashes as player of the series with 31 wickets and also made valuable runs with the bat, scoring 163.

Read Also: Nasser Hussain breaks silence on clash with Brendon McCullum, issues ‘sacking’ warning after Ashes loss

Even on the fifth day of the final test, Starc was still bowling at full pace, just as fast as he had in the five-match Test series, and Anderson said that this is the standard. The cricket pandit stressed that talking about effort after a big defeat is frustrating, saying this term should never even come into the conversation because it should already be part of every player’s mindset.

Blasting Stokes, the former fast bowler said that things like “the effort was there” only cover up deeper issues and lower the standards of the team.

Anderson noted, “Starc, for me, was the absolute standout of the series. He bowled on Day 5 of the final Test as quickly as he had bowled all series long. He was consistent with his speeds. But that is what you expect from all your bowlers. That is the standard. It always annoys me (when someone says), ‘Can’t fault your efforts.’ Well, the effort shouldn’t be a thing. It should just be in you.”

Ben Stokes’ Defense: “Commitment could not be questioned”

After the fifth Test, Ben Stokes had defended his players by saying their commitment and energy could not be questioned. The England captain had stated, “We’ve dropped a lot of catches on this tour, which have been very costly to the overall situation of the games.

In terms of stepping up, I can never fault anyone’s commitment or energy that they’ve given into this. We haven’t performed well; we know that, and we hold our hands up to that. But no one should question the care and commitment to try and go out there and give it your absolute best. It’s just been down to the lack of execution.”

Not the first time that India’s team selections have left out several in-form players, but this time it’s not due to injuries or propaganda or any conflict with the Men’s selection committee, but because of the increasing depth of the Indian team.

Such players include Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Rinku Singh, who have some numbers in domestic cricket. India would also be eyeing preparing a core team for the next year’s World Cup in South Africa, and hence, some experiments need to be made.

While there are several good players in the Indian team, and players who have impressed with magnificent performances, some players have been ignored from time to time despite their dominating show. Aakash Chopra has hence dropped a crazy suggestion to such players.

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“Had these three players played for a different country, they would have been the permanent part of their ODI team-” – Aakash Chopra

Former Indian batter Aakash Chopra named three Indian players who come under the category of real-time Indian stars who have constantly been overlooked by the BCCI selectors as well as the Indian team management.

Ruturaj Gaikwad is among the three names mentioned. It is known that Gaikwad is a splendid batter and has some remarkable numbers in List A cricket, where he averages 58.83, the highest by any Indian in List A cricket with 5000+ runs. He also scored a century for India in the previous series against South Africa.

“Had these three players played for a different country, they would have been the permanent part of their ODI team,” said Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel.

“Firstly, there is Ruturaj Gaikwad. If you see his List A numbers, it will leave you shocked. He has the best List A average till date, aggregating over 5000 runs in 99 games, out of which 20 are centuries. Gaikwad has played a handful of ODIs too and made a century in the previous series. But he is still struggling to find a place in the Indian team. That’s the kind of depth we have. Gaikwad is unstoppable,” he added.

Devdutt Padikkal averages over 80 in List A cricket

The next name on the list is the star of this year’s Vijay Hazare Trophy, Devdutt Padikkal, the Karnataka batter who has been unstoppable this season, and he has credited his coaches in the RCB for his transformation into a smashing strokemaker.

“The second player in this list has a List A average of 82. At an average of 82, Padikkal has scored and made over 3000 runs in only 39 games. While Gaikwad has at least played, Padikkal is not even part of the conversation. He is brilliant, but there is no place for Padikkal yet,” said Aakash Chopra through the aforementioned source.

Devdutt Padikkal managed to score 640 runs in just 7 innings this season and averages 91.42 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and is currently the highest run scorer in the domestic contest.

“Rinku is not even part of the conversation” – Aakash Chopra

The last name suggested was of UP middle-order batsman Rinku Singh, who averages 53.44 in List A cricket. Though Rinku, unlike Gaikwad and Devdutt Padikkal, does not have several centuries, as many say, he bats at one of the most crucial and tough spots in the XI.

“The third is Rinku Singh. He has played nearly 70 List A games and averages over 50. Rinku often doesn’t make hundreds because he plays in the middle order. But Rinku’s numbers are still mind-blowing. Like Padikkal, Rinku is not even part of the conversation. That tells you about India’s depth of talent, and it’s unbelievable,” Aakash Chopra reasoned.

ALSO READ: Rishabh Pant forced to grind hard in nets as Virat Kohli skips practice before 1st ODI vs NZ

Problems inside the England camp during the recent Ashes 2025-26 in Australia have now been finally exposed by the English media. England head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes were not always on the same page, even though they looked united in public.

Despite their Ashes loss to Australia by a 4-1 margin, both McCullum and Stokes kept supporting the Bazball style openly, but the things behind closed doors were very different.

Explosive report reveals Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes rift during Ashes 2025-26

A bombshell new report by The Telegraph has lifted the lid on the serious behind-the-scenes tensions between Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes during their disastrous 2025-26 Ashes campaign in Australia.

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Read Also: Nasser Hussain breaks silence on clash with Brendon McCullum, issues ‘sacking’ warning after Ashes loss

It is being said that there was a significant tactical and philosophical clash between the coach and captain that played a key role in the team’s embarrassing Ashes defeat in Australia.

The incident: training ground dispute sparks rift

The report revealed that the first heated exchange happened during the long break between the first and second tests. England had suffered a heavy loss in the first Test that ended in just two days. After the Ashes opener, McCullum and Stokes had opposite ideas about how to handle the team.

Brendon McCullum’s Approach: The head coach wanted lighter and relaxed sessions so that the players could stay fresh and relaxed and maintain a positive mindset.

Stokes’ Demand: The captain wanted intense and grueling training physically and mentally. He felt the team needed more intense work to bounce back from such an embarrassing defeat.

This disagreement on philosophy created the first crack in their once-solid partnership.

Tactical tensions spill onto the field

This difference slowly began showing on the field as well. As the five-match Test series progressed, Stokes, who is usually very attacking, started batting more carefully and became cautious with his bowling plans. This change did not sit well with Brendon McCullum, who strongly believes in always playing positive and aggressive cricket.

Read Also: ‘Angry’ James Anderson destroys Ben Stokes over ‘nonsense’ comments after 1-4 Ashes defeat

The report claimed that this also caused tension inside the England dressing room. Their words in public also began to sound different. Stokes started talking more about toughness, fight, and mental strength. He wanted his players to show more hunger and grit.

On the other hand, McCullum continued to speak about freedom, trust, and keeping a happy team environment. An insider claimed that McCullum felt Stokes was starting to feel the pressure of the Ashes 2025-26, and this was affecting his decisions and instincts.

Mixed messages and confusing team selections

England’s team selections and plans also became confusing as Stokes and McCullum were not fully aligned during the Ashes tour. Some decisions made little sense, such as playing Will Jacks at number eight on flat pitches where batting depth was needed. The overall strategy looked unclear, and the team never found a proper rhythm during the Test series.

Brendon McCullum responded to the claims of a ‘booze-fueled’ Ashes tour, which resulted in England‘s 4-1 humiliation in Australia. He defended the England players, saying that the real picture is very different from what has been painted recently.

England lost the Ashes to Australia by a humiliating margin of 4-1 as the Aussies continued their domination in the massive rivalry. However, what humiliated England was not the loss but the fact that the matches looked very one-sided before Australia finally won it with some performance.

Moreover, when England lost the series, one of the main reasons that was cited for the loss was the lack of discipline within the English camp. Throughout their Aussie tour, Brendon McCullum’s strategies remained under severe scrutiny, as sometimes England were seen skipping practice matches, while next they were partying and spending a holiday after repetitive losses.

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“Half our guys don’t have a drink, to be honest” – Brendon McCullum

England and ECB were both mocked after their loss in Adelaide, which crushed England’s hopes for a fightback, since they lost the series with their third consecutive loss at the Adelaide Oval. However, England players took a holiday off to Noosa during the period between the second Test at the Gabba and the Third Test at Adelaide.

During this break, England players were spotted drinking together, while Ben Duckett was caught intoxicated on camera alongside Jacob Bethell, who was seen dancing with an unknown woman. Brendon McCullum denied such claims of irregularity despite accepting the fact that the team was on a holiday.

“Half our guys don’t have a drink, to be honest. They’ll have a couple of beers every now and again. I think people do that in most walks of life,” McCullum said, as quoted by The Guardian.

Brendon McCullum declares the Noosa break as “quite important”

According to the dynamic coach, McCullum, the team’s culture should not be under scrutiny since the mid-series break to Noosa was planned long ago and was deemed as absolutely necessary for the English players.

McCullum had also claimed that England lost the pink ball Test at the Gabba due to overpreparation and hence were not fresh enough to outdo the Aussies.

He then further claimed that cricket is a very demanding sport in the region, and with the amount of fans storming in with high hopes, the players are often under immense pressure; hence, such go-out refreshments are important. But he did not believe that any player did things in excess.

“These guys are young men playing a highly pressurised sport, there’s an opportunity for us to guide and nurture as they become fully grown men who are dealing with some high pressure,” he said.

“Maybe there is someone better,” Brendon McCullum denies compromising

With several speculations over Brendon McCullum’s removal from the position of England’s head coach and the questions swirling over the end of the Bazball era, McCullum has made his stand clear through a statement: “Maybe there is someone better” for the job if he is not allowed to implement his own plans.

He clearly signalled that he is ready to continue as the head coach for England and is open to changes, but the changes should be in accordance with his own strategies. In short, McCullum has been clear that he won’t be implementing anyone else’s plans.

ALSO READ: Huge blow! Rishabh Pant injured ahead of 1st ODI vs New Zealand after intense practice session