The countdown to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has well and truly begun, with the tournament scheduled to be hosted in India. With familiar pitches, packed stadiums, and intense fan support, the event promises high-octane cricket and immense pressure on all participating teams. As anticipation builds, former players and experts have started weighing in with predictions, analysing form, conditions, and temperament ahead of the global showpiece. Among them, former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has shared his early thoughts on which teams he believes will make it to the semifinals of the marquee tournament.

Harbhajan Singh shares his predictions for semifinal spots at T20 World Cup 2026

Harbhajan believes that hosts India will be strong contenders to go all the way, citing their depth, balance, and familiarity with home conditions. According to the World Cup winner, playing in India gives the home side a significant advantage, but handling the mental pressure of a global tournament will be crucial.

“I think India has a very good chance to win the world Cup because they are a very strong team and they are playing at home. They know the conditions better than anybody else. But the World Cup pressure is something which they need to handle better than the others, which is the most important thing,” Harbhajan said, as quoted by Gulf Today.

Alongside India, Harbhajan named Australia as automatic contenders, highlighting their pedigree in ICC tournaments. The former spinner pointed out that Australia’s ability to perform under pressure makes them a dangerous side in any World Cup, regardless of conditions or format.

He also backed South Africa, praising their recent form and consistency across white-ball cricket. The Proteas have often entered tournaments as favourites only to fall short at crucial stages, but Harbhajan feels their current momentum could finally translate into a deep run.

Completing his semifinal lineup is Afghanistan, a team he believes could be a major threat on Indian pitches. Harbhajan highlighted Afghanistan’s potent spin attack and growing confidence, stating that they have the ability to beat any opponent in subcontinental conditions.

“I think Australia have always been a very good team and top contenders to win any cup. South Africa are the other contenders for the title with their current form. They have been playing some outstanding cricket of late. Afghanistan are also very strong with their spinners. I think they can beat anyone in these conditions. So these are my four picks for the semis,” added Harbhajan.

Also READ: Rohit Sharma predicts the finalist of T20 World Cup 2026

No place for two-time champions England in Harbhajan’s list

One of the most striking aspects of Harbhajan’s prediction is the absence of England, the two-time T20 World Cup champions. Despite England’s reputation as one of the most explosive white-ball teams, Harbhajan did not include them among his semifinalists, suggesting that conditions and consistency could play a decisive role.

England’s aggressive batting approach has brought them success in the past, but adapting to slower surfaces and high-pressure knockout scenarios in India may prove challenging. With several teams improving rapidly and conditions favouring spin-heavy attacks, even established powerhouses could find the margin for error extremely slim.

Also READ: Monty Panesar predicts the semifinalists of T20 World Cup 2026

As 2025 wraps up, former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has sparked lively debates by ranking Team India‘s top five defining moments in cricket. In his latest YouTube video ‘Top 5 Moments of 2025’ on the Aakash Chopra channel, the popular analyst dives into a year packed with triumphs across formats, from domestic glory to ICC silverware. His picks celebrate emotional breakthroughs and unexpected resilience, reflecting on how these events shaped Indian cricket’s narrative.​​

Aakash Chopra reveals India’s five biggest highlights of 2025

Starting at No. 5, Chopra slots Royal Challengers Bengaluru‘s (RCB) maiden IPL 2025 title win after beating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs in Ahmedabad. RCB posted 190/9, with PBKS falling short at 184/7 despite Shashank Singh‘s defiant 61 not out.

“IPL is our tournament, and stories there touch our hearts. Any team winning for the first time is beautiful,” he said, highlighting Virat Kohli‘s long wait ending after 18 seasons and key contributions from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, and Josh Hazlewood in the tense final overs.​

No. 4 goes to India’s gritty 2-2 draw in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Test series against England, a feat that defied low expectations post-Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli‘s retirements. Under Shubman Gill‘s young captaincy, highlights included Rishabh Pant‘s twin centuries, Gill’s fifty at Edgbaston, and a thrilling six-run win at The Oval.

“It exceeded expectations with such a youthful side,” Chopra emphasized, praising the tour’s “box office” drama.​

Also READ: Former Indian cricketer picks best ODI XI of 2025, no place for Daryl Mitchell

At No. 3, the unbeaten 2025 Asia Cup triumph shines, where India thrashed Pakistan thrice—capping with a five-wicket final chase of 147 despite slumping to 20/3. Tilak Varma‘s match-winning 69* off 53, alongside Sanju Samson (24) and Shivam Dube (33), sealed it with two balls left after Kuldeep Yadav‘s 4/30 bowled Pakistan out for 146.

“Held nerves without clutch player Hardik Pandya,” he added about the dominant run.​

Chopra ranks the Champions Trophy at No. 2, India’s first ODI ICC title since 2013, won via hybrid model with all matches in Dubai. They chased New Zealand‘s 251/7 for a four-wicket victory (254/6), powered by KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, after group-stage wins over top sides.

“Distinct Dubai advantage, but we won convincingly,” he acknowledged.​

India’s women created a moment to remember by lifting the World Cup in truly commanding fashion, sealing a historic triumph against South Africa in the final at Navi Mumbai. Batting first in the final, India built a solid platform thanks to an attacking yet controlled innings from Shafali Verma, who smashed a fluent 87 at the top. She was well supported by Deepti Sharma, whose calm and assured 58 steadied the innings in the middle overs. Their efforts helped India post an imposing total of 298 for 7, a score that always looked challenging on a big-match evening.

South Africa began the chase with intent, led by a brilliant century from Laura Wolvaardt, who fought valiantly to keep her team in the contest. However, wickets kept falling around her, and the pressure of the final slowly told. India’s bowlers-maintained discipline and energy, eventually bowling the Proteas out for 246. The 52-run victory not only sealed the title but also underlined India’s dominance on the biggest stage, marking a golden chapter in the history of Indian women’s cricket.

“Surreal like men’s 1983; cricket will never be the same,” Chopra hailed, crediting Harmanpreet Kaur‘s squad resurgence.

Also READ: Former cricketer picks best T20I XI of 2025, no place for Jasprit Bumrah

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has finally delivered its verdict on some of the most talked-about pitches in recent Test cricket, including the India-South Africa Test series and the Boxing Day Test between England and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

India vs South Africa pitches escape ICC punishment; Kolkata pitch rating revealed

Despite heavy criticism and debate, the turning track at Eden Gardens in Kolkata for the first Test between India and South Africa has received a “satisfactory” rating from ICC match referee and former West Indies captain Richie Richardson, reported TOI.

Read Also: Cricket Australia SACKS Pat Cummins as captain, announces ‘Best Test XI of 2025’

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That Kolkata Test match ended inside three days last month, with South Africa crushing the Shubman Gill-led Indian cricket team by 30 runs. The Eden Gardens surface produced sharp turns and kept bowlers in the game throughout, yet the ICC was satisfied with the track.

How Kolkata Test Unfolded

The Kolkata Test turned into a wild contest where batting felt almost impossible from the very first day. South Africa were bowled out for 159 and 153 across the two innings, while India managed 189 in the first innings before collapsing for just 93 while chasing 124 on Day Three.

The pitch had uneven bounce and sharp turns, with some balls staying low and others jumping awkwardly. The only fifty of the match came from South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, who showed great fight with an unbeaten 55 off 136 balls at the Eden Gardens.

Simon Harmer dominated with eight wickets in the match. Jasprit Bumrah starred with 5/27 on Day 1. Eventually, South Africa won their first Test against India in India since 2010.

ICC Rates Guwahati Pitch ‘Very Good’ as India Suffer Crushing 408-Run Defeat

Interestingly, the pitch for the second and final Test at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati was rated very good by the ICC. South Africa completely dominated the Guwahati Test, as they handed India a humiliating defeat of a massive 408 runs and sealed the Test series 2-0.

Read Also: Gautam Gambhir vs Rishabh Pant! Internal fight between India coach and wicketkeeper EXPOSED

South Africa scored 489 and then 260/5 declared across their two innings, while India could manage only 201 in their first innings and then were bowled out for just 140 while chasing the massive target of 549.

However, the Guwahati surface provided pace, bounce, and eventual turn, striking a balance between bat and ball, but the hosts failed to make the most of the home conditions. With this massive victory, South Africa recorded their first Test series victory in India in 25 years and whitewashed the hosts only for the second time in their history.

MCG Pitch Fails ICC Test and Handed a Demerit Point

On the other hand, Melbourne’s MCG pitch used for the Boxing Day Test between Australia and England came under the scanner after the match ended inside just two days.

The match referee Jeff Crowe rated the MCG surface as “unsatisfactory” on Tuesday (December 30). As a result of the poor rating, the MCG has been handed one demerit point by the ICC.

Crowe explained the decision: “The MCG pitch was too much in favor of the bowlers. With 20 wickets falling on the first day, 16 on the second day, and no batter even reaching a half-century, the pitch was ‘Unsatisfactory’ as per the guidelines, and the venue gets one demerit point.”

India’s explosive wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who was once an all-format player for the national side, has now become a one-format player under Gautam Gambhir’s regime. Rishabh Pant is now struggling to hold his place, and the reason is not just form or competition.

Gautam Gambhir vs Rishabh Pant: Explosive Rift Behind Pant’s Shocking ODI Omission Revealed

A massive internal rift between India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and star wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant has exploded into the open, and it has directly cost the left-handed batter his place in the ODI team. Under Gambhir’s tenure, Pant has been struggling to maintain his place in the team.

Read Also: Rishabh Pant kicked aside from Best Test XI for 2025

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Competition has intensified with Ishan Kishan, Dhruv Jurel, and Sanju Samson all pushing hard, but the internal issue between Gambhir and Pant has led to his ouster from the white-ball team. Once considered an automatic choice across formats, Pant has now become the one-format player.

What Sparked the Gambhir-Pant Cold War?

🚨Sports Tak Journalist Vikrant Gupta & Nitin Shrivastava talks about Rishabh Pant in ODI Cricket 🚨 (Sports Tak).

– “There is nothing going well between Coach Gautam Gambhir & Rishabh pant. There has been no communication between them since Guwahati Test.
Because of this, Pant… pic.twitter.com/mnRpkZ873x

— MANU. (@IMManu_18) December 30, 2025

According to SportsTak journalists, the relationship between Gambhir and Pant has hit a breaking point. Gambhir has clear preferences for certain players, and others have been paying the price.

It is being said that the past baggage and unresolved issues are influencing decisions, and Pant has become the biggest name affected by this personal fallout. Presently, there is nothing going well between the coach and the wicketkeeper.

Things reportedly turned worse after the Guwahati Test, where India suffered a humiliating defeat.

The Selection Fallout: Kishan and Jurel Step In

The situation has directly affected team selection. Ishan Kishan’s return to the T20I setup is being seen as a move that further pushed Pant out of white-ball plans. In ODIs, KL Rahul remains the first-choice wicketkeeper, while Dhruv Jurel has moved ahead as the preferred backup.

Read Also: Yuvraj Singh tipped to join Gautam Gambhir’s coaching staff amid sacking rumours

Ishan Kishan is also firmly back in the mix thanks to his stunning form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. As things stand, Pant is set to miss out on the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand at home, with Jurel and Kishan now viewed as the second-choice options.

Gautam Gambhir on Thin Ice as BCCI Tightens Grip

Pressure is mounting rapidly on Gautam Gambhir as India’s head coach, with his future now totally dependent on the results. A Cricket Book YouTube channel hinted that Gambhir was on the verge of losing his job, but the BCCI has given him temporary relief.

However, the warning is clear and non-negotiable. If India fails to win the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Gambhir will be shown the door. Behind the scenes, the BCCI has already started applying pressure with the sudden buzz around bringing VVS Laxman into the Test setup, as per reports.

It was a calculated move by the BCCI to create headlines and remind Gambhir that his position is under constant review. Tensions have also emerged over team decisions. The BCCI and selectors, especially RP Singh and Pragyan Ojha, stepped in and took control of key decisions, asking Gambhir to focus only on winning matches.

Oman have finally announced their 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will mark the fourth appearance for the Asian underdogs in World Cups. Jatinder Singh has been named as the captain of the side.

They have made three major changes to the squad from the one that featured in the Asia Cup 2025. The upcoming ICC T20 World Cup will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka and will comprise a total of 20 teams in the tournament.

India is the defending champion of the competition, while Oman has matches scheduled across venues in Sri Lanka. Oman could not advance to the Super-4 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup, after they lost all matches in the group stage.

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Oman announces 15-member squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2026

The 20-team tournament is scheduled to begin on the 7th of February, and Oman will be starting their campaign against Zimbabwe in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo.

Going into the tournament, they will be playing warm-up games against Zimbabwe on the 3rd of February and then feature against Sri Lanka A for the final warm-up game on the 6th in Colombo.

The Oman World Cup team features three new inclusions in the final 15: Wasim Ali, Jay Odedra and Karan Sonavale, while Aamir Kaleem, Sufyan Yousuf, Aryan Bisht, Zikria Islam and Mohammed Imran are among the players from the Asia Cup squad who have been dropped.

Oman T20 World Cup squad: Jatinder Singh (captain), Vinayak Shukla (vice-captain), Mohammed Nadeem, Shakeel Ahmad, Hammad Mirza, Wasim Ali, Karan Sonavale, Faisal Shah, Nadeem Khan, Sufyan Mehmood, Hassnain Ali Shah, Shafiq Jan, Jay Odedra, Jiten Ramanandi, and Ashish Odedara.

Oman manager points out the team’s mentality to play against a tough group

Oman has been placed in the same group as Zimbabwe, hosts Sri Lanka, Ireland and lastly, the mighty Australians. The journey will begin on the 9th of February at the Lankan capital of Colombo, and then the action shifts to Kandy, where they will clash against the host side.

The next two matches will be against Ireland in Colombo and against Australia in Kandy on the 14th and 20th of February. These will mark the end of the group-stage matches for Oman. Speaking on his team’s behalf, manager Alkesh Joshi claimed that “This is our fourth appearance at the World Cup, and our objective this time is to make an impact. We have made very careful selection decisions, keeping that objective in mind.”

He expressed high confidence and kept faith in his selections and acknowledged the efforts of players and all the coaching staff. “It is a tough group, but we are extremely confident in the squad and in the team that we have selected. The players are highly motivated and eager to go out and make a mark for themselves in this World Cup,” he concluded.

Head coach Duleep Mendis’ optimistic insights following the Team selections

Oman have selected a completely robust squad full of youngsters. A total of 11 of the 15 players selected will be making their debut in a World Cup, bringing a sense of freshness to the team. Moreover, the belief within the team has been reinforced by their performance and improvement over the last six months.

Giving his opinion on the announced squad, the head coach Duleep Mendis claimed, “We have a good combination and mix of players. The majority of the players will be getting their maiden World Cup experience, but this will be good for them.”

“The players know that this is our fourth World Cup, and it is time for Oman to make their presence felt as mere participation is not enough. It is time for us to get some positive results this time,” he added.

ALSO READ: ICC announces shocking pitch ratings for India vs South Africa Tests in Kolkata, Guwahati

Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya is likely to be rested for the home ODI series against New Zealand. The all-rounder has hence turned to Baroda for his 50-over comeback for the final three matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

India are gearing up for the ICC T20 World Cup, and hence they have considered resting some of their players from the ODIs to ensure their focus in the T20Is. One of the names is of all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who returned to competitive cricket against South Africa in the T20I series.

Pandya had missed the Asia Cup 2025 final due to a quadriceps injury, and the injury escalated, which caused him to miss the white-ball tour to Australia. After his recovery, Pandya featured in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Baroda and picked up some form before making his international comeback.

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Hardik Pandya’s Vijay Hazare Trophy return confirmed

Veteran Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has almost been confirmed to be rested for the ODIs against New Zealand; hence, the premier all-rounder has confirmed his participation in two of the last three league stage matches for Baroda in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

“Yes, it’s confirmed that Hardik will turn out for Baroda in their Vijay Hazare games on January 3 and 8, which are against Vidarbha and Chandigarh,” a source familiar with the matter told IANS on Tuesday.

However, the premier all-rounder would manage his workload wisely, as he has not considered playing all games, as he needs to be cautious of his injuries, with the T20 World Cup around the corner.

“He’s not there for the clash against Jammu & Kashmir on January 6, as he needs ample break to manage his load in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup,” the source added.

Hardik Pandya advised to rest from the New Zealand ODI series by the BCCI selectors

Hardik last featured for India in an ODI game back in March 2025, which was in the ICC Champions Trophy final against New Zealand. He has not played a single ODI since then, and India has managed decently without him.

Ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, he, alongside Jasprit Bumrah, has been asked to rest for the ODIs against New Zealand, since both these players are indispensable to India’s T20 World Cup title defence. Bumrah has also been exempted from featuring in the VHT.

“Hardik was wishing to turn out in ODIs against New Zealand, but the team think-tank advised him to rest from the series, as they want him in fine fettle for the subsequent T20I series and the all-important T20 World Cup,” revealed the same source to IANS.

Will Nitish Kumar Reddy be picked as the all-rounder in the New Zealand ODIs?

In Hardik Pandya’s absence during the Australia tour, Nitish Kumar Reddy was picked as the replacement for the veteran all-rounder. He even featured in the first two games for India. However, later, he was snubbed owing to injuries.

The Andhra skipper is currently playing a handsome hand in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Though not massively with the bat, Reddy has been effective with the ball. The all-rounder is once again in line for a team India recall as Hardik Pandya’s replacement.

ALSO READ: Suryakumar Yadav in trouble! Bollywood actress levels stunning allegations just before T20 World Cup

In a recent massive development, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the appointment of Lasith Malinga, the legendary fast bowler, as the fast bowling coach for the Men’s National team. He has been appointed to help Sri Lanka with preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup.

Sri Lanka crashed out of the previous edition of the T20 World Cup after some helpless bowling; hence, this time around, as the hosts of the tournament, they have taken measures to prepare their players better for the World Cup.

The Lankans struggled with their performance in the Asia Cup as well, where they failed to advance into the finals after having made it to the Super-4 stage of the Asia Cup 2025. They lost all matches against India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the super-4 stage.

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Lasith Malinga’s appointment is a massive step by Sri Lanka Cricket

The Lankan pace attacking deck has many stars, but what they lack is experience. Sanath Jayasuriya brought back hope within the Lankan side; now, Lasith Malinga’s appointment can be equally effective for the two-time T20 World Cup champions. Lasith Malinga is Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler in T20s and is also a World Cup-winning skipper for the Lankans.

Malinga’s experience of T20 cricket can come in handy for pacers like Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thusara, and Dusmantha Chameera in the Lankan T20I side. His appointment is temporary, from the 15th of December to the 25th of January, and his role would be limited to the preparation for the World Cup.

They will be using Malinga’s immense expertise as a death bowler, particularly in the shortest format of the game. Malinga, during his career, featured for several franchises across different leagues in the world.

Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the appointment of Lasith Malinga as the Consultant – Fast Bowling Coach for the National Men’s Team.
His appointment is on a short-term basis for a period of one month, effective from 15th December to 25th January 2026.
Malinga will support…

— Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket) December 30, 2025

Sri Lanka is placed in the same group as Australia, Oman and Ireland

The tournament is scheduled to start on the 7th of February, and the tournament will begin at the SSC in Colombo on the 7th of this month. The co-hosts of the tournament have been placed in the same group alongside Australia, Oman, Ireland and Zimbabwe.

They will play the first match against Ireland on the 8th of February in Colombo, while the second match will be played in Pallekele against Oman and Australia on the 12th and 16th of February. They will conclude their campaign against Zimbabwe on the 19th of February in Colombo.

Sri Lanka Preliminary Squad for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup

Rest assured that Dasun Shanaka will be named as the captain of the Sri Lankan side for the ICC T20 World Cup. Spin bowling all-rounders have formed the core of the team, as Wanindu Hasaranga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis and Dunith Wellalage offer balance with both the bat and ball.

A total of 13 players from the T20 World Cup squad for 2024 have been retained for this edition as well. The squad was announced back on the 19th of December, and several players will be snubbed to pick a final 15-member squad for the World Cup.

Sri Lanka 25-member Preliminary Squad for T20 World Cup: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dushmantha Chameera, Pramod Madushan, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, Janith Liyanage, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Milan Rathnayake, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, Dushan Hemantha, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, and Traveen Mathew.

ALSO READ: England ODI, T20I squads for Sri Lanka tour officially announced; Jofra Archer OUT

The upcoming Women’s Premier League 2026 (WPL 2026) was hit by a major setback as several international stars withdrew from the next season, citing national duty and personal reasons. Just before the Women’s Premier League 2026 gets underway, teams have been forced into sudden changes that have shaken up their plans.

USA’s left-arm seamer Tara Norris has stunned the UP Warriorz by pulling out of the WPL 2026 due to national commitment. Norris has been named in the USA squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in Nepal.

WPL 2026 hit by last-minute pullouts as UP Warriorz lose Tara Norris

The qualifier runs from January 18 to February 1, clashing with the WPL. The upcoming Indian league will start on January 9, which means Norris will miss the entire season. Norris was part of Delhi Capitals in 2022-23, and she has taken seven wickets in five games in the league.

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To replace Norris, UP Warriorz have taken a gamble by signing the uncapped Australian all-rounder Charli Knott. Knott has joined the UP Warriorz at a base price of INR 10 lakh.

Read Also: Suryakumar Yadav in trouble! Bollywood actress levels stunning allegations just before T20 World Cup

After becoming one of the biggest names in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), Charli Knott is all set to make her mark in the WPL with UP Warriorz in 2026. It will be her debut season.

RCB hero Ellyse Perry misses WPL 2026; Sayali Satghare joins as her replacement

The shock didn’t end there, as two big Australian stars also confirmed their withdrawal from the WPL 2026. Ellyse Perry will not be available for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), while the Delhi Capitals (DC) will also be without Annabel Sutherland in the next edition of the tournament.

Both Perry and Sutherland cited personal reasons for their decisions. As a result, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have drafted in Indian all-rounder Sayali Satghare at her price of INR 30 lakh as Perry’s replacement. Satghare was part of the Gujarat Giants in the last season. She did not get many chances and finished with just one wicket from four matches.

Read Also: WPL 2026 dates officially announced, World Cup venue finalized for the opener

Perry has been one of the key players for RCB in the Women’s Premier League. The Australian all-rounder has played for the franchise in all three seasons so far and has made a big impact with both bat and ball. In 25 matches, Perry has scored 972 runs and picked up 14 wickets.

Perry’s best season came in the second edition of the WPL, where she finished as the highest run-scorer and played a key role in RCB lifting the title. Given her form, the RCB retained Perry ahead of the mega auction, along with Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, and Shreyanka Patil.

Alana King replaces Annabel Sutherland for WPL 2026

On the other hand, Delhi Capitals (DC) have signed the senior Australian leg-spinner Alana King at her base price of INR 60 lakh to replace Sutherland for the next Women’s Premier League season. King brings strong experience despite limited WPL action.

She played only one match for UP Warriorz in 2025, but her international numbers stand out. The leg-spinner has taken 27 wickets in 27 T20I games at an impressive average of 18.81.

Notably, Sutherland’s WPL journey started with Gujarat Giants in the first season and later shifted to Delhi Capitals. In the 2025 season, she took nine wickets and scored 95 runs. Delhi Capitals valued her all-round impact and retained her along with Jemimah Rodrigues, Marizanne Kapp, Shafali Verma, and N. Shree Charani.

India National Cricket Team star batsman and ODI vice-captain, Shreyas Iyer, has suffered a major blow as his comeback to competitive cricket has been delayed, reported TOI on Tuesday, December 30.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) doctors at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) have denied giving the clearance to Shreyas Iyer to make his comeback from injury.

Shreyas Iyer’s comeback plans dashed

Iyer has been on the sidelines for an extended period of time after suffering an injury during the India tour of Australia 2025, which consisted of a three-match ODI series and a five-match T20I series.

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The right-handed batter has been working pretty hard for his comeback, and he has been training regularly in the gym and in the nets. He headed to the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) on December 25 and underwent numerous fielding, batting, and fitness drills.

It was expected that the batter would be handed the clearance by the BCCI medical team on December 30 to leave the facility and make his competitive cricket comeback, but that didn’t happen.

His comeback has been delayed by at least a week, and he has been asked to stay at the CoE. The major reason behind Iyer not getting the Return to Play (RTP) is the rapid weight loss.

Shreyas Iyer loses 6 kilograms

Iyer’s abdominal injury was a serious one, and it has led to the batter losing around 6 kilograms of weight. Although he has managed to regain some weight, his drop in muscle mass has pushed his strength below optimum levels.

Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer has not faced any concerns while batting, and attention will be paid to his weight and strength issues in the coming week.

“There is no problem with his batting but he lost around six kgs after the injury in Australia. While he has regained some weight, there has been a drop in muscle mass which has further affected his optimum strength levels.

“The medical team will not be taking any chances because he is a very important player in the ODI set up and his complete recovery is of utmost importance right now. The selectors and management will be conveyed about his present situation before they meet to pick team for New Zealand ODIs,” a BCCI official told TOI.

Shreyas Iyer unlikely to feature in New Zealand ODIs

Earlier, it was reported that Iyer would make his international comeback in the ODI series against New Zealand. The three-match ODI series between India and New Zealand will be played on January 11, 14, and 18 in Vadodara, Rajkot, and Indore.

“There were a lot of positive developments as he batted in Mumbai, went to CoE and was pushing himself to feature in the New Zealand ODIs. There were indications of him playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy matches on January 3 and 6 too but we have now been told that he needs more time and will only be available from the knockout stages of the tournament,” a MCA official tracking developments told TOI.

However, Iyer will only be cleared by the BCCI medical team at CoE on January 9, and he is unlikely to feature in the New Zealand ODI series. Instead, he might feature in the Vijay Hazare Trophy knockouts.

Also Read: PCB to sell 2 new PSL teams for less than Rishabh Pant-Shreyas Iyer’s combined IPL salary

Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have been one of the biggest success stories of the recent IPL cycle. Under the leadership of Pat Cummins, SRH reinvented themselves from perennial bottom-table finishers into the most ruthless, boundary-hitting unit in the league. Their ultra-aggressive brand of cricket, both with bat and ball, not only delivered results but also reshaped the team’s identity. However, as the franchise looks ahead to IPL 2026, a crucial question looms large: what if Cummins is unavailable?

Cummins is currently managing a persistent back injury. During the ongoing Ashes 2025–26, the Australian skipper featured in only one Test, missing the first two matches and then being ruled out of the final two after the third game to protect his long-term fitness. With Australia’s packed international calendar and Cummins’ importance across formats, SRH cannot afford to be caught unprepared.

Why SRH need a strong contingency plan?

Replacing Cummins is not just about finding another overseas fast bowler. His value to SRH went far beyond wickets. Cummins brought calm leadership, tactical clarity, and a relentless edge that perfectly complemented SRH’s fearless batting lineup. If he misses IPL 2026, the void would be as much psychological as it would be tactical.

Fortunately for the Orange Army, the unsold pool from the IPL 2026 auction offers several high-quality options. These players may not replicate Cummins exactly, but they can help SRH preserve the aggressive blueprint that has defined their resurgence.

3 players SRH can sign to replace Pat Cummins for IPL 2026

1) Gerald Coetzee

If SRH want to retain the “fear factor” Cummins injected into their pace attack, Gerald Coetzee stands out as the most natural fit. One of the surprises of the 2026 auction was Coetzee going unsold at his base price of ₹2 crore, despite his proven impact at the international level.

Why SRH should sign him: Coetzee mirrors the current SRH culture perfectly. He bowls with hostility, thrives on confrontation, and hits hard lengths that force batters onto the back foot. Much like Cummins, he brings visible intensity that lifts the entire bowling unit.

Replacement value: At a young age, Coetzee offers long-term returns. He is also not a liability with the bat, capable of striking a few big blows at No. 8 — a trait SRH valued highly in Cummins during tight matches.

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2) Alzarri Joseph

Another major name to slip through the cracks at the 2026 auction was Alzarri Joseph. With franchises spoiled for overseas quicks, Joseph found no buyers, but for SRH, he could be a strategic goldmine.

Why SRH should sign him: Cummins’ greatest weapon was his ability to exploit bounce, especially on truer surfaces. Joseph offers the same attribute in abundance. With express pace consistently above 145 kmph, he can intimidate top orders and set the tone early.

Tactical fit: SRH play half their matches in Hyderabad, where bounce can be a decisive factor. With explosive batters like Travis Head at the top, the team needs a bowler who can apply instant pressure. Joseph, who still holds the record for the best bowling figures in IPL history, fits that role seamlessly.

3) Daryl Mitchell

While pace is an obvious area of concern, SRH could also look to replace Cummins’ leadership presence rather than his raw skill set. In that context, Daryl Mitchell emerges as an intriguing option. Despite being unsold at ₹2 crore, Mitchell brings immense tactical depth.

Why he fits: With Liam Livingstone already part of the SRH setup for 2026, Mitchell adds balance rather than brute force. He is among the best players of spin in world cricket and acts as a stabilising bridge between SRH’s explosive openers and power-hitters.

The ‘Moose’ factor: Mitchell’s street-smart cricketing brain could partially compensate for Cummins’ absence. His medium-pace variations are effective on slower tracks, offering SRH flexibility when express pace is taken apart.

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