India’s rising batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi has set his sights on one of the most iconic records in T20 franchise cricket ahead of IPL 2026. The Rajasthan Royals star revealed a special record he would like to target in the cash-rich league.

Suryavanshi made the revelation during an interaction on the sidelines of the BCCI Naman Awards, where he was honoured along with the India Under-19 squad for winning the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2026 in Zimbabwe. The young batter has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in Indian cricket, and his bold ambition reflects the fearless approach that has already made him a fan favourite.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi honoured for India’s sixth U-19 World Cup triumph in Naman Awards

The awards ceremony celebrated the success of the Indian Under-19 team, which secured the country’s sixth U-19 World Cup title earlier this year. Suryavanshi played a key role in the tournament and was recognised alongside his teammates during the event.

During the ceremony, former Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson also shared a popular anecdote about Suryavanshi’s first meeting with legendary Indian cricketer and coach Rahul Dravid. According to Samson, the youngster impressed everyone with his fearless attitude even during that initial interaction, a trait that has since become a defining feature of his cricket.

The recognition at the awards further underlined Suryavanshi’s rapid rise in the game, especially after his impressive performances at both domestic and international youth levels.

Vaibhav on the record he is eyeing ahead in IPL 2026

While interacting with veteran cricket presenter Harsha Bhogle, Suryavanshi was asked to choose a record he would most like to achieve in the IPL. The options included hitting 6 sixes in an over, scoring the fastest century in IPL history, or surpassing legend Chris Gayle’s monumental 175-run innings.

Without hesitation, the young batter selected Gayle’s record-breaking knock as his dream milestone. Notably, Gayle’s 175 not out for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Pune Warriors in 2013 remains the highest individual score in IPL history and is widely viewed as one of the most destructive T20 innings ever played. By naming that record as his target, Suryavanshi signaled his intent to push the boundaries of power-hitting in the tournament.

Here’s the video:

Boss Baby has his eyes set for this one! 👀

Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi achieve this feat in the #TATAIPL 2026 ✍️👇

Watch BCCI Naman awards 👉https://t.co/8W5zMWhfvk pic.twitter.com/CZ3xnzqifF

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 15, 2026

Also READ: Aakash Chopra points out the ‘weakness’ of Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2026

Breakout IPL season raised expectations

Expectations surrounding Suryavanshi heading into IPL 2026 are extremely high, largely due to his sensational debut season in the tournament.

Playing for Rajasthan, the young opener delivered several match-winning performances and quickly established himself as one of the league’s most explosive batters. His standout moment came when he smashed a 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans, becoming the youngest centurion in IPL and men’s T20 history.

That blistering hundred was also the second-fastest century in IPL history, trailing only Gayle’s record-breaking effort. Suryavanshi’s fearless batting style and ability to dominate bowling attacks earned him the Super Striker of the Season award, cementing his reputation as a breakout star.

With his growing stature and remarkable performances, Suryavanshi is expected to play a crucial role for Rajasthan Royals in the upcoming IPL season. He is widely tipped to become the team’s permanent opening batter, particularly following the departure of Samson.

Also READ: Robin Uthappa explains why IPL 2026 will be a challenging season for Vaibhav Suryavanshi

In a blend of personal celebration and high-stakes corporate manoeuvring, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) camp is buzzing with headlines. While the franchise prepares for a massive ownership shift valued at over $2 billion, its star pacer Yash Dayal has quietly embarked on a new journey of his own.

Yash Dayal ties the knot with content creator Shweta Pundir in an intimate ceremony

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s dependable left-arm seamer, Dayal, has officially entered a new innings off the field. Reports have confirmed that Dayal married popular digital content creator and social media influencer Shweta Pundir in an intimate ceremony on February 4, 2026. The wedding, held in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, was a strictly private affair, attended only by immediate family members and a select few relatives.

While Dayal known for his calm demeanor on the pitch opted to keep the news away from the media spotlight, the secret was unveiled through Pundir’s social media. She recently shared a heartwarming reel on Instagram, capturing glimpses of their special day. Shweta is a well-known figure in the digital space, boasting over 587K followers on Instagram. Beyond her lifestyle vlogging, she has professional ties to the sport, having worked as a broadcaster for the Intercontinental Legends League.

Dayal, who was a vital component of the RCB squad that clinched its maiden IPL title in 2025 with 13 wickets in 15 matches, is currently gearing up for the 2026 season. After being retained by the franchise, the pacer will look to carry the momentum of his personal happiness onto the field as RCB begins its title defense against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28.

🚨: Yash Dayal secretly married content creator Shweta Pundir on 4 February in the presence of only their family members. pic.twitter.com/cLG20s0kxn

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) March 15, 2026

Also READ: Kuldeep Yadav ties the knot with longtime girlfriend Vanshika in grand Mussoorie ceremony

A difficult period of days for Dayal in past few months

Despite the joy of his recent marriage and the triumph of the 2025 IPL season, the past several months have been arguably the most challenging of Dayal’s life. Since July 2025, the cricketer has been embroiled in serious legal controversies that threatened to overshadow his sporting achievements.

Dayal faced allegations of sexual assault and “sexual intercourse by deceitful means,” leading to FIRs filed in both Ghaziabad and Jaipur. The accusations, which included claims of exploitation under the pretext of marriage, led to a period of intense public scrutiny and legal battles. The severity of the charges including one initially linked to the POCSO Act sparked significant backlash on social media, with critics questioning his retention by RCB.

However, the tide began to turn in early 2026. In January, the Rajasthan High Court granted Dayal anticipatory bail, providing him with a much-needed legal reprieve. Throughout this turbulent phase, Pundir remained a steadfast pillar of support, even posting a congratulatory message when the bail was granted, stating, “The comeback is always stronger than the setback.” While the legal proceedings are still ongoing, Dayal’s recent marriage and his continued focus on cricket suggest a man determined to move past the shadows of the previous year.

Also WATCH: Inside Kuldeep Yadav and Vanshika Chaddha’s vibrant mehendi ceremony in Mussoorie

Pakistan have officially raised concerns with match referee Neeyamur Rashid after a controversial Decision Review System (DRS) moment involving on-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena during the third ODI against Bangladesh national cricket team in Mirpur.

The incident occurred during the tense closing moments of the match and has now sparked debate over whether proper DRS procedures were followed before Bangladesh were allowed to review an LBW decision. The hosts eventually won the thrilling contest by 11 runs to secure a 2-1 series victory over Pakistan national cricket team.

DRS controversy erupts during the final over of 3rd ODI

The disputed moment took place on the second-last delivery of the 50th over while Bangladesh spinner Rishad Hossain was bowling to Pakistan’s tailenders. At that stage, Pakistan required 12 runs from the final two balls to complete a remarkable chase.

Rishad delivered a flighted ball on leg stump that spun away from Shaheen Afridi towards the leg side. The on-field umpire initially signalled the delivery as a wide, seemingly ending any chance of an LBW appeal.

However, moments later, Bangladesh opted to review the decision for LBW, which immediately triggered confusion on the field. Replays on the stadium’s big screen showed the ball making contact with the bat before passing the pad, forcing the umpire to overturn the original call.

The sequence left Shaheen visibly frustrated as the match situation suddenly shifted dramatically. Pakistan now required 12 runs from just one delivery.

Pakistan allege replay influenced Bangladesh review

According to reports, Pakistan’s team management formally complained that Bangladesh may have decided to take the review only after watching a replay of the delivery on the stadium screen. Under normal DRS protocols, teams are expected to decide whether to review an on-field decision before any replays are shown to players. This rule exists to prevent teams from using televised footage to guide their review decisions.

Pakistan believe that this process might not have been followed in Mirpur. The replay displayed on the big screen reportedly showed the ball passing close to Shaheen’s bat, which may have alerted Bangladesh players to a possible edge and prompted them to challenge the decision. The visiting side has therefore asked match officials to examine whether the replay influenced the decision to review.

Pakistan have also raised another concern regarding the time taken by Bangladesh to signal the review. According to playing conditions, teams have only 15 seconds to request a DRS review after an umpire’s decision. However, no visible timer appeared on the television broadcast during the moment in question, making it impossible for viewers to verify whether the review was taken within the permitted window. Pakistan’s management has reportedly questioned whether the review exceeded the allowed time frame, adding another layer to the controversy.

Also READ: BAN vs PAK – Mohammad Kaif shares his verdict on Salman Agha’s controversial run-out

Bangladesh clinch dramatic series win

Despite the late drama, Bangladesh held their nerve to complete a memorable victory and seal the ODI series 2-1. Batting first, the hosts posted a competitive total of 290/5 thanks to a brilliant maiden ODI century from Tanzid Hasan, who scored an impressive 107. His knock provided the foundation for Bangladesh’s strong total in front of a passionate Mirpur crowd.

Pakistan’s chase got off to a disastrous start as they slumped to 17/3 early in the innings. However, Salman Ali Agha produced a fighting effort with a magnificent maiden century of 106 that kept Pakistan in contention deep into the final overs. In the end, Bangladesh’s death bowling proved decisive. Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed delivered a crucial spell, finishing with figures of 4/49 as Pakistan were bowled out for 279 in the last over.

The victory marked Bangladesh’s first ODI series triumph over Pakistan since 2015, making the result even more significant for the hosts despite the post-match controversy.

Also READ: ICC punish Salman Agha for his furious reaction after the controversial run-out in BAN vs PAK 2nd ODI

Former CSK wicket-keeper batter Sam Billings went on to pick his best batter, bowler, wicket-keeper and captain of all time, and he shockingly did not pick his former captain MS Dhoni in any of the following categories.

Chennai Super Kings have been honoured by the legacy of the Indian veteran MS Dhoni, who has been part of the franchise for all 16 seasons they have played in the IPL. Despite retiring from international cricket in 2020, he led them to titles in 2021 and 2023, respectively.

The Super Kings have picked many players over all these years, and they have shared the dressing room with the Indian legend. Many among them have claimed to have learned a lot from the great, while some claim that they were obliged to share the dressing room with MS Dhoni.

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Ex-CSK batter picks RCBian as the best batter of all time

Former CSK batter Sam Billings has been widely known as a specialist T20 cricketer across several franchise leagues around the world. He plays in the Big Bash League, the Men’s Hundred, the PSL and the ILT20 as well.

However, the last time he played in the IPL was back in 2022 for the Kolkata Knight Riders. Before that season, he had spent two seasons with the Chennai Super Kings in 2018 and 2019, and was part of the title-winning side in 2018 under MS Dhoni.

In an interview with Crictracker, he was asked to pick the best batter of all time in cricket. He claimed that growing up, it was Sachin Tendulkar, but his favourite batter is AB de Villiers from South Africa.

He also had to pick the best bowler of all time, and he ignored the likes of English greats and picked Australian legend Shane Warne.

Not MS Dhoni: CSK batter names Australian legend as greatest captain ever

After the choice for the batter and bowler, Sam Billings was asked to make a quick choice on the best-ever captain in cricket, and he chose another Australian on this occasion as well.

Despite having played for the Chennai Super Kings over the years, he has observed MS Dhoni’s captaincy very closely. He himself has led teams at times after moving out to several other leagues in the world.

However, Ricky Ponting too was undoubtedly one of the greatest ever Captains in the game. His red ball record, added to the white ball supremacy for Australia under him, makes him the greatest ever captain in cricket history.

English keeper picked over Adam Gilchrist and MS Dhoni as the best wicket-keeper of all time

Sam Billings’ most unconventional choice came during picking the Best wicket-keeper of all time. He sidelined the likes of legendary Australian gloveman Adam Gilchrist and former Indian captain MS Dhoni.

English T20 specialist Sam Billings names his all-time picks across roles in an exclusive interview with CricTracker. pic.twitter.com/eYFFVvWWIL

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 15, 2026

Undoubtedly, for players who have played alongside Dhoni, they are well aware of the wonderful things the CSK star can do with the gloves on, and hence, they most often tend to pick him over Gilchrist in the closely fought contest.

However, Billings, despite his CSK lineage, picked former English wicket-keeper Jack Russell as the best wicket-keeper of all time.

ALSO READ: Ex-Pakistan cricketer MOCKS PCB for turning cricket into politics

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been a stage where young cricketers turn into overnight sensations, and few stories captured the imagination of fans more than Vaibhav Suryavanshi‘s stunning debut season. However, former India cricketer Robin Uthappa believes the teenage prodigy could face a much tougher challenge in IPL 2026 as bowlers begin to understand his game better.

While acknowledging the youngster’s exceptional talent, Uthappa suggested that the second season often becomes the real test for emerging stars in a competition as demanding as the IPL.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s incredible rise in IPL

Vaibhav’s journey to stardom has been nothing short of extraordinary. The young batter from Samastipur in Bihar entered IPL 2025 as one of the most exciting teenage prospects and quickly justified the hype surrounding him. Rajasthan Royals signed the 14-year-old prodigy for ₹1.10 crore, making him the youngest player ever to debut in the history of the tournament. Despite the pressure that comes with such a milestone, Vaibhav displayed remarkable confidence and fearless intent at the crease.

The youngster’s breakthrough moment came in a memorable clash against Gujarat Titans, where he smashed a breathtaking 35-ball century — the fastest by an Indian in IPL history. His aggressive strokeplay and ability to dominate experienced bowlers instantly made him one of the breakout stars of the season.

Throughout the campaign, Vaibhav continued to impress with his fearless approach. He finished IPL 2025 with 252 runs from seven innings at an average of 36 while maintaining a staggering strike rate of 206.55. Those numbers not only highlighted his attacking mindset but also signaled the arrival of a potentially special talent in Indian cricket.

Robin Uthappa explains why IPL 2026 could be tougher for Vaibhav

Despite the remarkable debut season, Uthappa believes the upcoming IPL could test Vaibhav more thoroughly. Speaking on Star Sports, the former India batter praised the youngster’s talent but pointed out that the element of surprise played a significant role in his early success.

“I’ve been following every match Vaibhav has played over the last 12 months. He is a brilliant player. But when you watch him bat, it sometimes feels like he is also riding a bit of luck. When the level becomes tougher and bowlers know exactly where to bowl, the challenge increases,” Uthappa said.

According to Uthappa, opposition teams will now analyze Vaibhav’s strengths and weaknesses more carefully. With detailed match data and video analysis available, bowlers are likely to arrive with clearer plans against the teenager this season.

“The surprise factor is gone. I think this season will be a learning phase for him. He will score runs, but he may not replicate last year’s performance,” Uthappa added.

Also READ: IPL 2026: Irfan Pathan explains why Sanju Samson will be a huge advantage for CSK in the clash against RR

Expectations high from star-studded Rajasthan Royals

The pressure will not only be on Vaibhav but also on the Rajasthan Royals as the franchise heads into IPL 2026 with renewed ambition and a dramatically reshaped squad. Ahead of the new season, RR underwent a major transformation, most notably parting ways with long-time captain Sanju Samson, who was traded to Chennai Super Kings. In a bold leadership move, the franchise handed the captaincy to rising Indian star Riyan Parag.

The Royals have also focused heavily on strengthening their all-round depth and bowling resources. In one of the most notable deals, RR acquired veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and England’s Sam Curran from CSK in exchange for Samson. The franchise also added Donovan Ferreira to its roster.

Their spin department received a major boost with the signing of Ravi Bishnoi for ₹7.2 crore, while experienced pacer Adam Milne and returning domestic seamer Kuldeep Sen further strengthened the bowling attack. With explosive batters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shimron Hetmyer, and Vaibhav already in the lineup, Rajasthan Royals appear to have assembled a formidable squad.

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026 glory: Indian players who are also IPL champions

Harbhajan Singh picks overseas players for Mumbai Indians: The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 will start from March 28, as the 10 teams are gearing up for the massive event for two months. Reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be playing the first game of the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). It is going to be an exciting encounter to watch.

Ahead of the IPL, former Mumbai Indians (MI) captain Harbhajan Singh has dropped his comments on the possible Mumbai Indians XI for the upcoming season. While speaking on JioHostar, the former captain predicted the four overseas players who can play for the five-time champions of the IPL. He believes that the franchise will have some headaches picking four players.

Harbhajan Singh picks four overseas players for the Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians retained Trent Boult, Will Jacks, Mitchell Santner, Corbin Bosch, Ryan Rickelton, and Allah Ghazanfar in their overseas slot. They bought in Sherfane Rutherford as a trade from the Gujarat Titans, and in the auction, they only bought Quinton de Kock. Bhajji predicted that one of the South African wicket-keepers would play, along with Trent Boult and Allah Ghazanfar.

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However, MI would have a tough decision on choosing the final overseas player, between Will Jacks and Sherfane Rutherford. Both cricketers have been in brilliant form; however, the former might just edge out due to his bowling skills and the red-hot form he carried during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

One more player, it could be Rutherford or Will Jacks- Harbhajan Singh

“To start with, either Quinton de Kock or Ryan Rickelton will play and start in the XI. Then we will go down to the bowlers. Trent Boult, obviously, will be the second one who will play. Allah Ghazanfar is someone who will definitely be in that squad,” the former MI spinner said.

“One more player, it could be Rutherford or Will Jacks. If I were part of the management, I would be very keen to play Rutherford, and depending on the surfaces, of course. If we are playing in Chennai, I would like to play Will Jacks there because he can bowl a few overs as well for you,” he added.

Hardik needs to come like Hardik Pandya- Harbhajan Singh

Mumbai Indians qualified for the playoffs in the 2025 season. Though they lost to the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 2. Hardik Pandya is expected to lead the side in the upcoming season. He since joining have failed to qualify for the final of the tournament. In 2024, they finished at the bottom of the table.

Bhajji further added, “Hardik needs to come like Hardik Pandya. He needs to bring his A game to the table, not just as a batter, but as a bowler. We recently saw him bowling in the World Cup. I think he was brilliant with the ball. That’s what he needs to do.”

“When a captain leads from the front, showing the way forward to the team, everyone follows. It will come down to the belief. If they start believing from day one that they are there not just to compete, but to win, I think things can change for them very quickly.”

Also Read: Rishabh Pant’s cricket future at stake in IPL 2026

The upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026) could become a huge turning point in the career of Rishabh Pant. The explosive Indian wicketkeeper-batter is entering the tournament under massive pressure after a poor season in 2024 and losing his spot in India’s white-ball teams.

Pant has not played an ODI or T20I for India since August 2023. He was not even considered for the recent T20 World Cup 2026. That decision was a big setback for the left-hander, who was once considered one of the most dangerous match-winners in white-ball cricket.

Now, IPL 2026 has become his biggest stage for Pant to remind selectors about his ability before preparations begin for the 2027 ICC World Cup and the 2028 T20 World Cup.

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Rishabh Pant Under Pressure To Perform After IPL 2025 Disaster

Pant is under heavy pressure to deliver in the upcoming IPL 2026, starting on March 28. The pressure is even higher because the Indian wicketkeeper is leading the Lucknow Super Giants and also holds the record of being the most expensive player in IPL history after being signed for ₹27 crore in 2024.

Read Also: Delhi Capitals angry at Kevin Pietersen? Franchise breaks silence on England legend’s shocking exit

With such a huge price tag, expectations from the franchise and fans were very high. However, the 2025 season did not go well for Pant or the Lucknow Super Giants. The franchise finished seventh on the points table last season and missed out on the playoffs.

Rishabh Pant also struggled badly with the bat. In 14 matches, the left-handed batter managed only 269 runs at an average of 24.45 and a strike rate a little above 133. These numbers were far below expectations, given his stature as an explosive batter.

Question Mark Over Rishabh Pant’s Leadership Skills

Rishabh Pant’s captaincy is also under the scanner after the Lucknow Super Giants finished seventh on the points table and failed to qualify for the playoffs. The franchise struggled to find consistency throughout the IPL 2026, and many experts questioned whether the pressure of captaincy was affecting Pant’s own performance with the bat.

The Indian wicketkeeper-batter’s several tactical decisions were slammed by the fans and cricket experts during the season. However, Pant decided to push himself down the batting order to number seven in a crucial match against the Delhi Capitals that left everyone shocked.

Overall, Pant’s strategies and calls were confusing. So, the upcoming IPL 2026 season will be a big test of the Indian star’s leadership skills and decision-making on the field.

Poor IPL campaign to put Rishabh Pant’s place in India’s white-ball setup in danger

Rishabh Pant is now keen on making a strong comeback to competitive cricket after missing international action. Recently, the LSG captain, Pant, worked hard to improve his game. He trained in Mumbai under the guidance of legendary Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh.

The focus during this training camp was mainly on improving his power-hitting and making better decisions in white-ball cricket. Additionally, Pant improved his fitness as he looked leaner and fitter than before during the LSG’s pre-season camps.

He also showed some positive signs in domestic cricket. Well, competition for places in India’s white-ball teams has become extremely tough. Players like Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, and Dhruv Jurel are pushing hard for opportunities, while KL Rahul has already become India’s first-choice wicketkeeper in ODIs.

Given the intense competition, IPL 2026 could decide Pant’s white-ball future. If he managed to deliver with the bat, it could bring him back into India’s plans. But if the LSG skipper fails again, the road back to the Indian cricket team may become much more difficult for him.

Read Also: Ex-CSK star IGNORES MS Dhoni, reveals best wicket-keeper and captain of all time!

Pakistan’s legendary batter Babar Azam made a heartwarming social media post wishing former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed success in the upcoming chapters of his life. This story was posted on his Instagram handle after the former Champions Trophy-winning skipper announced his retirement.

Pakistan cricket has been undergoing massive changes, and to better the results, changes would not only be needed in the players but also in the coaching staff, since they have been equally inefficient. These changes might be forced due to Pakistan’s poor run in ICC tournaments as well as their humiliating form in red-ball cricket.

Pakistan’s limited Test cricket success came against England in the last WTC cycle under Jason Gillespie, but then he left the role after some altercations with the PCB. Pakistan have just made a start to their WTC 2025-27 campaign and are level with a win and a loss in two games.

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Babar Azam wishes Sarfaraz Ahmed on his international retirement

As of 15th March 2026, Sarfaraz Ahmed, the last Pakistan captain to have won an ICC tournament for them, has announced his retirement from international cricket. The 38-year-old played some glorious years for Pakistan and led them to their maiden Champions Trophy title in 2017.

Veteran batter Babar Azam was part of the Champions Trophy-winning squad under Sarfaraz Ahmed. On his retirement, he pens an inspiring goodbye to the former captain, wishing him luck for the upcoming chapters in his life.

Babar Azam’s Instagram Story read, “Saifi Bhai, playing under your leadership was a privilege. Thank you for your guidance, belief and the memories you gave Pakistan cricket. Wishing you success and peace in this new chapter of life.”

Babar Azam’s Instagram story for Sarfaraz Ahmed. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/5vcK9E9Feu

— Salman. (@TsMeSalman) March 15, 2026

Sarfaraz Ahmed is likely to take charge as Pakistan’s red-ball head coach

As per reliable media sources, it has almost been a fact that Pakistan’s former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed will be appointed the next red ball coach for the national side, replacing Interim coach Azhar Mahmood, who took charge after Jason Gillespie’s departure.

Though the official confirmation is yet to come, the news seems to be true as well as reliable. However, Sarfaraz announced his retirement and was seen serving as a member of the selection committee.

He is most likely to take charge of Pakistan’s tour to Bangladesh. The two-match Test series will be part of their ICC World Test Championship schedule and is scheduled to be played in May.

Babar Azam had replaced Sarfaraz Ahmed as Pakistan’s captain

Back in 2019, when Sarfaraz Ahmed had started to struggle with form in the T20Is and the Test sides, the PCB decided to sack him from captaincy and instead brought back Azhar Ali as the captain of the red ball side and announced young Babar Azam as the T20I skipper.

Babar eventually took charge as an all-format skipper for Pakistan, leading them on several occasions. However, Babar’s stats as a captain, especially in ICC tournaments, seem awful, except for the fact that under his leadership, Pakistan won their only ICC T20 World Cup match against India.

His best tournament came in the 2022 T20 World Cup, when Pakistan reached the finals but fell short of the title after losing to England.

ALSO READ: Good news for KKR! Cameron Green returns to form with stunning ton

Just ahead of the start of IPL 2026, KKR would be relieved to witness their star all-rounder Cameron Green hitting some good form in his signing-off game in the Sheffield Shield. This marked his first red-ball century since May 2025 and his first across any format since August 2025.

Western Australia took on New South Wales for the last round of the Sheffield Shield, and Australian all-rounder Cameron Green put big stakes at risk as he played the match ahead of his big-money arrival in the IPL for the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Green started his IPL journey with the Mumbai Indians and then played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore the very next season after being traded off to the Red Devils. He missed the 2025 season due to injuries and is all set to return with a third franchise in 2026.

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Cameron Green returns to form with a terrific century ahead of IPL 2026

Australian all-rounder Cameron Green was bought for a massive amount of money in the IPL by the Kolkata Knight Riders. They broke the record for the highest amount of money spent on an overseas cricketer. However, Green’s continuous dip in form added to KKR’s concerns.

Cameron Green missed out on a single 50+ score through the Ashes series against England and then could not pull out anything special as Australia crashed out of the ICC T20 World Cup Group stages following defeats against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.

However, in the final game of the Sheffield Shield season for him, Green manifested something special. He managed to score a century off 167 balls, after having made a slow start, getting his first runs after 21 balls.

He then smashed the New South Wales bowlers all around the park and whacked them for some big ones, as his unbeaten 130 on Day 2 saw Western Australia take a promising lead over New South Wales.

This Sheffield Shield century might help Green retain his Australia team spot in red-ball cricket

The KKR all-rounder’s last century came back in August when he scored a quickfire century in an ODI match against South Africa. His last red-ball century came in English County cricket back in May for Gloucestershire.

Despite his lack of form, the Australian selectors backed him over Beau Webster, the Tasmanian all-rounder who finally played his only Ashes game in the final Test at the SCG. Webster also contributed magnificently with both the bat and ball, unlike Green.

However, this Shield hundred could get him to retain his spot in the Australian middle order when he returns to play Test cricket in August. Australia’s Test schedule mentions their upcoming fixtures against Bangladesh in August, followed by three in South Africa and four more at home against New Zealand.

Will KKR expect Cameron Green to bowl in IPL 2026?

KKR would have had high hopes picking Cameron Green. Green’s first season for the Mumbai Indians saw him performing with great class as he scored 400+ runs and picked 10+ wickets in his first season. The following season for RCB was a little low with the bat, as he was pushed down the order, but his bowling came in handy for them as well.

However, KKR would surely give him the desired role at no. 3, as they have been in the quest for one such player. KKR paid him 25.20 crore in the IPL mini-auction, the most to any overseas cricketer, surpassing teammate Mitchell Starc‘s record in the IPL.

This much money was probably given with KKR idealizing him to bowl some overs. Though he had registered as a specialist batter, KKR management saw him bowl in the T20 World Cup and might bring his seam bowling to use, especially with so many of their frontline bowlers being ruled out.

ALSO READ: RCB or RR? Lalit Modi back in IPL set to buy….

Former CSK batter Suresh Raina has suggested a massive change in the KKR batting order and has backed Rinku Singh’s promotion in the batting order. Last season, KKR had struggled significantly with their middle-order batting.

The Kolkata Knight Riders will undergo a massive change for the upcoming season, especially with the arrival of new coach Abhishek Nayar and new assistant coach Shane Watson. However, they have retained Ajinkya Rahane as their captain.

If Rahane wishes to quit the captaincy role, then Rinku Singh might be the next man in this setup to take up the role on the KKR side. Kolkata Knight Riders already miss out on Harshit Rana’s availability, and Matheesha Pathirana’s unavailability will be another big question.

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The former CSK batter Suresh Raina commented on KKR’s middle-order batting position. Raina mentioned that the middle order was where they struggled the most last season. He mentioned that Rinku Singh should be promoted to strengthen the batting order.

“Last season, their net run rate was not that good. Ajinkya Rahane batted well, but the middle order did not click. The three R’s – Russell, Ramandeep, and Rinku Singh- were all coming in at 7,8,9.

“Rinku will have to bat higher. He can come in at No. 4 because he is not a slogger. He is a proper batsman. He has won matches for them, so he can play the long innings. [Ankrish] Raghuvanshi is in good form,” claimed CSK batter Suresh Raina.

Suresh Raina picks Finn Allen to open alongside Sunil Narine

The CSK batter also went on to claim what will be the probable changes in the KKR batting order. Alongside the promotion of Rinku, he considered that New Zealand opener Finn Allen should be part of the playing XI.

Knight Riders had picked both the Kiwi openers Finn Allen and the other opener Tim Seifert in the mini-auction. Their performance in the ICC T20 World Cup will blow the heads of the KKR coaches as they have to settle with just one of them.

Suresh Raina feels it should be Finn Allen, while the other overseas players will be Sunil Narine, Cameron Green, and one of the pacers, Matheesha Pathirana or Blessing Muzarabani.

“Sunil Narine will have to bat at the top with Rahane. .” – Sanjay Bangar

While former RCB coach Sanjay Bangar opined that Sunil Narine will have to open the innings whatever changes they consider making to the Kolkata batting order.

“No matter how much you evaluate, Sunil Narine will have to bat at the end with Rahane. You can bat Cameron Green at No. 3. So in this way, they can manage the top order. Then in the lower order, you have Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, and Ramandeep,” he opined.

Kolkata retained Ramandeep Singh, which means they will use the Punjab all-rounder to the best of his ability at least this season.

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