Author: WebDesk

After their historic Indian Premier League (IPL) title win earlier this year, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have soared to the top of the franchise valuation charts, overtaking the likes of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mumbai Indians (MI) to become the league’s most valuable team, with a valuation of $269 million. The joint most successful franchise- Mumbai Indians now sit second with a brand value of $242 million, while CSK—previously the most valuable franchise—dropped to third place with a valuation of $235 million, following an underwhelming season. “The tournament’s success underscored cricket’s growing appeal beyond its historical strongholds and highlighted…

New Zealand opener Finn Allen has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I Tri-Series in Zimbabwe after sustaining a foot injury while playing for the San Francisco Unicorns in the Major League Cricket (MLC). The update was confirmed by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Wednesday, just before the squad’s departure to Harare. Allen’s last appearance came in the Unicorns’ final league-stage game against the Los Angeles Knight Riders in Lauderhill on 6 July, where he was dismissed for just 4 in the opening over while chasing 244. Despite missing the latter part of the tournament, Allen finished as the second-highest…

Pakistan pacer Hasan Ali has been left out of the national squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, set to begin on 20 July at the Shere-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. Vice-captain Shadab Khan, who recently underwent shoulder surgery in the UK, has also been ruled out as he continues his rehabilitation. Notably, senior players and former captains Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi have once again been overlooked by the selectors. Their absence is expected to continue into the T20I series against the West Indies as well. Pace spearhead Haris Rauf has also been…

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has been named in the 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against India later this month. The 32-year-old all-rounder, who missed three of the five T20Is due to a groin injury, is expected to regain full fitness in time for the 50-over series. Maia Bouchier, who was recalled for the T20I series as a replacement for the injured Sciver-Brunt, retains her place in the ODI squad. “Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt is expected to play a full part in the series despite missing the end of the IT20 series with a groin injury,” the ECB said…

Kane Williamson and Michael Bracewell have opted out of New Zealand’s upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe. On Monday, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced a 15-member squad, which will be led by Tom Latham. Williamson, who doesn’t hold a central contract, remains on a casual playing agreement with NZC. With the series not part of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle—and having already signed deals with Middlesex (T20 Blast) and London Spirit (The Hundred)—the former skipper has chosen to prioritise franchise commitments. All-rounder Michael Bracewell has also made himself unavailable, having been picked up by Southern Brave for $450,000…

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced a 17-member squad on Monday for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. Uncapped pacer Eshan Malinga has received his maiden call-up to the national T20I side. Among the notable returns are Dasun Shanaka, Chamika Karunaratne, and Dunith Wellalage. Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Asitha Fernando, and Chamindu Wickramasinghe have missed out from Sri Lanka’s last T20I squad, which faced New Zealand over six months ago. Malinga, who has represented Sri Lanka in six ODIs, has featured in 27 T20 matches in his career, picking up 40 wickets at an impressive average of 18.22. The right-arm quick was one…

Out-of-favour India batter Prithvi Shaw will feature for Maharashtra in the upcoming 2025–26 domestic cricket season, the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) confirmed on Monday. The former Mumbai opener makes the move following his release from the Mumbai Cricket Association, reportedly due to concerns over fitness and discipline. Seeking a fresh start, Shaw obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Mumbai board to facilitate the switch. “At this stage of my career, I believe joining the Maharashtra team will help me grow further as a cricketer. I am deeply grateful to the Mumbai Cricket Association for the opportunities and support…

Australia captain Pat Cummins has thrown his weight behind young opener Sam Konstas, despite the teenager enduring a tough run in the ongoing Frank-Worrell Trophy. The 19-year-old has managed only 33 runs across four innings in the three-match Test series against the West Indies, averaging a modest 8.25. Konstas was picked ahead of seasoned campaigner Marnus Labuschagne, signalling strong backing from the selectors. However, the youngster has struggled to adapt to the challenging conditions and high-quality pace bowling on offer. With no centuries registered by any batter in the series so far, it’s been a testing time for batters on…

England head coach Brendon McCullum admitted that his side got the toss wrong at Edgbaston, after opting to bowl first on a surface that failed to behave as expected during the second Test. The decision backfired as England suffered their first-ever Test defeat to India at the iconic venue—losing by a massive 336 runs. The young Indian team, led by Shubman Gill, delivered a commanding performance. After being put in to bat, India racked up a mammoth 587 in the first innings, powered by a brilliant double century from their skipper. In response, England fought hard to post 407, but…

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have named pacer Gus Atkinson as the latest addition to their squad for the third Test of the ongoing Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy, set to begin on 10 July at Lord’s in London. Having missed the first two Tests of the series, Atkinson is now set to rejoin the national side ahead of the crucial encounter at the Home of Cricket. The right-arm quick last featured for England in May during the one-off Test against Zimbabwe, where he sustained an injury that also ruled him out of the ODI series against the West Indies. Atkinson…