Vijay Hazare

At 36, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is still outrunning younger pacers. While generations of fast bowlers have come and gone since his IPL debut in 2011, the RCB veteran remains a constant. TOI traces the fitness transformation, meticulous preparation and daily discipline that have helped him stay relevant in cricket's most demanding format for more than a decade.

Yashasvi Jaiswal, once seen as India's next batting star, faces inconsistent white-ball opportunities and is overshadowed by his IPL partner Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Former cricketer Ambati Rayudu suggests Jaiswal needs a team change, proposing Mumbai Indians as a logical destination for his development.

Sarfaraz Khan lauded young Vaibhav Sooryvanshi's skill and mindset, recalling his impressive Ranji Trophy debut. Sarfaraz also reflected on his own IPL comeback, emphasizing his dedication to improving his white-ball game and fitness after a two-year absence. He stressed the importance of continuous growth and simple cricket principles.

The BCCI has announced the 2026-27 domestic cricket schedule, featuring 1,788 matches across various men's and women's categories. The Ranji Trophy will continue its two-phase format, commencing on October 11, while the Duleep Trophy kicks off the season on August 23. Notable changes include the U-23 one-day and Vizzy Trophy inter-zonal university competitions shifting to T20 format.

In an exclusive conversation with TimesofIndia.com following his retirement announcement, former India allrounder Vijay Shankar reflected on the emotional decision to step away, the injuries that altered his career, handling public criticism, his love for all-round cricket and why he still wants to continue playing overseas leagues.

Fresh off back-to-back IPL titles, Krunal Pandya reflects on his journey, emphasizing resilience and reinvention. He discusses his evolution as a bowler in the high-scoring T20 era, the influence of his late father, and his unwavering hunger for success. Pandya also shares insights on his son's unique cricket critiques and his hopes for an India recall.

All-rounder Vijay Shankar has announced his retirement from all Indian domestic cricket and the IPL, concluding a career that saw him represent India in ODIs and T20Is, including the 2019 World Cup. Shankar, who played 12 ODIs and 9 T20Is, expressed gratitude for his journey and plans to explore new opportunities in cricket.

Cricket legend Dilip Vengsarkar is absolutely fuming! He's slammed the selectors for completely snubbing Auqib Nabi, the Ranji Trophy's top bowler, for the Afghanistan Test. Despite Nabi's incredible 60 wickets and being named Player of the Tournament for leading J&K to their first title, they apparently passed him over due to 'pace concerns'.

As the ODI World Cup approaches, concerns are rising regarding Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya's physical condition. Despite their inclusion in the Afghanistan series, the BCCI is wary of their effectiveness in the 50-over game. The selectors are urgently seeking information on Rohit's overall fitness and Hardik's bowling readiness, emphasizing the necessity for backup opening batsmen.

Prince Yadav’s maiden India ODI call-up caps a remarkable rise in Indian cricket. From playing tennis-ball cricket in Najafgarh he has taken the long route to the national side. Spotted by coach Amit Vashishtha because of his yorkers and backed despite multiple setbacks, including a two-year ban for age fudging, Prince has now earned a place in India’s squad for the ODI series against Afghanistan.

In a Zimbabwe domestic cricket match, Scorpions Cricket Club achieved an astonishing 822/4, powered by centuries from Winfed Mutende (203 off 75 balls) and Takunda Madembo (302). Methane Lions collapsed to 28/7, resulting in a record 794-run victory for Scorpions. This score dwarfs previous high totals in List A cricket.

The BCCI medical team is clearing players for the Afghanistan Test, with a full-strength batting lineup expected. However, workload management will likely see changes in the bowling department, potentially giving opportunities to new faces. The No. 3 batting position remains a concern ahead of upcoming tours.

Former India captain Kris Srikkanth suggests Jacob Bethell should bat in the middle order for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, advocating for Devdutt Padikkal to open alongside Virat Kohli. Srikkanth believes this change will address RCB's lack of an explosive top-order presence and bolster their middle order, which has struggled against quality bowling.

Gujarat Titans handed a maiden IPL appearance to all-rounder Nishant Sindhu against Punjab Kings. Captain Shubman Gill confirmed the decision at the toss, emphasizing the team's momentum in chasing and the need to peak at the right time. Sindhu, a left-handed batter and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, previously impressed in junior cricket and the U-19 World Cup.

Ramakrishna Ghosh made his IPL debut for Chennai Super Kings against Mumbai Indians, a significant moment after his base price acquisition. Ghosh, a promising all-rounder from Maharashtra, impressed with a seven-wicket haul in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and demonstrated his batting prowess with a rapid half-century. His inclusion aims to bolster CSK's campaign with his disciplined bowling and lower-order hitting.

Punjab's Raghu Sharma made his IPL debut as an Impact Player for Mumbai Indians against Chennai Super Kings on May 2. The 33-year-old leg-spinner, a product of persistent domestic efforts, finally earned his maiden cap after a long journey. Sharma's inclusion highlighted MI's strategic moves amidst a challenging season, as they sought to bounce back from a previous heavy defeat.