WATCH: Heartbreaking Scenes! Umpire Collapses After Six Strikes Him On The Head

11 Fours, 3 Sixes! Young Indian Star Smashes Century, Big Boost For Team India

Shivam Sharma — Sun, 1 Nov 2026 09:48:57 +0530

The second unofficial Test between India A and New Zealand A is currently being played in Christchurch, where captain Dhruv Jurel has produced an outstanding batting performance. India A were in a difficult position after losing five wickets for just 137 runs, but Jurel stepped up with a brilliant century to revive the innings. His impressive knock is encouraging news for the Indian team ahead of the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand.

Dhruv Jurel Slams Brilliant Century

New Zealand A won the toss and decided to bowl first, putting the Indian batters under pressure early in the innings. Their decision appeared to be working as India A lost five wickets for 137 runs. However, captain Dhruv Jurel showed tremendous composure and took responsibility for rebuilding the innings.

The wicketkeeper-batter found valuable support from Akash Deep and Manav Suthar, helping India A recover from a difficult situation. Jurel scored 105 runs off 171 deliveries, hitting 11 fours and three sixes during his impressive innings.

His century helped India A reach a competitive first-innings total of 346 runs. Devdutt Padikkal also made an important contribution with 80 runs, while Akash Deep chipped in with an impressive 68-run knock.

CAPTAIN DHRUV JUREL - 105(171). 🫡 Dhruv Jurel scored 105 runs from 171 balls including 11 fours and 3 sixes against New Zealand A in New Zealand - What a Knock by Captain Jurel. https://t.co/QTFKy9h0gL
— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) November 1, 2026

Jurel's Form A Major Boost For India

Dhruv Jurel has strengthened his position in India's Test setup with consistent performances. The team management has been looking for stability in the middle order, particularly at No. 6, and Jurel has made a strong case for himself in that role.

He had already demonstrated his batting ability with a century during India's previous Test series against Sri Lanka. His latest performance in New Zealand is another encouraging sign, especially considering the challenging conditions that visiting teams often encounter there.

India's two-Test series against New Zealand is scheduled to begin on November 19, with the opening match in Wellington. The second Test will get underway in Christchurch on November 27. Having already scored a hundred at the same venue during the India A tour, Jurel will take plenty of confidence into the upcoming international assignment.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I: 3 Players Who Could Be Dropped From India's Playing XI

Shivam Sharma — Sun, 1 Nov 2026 08:57:35 +0530

The fifth and final T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Seddon Park in Hamilton. India have already wrapped up the series with a 3-1 advantage after winning the first three matches in succession. However, the hosts bounced back in the fourth encounter to register a victory. The Indian team will now aim to finish the tour's T20I leg with another win.

With the series result already decided, the final game could provide an opportunity for players who have spent most of the campaign on the sidelines. At the same time, the team management may consider resting some regulars ahead of the upcoming ODI assignments. Here are three players who could miss the fifth T20I.

1. Nitish Kumar Reddy

Nitish Kumar Reddy has emerged as an important pace-bowling all-rounder for India, offering balance with both bat and ball. However, considering his previous injury concerns and India's upcoming international schedule, the management may decide against risking him in the final T20I.

India are scheduled to play a five-match ODI series followed by a two-Test assignment against New Zealand. Resting Nitish could help keep him fresh for the longer formats. If he is left out, Shivam Dube could get an opportunity to feature in the playing XI.

2. Axar Patel

Axar Patel could also be among the players rested for the series finale. Varun Chakravarthy, meanwhile, has not featured in any of the first four matches against New Zealand and could be in contention for a place in the XI.

With limited opportunities expected before the end of December, the final T20I could be a suitable occasion to bring Varun into the side. Axar may therefore make way for the mystery spinner.

3. Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh is another player who could be rested, particularly with the five-match ODI series against New Zealand beginning on November 4. Having been involved in regular cricket, the left-arm pacer may benefit from a break before the 50-over assignments.

If Arshdeep is rested, experienced fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar could return to the playing XI. Bhuvneshwar has not made a particularly strong impression since his comeback, and the final T20I could give him another opportunity to prove his value.

Will Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Get A Chance?

Young batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi missed the fourth T20I after Ishan Kishan returned to the side following his recovery from injury. Several fans would like to see the 15-year-old feature in the series finale, especially after his impressive 45-run knock off 19 balls in an earlier match.

However, finding a place in the playing XI could prove difficult, and Vaibhav might have to remain on the bench for the final encounter as well.

Rohit Sharma To Return In Vijay Hazare Trophy, Check His Expected Schedule

Shivam Sharma — Sun, 1 Nov 2026 08:31:23 +0530

Rohit Sharma is preparing to turn out for Mumbai in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy after confirming his availability to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). The 50-over domestic competition is scheduled to be held from December 14 to January 8. Since Rohit currently represents India only in ODIs, participating in the tournament could help him maintain match rhythm and fitness with the 2027 ODI World Cup in sight.

According to a report in The Indian Express, Rohit is expected to join Mumbai's campaign after India's three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. However, the number of games he will feature in remains undecided.

Rohit Sharma To Play For Mumbai In Vijay Hazare Trophy

A Mumbai Cricket Association source confirmed that Rohit had communicated his decision to participate in the domestic tournament after the Sri Lanka series. The source also indicated that the former India captain would inform the association about his intended match schedule at a later stage.

India's ODI series against Sri Lanka is scheduled to take place from December 13 to 19. Mumbai will have already completed three Vijay Hazare Trophy fixtures by the time Rohit becomes available. Their next match is against Services on December 21, which could mark his return to domestic cricket.

India are also scheduled to begin an ODI series against Zimbabwe on January 3. With the international assignment approaching, Rohit may have a limited window to represent Mumbai. Based on the available schedule, he could potentially play around three to four Vijay Hazare Trophy matches, although his final participation is yet to be confirmed.

Rohit Played Two Matches Last Season

Rohit Sharma also featured in two Vijay Hazare Trophy matches for Mumbai last season. He made a spectacular contribution against Sikkim, smashing 155 runs from just 94 deliveries. However, his next outing against Uttarakhand ended in disappointment as he was dismissed without scoring.

Across 364 List A appearances, Rohit has amassed 14,517 runs, including 39 centuries. His participation in the upcoming tournament would offer him valuable 50-over match practice ahead of India's future ODI commitments.

Virat Kohli Frustrated In Training, Young Indian Bowler Puts Him Under Pressure: Report

Shivam Sharma — Sun, 1 Nov 2026 08:22:37 +0530

With India's T20I series against New Zealand approaching its end, attention is beginning to turn towards the upcoming ODI assignments. The 50-over contests will feature several big names, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul. During Sunday's training session, Kohli and Rohit were among the senior players who took centre stage, while Shubman was notably absent.

The experienced duo faced a challenging workout against a group of young Indian fast bowlers preparing with conditions in mind.

The practice session turned into an opportunity for young pacers Auqib Nabi, Anshul Kamboj and Gurnoor Brar to make an impression. Brar utilised his height to generate extra bounce, making the batters work hard against deliveries aimed at the body. Kamboj, meanwhile, maintained a tight line and length. However, Nabi emerged as the most impressive bowler, particularly during his spells against Kohli.

Nabi recently caught attention with his performance in the first unofficial Test for India A in Lincoln. He has also been drafted into India's ODI squad for the New Zealand series following Prasidh Krishna's injury.

According to a RevSportz report, Nabi consistently challenged the batters by generating movement in both directions and beating their outside edges. Kohli had his share of impressive strokes during the session, displaying his trademark timing, but the young pacer made him work hard for his runs.

Auqib Nabi Gives Virat Kohli Tough Time

Nabi troubled Kohli with deliveries that moved sharply back into him, striking the batter on his pads and thigh pads. He also tested the former India captain with balls moving away from the bat, repeatedly managing to beat his defence.

The repeated exchanges appeared to frustrate Kohli at times, as Nabi continued to find ways past his bat. However, the senior batter soon moved on from the demanding spell and was later seen sharing jokes and enjoying a relaxed interaction with Rohit on the sidelines.

Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul Also Get Valuable Practice

Rohit Sharma adopted a relatively watchful approach during his net session. Rather than attacking every delivery, he focused on building his rhythm through solid defensive strokes, while also playing occasional attacking shots.

KL Rahul joined the practice later, while Ruturaj Gaikwad also spent time facing the young fast bowlers. With the opening ODI just three days away, the session gave India's batters a useful opportunity to assess the conditions, adjust to the bounce and movement on offer, and fine-tune their preparations for the series.

Sara Tendulkar Shares Stunning Photos From Italy Trip, Posts Pictures With Friends

Prateek Thakur — Sat, 31 Oct 2026 23:20:35 +0530

Sara Tendulkar, daughter of legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, recently offered her followers a glimpse of her Italy trip by sharing a series of pictures on Instagram. The photographs captured moments from her visit, with several friends and acquaintances also featuring in them.

Sara shared multiple pictures from the trip and mentioned in her caption that she thoroughly enjoyed her time in Italy, particularly the food. Entrepreneur Akash Mehta was among those seen with her in the photographs. Mehta, who has around 400,000 followers on social media, also commented on her post, writing, "Had a great time with you." Blogger Hong Chun was another person spotted in the pictures.

WATCH: Sara Tendulkar's Italy Trip Photos

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sara Tendulkar (@saratendulkar)

Sara Tendulkar's Business Venture And Educational Background

Apart from being the daughter of Sachin Tendulkar, Sara has also pursued her own professional interests. She launched a Pilates-based fitness academy in Mumbai last year, where she focuses on exercises based on the Pilates method. Although she recently travelled to Italy, there is no confirmed information about whether the visit was related to any work commitments.

Sara has an academic background in biomedical sciences and nutrition. She completed her bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences before earning a master's degree in clinical and public health nutrition from University College London.

Sara Tendulkar's Brand Associations

Sara has also established associations with several prominent brands. She has worked as the Indian brand ambassador for Korean beauty company Laneige. Her other collaborations include ILEM Japan, Cetaphil and Ferns N Petals.

Last year, PNG Jewellers also appointed Sara as its brand ambassador. She was additionally part of a campaign promoting tourism in Australia. Reports stated that the campaign had an overall estimated budget of $130 million, approximately Rs 1,137 crore. This amount referred to the reported campaign budget, not Sara's personal earnings.

IND vs NZ 5th T20I: Samson Or Sooryavanshi? 3 Changes Possible; Check India's Probable 11

Prateek Thakur — Sat, 31 Oct 2026 22:48:30 +0530

India could make changes to their playing XI for the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand as they look to finish the five-match series on a strong note. With the match scheduled for Sunday, November 1, attention will be on potential selection changes, particularly in the opening combination and bowling attack.

Sanju Samson's inconsistent run has made his position one of the talking points ahead of the series finale. The wicketkeeper-batter has managed scores of 67, 14, 18 and 4 across his four appearances. Although the team management has continued to back him, India could consider giving him a break and testing another option at the top of the order.

That could open the door for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who is among the options in contention for the final match. However, his inclusion is not confirmed, and India's management will have to weigh the value of giving the youngster an opportunity against maintaining continuity in the batting order.

Aqib Nabi Dar Could Replace Prince Yadav

India could also consider a change to their pace attack after the fourth T20I. Aqib Nabi Dar is among the candidates who could come into the side, potentially replacing Prince Yadav.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, meanwhile, has struggled to make an impact since returning to the Indian team after a four-year absence. He has picked up only one wicket in three matches and has conceded runs at an economy rate of around 12.

Arshdeep Singh has been India's most economical bowler in the series, with an economy rate below 10. Mayank Yadav is another pace option who featured in the previous match and could retain his place.

Kuldeep Yadav Or Varun Chakravarthy Could Replace Axar Patel

India could also revisit their spin combination for the series finale. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy are potential options to replace Axar Patel, depending on the team's preferred balance and conditions.

The middle order is likely to retain its core structure, with captain Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma and Naman Dheer among the expected selections. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Shivam Dube are also competing for a place in the lower middle order.

India's Predicted Playing XI For 5th T20I vs New Zealand

Sanju Samson/Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer (captain), Tilak Varma, Naman Dheer, Nitish Kumar Reddy/Shivam Dube, Aqib Nabi Dar/Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav/Varun Chakravarthy, Mayank Yadav and Arshdeep Singh.

Rohit Sharma To Return For Mumbai In Vijay Hazare Trophy 2026-27: Report

Prateek Thakur — Sat, 31 Oct 2026 21:35:10 +0530

Rohit Sharma is expected to feature for Mumbai in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, with the former India captain reportedly informing the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) about his availability for the domestic one-day tournament.

According to a report by The Indian Express, Rohit has conveyed his decision directly to the state association. However, the number of matches he intends to play remains unclear, with the veteran opener expected to confirm his availability at a later stage.

His participation is likely to begin after India's three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, scheduled from December 13 to 19. With the international assignment overlapping with the initial phase of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Rohit's involvement in Mumbai's campaign could be limited.

An MCA source told The Indian Express: "He has informed us that he will be playing for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and to consider him available after India's three-ODI series against Sri Lanka at home. How many matches he will be available for, he will inform us later."

WATCH: ICC Test Rankings See Major Reshuffle After South Africa-Australia Series; Check Updated Table

Rohit Sharma's Previous Vijay Hazare Trophy Appearance

Rohit's reported decision would mark another domestic appearance for Mumbai after he returned to the Vijay Hazare Trophy last season. It was his first participation in the competition since 2018, following the BCCI's emphasis on centrally contracted and national-team players turning out for their respective state sides when not occupied with international commitments.

The opener made an impressive start to his previous campaign, smashing 155 runs off just 94 deliveries against Sikkim. However, he could not maintain that momentum in the following fixture, getting dismissed for a duck against Uttarakhand.

ALSO READ | WATCH: Heartbreaking Scenes! Umpire Collapses After Six Strikes Him On The Head

His return had attracted considerable attention, with a large crowd turning up to watch the India star in domestic action.

Vijay Hazare Trophy 2026-27 Schedule

The league stage of the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy is scheduled to run from December 14 to 29, while the knockout matches will take place between January 2 and 8.

India's ODI series against Sri Lanka is scheduled from December 13 to 19, with matches set to be played in Delhi, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. The overlapping schedule could influence how many Vijay Hazare Trophy games Rohit is able to play.

Meanwhile, speculation continues over Rohit's role at Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2027, with reports suggesting that the franchise could consider restoring him as captain. However, no official announcement has confirmed a change in leadership.

BCCI Women Marks 50 Years Of India's Test Cricket Journey, Reveals Historic First Playing XI

Prateek Thakur — Sat, 31 Oct 2026 20:03:05 +0530

India's First Ever Playing XI: Indian women's cricket has completed 50 years in Test cricket, marking a major milestone in the history of the sport in the country. To commemorate the occasion, BCCI Women revisited the team's first-ever Test appearance against the West Indies and shared the names of the 11 players who represented India in that historic match.

The special post, shared on Saturday, brought attention to the cricketers who laid the foundation for India's journey in the longest format. The occasion also offered fans a chance to revisit a landmark moment from women's cricket history.

BCCI Shares India's First-Ever Women's Test Playing XI

BCCI Women published the list under the title 'India's First-Ever Playing XI', recognising the 11 players who featured in the team's maiden Test match against the West Indies 50 years ago.

The historic line-up featured:

Sandhya Mazumdar
Shobha Pandit
Fowzieh Khalili
Sudha Shah
Shantha Rangaswamy (Captain)
Ujwala Nikam
Shubhangi Kulkarni
Susan Itticheria
Diana Edulji
Sharmila Chakraborty
Behroze Edulji

Shantha Rangaswamy led the side as captain, while Fowzieh Khalili took on wicketkeeping duties.

WATCH: BCCI Shares India's First Ever Playing XI

1️⃣1️⃣ names forever part of the history books 📝 🫡 🗓️ Turning back the clock to this day 5️⃣0️⃣ years ago as the Indian Women's Team took to the field for the first time in a Test vs West Indies 🙌 #TeamIndia https://t.co/jDfsrshkG4
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 31, 2026

'11 Names Forever Part Of The History Books'

Alongside the team list, BCCI Women shared a message recognising the significance of the occasion and the players who made the first appearance possible.

"11 names forever part of the history books. Turning back the clock to this day 50 years ago as the Indian Women's Team took to the field for the first time in a Test vs West Indies," the board wrote.

The anniversary celebrates more than the passage of five decades. It also recognises the contribution of the women who represented India at the beginning of its Test cricket journey, creating a legacy for generations of players who followed.

ICC Test Rankings See Major Reshuffle After South Africa-Australia Series; Check Updated Table

Prateek Thakur — Sat, 31 Oct 2026 19:13:05 +0530

The ICC Men's Test Team Rankings have undergone a significant shake-up following the conclusion of the South Africa-Australia Test series in Cape Town. The result has changed the order at the top of the rankings, bringing an end to Australia's long-standing position as the leading Test side.

The development also has major implications for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 points table. While the latest result has reshaped the Test team rankings, the WTC standings have witnessed a separate change, with New Zealand, South Africa and Australia occupying the top three positions.

ICC Men's Test Team Rankings: Updated Top Five

South Africa have moved to the No. 1 position in the ICC Men's Test Team Rankings, replacing Australia at the summit. Reuters reported that the Proteas had reached the top spot for the first time since January 2016.

The latest top-five order is:

South Africa
Australia
New Zealand
India
England

The positions for New Zealand, India and England follow the latest available pre-match rankings, with the South Africa-Australia result changing the top two places. The ICC's accessible rankings snapshot had not yet refreshed its post-match rating points by 7 PM IST on October 31.

WTC 2025-27 Points Table: New Zealand Move To The Top

The World Test Championship standings have also changed after the Cape Town result. New Zealand have moved to first place, while South Africa have climbed to second and Australia have slipped to third.

The updated top three, as reported after the third Test, are:

New Zealand: 6 matches, 52 points, 72.22 percentage of points.
South Africa: 7 matches, 60 points, 71.42 percentage of points.
Australia: 13 matches, 108 points, 69.23 percentage of points.

South Africa's points percentage has improved from 66.67 to 71.42, while Australia's has fallen from 75.00 to 69.23. New Zealand remain narrowly ahead of the Proteas with a 72.22 percentage.

The distinction between the two tables is important. South Africa are now No. 1 in the ICC Men's Test Team Rankings, but New Zealand lead the WTC 2025-27 standings.

South Africa Complete Series Comeback Against Australia

The rankings shift followed South Africa's 176-run victory over Australia in the third and final Test at Newlands in Cape Town. Temba Bavuma's side won the series 2-1 after recovering from a defeat in the opening match.

Australia were chasing a target of 288 but were dismissed for 111. Off-spinner Simon Harmer delivered a career-best performance of 6/16, while Kagiso Rabada claimed three wickets to help seal the result.

Rabada also reached the milestone of 350 Test wickets during the match, becoming the fastest bowler to achieve the feat in terms of deliveries bowled. He reached the mark in 13,808 balls, surpassing the previous records held by Dale Steyn and Waqar Younis.

The series victory has therefore brought a major change to the Test rankings landscape, while the WTC race has become even tighter at the top.

WATCH: Heartbreaking Scenes! Umpire Collapses After Six Strikes Him On The Head

Prateek Thakur — Sat, 31 Oct 2026 18:05:58 +0530

A frightening moment unfolded during India's Hong Kong Sixes 2026 clash against the UAE when a ball struck an umpire on the head, leaving him collapsed on the ground. The incident occurred during T Natarajan's first over of the UAE innings, with the video of the moment circulating on social media. The umpire was positioned outside the boundary when Khalid Shah connected with a delivery from Natarajan. The ball travelled towards the official after the batter played his shot, striking him on the head. He immediately fell to the ground, prompting other officials to rush towards him.

WATCH: Umpire Falls To Ground After Being Struck By Ball

🚨DISTURBING VISUALS FROM HONG SUPER SIXES 💔 An umpire got hit by the cricket ball on his head and got unconscious Let’s hope he’s fine 🙌 https://t.co/FBE3NTHv0P
— Footvoski (@CRICBALLY) October 31, 2026

The incident took place on the final delivery of Natarajan's opening over. The bowler had conceded 19 runs from the first five balls before delivering a short ball to Khalid.

The UAE batter swung at the delivery and sent it towards the square boundary for a six. However, the shot took an unfortunate turn as the ball struck the umpire, who appeared not to have noticed it coming towards him.

The official collapsed immediately after the impact. Natarajan and others on the field appeared concerned as officials moved towards the injured umpire to assist him.

No official information about the umpire's condition was available in the supplied report at the time of publication.

DRAMA ON THE FIELD! Umpire injured during Hong Kong Sixes! #HongKongSixes #cricket #indvspak #insvssri #indvsnz #pakvssri https://t.co/3WeNivIKxl
— life is short 🫂 (@pakcricket4747) October 31, 2026

UAE Overpower India Despite Natarajan's Batting Effort

The incident came during a difficult Hong Kong Sixes campaign for India. After their defeat against Pakistan, India also suffered a loss to the UAE, with their bowling attack unable to contain the opposition's openers.

India posted 94 runs in six overs after batting first. Natarajan led the scoring with an explosive 38 off just 14 deliveries, hitting four sixes and three boundaries.

The UAE made light work of the chase, reaching the target with 10 balls remaining to secure a six-wicket victory. Captain Khalid Shah smashed 52 from 14 balls, while Ansh Tandon contributed 39 off 12 deliveries.

The Hong Kong Sixes is a six-a-side tournament organised by Cricket Hong Kong, China and sanctioned by the International Cricket Council. Each team has six overs to bat, making the format particularly fast-paced.