Category: Cricket news

This season, IPL has always been the platform for the youngsters to perform, from whom, I believe, we have one of the most explosive players emerging in recent times in the form of Ishan. Ishan Kishan’s fans never get tired of his fearless batting, sensational and energetic wicketkeeping, and match-winning efforts. Fans are eager to know his auction price, performance, and records in IPL 2025, which we have covered in full detail in this article.

Early Life and Cricketing Journey

Ishan Kishan (born Ishan Pranav Kumar Pandey; 18 July 1998, Patna, Bihar). Ishan had shown great passion and skill within the game of cricket from extremely early on. After shifting to Jharkhand in search of better prospects in cricket, he quickly climbed the ranks of age-group cricket and began making news headlines in domestic events at an early age.

Leader: He was the captain of the India U-19 team in the 2016 ICC Under-19 World Cup. International cricketing scouts and IPL franchises took notice of his leadership and batting skills.

Domestic Cricket Highlights

Jharkhand has seen Kishan emerge as a star in domestic cricket. His performances during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) were amongst his most memorable turns.

SMAT final: Ishan Kishan makes a century, Jharkhand wins

This was not only a display of his grit but also a testament to his match-winning abilities. His IPL and international careers were paved by solid performances in the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and SMAT.

Ishan Kishan IPL Auction Price 2025

Fans and franchises had been excited for the IPL auction 2025. Ishan Kishan, who had been on my list of Indian players to watch out for, is my 1st choice ambassador of an explosive batting style and blend of efficient wicketkeeping.

• Ishan Kishan IPL 2025 Salary: ₹15.25 Crore (approx.)
• Team: Mumbai Indians

The total price tag is reflective of his previous play and the clear standing of expectations to come from the franchise and fans alike. His swift launches and finishing roles have made him an asset in the IPL ecosystem.

Ishan Kishan’s IPL 2025 Performance

Opening Blitz

Ishan mostly comes out in the innings at the top order for the Mumbai Indians, and he starts smashing the bowlers from the very first ball with his aggressive batting style. He is dangerous against pace and spin alike with his fluency, feeding off his footwork and left-handed batting.

Key Matches

Ishan Kishan – 9 half-centuries: He scored a heap of half-centuries too, changing the course of games in IPL 2025.

Innings that helped MI win matches: He was instrumental in handing MI wins with his innings against the top teams like Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

With a strike rate hovering around 130+, Ishan has consistently delivered in the powerplay overs.

Read more: India National Cricket Team vs Australian Men’s Cricket Team Timeline

Batting Stats (IPL 2025)

Matches	Runs	Strike Rate	50s/100s	Highest Score
16+	520+	132+	4/1	99

These Ishaan Kishan stats underline his ability to change the course of the game with aggressive yet calculated batting.

Ishan Kishan as a Wicketkeeper

Ishan Kishan is not just a hard-hitting batsman but is also a good wicketkeeper. At times, his quick reflexes and unerring glove work behind the stumps help make the team a little richer. His catching, stumping, and strategy skills will make him an all-rounder asset for the Mumbai Indians

IPL Records and Achievements

A few notable IPL records of Ishan Kishan that make him special,

• Quickest Half-Centuries: Multiple innings in less than 25 balls
• IPL Career Average Over 2,500 Runs
• Match Winner: Comes through in the clutch more often than not
• The Priciest Indian at Auctions: ₹15.25 Crore in 2025 proclaims his status

Comparison with Past IPL Seasons

Over the past few seasons, Ishan Kishan has evolved from a promising youngster to a dependable match-winner. Here’s a quick comparison of his performances:

Season	Matches	Runs	Strike Rate	Best Score
IPL 2023	14	460	128	87
IPL 2024	15	490	131	99
IPL 2025	16+	520+	132+	99

Great numbers, little and large, obvious progress all round.

Strengths and Playing Style

• Taking on the Bowler: Uninhibited batting during powerplay overs
• Left-Hander Woes: A nightmare for pace and spin bowlers alike
• Match Awareness: When to press the accelerator and when to consolidate
• Wicketkeeping: Able to move fast, hands you can trust, and read a game

These strengths make him a dual-threat not only for any team in IPL but for any national cricket team too.

Challenges and Comebacks

Ishan Kishan has endured moments like any top drawer cricketer. His self-belief has been shaken at times, particularly when he has had an inconsistent period or a slow start. But he is always back with performances at home or in the IPL, a testimony to his mental fortitude and resilience.

Future Prospects

IPL 2025 will just be a part of Ishan Kishan’s growing career. There remains a long way ahead for him to keep ruling IPL, to serve Team India a lot more in the limited overs format, and then also & if so required, could hold future IPL seasons under his captaincy. He has a promising career on domestic and international fronts, as his Ishaan Kishan stats indicate.

Conclusion

The IPL 2025 campaign has once again showcased Ishan Kishan as one of the rarest gems in Indian cricket. Right from his auction price of ₹15.25 Crore to match winning performances and admirable Ishaan Kishan stats, he has captured the hearts of fans as well as analysts.

Ishan Kishan, the Mumbai Indians in 2022 (Image Source: IPLT20). Ishan Kishan is definitely an integral member of the Mumbai Indians and a potential sensation in the IPL ecosystem with his smashing batting skills, foot-loose wicket-keeping, and his ability to handle pressure in big matches.

The fans are always looking forward to watching every match, as when Ishan Kishan walks onto the pitch, a lot of entertainment and blasts are assured.

Cricket enthusiasts worldwide are awaiting with bated breath one of the most anticipated events in the Indian Premier League (IPL) calendar, the IPL Auction 2026 Time and Date. The mini auction will pave the way for the 19th season of IPL, as all 10 teams.ish Posted Their Full Squads as they already decided to be in The Tournament. To be there when a harvest of the game’s top players and promising future stars go under the hammer is, in its own way, one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

In this piece, we drown in all the confirmed news and numbers about the IPL Auction 2026 date and time, venue, when live coverage begins, team priorities, purse value, player list prospects, as well as expert views.

 IPL Auction 2026 – Official Date & Time

IPL Auction 2026 Time and Date is scheduled, and it will be held on Tuesday, 16 December 2025. It continues the tradition of staging the event a few months before that year’s tournament, which is set to start in March 2026.

•  End of Auction: 16 December 2025
•  Auction Time: 2:30 PM IST
•  Location: Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

It is going to be a one-day mini auction, with teams bidding for available slots in their squads after player retentions and trades.

Why December for the IPL Auction 2026?

Holding the auction in December allows franchises more than enough time to plan and structure their preparations for the rescheduled season (read March-May 2026). It also fits within the context of scheduling, travel, and negotiations for marquee players heading into league play.

 Venue: Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena

For the third successive year, the IPL Auction 2026 Time and Date is being held outside India as the league continues to extend its international impact. Sebastian Vettel of Aston Martin zeroes in during the Saudi Arabian Grand PrixGetty. The future Abu Dhabi Etihad Arena has already emerged as a favoured location over recent seasons, offering world-class facilities and putting teams and media within easy reach of one another.

The decision to take the league out of Mumbai projects the BCCI’s (Board of Control for Cricket in India) motivations to raise IPL’s global reach and create a neutral venue, strategically connecting other stakeholders across borders.

How to Watch the IPL Auction 2026

Cricket fans won’t miss a moment of the high-stakes auction action. Broadcast and streaming Cricket fanatics will not miss the high-stakes auction action. Broadcast and streaming partners will have wall-to-wall coverage:

• Live Telecast: Star Sports Network (India)
• Live Streaming: JioHotstar / JioCinema (Digital Platform

This enables fans in India to follow the auction in English, Hindi, and various other regional languages across TV and digital (mobile) platforms.

 Auction Format & Player Pool

Mini Auction Explained

Unlike mega auctions, which come up once every several years as part of an IPL cycle, a mini auction largely zeroes in on available slots after teams have decided the player retentions, releases, and trades. For 2026:

•  Total slots available: 77
• Players shortlisted: Approx. 350 players
• ~240 Indians
• ~110 Overseas players

All franchises will be attempting to combine strength, performance, and squad balance – and manage the purse well.

No Right to Match (RTM) Cards

This year’s IPL Auction 2026 would proceed without the RTM (Right to Match) feature, a rule similar to the one that existed in previous player auctions before allowing franchises to match the highest bid for a player from among their squad, used this year. That creates some randomness and competitive tension in the bid dynamics.

 Team Purse & Strategy

With a total kitty of around Rs 237.55 crore available to be spent, franchises are braced for a stiff bidding war. Here’s what the purse and slots look like for each team:

Franchise	Remaining Purse (Rs crore)	Slots to Fill
Kolkata Knight Riders	64.3	13
Chennai Super Kings	43.4	9
Sunrisers Hyderabad	25.5	10
Lucknow Super Giants	22.95	6
Delhi Capitals	21.8	8
Royal Challengers Bengaluru	16.4	8
Rajasthan Royals	16.05	9
Gujarat Titans	12.9	5
Punjab Kings	11.5	4
Mumbai Indians	2.75	5

With a total kitty of around Rs 237.55 crore available to be spent, franchises are braced for a stiff bidding war. Here’s what the purse and slots look like for each team:

Player Stories & Auction Buzz

Top Picks and Big Celebrations

There are a handful of star players who will capture the attention, particularly huge overseas names and in-form Indians. Predictions include:

• All-rounders and power-hitters to spark bidding wars
• International imports that won’t break the bank
• Domestic uncapped players hoping to go big at the auction

Cameron Green, Venkatesh Iyer, Liam Livingstone several others are names who are at the top of auction lists.

Narrative Behind the Teams

Defending champions and franchise bigwigs such as the Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be under pressure to form sides that can defend their titles. RCB’s auction table is particularly interesting this year in the wake of a title-winning season.

Read more: IND vs SA T20 / England Cricket Team vs India National Cricket Team Timeline

What This Means for IPL 2026

•  New title-race defining squad makeups
•  Big plays late from all 10 teams
• Fierce bidding for Indian and overseas marquee cricketers
•  More global IPL with games in the UAE

Since the IPL Auction 2026 will be the dress rehearsal for the 2026 IPL season, player values, team tactics, and fan sentiment will dictate how things play out thereafter.

 IPL 2026 Season Snapshot

The auction is the main event today, but it also kicks off one of the most eagerly awaited seasons:

• Window: March 26 to May 31, 2026
• Number of Teams: 10
• Format: Double round robin and playoffs
• Champions: To be decided after the May 2026 final

The IPL just keeps getting bigger with each auction, now a marquee cricketing event.

FAQs – IPL Auction 2026 Time and Date

When will IPL Auction 2026 be held?

The IPL Auction 2026 will take place on the 16th of December, 2025.

What time does the auction begin?

The auction will start at 2.30 pm IST.

Where is the auction venue?

It will take place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

How many players are shortlisted?

That is in addition to 350 players, including Indian and overseas talent, on the list.

How many slots are available?

The 10 IPL franchises have a total of 77 slots.

If you want to watch the auction live?

In India, live coverage will be available on Star Sports, and the match can also be streamed with a Jio Hotstar / Jio Cinema VIP subscription.

Will there be an RTM card this year?

No, the RTM (Right to Match) card will not be used in this year’s mini auction.

What is each team’s total purse?

All a franchise team has, in terms of spending ability, is Rs 237.55 crore in total.

Final Word

The IPL Auction 2026 time and date have been officially announced earlier today, and everyone is getting stoked about it, as teams get ready to bring in some new faces to their line-ups for what should be an entertaining 2026 season. And with star lots involved and astronomical bids anticipated, plus thousands of fired-up supporters, the auction is set to be bigger and better than ever. We’ll bring you live news and updates as events unfold on 16 December 2025.

The IND vs SA T20 series has served us nailbiters, and the 3rd T20I was no different. The match, which was played at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala (HP), saw an overpowering India overrun the bowling and complete the chase in a structured fashion. 1) South Africa had to work hard against tight Indian bowling, whereas the young Indian batters found the composure to play the situation. With this win, India led the five-match T20I series 2-1. All relevant information for fans looking for the IND vs SA T20 live scorecard, highlights, squads, and match analysis will be available here.

Overview of IND vs SA T20 3rd Match

• Match: Ind vs SA 3rd T20 (T20 World Cup South Africa 2023)
• Series: South Africa in India, 5 T20I Series 2025
• Date: 14 December 2025
• Venue: HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala
• Toss: India won the toss and opted to bowl
• Live Score: India vs South Africa, 2nd T20IOutcome: India won by 7 wickets against South Africa
• Player of the match - Arshdeep Singh
• South Africa Innings – SA All Out for 117

Batting first, South Africa never found momentum in the IND vs SA clash. Early wickets pushed them on the back foot, and regular breakthroughs prevented any strong partnership.

Key Moments – SA Innings

Harshit Rana sent Quinton de Kock back within the power play

• Reeza Hendricks (0)
• Tristan Stubbs c Hardik Pandya b Axar Patel 46 (28)
• Top resistance came in the shape of 20 runs from Donovan Ferreira
• A fighting half-century from Aiden Markram
• In the last over we are bowled the tail-enders and heady by Kuldeep Yadav.

South Africa was bowled out for a paltry 117 in their 20 overs on a good batting wicket.

Bowling Performances – Turning Point of the Match

IND vs SA T20 highlights: The Indian bowling attack was the chief architect of this victory.

Bowling Standouts

• Arshdeep Singh: Dismissing back-to-back wickets, ensuring the swing goes unabated
• Varun Chakaravarthy: Economical Overs and Wickets
• Hardik Pandya: 100th T20I wicket
• Kuldeep Yadav: One Over, Two wickets Down

South Africa never got past 120 thanks to disciplined Indian bowling.

India Innings – Calm and Confident Chase

India showed maturity and equilibrium while chasing a modest target of 118.

Batting Highlights

Abhishek Sharma – 35 (18 balls, 3 fours, 3 sixes)

Shubman Gill: 28 off 28 balls

Tilak Varma: Anchoring the chase with a score of 26*

Shivam Dube’s Match-winning six and four

The IND vs SA T20 win was comfortable as India chased the target in just 15.5 overs with a score of 120/3.

IND vs SA T20 Scorecard (3rd T20I)

India Batting

Player	Runs	Balls
Abhishek Sharma	35	18
Shubman Gill	28	28
Tilak Varma	26*	34
Suryakumar Yadav	12	11
Shivam Dube	10*	4

Total: 120/3 (15.5 overs)

South Africa Bowling

• Ngidi: 1 wicket
• Jansen: 1 wicket
• Bosch: 1 wicket

IND vs SA T20 Scorecard (3rd T20I)

South Africa Batting

Player	Runs	Balls
Quinton de Kock	1	3
Reeza Hendricks	0	3
Aiden Markram	50	42
Tristan Stubbs	9	11
Donovan Ferreira	20	15
Marco Jansen	6	10
Corbin Bosch	4	6
Anrich Nortje	12	9
Ottneil Baartman	1	2
Lungi Ngidi	4*	6
Extras	10	—
Total	117 all out	20 overs

India Bowling

• Arshdeep Singh: 2 wickets
• Varun Chakaravarthy: 2 wickets
• Hardik Pandya: 1 wicket
• Harshit Rana: 1 wicket
• Kuldeep Yadav: 2 wickets
• Shivam Dube: 1 wicket

IND vs SA T20 Highlights – Key Takeaways

• It took the game and just bowled SA out for 117.
• With the bat, the stars of the match were Arshdeep Singh
• Abhishek Sharma provided an explosive start
• Hardik Pandya reaches a significant milestone
• India took a 2-1 series lead

Moments that will constitute the India vs South Africa T20 highlights of the match.

Squad For IND vs SA T20 (3rd Match)

India Squad

• Suryakumar Yadav (C)
• Shubman Gill
• Abhishek Sharma
• Tilak Varma
• Shivam Dube
• Hardik Pandya
• Jitesh Sharma
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Arshdeep Singh
• Varun Chakaravarthy
• Harshit Rana

South Africa Squad

• Aiden Markram (C)
• Quinton de Kock
• Reeza Hendricks
• Tristan Stubbs
• Donovan Ferreira
• Marco Jansen
• Lungi Ngidi
• Anrich Nortje
• Ottneil Baartman
• Corbin Bosch

Complete Schedule of IND vs SA T20 Beano.

• IND vs SA T20 1st: Completed
• IND vs SA T20 2nd: Completed
• 3rd T20: India won by 7 wickets vs SA
• IND vs SA T20 4th: Upcoming
• IND vs SA T20 5th: Upcoming

Wondering about the India vs SA T20 schedule ahead of the remaining matches as the series heats up?

IND vs SA T20 Live: What will you see next?

The next matches are going to be important with India ahead 2-1. South Africa needs its pockets, India chases its series done and dusted. Tune in to the next IND vs SA T20 live games for exciting team combinations and aggressive on-field strategies.

Conclusion

India bowlers and batters showcased their depth during the IND vs SA T20 3rd match. An all-round stellar bowling effort kept South Africa to a modest 117, which was chased without a hitch by the young Indian batters. This was mainly motivated by the impressive performance of Arshdeep Singh and the fearless approach of Abhishek Sharma. India takes the lead in the series, 2-1, and South Africa is now under pressure for a recovery. With many a full-throttle contest left, it certainly is a series for the tape recorder to reel in.

India pace bowler Mohit Sharma has formally retired from all types of cricket. Besides, he had a 12 year lasting career in international and franchise cricket. The pacer from Haryana who is 37 years old, has played 34 matches for India and maybe you also are aware that he acted in about 120 IPL games, before he said goodbye to his journey.

Mohit who first played at the international level in 2013 has been in the Indian team for 26 ODIs and eight T20Is and has taken 31 wickets in ODIs and six in T20Is. He was also a part of the Indian squad in the 2015 Cricket World Cup. In the last couple of years, he has become the go to guy for the last few overs and His CSK tenure under MS Dhoni command was his best period.

Mohit, while making the retirement call on an Instagram post that was really emotional, thanked in the most touching manner the people who had contributed in his cricket journey. “Team support and management I would like to thank all of you. it’s my luck that I have been blessed with such good team mates, coaches and officials,” he said, “Thank You Haryana CA for being with me all these years and Anirudh Sir for guiding me.” he added.

In the entirety of the IPL, Mohit has worn the uniform of four franchises CSK, KXIP (now PBKS), DC, and GT. His 2023 season is among the ones that are most are remembered, as this was the year he became the second best wicket taker for GT only after Mohammed Shami. Having been in three IPL finals, he has never won the trophy.

Mohit was part of the IPL every year from 2013 to 2025 excluding 2021 and 2022 and took 134 wickets from 120 games. He has played red ball domestic cricket for Haryana and has appeared in 44 first class matches from 2011 to 2018, where he took 127 wickets.

His last professional game was against Punjab Kings in a match where he was playing for Delhi Capitals earlier this year in 2025. After the season, DC decided not to retain him for the 2026 IPL auctions, thus putting an end to his really great and long lasting cricket career.

India get ready for the tour of South Africa by naming their 15 member squad for a five match T20I series. The comeback of Hardik Pandya, who has been out of action for over two months, is the highlight while Rinku Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy didn’t get selected.

Injured in the neck during the first Test in Kolkata, Shubman Gill has been named in the squad as well. Though his participation depends on the fitness clearance he gets from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. Suryakumar Yadav is going to be the captain of the team once more for the series which starts on December 9th.

Two players Rinku Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy were members of the India squad for the T20I series in Australia, and now they have been singled out as the only players who didn’t make the cut for the upcoming T20I tour of South Africa. Rinku hardly did anything on the tour of Australia he neither got to bat nor did he play in the rain interrupted final match of Brisbane. Meanwhile, he has reentered the local cricket scene playing for Uttar Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). Reddy was also left without a game in Australia, and with Hardik becoming available again, it was obvious that he would be dropped.

On Tuesday in the SMAT, Hardik, who is eager to get back in the Indian team, was seen doing a good job for Baroda. He started the bowling and got 1 for 52 and then went on to score an unbeaten 77 off 42 balls with a lot of ease the last game he played was the Asia Cup Super Fours match on September 26.

In case Gill does not manage to recover on time, Sanju Samson might be asked to open the innings with Abhishek Sharma. Samson is already an opener for Kerala in domestic T20s and was No. 3 in the only match that was completed during the Australia tour, in which he batted. Jitesh Sharma has been selected as the second wicketkeeper.

The pace attack of the Indians will be led by Jasprit Bumrah and he will get assistance from Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana. India have strengthened their allround department with the inclusion of Hardik, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar whereas Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav are the ones who will spin the ball.

On December 9, 11, 14, 17, and 19, the T20Is will be held in Cuttack, New Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad respectively. The squad was made public during the second ODI in Raipur. South Africa has already won the Test series 2 0 while India is leading the ODI series 1 0.

The IPL 2026 auction that will take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi is shaping up to be a major carnival with as many as 45 players opting for the highest reserve price bracket of INR 2 crore. Some of the bright names among them are Cameron Green, Liam Livingstone, Ravi Bishnoi, Venkatesh Iyer, Matheesha Pathirana, and Wanindu Hasaranga.

But one of the most significant issues is, however, Glenn Maxwell’s absence. The 37 year old Australian allrounder who played for Punjab Kings and was signed with a price of INR 4.2 crore last season has decided not to participate after he broke his finger in the 2025 tournament. Maxwell was succeeded in the middle of the season by Mitchell Owen who is currently retained by PBKS.

Besides that, there is another incident where Moeen Ali has withdrawn his name suggesting that his priority would be the Pakistan Super League over the IPL. The veteran IPL star, Andre Russell, is going to be a non playing member of the squad this season as he has announced his IPL retirement and will join Kolkata Knight Riders as a “power coach”.

The longlist for the auction is a huge one with 1355 registered players from which franchises have to fill 77 total squad slots including 31 overseas positions. The final shortlist of the teams will be submitted on December 5, after that, the IPL will trim down the pool of players for the auction.

It is highly likely that a lot of pressure will be on Cameron Green from Australia. The reason why he was not present at the 2025 mega auction is that he had a back injury. KKR and CSK have a lot of money at their disposal and are both capable of bidding for Green but the most probable outcome is that KKR will be the winning party. The main reason is that after Russell’s departure KKR needs Green more than ever. As Green can do the finishing part of the batting, provide the team with another seam bowler and take some of the catching duties in the field he is undoubtedly very valuable.

There are several recently released players who have also reached the highest price bracket. For example, Matheesha Pathirana whom CSK had retained for ₹13 crore last year but let go due to recurring injuries. Livingstone as well is back into the pool after a poor season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

In a move that no one saw coming, Josh Inglis, a player without whom PBKS would not have been able to achieve their success in 2025, has also listed himself for the auction but due to personal commitments, he can only be available for 25% of the season.

Among the prominent ones, the full ₹2 crore base price list has Steve Smith, Mustafizur Rahman, Finn Allen, Gerald Coetzee, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, and Jason Holder to name a few.

After more than two months off, Hardik Pandya will be back on the field for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) to regain his competitive cricket. His Asia Cup appearance in late September is the last time that he has stepped onto the professional stage. Consequently, he will be able to show the progress of his recovery and his fitness in a very important way before India’s T20I series against South Africa.

Individually, the national selection committee has been very keen on the progress of Hardik. Pragyan Ojha is the selector who is expected to be the most attentive while Baroda will be in action against Punjab on December 2 and against Gujarat on December 4. These sessions will determine a great deal about the allrounder’s readiness for the international game.

Hardik was last seen representing India in the Asia Cup Superfours Match against Sri Lanka on September 26 when he sustained a left quadriceps injury. Consequently, he went to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on October 15 for his recuperation program. Except for a short three day Diwali break, he has been with the medical and conditioning team from October 21 to November 29.

His involvement in SMAT is at a very important moment since the selectors are going to reveal India’s squad for the South Africa T20I series of five matches within the next few days. If he is called for the national team to train ahead of the series, then it is quite improbable that he will still be playing for Baroda in SMAT after these two matches.

Baroda, on the other hand, has not been performing consistently in their SMAT campaign. After losing to Bengal by six wickets and Puducherry by 17 runs, they gained some confidence by defeating Himachal Pradesh. The return of Hardik is definitely expected to bring experience and stability as well as a positive vibe to the team.

Hardik’s upcoming performances will be closely monitored, as India hopes for his full recovery ahead of a busy T20I schedule.

India won a thrilling first ODI by 17 runs against South Africa in Ranchi. The three match series is now 1 0 in favor of India. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had vintage innings in the first half of the match, which was played under pleasant evening conditions and a packed Sunday crowd. India’s victories were sealed by the hard work of Harshit Rana and Kuldeep Yadav, who bowled the most crucial spells.

India, after losing the toss for the 19th consecutive time in ODIs, made full use of the hard new ball in bright sunshine. The early strike of the Jaiswal got Kohli and Rohit together, and the duo brought back the days of their best with a 136 run partnership in only 21.2 overs. Kohli was very aggressive and uncharacteristically from him in the early powerplay he hit two sixes, whereas Rohit was very much his usual self by doing the slog sweeps and pulls.

Kohli on his part was keeping the middle overs tight and building good partnerships, but Rohit went all out and in the very next ball he hit a six that made him the leading six hitter in ODIs. In the very next over, a yorker from Jansen got him LBW. It was Kohli’s unwavering determination, however, that saw India through the tricky middle stage when the pitch got slower and new batsmen found it difficult. After 102 balls, he hit his 25th ODI hundred for the first time since last February and was very emotional while celebrating it with a rare gesture. Then he went on the attack and finished with his innings of 135 which included seven 6’s. India, thanks to KL Rahul’s composed 60, managed to set a challenging target of 349 for 8 wickets.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s reply did not go as planned at all. Harshit Rana was at his dream best in the first over and as a result of his assistance, Rickelton and de Kock both for nought were the batsmen to be dismissed. Arshdeep Singh got Aiden Markram to follow the rest soon after to drop the visitors to 11 for 3.

After that the games look quite even and the South African team managed to stay alive through several key partnerships. However, the Indian bowler succeeded in being the pivotal figure for the Saffers. Once again turning the game around with a couple of dismissals in the same over, Kuldeep Yadav was also the reason that the last over drama unfold with Corbin Bosch having to face the final balls of the innings.

India triumph was directly linked to their blazing batting and the quick wickets they took in the beginning, which barely were enough to fight off the hard dew conditions and South African determination to come back strong.

After more than a year break, Kane Williamson will be at the center of attention in Christchurch when New Zealand will start their World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 27 campaign. Since his last Test in December 2024, the veteran batter has reduced his international workload, retired from T20Is, and seen that the New Zealand cricket scene has changed with a domestic T20 league planned for 2027. Maybe fans will not get another chance to watch him playing in New Zealand in whites until the end of 2026, as his home Test appearances will probably become rare.

Although New Zealand have dominated ODI cricket at home with 11 consecutive series wins, their Test form in their backyard has been less convincing. They have won only two out of their last seven home Test series, and one of those victories was against a weakened South Africa. The team has been hampered by injuries, but they are still the outright favourites for the series as the West Indies are in even more turmoil.

Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph are both recovering from injuries and thus West Indies have brought back Kemar Roach who last played a Test in January. The West Indies squad also has Ojay Shields, a 29 year old ex PE teacher who is yet to debut. Jayden Seales will be available before leaving for the ILT20 but the overall bowling depth is still a big worry. There are also several batting issues who will bat at No. 3, whether Tevin Imlach should be the wicketkeeper, and whether Brandon King’s fast bowling ability is required and the team looks unsettled. Moreover, historically, Christchurch hasn’t been very nice to them either; West Indies haven’t won a Test in New Zealand since 1995.

Key Players to Watch

After walking away with a 3 0 series win in India last year, Tom Latham who was instrumental for New Zealand, is coming back to action after several injury setbacks and a decline in his form. Nevertheless, his recent local cricket performances, in particular a fifty in Plunket Shield and some great Ford Trophy innings, have been quite reassuring.

Jayden Seales is still the main weapon West Indies must rely on. Although he did not get much support in India, his ability to swing the ball and hitting the deck with bounce can still trouble any batting lineup, and thus, his first ever confrontation with Williamson is anticipated to be the most exciting part of the series.

Team Combinations

On the top, New Zealand has to decide whether it is Devon Conway or Will Young who will open innings and also make a decision about Jacob Duffy or Blair Tickner who will be the partner of Matt Henry in the bowling attack. Zak Foulkes, the player who spoke to the media before the match, may make his debut whereas Daryl Mitchell is free from his groin injury.

West Indies might drop their spinner Jomel Warrican to strengthen their seam bowling and Brandon King could be reintroduced to the XI. Captain Roston Chase is likely to be the one delivering some of the most valuable overs with his offspin.

Traditionally, Hagley Oval is the ground where the new ball bowlers get their swing, although the green surface usually levels after the first session. The weather for the first day of the match is going to be clear, and a few showers are expected on day two.

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