Cricket

Zimbabwe has announced its ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming series against Pakistan, featuring a blend of experienced and uncapped players.ODI Squad:The ODI squad includes three uncapped players: Trevor Gwandu, Tashinga Musekiwa, and Tinotenda Maposa. Gwandu and Musekiwa have represented Zimbabwe in T20Is, while Maposa, a 21-year-old fast bowler, is yet to make his international debut.Seasoned players like Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza, and Sean Williams provide stability to the squad. Youngsters Clive Madande, Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, and the uncapped trio bring energy and potential.T20I Squad:Zimbabwe has retained the same T20I squad that won the men's T20 World Cup 2026 sub-regional qualifier in Kenya. The team broke the record for the highest T20I total during that tournament.Sikandar Raza will captain the T20I side, which includes Faraz Akram, Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Trevor Gwandu, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Brandon Mavuta, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, and Richard Ngarava.Series Schedule:The white-ball series against Pakistan will commence with the first ODI on November 24 and conclude on December 5. Bulawayo will host all six matches, including three ODIs and three T20Is.

India's tour of Sri Lanka marks a significant shift in the team's leadership and selection strategy under new head coach Gautam Gambhir. In the T20I side, Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed captain, while Hardik Pandya, previously seen as a natural successor to Rohit Sharma, has been overlooked.The ODI team has also undergone bold changes, with the exclusion of key players like Ravindra Jadeja, Suryakumar Yadav, and Sanju Samson. The inclusion of Harshit Rana and Riyan Parag in both the T20I and ODI squads has raised eyebrows.T20I Squad:The T20I squad sees the return of senior players like Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj. Notably, Abhishek Sharma and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who featured against Zimbabwe, have been dropped.ODI Squad:The ODI squad welcomes back Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Mohammed Siraj, and Khaleel Ahmed. Riyan Parag and Harshit Rana have earned maiden call-ups.However, the exclusion of Sanju Samson, who scored a century in his last ODI match, has been met with surprise. Other notable omissions include Ruturaj Gaikwad, B Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, and Yuzvendra Chahal.Key Changes:* Suryakumar Yadav appointed T20I captain* Hardik Pandya overlooked for T20I captaincy* Ravindra Jadeja, Suryakumar Yadav, and Sanju Samson excluded from ODI squad* Harshit Rana and Riyan Parag earn maiden ODI call-ups* Sanju Samson's exclusion from ODI squad raises questions

Indian pacer Harshit Rana's dream of representing India in international cricket came true when he was named in the ODI squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. The 22-year-old expressed his gratitude to his father, Pradeep, for his unwavering support throughout his journey.Rana shared a heartwarming picture on Instagram, lifting his father in his arms while wearing an Indian jersey. The caption read, "This BELONGS to you...LOVE YOU DAD." This gesture reflects the deep bond between father and son, and the immense role Pradeep has played in Harshit's success.Rana's selection is a testament to his impressive performances in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He emerged as one of the tournament's top wicket-takers, claiming 19 scalps at an average of 20.15. His victims included some of the biggest names in cricket, such as Heinrich Klaasen, Virat Kohli, Faf Du Plessis, and KL Rahul.Rana's all-round abilities extend beyond bowling. He has also demonstrated his batting prowess in first-class cricket, scoring a century and a fifty. His average of 49.00 in nine innings with a strike rate of 89 indicates his potential as a complete cricketer.India's tour of Sri Lanka will mark the first international assignment under new head coach Gautam Gambhir. The former opener was appointed after Rahul Dravid's contract ended following India's ICC T20 World Cup title win.The ODI squad for the Sri Lanka tour includes several stalwarts, including Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The team will be led by Rohit, who has returned to the ODI setup after a brief break. The squad also features promising youngsters like Shubman Gill and Riyan Parag.India will play three ODIs and three T20Is during their tour of Sri Lanka. The T20I series will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, who has been appointed as the captain in Rohit's absence.Harshit Rana's selection is a testament to his hard work and dedication. His journey from a young cricketer to an international representative is an inspiration to aspiring athletes everywhere.

Shreyas Iyer's impressive performance as captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has earned him a well-deserved recall to the Indian national team. The batter, who had previously been criticized for prioritizing the IPL over domestic cricket, has now made a strong case for his inclusion in the ODI squad.Iyer's return to the national setup is a testament to his determination and resilience. Despite being dropped from the ODI team last season, he remained focused and worked hard to regain his place. His consistent performances in the IPL, coupled with his impressive record in domestic cricket, have convinced the selectors to give him another chance.However, the same cannot be said for Ishan Kishan, who is believed to be out of favor with the selectors. Sources indicate that Kishan will only be considered for national selection after a full season of domestic cricket. The selectors believe that his focus on the IPL is hindering his development as a player.In addition to Iyer's recall, the BCCI has also announced the inclusion of Riyan Parag and Harshit Rana in the ODI squad. Parag, an all-rounder from Assam, has impressed with his performances in the Vijay Hazare National one-dayers, while Rana, a pacer from KKR, has shown promise in the IPL.The selectors have emphasized the importance of domestic cricket performances in their selection decisions. They will continue to monitor player availability and participation in the upcoming domestic season. This move is aimed at encouraging players to prioritize domestic cricket and develop their skills at the highest level.Abhishek Sharma, who recently scored a 46-ball century in the IPL, has missed out on a place in the ODI squad due to the presence of the skipper at No. 3. Similarly, Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad has also been overlooked.