test tour of england

New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra has departed the Kolkata Knight Riders midway through the IPL 2026 season. He returns home to commence preparations for his national side's upcoming three-match Test series against England. Ravindra was acquired by KKR for his base price but did not feature in any matches this season.

There is still no confirmation on the three T20 Internationals that were earlier expected to be part of the tour.

India national cricket team slipped to sixth in the World Test Championship standings after Bangladesh national cricket team swept Pakistan 2-0 and climbed to fifth. India, led by Shubman Gill, have won four of nine Tests in the current cycle. Australia national cricket team continue to lead the WTC table, while Pakistan remain eighth after another series defeat.

Rishabh Pant has been replaced as Test vice-captain by KL Rahul and dropped from the ODI squad. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja are rested for workload management and a knee niggle respectively. Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya await fitness clearance for the ODI series. New faces Gurnoor Brar and Manav Suthar earn Test call-ups.

Replays showed the ball striking the glove rather than the pads.

National selectors convene in Guwahati to discuss workload management post-IPL 2026, with Afghanistan series on the agenda. Key pacers Bumrah and Siraj's fitness will be scrutinized. Emerging talents like Prince Yadav and Mohsin Khan are in contention, potentially filling gaps if senior bowlers are rested. Kohli and Sharma's return also noted.

Rachin Ravindra returns home from IPL early. He feels ready for New Zealand's Test matches in Ireland and England. Ravindra gained valuable insights from top players like Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli. He believes these conversations and training sessions have prepared him for challenging conditions. The experience has boosted his confidence for the upcoming red-ball assignments.

England captain Ben Stokes made a strong return to cricket after a cheekbone injury, bowling 20 overs and taking two wickets for Durham. This comeback, his first match since January, offers a significant boost to England's bowling options ahead of a busy summer of Test cricket, including upcoming series against New Zealand and Pakistan.

Rishabh Pant faces career challenges, losing Test vice-captaincy and ODI spot to Ishan Kishan. Despite selector praise for his Test potential, Pant's recent IPL form has been underwhelming. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson and Kishan are excelling. KL Rahul is named Shubman Gill's deputy. Auqib Nabi's strong Ranji performance was overlooked for Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav.

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.

While the selectors will pick squads for a one-off Test and three ODIs against Afghanistan, the blueprint for the 2027 ODI World Cup will be finalised on May 19. There are no question marks over Virat Kohli's position but Rohit Sharma is on a sticky wicket, and Ravindra Jadeja needs to punch above his weight to remain in contention.

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar believes Virat Kohli is “very sensitive to criticism” despite often saying he ignores outside noise. Manjrekar revealed Kohli sometimes became “cold” towards him after negative remarks. He added criticism may motivate Kohli to perform better. Manjrekar also praised Kohli’s aggressive leadership in Test cricket, calling him one of India’s greatest captains during his successful tenure.

England's summer of cricket promises excitement with the Women's T20 World Cup and a historic one-off Women's Test at Lord's. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur expressed her dream of playing at the iconic venue. The match is already breaking attendance records, highlighting growing interest in women's cricket.

Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins is reportedly set for a significant contract extension. Cricket Australia is offering a deal that could see him earn nearly AUD 4 million annually until 2029. This move aims to secure top stars amidst the growing allure of global franchise leagues.

India announced their squad for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England, with Yastika Bhatia returning after ACL surgery and Pratika Rawal missing out on the T20 setup despite making the Test squad. Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the side, with Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain. Bharti Fulmali, Nandini Sharma and Shree Charani earned places, while Radha Yadav retained her spot. Kashvee Gautam and Amanjot Kaur were unavailable due to injuries.

New Zealand's white-ball captain, Mitchell Santner, faces a month-long layoff after a grade-three shoulder injury sustained during the IPL. The all-rounder's setback rules him out of upcoming Tests against Ireland and England, with his availability for later matches to be reassessed. Mumbai Indians have signed Keshav Maharaj as his replacement.

Virat Kohli and the cricket fraternity mourned the untimely demise of former Punjab cricketer Amanpreet Singh Gill, who passed away at 36. Gill, an ex-India U-19 pacer, represented Punjab and was part of the inaugural IPL season with Kings XI Punjab. Tributes poured in from former teammates and the Punjab Cricket Association.

India’s Women’s T20 World Cup squad announcement saw Kashvee Gautam and Amanjot Kaur miss out due to injuries, with the BCCI confirming both were unavailable for selection. Uncapped pacer Nandini Sharma earned a maiden call-up after a strong WPL season, while Yastika Bhatia returned after recovering from ACL surgery. Pratika Rawal was excluded from the T20 squad but included for the one-off Test against England.

Jasprit Bumrah is experiencing an uncharacteristic lean patch in IPL 2026, with his bowling average soaring to 132, the worst of his T20 career. Despite his historical dominance, he has struggled to take wickets and has conceded sixes to batsmen he previously contained. Experts cite a demanding international schedule and potential mental pressure as contributing factors to his current struggles.

Former Black Caps bowler Doug Bracewell faces a two-year ban after a positive cocaine test during a 2025 County Championship match. This marks his second doping violation. Bracewell, who retired in December 2025, is estimated to have a net worth between USD 1-3 million from his cricket career. The ban impacts his post-retirement prospects.

Team India's management is considering resting key players like Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah for the one-off Afghanistan Test (June 6–10) due to a packed schedule following IPL 2026. With no WTC points at stake and little turnaround time, workload management is the priority. Fringe players like Gurnoor Brar, Manav Suthar, Devdutt Padikkal, Harsh Dubey could earn maiden call-ups instead.

Ravichandran Ashwin has strongly opposed the idea of India fielding separate T20I squads for overlapping international commitments. He emphasised that an India cap should retain its prestige and not be casually awarded, advocating for the India A pathway to groom talent instead. Ashwin believes this approach would preserve the value and respect associated with representing the senior national team.

Kolkata Knight Riders players wore black armbands during their IPL 2026 match against Chennai Super Kings to mourn the passing of former India cricketer C. D. Gopinath. Gopinath was a member of India's first-ever Test-winning team and a significant figure in early Indian cricket history.

At that time, Yuvraj had just played a big role in India’s 2011 World Cup win, he was Player of the Tournament. During the tournament, he was dealing with fatigue, nausea and discomfort. The illness was not detected then, and he continued to play.

Sai Sudharsan, a cornerstone of Gujarat Titans' batting, has consistently performed in the IPL, even claiming the Orange Cap last season. Despite his success, he attributes it to consistent preparation rather than a secret T20 formula. Sudharsan also acknowledges the challenges of format shifts and emphasises the importance of mental fitness, incorporating yoga and meditation into his routine.

England white-ball captain Harry Brook and team-mate Jacob Bethell have been warned about their future conduct after a nightclub incident on the pre-Ashes tour of New Zealand last year. The Regulator "issued a caution notice to Harry Brook and Jacob Bethell in relation to their conduct", said a statement.

Cricket Australia has surprisingly dropped star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell from their 2026-27 contracted players list, prioritizing Test specialists for a demanding schedule. Youngster Sam Konstas and paceman Jhye Richardson also missed out, with veteran Jake Weatherald earning a contract. This move signals a strong focus on the longest format of the game.

England Test captain Ben Stokes' return to cricket is delayed due to a serious facial injury sustained in February. Recovering from a fractured cheekbone, Stokes will miss Durham's opening County Championship match. Head coach Ryan Campbell confirmed the injury's severity and Stokes' determination to regain fitness after a challenging Ashes campaign and personal difficulties.

Cricket Australia's 2026-27 schedule presents a gruelling challenge, with 10 Tests in 14 weeks. A five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour of India looms large for a senior Australian squad, many of whom have never won a series there. This demanding run includes a home series against England to mark a significant anniversary.