A year on from a prolific 949-run season, Ayush Doseja has faced outside noise and a string of unfortunate dismissals in the Ranji Trophy. The Delhi batter insists his confidence remains intact, credits the Bengal attack for a valuable challenge and believes patience, consistency and an attacking style will help him convert starts into big scores and push towards India A.

Harry Kane revealed that Virat Kohli was among several sporting icons who congratulated him on winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or. The England captain also received messages from David Beckham and Tom Brady, both of whom he admires. Kane said Kohli’s message was particularly special, highlighting the mutual respect between the football and cricket stars.

India's women cricket team displayed unmatched dominance by sweeping the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe. Vaishnavi Sharma shone brightly, capturing nine wickets and climbing the bowling rankings. Meanwhile, players like Sayali Satghare and Pratika Rawal also saw boosts in their standings following stellar performances. Even Zimbabwe’s Modester Mupachikwa secured a higher rank.

Former England cricketer Michael Atherton has urged England to "keep the pressure on Australia" during their upcoming white-ball series, warning that the hosts could "implode" before the 2027 Ashes. Australia are struggling after losing 2-1 to South Africa, with batting concerns and selection questions. David Warner has also criticised their poor performances, while key pacers will miss the England series.

New Zealand has witnessed two defining milestones in Shubman Gill's early career. After an India U-19 World Cup title and ODI debut, he hits these shores as leader of men. Seven years after being handed the cap by MS Dhoni, he returns as India's captain, carrying the expectations of a billion fans and the responsibility of building a team for the 2027 World Cup.

India's fielding will face an early test at Auckland's Eden Park, where unfamiliar dimensions and tricky angles demand quick adaptation. With 27 catches dropped in their last 18 ODIs, the focus is on sharpening ground fielding and improving catching efficiency ahead of the New Zealand series.

Virat Kohli is approaching a significant milestone ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand. He currently ranks as the third-highest run-scorer for India in ODIs played in New Zealand. Kohli needs 139 more runs to break Sachin Tendulkar's record of 652 runs in this category. The Indian team will feature a solid top order of right-handed batsmen for the series.