Within days, Mustafizur signed up for the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) protested sharply, the IPL broadcast was banned in Bangladesh, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) – the body that governs the sport globally – was pulled into a diplomatic standoff.

Former cricketer Priyank Panchal questioned the inclusion of Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana, over the likes of senior, proven players in the playing XI for the first ODI between India and New Zeal

New Zealand have rested first-choice players for the ODI series against India, which got underway in Vadodara on Sunday, with all-rounder Michael Bracewell filling in as skipper for white-ball captain Mitchell Santner.

As per ICC regulations, umpires for ODIs are appointed under specific clauses. Clause 2.1.4 states that the ICC shall appoint one umpire for each ODI, who must not be from the same country as the participating teams and must be from the Elite Panel or International Panel.

Former India cricketer WV Raman has advised rising pacer Harshit Rana to work on his delivery stride in order to avoid a major injury in the future.

The spotlight returns to Indian cricket as India and New Zealand get ready to begin a fresh white-ball chapter with the first ODI at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on January 11. The three-match ODI series will be followed by five T20Is,

After a low-key 2025 with few high-ticket events, 2026 will kick off a storm into the next Olympic cycle, as India's best athletes will feature in the Commonwealth Games (23 July to August 02) and the Asian Games (September 19 to October 04).

Cricket matches in 2026 include faceoffs between India's and New Zealand's men's national teams and the Women's World Cup.