India have suffered a setback ahead of their upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, with spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar unavailable for the opening Test in Galle due to a leg injury.

According to a BCCI source, Washington’s availability for the second Test will depend on his recovery and fitness. Meanwhile, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and fast bowler Harshit Rana are also unlikely to be included in India’s squad for the tour.

The two-match Test series will begin on August 15 in Galle, with the second Test scheduled to be played at the SSC in Colombo from August 23.

Washington Sundar Sidelined by Leg Injury

Washington suffered the injury during India’s white-ball tour of England earlier this month.

The injury has now ruled him out of the first Test against Sri Lanka, scheduled from August 15 to 19.

His participation in the second Test remains uncertain and will depend on whether he can regain full fitness in time.

Washington’s absence could force India to reconsider their spin-bowling combination, particularly given the traditionally spin-friendly conditions in Sri Lanka.

Nitish Reddy and Harshit Rana Unlikely to Tour

India could also be without Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana for the two-Test assignment.

Both players are unlikely to be part of the touring squad as India prepare to finalise their combination for the series.

Nitish’s absence would reduce India’s pace-bowling all-rounder options, while Harshit’s likely unavailability could affect the depth of the fast-bowling department.

Jasprit Bumrah Given Rest Until July 30

There is also an important update regarding Jasprit Bumrah.

The premier Indian fast bowler will remain on rest until July 30, after which he is expected to report to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

Bumrah’s fitness will be closely monitored ahead of the Sri Lanka Tests, given his importance to India’s pace attack.

Sai Sudharsan’s Availability Subject to Fitness

Top-order batter B Sai Sudharsan is another player whose availability remains subject to fitness.

However, there is positive news regarding the left-hander, with reports suggesting that his recovery is progressing well.

A fit Sudharsan would provide India with another option at the top of the order for the two-Test series.

India vs Sri Lanka Test Series Schedule

1st Test: August 15-19 – Galle
2nd Test: August 23-27 – SSC, Colombo

With several players dealing with fitness concerns, India’s final squad selection could depend heavily on medical assessments in the coming days.

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India sealed the T20I series against Zimbabwe with a commanding 90-run victory in the second T20I at Harare Sports Club, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match contest.

Ishan Kishan struck 81 and Tilak Varma added 60, with their rapid partnership helping India post an imposing 219 for 5. Zimbabwe’s chase never fully recovered from a cluster of wickets after the powerplay, and the hosts were eventually bowled out for 129 in 17.5 overs.

Zimbabwe Strike Early After Choosing to Bowl

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza opted to field first and his bowlers gave the hosts an encouraging start.

Abhishek Sharma was dismissed cheaply, but Vaibhav Sooryavanshi immediately counterattacked. The young left-hander went after Richard Ngarava, collecting three fours and a six from consecutive deliveries in the third over.

Ngarava responded well, removing Sooryavanshi when the batter mistimed a hard-length delivery towards mid-on.

India had lost two early wickets, but their experienced middle order quickly restored control.

Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer Rebuild India’s Innings

Kishan joined captain Shreyas Iyer and the pair added 66 runs for the third wicket.

Scoring wasn’t always straightforward, with the surface preventing the ball from coming onto the bat cleanly. Kishan also survived an early chance, while Iyer initially needed time to settle.

The India captain eventually found his rhythm and attacked Brian Bennett in the tenth over, striking three boundaries.

His acceleration was cut short when he was dismissed from the final delivery of the over, leaving India needing another partnership to maintain their momentum.

Kishan and Tilak Take Control

Tilak Varma ensured Iyer’s dismissal did not give Zimbabwe an opening.

Kishan and Tilak added 94 runs from just 43 deliveries, dramatically increasing India’s scoring rate during the second half of the innings.

Tilak stepped up his attack in the 14th over, striking three boundaries off Blessing Muzarabani.

Kishan continued applying pressure from the other end and launched Raza for six as Zimbabwe struggled to contain the left-handed pair.

Kishan eventually fell for 81 in the 18th over, caught at deep point while attempting to reach a wide delivery.

Tilak Varma Helps India Reach 219

Tilak continued the attack after Kishan’s departure and completed a blazing half-century of his own.

Late contributions from Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube further boosted India’s total, with the visitors finishing on 219 for 5 from 20 overs.

Tilak ended with 60 as India set Zimbabwe a daunting target of 220.

Brian Bennett Gives Zimbabwe Fast Start

Zimbabwe needed an aggressive powerplay and Brian Bennett provided exactly that.

Bennett refused to allow India’s quicks to settle, attacking Mayank Yadav and debutant Yash Thakur with inventive strokeplay.

His innings included several scoops, but the same aggressive approach eventually brought his downfall.

While attempting a reverse scoop, Bennett was cramped for space and lobbed a catch to the wicketkeeper, departing for 32.

Prince Yadav Strikes Before Injury

Bennett’s dismissal opened the door for India.

Zimbabwe quickly slipped to 49 for 4, with Prince Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi striking soon after the powerplay.

Prince was particularly impressive, taking two wickets for just 10 runs, but his spell ended prematurely.

After dismissing Sikandar Raza, the pacer appeared to suffer a problem with his left hamstring and was forced to leave the field.

Abhishek Sharma’s Three-Wicket Burst Ends Zimbabwe’s Chase

Ryan Burl attempted to keep Zimbabwe in the contest with an attacking approach, while Tadiwanashe Marumani also offered some resistance.

India, however, continued finding wickets at regular intervals.

Abhishek Sharma proved especially effective with the ball. After having a disappointing outing with the bat, he responded by taking 3 for 17.

His triple strike accelerated Zimbabwe’s collapse and the hosts were dismissed for 129 in 17.5 overs.

The result completed a comprehensive 90-run victory and ensured India wrapped up the series before the final match.

India Take Unassailable 2-0 Lead

The victory was another strong response from an Indian side that arrived in Zimbabwe following difficult results against Ireland and England.

India’s batting showed considerably more firepower in the second game, while the bowling unit once again found regular breakthroughs.

With the series now secured at 2-0, India could use the final T20I to test some of their other squad members, although Prince Yadav’s injury is also likely to force at least one change.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will be looking to avoid a clean sweep and finish the series with a victory.

Brief Scores

India 219/5 in 20 overs
Ishan Kishan 81, Tilak Varma 60; Newman Nyamhuri 1-25

Zimbabwe 129 in 17.5 overs
Brian Bennett 32; Abhishek Sharma 3-17, Prince Yadav 2-10

India won by 90 runs and lead the three-match series 2-0.

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Pakistan Women made a winning start to their ODI series against Sri Lanka, securing a five-wicket victory in the opening match at Hambantota. An excellent all-round display, led by Nashra Sandhu with the ball and Gull Feroza and Sidra Amin with the bat, helped the visitors chase down 211 with seven overs to spare.

The result also marked Pakistan’s fifth consecutive ODI victory, strengthening their position in the ICC Women’s Championship standings.

Sandhu Leads Pakistan’s Bowling Effort

After opting to bat first, Sri Lanka got off to a positive start through Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne, who added another fifty-run opening partnership for the hosts.

However, Pakistan’s spinners gradually took control of the game.

Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu removed both Gunaratne and Athapaththu to finish with 3 for 42, while Rubab Khan chipped in with two wickets.

Although Nilakshika Silva top-scored with 46 and Kavisha Dilhari played a useful knock, Sri Lanka lost wickets regularly in the closing overs and finished with 210 for 9, a total that proved below par.

Gull Feroza Continues Outstanding Form

Pakistan’s chase was dominated by opener Gull Feroza, who continued her impressive run in ODI cricket.

She attacked from the outset during the powerplay and shared a 58-run opening partnership with Sadaf Shamas, putting Pakistan firmly in control.

Feroza later combined with Sidra Amin for a crucial 90-run stand for the second wicket before departing after a brilliant 78 off 77 balls, registering her fourth consecutive ODI half-century.

Sidra Amin Anchors the Chase

While Feroza provided the early momentum, Sidra Amin played the anchor’s role perfectly.

The experienced batter compiled a composed 57 from 94 deliveries, ensuring Pakistan remained on course throughout the chase.

By the time Amin was dismissed, Pakistan were within touching distance of victory before the middle order completed the job comfortably.

Pakistan Continue Winning Momentum

The victory extended Pakistan’s winning streak to five successive ODI matches, lifting them to second place in the ICC Women’s Championship standings.

With confidence growing and both the batting and bowling departments performing well, Pakistan will look to seal the series in the second ODI.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will need a stronger all-round performance if they are to level the series and keep the contest alive.

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The focus now shifts from T20Is to the 50-over format as England and India prepare to face off in the opening ODI at Edgbaston. After suffering heavy defeats in the T20I series, India will be hoping a change in format brings a change in fortunes, while England will look to carry their winning momentum into another important series.

With the 2027 ODI World Cup now just over a year away, both teams will treat this series as a crucial opportunity to fine-tune their combinations.

India Receive Major Boost with Senior Players Returning

India head into the ODI series with several experienced players returning to the squad. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are all back after missing recent assignments, significantly strengthening the team’s batting and bowling departments.

Captain Shubman Gill will once again lead the side, while experienced names like KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav are expected to play key roles.

Despite the experienced squad, India still have questions to answer, particularly regarding the balance of the playing XI in the absence of Hardik Pandya and the pace attack following Harshit Rana’s injury.

England Looking to Continue Winning Momentum

England enter the series with confidence after a dominant T20I campaign against India. Their aggressive batting approach and disciplined pace attack proved too strong throughout the five-match series.

Although England’s recent ODI record has been inconsistent, they will be encouraged by their impressive record at Edgbaston, where they have enjoyed sustained success over the past decade.

The hosts are expected to rely on experienced players like Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid to maintain their winning form.

Players to Watch

Rohit Sharma

Rohit has enjoyed tremendous success in ODI cricket in England over the years. His ability to score big runs in these conditions makes him one of India’s biggest hopes in the series opener.

Virat Kohli

Kohli returns after missing the previous ODI assignment and arrives with excellent form behind him. The experienced batter will be aiming to make an immediate impact against England’s pace attack.

Joe Root

Root continues to be England’s most dependable ODI batter. His ability to control the middle overs and build long innings could once again prove crucial for the home side.

Team News

England are expected to hand Josh Tongue his ODI debut, while Jacob Bethell is likely to partner Ben Duckett at the top of the order.

India, meanwhile, are expected to make at least one change in the pace department following Harshit Rana’s injury. One of Prasidh Krishna or Gurnoor Brar could feature, while the all-rounder’s spot is likely to be contested by Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar.

Probable XIs

England: Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, Josh Tongue, Adil Rashid.

India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Axar Patel, KL Rahul (wk), Shivam Dube/Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna/Gurnoor Brar.

Match Outlook

England will start the series with confidence after their recent success in T20 cricket, but the return of India’s experienced stars makes this contest far more evenly balanced.

For India, this series is not only about bouncing back from recent defeats but also about building the right combination before the ODI World Cup. A strong performance in the opening match could provide the momentum they have been searching for after a difficult tour.

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West Indies made an impressive start to the ODI series against New Zealand with a convincing victory in the opening match. After restricting the visitors to a below-par total through a disciplined bowling effort, the home side produced a composed batting display to chase the target comfortably and take a 1-0 lead in the series.

The hosts looked in control for most of the contest and successfully handled the challenging batting conditions in Guyana.

Bowlers Set Up the Victory

West Indies’ bowlers played a crucial role in the first innings by keeping New Zealand under constant pressure. Alzarri Joseph delivered an outstanding spell and finished with four wickets, while debutant Vitel Lawes made an immediate impact with an impressive three-wicket haul.

The left-arm wrist spinner showed great confidence despite making his international debut and gave the West Indies camp another reason to celebrate.

Carty and Hope Build Match-Winning Partnership

West Indies lost an early wicket during the chase, but Keacy Carty and Shai Hope steadied the innings with a brilliant partnership that completely shifted the momentum in favour of the hosts.

The pair added 131 runs for the partnership, rotating the strike well and punishing loose deliveries whenever the opportunity came. Their calm approach ensured New Zealand never managed to build sustained pressure during the chase.

Shai Hope Leads from the Front

Captain Shai Hope once again showed why he remains one of West Indies’ most dependable ODI batters. Speaking after the match, Hope highlighted the importance of building partnerships in Guyana, where batting is never straightforward.

He also praised Keacy Carty for controlling the innings and said that once a batter gets settled on such surfaces, converting the start into a big contribution becomes extremely important.

Hope also credited the team’s fighting spirit despite dealing with injuries before the match and reserved special praise for debutant Vitel Lawes, describing his performance as a major positive for West Indies cricket.

Keacy Carty Ends Lean Run

Keacy Carty was named Player of the Match after his match-winning innings. The right-hander admitted he had gone through a difficult phase with the bat but was pleased to make an important contribution when the team needed it most.

Carty said batting was not easy because of the slow surface, but patience and smart shot selection helped him build a valuable partnership with his captain.

Santner Reflects on New Zealand’s Defeat

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner felt his team fell short after failing to build longer partnerships during the first innings. He acknowledged that the pitch offered assistance to the bowlers but praised West Indies for executing their plans much better.

Santner also admitted that the partnership between Shai Hope and Keacy Carty proved to be the decisive moment of the match, as New Zealand struggled to break the stand despite creating a few opportunities.

Debut to Remember for Vitel Lawes

One of the biggest positives for West Indies was the impressive international debut of Vitel Lawes. The young left-arm wrist spinner displayed excellent control, picked up three important wickets and played a major role in restricting New Zealand.

His performance provided West Indies with a promising new spin option and added further confidence to the home side ahead of the remaining matches.

What’s Next?

With the opening ODI now complete, West Indies hold a 1-0 lead in the series. New Zealand will look to respond strongly in the second ODI, while the hosts will aim to continue their winning momentum and extend their advantage.

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England finished the five-match T20I series in style after registering a convincing 56-run victory over India in the fifth and final match at Southampton. With this result, England completed a 4-0 series triumph and also climbed to the No.1 position in the ICC T20I team rankings.

The hosts produced an excellent all-round performance with both bat and ball, while India failed to recover after losing early wickets during the run chase.

Buttler and Harry Brook Lead England’s Batting

England’s innings was powered by a brilliant partnership between Jos Buttler and captain Harry Brook. The pair attacked the Indian bowlers from the middle overs and kept the scoring rate high with regular boundaries and quick running between the wickets.

After the match, Harry Brook praised the partnership and said both batters enjoyed spending time together in the middle. He also expressed happiness after England achieved the No.1 T20I ranking, calling it one of the team’s major goals during the series.

Brook also credited England’s spin attack and overall bowling execution, saying clear communication and proper planning helped the team throughout the series.

India Captain Admits Team Needs Improvement

India captain Shreyas Iyer accepted that his team has several areas to improve before the ODI series begins.

According to Iyer, adapting to overseas conditions remains one of the biggest challenges for the Indian side. He also highlighted fielding mistakes, dropped catches and poor execution with the ball as key reasons behind the defeat.

The skipper felt India lost too many wickets during the powerplay while chasing and failed to build partnerships, making the target difficult to achieve.

Jos Buttler Returns to Form

Jos Buttler was named Player of the Match after playing a match-winning knock.

The England wicketkeeper-batter said he was delighted to return to form after a difficult period. Buttler revealed that he trusted his natural game and enjoyed batting alongside Harry Brook, whose aggressive approach kept pressure on the Indian bowlers throughout the innings.

He also described the 4-0 series victory over India as a special achievement for the England team.

Key Statistics from the Series

• England completed a 4-0 T20I series victory over India.
• England moved to No.1 in the ICC T20I team rankings.
• India suffered one of their biggest defeats by runs in T20I cricket.
• India’s fielding efficiency during the series remained significantly lower than England’s, with several costly dropped catches.
• Prince Yadav became only the second Indian cricketer to lose each of his first four T20I matches.

What Next?

The T20I series has now concluded, and both teams will shift their attention to the ODI series. The first ODI is scheduled to be played on Tuesday at Edgbaston, where India will look to bounce back after a disappointing T20I campaign.