Mike Cricket Blog | Latest Cricket News, IPL 2026 & Updates

 Australia has announced an unchanged 14-man squad for the second Ashes 2025 Test at the Gabba, choosing stability over reshuffling as the series intensifies. The decision reflects Australia’s confidence in its current group and a long-term approach to managing its star fast bowlers. No Early Return for Pat Cummins or Josh Hazlewood Much of the pre-match conversation centered around Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood , who have been recovering steadily from injury. Some expected one of them to return for the Gabba Test, but selectors have resisted the temptation to rush their comeback. Australia has adopted a more cautious approach to fast-bowling workloads in recent years. Bringing Cummins or Hazlewood back too soon could risk further setbacks, especially with several high-intensity Ashes matches still ahead. By giving both bowlers more recovery time, the team is prioritizing long-term fitness over short-term gains . Selectors Show Confidence in the Current Squad Choosing the...

 The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 Mega Auction has wrapped up, and it could be the most defining moment in the league’s evolution so far. With new rules, a deeper talent pool, and heightened attention after the Women’s World Cup , this auction didn’t just build teams—it reshaped the future of women’s cricket. A New Era Begins The auction kicked off in New Delhi at 3:30 PM IST , but this was far from a routine event. It was the first mega auction , forcing teams to rebuild their squads from scratch. With the ability to retain only five players , franchises faced tough decisions—and the auction hall was ripe for surprises. Every team entered with a ₹15 crore purse , and from the very first bid, it was clear: teams were ready to spend big. The RTM Twist That Changed Everything For the first time in WPL history, the Right to Match (RTM) card was introduced. Teams could now reclaim released players by matching a competitor’s final bid , adding a new layer of drama and strate...

   Historic Victory for South Africa South Africa delivered a stunning performance, defeating India by 408 runs in the second Test at Guwahati and completing a 2–0 series sweep . This match is historic because: South Africa’s largest Test win by runs against India India’s heaviest defeat in Test cricket history South Africa’s first Test series win in India in 25 years The Proteas dominated in all departments — batting, bowling, and fielding — leaving fans and cricket analysts amazed. Batting Brilliance Lays the Foundation South Africa’s top-order displayed patience, technique, and adaptability: Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma built strong partnerships Adapted perfectly to Guwahati’s tricky bounce and spin First-innings dominance put India under immense scoreboard pressure By the second innings, South Africa had set India a massive 549-run target , making victory almost certain. Simon Harmer’s 6/37: The Game-Changer Off-spinner Simon Harmer sta...

 Test cricket has a way of revealing character session by session, and Day 4 of the second Test in Guwahati became a showcase of South Africa’s growing authority. By the time players walked off for tea, the visitors were 107/3 , a position that speaks not only to their patience but to their understanding of what it takes to win in demanding subcontinental conditions. From the first ball of the day, South Africa looked calm and in control. They weren’t chasing quick runs or trying to dominate every over. Instead, they showed something far more valuable on a surface that has slowly begun to misbehave—discipline. The pitch at Guwahati has become drier and slower, and the occasional uneven bounce is starting to worry batters from both sides. Yet, South Africa’s top order handled it with remarkable composure. The pair of Tony de Zorzi and David Bedingham played the afternoon session with a clarity that India struggled to disrupt. Their footwork was decisive, their shot selection matur...

Guwahati, Nov 24, 2025 — Day 3 of the India vs South Africa 2nd Test at Barsapara Cricket Stadium continued to favor the visitors as India struggled to regain control of the match. After South Africa posted a massive first-innings total of 489, India’s reply was fragile, leaving them trailing by a significant margin at stumps. India’s Top Order Faces Early Setbacks Chasing a large total, India’s openers faced immediate pressure from disciplined South African bowling. The seamers consistently targeted the stumps while subtle bounce and turn off the pitch challenged the batters. The only bright moment came from Yashasvi Jaiswal , who scored a well-composed 58 runs. His footwork and shot selection were impressive, providing India with temporary stability. However, his dismissal shifted momentum firmly in South Africa’s favor. Middle Order Struggles Under Pressure Following Jaiswal’s fall, KL Rahul and Sai Sudharsan attempted to consolidate the innings but were unable to form a me...

  T20 World Cup 2026: Contrasting Journeys for India and Sri Lanka The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling editions of the tournament. Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka , the recently announced group draws reveal two very different stories for the host nations. While India enjoys a comparatively easier group stage, Sri Lanka faces a formidable challenge. India’s Group: Comfort, Strategy, and Momentum India’s placement in the 2026 T20 World Cup group stage provides several advantages: Lower-Risk Group Stage India will not face the tournament’s strongest teams early on. This allows them to: Build momentum gradually Experiment with squad combinations Rotate bowlers to manage workload Preserve key players for later knockout stages Home Advantage Playing in familiar conditions gives India an edge over opponents: Pitches suited to spin-heavy attacks Predictable weather conditions Massive home crowd support Squad Depth Ind...

 Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has sparked a new debate in Indian cricket by questioning Washington Sundar’s suitability for the crucial No. 3 batting position in Test matches. His comments have come at a time when India is experimenting with its lineup, particularly in overseas conditions, making the discussion even more relevant for the team’s long-term strategy. Why the No. 3 Spot Matters So Much in Test Cricket In Test cricket, batting at No. 3 is widely considered one of the toughest roles. The batter must be ready to walk in early if an opener gets out cheaply, and also capable of building long, stabilizing partnerships. This position requires solid technique, temperament, patience and the ability to handle both the new ball and the older ball with equal skill. Ganguly pointed out that the No. 3 spot has traditionally belonged to specialist batters , naming players like Rahul Dravid, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ricky Ponting as examples. According to him, the role is to...

  India A Beat Oman by Six Wickets to Enter Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 Semi-Finals India A continued their impressive run in the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 with a composed six-wicket victory over Oman in Doha. The win secured their place in the semi-finals and highlighted the steady growth of India’s next generation of cricketers. Oman Post a Competitive Total Oman approached their innings with patience, focusing on building partnerships rather than going for early big shots. This strategy helped them maintain stability throughout the innings, eventually reaching 135/7 in their 20 overs. India A’s bowlers were disciplined from the start. Their spinners, in particular, controlled the middle overs, cutting off scoring opportunities and keeping Oman from gaining momentum. The bowlers’ consistent line and length made chasing a manageable target for India A. India A’s Calm and Calculated Chase Chasing 136 , India A displayed maturity and composure. An early wicket could have rat...

India’s recent Test series defeat against South Africa has raised questions about the national team’s preparation for long-format cricket. Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has criticized the declining focus on domestic red-ball cricket , particularly the Ranji Trophy , urging players and management to prioritize multi-day cricket for Test readiness. Gavaskar Highlights India’s Domestic Cricket Neglect Gavaskar stressed that many elite Indian players are skipping domestic tournaments, which are crucial for maintaining consistency in Test matches . He said this lack of exposure is a major reason behind India’s struggles in long-form cricket. “Elite players cannot perform at the highest levels in Test cricket without continuous competitive match practice,” Gavaskar said. He also criticized the current emphasis on T20 leagues , noting that Test skills are best honed through sustained red-ball cricket . Importance of Domestic Cricket for Test Success Test cricket requires skil...

Pakistan Complete 3-0 ODI Series Sweep Over Sri Lanka Pakistan wrapped up their three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka with a commanding 6-wicket win in the final game. The victory not only sealed a clean sweep but also highlighted Pakistan’s growing confidence, balance, and tactical maturity in the 50-over format. While Pakistan performed consistently across all departments, Sri Lanka struggled to maintain momentum, revealing areas that need improvement. Let’s break down the final ODI and key takeaways from the series. Sri Lanka Starts Well but Fails to Capitalize Sri Lanka began the final ODI cautiously, with their openers rotating strike and building a steady foundation. However, the start never translated into a competitive total. Like in the previous matches, Sri Lanka lost wickets in clusters and failed to form strong partnerships. Key struggles in the middle overs included: Reduced strike rotation Boundaries were hard to come by Pressure led to errors In the end, Sri...

  IND vs SA 1st Test Day 2: India 138/4 at Lunch as South Africa Keep Pressure On Day 2 of the India vs South Africa 1st Test at Eden Gardens continued to provide classic Test-match drama. After bundling South Africa out for 159 on Day 1, India began their reply with confidence, but the visitors came back strongly on the second morning. At lunch, India reached 138/4 , still trailing by 21 runs, and the game remained far more competitive than expected. A Steady but Cautious Start for India India resumed play with patience, knowing the morning session would be crucial. The pitch offered extra grip and some unpredictable bounce, making it difficult for batters to score freely. South Africa used the conditions well, maintaining tight lines and not giving away easy runs. The slow start helped India settle, but it also allowed South Africa to apply steady pressure. KL Rahul Reaches 4000 Test Runs A positive moment came early in the session as KL Rahul crossed 4000 runs in Test cri...

 The Sri Lanka national cricket team is touring Pakistan, attracting attention not only for the on-field action but also for the extensive security measures following a recent suicide bombing in Islamabad. To guarantee the visiting team’s safety, Pakistan has deployed army and paramilitary forces, showcasing its commitment to safely hosting international cricket. Tour Overview This series, part of the ICC Future Tours Program, includes both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 matches. While fans were eager for the tour, the Islamabad incident raised significant safety concerns. Pakistan’s past security challenges make this tour a crucial step in restoring confidence for international cricket. Security Protocols in Place Pakistan has implemented thorough security measures, such as: Deployment of army and paramilitary personnel at stadiums, hotels, and travel routes. Collaboration with local law enforcement for monitoring and threat assessment. Secure convoys for transporting playe...

 Axar Patel challenges leadership stereotypes in Indian cricket, saying captaincy is about trust, teamwork, and performance — not English fluency or appearance. Axar Patel’s Bold Statement on Leadership Indian all-rounder Axar Patel has sparked a crucial conversation in Indian cricket leadership . In a candid interview with The Times of India , he said: “Captaincy is not about how fluent your English is or how stylish you look in press conferences. It’s about how well you understand your teammates, make decisions under pressure, and perform for the team when it matters most.” Axar’s words hit differently because they highlight a truth often overlooked — leadership is measured by action, not image . Leadership Beyond Language Cricket in India reflects the country itself — diverse, multilingual, and passionate . Axar reminds us that leadership is about connection, not communication style . Whether it’s Hindi, Tamil, Marathi, or Gujarati, the language doesn’t define a lea...

   Rain Interrupts NZ vs WI 4th T20I: Match Abandoned After 6.3 Overs in Nelson The eagerly awaited 4th T20 International (T20I) between the New Zealand national cricket team and the West Indies national cricket team ended in disappointment for fans on both sides. Played at Saxton Oval, Nelson , the match was abandoned due to persistent rain after just 6.3 overs of play. The weather disrupted what had promised to be a thrilling contest in the ongoing NZ vs WI T20I series 2025 . Match Summary: A Promising Start Cut Short New Zealand captain Kane Williamson won the toss and elected to bat first under overcast skies. Despite the damp conditions, openers Finn Allen and Devon Conway gave the hosts a brisk start, scoring freely against the West Indies pace attack led by Alzarri Joseph and Romario Shepherd . At the time rain interrupted play, New Zealand were 52 for 1 in 6.3 overs , with Finn Allen blazing his way to a quick 30 off 18 balls . His aggressive strokeplay...

  BCCI Raises Asia Cup Trophy Issue with ICC The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially raised concerns with the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the Asia Cup 2025 trophy , which is reportedly still kept at the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) headquarters in Dubai . BCCI representatives stressed that since India won the 2024 Asia Cup , the trophy should have been handed over formally. Protocol requires that the winning nation retain the trophy until the next edition of the tournament. Understanding the Trophy Controversy The dispute arose when it was revealed that ACC President and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi continued to hold the trophy. Although discussions at the ICC meeting were reportedly cordial , BCCI officials emphasized that proper international cricket procedures must be followed. This disagreement, while symbolic, highlights administrative tensions between the BCCI and PCB and the ongoing competition for influence in Asian cricket g...