Sri Lanka face a blow as star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is out of the T20 World Cup with a hamstring tear. Spin all-rounder Dushan Hemantha has been drafted in as his replacement. The ICC has approved the change. Meanwhile, New Zealand also face an injury concern with Michael Bracewell’s calf issue.

England Test captain Ben Stokes has successfully undergone surgery for a facial injury sustained during a nets session. The all-rounder shared images of his swollen face, humorously remarking on the cricket ball’s condition. This procedure follows a challenging Ashes tour and comes as his captaincy is under review.

India’s bowlers are intensifying their training to adapt to sluggish tournament pitches, particularly in Colombo. The team is also adjusting batting strategies, moving away from an all-out aggressive approach to incorporate more technique. This shift comes as they prepare for challenging conditions and a crucial match against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup.

Mumbai Indians have denied Royal Challengers Bengaluru permission to use DY Patil Stadium for IPL 2026, citing catchment area restrictions that require an NOC from MI. With Navi Mumbai ruled out, RCB are exploring Raipur and Indore while KSCA continues to push for a return to Chinnaswamy.

Pakistan, after a shaky win against the Netherlands, faces a confident USA in their next T20 World Cup match. The USA, with roots in Pakistan, aims to replicate their past Super Over success. Pakistan’s faltering middle order, including Babar Azam’s struggles, remains a key concern as they prepare for this crucial encounter.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a 14-year-old prodigy, stunned the cricketing world with a record-breaking 175 in the U19 World Cup final, leading India to victory. His performance has reignited the debate on fast-tracking young talents, with Shashi Tharoor drawing parallels to Sachin Tendulkar. However, ICC regulations prevent Sooryavanshi from playing international cricket until March 2026.

National coach Jaspal Rana was sidelined from the Field of Play during Manu Bhaker’s 25m pistol event due to a dress code violation. Despite this, Bhaker secured a silver medal. Meanwhile, a junior shooter named Anjali Bhagwat, inspired by the Olympian, clinched her first international bronze in the same event.

India’s T20 World Cup campaign faced an early jolt with a surprisingly difficult Wankhede pitch against the USA. The team management expressed displeasure to the BCCI, as the sluggish track challenged their aggressive batting plans. Team India prefers high-scoring games and must adapt to varying conditions to succeed in the tournament.