Bhuvneshwar Kumar Recalled to India Squad Ahead of T20I Decider in Bengaluru

Bhuvneshwar Kumar Back in India Colours as Series Reaches Decider

India has added Bhuvneshwar Kumar to its squad for the fifth and deciding T20I against West Indies at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 17, after Arshdeep Singh took a blow to his bowling shoulder during the fourth T20I in Hyderabad on Wednesday. A call on Arshdeep's fitness will be made before the match.

The 36-year-old had not played a T20I for India since November 2022 and had already been recalled for a five-match T20I series against New Zealand later this month, but, as CricTracker notes, Arshdeep's injury has brought that comeback forward. Bhuvneshwar enters in excellent form, having taken 28 wickets in IPL 2026, the second-highest tally in the tournament, as Royal Challengers Bengaluru successfully defended their title, with the decider now set for the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

With the series tied 2-2, India needed bowling depth regardless of Arshdeep's status. In 87 T20Is, Bhuvneshwar has taken 90 wickets at an average of 23.10. West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein, meanwhile, is set to play his 100th T20I in the series and says his side will not be intimidated.

Punam Raut Retires After 12-Year International Career

Punam Raut has announced her retirement from international cricket at 37, ending a career that began in 2009. She was a central figure in India's run to the 2017 World Cup final, scoring 86 off 115 balls in the loss to England, and shared a record 320-run opening stand with Deepti Sharma against Ireland that same year.

Across formats, Raut finished with 3,282 runs, including a Test-best 130 against South Africa in 2014. On Instagram she wrote, "After much thought and reflection, I have decided to retire from international cricket in all formats of the game," adding that her next innings is about giving back to the sport.

Mandhana Begins Captaincy Era as India Faces Zimbabwe

Smriti Mandhana chose to bowl first on her debut as India's full-time captain against Zimbabwe in Raipur, the first-ever T20I meeting between the two sides. A minute's silence was held before play for Sara Dambanevana, the former Zimbabwean cricketer and umpire who recently died.

Australia and New Zealand to Contest Rose Bowl in T20Is for First Time

Australia hosts New Zealand in a three-match T20I series starting October 18 at North Sydney Oval, and for the first time the winner will take home the Rose Bowl trophy, previously awarded only in ODI series. Australia has held the trophy since February 2000, more than 26 years.

Captain Sophie Molineux has declared herself fit after a hip injury that kept her out against Bangladesh, but Phoebe Litchfield remains doubtful with a hip strain and did not train on Friday.

Scotland's Brad Wheal Retires at 30

Scotland pace bowler Brad Wheal has retired at 30 after four stress fractures in his back and recent knee surgery. He played in four T20 World Cups for Scotland, including this year's tournament in India, and took 51 wickets in 44 internationals. He said his body simply "can't cope with the demands of fast bowling anymore."

Chahal Explains His Absence From 2023 World Cup Squad

Yuzvendra Chahal says former captain Rohit Sharma told him India wanted batting depth to number eight and an extra fast bowler instead of him for the 2023 World Cup. Chahal has taken 96 wickets in 78 T20Is but has never played a T20 World Cup match, missing the 2021 and 2022 editions, the 2023 ODI World Cup and this year's T20 World Cup. He has not ruled out an international return.

Starc's IPL 2027 Future Uncertain Amid Packed Test Calendar

Mitchell Starc's availability for IPL 2027 is in doubt, according to a CODE Sports report, as he weighs franchise cricket against Australia's demanding Test schedule, which runs through the 150th Anniversary Test and the 2027 Ashes. Delhi Capitals must decide by November 15 whether to release or retain him, and a withdrawal after being bought at auction without injury grounds could trigger a two-season BCCI ban.

Starc previously stayed out of the IPL for eight seasons, reportedly forgoing more than $10 million, and has said he would not trade that time away. He has taken 76 wickets in 58 IPL matches.

Chopra Questions Delhi Capitals' Trading Strategy

Aakash Chopra has publicly criticized Delhi Capitals for trading Kuldeep Yadav to Lucknow for Rishabh Pant and sending T Natarajan to Sunrisers Hyderabad for Zeeshan Ansari. "Delhi, what exactly are you guys doing?" he asked, arguing Kuldeep is close to irreplaceable and that Pant may not have a clear spot in Delhi's order.

Ashwin Says Dhoni Is Steering CSK Rebuild

Ravichandran Ashwin believes MS Dhoni could become a formal mentor at Chennai Super Kings after the franchise finished eighth in 2026, parted with head coach Stephen Fleming and brought in Zaheer Khan. "It's clear that Dhoni is doing all the decision-making in terms of the new coaches," Ashwin said.

Ashwin Criticizes Kuldeep Yadav's Omission From T20I Side

Ashwin also took aim at India's team management for dropping Kuldeep Yadav from the T20I side after he was India's leading wicket-taker, with seven scalps, in the preceding ODI series against West Indies. Kuldeep has been out of the XI since the second T20I. "If you're leaving Kuldeep out against them, it lacks a bit of common sense," Ashwin said, arguing Kuldeep's googly has consistently troubled this West Indies lineup.

ECB Drops Diversity Hiring Commitment

The ECB has abandoned its Rooney Rule requirement to interview at least one ethnic-minority candidate for every national coaching role, a policy adopted in 2018. The board says its recruitment has "evolved" and that strengthening the coaching pipeline is now the more effective path. Former director of women's cricket Clare Connor had said last year that the rule should be "absolutely applied in all circumstances where it's deemed feasible."