Abhishek Sharma’s 113 powers India to series win and T20 records

Abhishek Sharma’s record-breaking century seals India’s series win

Abhishek Sharma smashed 113 from 38 balls, including 11 sixes, as India chased down New Zealand’s 198 in 13.2 overs to win the third T20I by six wickets. The victory gave India an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. The Times of India reported that Abhishek’s 35-ball century took him to 11 hundreds in men’s T20 cricket, one ahead of Virat Kohli’s 10, with only Chris Gayle and Babar Azam having more.

Abhishek and 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi put on 133 for the first wicket, racing to 118 without loss in the Powerplay. That was a record first-six-overs total in a men’s T20 international, according to the Times of India. Abhishek also moved past Chris Gayle for the second-most men’s T20I innings with at least 10 sixes, with three such innings.

The Times of India reported that mentor Yuvraj Singh playfully challenged Abhishek on X to beat his India record of a 12-ball T20I half-century. Abhishek credited preparation and the pair’s plan to enjoy the Powerplay for their success.

Sri Lanka’s win knocks England out of ODI tri-series

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by eight wickets in Lahore, ending England’s hopes of reaching the tri-series final. Pakistan were bowled out for 110, with Sri Lanka reaching the target in 18.1 overs. Dilshan Madushanka took a career-best 5-34, while Kamindu Mendis made an unbeaten 62, the Guardian reported.

England had lost all three of their matches and needed Pakistan to beat Sri Lanka to keep a route to Saturday’s final open. Instead, their scheduled match against Sri Lanka on Thursday became a dead rubber. The BBC reported that England had been beaten after reaching 120-1 in a chase of 303, then lost while defending 430 and suffered a last-wicket defeat to Pakistan.

Mumbai Indians coach Luke Williams backs WPL core

New Mumbai Indians head coach Luke Williams says he does not plan wholesale changes as the two-time champions seek a rebound in WPL 2027. In an interview with the Times of India, Williams said the side’s two titles in four seasons and the chance to respond to a difficult campaign attracted him to the role. He previously coached Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the 2024 title.

Mumbai finished the 2026 league stage with three wins and five defeats, missing the playoffs after injuries, illness and close losses disrupted combinations. Williams pointed to the competition’s eight-match league schedule and said winning key moments would matter. The Times of India reported that Hayley Matthews missed the first three matches with a quad injury, while Nat Sciver-Brunt also dealt with illness.

Mandhana loses top ODI ranking as Wolvaardt returns to No. 1

Smriti Mandhana has lost the top spot in the ICC Women’s ODI batting rankings to South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt. Mandhana scored 32 and then a duck against Zimbabwe, according to the Times of India and Sportstar.

Harmanpreet Kaur rose two places to eighth and Deepti Sharma climbed four places to 23rd after both scored centuries in India’s second ODI against Zimbabwe. Deepti also moved to fourth among ODI all-rounders and eighth among bowlers. Pratika Rawal reached a career-best 21st in the ODI batting list.

Gareth Batty leaves Surrey for Chennai Super Kings role

Gareth Batty has stepped down as Surrey head coach to join Chennai Super Kings as an assistant coach, the BBC and Sportstar reported. Batty led Surrey to three consecutive County Championship titles from 2022 to 2024. The Times of India reported that CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan said the franchise was in discussions with Batty before Surrey confirmed his departure.

CSK appointed Zaheer Khan as head coach for IPL 2027 after Stephen Fleming’s 16-year tenure. The Times of India also reported that former India pacer Mohit Sharma is set to join as bowling coach.

Jharkhand complain to BCCI over alleged scoring error

Jharkhand Cricket Association has complained to the BCCI after its women’s Under-19 team was recorded as losing to Uttarakhand by one run in Nagpur. Uttarakhand made 134-6 and Jharkhand were listed as all out for 133, but the association says a run was missed from Jharkhand’s total.

The Times of India reported that the disputed run came in the 30th over, when a batter was run out attempting a second run. The JCA alleges the batters had completed the first run, but the official scorer did not add it. Jharkhand thought a single from the final ball had levelled the score, before the official result showed a one-run defeat.

Musheer Khan’s century and two wickets keep Mumbai ahead

Musheer Khan scored 109 as Mumbai made 430 in their first innings against Haryana in a Ranji Trophy Group D match. Sportstar reported that Musheer later took both Haryana openers in the final hour, leaving the visitors 108-2 at stumps on day two.

Musheer told Sportstar he was happy with the century but felt he could have reached 200. He also described his role with the ball as supporting Mumbai’s established spinners Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian by containing runs and bowling his stock delivery.

India A draw after Padikkal’s 199 against New Zealand A

India A came within one wicket of victory in the first unofficial Test against New Zealand A, but the match ended in a draw when bad light stopped play with the hosts 187-9 chasing 313. Curtis Heaphy was unbeaten on 90, the Times of India and Hindustan Times reported.

Devdutt Padikkal made 199 in India A’s second innings of 516 and took two wickets as New Zealand A tried to hold on. India A had been dismissed for 113 in their first innings, then took a 204-run deficit before fighting back.

Bangladesh begin West Indies Tests with WTC hopes alive

Bangladesh host West Indies in a two-Test series with their World Test Championship hopes still alive. Sportstar reported that Bangladesh are fourth in the standings and need at least four wins from their remaining six matches to put their percentage above 60.

Captain Najmul Hossain described the fourth-place position as inspiring rather than a source of pressure, according to CricTracker. He said the team was focused on the opening Test, not looking ahead to the second match, and added that Bangladesh’s win over Australia in Darwin had strengthened the players’ confidence.

Pakistan name Muneeba Ali captain for Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy

Pakistan have named a 14-player squad for the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, with wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali as captain and Ayesha Zafar as vice-captain. The ICC reported that regular captain Fatima Sana will miss the tournament because of commitments in Australia’s domestic Big Bash League.

The squad includes four spin bowlers, led by Nashra Sundhu, and pace bowlers Tasmia Rubab and Waheeda Akhtar. The ICC reported that 10 teams will compete in this year’s tournament, up from eight in the previous edition.