Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson made a successful return to First-Class cricket for Kerala, smashing a quick-fire half-century in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 match against Maharashtra. Batting at number four, Samson wasted little time getting settled, contributing a rapid 54 runs off just 63 balls.

His innings, which included five fours and a six, helped stabilize the Kerala innings after the early departure of experienced batter Baba Aparajith. This performance marks a strong comeback for the wicketkeeper-batter, who was sidelined during the previous Ranji season.

Samson's immediate impact in the red-ball format confirms his excellent batting rhythm, carrying forward the consistency he showed in the IPL 2024 season where he scored 531 runs. This return to form is a positive sign for both his domestic side and the Rajasthan Royals franchise.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Rajat Patidar has continued his phenomenal run of form, achieving his maiden First-Class double century while captaining Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 clash against Punjab. Patidar, who was instrumental in leading RCB to their first-ever IPL title in the 2025 season, reached 205 not out off 332 balls, showcasing immense patience and elegance.

This landmark score, surpassing his previous best of 196, underscores the dynamic batter's consistency across formats. Patidar's recent success includes leading Madhya Pradesh to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final and Central Zone to the Duleep Trophy title, where he scored multiple centuries and fifties.

His sustained high performance in domestic red-ball cricket, immediately following his IPL triumph, sends a strong message to the national selectors, potentially guaranteeing him a spot in the Test squad for India's upcoming series against South Africa.

Rajasthan Royals' young sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, continues to draw high praise following his explosive performance in the IPL 2025 season. The 14-year-old left-handed batter, who was signed by RR for ₹1.1 crore, stunned the cricket world by smashing a 35-ball century against Gujarat Titans in Jaipur, becoming the youngest player ever to achieve the milestone in IPL history.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri recounted the disbelief of Australian legend Matthew Hayden while watching Suryavanshi bat. The youngster's ability to effortlessly hit established international pacers like Mohammed Siraj and Ishant Sharma for sixes led Hayden to openly question his age during the commentary. Suryavanshi finished the season with 252 runs in seven innings, earning the Super Striker of the Season award.

Shastri emphasized that while Suryavanshi's talent is immense, the next few years will be crucial for his development, stressing the need for quality mentorship to help him navigate the high expectations and inevitable setbacks that come with early success.

Sunrisers Hyderabad's Abhishek Sharma has been recognized for his stellar international form, being named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for September 2025. The flamboyant left-handed batter secured the award following a dominant performance in the Asia Cup T20I tournament.

Sharma was the Player of the Tournament, accumulating 314 runs across seven matches at an impressive average of 44.85 and a staggering strike rate of 200. His consistency propelled him to a record 931 rating points in the ICC Men’s T20I Batting Rankings, the highest ever achieved in the format. He edged out teammate Kuldeep Yadav and Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett for the prestigious monthly honor.

Sharma expressed his gratitude, highlighting the team culture and positive mindset that contributed to his success in high-pressure situations. This award underscores the explosive talent that Abhishek Sharma brings to the Sunrisers Hyderabad lineup in the IPL, demonstrating his ability to perform consistently at the highest level.

Team India's departure for the white-ball series in Australia was marked by a heartwarming display of unity, as senior players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli shared warm greetings with the newly appointed ODI captain, Shubman Gill. A video captured Rohit embracing Gill, signaling a smooth transition of leadership and strong camaraderie within the squad.

This reunion is significant as Rohit and Kohli return to the national setup after a seven-month hiatus following the IPL 2025 season. Their presence and experience are expected to be invaluable for the team, especially for Gill, who is taking charge of the ODI side for the first time. The positive interaction dispels any speculation of tension following the captaincy change, ensuring the team heads Down Under with a unified front.

India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir has offered strong public support for newly appointed ODI and Test captain Shubman Gill, emphasizing his commitment to shielding the young leader from external pressure and criticism. Gambhir stated that his primary role is to ensure Gill can focus entirely on his on-field performance and maintaining a healthy dressing room atmosphere.

Gambhir acknowledged that Gill is still developing as a captain and has yet to face the inevitable 'worst days' of leadership, which will truly test his mettle. However, the coach praised Gill's current approach, describing him as transparent, upfront, hardworking, and focused on doing the right things for the team. This public backing from the head coach provides a significant boost of confidence for the Gujarat Titans star as he embarks on his first major assignment as India's ODI captain against Australia.

Punjab Kings batter Shashank Singh has heaped praise on his IPL captain, Shreyas Iyer, labeling him the best captain he has played under. This endorsement follows Iyer's successful leadership of PBKS, guiding the franchise to its first IPL final since 2014, a run that cemented Iyer's reputation as a born leader.

Shashank highlighted Iyer's clear-headed approach and zero tolerance for complacency, noting that the captain operates with a unique aura and unshakable mindset that commands respect. This strong leadership quality is now transitioning to the national team, where Iyer has been appointed the vice-captain for the upcoming ODI series against Australia, reinforcing his growing stature in Indian cricket.

Royal Challengers Bangalore icon Virat Kohli has returned to India ahead of the highly anticipated ODI series against Australia, marking his return to international cricket after a four-month hiatus. Kohli, who arrived in New Delhi from London, is set to join the squad before they depart for Australia for the three-match series starting October 19.

Beyond his return, Kohli is on the verge of achieving another monumental milestone in the 50-over format. The veteran batsman needs just 54 runs to surpass former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara and claim the position of the second-highest run-scorer in ODI history, trailing only Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli currently has 14,181 runs in 302 ODIs, while Sangakkara finished his career with 14,234 runs.

Kohli's presence, alongside Rohit Sharma, is viewed as highly beneficial for the team, providing invaluable experience to the squad led by new ODI captain Shubman Gill. His imminent milestone adds an extra layer of excitement for fans as he prepares to showcase his mastery Down Under.

Shubman Gill successfully registered his first series win as India's Test captain, leading the side to a dominant 2-0 sweep over the West Indies. The victory, sealed with a seven-wicket win in the second Test in Delhi, highlighted Gill's growing maturity both as a batsman and a leader. Gill contributed significantly with the bat throughout the series, including a century in the second match, demonstrating his ability to handle the dual responsibility of captaincy and opening the innings.

Reflecting on his leadership approach, Gill emphasized the importance of making bold, timely decisions tailored to the match situation, such as enforcing the follow-on in the second Test. He noted that embracing the responsibility of captaincy brings out the best in him, a sentiment that bodes well for his tenure as India's new white-ball captain ahead of the crucial ODI series against Australia.

Gill's successful transition into the leadership role, coupled with his consistent batting form—which included one fifty and one century in the series—provides a major boost to the Gujarat Titans (GT) franchise, where he also serves as captain. His ability to perform under pressure and guide a transitioning national side suggests strong leadership capabilities that will be vital for GT in upcoming IPL seasons.

Delhi Capitals spinner Kuldeep Yadav delivered a match-winning performance in the second Test against the West Indies in Delhi, securing the Player of the Match award. The left-arm wrist-spinner finished as the highest wicket-taker of the series with 12 scalps, including an impressive haul of 8/186 in the final Test, which featured a crucial five-wicket haul in the first innings.

Kuldeep's ability to extract wickets even on a relatively flat surface at the Arun Jaitley Stadium earned high praise from captain Shubman Gill, who highlighted the spinner's value as a strike bowler regardless of the conditions. Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also advocated for giving Kuldeep more freedom to operate as an attacking option, with other bowlers supporting him by maintaining control.

This dominant return to Test cricket for Kuldeep Yadav underscores his importance to the Indian setup and provides significant momentum for the Delhi Capitals ahead of the next IPL season. His consistent wicket-taking ability makes him a vital asset in any format.

KL Rahul played a crucial role in securing India's seven-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second Test in Delhi, ensuring a clean 2-0 series sweep. Chasing a modest target of 121, Rahul anchored the innings after an early setback, finishing unbeaten on 58 runs off 108 balls and sealing the win with a boundary on the final day.

Rahul's performance throughout the series was marked by consistency, having also notched a century in the first Test. His composed half-century in the chase was instrumental in calming the nerves of the dressing room and guiding the team efficiently to the target. He finished the series as the second-highest run-scorer for India with 196 runs.

This strong red-ball form is a positive sign for the Lucknow Super Giants captain, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure and contribute match-winning innings, skills that will be highly valued when he returns to the white-ball format for the upcoming ODI series against Australia.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) fans have reason to celebrate as reports suggest legendary skipper MS Dhoni is likely to extend his tenure and feature in the IPL 2026 season. Despite retiring from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni has continued to be a pivotal figure for the franchise, leading them to their fifth title in 2023 and stepping back into the captaincy role mid-season in 2025 due to Ruturaj Gaikwad's injury.

Dhoni's enduring fitness and less demanding role as a wicket-keeper have allowed him to maintain his presence in the league, constantly defying retirement buzz. While the franchise is reportedly seeking a long-term wicket-keeping option in the upcoming mini-auction, Dhoni's continued participation ensures stability and leadership for the team.

Although an official confirmation from Dhoni or the CSK management is pending, the anticipation surrounding his return remains high. His presence is invaluable, not just for his batting contributions but for his unmatched experience and strategic acumen, which has defined the franchise's success over the years.

Rajasthan Royals opener Yashasvi Jaiswal continued his remarkable run of form, scoring a brilliant 175 against the West Indies in the ongoing Test match. The young left-hander showcased exceptional maturity and control, featuring 22 boundaries in his innings before being dismissed due to a run-out misunderstanding.

Jaiswal's monumental knock places him among an elite group, becoming one of the youngest players globally to register five scores of 150 or more before turning 24, matching the achievement of former South African captain Graeme Smith. His consistency in converting starts into massive totals has drawn high praise from cricketing legends.

During a lighthearted moment, West Indies great Brian Lara humorously pleaded with the young batsman to ease up on the opposition bowlers, underscoring the dominance Jaiswal displayed at the crease. This performance further solidifies Jaiswal's reputation as a prolific scorer and a cornerstone of India's future batting lineup.

Gujarat Titans batter Sai Sudharsan was sidelined on Day 3 of the second Test against the West Indies after sustaining an 'impact injury' while fielding at forward short-leg on Day 2. Crucially, the BCCI medical team issued a positive update, confirming that the injury is 'not serious' and that the player is 'doing fine,' though he remains under monitoring.

Sudharsan sustained the injury while taking a spectacular catch, demonstrating his commitment in the field. This health update comes after the left-hander had already made a significant contribution with the bat, scoring a valuable 87 runs in the first innings. He was involved in a crucial 193-run partnership with Yashasvi Jaiswal, narrowly missing out on his maiden international century.

While his participation in the remainder of the match remains subject to medical clearance, the news that the injury is minor will be a relief for fans and the Gujarat Titans franchise, highlighting his strong form and potential across all formats.