cricket

ETPL: Vijay Shankar to team up with Ashwin at Dublin Guardians

Vikram Rathour has been appointed head coach of Dublin

Shoaib Akhtar Reveals Captain Who Could've Changed His Career. Not Wasim Akram

Shoaib Afridi, who took 178 wickets in 46 Tests, retired from international cricket during the 2011 World Cup in India amid reported differences with then captain Shahid Afridi.

WTC Final Qualification: India's Path Explained Ahead Of Sri Lanka Tests

The two-match series in Sri Lanka will be followed by a two-Test tour of New Zealand later this year, before the much-anticipated five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home against Australia in early 2027.

Shubman Gill Makes Big Statement Over Jasprit Bumrah, Sai Sudharsan's Injuries

India skipper Shubman Gill said the team management is keeping track of players who have been recuperating from injuries at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.

Ajinkya Rahane's Verdict On Second Pacer For India vs Sri Lanka In 1st Test

Without Jasprit Bumrah, India are without a sure-shot playing XI starter when they face Sri Lanka in the first Test of a two-match series

Sarfaraz Khan Snubbed, Debut Confirmed? India Predicted XI For 1st Test vs Sri Lanka

India predicted XI vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test: Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill have a number of dilemmas to resolve when the pick the playing XI for the first Test in Galle.

Captaincy Has Unlocked The Best Of Shubman Gill. India Skipper Trails Only Don Bradman In Elite Test List

Since taking over as Test captain, Shubman Gill has scored 1,076 runs, including six centuries and a career-best 269.

Rodrigues ruled out of Asia Cup and Asian Games; Rawal gets maiden T20I call-up

Rodrigues picked up a hamstring injury during the Hundred, and an assessment confirmed a high-grade tear

Look to learn from Abhishek and Sooryavanshi: Priyansh

TNPL player comes under the anti-corruption scanner

The player was found to be in possession of a mobile phone in the restricted Players and Match Officials Area during his team’s match

Ireland search for consolation win in final ODI

Their batters put up a much-improved performance in the fourth ODI. But can they stop Afghanistan from making it 4-0?

Big Blow For India As Jemimah Rodrigues Ruled Out Of Women's Asia Cup, Asian Games. BCCI Names Replacement

The BCCI has named Pratika Rawal as Rodrigues' replacement for the Asia Cup to be played in Dubai from August 28 to September 13.

India hopes to revive WTC fortunes on Sri Lankan shores

Gill’s men will draw inspiration from a superior head-to-head record; the visiting side’s batters need to come good to make life easier for their bowlers; left-arm spinner Prabath could be the trump card for the home team

Shubman Gill Sets Clear Task For Team India, Mission WTC 2027 Final: "We Have 9 Tests"

India skipper Shubman Gill made it clear that his primary focus remains firmly fixed on securing a berth in the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) 2027 final.

India and Sri Lanka meet in a vastly different Test landscape

Stranded in the middle of the table, both teams need a 2-0 win to stay in realistic contention of making the WTC final

India vs Sri Lanka: ‘Galle is a tough place to keep wickets,’ says Dhananjaya de Silva

Dhananjaya hinted about a probable debut for off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha

Ashleigh Gardner "Cheating" Controversy Prompts Cricket Australia To Tighten Policy

Todd Greenberg also revealed that Cricket Australia was aware of the relationship between Ashleigh Gardner and Georgia Voll before it became public.

"Huge Honour": Shubman Gill On Leading India In 600th Test On Independence Day

India's Shubman Gill said it is a "huge honour" to lead his side for the country's 600th Test when they face Sri Lanka Saturday in the opening match of a two-Test series.

Gill: 'Extra time in preparation definitely helps'

"Most of the players in this team require a bit of time to be able to adjust to the conditions"

Shubman Gill Breaks Silence On Captaincy Pressure Amid India's Hot-And-Cold Test Results

Under Shubman Gill, India may not have secured a landmark Test series victory yet, but he is "comfortable" with the leadership role after overseeing the team's progress on the right path.

Harbhajan Singh Says Yes To Biopic Idea, Names Preferred Actor For Film

Harbhajan Singh revealed that he would not mind a biopic on his cricketing career, and named which actor he would like to see play his character.

"You Can't Excuse Some Of The Technical Flaws": Ricky Ponting Slams Australia's Batting In 1st Test

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has hit out at the hosts' batters following a dismal Day 1 performance against Bangladesh in the ongoing first Test.

"Current Generation Do Not Possess Requisite Patience": India's World Cup Winner's Blunt Take

The aggressive batting approach shaped by the T20 era has come at the expense patience, said former India spinner Harbhajan Singh.

1st Test: Tanzid Hasan Makes History As Bangladesh Dominate Australia On Day 2

Tanzid Hasan became the first Bangladeshi to score a Test century in Australia as the visitors dominated to reach 351-6 at stumps on the second day of the first Test in Darwin on Friday.

"Get Off The Wicket": Australia Pacer Mitchell Starc Fumes At Bangladesh's Mehidy Hassan - Watch

Pacer Mitchell Starc lost his cool when Mehidy Hasan Miraz tried to give a reason to the umpire after running on the pitch.

India vs Sri Lanka: Ahead of first Test, Gill stresses need to qualify for WTC final

The aesthetics around the first Test venue came in for praise but Gill added a note of caution: “In grounds which are open, wind plays a crucial part. As a batter if you want to take on a spinner, we have to see if the wind is with us or against us.”

De Silva on Dickwella selection: In Galle, 'player with the best glovework plays'

There are better batters who keep wicket, but no better keeper in Sri Lanka than Niroshan Dickwella, captain Dhananjaya de Silva says ahead of first Test against India

India vs Afghanistan T20I Series Schedule May Be Changed. Here's The Reason

As per the current schedule, Afghanistan will play the three T20Is in India on September 13, 15 and 17.

AUS vs BAN Test day 2: Tanzid Hasan’s maiden Test ton puts Bangladesh in command against Australia

Tanzid raised his hundred with a single off Nathan Lyon from 188 deliveries but after a patient and resilient innings, he added just one more run before he got out

Australia vs Bangladesh 1st Test, Day 2 Highlights: Bangladesh Take Control With 153-Run Lead

Australia vs Bangladesh, 1st Test Day 2 Highlights: Tanzid Hasan became the first Bangladeshi to score a Test century in Australia as the visitors dominated to reach 351 for 6 at stumps on the second day of the first Test in Darwin.

Tanzid, Shanto and Mehidy keep Bangladesh in front after gripping day's play

Australia had most of their success in a brief spell with the second new ball, but it's been Bangladesh most of the way otherwise

Shubman Gill Drops Big Playing XI Hint For 1st Sri Lanka Test, Rookie Likely To Be Snubbed

While Auqib Nabi is not even in contention, the choice is between the 6-foot-5-inch tall Brar and an inch shorter Prasidh, who has already played seven Tests and taken 25 wickets.

Only way to survive is to attack him: Harbhajan on extraordinary Sooryavanshi

Harbhajan believes Sooryavanshi is capable of sowing doubt in the mind of a bowler despite his tender age and low experience

R Ashwin Forced To Stop Video After Police's Arrival. Explains What Happened

R Ashwin said that the police were at his house and the security guard was calling him multiple times, but he did not answer as he was busy recording the video.

Melbourne Renegades name Twining their WBBL coach

Twining is currently an assistant coach with Australia's women's side and will return to his role after the WBBL

Nabi four-for and Hope 56* give Amazon Warriors winning start

Jamaica Kingsmen, who could only put up 117 after being asked to bat first, have now lost all their three CPL 2026 matches

'We've got to get moving' - Urgency to BBL contracting call with CA and ACA not aligned

CA CEO Todd Greenberg says they are still negotiating a pay deal with the ACA and discussing privatisation with NSW and Queensland with hopes of progression in September

Smith was ready to walk off before DRS flat line

Bangladesh were convinced Smith had edged behind early in his innings and the batter himself thought so too

Morkel backs KL Rahul to play key role in India's Test series against Sri Lanka

Rahul is the sole survivor from India’s 2017 touring side’s batting group, with Morkel highlighting his experience as a valuable asset for the team in Galle

TNPL 2026 | Rithik is Royal King, guides team home in a thriller

Ali, Abbas share six as Pakistan warm up for England Tests

England opener Emilio Gay makes 12-ball duck and drops catch on tough opening day

Sandeep Warrier to turn out for Chhattisgarh this domestic season

Morkel: Quicks must 'stack up overs together with intensity' to succeed in Galle

Morne Morkel has high expectations from the fast bowlers - Mohammed Siraj is the most experienced, with Prasidh Krishna and the uncapped Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi around

Vinay Kumar appointed Karnataka head coach

Vinay is still the leading wicket-taker among seamers in the Ranji Trophy with 442 strikes

SL vs IND Tests | Role reversal — Kirsten seeks to use India experience in Sri Lanka challenge

Sri Lanka head coach Kirsten, who coached the Men in Blue to victory in the 2011 World Cup, will be plotting India’s downfall when the two-match Test series begins at Galle on Saturday

India’s cricket team intensifies training ahead of first test in Galle

The focus in catching emphasised ambidexterity, encouraging fielders to make one-handed catches with either hand

IND vs SL 1st Test | Morne Morkel open to possibility of playing three left-arm spinners

AUS vs BAN 1st Test: Barnstorming Bangladesh humble Australia on Day 1

Hasan Mahmud was the standout performer on a famous day for Bangladesh pace bowling, taking 6-55 at Marrara Oval to rout Pat Cummins’s team for 198

Mahmud's 6 for 55 gives Bangladesh dream start

Steven Smith waged a lone battle for Australia with 71 in 109 balls, but it was largely a sorry batting effort

‘I knew I would get India call-up one day,’ says Auqib Nabi, ahead of SL Test series

Nabi has been drafted into the Indian squad as a replacement for injured Jasprit Bumrah for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka

Ayodhya back in Sri Lanka Women's T20 Asia Cup squad

She is one of the three changes Sri Lanka made to the T20I squad that played Pakistan at home last month

The era of 'randomly scheduled' bilaterals 'has to come to an end,' says ICC CEO

Jonty Rhodes says ODIs "might be in trouble" going forward but may not go away altogether

CA backs Gardner vice-captaincy but policies updated to avoid conflict of interest

The allrounder has commented for the first time since her marriage breakdown and her relationship with Georgia Voll became public

Satterthwaite to coach Canterbury Women in NZ domestic season

Brendon Donkers takes over as the head coach of Canterbury in the men's circuit

Holder and Netravalkar three-fors set up straightforward win for Patriots

Andre Fletcher led the chase with an unbeaten 41-ball 48 after St Lucia Kings had put up a below-par 155 for 8

Lost flair: On India and its Test cricket

India is no longer at its best in Test cricket

Australia bat first in Darwin, Bangladesh play Ebadot and Mahmud

There could be some early movement on offer with the new ball to test the home side's top order

Long wait over for Bangladesh and Darwin as Australia start their long run

For the home side this is the start of a massive 12 months in Test cricket and they won't want to slip up early on

Phoenix knock MI London out, send Sunrisers into Eliminator

Rebranded defending champions fall short in bid for 59-run, NRR-boosting victory

England scraps midnight curfew on men’s cricket team under new captain Joe Root

The restriction was put in place by England managing director Rob Key after controversial late-night incidents on the winter tours of New Zealand and Australia

Dickwella returns to Sri Lanka Test squad; offspinner Nuwantha gets maiden call-up

Dickwella, who last played a Test against New Zealand in 2023, is in line to make his return to the format after regular wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis was ruled out with an injury

Hayden backs Gill to rise to Test challenge, says India has ‘job to do’ ahead of WTC final

India is currently fifth in the WTC 2025-27 standings, having won four and lost four of their nine matches, with one draw. Hayden said the team’s record highlighted the challenges facing India in the longest format despite their strength in white-ball cricket

Moment of reckoning for Gill — the skipper and the batter

The 0-2 loss to South Africa has left India languishing mid-table, with just four wins from nine matches. They must win seven of their nine remaining games — two each away in Sri Lanka and New Zealand, and five early next year at home against the Aussies — to move into the finals

Jagadeesan sizzles as Super Gillies revive TNPL campaign

Zadran, Atal tons propel Afghanistan to series win

Balbirnie's ton, Campher blitz not enough as Ireland fall short in 344 chase

Fire choke in chase as Spirit clinch consolation win

Needing 17 off 15, Fire manage only 10 to miss out on fifth win of season

SL vs IND Tests | India arrives in the Emerald Isle seeking a fresh path in Tests

A spate of retirements, injuries and selectorial interventions have left the squad in a state of flux; coach Gambhir and captain Gill will be looking at the two-Test series as a chance to get over transition blues and chase success

Ellyse Perry hands MI London the wooden spoon

Australian's half-century ended a three-match losing streak for Birmingham Phoenix

Root abolishes England's midnight curfew in first act as captain

ECB confirm curfew has been dropped ahead of Pakistan Test series

Sachin Baby has unfinished business in KCL

Wareham, Potts help Welsh Fire end season on high note

Cardiff franchise finish fifth with third home win as Spirit fall short

Gay picked for tour game against Pakistan after shoulder scare

Bashir, Hull and Tear are among the other notable inclusions in the Professional County Club Select XI

CRICKET | Leg-spinner Jhathavedh’s apprenticeship with Ashwin has worked wonders

The 26-year-old has made a noticeable change to his load-up, gathering the ball closer to his body allowing him to rip the leg-break a little bit more without hampering the amount of turn for his googly

Dickwella, Madushanka return to Sri Lanka Test squad

Nuwantha, Sooriyabandara, both uncapped, find a place with Nissanka and Kusal Mendis unavailable

Sussex allrounder Danny Lamb retires at 30 on medical advice

Danny Lamb underwent neck discectomy and fusion surgery last month after spinal-cord injury

Abu Dhabi T10 set for reboot with stability the primary goal

Corruption issues have dogged the Abu Dhabi T10 league and now, with the government acquiring a controlling stake in it, an overhaul could be around the corner

How can MI London pip Sunrisers Leeds to an Eliminator spot?

Trent Rockets are already in the final, while Manchester Super Giants, after their crushing win over Sunrisers Leeds on Tuesday, have booked one spot in the Eliminator

'Bounce is the key' as Bangladesh look to rebound from 54 all out, says Shanto

Najmul Hossain Shanto hinted that Bangladesh will field two spinners in Darwin despite the fast and bouncy conditions

Tridents survive Russell scare to begin CPL 2026 with narrow win

Brandon King, Quinton de Kock and Sharfane Rutherford starred for Barbados Tridents with the bat before Daniel Sams returned 4 for 20 to stifle Jamaica Kingsmen

Hazlewood keeps Boland out of Australia XI for first Test

The home side named the XI that had been expected but Bangladesh will wait until the morning of the match to confirm their team

Seifert fireworks lift MSG into second to leave Sunrisers sweating

Result sends Trent Rockets through to Lord's final and leaves MI London with outside chance

Devine targets WBBL for injury comeback

Welsh Fire skipper had her Hundred campaign curtailed by a calf muscle tear

Afghanistan seal 2027 World Cup berth, West Indies to go through qualifiers again

Afghanistan’s win in ‌Belfast ⁠ensured they will finish among ⁠those teams, joining Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England and Bangladesh

Chaminda Vaas interview: “If you keep it simple, the game itself is simple”

From the art of swing bowling to the demands of modern-day cricket, Vaas has plenty to say about what it takes to survive and succeed. The former Sri Lanka seamer also looks back on the 1996 World Cup, his years in the IPL and his experiences mentoring the next generation.

Virat’s intensity inspires 5 others to stretch limits when fielding with him: T Dilip

“When it comes to Virat Kohli, intensity is non-negotiable. You have seen him in the powerplay, how he is as a batsman, whether at cover or short mid-wicket, with his reflexes and with his dives, is admirable,” Dilip said

Gurnoor could be India’s X-Factor in Bumrah’s absence: Maharoof

TNPL: Grand Cholas have it easy; Tiruppur Tamizhans continue winning run

Andersson kills off Hampshire's hopes

Andrew Neal's explosive century goes in vain as Derbyshire win thriller

Joseph Eckland's nerveless 68 carries Gloucestershire to victory

Nathan McSweeney and George Bartlett score fifties as Steelbacks reach 308

Joe Cracknell ton breaks Middlesex finals drought

He strikes 128 from 112 balls, sharing third-wicket stand of 202 with Nathan Fernandes to lead home side's recovery

Munsey returns with match-winning 138 to send Nottinghamshire through

Collapse costs Surrey after Patel and Sibley's dominant opening stand

Durham seal quarter-final spot despite heavy loss to Worcestershire

Tom Taylor's quickfire 86 hauls hosts to competitive total

Pacers should know their body in T20 era: Kapil

Rocky Flintoff blazes 65-ball century to send Lancashire through

Flintoff adds 214 in 21.1 overs in partnership with Keaton Jennings as Somerset bow out

Sutherland stars to send Sunrisers Leeds into Eliminator

Super Giants leapfrogged and eliminated after third straight home defeat

Cricketer Abhishek Porel arrested on charges of rape; devices seized

The survivor, a Karnataka-based medical student, lodged the FIR at the Mogra police station in Hooghly district on June 23; she made several charges against the wicketkeeper-batsman, including rape, confinement, abuse, and cheating

Jani, Bamber knock Kent out as Bears complete Rugby hat-trick

Warwickshire end 50-over campaign on high note as Kent collapse

Bess, Coad join forces to secure home quarter-final

Eliminated Eagles bowled out for 151 inside 41 overs, Will Bennison and James Wharton fifties guide Yorkshire home

Cricket could go the football way, feels Rhodes

The South Africa great believes players may increasingly choose to shorten their international careers and devote more time to franchise cricket

TNPL 2026 | Deepesh learning the nuances of fast bowling

Deepesh worked on his bowling with mentor Sandeep Warrier during the two-week gap after the TNCA First Division League

Abishek Porel arrested in case of alleged sexual assault

Wicketkeeper-batter has not played any competitive cricket since the end of IPL 2026

The BCCI asks the right question, but might not like the answer

Klaasen, Miller, Allen set to make ILT20 debuts

Marcus Stoinis returns to the tournament after three years and will play for Dubai Capitals

Notts 'disappointed' as chief executive Kenyon leaves for Lancashire

Kenyon confirms move to Old Trafford after less than a year at Trent Bridge

Moises Henriques to captain Portugal in T20 World Cup qualification bid

The 39-year-old allrounder announced his retirement from Australian domestic cricket last month

Bjorn Fortuin to captain South Africa on white-ball tour of Namibia

Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma, along with all but three members of South Africa's first-choice sides, have been rested from the tour

With World Cup in their sights, Afghanistan push for series win

At 2-0 down, Ireland will hope their batters can do better against the spin threat of Rashid and Ghazanfar

Webster relishes Green tag-team: 'I certainly don't see it as a direct competition'

Australia's Test team is set for a fascinating time with the two allrounders set to play in harness for the medium term at least

Stubbs special leaves Rockets with anxious wait ahead of knockouts

Sam Billings' side need Super Giants to beat Sunrisers to avoid playing Friday's Eliminator

West Indies have to go through the Qualifier route to make the 2027 ODI World Cup

It is the third successive time that they have to play the Qualifier to earn a place in the World Cup

Jemimah Rodrigues says World Cup win has fuelled India Women’s hunger for more success ahead of CT 2027

Jemimah Rodrigues described the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in 2027 as a special occasion and emphasised that the team’s focus will remain on playing together and securing victories

Scotland, Netherlands criticise ICC’s World Cup format changes

The two ‌Associate Member boards described the lack of communication as “disappointing and disrespectful”

Rashid books Afghanistan's spot in the 2027 ODI World Cup

The allrounder picked up 3 for 44 and made 37 not out to beat Ireland

Sachin wants to do well in all three formats for TN

The left-hander has been on a roll in the TNCA First Division League and TNPL

Sciver-Brunt downplays calf concern after sealing Rockets' final spot

England captain hits match-winning 32 off 19 from No. 7 amid calf management

Sandeep Lamichhane replaces Rohit Paudel as Nepal's ODI captain

The legspinner's first series in charge will be the ACC Men's Premier Cup from August 30

Manav Krishna trying to make his mark in KCL

The Thrissur Titans player heads into the third season of the Kerala Cricket League high on confidence after scoring a century against Sri Lanka in the second youth Test in July

Scotland, Netherlands slam ICC response to Associate concerns over World Cup format change

In a joint statement, the two boards have expressed "significant concerns about both the impact of these changes and the process through which they have been introduced"

T20 Mumbai League to add Navi Mumbai franchise

Pant — an enigma at the crossroads

Having been replaced as India’s Test vice-captain, he can focus on his primary disciplines without having to attend lengthy team discussions or the distraction of being pulled in different directions; the team needs the most potent version of the player to come to the fore

Kuldeep took break to assess body, not fitness concern: Sairaj Bahutule

The decision to rest Kuldeep was purely precautionary, bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said; he also praised Gill’s meticulous preparation

TNPL 2026: Jagadeesan and bowlers win it for Chepauk Super Gillies

Exemplary professional, youngsters want to emulate him: Laxman praises Kohli

Laxman said Kohli consistently sets very high standards for himself and strives to meet them every time he plays

Working on small things tactically helped, says Chaturved

Sarfaraz Khan replaces injured Sai Sudharsan, back in Test squad

Mumbai batter included in India’s team for two-match series in Sri Lanka

Number of Duleep Trophy games telecast will be increased: BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia

There is brilliant coordination between CoE and Indian team management, insists Laxman

Jaiswal, Gill get batting practice as India beat Sri Lanka XI by six wickets in warm-up

Chasing 207 for victory, India completed the target in 45 overs, finishing on 214 for four with Siraj smashing 32 off just 15 balls, including three successive sixes, to bring the game to an emphatic end

Australia head coach McDonald flags tough calls on players' IPL participation ahead of packed 2027 schedule

The IPL window in 2027 is expected to fall between Australia’s five-Test tour of India and a possible World Test Championship final, making it the only substantial period available for the team’s senior fast bowlers to rest and undergo conditioning ahead of the Ashes

BCCI secretary Saikia to visit COE to take stock of injury crisis, to meet with VVS Laxman

India will be missing the services of Jasprit Bumrah (knee swelling), B Sai Sudharsan (left foot big toe), Harshit Rana (hamstring), Nitish Kumar Reddy (hamstring) and Washington Sundar (quadriceps) due to various injuries

Padikkal seals No. 3 spot with stylish hundred as Jaiswal, Pant fail

At the end of the second day, India finished its first innings at 357 for eight in 90 overs. Padikkal’s artistic unbeaten 142 and a gritty 63 (retired out) by veteran Ravindra Jadeja were the highlights, while Manav Suthar (41) also impressed with the bat on his maiden overseas i

Sai Sudharsan ruled out of Sri Lanka Test series

Sudharsan, who scored two tons in two ‘A’ Test matches, was hit during the second game against Sri Lanka ‘A’ and since then has been in rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru

Chaturved’s heroics help Panthers ace record chase

The No. 3 batter smashes 121 off just 47 balls as the Madurai side achieves the 240-run target with three balls to spare against Kovai Kings; Rajkumar guides Grand Cholas to victory

Chaturved savours ‘best day’ after record TNPL hundred

Srinath stresses the importance of having a pace battery

The Mysore Express feels that having enough overs under one’s belt is key to avoiding injuries

Young Aussie spinner Davies hopes to make the most of his Chennai trip

The 22-year-old is part of the Cricket Australia Developmental squad, training at the MRF Pace Foundation

Jemimah ruled out of Hundred with hamstring injury; Asia Cup participation in doubt

We can confirm that due to an injury suffered by Jemimah Rodrigues, we’ve signed Charli Knott as our injury replacement for the remainder of The Hundred, posted Southern Brave

Rishabh Pant appeals to CM Dhami: Help me buy land in Uttarakhand, I want to come home

The Chief Minister responded to the cricketer’s post on X, saying that instructions were being issued to concerned officials, who would soon contact Pant to extend all possible cooperation “in accordance with the rules”

Smash, bang, whimper: the rise and fall of Bazball

Now that the most discussed and debated style of playing Test cricket since Bodyline has ended, how do we assess its legacy? What worked and what didn’t? Could it have lasted longer? And how will it be remembered?

Gill skips Day 1 of practice game against SLC XI due to finger injury

Gill picked up the niggle during a training session here on Thursday (August 5) and as result, K.L. Rahul is leading the side in his absence