It has been a hectic few days in world cricket, and several important stories have slipped under the radar. While India announced their ODI squad for the England series with Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah returning but Ravindra Jadeja missing out once again. Elsewhere, Varun Chakaravarthy has been ruled out of the Ireland T20Is as he continues his recovery from injuries sustained during IPL 2026.
In England, Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson have been cleared after the nightclub controversy and are back in the squad for the final Test against New Zealand. Meanwhile, teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi grabbed headlines by smashing the fastest fifty in List A history. Here are six cricket stories you may have missed.
Sooryavanshi’s world record
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took revenge on Sri Lanka A after his ugly altercation against them by smashing 94 off just 29 balls in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka A. The 15-year-old rewrote the record books by racing to a half-century in only 11 deliveries, the fastest ever in List A cricket. Just days after his altercation with Sri Lanka A players grabbed headlines, Sooryavanshi let his bat do the talking. He eventually fell six runs short of a century that would’ve been the fastest in List-A too but left behind a knock that will be remembered for years. Due to his knock, India A won the tri-series.
Kohli, Bumrah are back!
India’s squad for the ODI series against England has been boosted by the return of Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, although Kohli’s selection remains subject to fitness clearance after the hamstring injury he suffered during the IPL final. Bumrah is set to play his first ODI since the 2023 World Cup final, ending a long absence from the format. The biggest talking point, however, is Yashasvi Jaiswal’s omission despite scoring two centuries in his last three ODIs. Axar Patel also returns after being rested, while Gurnoor Brar has retained his place following an impressive debut series against Afghanistan. Harsh Dubey and Prince Yadav are the notable exclusions from the squad.
Bye bye Ravindra Jadeja?
Ravindra Jadeja’s absence from India’s ODI squad for the England series has given the feeling that the selectors are already planning for the 2027 World Cup without him. Despite his experience, Jadeja has struggled to make a major impact in ODIs since the 2023 World Cup, while Axar Patel and Washington Sundar have moved ahead in the pecking order. At 38, age and fitness concerns are also working against him. Unless injuries force a rethink, Jadeja’s chances of making India’s 2027 World Cup squad now appear increasingly slim. Read more here.
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No Varun Chakaravarthy for IND vs IRE
India will be without Varun Chakaravarthy for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland, with the mystery spinner still recovering from a left foot injury at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The setback comes after a frustrating IPL 2026 season in which Varun battled multiple injuries, including fractures in two fingers and a toe injury, yet continued to play for Kolkata Knight Riders. While no replacement has been named yet, his availability for the England series remains uncertain. There were concerns over KKR’s handling of his fitness, with reports suggesting the BCCI was unhappy that he continued to play despite carrying injuries. Read more here.
Ben Stokes is back for England
Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson are back in England’s squad for the third Test against New Zealand after being cleared following the investigation into the London nightclub incident. The ECB concluded that neither player was responsible for any violent conduct, with Atkinson considered the victim and Stokes not directly involved. Their return gives England a timely boost as they look to seal the series at Trent Bridge. Jamie Smith also returns, while James Rew, Sonny Baker and Henry Crocombe have been left out. Read more here.
WTC Final out of Lord’s
Lord’s could lose the right to host the 2027 World Test Championship final, with the ICC and ECB reportedly considering a move to The Oval. The discussions come after the Lord’s pitch for the recent England-New Zealand Test was rated “unsatisfactory” following concerns over inconsistent bounce and difficult batting conditions. While no final decision has been made, The Oval has emerged as the frontrunner to stage the showpiece event. Despite hosting a successful WTC final in 2025, Lord’s now faces the prospect of missing out on one of Test cricket’s biggest occasions, although it is still expected to host major England fixtures, including an Ashes Test in 2027.
