DRS Dec 31: Sad news for Shreyas Iyer and RCB, CSK player's unwanted record & Rohit-Kohli forced to retire?

Sad news for Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer’s return to competitive cricket has been pushed back after the medical team at the Centre of Excellence decided not to rush his recovery. The India ODI vice-captain, who has not played since October 25, cleared his first RTP test on December 28 but still lacks full match fitness after losing around six kilos following a spleen injury suffered in Australia. While his batting is sharp, doctors feel his muscle strength has not returned to optimal levels. As a result, Shreyas will miss Mumbai’s upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy matches and is now targeting a fitness clearance around January 9, just ahead of the New Zealand ODI series. Read more here.

Rohit-Kohli forced to retire?

Robin Uthappa has questioned the sudden Test retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, sharing their exits did not appear natural. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Uthappa said the decision, announced in May, caught everyone off guard and felt more like a forced surrender than a planned farewell. Rohit and Kohli, now active only in ODIs after also stepping away from T20Is in 2024, had recently returned to Ranji Trophy in an attempt to extend their Test careers following a poor Border Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. Uthappa added that he believed Rohit still had plenty to offer and should have taken time off to regain fitness instead of walking away. Read more here.

No Ellyse Perry for RCB

WPL 2026 has taken a major hit with Ellyse Perry pulling out of the season for RCB. The franchise has named Sayali Satghare as her replacement, while Delhi Capitals were also forced into a change after Annabel Sutherland withdrew despite being picked for Rs 2.2 crore. DC have roped in leg-spinner Alana King, fresh from an impressive World Cup showing. Perry’s absence is massive, given her match-winning numbers for RCB, including 972 runs at an average of 64 and 14 wickets. UP Warriorz have also been affected, with Tara Norris unavailable due to national duty and Charli Knott coming in as her replacement. Read more here.

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CSK player’s unwanted record

Aman Khan endured a nightmare outing in Round 3 of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025/26, setting an unwanted List A record while playing for Puducherry against Jharkhand. The CSK recruit, bought for Rs 40 lakh at the IPL 2026 mini-auction, conceded 123 runs from his 10 overs, the most expensive spell ever in List A cricket. The previous record was 116 runs by Mibom Mosu earlier this month. Jharkhand piled up 368 and eventually thrashed Puducherry by 133 runs. Read more here.

England announce T20 World Cup squad

England have named their provisional squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup and the upcoming white ball tour of Sri Lanka, with Jofra Archer’s return the biggest boost. The fast bowler picked up a left-side strain during the third Ashes Test in Adelaide and will miss the Sri Lanka T20I and ODI series, where Brydon Carse will step in. However, the ECB expects Archer to be fit for England’s World Cup opener against Nepal on February 8. Harry Brook will lead the side, with Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett and Adil Rashid also included. The ODI squad is largely similar, with Joe Root retained and Zak Crawley recalled for the first time since 2023. Read more here.

WPL 2026 update

Gujarat Giants have confirmed Ashleigh Gardner as their captain for WPL 2026, sticking with the Aussie all-rounder for a second straight season. Gardner, retained for Rs 3.50 crore ahead of the mega auction, led the side in 2025 as well, where GG finished third with four wins and eight points. The franchise will open their campaign on January 10 against UP Warriorz, a day after the tournament begins with Mumbai Indians facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Read more here.

Cricket Chennai Super Kings India Cricket Team Royal Challengers Bengaluru Shreyas Iyer