BCCI could make a few major changes vis-à-vis Test cricket. ICC is in no hurry to act on BCB’s request. RCB could return to Bengaluru for IPL 2026. Shreyas Iyer will lead Mumbai. And Virat Kohli isn’t returning to the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Gill wants more power
In the aftermath of the South Africa whitewash, Shubman Gill has urged the BCCI to grant him more power. The Indian Test captain wants more time for preparation. He’s suggested holding 15-day red-ball camps before the home Test series. Gill wants to shoulder more responsibility and call the shots, like his predecessors.
ICC thinking about BCB vs BCCI
The ICC are in no hurry to accept Bangladesh’s request to shift their 2026 T20 World Cup matches from Kolkata, India. BCB had cited security concerns while seeking relocation after BCCI cancelled Mustafizur Rahman’s contract with KKR. ICC don’t want to be involved in a tiff between BCB and BCCI. They also realise the logistical challenge of shifting venues.
Laxman in Test cricket
VVS Laxman might take the centre stage soon. The BCCI is planning to use the services of the head of the Centre of Excellence (CoE). During times when Gautam Gambhir might be busy with white-ball cricket, and there isn’t much time to prepare for Test cricket, Laxman might set up and organise red-ball camps for Team India.
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Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer will assume the role of Mumbai captain upon return to competitive cricket. Mumbai’s regular captain, Shardul Thakur, has been ruled out of the remainder of the VHT after sustaining a calf injury. Shreyas will lead Mumbai in 2 matches before leaving to feature in the India vs New Zealand ODI series.
No VHT for Kohli
Virat Kohli won’t feature in the Delhi vs Railways match on January 6. The former India captain had played two matches for Delhi, on December 24 and December 26, and was reportedly to play another game. But that won’t be happening. Instead, he’ll join Team India’s camp on January 7 in Vadodara.
RCB homecoming happening?
Renovation of M Chinnaswamy Stadium is underway. To comply with safety guidelines, KSCA is widening entry and exit gates, improving internal movement corridors, and installing globally accepted emergency evacuation systems. The renovations are expected to be completed by February, after which the stadium will be inspected by state authorities, and only then will it be cleared for hosting matches. In the meantime, RCB is in talks with MCA Stadium in Pune, in case M Chinnaswamy Stadium doesn’t get clearance.
