DRS Jan 8: Shreyas Iyer injury update, Mustafizur Rahman joins PSL & Gambhir gets backing

Shreyas Iyer is back

Shreyas Iyer is officially back in the international mix after receiving fitness clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence, putting him in line for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. The Mumbai skipper proved his case with a commanding 82 off 53 balls against Himachal Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, convincing the medical team that his body is ready for top-level cricket again. CoE head VVS Laxman has informed chief selector Ajit Agarkar of Iyer’s availability. With Iyer cleared, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s chances of making the ODI squad have ended. Read more here.

Mustafizur joins PSL

Mustafizur Rahman is set to feature in PSL 11 just days after being released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on BCCI’s directive, despite being bought for a hefty Rs 9.20 crore at the IPL 2026 mini-auction. With political tensions between India and Bangladesh influencing the call, KKR had little choice but to comply, though they will be allowed a replacement as per IPL rules. The Bangladesh pacer is now expected to turn to the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for competitive cricket, although his franchise remains unknown. Read more here.

Gautam Gambhir has Bhajji’s backing

Harbhajan Singh has publicly backed Gautam Gambhir to continue as India’s head coach across all formats, brushing aside rumours for split coaching. While Gambhir’s results in white-ball cricket have been impressive, India’s recent Test struggles, including two home whitewashes in a year, have raised questions. However, Harbhajan urged patience, saying that coaching the Indian team is a demanding, year-round responsibility involving constant travel, selections and pressure over results. Defending his former teammate, Harbhajan reminded critics that the coach isn’t the one playing in the middle and insisted there is no immediate need to divide coaching duties by format. Read more here.

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Rohit-Kohli at ODI World Cup?

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli may be nearing 40 by the time the 2027 World Cup arrives, but their ODI batting tells a very different story. Both remain among the format’s finest, even as the conversation shifts towards India’s next generation. Their sudden fade from Test cricket has only fuelled doubts about how long they can go, especially in a format that barely gets played anymore. Still, New Zealand’s stand-in captain Michael Bracewell finds the debate strange. In his view, there’s no reason for two of the greatest ODI batters of this era to step aside yet. And honestly, he has a point. Read more here.

Bangladesh to ICC

Bangladesh’s participation in the 2026 T20 World Cup in India is hanging by a thread after the BCB flatly refused to tour the country, citing security concerns following the Mustafizur Rahman episode. Sports advisor Asif Nazrul said Bangladesh are eager to play the tournament but not at the cost of their players’ safety or national dignity and have formally asked the ICC to shift their matches to Sri Lanka. The board remains firm on its stance and is awaiting the ICC’s response, even pointing to the India-Pakistan hybrid model as precedent. The standoff, for now, looks far from resolution. Read more here.

New Zealand T20 WC squad

New Zealand have named a bold 15-member squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup, backing several injured stars in the hope they peak at the right time. Captain Mitchell Santner leads a group that includes Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Finn Allen and Mark Chapman, all currently on rehab programmes but expected to recover before the tournament begins. The Kiwis open their campaign against Afghanistan on February 8 in Chennai. There is a personal subplot too, with Ferguson and Henry likely to take short paternity breaks during the event. It’s a calculated gamble by New Zealand Cricket. Read more here.

Cricket India Cricket Team Gautam Gambhir Mustafizur Rahman Shreyas Iyer