Cricket News Live: Countdown to WPL begins, will Mustafizur Rahman return to IPL?

BCB president Aminul Islam Bulbul categorically denied reports of Rahman being offered a return to the IPL. He stated that no verbal discussions had taken place between the BCCI and the BCB, while adding that there was no truth to the news about a reconsideration whatsoever. Read more here.

Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Kumar Reddy, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj

Honey Singh, Jacqueline Fernandez and Harnaaz Sandhu to perform tonight. pic.twitter.com/EkJPQNMhZb

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 9, 2026

Gujarat Giants: Ashleigh Gardner (c), Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Renuka Singh Thakur, Bharti Fulmali, Titas Sadhu, Kashee Gautam, Kanika Ahuja, Tanuja Kanwer, Georgia Wareham, Anushka Sharma, Happy Kumari, Kim Garth, Yastika Bhatia, Shivani Singh, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Ayushi Soni

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Smriti Mandhana (c), Richa Ghosh, Shreyanka Patil, Georgia Voll, Nadine de Klerk, Radha Yadav, Lauren Bell, Linsey Smith, Prema Rawat, Arundhati Reddy, Pooja Vastrakar, Grace Harris, Gautami Naik, Prathyoosha Kumar, D. Hemalatha, Sayali Satghare (replacement for Ellyse Perry)

Delhi Capitals: Jemimah Rodrigues (c), Shafali Verma, Marzianne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Laura Wolvaardt, Chinelle Henry, Shree Charani, Sneh Rana, Lizelle Lee, Deeya Yadav, Taniyaa Bhatia, Mamatha Madiwala, Nandni Sharma, Lucy Hamilton, Minnu Mani, Alana King (replacement for Annabel Sutherland)

Mumbai Indians full squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, Amanjot Kaur, G. Kamalini, Amelia Kerr, Shabnim Ismail, Sanskriti Gupta, Sajana Sajeevan, Rahila Firdous, Nicola Carey, Poonam Khemnar, Triveni Vasistha, Nalla Reddy, Saika Ishaque, Milly Illingworth

So, the season 4 iof WPL gets underway in Navi Mumbai today.. What are your expectataions, and who would win?

It has been some while that Virat retired from Tests, and now Robin Uthappa feels that he should be back. In an X post he said, "Them eyes tell u a story…Surely it’s time to rescind his test retirement. Would love to see him back in Test cricket."

Here's the first look at the Kotambi Stadium pitch in Vadodara, the venue for the first ODI between India and New Zealand. 

The pitch getting rolled for the first ODI between India & New Zealand at the Kotambi 🏟 on Sunday..seems to be a better.. ready for #RohitSharma & #ViratKohli𓃵 to extend their tally of centuries! #IndiaVsNewZealand pic.twitter.com/6oRPulcrS4

— Gaurav Gupta (@toi_gauravG) January 9, 2026

Star Indian batter Harleen Deol flaunts the new UP Warriorz jersey ahead of the WPL 2026. The franchise, under head coach Abhishek Nayar, will open their tournament against Gujarat Giants on January 10. 

Harleen Doel in new UP Warriorz Jersey. 💛 pic.twitter.com/XBFg9PHZ4E

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 9, 2026

Skipper Shubman Gill is making it count in the nets ahead of the first ODI against New Zealand 🔥🏏#ShubmanGill #INDvsNZ #ODI #Insidesport #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/oRv8tyJ8Il

— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) January 9, 2026

In the Mumbai vs Punjab VHT fixture, Sarfaraz Khan struck Abhishek Sharma for 30 runs in an over. Watch it below: 

Sarfraz Khan 30 runs off Abhishek Sharma Over

Look at the poor condition of the ground. BCCI is conducting national level tournament like VHT on such pathetic grounds pic.twitter.com/9U0OTmED6K

— 𝗕𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗨 (@Brutu24) January 9, 2026

According to reports, RCB is unlikely to play at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL 2026 due to last year's tragic stampede. Raipur and Indore are potential new venues, with Pune also being considered. The franchise hasn't discussed hosting matches with KSCA. The decision aims to distance players and fans from the traumatic memory.

Aakash Chopra has batted for Shreyas Iyer to replace Tilak Varma for the India vs New Zealand T20I series. Although the BCCI confirmed that Tilak will only miss 3 T20Is after his emergency surgery, if recovery doesn't go well, India might offer in a replacement and Iyer proves to be a perfect middle-order option. Just in case. While speaking on his social media channel, Chopra said: 

"Who can it be? Shreyas Iyer. ‘Sarpanch’ sahab should be picked automatically. He is already playing well and scored in the Vijay Hazare Trophy too. Even when Iyer was not picked in the Asia Cup, it felt slightly unfair, but it was understandable. But there is an opportunity for a middle-order role here. He is also an experienced player and set the IPL on fire. He fits the bill, and Shreyas Iyer gets my vote."

An iconic frame on your screens as former captain Rohit Sharma, young prodigy Yashasvi Jaiswal pose with legendary Indian personality and actor Amitabh Bachchan during the Reliance Foundation event. 

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma met Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan at the Reliance Foundation event! 🔥

📸: Reliance Foundation #YashasviJaiswal #RohitSharma #AmitabhBachchan #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/TPMO9Cxjls

— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) January 9, 2026

Mizoram's cricket community is in shock after former Ranji Trophy cricketer K Lalremruata passed away on January 8, 2026, during a local cricket match. He collapsed due to a stroke while playing for Venghnuai Raiders CC in the Khaled Memorial 2nd Division Screening Tournament. Despite immediate medical attention, he couldn't be revived. Lalremruata, 38, represented Mizoram twice in the Ranji Trophy and seven times in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Deeply saddened by the passing of Mizoram cricketer K Lalremruata.

He proudly represented Mizoram in the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

The BCCI extends heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers to his family, friends and the Mizoram cricket community 🙏

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 9, 2026

With the first ODI between India and New Zealand beginning on January 11, the Men in Blue are gearing up in Vadodara. 

Indian team are gearing up for the 1st ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara 🔵🏏

📸: BCCI / X#ViratKohli #ShubmanGill #INDvNZ #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/PTl2IQIxGE

— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) January 9, 2026

Mizoram's cricket community is in shock after former Ranji Trophy cricketer K Lalremruata passed away on January 8, 2026, during a local cricket match. He collapsed due to a stroke while playing for Venghnuai Raiders CC in the Khaled Memorial 2nd Division Screening Tournament. Despite immediate medical attention, he couldn't be revived. Lalremruata, 38, represented Mizoram twice in the Ranji Trophy and seven times in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Deeply saddened by the passing of Mizoram cricketer K Lalremruata.

He proudly represented Mizoram in the Ranji Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

The BCCI extends heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers to his family, friends and the Mizoram cricket community 🙏

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) January 9, 2026

With the first ODI between India and New Zealand beginning on January 11, the Men in Blue are gearing up in Vadodara. 

Indian team are gearing up for the 1st ODI against New Zealand in Vadodara 🔵🏏

📸: BCCI / X#ViratKohli #ShubmanGill #INDvNZ #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/PTl2IQIxGE

— InsideSport (@InsideSportIND) January 9, 2026