Virat Kohli’s retirement talk can wait. At least that is the message former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull delivered after watching the 37-year-old bat with what he described as “an air of youth” in the ODI series decider against New Zealand.

Doull’s assessment on JioHotstar leans on a familiar Kohli staple: elite fitness fuelling elite intent. With India gradually moving into their next ODI cycle through a transition phase. It is a reminder that Kohli’s edge hasn’t dulled.

“Some of the shots were just crisp and clean. Beyond that, it is how he maneuvers the field and how he runs between the wickets. There is still an air of youth about him. Despite his age and experience, he’d probably still be the fittest guy on that side. That is professionalism,” Doull said.

He then went a step further, saying Kohli’s competitiveness remains the defining trait – the refusal to let a chase die even when the match seems gone, and the willingness to run just as hard for teammates for his own runs.

“The willingness to keep trying to win games, to drag your team back into the contest when they are so far behind, and to run as hard as he does, for his own runs and for his teammates. There’s so much to love about how he’s playing at the moment. May he stick around in international cricket until he’s 44 or 45 years old,” he added.

Notably, Virat Kohli’s 124 came in an unsuccessful chase of 338 in the third and final match of the ODI series between India and New Zealand. It was a knock that kept India breathing even when wickets fell at the other end. India were looking down the barrel and completely out of the match, but Kohli’s tempo and risk control ensured the chase stayed alive deep into the innings.

The broader frame is his run since October 2025. After returning with back-to-back ducks in Australia, Kohli has responded with 616 runs in nine matches, including three centuries and three fifties, the kind of streak that tends to shut down the “is it over for him?” noise.

Milestones keep arriving as well. Kohli has now 54 ODI Hundreds, five more than Sachin Tendulkar, and he has gone past Ricky Ponting’s 12,662 runs to become the leading ODI run-getter at no.3, strengthening the case that he remains a pillar of India’s ODI plans.

Barclays named London Spirit’s first-ever principal partner, with Nike confirmed as official kit supplier. (Screengrabs)

London Spirit marked a landmark day for the franchise by unveiling Barclays as its first-ever principal partner and Nike as its official kit supplier, alongside the launch of a refreshed brand identity that blends modernity with tradition.Barclays’ appointment as principal partner further strengthens its growing association with cricket and its established relationship with Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). One year after being named principal partner of MCC at Lord’s, the bank will now feature prominently on the front of London Spirit’s playing kit and merchandise. Barclays brings with it a rich legacy in sports sponsorship across football, tennis and cricket.

Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Over the past year, Barclays has significantly deepened its involvement in the game. Its funding of the MCC Foundation has enabled the expansion of cricket hubs across the UK, offering free coaching and a structured talent pathway for state-educated children. This was followed by the launch of the Barclays Knight-Stokes Cup in collaboration with the Black Heart Foundation. Around 870 secondary state schools, nearly one-fifth nationwide, entered boys’ or girls’ teams for the inaugural edition, scheduled to be played in 2026. The partnership with London Spirit reinforces Barclays’ commitment to supporting English cricket at all levels, from grassroots participation to elite performance, while attracting younger and more diverse audiences. Nike, one of the world’s most iconic sportswear brands, will supply London Spirit’s kits in collaboration with KitKing. The franchise now joins a global roster that includes England’s national football teams, the Barclays Women’s Super League and major US sports leagues. This partnership marks a key step in Nike’s renewed push into cricket and takes place in London, one of its most important international markets. The new kit will be unveiled and made available to fans in the coming months.The commercial announcements coincide with the unveiling of London Spirit’s updated branding, developed after a year-long market research process led by leading agency VCCP. Co-owners MCC and the Tech Titans reviewed all elements of the franchise identity, including the team name, logo, colours and values, with the aim of strengthening the link to London while aligning the modern ethos of The Hundred with the heritage of Lord’s.Fan research revealed strong support for retaining the London Spirit name, while the new logo features a clean monogram formed from the team’s initials. A subtle incline in the letter L pays tribute to the famous Lord’s slope. The colour palette incorporates a discreet thread of MCC’s traditional red and yellow through London Spirit’s signature blue merchandise.

London Spirit Chair Julian Metherell said the partnerships with Barclays and Nike marked a significant step forward for the franchise.“I am delighted that Barclays and Nike are partnering with London Spirit as key sponsors. Barclays has substantial experience in leading sports partnerships and has developed a strong and valued relationship with MCC and Lord’s that is further strengthened by this agreement. Nike has created some of the world’s most iconic sports kits,” said Metherell.The deal, Barclays says, will help “drive the team’s growth and inclusivity”. Barclays group chief C.S Venkatakrishnan said: “This marks another milestone for Barclays as we expand our presence at Lord’s by becoming principal partner of London Spirit. We are proud to broaden and deepen the fan base of the game through our partnerships with the MCC Foundation and Lord’s, the world’s most iconic cricket ground.”

Bangladesh cricket team. (File photo)

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has stopped preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 amid uncertainty over Bangladesh’s participation in the tournament, scheduled to be held next month in India and Sri Lanka. The move follows Pakistan’s support for Bangladesh’s demand that its matches be shifted out of India.According to a report by Pakistani news outlet Geo News, the PCB halted preparations after Pakistan backed Bangladesh’s decision not to travel to India for its World Cup matches. Pakistan has indicated that it could reconsider its own participation if the issue remains unresolved.

The development followed talks between officials from Dhaka and Islamabad on Saturday, during which Pakistan expressed full support for Bangladesh’s stance, citing security concerns. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also Pakistan’s interior minister and a Senator, was involved in the discussions.Geo News reported, quoting sources, that Pakistan would review its participation in the tournament if Bangladesh’s concerns are not addressed.The crisis began after Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman was withdrawn from the 2026 Indian Premier League on the BCCI’s instructions, citing unspecified “developments all around.” Since then, discussions between the ICC and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have failed to produce a resolution.The BCB has stated that Bangladesh will not travel to India for its group matches in Kolkata and Mumbai, citing “security concerns”.With the tournament schedule already finalised, the ICC has shown reluctance to move Bangladesh’s matches to Sri Lanka, the co-host nation, where the India-Pakistan match is scheduled to be held under the existing agreement for ICC events until 2027.If Bangladesh does not take part in the tournament, Scotland is likely to be named as the replacement team based on current rankings. Bangladesh are scheduled to play three league matches in Kolkata and one in Mumbai.The BCB has insisted on either a venue change or a group change so that its matches can be played in Sri Lanka. Bangladesh are currently placed in Group C along with West Indies, Italy, England and Nepal.In its last meeting with ICC officials in Dhaka, the BCB proposed swapping places with Ireland in Group B, which includes Sri Lanka, Australia, Oman and Zimbabwe. This would allow Bangladesh to play all its league matches in Sri Lanka.“…the possibility of moving Bangladesh to a different group as a means of facilitating the matter with minimum logistical adjustments was discussed,” the BCB said after the meeting on Saturday.While the BCB has said it considers travel to India unsafe for its players, the ICC’s risk assessment report has not identified any specific or direct threat to the Bangladesh team’s participation in the tournament.

Madison Keys makes a roaring comeback in the first set against Oleksandra Olinykova. The defending was two breaks down, trailing 0-4 at one stage but made a sensational comeback to take the game into a tie break, where she was again trailing 0-4. However, Keys held her nerve to take the first set.

Madison Keys beats Oleksandra Olinykova 7-6 (8-6) in first set

Harshit Rana’s journey in Indian cricket over the past year has been remarkable. The right-arm pacer earned his first call-up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2023-24 and later surprised many when he was chosen ahead of Mohammed Siraj for the Champions Trophy squad. His stock rose further under Gautam Gambhir, who became India’s coach after a successful stint mentoring Kolkata Knight Riders, where he had worked closely with Rana. His inclusion across all formats raised some eyebrows. Rana is categorised as one of the few all-format players in the current Indian setup – an ace that even players like Shubman Gill, Siraj, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shreyas Iyer are still striving to achieve.

Though Harshit has yet to make a big impact in Test cricket, he has steadily made his mark in the white-ball formats, becoming a regular in India’s playing XI. His ability to bat lower down the order has helped him move up the pecking order, adding more depth to the team beyond his pace bowling. Rana first showed his batting under pressure in T20Is at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, scoring a crucial 35 runs and demonstrating the extra firepower he brings. India has long struggled to find a lower-order batter who can support a top-order player and keep the innings alive. Rana’s recent performances suggest he could finally fill that gap and give the team a reliable option in the lower middle order.

He took his game to the next level in the recent ODI series against New Zealand. In Vadodara, during a tricky chase, Rana scored a vital 29, striking a couple of boundaries and sixes to inject momentum into the innings. But his defining moment came in the series decider, where he truly unleashed his batting prowess on the big stage. With India’s back against the wall, he crafted a brilliant maiden half-century, scoring 52 off 43 balls, including four sixes and four fours. His innings was instrumental in stitching a 99-run partnership with Virat Kohli, giving India a fighting chance.

Unfortunately, Rana’s dismissal triggered a lower-order collapse, and India fell short, suffering a heavy defeat. Yet, the innings firmly established Rana as a force to be reckoned with in limited-overs cricket, proving that he can turn games and thrive under pressure.

Also Read – Why India lost to New Zealand: Still overdependent on Virat Kohli, fascination with all-rounders made bowling toothless

India may have lost the series, but Harshit Rana’s batting emerged as a major positive, earning praise from fans and critics alike. Gambhir also received recognition for backing the young pacer when most were questioning his place. Even as former cricketers like Krishnamachari Srikkanth openly criticised Rana, Gambhir stood firmly behind his player, publicly defending him and calling out the critics.

“It’s shameful that someone wanting to run his YouTube channel is targeting a 23-year-old. If you want to target me, do it. I can handle it, but trolling a 23-year-old kid for YouTube views is shameful,” said Gambhir in a press conference. “His (Rana’s) father is not a selector. He has played cricket on his own merit. Don’t target these young boys.”

Beyond his batting, Harshit has established himself as a genuine wicket-taking option for India in ODIs, particularly with the new ball. In just 14 matches, he has already picked up 26 wickets, the third-highest by an Indian bowler over the same number of games.

27 – Irfan Pathan

26 – Harshit Rana*

25 – Prasidh Krishna

24 – Ravi Ashwin

24 – Jasprit Bumrah

Even with his many positives, Harshit still has a long way to go in his death bowling. In the third ODI against New Zealand, he gave away 26 runs in the two overs he bowled at the death. Under pressure, he struggled to maintain a consistent line, and while trying to use slower deliveries, he often bowled them in predictable areas. Improving this part of his game is crucial if he wants to secure a regular place in the Indian team. At this stage, fans and critics are quick to turn if mistakes continue. Getting his plans right at the death will be key for Rana to establish himself as a reliable, all-format performer for India.