Zaheer Khan to coach CSK, Trott takes England Lions, India in Japan rain-shortened — cricket digest 22 Sep 2026
Zaheer Khan named CSK head coach for IPL 2027 after Fleming steps down
Chennai Super Kings have appointed Zaheer Khan as head coach for IPL 2027 on a one-year deal, with the former India fast bowler taking over from Stephen Fleming after his 16-year spell in charge. CSK managing director Kasi Viswanathan said the decision was agreed by the franchise’s leadership group after discussions that included MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson, as well as the owners.
Zaheer is expected to begin soon and has been given the authority to choose his own coaching staff, with CSK yet to confirm the future of last season’s support team. The role will be Zaheer’s first as a head coach, following stints with Lucknow Super Giants as mentor and Mumbai Indians in senior development roles.
Jonathan Trott appointed England Lions head coach for packed winter programme
Jonathan Trott has been confirmed as England Lions head coach for tours to the Caribbean, South Africa and Sri Lanka this winter, replacing Andrew Flintoff. Trott recently oversaw two Lions T20 wins against Sri Lanka and now takes charge of a schedule that the ECB says will lean heavily towards 50-over cricket in preparation for next year’s World Cup in southern Africa.
Flintoff stepped down in early August after agreeing to become Sydney Thunder head coach in the Big Bash League. Trott, who left Afghanistan’s head coach role after February’s T20 World Cup, has also worked short-term with Ireland and Glamorgan this summer, and has previously spoken of ambitions to coach England.
India choose to bat in rain-hit five-over match against Japan; Bumrah among those left out
India opted to bat first against Japan after heavy rain in the build-up forced the one-off contest into the minimum five overs per side required for a match. There was no rain on the day, but drying time was needed on a ground unused to top-level cricket, and India’s call at the toss was made with fading light under cloudy skies in mind.
Jasprit Bumrah, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Vipraj Nigam were omitted from India’s 14-man squad, while Japan made one change from their last XI by bringing in Alexander Shirai-Patmore for wicketkeeper Wataru Miyauchi. The powerplay was reduced to the first nine legal deliveries of each innings.
India bat first against Sri Lanka in Asian Games women’s gold-medal final; teams unchanged
Defending champions India chose to bat against Sri Lanka in the Asian Games women’s gold-medal match in Nisshin, with both sides naming unchanged XIs. It is a repeat of the 2023 final, which India won by 19 runs, and comes soon after the teams met in the Asia Cup final where India again beat Sri Lanka.
India arrived via wins over Japan and Bangladesh, while Sri Lanka beat Malaysia and Pakistan to reach the final. India have won 26 of the sides’ 32 T20Is, with Sri Lanka on a seven-match losing run against them.
Raza defends decision to give Madhevere the last over in one-wicket ODI loss to Australia
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza said he would continue to back Wessly Madhevere after handing him the final over in the third ODI against Australia in Harare, which Zimbabwe lost by one wicket. Raza said Madhevere had “put his hand up” and was in the right frame of mind, even though Graeme Cremer had an over left.
Madhevere bowled the last over four balls after dropping Nathan Ellis with Australia nine down, and Ellis then hit the winning runs on the penultimate delivery with nine needed off the over. Raza also pointed to missed chances earlier in the chase and said Zimbabwe’s next ODI action will be a tri-series in the UAE against Bangladesh and Afghanistan starting October 17.
In brief
- Antigua and Barbuda Falcons began celebrations after winning their first CPL title, beating Jamaica Kingsmen in the final as mentor Curtly Ambrose and captain Moeen Ali reflected on a run few had tipped.
- Lancashire removed Mark Chilton from his role as director of cricket performance, while David Thorley was also relieved of his position in charge of the club’s women’s team after an underwhelming season.
- Yashbardhan Chauhan’s 122 and two wickets helped India Under-19 beat Australia Under-19 by 103 runs in Rajkot to seal the series.
- New South Wales allrounder Jack Edwards was called into Australia’s ODI squad in South Africa after Billy Stanlake suffered a tour-ending side strain, with Spencer Johnson released to manage workload.
- Marco Jansen said he is ready to take on a bigger leadership role for South Africa’s home summer with Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi sidelined by hamstring injuries.
- Tom Banton is set to open with Ben Duckett against Sri Lanka in Durham, becoming England’s sixth different opening partner for Duckett in their last 17 ODIs.
- Sri Lanka head into the ODI at Durham looking for a spark after a bruising run on their England tour, following a disappointing T20I series.
- Fatima Sana and Umm-e-Hani helped Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 31 runs to secure the women’s cricket bronze medal at the Asian Games.
- A preview of the Asian Games women’s final framed it as Shafali Verma versus Chamari Athapaththu, with Sri Lanka aiming to halt India’s momentum.
- An FAQ guide set out key details for the men’s Asian Games cricket competition, which begins on September 24 with Japan playing Afghanistan.
- Sano, in Tochigi Prefecture, was profiled as it prepared to host India’s historic visit, with cricket’s footprint in Japan described as growing steadily.
- A feature explained how Afghanistan came to host India in Delhi, marking a first for the fixture despite Afghanistan’s long history of staging ‘home’ games at other venues.
- A stats piece examined record questions around Jordan Hermann’s ODI debut score and Razaullah’s six-hitting on Test debut, alongside other age-related ODI trivia.
Sources: ESPNcricinfo