Harmanpreet quits India captaincy, Pakistan change T20I skipper, India-WI T20Is begin — cricket digest 06 Oct 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India captain in all formats

Harmanpreet Kaur has resigned as India captain across Tests, ODIs and T20Is, announcing the decision on Instagram on Tuesday. The 37-year-old said she was leaving the side “in a good place” and was ready to play “for the love of the game again”, bringing an end to a tenure that included leading India to their first women’s global title at last year’s ODI World Cup.

Harmanpreet captained India in five Tests, 51 ODIs and 155 T20Is, with her final assignment as skipper being last month’s Asian Games gold in Nisshin. Her decision came a day after she, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and head coach Amol Muzumdar met BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia in Guwahati to discuss the women’s team’s roadmap, amid recent talk of a change following India’s group-stage exit at the T20 World Cup in June.

Pakistan replace Salman Agha with Sahibzada Farhan as T20I captain; Tait returns as bowling coach

Pakistan have removed Salman Ali Agha as T20I captain and left him out of the T20I squad, naming Sahibzada Farhan to lead the side for the three-match home series against Sri Lanka starting October 9 in Rawalpindi. Farhan’s appointment follows his recent leadership at the Asian Games, while the squads also include the returning Hasan Nawaz and Naseem Shah, with uncapped limited-overs quick Razaullah picked in both formats.

Shaheen Afridi continues as ODI captain for the tri-series against Sri Lanka and England that begins on October 18, with Babar Azam included but Mohammad Rizwan absent amid an investigation and legal proceedings. The changes also extend to the backroom staff, with Shaun Tait back as Pakistan’s bowling coach, replacing Ashley Noffke, who has taken up a head coach role with Netherlands.

India and West Indies fined for slow over-rates ahead of Lucknow T20I opener

India and West Indies have been penalised for slow over-rates in the third ODI in New Chandigarh, with India fined 20% of match fees and West Indies 10%. India were ruled four overs short after time allowances, while West Indies were deemed two short.

The teams now switch to a five-match T20I series starting in Lucknow on October 6, with India’s bowling group set for a different test on batting-friendly pitches after the ODI series ended 2-1.

Morkel flags learning curve for Mayank and Prince as India begin T20Is without Bumrah

India bowling coach Morne Morkel said the West Indies T20I series would be a useful window to assess India’s progress with the ball in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, particularly for young quicks Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav. Morkel described both as “still learning their trade”, pointing to the stop-start nature of international availability and the challenge of working with them in short bursts.

Morkel also underlined the value of developing part-time seam options, naming Shivam Dube and Nitish Kumar Reddy as players India want to keep ready for four-over roles depending on conditions and boundary sizes. He added that India are likely to rotate opening options alongside Abhishek Sharma, with Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the mix.

Pakistan Champions pull out of World Championship of Legends after PCB again refuses NOCs

Pakistan Champions have withdrawn from the ongoing World Championship of Legends after the PCB refused to issue No-Objection Certificates for participation. The tournament began on October 3, and Pakistan’s scheduled match against Bangladesh had already been postponed while organisers sought a resolution.

The impasse continued even as the WCL explored rescheduling Pakistan’s fixtures, and the Pakistan Champions said they respected the PCB’s authority while expressing disappointment their players would miss the event. The squad had been set to be led by Shahid Afridi and included Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Sarfraz Ahmed and Wahab Riaz.

In brief

  • West Indies left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein is set to play his 100th T20I against India in Lucknow, saying the milestone is an achievement in itself as he balances data and instincts against India’s hitters.
  • India begin their five-match T20I series against West Indies in Lucknow with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s role under scrutiny after the Asian Games, while West Indies are hoping Shai Hope is fit following the ODI decider in New Chandigarh.
  • West Indies Women clinched their series against Zimbabwe Women in Harare as Jahzara Claxton’s three-for set up an eight-wicket win sealed by Eboni Brathwaite’s fifty in a chase of 107.
  • Left-arm spinner Tanmay Baloda took six wickets as Australia Under-19 were bowled out for 174 on day one of the second Youth Test, with India Under-19 closing on 38 for 2 in reply.
  • Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan and Tushar Deshpande were named in Mumbai’s first-round Ranji Trophy squad, with Siddhesh Lad captaining and 19-year-old Ayush Mhatre appointed vice-captain as Shardul Thakur misses the opener.
  • KL Rahul is set to play Karnataka’s Ranji Trophy opener against Andhra in Vijayawada on October 11, while Washington Sundar is also expected to turn out for Tamil Nadu against Rajasthan in Jaipur.
  • Umesh Yadav has switched domestic teams from Vidarbha to Punjab after 18 years, ending a stint that included 124 first-class matches and 57 Tests for India.
  • Ashutosh Sharma has moved from Railways to Gujarat ahead of the 2026-27 domestic season, a switch that is expected to be focused on white-ball cricket.
  • Mandeep Singh is returning to Tripura ahead of the 2026-27 season, with the state side also appointing Satrajit Lahiri as head coach.
  • Simon Cook has stepped down as Kent’s director of cricket immediately after the club secured promotion back to Division One of the County Championship.
  • Priyansh Arya said he views pressure as a privilege as he prepares to face Australia A again in India A’s one-day squad, backing his high-risk approach and self-belief.
  • Sai Sudharsan said he wants to remain an opener in white-ball cricket after a toe injury cost him the Sri Lanka Tests, during which Devdutt Padikkal took his No. 3 spot.
  • India Under-19 batter Lakshya Raichandani continues to prioritise red-ball cricket, citing Joe Root as an influence as he builds his game across formats.
  • Zaheer Abbas recalled his early Karachi days of chasing matches and runs as his reputation grew, including captaining the Karachi Cricket Association in 1967 inter-board tournaments.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo