Jayawardene steps down at Mumbai Indians, Bumrah and Pant named for NZ Tests — cricket digest 17 Oct 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

Jayawardene steps down as Mumbai Indians head coach with retention deadline looming

Mahela Jayawardene has stepped down as Mumbai Indians head coach, ending his second stint in the role after the 2025 and 2026 seasons. He previously led MI from 2017 to 2022 and later served as the franchise’s global head of performance, overseeing MI’s teams in the ILT20, MLC and SA20.

Mumbai now have under a month to appoint a replacement before the November 15 retention deadline, with the auction expected about a month later in Goa. Jayawardene’s exit follows a difficult 2026 campaign for MI and leaves the incoming coach to decide on the rest of the set-up, which includes Kieron Pollard as assistant coach and Paras Mhambrey as bowling coach, while captain Hardik Pandya remains under scrutiny after the season.

Bumrah and Pant included for India’s New Zealand Tests; ODI leadership split for five-match series

India have named Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant in their squad for the two-Test series in New Zealand, with Pant’s involvement subject to fitness clearance. Bumrah, who hasn’t played a Test since November 2025, is not in the ODI squad but is set to lead the attack in Wellington from November 19 as part of a workload plan aimed at keeping him fresh for the home Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Pant is working back from a side strain suffered in the Irani Cup and is expected to feature in the third unofficial Test against New Zealand A in Lincoln. India have also brought Akash Deep back into the Test group, retained Anshul Kamboj, and included Prasidh Krishna (with his ODI involvement subject to fitness), while Shubman Gill will captain the first three ODIs before Shreyas Iyer takes over for the last two.

Sammy hails West Indies’ progress as India T20I series heads to a rain-watch decider in Bengaluru

West Indies coach Daren Sammy said “success is progress” as his side take a 2-2 T20I series into the final match against India in Bengaluru, pointing to how competitive they’ve been on an Indian tour despite off-field financial challenges. The tour has produced extreme run rates and repeated 240-plus chases and defences, with Sammy noting conditions that have been tough on bowlers and more even when dew hasn’t played a part.

Persistent rain in Bengaluru has already disrupted preparations, with West Indies skipping a session and India’s practice washed out, though the Chinnaswamy Stadium’s drainage could still allow a game if showers ease. India may also be without Arshdeep Singh after a shoulder blow, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar added as cover.

Deepti and debutant Prasad rescue India Women after early wobble to beat Zimbabwe

Deepti Sharma praised Niki Prasad’s composure on debut after India Women recovered from 19 for 4 to beat Zimbabwe Women in the first T20I in Raipur. India had restricted Zimbabwe to 114, but Nyasha Gwanzura’s early burst left the chase in trouble before Deepti (49 off 37) and Prasad (39* off 35) put on 82 for the fifth wicket to win with four wickets and 26 balls to spare.

Deepti backed India’s aggressive intent despite the early collapse, saying the approach would occasionally bring risk, and added that there was no panic in the dressing room with Richa Ghosh still to come. The match was also Smriti Mandhana’s first as India’s full-time captain, and she chose to chase after winning the toss.

Govil joins the queue as private investment gathers pace in the Big Bash League

American tech entrepreneur Sanjay Govil has said he is following the process to buy into a Big Bash League club, with Melbourne Renegades and Hobart Hurricanes among the teams on his radar. Cricket Australia has approved privatisation, and the first phase of the Renegades’ sales process is under way, with expressions of interest invited for a possible 100% sale.

Govil, who owns Washington Freedom in MLC and co-owns Welsh Fire, said he wants an active role and is looking at a 50% or 100% stake rather than being a passive investor, while also stressing he is opposed to rebranding teams. A preferred owner is expected to be identified by the start of the 2026-27 BBL season on December 12, when the Renegades face Perth Scorchers in Chennai.

In brief

  • Wasim Jaffer has applied for the vacant senior men’s national selector post after the BCCI chose not to renew Ajit Agarkar’s contract, with the CAC of Ashok Malhotra and Jatin Paranjape to decide the appointment.
  • Scotland and Hampshire seamer Brad Wheal has retired from professional cricket at 30 after a run of injuries, ending a career that included 44 internationals and a recent appearance at the T20 World Cup in India.
  • Rehan Ahmed has been named in the England Lions squad for next month’s white-ball tour to face West Indies A in St Kitts and Nevis, which will be Jonathan Trott’s first trip as Lions head coach.
  • Uttarakhand allrounder J Suchith is battling flu two days out from their Ranji Trophy second-round match against Tamil Nadu in Chennai.
  • Mumbai are set to welcome allrounder Suryansh Shedge for their Ranji Trophy second-round fixture, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi has been added to the squad and could come in for the injured Mahtre.
  • Jake Fraser-McGurk blasted a record 14-ball List A fifty on the way to a 49-ball hundred as South Australia piled up 397 for 7 against Queensland in the One-Day Cup, with Nathan McSweeney also making 106.
  • Aiden Markram missed South Africa training ahead of the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha after not travelling with the squad from Durban, but is expected to be available on Saturday.
  • Josh Hazlewood said reverse swing remains a key weapon for Australia heading into the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha after they found it on Durban’s abrasive surface.
  • South Africa batter David Bedingham says he is focused on making the most of his second chance after a difficult 2025 as he looks to cement his place ahead of the second Test against Australia.
  • BBL organisers say “the days of BBL just being an Australian league are over” as they prepare to stage the season opener in Chennai on December 12, with Melbourne Renegades facing Perth Scorchers and the league monitoring the monsoon.
  • Chris Woakes joined the Switch Hit podcast to discuss his career and the release of his autobiography.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo