ICC sets LA Olympics qualifiers window, Kishan injured as Sooryavanshi waits — cricket digest 23 Oct 2026

· Cricombo Editorial

ICC schedules LA Olympics qualifiers for early 2028; 2029 WTC final set for England in June

The ICC has told member boards that the men’s and women’s qualifiers for the Los Angeles Olympics will be held in January and February 2028, shifting them from an earlier plan that had the events pencilled in for 2027. The 2029 World Test Championship final is also locked in for England, from June 8 to 12.

The ICC’s updated qualification framework includes a change affecting USA Women: if the hosts don’t meet the ranking cut-off by December 31, 2026, that place will now be reallocated based on the standings at the inaugural Women’s Champions Trophy in India in February 2027 (cut-off March 1, 2027). The USA men are currently ranked 13th, while the women sit 19th. The ICC is yet to confirm venues for the eight-team men’s and women’s qualifiers, and it also outlined back-to-back T20 World Cups in 2028, with the women’s tournament in Pakistan (Sept 7–Oct 1) followed by the men’s event in Australia/New Zealand (Oct 12–Nov 12).

India sweat on Kishan as Kotak warns hype isn’t helping teenage opener Sooryavanshi

Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of India’s second T20I against New Zealand in Christchurch with a right adductor strain, leaving the visitors to reshuffle again at the top of the order. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is the likeliest batting replacement, with Shivam Dube the other specialist batter in the squad.

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said the clamour around 15-year-old Sooryavanshi “wasn’t good” for him or for other openers, adding that the youngster has grown more mature while waiting for opportunities behind Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. Kotak also highlighted Naman Dhir’s impact as a finisher and his potential value as an offspin option depending on match-ups.

Taskin recalled and Litton returns as Bangladesh name squad for first West Indies Test in Dhaka

Bangladesh have brought Taskin Ahmed back into their Test squad for the series opener against West Indies, starting October 28 in Dhaka, after he was rested for the drawn one-off Test against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. Taskin replaces Khaled Ahmed, while Soumya Sarkar has been left out of the 15-man group.

Litton Das returns after a hip injury kept him out of the UAE ODI tri-series, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz is included after recovering sufficiently from a viral fever. Najmul Hossain Shanto will captain a squad featuring three specialist spinners — Mehidy, Taijul Islam and Nayeem Hasan — with Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain and Hasan Mahmud the other seam options; Nahid Rana remains sidelined with a side strain. The second Test will be in Sylhet from November 5.

Shikhar Mohan drafted in for India A’s last two four-dayers against New Zealand A

Jharkhand left-hander Shikhar Mohan has been added to the India A squad for the second and third four-day matches against New Zealand A, replacing KL Rahul, who will play only the first game before linking up with India’s ODI group. The three-match series begins in Lincoln on October 26 and runs alongside the senior men’s white-ball tour.

Mohan’s call-up follows a strong run across domestic cricket, including 613 Ranji Trophy runs last season and a fast start this term, plus contributions in the Duleep Trophy final and the Irani Cup. The A tour finishes ahead of the two-Test series between New Zealand and India, which starts on November 19.

Tim David returns to 50-over cricket with Tasmania as he eyes a 2027 ODI World Cup push

Tim David has been named for Tasmania’s One-Day Cup match against Victoria, with coach Jeff Vaughan confirming the 30-year-old is keen to build a case for selection for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. David hasn’t played List A cricket since four ODIs before the 2023 World Cup, and has largely been tied up with franchise commitments.

Vaughan said Tasmania plan to use David in a familiar middle-order finishing role, around No. 6, and suggested it may not be a one-off if schedules align. Australia’s ODI side has been looking for late-innings power since Glenn Maxwell’s retirement, and David’s availability in the format is a clear point of interest ahead of an England ODI series in mid-November.

In brief

  • Sri Lanka chased down 430 to beat England by two wickets in Rawalpindi, with Janith Liyanage finishing the job after Harry Brook’s 202 for England.
  • The numbers from Rawalpindi underlined a day of history: Brook became England’s first men’s ODI double-centurion, but Sri Lanka’s 430 chase was a record pursuit and the second-highest successful chase in ODIs.
  • Harry Brook’s ODI double hundred in Rawalpindi ended in defeat for England as Sri Lanka completed their record chase.
  • Sri Lanka’s successful pursuit in Rawalpindi was framed as a dramatic turnaround in mood and belief after an unheralded side pulled off a staggering chase against England.
  • South Africa beat Australia by an innings in Gqeberha despite losing two days to rain, with Temba Bavuma’s 179 setting up the win.
  • Pat Cummins said Australia can’t “paper over cracks” after their innings defeat to South Africa in Gqeberha, with selection calls looming for the Cape Town decider.
  • Temba Bavuma spoke about the scrutiny on South Africa as world Test champions after their response against Australia, with praise for Kagiso Rabada’s spirit and Marco Jansen’s performance.
  • Western Australia held out New South Wales for a draw in the Sheffield Shield, with injured Joel Paris and Joel Curtis surviving 28 overs for the last wicket.
  • New Zealand named a 19-man New Zealand A squad featuring 11 internationals for the three four-day matches against India A, with players to be rotated and others released for the Ford Trophy.
  • India’s first T20I win over New Zealand in Christchurch was set up by Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer and Naman Dhir in a record chase of 226.
  • Shreyas Iyer said the Christchurch pitch flattened as the first T20I went on, while Samson noted his time keeping gave him a useful read on how to bat in the chase against New Zealand.
  • With dew again expected to influence the second T20I in Christchurch, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was tipped to come into India’s XI as New Zealand and India geared up for another high-scoring contest.
  • Bangladesh offspinner Aliss Al Islam was reported for a suspect bowling action after his ODI debut against Afghanistan in the UAE tri-series.
  • India Women begin their 2025-29 Women’s Championship campaign with a three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe in Vadodara.
  • Karachi will stage the President’s Trophy final between State Bank of Pakistan and Markhor IT Solutions, a five-day match scheduled to begin on October 25.
  • Australian umpire Ben Treloar is officiating in the Ranji Trophy under a CA-BCCI exchange programme, taking charge of Delhi vs Gujarat at the Palam Air Force B Ground.

Sources: ESPNcricinfo