Team India is all set to play the World Test Championship final against New Zealand starting from 18th June. As their opponent got the opportunities to play in England conditions, team India also started preparing for the English conditions ahead of the WTC Final.

Read Also: WTC Final: IND vs NZ All Players Stats, Records In England, WTC and against each other

Full squad of team India was quarantined for first three days at the hotels of Southampton, where the WTC final will be played. After that the full team was shown practicing at the ground after a long time.

Team India played their first intra-squad match to prepare for the English climate and pitch conditions. This is their first outing as a team before the WTC Final and after IPL.

Team India and Virat Kohli will be in thought of their team eleven ahead of the clash. The batters have shown some performances though there will be some concern over the opening pair with Rohit Sharma.

The combination of the bowling line up will be the main concern. Virat have shown some hint of playing Siraj over some of the bowlers. We will have to wait till 18th June to get all our question answered.

N Srinivasan, the former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has made a comeback in sports administration as the chairman of Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

80-year-old Srinivasan was appointed the president of the franchise in the CSK board meeting a few weeks ago. Although he will play an advisory role, his presence will strengthen the strategic direction of the team.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma's Bronco Test not take place in Bengaluru, know the reason

Srinivasan will serve as an advisory role

At this age, N Srinivasan will not be able to travel much. That is why his role will mainly be that of an advisor. The team's CEO Kasi Viswanthan clarified that CSK will remain in constant touch with him and will seek his guidance in important decisions. His strategic thinking and administrative skills will help set a new direction for the team.

"See, it's a great boon for CSK and he's been the best administrator for us and I'm very happy that he's come back into CSK. He'll be in an advisory role only because he doesn't travel much, but we'll be in contact with him.

"Both of us are in Chennai only. So he's in day-to-day contact with us," said Viswanathan.

Will also oversee global leagues

Chennai Super Kings is not limited to IPL only. It also has stakes in South Africa's SA20 League and America's Major Cricket League (MLC). N Srinivasan will oversee CSK's properties in both these leagues.

The CEO said Srinivasan will be in charge of all global properties and his guidance will further strengthen the international identity of the franchise. "He will be in charge everything (all CSK properties)" said the CEO.

Also Read: Asia Cup 2025: BCCI invites bids seeking new lead sponsorship for Team India after Dream11 exit

CSK is already one of the most successful and popular franchises in the IPL. MS Dhoni's captaincy and stable administration have made it a brand.

Now Srinivasan's return will not only give the team strategic strength but will also strengthen the image of the franchise at the global level. His deep understanding and long experience in cricket administration is expected to make CSK's future even brighter.

Indian team's opening batsman Rohit Sharma is very eager to return to international cricket. For this, he is working hard on the field. Last week, he passed the Yo-Yo test at the BCCI Center of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru. 

During this time, apart from him, Shubman Gill and many other players had given this test. After this test, Rohit Sharma's Bronco Test was also to be done, but this test did not take place. Team India's strength and conditioning coach Adrian Le Roux has come up with the Bronco test. However, this test has not started yet.

Also Read: Asia Cup 2025: BCCI invites bids seeking new lead sponsorship for Team India after Dream11 exit

Rohit did not undergo a Bronco Test

According to reports, on August 31, many players including Rohit Sharma underwent Yo-Yo test. Rohit has passed it. He proved his fitness. During this time he was supposed to undergo a Bronco test, but this test has not been implemented by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) yet. Therefore, Rohit did not have to give this test.

According to reports, this test can be held in Dubai before the Asia Cup. Team India will leave for Dubai on the morning of September 4 and will hold its first session at the ICC Academy on September 5.

So if BCCI wants to conduct a Bronco test, it can be in Dubai. However, it is not confirmed yet. That is why Rohit Sharma did not undergo a Bronco test.

"It could happen when the squad assembles in Dubai for the Asia Cup. The team will start leaving late tonight (early morning of September 4) and have their first session at the ICC Academy on September 5. So if the management and the S&C want to do a Bronco assessment, it could happen in Dubai, if it happens at all," BCCI's Center of Excellence said.

Rohit Sharma may return on Australia tour

Rohit Sharma, who has retired from T20I and Test cricket, has been away from international cricket for a long time. He last played the final match of the Champions Trophy on 9 March.

In this match, Team India defeated New Zealand and won the Champions Trophy title. Since then, Rohit and Virat Kohli are away from international cricket. These two players may return to the three-match ODI series to be held in Australia next month. For this, both these players are sweating it out on the field.

Earlier, Rohit Sharma had expressed his desire to play in the ODI series against Australia A which is coming on a tour to India.

Also Read: ICC Women's World Cup 2025: Prize money in Women's World Cup sets history, rise of 297 percent from the last edition

What is Bronco Test?

Bronco Test is primarily used in rugby where an individual has to complete a sequence of shuttle runs. From time to time, the BCCI makes changes to the set of tests used to measure players' fitness.

While fitness tests are done for all BCCI-contracted players, India's former Strength & Conditioning coach Soham Desai revealed that those tests didn't always form a selection criterion. It isn't yet known if the Bronco Test will become a selection criterion.

The BCCI on Tuesday invited bids for the title sponsorship rights of the Indian Cricket Team after fantasy sports giant Dream11 pulled out in which companies dealing in real money gaming and cryptocurrency are prohibited as the government has banned such companies.

Dream11 has recently discontinued its real money games due to the 'Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act 2025'. The Act states that 'no person shall offer any, aid, abet, induce, indulge, engage in offering online money gaming services nor shall involve in any advertisement which directly or indirectly promotes any person to play any online money game'.

NEWS 🚨 - BCCI announces the release of the Invitation for Expression of Interest for National Team Lead Sponsor Rights

More details here 👇https://t.co/Qx6YZvYWrw pic.twitter.com/0e0vCoIdBT

— BCCI (@BCCI) September 2, 2025

Since the last day to bid is September 16, it is quite clear that Team India will be seen playing the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 without any lead sponsor.

Also Read: ICC Women's World Cup 2025: Prize money in Women's World Cup sets history, rise of 297 percent from the last edition

BCCI had a title sponsorship deal with Dream11 and My11 Circle

BCCI had a title sponsorship deal with Dream11 and My11 Circle for the Indian cricket team and the Indian Premier League worth around Rs 1000 crore.

A BCCI release said: "Bidder, including any of its Group companies: (i) should not be engaged in online money gaming, betting or gambling services or similar services in India or anywhere in the world; (ii) should not provide any online money gaming, betting or gambling services or similar services to any Person in India; and (iii) should not have any investment or ownership interest in any Person engaged in betting or gambling services in India," 

Criteria to apply for the sponsorship

As per a release issued by the BCCI, the IEOI can be purchased after a payment of a non-refundable fee of Rs 5 lakh plus any applicable GST. The Indian cricket board has also made it clear regarding the type of companies applying, which means BCCI has banned any cryptocurrency companies, online gaming platforms, alcohol companies, and tobacco companies from applying for the lead sponsorship. The companies applying for the sponsorship must also have a turnover of more than Rs 300 crore.

Also Read: Change in Asia Cup 2025 timing: Details of updated schedule here

Notably, the last date to submit the Invitation for Expression of Interest (IEOI) is September 12, while the date of submission of the bid documents is September 16.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced that the upcoming ICC Women's World Cup 2025 will feature the biggest ever prize money for the winning team. 

This time the champion team will get 4.48 million US dollars (about Rs 39.55 crores), which is almost four times more than the prize money of the previous edition (1.32 million dollars or Rs 11.65 crores).

Also Read: ICC Women’s World Cup 2025: Indian squad announced, Shefali Verma not in the team

Prize money increases more than the 2023 Men’s World Cup

Women's World Cup 2025, to be held from September 30 to November 2 under the hosting of India and Sri Lanka, will be played between a total of eight teams.

The total prize money of this tournament will be US $ 13.88 million (about Rs 122.5 crore), which is almost three times more than the last World Cup held in New Zealand in 2022 (3.5 million dollars i.e. Rs 31 crore).

Moreover, this prize money is more than the Men's World Cup 2023 ($10 million i.e. Rs 88.26 crore).

'strategy to focus on the growth of the women’s game.'

The winning team of the men's ODI World Cup in 2023, Australia, received Rs 33.31 crore. Whereas, the runner-up India received Rs 16.65 crore. The winning amount of the Women's ODI World Cup is much more than this.

According to the ICC, the purpose of this increase is to increase the popularity of women's cricket and to give it equal respect as men's cricket.

“Strategy to focus on the growth of the women’s game.” ICC said in its statement on Sunday.

Also Read: ICC Women’s World Cup 2025: Chinnaswamy Stadium loses hosting rights due to “unforeseen circumstances” after RCB stampede case

Women cricketers must know they will be treated on par with men: Jay Shah

In another boost for women's cricket, there will be a huge increase in prize money for the @ICC Women’s @CricketWorldCup 2025. Overall prize money totals USD $13.88M, a 297% increase from the last edition and more than the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 (USD $10M). #CWC25 pic.twitter.com/rXtIhFEax5

— Jay Shah (@JayShah) September 1, 2025

ICC president Jay Shah said that the increased prize money shows that the global body will treat women players as equals to men’s cricketers. 

“This announcement marks a defining milestone in the journey of women’s cricket. This four-fold increase in prize money is a landmark moment for women’s cricket and reflects our clear commitment to its long-term growth," Shah said. 

“Our message is simple, women cricketers must know they will be treated on par with men if they choose this sport professionally."

“The uplift underscores our ambition to deliver a world-class ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and to inspire the next generation of players and fans. Women’s cricket is on a remarkable upward trajectory, and with this step we are confident the momentum will accelerate. We call upon all stakeholders, fans, media, partners, and Member Boards, to join us in championing the women’s game and ensuring it receives the recognition and respect it deserves.” Jay Shah further added.

The ICC Women's World Cup 2025 is to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka and a total of 8 teams are to participate in it. But even before the tournament starts, a big change has been made in its schedule.

After the stampede in Bengaluru, the ICC has now decided to shift the matches to be held at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to the ground in Navi Mumbai, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Friday.

Also Read: ICC Women’s World Cup 2025: Indian squad announced, Shefali Verma not in the team

Matches cancelled in Bengaluru due to RCB stampede case

After 17 years of long wait, RCB team finally won the IPL 2025 title. After this, RCB players gathered at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru to celebrate the victory. There was a huge crowd to see them and after this many fans lost their lives due to a stampede.

Then the Karnataka government formed a commission, which declared the Bengaluru ground unsafe for big events. Now after this, the ICC has decided not to hold matches on the Bengaluru ground.

Matches will be held at Navi Mumbai ground

The match between India and Sri Lanka was to be held on 30 September at Bengaluru ground, which will now be played at Guwahati ground. The match between England and South Africa was also scheduled to be held on 3 October, which will now be held in Guwahati. The match between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on 20 October was to be played at Colombo ground, which will now be played at Navi Mumbai ground. 

On the other hand, Navi Mumbai has got two more matches to be played in Bengaluru. These include India vs New Zealand (23 October) and India vs Bangladesh (26 October). There is also a strong possibility that the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 final will be held either in Navi Mumbai or Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Also Read: India Cricket team's performance in every ICC Women's World Cup

Jay Shah expressed satisfaction about the new venue

"Navi Mumbai has emerged as a genuine home for women’s cricket in recent years. The support it has received during international fixtures and the Women’s Premier League has been remarkable, creating an atmosphere that elevates the players and inspires fans. I am certain that the same energy will define the big matches of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup as it returns to India after 12 years," Jay Shah said in an ICC release.

“We stand at a pivotal moment in the journey of the women’s game. This World Cup has the potential to be remembered as one of those defining milestones that shaped the sport’s future, not only in India but across the cricketing world.

“While unforeseen circumstances required us to adjust the schedule and replace a venue, we are pleased to now have a line-up of five world-class venues that will showcase the very best of the women’s game. The stage is set, and I am confident this tournament will capture imaginations and inspire a new generation of fans.”