DRS Oct 17: Virat Kohli outshines Rohit Sharma, Rajat Patidar-Ishan Kishan score big & T20 World Cup confirmed

Team India have finally started their preparations together for the Austiralia tour. This is not a normal bilateral series but a chance of Indian fans to have the double delight of watching Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma back. The duo had a great session in Perth on Thursday. Also, Abhishek Sharma and Smriti Mandhana won the Player of the Month awards for September. The two Indian left-handers did some incredible batting in their respective category.

DRS 1

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli practice

As India prepare for the ODI series against Australia, all eyes are on veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, returning to international action after six months. In an optional training session at Perth’s Optus Stadium, Kohli looked in sublime touch, confidently tackling Harshit Rana and Arshdeep Singh, while Rohit appeared rusty early on before finding some rhythm later. Kohli’s fluent 40-minute stint contrasted with Rohit’s longer, more laboured nets session. Both stars interacted warmly with fans, signing autographs and posing for selfies, as what could be their final tour of Australia. Read more here.

DRS 2

Ishan Kishan scores big

Ishan Kishan has made a perfect start to the Ranji Trophy 2025–26 season, smashing 173 off 247 balls against Tamil Nadu in Coimbatore. His ninth first-class ton came in testing conditions, lifting Jharkhand from 157/6 to 419 alongside Sahil Raj, who scored 77. The knock was much-needed for Kishan’s red-ball credentials, having also impressed in the Irani Trophy and County cricket for Nottinghamshire. With Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel ahead in the pecking order, Kishan’s consistency this season is paramount. Read more here.

DRS 3

Rajat Patidar slams century

Rajat Patidar continued his prolific run in red-ball cricket with a classy unbeaten 104 on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy 2025–26 opener against Punjab. Leading Madhya Pradesh from the front, the skipper’s composed knock helped his side seize control, taking a vital 73-run lead. Building on his strong form from the Duleep Trophy, India A and Irani Trophy outings, this innings was Patidar’s 16th first-class century. Read more here.

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DRS 4

T20 World Cup 2026 teams confirmed

The 20 teams for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 are now confirmed, with UAE clinching the final berth after beating Japan in the Asia-EAP Qualifier. The tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February–March next year, will see an expanded 20-team format, four groups of five, followed by the Super 8s and knockouts. Defending champions India will aim to retain their crown after winning the 2024 edition, which marked the T20I farewell of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. UAE joins Nepal and Oman as the final qualifiers. Canada and Italy are also part of the tournament. Read more here.

DRS 5

Australia script history

Australia stormed into the Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-finals with a dominant 10-wicket win over Bangladesh in Vishakapatnam. Chasing 199, Alyssa Healy smashed her second consecutive century, adding an unbeaten 200-plus stand with Phoebe Litchfield (84*). Earlier, spinners Alana King (2/18) and Georgia Wareham (2/22) restricted Bangladesh to 198, despite Sobhana Mostary’s 66. The victory, Australia’s fourth in five games, ensured the defending champions became the first team to secure a semifinal berth in the tournament. Read more here.

DRS 6

Kane Williamson to LSG

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) roped in New Zealand great Kane Williamson as their new strategic advisor ahead of IPL 2025. Williamson, who went unsold at the mega auction, joins LSG in a non-playing role at the request of owner Dr. Sanjiv Goenka. The franchise has undergone several backroom changes, with Justin Langer continuing as head coach and Bharat Arun and Carl Crowe taking charge of bowling departments. LSG, led by Rishabh Pant, aim to address injuries in their Indian pace attack after a poor 2024 season. Read more here.

The post DRS Oct 17: Virat Kohli outshines Rohit Sharma, Rajat Patidar-Ishan Kishan score big & T20 World Cup confirmed appeared first on Inside Sport India.



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