In one of the biggest upsets of the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, former champions Australia have been eliminated from the tournament. Australia crashed out after a brutal combination of on-field defeat and rain intervention sealed their fate on Tuesday. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, marched into the Super Eight after their match against Ireland in Pallekele was abandoned due to persistent rain, earning them a crucial point that pushed them to second place in Group B with five points. It was Zimbabwe who had set the wheels in motion last week, stunning Australia by 23 runs, weirdly mirroring their famous upset in the tournament's inaugural edition 19 years ago. Sri Lanka, who crushed Australia by eight wickets on Monday, top the group and have already secured their Super Eight berth. (PC: X)

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi has credited Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as the "actual hero" behind Pakistan's dramatic U-turn on boycotting the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match in Colombo. Naqvi revealed that a personal phone call from Dissanayake to Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif proved decisive, with Sharif immediately instructing Naqvi: "There is no more issue... we have to play the match." Earlier, Bangladesh Cricket Board chief Aminul Islam Bulbul had also appealed to Pakistan to participate. Despite the diplomatic intervention, India emphatically won the high-voltage clash by 61 runs, with Ishan Kishan starring with a superb 77-run knock marking India's third consecutive tournament victory. (PC: NDTV)

Australia national cricket team are out of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup after the Ireland vs Zimbabwe group match in Pallekele was abandoned due to rain. The washout gave Zimbabwe national cricket team one point, which secured their place in the Super 8 stage with Sri Lanka from Group B. Australia had lost two of their first three matches and were depending on other results. The shared points made it impossible for them to qualify. Officials called off the game after long rain delays and pitch inspections. Australia’s final group match against Oman will not affect qualification. (PC: India Today)

Gautam Gambhir has reportedly received an offer from Rajasthan Royals to join the IPL franchise as CEO, mentor and partner. A report said the new owners are ready to give him a small equity stake of around 2–3%. Gambhir is currently the head coach of the Indian men’s team and his contract runs till the 2027 World Cup. Rules based on Lodha Committee reforms do not allow a national team coach to hold a role with an IPL franchise due to conflict of interest. Because of this rule, he is unlikely to accept the offer at present. (PC: X/BCCI)

Fourteen former international cricket captains, including Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, have written to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asking for urgent medical care for jailed former PM and World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan. The letter cites reports about his falling health and vision problems in custody. The group asked for “immediate, adequate and ongoing medical attention” and humane jail conditions. They also sought regular family visits and fair legal access. Other signatories include Greg Chappell, Steve Waugh and Clive Lloyd. No former Pakistan captain has signed the joint appeal. (PC: X)

Australia moved close to elimination from the T20 World Cup 2026 after Sri Lanka beat them by eight wickets. Pathum Nissanka scored an unbeaten century and led the chase with control. He hit 10 fours and five sixes. Sri Lanka chased 182 in 18 overs. Kusal Mendis added 51 from 38 balls. Pavan Rathnayake stayed not out on 28 off 15. Earlier, Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head scored quick fifties to push Australia to 181. Sri Lanka later bowled them out. Australia now need a big win over Oman and other results to go their way to reach the Super 8 stage. (PC: NDTV)

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Skips Class 10 Exams to Focus on IPL 2026 with Rajasthan Royals Story: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will not appear for his Class 10 board exams this year. The 14-year-old cricketer is focusing on IPL 2026 preparations instead. His coach Manish Ojha confirmed the decision. "He won't be giving the Class X exams. He is currently in Nagpur preparing for the upcoming IPL," Ojha told India Today. Sooryavanshi has joined Rajasthan Royals' pre-season camp. He was Player of the Tournament at the U19 World Cup 2026. He scored 439 runs in seven matches. In the final against England, he smashed 175 runs off 80 balls. His innings included 15 sixes. He hit 30 sixes in the tournament, breaking the previous record of 18. (PC: X)

Pakistan are likely to leave out Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi for their next T20 World Cup match against Namibia, according to a PTI report. The move follows their 61-run defeat to India in Colombo. A team management source said the decision came after internal talks late at night. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi reportedly showed displeasure over the performance and left the stadium early. Head coach Mike Hesson also spoke to players in the dressing room. The source said the plan is to try Salman Mirza or Naseem Shah and Fakhar Zaman. If results improve, the senior duo may not return this tournament. (PC: X)

India captain Suryakumar Yadav asked his teammates to stay calm and avoid sledging Pakistan during their T20 World Cup match, according to a behind-the-scenes video released by the BCCI. The dressing room clip shows Suryakumar stressing discipline and focus before the game. He told players to let their performance speak instead of words. India followed the approach on the field and kept their behavior controlled throughout the contest. The plan worked well as India dominated Pakistan and won by 61 runs. The victory also confirmed India’s place in the Super 8 stage of the tournament. 

Rashid Khan became the first cricketer to take 700 wickets in T20 matches during Afghanistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 game against UAE. The milestone came when he dismissed Muhammad Arfan in the 16th over. Rashid finished with 1 for 24 from four overs. UAE scored 160 for 9 in 20 overs. Afghanistan chased the target and won by five wickets. Ibrahim Zadran made 53, while Azmatullah Omarzai scored an unbeaten 40 to seal the result. Rashid reached the mark in 513 innings. He already leads the T20I wicket list and stays far ahead of other active bowlers. (PC: India Today)