India-Afghanistan Cricket Clash Set for June 13, With Rohit Sharma Breaking 37-Year Record The Indian cricket team, which recently defeated Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs in a Test match at Mullanpur, will face the Taliban side again in a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series. The first ODI of the series is scheduled for June 13 at Dharamsala, followed by matches in Lucknow on June 17 and Chennai on June 20. Rohit Sharma, the former Indian captain, is set to make his return to ODI cricket after securing a place in the team for the opener. His inclusion marks a historic moment, as he will become the oldest Indian player to debut in ODIs. This achievement will also break the 37-year-old record previously held by Mohinder Amarnath, who played his final ODI against West Indies in 1989. Amarnath, who was 39 years and 36 days old during his last ODI, had set the record for the oldest Indian cricketer to play in the format. Rohit, now 39 years and 44 days old, will surpass this milestone, establishing a new benchmark in Indian cricket history. However, the global record for the oldest player to compete in ODIs remains with New Zealand’s Nolon Clarke, who played at 47 years and 257 days during a 1996 match against South Africa. Rohit’s return to the ODI arena is significant, given his impressive career statistics. He has accumulated over 11,000 runs in ODIs and more than 20,000 runs in all formats of international cricket. His participation in the series will not only highlight his personal achievements but also underscore the competitive depth of Indian cricket. The series against Afghanistan presents an opportunity for the Indian team to build momentum ahead of upcoming tournaments.#india #rohit_sharma #afghanistan #t20i_series #mullanpur
India's New Spin Unit Takes Center Stage in Mullanpur Test Without Ashwin or Jadeja For the first time in over 15 years, India will face Afghanistan in a home Test match without its two legendary spinners, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. The upcoming one-off Test in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, marks a pivotal moment for the Indian team as it transitions to a younger, emerging spin unit led by senior spinner Kuldeep Yadav. The absence of Ashwin, who retired after the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, and Jadeja, sidelined by an injury sustained during the Indian Premier League, has created a void that the new generation of spinners must fill. The last time India played a home Test without either Ashwin or Jadeja was in November 2010 against New Zealand in Nagpur, where Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha spearheaded the spin attack. Now, the responsibility falls on a fresh crop of players, including Kuldeep Yadav, who is stepping into a leadership role for the first time in his Test career without the guidance of his veteran teammates. Yadav acknowledged the challenges of the situation but expressed confidence in the team's preparation. Yadav highlighted the absence of regular spinners like Jadeja and Axar Patel, noting that their absence would be felt in the dressing room. However, he emphasized the readiness of young players such as Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar, who have been part of India A tours and domestic competitions like the Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy. Washington Sundar, who has gained experience in Test cricket, is also expected to contribute. "The preparations have been good. Many youngsters are here, and they are well settled in the set-up," Yadav told JioStar.#india #afghanistan #kuldeep_yadav #chandigarh #mullanpur
Cricket Match Incident Leaves Spectator Injured, BCCI Launches Investigation A spectator was seriously injured after being struck by a ball during the PBKS vs RR match in Mullanpur, sparking widespread concern and prompting the BCCI to initiate an investigation. The incident, which occurred on April 28, 2026, has drawn attention due to the severity of the injury and the viral spread of footage showing the event. The spectator, who was seated in the stadium, suffered significant bleeding from the injury, with blood visibly streaming from the affected area and their shirt stained with blood. While the exact details of the incident remain under scrutiny, the footage circulating online suggests the ball struck the spectator during the match, though the specific batsman responsible has not been identified. The BCCI has confirmed it will conduct a thorough probe into the incident to determine accountability and prevent future occurrences. The match itself, part of the IPL 2026 tournament, saw Rajasthan Royals defeat Punjab Kings by six wickets. The game, played at Mullanpur, ended with Rajasthan securing a narrow victory after a tense final over. Punjab Kings had scored 222 runs in their innings, setting a target of 223 for Rajasthan. The Royals chased down the target with four balls remaining, with key contributions from Donovan Ferreira and Shubham Dubey. Ferreira scored 52 runs off 26 balls, while Dubey added 31 off 12 deliveries, ensuring the team's victory. The result marked a significant win for Rajasthan, which had faced challenges during the match but managed to capitalize on the final over to secure the win. The incident has overshadowed the match's outcome, with fans and cricket authorities expressing concern over the safety of spectators.#bcci #ipl_2026 #pbks #rr #mullanpur
