Sport Updates
Same-day match highlights, records, team news and results from across the sports you follow.
Lazio Join Inter at Serie A Summit With 3-1 Win; Roma Held 0-0 by Como
Lazio beat Monza 3-1 at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, October 11, to move level with Inter at the top of Serie A on 16 points . Roma, meanwhile, were held to a 0-0 draw at Como. Lazio were ahead after just three minutes. Nuno Tavares scored a superb long-range strike after Frattesi won the ball back and Tijjani Noslin set him up. Gustav Isaksen doubled the lead in the 23rd minute from another Noslin assist. It was Isaksen's first Serie A goal of the season. Monza were then reduced to ten men in the 35th minute, when Lorenzo Lucchesi brought down Noslin as the last man. Giorgi Goglichidze headed in early in the second half to give Monza hope, and Lazio had to work for the win after that. Isaksen hit the post, and substitute Andrea Pinamonti sealed the points late on. He turned in a low Pedraza cross for his first goal in a Lazio shirt. The win gives Rino Gattuso's side five victories from their first six league games , the best start to a Serie A season in the club's history. They are still unbeaten. It is also the first time Lazio have beaten Monza in three consecutive Serie A matches. Monza, coached by Ivan Juric, have only 4 points. Inter had earlier beaten Parma 3-0 at the San Siro on Saturday. At Como, Roma's match finished goalless, the first 0-0 draw of the Serie A season. Donyell Malen was sent off, and Gian Piero Gasperini's side had to concentrate on defending after that. Pellegrini hit the post for Roma. The draw leaves Roma two points behind Inter and Lazio.
Alessia Russo Wins England Women's Player of the Year for Second Time
Alessia Russo has been named England Women's Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season. It is the second time the Arsenal forward has won the fan-voted award. Her first came in 2023-24. The 27-year-old topped the vote ahead of Lucy Bronze and Hannah Hampton , who finished second and third. The announcement came on Sunday, October 11. Russo was presented the award by a group of girls from the Alessia Russo Foundation, who were guests at the Lionesses' open training session at the start of the international window. Russo was the highest-scoring English player in the Women's Super League last season, with 13 goals and six assists . She also played a leading role in England's 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying campaign, starting all six of their group matches. She said it was special to receive an award that comes directly from the fans. The honour comes just days after Russo scored again for England. She was on the scoresheet in the 3-1 win over Greece in Heraklion on Friday, in the first leg of their World Cup play-off. It was her 31st international goal , and Georgia Stanway and Maya Le Tissier also scored. England host the second leg on Tuesday, October 13, at the King Power Stadium in Leicester.
Clarence Seedorf Named Corinthians Coach on Deal Until End of 2027
Corinthians have appointed Clarence Seedorf as head coach of their men's team on a contract that runs until the end of 2027 . The club announced the signing on Sunday, October 11. The 50-year-old Dutchman replaces Fernando Diniz , who was sacked on Wednesday after a defeat to Internacional. Corinthians are 16th in the Brasileirão, just one point above the relegation zone. The club won the Brazilian Cup and the Super Cup earlier this year, which makes the slump all the more painful. This is Seedorf's first coaching job in seven years . His last was in charge of Cameroon from 2018 to 2019. He has also managed AC Milan (2014), Shenzhen (2016) and Deportivo La Coruña (2018). As a player, he won the Champions League with three different clubs, and he also played in Brazil with Botafogo. Seedorf said it was an honour to accept the challenge, but also a big responsibility. He promised to build a team that fights for every ball, every minute. Club president Osmar Stabile said he was delighted with the signing, while football executive Marcelo Paz praised Seedorf's playing career, his academic background and his earlier experience of Brazilian football. Seedorf was not among the leading names on most shortlists. Ramón Díaz, Juan Vojvoda, Sylvinho and Javier Mascherano were all reported to have been considered. Corinthians play second-placed Palmeiras on the day of the announcement, so the new coach's work begins with a tough fixture.
Ten-Man Liverpool Beaten 3-0 by Man City at Anfield as Perfect Start Continues
Manchester City beat Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield on Sunday, October 11, to make it six wins from six in the Premier League. All three goals came in the space of 13 minutes after Ryan Gravenberch was sent off. Liverpool started on top and had most of the ball in the opening minutes. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had to make several important saves in the first half to keep the scores level, and Erling Haaland put a good chance wide. The match stayed goalless until just after the hour, when Gravenberch picked up a second yellow card and was sent off. City punished Liverpool almost straight away. Haaland scored in the 65th minute when a deflected shot fell into his path. Jérémy Doku made it 2-0 in the 68th minute with a superb long-range curler into the far top corner. Rayan Cherki completed the win in the 78th minute. He let a ball run through to Joško Gvardiol, then ran into the box to meet the return pass and finish. The result lifts City to 18 points , three clear of Arsenal. Liverpool, managed by Andoni Iraola, have 7 points and are ninth after their first league defeat of the season. The win also extends City's winning run to eight matches in all competitions. Enzo Maresca has become the fourth manager after Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to win his first six Premier League games in charge of a club. It was City's first match since an independent commission found them guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial rules. They won it with Phil Foden suspended. Liverpool were without Dominik Szoboszlai, who was ruled out with a hamstring problem, along with Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike through injury.
Arshdeep Singh Stars as India Beat West Indies by 14 Runs, Lead Series 2-1
India held their nerve to beat West Indies by 14 runs in the 3rd T20I at Holkar Stadium, Indore, taking an unassailable 2-1 lead in the five-match series on the back of Arshdeep Singh's match-winning spell with the new ball at the death. Put in to bat, India got off to a stuttering start as Sanju Samson fell early, but Abhishek Sharma blazed his way to 69 off 30 balls, including six fours and five sixes, before holing out off Shamar Springer. Ishan Kishan kept the tempo going with 37 off 18, and useful contributions from Tilak Varma (28), Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Axar Patel (20) helped India post 223 for 10 despite losing wickets at regular intervals in the back half. Roston Chase, Shamar Joseph and Shamar Springer all picked up two wickets apiece for West Indies. Chasing 224, West Indies were always playing catch-up after early inroads. Shimron Hetmyer (43) and Kamil Pooran (42) put together a 60-run stand to briefly bring the equation down, and Sherfane Rutherford's 32 kept the required rate within reach. But Arshdeep Singh was outstanding with the ball, finishing with 3 for 44, including the crucial wickets of Shai Hope and Keemo Paul, while Naman Dhir chipped in with 2 for 39. A late flourish from Shamar Springer, who smashed an unbeaten 35 off just 11 balls with four sixes, briefly threatened to pull off a heist, but West Indies fell short at 209 for 7, with India closing out the game by 14 runs. Arshdeep Singh was named Player of the Match for his three-wicket haul and his composure in the death overs, a spell that proved decisive in restricting West Indies' chase. With this win, India move to 2-1 up in the series with two T20Is to play, and will look to seal the series when the two sides meet next.
Palace Come From Behind to Beat Glasner's Forest 3-1 at Selhurst Park
Crystal Palace came from a goal down to beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Sunday, October 11. It was the first return to Selhurst Park for Oliver Glasner , who left Palace in the summer and now manages Forest. It was also Palace's first home win of the season. Forest took the lead after just three minutes through Dilane Ndoye . Palace were second best for much of the first half hour, but turned the match around before the break. Daichi Kamada equalised in the 41st minute from a Quentin Timber assist, after a VAR check. It was his first Premier League goal, in his 68th appearance for the club. He is only the second Asian player to score for Palace in the league after Lee Chung-Yong in December 2015. Jefferson Lerma then put Palace ahead in the fourth minute of first-half stoppage time, set up by Adam Wharton. Yéremy Pino made it 3-1 in the 59th minute. It was his first goal after 19 Premier League matches without scoring. Forest had more possession and nearly twice as many shots, but could not find a way back. Ismaïla Sarr went down in the box in the final seconds and wanted a penalty, but none was given. Murillo was booked for dissent after the final whistle. Palace could have added a fourth when Chris Richards headed wide from a Wharton corner. The result lifts Palace to 12th with seven points from six games, while Forest are 14th with five. Palace have now scored three or more goals in two of their last four league matches, as many as they managed in their previous 37 league games combined. They are playing under Pierre Sage, who has rediscovered some of the attacking spark that went missing in Glasner's final months in charge.
Ten-Man Southampton Beat Portsmouth 1-0 for First League Derby Win Since 2004
Southampton beat Portsmouth 1-0 in the Championship at St Mary's on Sunday, October 11, despite playing the whole second half with ten men. It is their first league win over Portsmouth since November 2004 , a gap of nearly 22 years. James Bree scored the only goal inside the first 20 minutes, bundling the ball into the bottom corner. Cyle Larin had gone close earlier, but Portsmouth goalkeeper Nicolas Schmid saved his effort from the middle of the box. The hosts were then reduced to ten before half-time. Academy product Cameron Bragg was shown a second yellow card for pulling down Ebou Adams, and he was sent off. Portsmouth had most of the play after the break and finished with 15 shots . They could not find an equaliser, though. Southampton goalkeeper Daniel Peretz and a resolute defence stood firm. Bree himself won eight duels as the hosts defended deep and blocked shots with their bodies. Ryan Kavuma-McQueen had Portsmouth's best early chance, but his strike across goal missed the target. Portsmouth head coach John Mousinho said he was absolutely gutted. He explained that it is hard to create chances against ten men when the opposition sit so deep. Southampton head coach Tonda Eckert said the win meant everything to the club, but admitted his side had to dig deep after the red card. It was also a big day for Eckert off the pitch. He had avoided an immediate ban after a ruling on Wednesday over his part in last season's "Spygate" scandal, and was on the touchline for his first South Coast derby as Southampton boss. The two sides drew 1-1 in their last meeting in January.
Abhishek Sharma Completes 2,000 T20I Runs in Just His 65th Match
Abhishek Sharma brought up 2,000 runs in T20 Internationals during India's series against West Indies, reaching the landmark in just his 65th match for the country, one of the fastest by an Indian batter to the milestone. The left-handed opener has been central to India's aggressive template at the top of the order in T20Is over the past couple of years, combining power-hitting with the ability to accelerate from ball one. His strike rate well above 150 throughout his career has made him one of the most feared openers in the format, and touching 2,000 runs inside 65 innings-worth of matches underlines just how consistently he has delivered at the top for India. Abhishek has built his T20I game around taking the attack to the opposition inside the powerplay, regularly putting bowling attacks under pressure in the first six overs and setting the tone for India's innings. That approach has produced several match-defining starts for India across bilateral series and ICC events, and this milestone comes on the back of another series where he has continued to look fluent at the top. The 2,000-run mark places him among a select group of Indian batters to have scored that many T20I runs, and given his age and the trajectory of his career, he is well placed to climb much higher on India's all-time run charts in the format in the coming years. With the World Cup cycle building up, Abhishek's form and consistency at the top of the order will continue to be a key factor in India's T20I plans, and milestones like this one are a reminder of how quickly he has established himself as a first-choice opener since his debut. India's team management will be pleased to see one of their key batters continuing to rack up runs and milestones during a series where the side has otherwise had to manage several changes across formats.
Steve Smith Passes Joe Root for Most Catches by a Fielder in Test Cricket
Steve Smith has become the most successful fielder in Test history among non-wicketkeepers. He took his 221st Test catch on Day 3 of the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban, on Sunday, October 11, going past Joe Root's 220. The record came at slip. David Bedingham drove outside off and produced a thick edge, and Smith dived full-stretch to take the catch. It left South Africa on 99 for 4 in reply to Australia's 390. It was the second sharp slip catch from Smith in quick succession during the opening session. By the first-session break, South Africa were 110 for 4, still 280 runs behind. Root had gone past Smith earlier this season. He took his 220th catch at first slip against Pakistan at Edgbaston, when Smith was on 219. Smith has now taken the lead again, and in 126 Tests , more than 40 fewer than Root. Smith, 37, is now clear at the top of the list. Root (220) is second, followed by Rahul Dravid (210), Mahela Jayawardene (205), Jacques Kallis (200) and Ricky Ponting (196). Smith and Root are the only active players with more than 200 Test catches.
Renshaw's Career-Best 190 and Record Stand With Lyon Put Australia in Control in Durban
Matt Renshaw scored a career-best 190 on Day 2 of the first Test against South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban, on Saturday, October 10. His innings took Australia from 124 for 6 on the first day to 390 all out . South Africa ended the day on 27 for 1, trailing by 363 runs, after bad light ended play early. Renshaw reached his second Test hundred in the morning session, off 204 balls. It came nine years after his first, against Pakistan in 2017. He added 86 for the seventh wicket with captain Pat Cummins (43) and then 134 for the ninth wicket with Nathan Lyon, who made 27 off 92 balls. Lyon mostly blocked while Renshaw rotated the strike and waited for the bad ball. The stand with Lyon is Australia's highest ninth-wicket partnership against South Africa and the highest for that wicket at Kingsmead. It is also the second-highest ninth-wicket stand in Australia's Test history. Renshaw faced 397 balls and hit 21 fours and a six before he was caught at slip off Simon Harmer. His score is the highest by a visiting batter at number five or lower in a Test at Kingsmead, passing Kusal Perera's 153 not out in 2019. For South Africa, Wiaan Mulder took 4/68 and Marco Jansen 3/68, while Anrich Nortje took two wickets. The home side lost opener Ryan Rickelton for a duck to Josh Hazlewood late on the day. Aiden Markram (15) and David Bedingham (12) were unbeaten overnight.
Savage Wins First Game as Peterborough Boss, Beats Leicester 3-1 at King Power Stadium
Peterborough United beat Leicester City 3-1 at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, October 10, in Robbie Savage's first League One match as a manager. It is also his first managerial job in the English Football League. Posh were ahead after 12 minutes. Owura Edwards cut in from the left, got past Olabade Aluko and fired into the far corner. Harry Leonard tapped in the second after Bolu Shofowoke rounded the Leicester goalkeeper, and a Warren O'Hora own goal made it 3-0 at half-time . Home fans were chanting for Russell Martin to go, and a section left at the break. Martin made three changes at half-time, but Leicester found the net only in the 68th minute. Substitute Wes Burns squared for Emil Riis , who slid the ball into an empty net. It was Leicester's 20th attempt on goal. Peterborough goalkeeper Alex Bass made a fine save from Kamari Doyle, and Danny Ormerod went close to a fourth late on. The win was a big shock for a Peterborough side that had won only once in the league this season. Savage called it one of the greatest days of his life. For Leicester, it was a third league home defeat of the campaign. Martin said after the match that sacking him would not be a quick fix. Elsewhere in League One, Plymouth Argyle beat Wimbledon 2-1 with a stoppage-time goal from substitute Xavier Amaechi. They had come from behind after Jayden Stockley's 16th-minute opener, with Caleb Watts equalising. The win put Plymouth clear at the top of the table.
Litton Das Returns as Captain, Aliss Al Islam Gets First ODI Call-Up in Bangladesh UAE Squad
The Bangladesh Cricket Board has named a 16-member squad for the ODI tri-series in the UAE, also involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. Litton Das returns to lead the side, with Towhid Hridoy as vice-captain. Spinner Aliss Al Islam has earned his first ODI call-up. Litton was appointed ODI captain in July, replacing Mehidy Hasan Miraz, with the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in mind. He had missed the July ODI series in Zimbabwe with a left calf injury. Aliss Al Islam , 29, is a mystery spinner who has played one T20I, at the Asian Games earlier this month. He usually bowls with the new ball. In List A cricket he has taken 35 wickets in 19 matches at an average of 17.05 and an economy rate of 4.05. Pacer Hasan Mahmud is also in the squad. Fast bowler Nahid Rana misses out through injury. Mohammad Saifuddin and Parvez Hossain Emon, who featured in the July series, have been left out. Bangladesh squad: Litton Das (c), Towhid Hridoy (vc), Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Saif Hassan, Soumya Sarkar, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Mustafizur Rahman, Hasan Mahmud, Shoriful Islam, Aliss Al Islam.
Hasan Mahmud's Hat-Trick and Rahmat Shah's Ton Headline Day 3 of Afghanistan-Bangladesh Test
Hasan Mahmud became the first Bangladesh fast bowler to take a Test hat-trick, and Rahmat Shah made history with a century on his Test captaincy debut. Both moments came on Day 3 of the one-off Test between Afghanistan and Bangladesh at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, October 11. Afghanistan resumed on 211 for 4, chasing Bangladesh's first-innings 346. Rahmat, who took over as Test captain from Hashmatullah Shahidi in July, scored 105 off 216 balls with 10 fours and two sixes. He is the first Afghan to score a century on Test captaincy debut . Opener Abdul Malik added 62 off 120 balls, but Rahmat had little support from the rest of the order. Then came Mahmud. In the 83rd over of the innings, he dismissed Ismat Alam , Qais Ahmad and Zia-ur-Rehman off consecutive deliveries. The last one was given not out on the field. Bangladesh reviewed, and ball-tracking showed the delivery would have hit the off stump. Mahmud is only the third Bangladesh bowler to take a Test hat-trick, after Alok Kapali (2003) and Sohag Gazi (2013). Mahmud finished with 5/55 , his fourth five-wicket haul in Tests, and became the fastest Bangladesh pacer to reach 50 Test wickets. Ebadot Hossain took 4/56. Afghanistan were bowled out for 240 , giving Bangladesh a first-innings lead of 106. Rahmat remained unbeaten on 105. Bangladesh lost two quick wickets in their second innings, but at lunch they were 44 for 2, leading by 150 runs . Their first innings had been built on half-centuries from Tanzid Hasan Tamim (83), Shadman Islam (67) and Litton Das (53).
New Zealand Name Split ODI Squads for India Series, Santner Leads, Allen and Ferguson Return
New Zealand have named their squads for the five-match ODI series against India . Mitchell Santner will captain both groups. The series starts on November 4 at Eden Park, Auckland. It comes after the five T20Is, which run from October 22 to November 1. New Zealand Cricket has picked two separate squads. The first has 14 players for ODIs 1 to 3. The second has 13 players for ODIs 4 and 5. Several players will leave after the third match and head to Wellington to prepare for the two-Test series, which begins on November 19 . The Test squad of 14 will be named in early November. Squad for ODIs 1-3: Batters: Mark Chapman , Will Young All-rounders: Mitchell Santner (c) , Michael Bracewell , Daryl Mitchell , Rachin Ravindra , Nathan Smith Wicketkeeper-batters: Devon Conway , Tom Latham , Glenn Phillips Bowlers: Jacob Duffy , Matt Henry , Kyle Jamieson , Blair Tickner Squad for ODIs 4 and 5: Batters: Finn Allen , Mark Chapman , Will Young All-rounders: Mitchell Santner (c) , Michael Bracewell , Nick Kelly Wicketkeeper-batters: Mitchell Hay , Tim Seifert Bowlers: Kristian Clarke , Jacob Duffy , Matthew Fisher , Lockie Ferguson , Blair Tickner Only six players are in both squads: Santner , Bracewell , Chapman , Duffy , Young and Tickner . Eight players drop out after the third ODI. They are Conway , Henry , Jamieson , Latham , Mitchell , Phillips , Ravindra and Smith . Seven players come in for the last two games. They are Allen , Clarke , Fisher , Ferguson , Hay , Kelly and Seifert . Rachin Ravindra is back in the ODI squad after injury. Latham is the wicketkeeper for the first three ODIs. Hay and Seifert take over that role for the last two. Here are the ODI fixtures. All matches start at 7:30 AM IST. Match Date Venue 1st ODI November 4 Eden Park, Auckland 2nd ODI November 7 Sky Stadium, Wellington 3rd ODI November 10 Seddon Park, Hamilton 4th ODI November 13 Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui 5th ODI November 15 Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Farhan 89 Leads Pakistan to Four-Wicket Win Over Sri Lanka in First T20I
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in the first T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday, October 9. They chased down 183 in 18.5 overs with seven balls to spare and lead the three-match series 1-0. Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat. They made 182 for 8 , built around Lahiru Udara's 91 , which included 11 fours and a six. Kamindu Mendis added 23 and Dasun Shanaka 18. Naseem Shah led the Pakistan attack with 3/36 . Debutant Mohammad Imran was economical, taking 2/21 in his four overs. Razaullah, who also made his T20I debut, took 1/30, and Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan took one wicket each. The chase was driven by captain Sahibzada Farhan , who scored 89 with 10 fours and four sixes. He was dismissed with only four runs needed. Maaz Sadaqat hit a quick 50 off 29 balls , including four fours and three sixes. The pair put on 92 for the second wicket to take the game away from Sri Lanka. Fakhar Zaman chipped in with 21. Eshan Malinga and Maheesh Theekshana took two wickets each for Sri Lanka, but the visitors could not defend the total on a dew-affected pitch. Pakistan finished on 187 for 6 , with Khawaja Nafay and Imran seeing them home after Shadab Khan's late dismissal.
Kössler Brace Helps Germany Women Beat Australia 4-2 in Karlsruhe Friendly
Germany Women beat Australia Women 4-2 in an international friendly at the BBBank Wildpark in Karlsruhe on Friday, October 9. The result was a reality check for the Matildas, who are building towards the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. Germany went ahead through an early brace from Melissa Kössler , in the 23rd and 30th minutes . The first came after Ellie Carpenter's interception was sent towards her own goal. Mackenzie Arnold got a touch, and the ball fell for Kössler to tap in at the back post. The second was a solo run and finish after a long pass from Elisa Senß. Australia pulled one back just before the break. Sam Kerr scored with a close-range header in first-half stoppage time, set up by Carpenter after a one-two with Hayley Raso. Germany then pulled clear again. Defender Camilla Küver scored her first international goal with a header from a corner in the 83rd minute. The Matildas found a late goal through substitute Holly McNamara in the third minute of stoppage time. It came after debutant Tori Tumeth , Matilda No. 244, won the ball in midfield and Caitlin Foord played McNamara in behind. Sjoeke Nüsken had the last word a minute later to make it 4-2. Australia were error-prone at the back and second-best for long stretches. They lost despite facing a Germany side without captain Giulia Gwinn (ankle) and forward Vivien Endemann (calf). Australia were also without Mary Fowler. A win would have helped the Matildas' chances of staying in pot two for the World Cup draw. Coach Joe Montemurro will now look to build on the energy shown by his substitutes.
Litchfield 77, Sutherland 4/30 Give Australia Women Seven-Wicket Win Over Bangladesh
Australia Women beat Bangladesh Women by seven wickets in the first ODI at Allan Border Field in Brisbane on Friday, October 9. The hosts chased down 167 in just 25.4 overs. They finished with 146 balls to spare and lead the three-match series 1-0. Australia won the toss and chose to bowl. Megan Schutt struck with the very first ball of the match, sending back Fargana Hoque for a golden duck. Bangladesh were 34 for 3 at the end of the powerplay. Ritu Moni was the only batter to show real intent, making 45 off 63 balls with five fours. Shorna Akter added 21 off 50, and Nahida Akter stayed unbeaten on 19. Bangladesh were bowled out for 166 in 49.4 overs. Annabel Sutherland was the pick of the bowlers with 4/30 . Schutt finished with 2/19. She also reached a big personal landmark. Schutt trapped Sarmin Sultana lbw in her ninth delivery of the match for her 150th ODI wicket . She is only the third Australian woman to get there, after Cathryn Fitzpatrick (180) and Ellyse Perry (166). The chase was never in doubt. Phoebe Litchfield smashed 77 off 57 balls , with ten fours and a six, before Rabeya Khan got her. Georgia Voll chipped in with 19 off 18 early on. Ellyse Perry (26 not out) and Sutherland (25 not out off 23) saw Australia home at 168 for 3. Habiba Islam was the best of the Bangladesh bowlers with 2/36. This is Bangladesh's first women's ODI series in Australia. The second ODI is on Sunday, October 11 , and the third on Wednesday, October 14. Both are day/night games at the same ground. The series is part of Australia's build-up to the inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy in India, which starts on February 14, 2027.
Tilak Varma Completes 5,000 T20 Runs in 166 Innings, Fifth-Fastest Indian to the Mark
Tilak Varma crossed 5,000 career T20 runs during the 2nd T20I against West Indies at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi. He got there in his 166th T20 innings , making him the fifth-fastest Indian to reach the milestone. Tilak came into the match on 4,987 runs from 165 innings, a tally that includes 5 hundreds and 30 fifties across T20 cricket. He walked in at number six with India well placed and finished unbeaten on 44 off 18 balls , with 3 fours and 3 sixes, a strike rate of 244.44. The knock helped India reach 249 for 5, though West Indies chased it down with 9 balls to spare. The milestone caps a busy year for the left-hander, who is India's T20I vice-captain. He had already moved past MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina on India's all-time T20I run-scoring list in July, and his 51 not out off 22 balls in the Asian Games gold medal match against Pakistan took him to the brink of 5,000 days before this game. India now head to Indore for the 3rd T20I on October 11 , with the series level at 1-1.
Shai Hope's 45-Ball Century Powers West Indies to Record 250 Chase, Levels T20I Series 1-1
West Indies beat India by 6 wickets in the 2nd T20I at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Friday, chasing down 250 in 18.3 overs with 9 balls to spare. Captain Shai Hope finished unbeaten on 102 off 45 balls and was named Player of the Match, as the five-match series was levelled at 1-1. West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl. India made 249 for 5 , with Sanju Samson hitting 82 off 41 balls (9 fours, 4 sixes), Tilak Varma an unbeaten 44 off 18 , Ishan Kishan 43 off 22 and captain Shreyas Iyer 40 off 18. Roston Chase was the pick of the West Indies bowlers with 3 for 24 in four overs, while Shamar Springer took 2 for 64. The chase began badly. Mayank Yadav removed Kamil Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer in his first over to leave West Indies 5 for 2 , and had Rovman Powell bowled for 24 to make it 58 for 3. Hope then took charge. He added 120 off 54 balls for the fourth wicket with Sherfane Rutherford , who made 84 off 37 with 7 fours and 7 sixes before falling to Kuldeep Yadav. Romario Shepherd then struck an unbeaten 34 off 13 , including 24 runs off one Kuldeep over, and Hope finished the game with a six off Axar Patel to complete his century with 6 fours and 9 sixes . It is West Indies' highest successful run chase in T20Is , and the second-highest in men's T20I history after South Africa's 259 against West Indies at Centurion in 2023. Hope's hundred, his second in T20Is , came off 45 balls, the second-fastest for West Indies in the format and level with the fastest against India. The match produced 501 runs , the second-highest aggregate in a men's T20I, and the result ended Iyer's run of 10 straight wins as India captain. The teams now move to Indore for the 3rd T20I on October 11 .
Petukhova Scores Twice as Russia Beat India Women 4-0 in Kolkata Friendly
India Women lost 4-0 to Russia in the first of two international friendlies at the rain-soaked Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Thursday, October 8. Substitute Kira Petukhova scored twice, and India fielded six debutants . The 69th-ranked Blue Tigresses defended in a compact shape and trailed by only one goal at half-time. Iana Sheina gave 27th-ranked Russia the lead shortly before the break. India's best chances came from Malavika P around the half-hour mark and from Lynda Kom Serto later in the half, but neither could find the net. Russia took control after the interval. Petukhova scored in the 60th minute from close range after goalkeeper Monalisha Devi Moirangthem could only parry a long-range effort from captain Nadezhda Smirnova. She struck again in the 65th minute when India failed to clear their lines. Iana Svistunova added a fourth in the 81st minute. Monalisha, who made her first start and won her third cap, made several saves to keep the score down. It was India's first-ever women's international match in Kolkata and their first outing since winning a record sixth SAFF Women's Championship title in June. The defeat was also India's third in three senior meetings with Russia, after losses at the Turkish Women's Cup in 2021 and the Pink Ladies Cup in 2025. The two sides meet again in the second friendly on October 11 .
Ajit Agarkar's Tenure as India's Chief Selector Ends After Three ICC Titles, BCCI Invites Applications for Successor
Ajit Agarkar has completed his tenure as chairman of the BCCI's senior men's selection committee. His term officially ended on October 4, 2026 , after he decided not to seek an extension. He had told the BCCI of that decision after its annual general meeting on September 18. Agarkar took charge in July 2023 , a little over three years ago. His time in the role was one of the most successful periods for Indian white-ball cricket. India reached the 2023 ODI World Cup final , then won the 2024 T20 World Cup , the 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2026 T20 World Cup . That is three ICC trophies in three successive years. Star Sports India's farewell tribute also highlighted two Asia Cup titles and back-to-back Asian Games gold medals during his tenure. Head coach Gautam Gambhir paid tribute on X, calling it an "absolute honour" to work with Agarkar. He said the three ICC trophies showed Agarkar's conviction of putting the team first, and added that history would be kinder to him. Agarkar's term was not without criticism. His committee made several headline calls, including picking Suryakumar Yadav over Hardik Pandya as T20I captain after the 2024 World Cup, a decision that led to the 2026 T20 World Cup title. In October 2025, Shubman Gill replaced Rohit Sharma as ODI captain. Test cricket was a tougher area, with a 3-0 home defeat to New Zealand in 2024, a 3-1 loss in Australia and a 2-2 draw in England in 2025. The BCCI has invited applications for the vacant chairman's position. Pragyan Ojha has taken interim charge and chaired the selection meeting that picked India's squad for the New Zealand tour. The new chief selector will have to balance established players with emerging talent as India plans for the next ICC cycle. A former India pacer, Agarkar took 288 ODI wickets in 191 matches, more than any Indian bowler apart from Anil Kumble and Javagal Srinath.
Portugal Overtake Brazil to Reach Fifth in October FIFA Rankings, Spain Stay No. 1
Spain remain No. 1 in the October FIFA men's world ranking, with Argentina second, France third and England fourth. The big move is further down the top six, where Portugal rise to No. 5 and push Brazil down to sixth . 1. Spain 2. Argentina 3. France 4. England 5. Portugal (up from 7th in the July ranking) 6. Brazil (down from 5th) Spain have held the top spot since July 20, when they beat Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final to win their second World Cup title. The top four places are unchanged from that update, so Argentina, France and England all keep their positions. Portugal were seventh after the World Cup, where they went out in the round of 16 to eventual champions Spain. Since then, Jorge Jesus's side have won all four of their Nations League matches in Group A4, including a 4-2 win away at Denmark and 2-1 wins over Norway. Those results earned enough points to take them past both Morocco and Brazil . Brazil slip a place even though they won their friendlies on this window, beating Australia 4-2 in Brisbane and India 4-0 in Kolkata under Carlo Ancelotti. Friendlies carry less weight than competitive matches in the FIFA formula, and Portugal's competitive wins counted for more. Brazil still stay ahead of Morocco in sixth place, as the Atlas Lions could only draw with Mali. The October update reflects results from the September-October international window, which wrapped up on October 6.
Chile Beat Mexico 2-0 as Márquez's Side End US Tour Without a Win
Chile beat Mexico 2-0 in an international friendly at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Tuesday, October 6. The defeat left Mexico without a win in all four games of their US tour. The first half was goalless. Maximiliano Gutierrez broke the deadlock in the 54th minute, finishing under the legs of debuting goalkeeper Alex Padilla after a pass from Gonzalo Tapia. It came just after Mexico's Everardo Lopez missed a free header. Vicente Pizarro doubled the lead in the 65th minute with a left-footed shot into the bottom corner, after he skipped past substitute defender Johan Vasquez. Mexico had good possession but struggled to create clear chances. The result was a welcome rebound for Chile, who had lost their two previous friendlies in North America, 1-0 to Canada and 4-2 to the United States. For Mexico, it was a second straight defeat, and the second straight game in which they were shut out, after a 3-0 loss to the United States on Saturday. Before that, they had drawn 1-1 with both Colombia and Peru. That is no wins, two draws and two defeats from the four matches. The run puts pressure on head coach Rafael Marquez , who took over from Javier Aguirre after Mexico went out in the round of 16 at the World Cup. He had served as Aguirre's assistant. This is the worst start for a Mexico coach since 1981 , when Raul Cardenas began his second spell with nine games without a win. Mexico's next matches are official fixtures in November.
Justin Ellis Strikes as USA Beat Canada 1-0 to Finish Perfect Four-Match Window
The United States beat Canada 1-0 at Allianz Field in St Paul on Tuesday, October 6. The win gave Mauricio Pochettino's side four wins from four in this international window, the first four games of his post-World Cup reset. Justin Ellis scored the only goal in the 29th minute. Alex Freeman delivered the cross after a give-and-go with Malik Tillman, and the 19-year-old Orlando City winger tapped it in. It was Ellis's second goal in three appearances for the national team. He had also scored four minutes into his debut against Peru earlier in the window. It was a physical, scrappy game. The US sat deep early on and absorbed a lot of fouls from a motivated Canada side under Jesse Marsch. Canada had more efforts on goal, and Luc De Fougerolles saw an angled volley hit the crossbar late on, but the US held on. Ellis was replaced at half-time by fellow teenager Julian Hall , who later fired into the side-netting when played through. It was a second straight clean sheet for the US. The US finished the window with wins over Peru (4-1) , Chile (4-2) , Mexico (3-0) and Canada. Across the four games, seven of the US's 12 goals were scored by teenagers, and Pochettino handed debuts to 13 new players after the team's last-16 exit at the home World Cup. Cavan Sullivan also became the youngest goalscorer in USMNT history against Mexico on Saturday. This was the first meeting between the two sides since Canada's 2-1 win in the Concacaf Nations League third-place match in March 2025. Both teams reached the round of 16 at this summer's World Cup, and the US remain unbeaten at Allianz Field.