India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel has dismissed concerns about any problems as Rohit Sharma prepares to return to cricket. Three match ODI series against AfghanistanWhich will start in Dharamshala on 13th June. The former fast bowler also hinted that India will use the series to give chances to their in-form batsmen, with three players potentially getting a chance to fill Virat Kohli’s No. 3 spot during the series.

India will begin the final phase of their 18-month preparations for the ODI World Cup Likely to be held between October 1 and November 21 In South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

The team will go into the series without some of its big names, including the rested Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli, who were injured during the IPL final.

There were also concerns over Rohit Sharma’s availability after he suffered a hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 season, having featured in several matches for Mumbai Indians as an impact player. However, Rohit passed the BCCI fitness test in time and joined the team.

According to reporters, fresh concerns emerged after the star batsman trained in Mohali wearing slightly different-looking thigh pads, which provided extra protection around the injured hamstring area. However, Morkel dismissed any such concerns and insisted the 38-year-old is fit and ready to go.

Incidentally, Rohit was among the first players to walk out for batting practice on the eve of the first ODI at the beautiful HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala.

Asked about the thigh pads, Morkel said, “I didn’t even pay attention to it.”

He said, “It shows that I don’t think there is any problem. He has passed all his fitness tests. He has passed and is ready to go. Obviously, the balls are coming at a fast pace and you want to protect yourself, even if there is a little bit of trouble. But I can assure you there is nothing wrong. Rohit is progressing well and training well. Very excited to see him go.”

“It’s always good to have his experience back. The calmness he brings to the dressing room is always positive. He’s been training well, he’s progressing well. So I know he’s excited to go too.”

Who will bat in place of Kohli?

Meanwhile, Morkel hinted that Virat Kohli’s vacant No. 3 spot could become a revolving door for Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has replaced the former skipper as well as KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan in the team.

Incidentally, Kishan was wearing the gloves during training on the eve of the first ODI, while KL Rahul, who usually bats at No. 5, may be promoted up the order.

With ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer also in the mix, India’s batting unit looks more capable despite Kohli’s absence.

“In terms of that number three slot, it is something we will play with in this series. Be it Ishan or KL or Yashasvi, it is a good opportunity now. We have some one-day matches coming up and we will give people a chance in different slots.

“Just to give ourselves a better idea of ​​how we can move forward and structure the team and have different options,” the former South African fast bowler said.

India will also have Nitish Kumar Reddy in the lower middle order, with the all-rounder expected to help fill the void of Hardik Pandya, who was ruled out of the ODI series due to injury.

– ends

Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson (AP/PTI)

kane williamsonHis retirement from international cricket has reignited discussions about one of Test cricket’s most iconic milestones: 10,000 runs.The New Zealand great ended a remarkable 16-year international career with 9,515 Test runs to his name, leaving him just 485 runs short of joining the 10,000-run club. His retirement means he becomes the latest batting great of modern times to come close to achieving the historic feat without quite getting there.Here are four legendary batsmen who retired just short of the coveted 10,000 Test runs mark.

1. ken Williamson (New Zealand)

Williamson’s decision to retire midway through New Zealand’s Test series against England surprised many, especially given how close he was to the 10,000-run milestone.The former New Zealand captain became his country’s highest international run-scorer across all formats with 19,346 runs. In Test cricket, he scored 9,515 runs in 110 matches at an impressive average of 54.06, which included 33 centuries and six double centuries.Williamson, widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s greatest cricketers, left the game just 485 runs away from joining Test cricket’s most exclusive batting club.

2. Virat Kohli (India)

One of Williamson’s fellow members in the famous “Fab Four”, Virat Kohli Retired before reaching the coveted milestone.The Indian batting superstar announced his Test retirement on May 12, 2025, ending a career that changed Indian cricket as both a batsman and captain.Kohli scored 9,230 runs in 123 Test matches at an average of 46.85 and scored 30 centuries. Given his fitness level and experience, many believed he still had enough potential left to achieve 10,000 Test runs, but he opted out with 770 runs still needed.

3. Graeme Smith (South Africa)

One of the youngest captains in Test history and one of South Africa’s greatest leaders, Graeme Smith unexpectedly retired during the final Test of the 2014 series against Australia.Smith retired from his career at the age of just 33, a decision that shocked the cricket world as it seemed that he still had many years of cricket left in him.The left-handed batsman ended his Test career with 9,265 runs in 117 matches at an average of 48.25, which included 27 centuries. Had he continued a little longer, the 10,000-run mark would almost certainly have been within reach.

4. Hashim Amla (South Africa)

Another South African great who missed the milestone by a narrow margin was Hashim Amla.Known for his brilliant strokeplay and remarkable consistency, Amla retired from international cricket in August 2019 after establishing himself as one of the finest batsmen of his generation.He scored 9,282 Test runs in 124 matches at an average of 46.64 and scored 28 centuries. Amla remains South Africa’s second-highest Test run-scorer and still holds the record for the highest individual Test score by a South African.Like Williamson, Kohli and Smith, Amla also came close to the historic 10,000-run mark, but ultimately missed out on becoming a member of cricket’s most exclusive batting club.

Former Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-gyu revealed he overcame a debilitating fever to emerge as South Korea’s hero by scoring the winner in a dramatic finish against Czechia in the FIFA World Cup opening match on Thursday, June 11.

The Taeguk Warriors lived up to their reputation as second-half specialists by coming back from a goal down at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico. To secure a vital 2-1 win and start their Group A campaign on a high note.

Oh, who plays his club football for Turkish Super Lig giants Besiktas, was a major doubt before kick-off after falling ill. However, the 25-year-old forward was brought off the substitutes’ bench in the 69th minute by manager Hong Myung-bo in place of Tottenham Hotspur talisman Son Heung-min.

It took just 11 minutes for the Super-Sub to make its mark. In the 80th minute, Oh found space in the penalty area to deliver a clinical finish, sparking wild celebrations among the traveling South Korean contingent.

Speaking to reporters after the match, an emotional Oh paid tribute to the national team’s backroom staff for preparing him for the match.

“I can’t express my feelings in words,” Oh said. “Today my body temperature went up to 38 degrees Celsius because I was not feeling well. I wondered if I could even play. This was possible only thanks to our staff and the medical team.”

At first it seemed that the match was heading towards a disappointing start for South Korea. After a tense and goalless first half, Czechia broke the deadlock in the 59th minute when defender Ladislav Krejci rose above with a header.

In truth, South Korea refused to surrender. They got a lease of life in the 67th minute when midfielder Hwang In-beom equalized the score with a fine effort, setting the stage for Oh’s bold intervention.

Manager Hong Myung-bo praised his players’ psychological resilience, and emphasized that the team’s refusal to give up was the most encouraging achievement from a challenging opening match.

“It was our first game and it was very difficult,” Hong said in the post-match press conference. “The win in itself makes me happy, but what’s even more positive is that our boys won by refusing to give up. I knew we were capable of winning, so at the 1-1 draw I told the boys to keep playing the way we are playing.”

Having safely secured the three points, South Korea now turn their attention to a strong clash against co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca next week – a match that could decide the winners of Group A.

“Now, Mexico is another important match,” Hong said. “We will spend the next week preparing properly.”

FIFA World Cup | fifa world cup schedule | fifa world cup points table | football news

– ends

Indian-born cricketer Nikhil Chaudhary has achieved a historic feat by being selected for Australia’s T20I team. (Photo/IANS)

30 year old during this year’s IPL Nikhil Chaudhary Was traveling with Delhi Capitals as a net bowler, with an outside chance of getting a contract. He took a few days off to meet his family and childhood coach Charanjit Bhangu in his hometown Ludhiana. Suddenly, he cut his trip to India short after promising his coach. “Sir, I have to join the Australian team camp. You will get some big news soon.”Chaudhary gave big news to Bhangu on Thursday morning. He became the first India-born male cricketer to be named in an Australian international squad in six decades as the selectors picked him as a leg-spinning all-rounder to be included in the T20I squad, which is currently playing in Bangladesh. Pune-born Lisa Sthalekar has led Australia in women’s cricket.The selection was the latest milestone in an amazing journey for Delhi-born Chaudhary, who played for Punjab for three years. In 2020, he was visiting his uncle in Queensland when the world went into lockdown due to COVID-19. Unable to return, Choudhary played a few club matches in Brisbane as Australia eased restrictions. Soon, his talent was noticed. Since then he did not look back.In January 2017, Nikhil Choudhary made his senior men’s T20 debut as a medium pacer in the Punjab team, which featured a bowling attack of former India cricketers Harbhajan Singh, Siddharth Kaul, Sandeep Sharma and Gurkeerat Mann. In March that year, on his List A debut, he shared the dressing room with Yuvraj Singh. He still has the contact of India’s left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh in his phone book. But with a permanent residence stamp on his passport, he has got an international call-up to Australia.Having represented Punjab in 14 List A matches, Chaudhary was looking towards an uncertain future. The Covid lockdown actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise for them. “In those eight months, Nikhil played a few club matches in Brisbane. Soon people in the system started praising him. He called me and said he was liking the culture because he had talked with immigrants. He said he wanted to stay here because the people who mattered were valuing his talent,” his childhood coach Charanjit Bhangu told TOI.Choudhary had to change his game inside-out to get fit. “Cricketers abroad usually struggle against spin. Foreigners come to my academy to learn to play spin. But Nikhil was always versatile. When he first came to me at the age of 10, we made him bowl and bat off-spin. But there was intense competition for the off-spinner’s spot in Punjab. So, as he grew up, he bowled medium-pace in-swingers. But he also bowled leg-spin in the Punjab nets. Used to bowl, “Bhangu.Once Chaudhary decided to stay in Australia, he started doing odd jobs to support the household. He chopped vegetables in a restaurant, drove cabs and even delivered parcels while trying to make his mark in cricket in Tasmania.“He believed he could do something remarkable in Australia. He always maintained a good diet but he was willing to adopt the food habits of that country, such as sources of protein intake. Two years later when the travel ban was completely lifted, he came to me and worked on his batting for two and a half months. In India he was more used to playing on the front foot. Since then, he mainly comes to me to work on his batting,” said the proud coach.Chaudhary got his big break when Hobart Hurricanes selected him for the Big Bash League in 2023. “Nikhil was very right about the sporting culture there. He made it to the BBL in just three years,” said the proud coach. Choudhary made an immediate impact in the BBL by winning a game with the bat, knocking Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf out of the park. His first-class debut came last season and he took five wickets on debut against Queensland apart from saving a match for Tasmania with the bat.“The panel has been impressed with his BBL form, particularly last season, which has led to his inclusion in the squad,” selector Tony Dodemide was quoted as saying by Cricket. com. And. “He will be in contention to play his first game for Australia when we sit here next week to pick the team for the opening T20 match,” he said.According to cricket. com. A number of Indian-origin players have played in international cricket, including Gurinder Sandhu and Tanveer Sangha in AU, Australia, but not since the 1960s (when Gujarat-born leg spinner Rex Sellers featured in the 1964 Calcutta Test) has an individual of Indian origin played for the national team.

Julian Quinones recreated Siphiwe Tshabalala’s iconic celebration after scoring the first goal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against South Africa on Thursday, bringing back memories of one of the most memorable moments of the 2010 edition of the tournament.

It was difficult to abandon symbolism. Sixteen years ago, it was South Africa’s Tshabalala who scored the first World Cup goal against Mexico and celebrated with a choreographed dance that became one of the defining images of the tournament. On Thursday at the Estadio Azteca, Quinones opened the scoring for Mexico against South Africa and celebrated the moment with the same celebration.

Tshabalala’s strike in Johannesburg on June 11, 2010 remains one of the most iconic goals in World Cup history. The South African winger thrilled the home crowd with a powerful shot into the top corner to give Bafana Bafana the lead against Mexico in their tournament opener.

“Tshabalala! Goal Bafana Bafana! Goal for South Africa! Goal for all of Africa! Jabulile! Celebrate!” Commentator Peter Drury famously said this as Tshabalala and his teammates celebrated.

Although Rafael Márquez saved a point for Mexico in a 1–1 draw, the goals and celebrations continued long after the final whistle.

In the opening match of the 2026 tournament, Mexico struck first. Quinones, playing in his first World Cup, took advantage of South Africa’s costly mistake in the ninth minute. Ronwen Williams’ pass put Sphelo Sithole under pressure near the edge of the penalty area and Mexico immediately regained possession, with Quinones passing the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs.

The forward then joined the same dance festival that Tshabalala had made famous 16 years earlier.

Mexico remained in control for most of the match and doubled their lead in the second half through Raul Jimenez. The experienced striker scored his first World Cup goal with a header from Roberto Alvarado’s cross.

South Africa’s task became more difficult after Sithole was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity early in the second half. Themba Zwane was later shown a red card Following a VAR review, Bafana Bafana were left with nine men for the closing stages.

The 2-0 win gave Javier Aguirre a winning start to Mexico’s domestic World Cup campaign, but one of the evening’s standout moments came soon after Quinones found the net.

Tshabalala’s first goal of the 2010 World Cup was against Mexico. Quinones’ first goal of the 2026 World Cup was against South Africa. The celebration was also the same.

FIFA World Cup | fifa world cup schedule | fifa world cup points table | football news

– ends

Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Ex-Cricbuzz)

Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar He believes Vaibhav Suryavanshi is proving that he is more than just a power-hitting T20 sensation after the 15-year-old impressed once again for India A in the ongoing tri-series in Sri Lanka.Suryavanshi caught everyone’s attention by playing a brilliant inning of 44 runs in just 22 balls against Afghanistan A on Thursday and continued his rapid rise after a successful IPL 2026 campaign. While the teenager missed out on a half-century, his innings drew praise for the way he scored runs rather than the last number next to his name.Unlike the batting-friendly surfaces often seen in the IPL, the conditions in Sri Lanka presented a different challenge. Yet Suryavanshi adapted impressively, relying on timing and placement as well as aggression. His innings included nine fours and came at a strike rate of 200, notably without hitting a single six.That performance drew a strong response from Manjrekar, who used the Ax to highlight the youngster’s versatility and potential in the longer white-ball format.“India A is in Sri Lanka, the pitch is not as flat as IPL and it is not T20 cricket. So to see Vaibhav Suryavanshi in different batting conditions. And I am excited!”He is not just your T20 slugger. That could even be a one day event! Special talent!” Manjrekar posted on X.

Sanjay Manjrekar Post

The former India batsman’s comments came after Suryavanshi provided a brilliant start to India A in the rain-affected match. Opening with Prabhsimran Singh, the left-handed batsman helped add 74 runs for the first wicket in just 7.1 overs, putting Afghanistan A under immediate pressure.Another aspect of Suryavanshi’s game also came to light in this innings. Rather than relying solely on brute force, he repeatedly found gaps with sharp strokes and well-timed drives, lending credence to the idea that his game could translate successfully beyond T20 cricket.His innings eventually ended on 44 when he attempted to loft a short ball from Abdullah Ahmadzai and found it past wicketkeeper Mohammad Ishaq. This was the second consecutive innings in which he had to be out on a short ball outside the off stump.Nevertheless, India A scored a strong score of 349 runs for 9 wickets in 49 overs. Prabhasimran scored the highest run of 84 runs while captain Tilak Verma and vice-captain Ruturaj Gaikwad Both scored 66 runs. After this, Suryansh Shedge gave the team the lead by playing a quick inning of 40 runs.Due to rain interruption throughout the day, Afghanistan A was given a revised target of 294 runs in 38 overs under the DLS method. Chasing aggressively, captain Imran Mir remained unbeaten on 75, while Bahir Shah contributed 51 not out, helping Afghanistan reach 177 for 2 in 25.5 overs, before play was halted due to rain.At that time, Afghanistan A was four runs ahead of the DLS par score, resulting in a four-run win after the match was abandoned.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 had just begun when fans got something completely unexpected to talk about. As football took center stage in Mexico City’s opening match between hosts Mexico and South Africa, Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio’s futuristic-looking headset quickly became one of the biggest talking points on social media.

Following a star-studded opening ceremony headlined by Shakira and Burna Boy at the iconic Estadio Azteca, the tournament officially began with a repeat of the 2010 World Cup. But within minutes of kick-off, many spectators were distracted by the unusual piece of equipment attached to Sampaio’s ear.

FIFA World Cup 2026: live update | full coverage

The device had a prominent over-ear attachment connected to the microphone system, giving the Brazilian official a distinctive futuristic appearance that many fans had never seen before during a World Cup broadcast.

Social media wasted little time in getting creative.

Some fans joked that the referee looked as if he was about to log into a virtual reality gaming session, while others compared the setup to an Xbox headset. However, the most popular comparison was to the iconic science-fiction character RoboCop, with countless memes appearing online within minutes of the match starting.

While the jokes continued to flow at the deadline, the match came to life almost immediately. Mexico forward Julin Quiones scored the first goal of the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the ninth minute, sending the packed Azteca crowd into celebration and officially tipping off the tournament.

With FIFA introducing a number of technological innovations for this expanded 48-team tournament, it remains to be seen whether the same equipment will be worn by officials during all 104 matches of the competition.

What is the equipment worn by World Cup referees?

Despite online speculation, the headset is not a camera or virtual reality device.

The equipment is a wireless referee communication system, called “RefCam” or “EarCam” (ref camera), which allows match officials to be in constant contact with the assistant referee, fourth officials and the video assistant referee (VAR) team.

The earpiece enables real-time communication during matches, allowing referees to instantly receive information about fouls, offsides, disciplinary decisions and potential VAR reviews.

While similar communication systems have been used in elite soccer for years, the design used during the World Cup opening appeared more visible than many fans would like, which helped trigger a wave of reactions online.

The headset is part of FIFA’s continuing effort to integrate technology into officiating while improving communication between match officials throughout the field.

What are the new technologies used in the World Cup 2026?

The futuristic referee headset seen during the opening match is just one part of FIFA’s biggest technological overhaul to date. With 104 matches spread across three countries, FIFA has leaned heavily on technology to improve officiating accuracy, enhance broadcasts and speed up decision-making throughout the tournament.

Some other big innovations in World Cup 2026 include:

• Smart Match Ball: The official match ball has an integrated motion sensor chip that records touches, passes and deflections up to 500 times per second, providing real-time data to match officials and VAR operators.
• Advanced semi-automatic offside technology: Each player was digitally scanned before the tournament, allowing the Hawk-Eye system to create highly detailed 3D body models accurate to within a millimeter or two for sharp offside calls.
• ref chest camera: While the headgear doesn’t record video, officers actually wear special chest-mounted cameras. The broadcast gives viewers an intimate, viewpoint-based perspective of the intense action and player interaction straight from pitch level.

The combination of smart-ball tracking, body scans and advanced communication systems is designed to help VAR teams make decisions more quickly and with greater accuracy.

FIFA World Cup | fifa world cup schedule | fifa world cup points table | football news

– ends

Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh, celebrating with teammates (AP Photo)

Bangladesh created history by securing their first ODI series win over Australia on Thursday, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match contest with a five-wicket win in the second match.The long rain interruption of about two and a half hours forced the officials to revise Bangladesh’s target under the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method. Chasing 192 in 41 overs, the hosts reached 195 for 5 with six overs remaining, ensuring that the series was theirs with a match still in hand. The final ODI is to be held at the same venue on Sunday.The result was based on another disciplined all-round performance from Bangladesh after a poor start by Australia’s batting lineup. The visitors lost their first three wickets without scoring any runs, putting them under immediate pressure.Only flexible half-century from marnus labuschagne And Xavier Bartlett helped Australia recover from the early collapse. Labuschagne remained unbeaten on 55, while Bartlett contributed 52 as Australia eventually scored 187 for 8 in the allotted 42 overs.Bangladesh made just one change from the team that had won the opening ODI by 86 runs via the DLS method, bringing in opener Soumya Sarkar. The move paid off as Sarkar scored 42 runs and formed an important partnership with Nazmul Hossain Shanto, who also scored 42 runs.After a poor start, Shanto took charge of the innings and along with Sarkar added 86 runs to help Bangladesh chase the target. Riley Meredith eventually broke the stand when Shanto was caught behind, giving the fast bowler his first ODI wicket in five years since his return to the format.Despite being in good shape, Bangladesh collapsed to 144 for 5 in the 27th over, giving Australia a ray of hope. However, Tauheed Hridoy and captain Mehdi Hasan Miraj dashed those hopes with an unbeaten 51-run partnership that took the hosts over the finish line. Hridayoy remained unbeaten after scoring 40 runs in 55 balls.There was a worrying moment at the end of the chase when a ball from Nathan Ellis hit Mehdi on the helmet. The Bangladesh captain fell on his knees on the field and started vomiting. Although he declined the offer of a stretcher and continued batting, Shanto later revealed that Mehdi was taken to hospital for observation after the match.Australia’s decision to bat first backfired dramatically. Matthew Short recorded his third consecutive ODI duck, while Cooper Connolly and Matthew Renshaw were also out without opening an account. This is only the fourth time in ODI history that a team has lost its first three wickets even before opening its account.Mustafizur Rahman And Taskin Ahmed was the chief architect of Australia’s downfall. Both fast bowlers took three wickets each, Mustafizur took 3 wickets for 27 runs and Taskin took 3 wickets for 33 runs. Mustafizur also dismissed Alex Carey, who was caught at point.Things got worse for Australia when captain Josh Inglis was out at deep cover, leaving the visitors struggling at 68 for 5.Labuschagne, batting at number seven, started recovery along with Bartlett. The pair added 103 runs for the sixth wicket and allowed Australia to bowl at a very low score. Labuschagne’s innings was particularly significant as it was his first ODI half-century in 14 innings. He also got an early reprieve when Tanvir Islam missed the stumps in a run-out attempt with the batsman on just one run.Ultimately, however, Bangladesh’s batting depth and composure under pressure proved decisive as they achieved a historic ODI series win over Australia.

Somalia official Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been selected to referee at next month’s UEFA Super Cup, just weeks after their planned participation in the FIFA World Cup was derailed due to travel issues. The 34-year-old was originally included in FIFA’s list of match officials for the World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19. But he was unable to attend after being refused entry In the United States despite having a valid visa.

UEFA announced on Thursday that Arton’s appointment follows consultation with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and is part of a wider cooperation agreement recently established between the two organisations. Arton will take charge of the Super Cup clash in Hamburg on August 12, where UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain face Europa League champions Aston Villa.

“UEFA has today appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, which will take place on 12 August in Hamburg between UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and UEFA Europa League winners Aston Villa FC.”

“Despite his young age, Artan has established himself as one of the world’s top referees and has been on the FIFA international list since 2018. Among the most notable matches he officiated is the second leg of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League Final. In recognition of his performances, he received the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award 2025,” the UEFA statement said.

UEFA president Aleksandar Ceferin said he wanted to show his respect for Artan after the latest fiasco and praised him as an excellent referee.

“Omar Artan is an outstanding young but already experienced referee, who has proven himself at the highest competition level of the Confederation of African Football. Football is designed to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect for Omar and his excellent officiating skills, which earned him such a prestigious nomination. I am grateful to my friend CAF President Patrice Motsepe for enthusiastically supporting our initiative,” Ceferin said.

Ayrton received a hero’s welcome upon returning home

Somalia welcomed Artan as a hero He returned home from the United States after being denied entry to the World Cup. The 34-year-old player said he is hopeful of making it to the 2030 World Cup after the overwhelming welcome he received back home.

FIFA World Cup | fifa world cup schedule | fifa world cup points table | football news

– ends

Mumbai: Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag He underwent successful shoulder surgery at a hospital here on Thursday. The surgery was performed at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, who has operated on many top cricketers and sportspersons. Pardiwala is a consultant orthopedic surgeon. bcci.“Well, the shoulder won at last! For anyone who was asking, the surgery is done and well. The last two years have tested me in ways I never expected. There were good days, disappointing days, and days when just getting through the game was a challenge. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now comes a different challenge – recovery, rehab and patience. I will soon be back to doing what I love. “See you on the other side,” Parag posted on Instagram on Saturday along with his post-surgery picture. Parag is now expected to be out of action for a significant period of time, and is likely to miss the majority of the 2026–27 season, focusing on his recovery and rehab. Parag was initially named as the vice-captain for the India A team for the 50-over tri-series featuring Afghanistan A and hosts Sri Lanka A, but was replaced by Ruturaj Gaikwad after he was ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Parag’s rehabilitation will be managed by the BCCI Center of Excellence in Bengaluru.Parag had to miss a few matches in IPL-2026 due to shoulder and hamstring injuries, in which he scored 309 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 23.76 with two fifties at 157.65 as he led Rajasthan Royals to the playoffs. The batting all-rounder has played one ODI (15 runs @ 15.00) and nine T20Is (106 runs @ 17.66) for India in 2024. The 24-year-old Assam captain was embroiled in controversy during IPL-2026 when he was caught on camera vaping in the dressing room and was fined and warned by the BCCI.