![Rohit Sharma and England Women squad [Source: @mufaddal_vohra, @englandcricket/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1755794015237_rohit_sharma.jpg?type=mq)
Rohit Sharma and England Women squad [Source: @mufaddal_vohra, @englandcricket/x]
Indian captain Rohit Sharma will reportedly face Australia A to prepare for the ODI series against Australia. Ajinkya Rahane has stepped down as Mumbai captain ahead of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season. In other news, the ECB has unveiled the England Women squad for the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup.
Capping an eventful day in the world of cricket, here we take a look at five of the biggest cricketing news that emerged out of Thursday, August 21.
Rohit Sharma To Play IND A vs AUS A Series: Report
Indian captain Rohit Sharma has reportedly expressed his willingness to play India A’s unofficial ODI series against Australia A later this year, as reported by RevSportz. The legendary Indian opener has not played a single ODI for Team India since the conclusion of the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in the UAE. Since Rohit Sharma has already retired from Test cricket, he has also not played any competitive cricket since IPL 2025. The series between India A and Australia A will serve as a precursor for Rohit Sharma and other players before India’s white-ball tour of Australia in October.
Rahane Steps Down As Mumbai Captain Before Ranji Trophy
Forgotten Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane has stepped down as Mumbai captain ahead of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season. The cricketer confirmed the same through an emotional social media post. Rahane stated that he will continue to serve Mumbai as a batter, and it was time for the cricket club to groom a new captain for the future. Under the leadership of Rahane, the Mumbai team won the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 title by defeating Vidarbha in the final. They also won the Irani Cup 2024-25 by defeating the Rest of India team.
BCCI Extends Ajit Agarkar’s Contract
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) extended Ajit Agarkar’s contract as the chairman of selectors up until June 2026. Agarkar was appointed as the chairman back in June 2023 and during his tenure, Team India reached the final of the 2023 World Cup at home and won the 2024 T20 World Cup and 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in West Indies and UAE respectively.
As reported by the Indian Express, a BCCI official stated that the board has extended Agarkar’s contract, citing the former Indian cricketer has overseen the team’s transition in Tests and T20Is.
Mohammad Rizwan Replaces Farooqi In CPL 2025
Pakistan ODI captain Mohammad Rizwan has replaced Afghanistan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi in the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots franchise for the remainder of the CPL 2025 season. Farooqi, who has played four matches this season for the Patriots, is scheduled to link up with the Afghanistan team ahead of their tri-series and the 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup, both set to be played in the UAE.
Rizwan, however, is not in Pakistan’s T20I scheme of things at the moment as the senior batter was recently excluded from the ‘Men in Green’ squad for the continental event.
Heather Knight Returns, Brunt To Lead ENG In Women’s WC 2025
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has unveiled England Women’s 15-player squad for the upcoming 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Former captain Heather Knight is making her return to the team after recovering from the tendon injury she suffered earlier this year. Nat Sciver-Brunt will continue to lead the national side and she will be accompanied by the likes of fellow star attractions like Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, ace spinner, Sophie Ecclestone, prolific batter Tammy Beaumont and premier fast bowler Lauren Bell among others.
