![Shreyas Iyer and Steve Smith [Source: @Aspirant_9457, @ImTanujSingh/x]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1767714281565_shreyas_iyer.jpg?type=hq)
Shreyas Iyer and Steve Smith [Source: @Aspirant_9457, @ImTanujSingh/x]
Shreyas Iyer punched out a sizzling match-winning knock on his return to competitive cricket. His national teammate Shubman Gill, however, failed to get going for Punjab ahead of India’s three-match home ODI series. Legendary Australian batter Steve Smith scaled a huge Test batting record by going past former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid.
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 Tuesday, January 6.
Shreyas Iyer makes instant impact on return, Mumbai reaches VHT knockouts
Senior Indian batter Shreyas Iyer made instant impact on his comeback from injury, cracking 82 runs from just 53 balls against Himachal Pradesh in Mumbai’s Elite Group C match of the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy season.
Clattering 10 fours and three huge sixes in the innings, Iyer’s knock also placed him in good stead amidst recovery and ahead of India’s three-match home ODI series against New Zealand.
Shreyas Iyer’s innings, coupled with Musheer Khan’s all-round show helped Mumbai clinch a seven-run win and qualify for the knockouts of the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Steve Smith surpasses Rahul Dravid with stunning Ashes ton
Steve Smith charted his 37th Test century by scoring 129* from 205 balls against England on Day 3 of the fifth Test of the 2025-26 Ashes series at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Through the course of his knock, Smith also surpassed former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid to become the sixth highest century-maker in the history of Tests. Travis Head also blasted a near run-a-ball 163 as Australia reached 518-7 from 124 overs by stumps on Day 3 to take a strong lead of 134 runs.
Dasun Shanaka to lead Sri Lanka in Pakistan T20I series
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has named Sri Lanka’s 18-player squad for the upcoming three-match home T20I series against Pakistan. The series will serve as a crucial dress rehearsal for both sides ahead of next month’s 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Dasun Shanaka is set to continue as Sri Lanka captain after leading the side in Pakistan a few weeks ago.
The team also features several other star performers like Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana among others.
Josh Hazlewood set for BBL return ahead of T20 World Cup
Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will be making his return for the Sydney Sixers team for the remainder of the ongoing 2025-26 BBL season. The speedster has been out of cricketing action for the past two months owing to an injury, having missed the entirety of the 2025-26 Ashes series at home.
Roughly a month remaining for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, Josh Hazlewood’s impending Sixers return marks a huge positive update for Australian fans, as well as for RCB zealots before IPL 2026.
Shubman Gill flops in VHT ahead of New Zealand ODIs
Indian ODI captain Shubman Gill flopped on his big List A return for the Punjab cricket team in their 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Goa in Jaipur. Opening the innings for Punjab in a chase of 212, Gill was dismissed for just 11 from 12 balls by Goa’s Vasuki Koushik.
Shubman Gill’s latest batting failure occurred mere days after he was dropped from Team India’s T20I squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
The seasoned opening batter is set to lead the Indian team in the upcoming three-match home ODI series against New Zealand.
