The world of cricket is in a constant state of flux, but the last few weeks have felt particularly seismic. From geopolitical tensions spilling onto the pitch and dramatic administrative standoffs to historic victories and major leadership changes, the sport is navigating a period of profound transition. If you’re looking to get up to speed on the biggest stories shaping the game, here are the ten definitive highlights from a turbulent and transformative period in global cricket.
1. A World Cup Clash, A Missing Handshake, and a Political Storm
The much-anticipated(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/icc-women-world-cup/handshake-drama-continues-harmanpreet-kaur-ignores-pakistan-captain-at-toss-at-womens-world-cup/articleshow/124318657.cms) was overshadowed by a moment of political theater. At the toss, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur and her Pakistani counterpart, Fatima Sana, deliberately skipped the traditional pre-match handshake. This wasn’t a spontaneous decision but a calculated gesture stemming from a
dispute during the men’s Asia Cup final that had soured relations between the two nation’s cricket boards. The incident confirms that the deep-seated political tensions, long a feature of the men’s game, have now formally arrived in the women’s arena.
2. The Dawn of a New Era: Shubman Gill is India’s New ODI Captain
In a clear signal of a generational shift, the BCCI(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-australia/rohit-sharma-gave-india-16-years-but-shubman-gills-captaincy-role-sparks-questions/articleshow/124315239.cms). The move marks the end of Sharma’s successful tenure and anoints Gill as the leader to build a team for the 2027 World Cup. The decision follows Sharma’s retirement from T20s in 2024 and(
https://zeenews.india.com/photos/sports/7-indian-cricketers-who-retired-in-2025-virat-kohli-rohit-sharma-in-test-to-cheteshwar-pujara-in-all-formats-check-full-list-2956534). While the timing has been debated, it reflects a proactive, long-term strategy from the selectors to give the new captain ample time to grow into the role.
3. A Perfect Start: India Dominates West Indies in WTC Opener
India kicked off their 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) campaign with a statement victory,(https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/icc-wtc-points-table-2025-27-updated-icc-world-test-championship-standings-after-india-vs-west-indies-1st-test-10287802/). The win in Ahmedabad on October 4 was built on a dominant team performance, featuring a second home Test century for KL Rahul, a maiden hundred for wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, and a masterful all-round display from(
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAQJ6AkwgfY). The victory provides a crucial 12 points, boosting India’s standing in the WTC table and reinforcing their strategy of maximizing points in home conditions.
| Pos. | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Drawn | Points | PCT |
| 1 | Australia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 100.00 |
| 2 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 66.67 |
| 3 | India | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 40 | 55.56 |
| 4 | England | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 32 | 43.33 |
| 5 | Bangladesh | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 16.67 |
| 6 | West Indies | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| – | New Zealand | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| – | Pakistan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| – | South Africa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
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Table reflects standings after the India vs West Indies 1st Test on October 4, 2025.
4. A Landmark Victory for Bangladesh Women
In one of the tournament’s biggest stories, the(https://feeds.bbci.co.uk/sport/cricket) in the World Cup on October 3. This was only Bangladesh’s second-ever win in the history of the Women’s World Cup, a landmark achievement that signals the growing competitiveness of the women’s international game. A disciplined bowling effort saw Pakistan bundled out for just 129, a total chased down with ease thanks to a calm debut half-century from Rubya Haider Jhilik.
5. A New T20 King: Abhishek Sharma Shatters Batting Records
On October 1, India’s Abhishek Sharma officially became the(https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/abhishek-sharma-sets-new-icc-t20i-batting-record-asia-cup-2796223-2025-10-01), and he did it in style. After a sensational Player of the Series performance at the Asia Cup, Sharma surged to a record 931 rating points, the highest ever achieved in the format. His success is seen as the ultimate validation of India’s new, ultra-aggressive T20I strategy, where he has been the chief architect at the top of the order.
6. The Case of the Missing Trophy
India’s victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup final was marred by an unprecedented administrative failure. The Indian team(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/asia-cup/bcci-demands-asia-cup-trophy-during-heated-acc-meet-chair-mohsin-naqvi-beats-around-bush/articleshow/124237160.cms) after the ACC chair, who is also the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board, reportedly left with it. A subsequent and heated Asian Cricket Council meeting on September 30 failed to resolve the standoff, exposing a deep and dysfunctional rift in the continent’s cricket governance.
7. England’s “Mr. Consistency” Calls It a Day
Chris Woakes, a key member of England’s 2019 World Cup-winning team and a veteran of 62 Tests,(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/the-man-who-came-to-bat-with-broken-arm-against-india-chris-woakes-retires-from-international-cricket/articleshow/124213549.cms). The 36-year-old’s decision came after it was made clear he was no longer in the team’s future plans. His departure highlights the ruthless, forward-looking selection policy that has defined the current England management, prioritizing squad regeneration over sentiment for past service.
8. A New Champion in English County Cricket
After a 15-year wait,(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_County_Championship), ending Surrey’s three-year dominance. The final round of matches, which concluded on September 27, was filled with drama. While Nottinghamshire celebrated, Hampshire suffered a heartbreaking relegation to Division Two, a fate sealed not just by an on-field loss but also by a
crippling eight-point deduction for a pitch regulations breach.
9. Knight Riders Reign Supreme in the Caribbean
The Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) cemented their status as a T20 dynasty by(https://www.mykhel.com/cricket/caribbean-premier-league-2025-schedule-results-s9804/). Their victory over the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the final is another powerful validation of the global Knight Riders franchise model. By sharing resources, data, and a vast scouting network across their teams in India, the USA, and the Caribbean, they have built a system of sustained success that is the envy of the T20 world.
10. Turmoil in the USA: A Governance Crisis Threatens Growth
Just as cricket is gaining a foothold in the United States, a major governance crisis has erupted. On September 18, the commercial operators of Major League Cricket (MLC)(https://www.majorleaguecricket.com/). This public and acrimonious dispute between the sport’s commercial and administrative arms creates instability that could threaten investment and derail growth in what is considered cricket’s most important emerging market, especially with the country set to co-host the 2026 T20 World Cup.
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