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Digvesh Rathi, who sent Naman Dhir off with a "writing in the notebook" celebration in the IPL 2025 match between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Mumbai Indians (MI) on Friday night in Lucknow, has been fined 50% of his match fee and given two demerit points. His captain Rishabh Pant, meanwhile, was fined INR 12 lakh for his team's slow over rate in the game, which LSG won by 12 runs.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the schedule for India's men's home season for 2025, featuring high-profile series against the West Indies and South Africa across all formats.

India will first host the West Indies for a two-match Test series. The series will begin in Ahmedabad on October 2, with the second Test scheduled for Kolkata from October 14.

Following the West Indies series, India will welcome South Africa for an all-format tour comprising two Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is.

The Test series will mark a historic occasion, as Guwahati is set to host its first-ever Test match. The series opener will take place in New Delhi on November 14, while Guwahati will stage the second Test from November 22.

The ODI series between India and South Africa will be held in Ranchi, Raipur, and Visakhapatnam from November 30 to December 6.

This will be followed by a five-match T20I series, scheduled from December 9 to December 19, with matches taking place in Cuttack, Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Lucknow, and Ahmedabad.

India's 2025 home schedule:

India v West Indies

1st Test - 2nd Oct - 6th Oct, Ahmedabad
2nd Test - 10th Oct - 14th Oct, Kolkata
India v South Africa

1st Test - 14th Nov - 18th Nov, New Delhi
2nd Test - 22nd Nov - 26th Nov, Guwahati
1st ODI - 30th Nov, Ranchi
2nd ODI - 3rd Dec, Raipur
3rd ODI - 6th Dec, Vizag
1st T20I - 9th Dec, Cuttack
2nd T20I - 11th Dec, New Chandigarh
3rd T20I - 14th Dec, Dharamsala
4th T20I - 17th Dec, Lucknow
5th T20I - 19th Dec, Ahmedabad
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New Zealand 344 for 9 (Chapman 132, Mitchell 76, Abbas 52, Irfan 3-51) beat Pakistan 271 (Babar 78, Agha 58, Smith 4-60) by 73 runs

Mark Chapman inflicted misery upon his favourite opponents once more, a career-best 132 off 111 balls helping New Zealand to a 73-run victory in Napier. A strong start from Pakistan's bowlers came undone by a 199-run fourth wicket partnership between Chapman and Daryl Mitchell, whose grittier 76 came in the slipstream of Chapman's more regal knock. It was topped off by a cameo from Pakistan-born New Zealand debutant Muhammad Abbas, who scored the quickest 50 on debut in ODI history, taking 24-balls to get there as the hosts posted 344.

Pakistan's response for large periods suggested they were well on course for victory. Fifties from Babar Azam and Salman Agha put Pakistan in pole position before Pakistan collapsed from 249 for 3 to 271 all out, losing three wickets for four runs as New Zealand turned the tables to seal a victory that was, for long periods, less comfortable than the final scorecard.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) have announced that they have inked a five-year destination support agreement with Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub (ADCSH), making Abu Dhabi, UAE, their home venue for the next five years.

Due to the political situation in Afghanistan, ACB cannot host international games at home and, as a result, have had to offer alternative destinations for touring teams to play bilateral series they are scheduled to host.

Afghanistan has previously hosted teams in India's Dehradun, Lucknow, and Greater Noida, as well as in the UAE.

Following discussions between ACB and ADCSH, it was announced that Abu Dhabi, UAE, will host all ACB training camps and all Afghanistan A and national age-group matches. Additionally, the ACB and Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) will collaborate to facilitate Afghanistan's use of UAE venues for hosting senior men's bilateral matches.

ACB chief executive Naseeb Khan expressed his appreciation for Abu Dhabi and the UAE's unwavering support.

"Very excited to be entering a fruitful partnership with the ADCSH, which will allow us to utilize all the premium facilities available in this destination for the development of our age-group cricket. Abu Dhabi confirmed as our second home marks another turning point for Afghanistan cricket," said Naseeb in a statement.

"The UAE has been instrumental in providing us with a platform to compete at the highest level, and I would like to thank the Emirates Cricket Board and all the venues for their continued support. The opportunity to now focus on Abu Dhabi as our training base and our home for age-group participation will allow us to elevate Afghanistan's sporting success and build a strong national future for the game of cricket in our country," he added.

ADCSH chief executive Matt Boucher said that the agreement is closely aligned with Abu Dhabi's overall vision of fostering a diversity of talent across all levels.

"Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub is honoured to provide a world-class home for Afghanistan cricket. Our facilities have already welcomed the world's best players, and this agreement strengthens our strong commitment to nurturing global sporting and cricket talent

Top-order batter Ishan Kishan hammered his first century in the Indian Premier League on Sunday as he powered Sunrisers Hyderabad to a mammoth 286-6 and a 44-run win over Rajasthan Royals.

The Indian cricket team won the T20 World Cup and the Champions Trophy title in the last year but their form in red-ball cricket has been less than satisfying. The side, that slumped to series losses against New Zealand and Australia, will next take on England in a much-anticipated five-match series. England has been a tricky place for India with travel and although the teams are evenly matched on paper, England batter Ben Duckett believes that the hosts will easily emerge victorious.

"India at home is very different to India away. It's a side I feel we should beat and we can beat. It'll be a good series," Duckett said to Mail Sport.

Duckett even opened up about the challenge of facing star India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and said that although it will be tough, there is nothing from Bumrah that will surprise him.

"I've faced him in a five-Test series before. I know what he's going to do to me, and the good thing about that is I know what skills he has," said Duckett. "There's going to be nothing that surprises me. It's going to be challenging, and the red-ball skills of Mohammed Shami are just as threatening as Bumrah. But if I can get through that opening spell, I feel there are runs to be had," he said.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene did not give a time frame for Jasprit Bumrah's return to competitive cricket, and said the pace spearhead's absence will be a massive “challenge” for his side in the IPL 2025.
Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene did not give a time frame for Jasprit Bumrah's return to competitive cricket and said the pace spearhead's absence will be a massive “challenge” for his side in the IPL 2025. At the moment it is going well, the progress is on a day-to-day basis,” said Jayawardene during MI's pre-season press meet here on Wednesday..

Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene did not give a time frame for Jasprit Bumrah's return to competitive cricket and said the pace spearhead's absence will be a massive “challenge” for his side in the IPL 2025.At the moment it is going well, the progress is on a day-to-day basis,” said Jayawardene during MI's pre-season press meet here on Wednesday.

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Pakistan’s right-arm speedster Haris Rauf added another feather to his cap as he completed 200 international wickets during the third T20I against New Zealand here at Eden Park on Friday.

Haris achieved the milestone when he dismissed New Zealand captain Michael Bracewell in the penultimate over and thus became the 24th Pakistani to complete 200 wickets in international cricket.