The big news: Huge blow for Kiwis before start of play

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the second Test against India in Kolkata with a viral illness. Ross Taylor will take over the captaincy in his absence. Williamson is reportedly has a fever and is suffering from dehydration. He is under quarantine and was not a part of the practice session on Thursday.

This is a stunning blow given Williamson’s ability to play spin. Nicholls is the likely candidate to bat at No. 3 for the Kiwis. India are looking for a win for two reasons: the series victory and the No. 1 spot in the team Test rankings.

Other top stories

  1. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to chair a special general meeting on Friday in Mumbai. After the Supreme Court came down heavily on the board, warning them to "fall in line" and implement the Lodha Committee's recommendations, the board's defiance seems to be coming to an abrupt end.
  2. India's Test captain Virat Kohli said that the team had discussed the contentious Decision Review System and looked forward to the technology's introduction in Indian cricket in the future. "We have had discussions on this. Certainly, we will look to introduce it in future. We won't take decisions too hard because we, in the first place, decided that we will not use DRS," Kohli said on Thursday.
  3. Selectors Gagan Khoda and Jatin Paranjpe are likely to be sacked a week after their appointment by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. The current five-member selection panel will be trimmed to three, as requested by the Supreme Court-appointed Justice Lodha committee, at the BCCI's Special General Meeting on Friday.
  4. Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc is eyeing an October return after a freak accident, which happened during a training session earlier this month. Starc had to get 30 stitches for the same. The 26-year-old will hope to be fit before the season, which begins with a series against South Africa.
  5. Australia will take on South Africa in the first One-Day International at Centurion. With AB de Villiers out of action owing to injury, Faf du Plessis will take charge as captain. With both teams coming into the match with huge wins over Ireland, one is set to witness another blockbuster between two top teams.
  6. After sweeping the T20 series 3-0, Pakistan will look to continue their good run against the West Indies in the first One-Day International at Sharjah on Friday.
  7. Zimbabwe Cricket has announced that they will play host to Sri Lanka for two Tests followed by a One-Day tri-series that will also involve West Indies. The two Tests will be played from October 29 and November 6, and the tri-series will begin on November 14.