India Defeat, Ravi Ashwin Out And Zimbabwe’s Win- July 9 Cricket Highlights

Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson [Source: AFP]

Team India suffered a shambolic defeat in the fourth T20I to concede the five-match series to England. Ravichandran Ashwin has been ruled out of the remainder of the MLC 2026 season. In other news, Zimbabwe beat Bangladesh to win the ODI series.

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, July 9. 

Ben Curran, Richard Ngarava stun Bangladesh, win it for Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe stunned Bangladesh by 13 runs in Harare in the second T20I to seal their three-match series with a game to spare. Opening batter Ben Curran composed an unbeaten 111* and Brad Evans blasted 58* off just 38 balls to push the Zimbabwe total from 66-4 to a competitive 247-6 in 50 overs.

In response, Bangladesh bundled out for just 234 despite featuring half-centuries from Tanzid Hasan and Towhid Hridoy. Zimbabwe captain Richard Ngarava picked up three wickets in the innings to lead his team’s thrilling victory. 

Sanju Samson opts of from KCL 2026

Blistering Indian opener Sanju Samson has opted out of the upcoming third edition of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL). The cricketer will not be participating in KCL 2026 season owing to personal reasons, as confirmed by league’s governing council chairman Nazar Machan.

Also Read- Sanju Samson Not Alone! Players India Can Drop From Asian Games 2026 Squad

Samson was also not retained by the Kochi Blue Tigers franchise ahead of the KCL 2026 auction. 

Ravi Ashwin ruled out of MLC 2026 for San Francisco Unicorns

Ravichandran Ashwin has been ruled out of the remainder of the MLC 2026 season for the San Francisco Unicorns franchise in the USA. The legendary all-rounder has been replaced by former Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle.

Ashwin played just one match this season, doing so against the Texas Super Kings a couple of weeks ago. He has now sustained an injury on his right knee, thus forcing him to leave the tournament. 

Parvez Hossain Emon replaces Litton Das in ZIM ODIs

Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Litton Das has been ruled out of the national squad for the remainder of Bangladesh’s ongoing ODI series against Zimbabwe. The cricketer also missed the second ODI of the series in Harare as he will continue to undergo his rehab in Dhaka.

Das has now been replaced by fellow Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Parvez Hossain Emon. Making his return to the national side, the 24-year-old did not make it to the playing XI in Bangladesh’s second ODI. 

Shreyas Iyer-led India go 0-3 down to England

England walloped India by nine wickets in just 13.5 overs to win the fourth T20I in Bristol and take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. Shreyas Iyer, who scored a fighting 49-ball 80* in the game, has now become the first Indian skipper in history to lose a T20I series in England.

Also Read- England Great Shames Shreyas Iyer’s India, Recalls Rohit Sharma Heroics