Sahibzada Nominated, Abhishek To Lead SRH And Sodhi Out- March 16 Cricket Highlights

Sahibzada Farhan and Abhishek Sharma [Source: AFP, @IPL2025Auction/x]

Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan has been nominated by the ICC for the ICC Player of the Month award for February. Abhishek Sharma is tipped to lead the SRH franchise in IPL 2026 in the absence of regular captain Pat Cummins. In other news, Ish Sodhi has been ruled out of the remainder of New Zealand’s home T20I series against South Africa.

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 Monday, March 16.

Simarjeet Singh likely to replace Harshit Rana in KKR

Uncapped India fast bowler Simarjeet Singh will likely replace injured Harshit Rana in the KKR franchise for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. As per reports, Simarjeet impressed one-and-all during KKR’s pace bowling trials and has emerged as the leading contender to join the squad. The 28-year-old Delhi speedster has so far played 14 IPL matches for CSK and SRH franchises since the 2022 edition of the tournament.

Earlier this month, Harshit was ruled out of the upcoming IPL 2026 season owing to a knee injury he sustained during the initial phase of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Ish Sodhi ruled out of T20I series against South Africa

Experienced New Zealand spinner Ish Sodhi has sustained a thumb injury, and has been ruled out of the remainder of his team’s five-match T20I series against South Africa. Notably, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is yet to announce Sodhi’s replacement, since senior fast bowler Lockie Ferguson is already in line to join the national squad for the second and third T20Is in Hamilton and Auckland respectively.

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Sodhi recently went wicketless for New Zealand in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Sahibzada Farhan, Fatima Sana among Pakistanis nominated by ICC

The ICC has unveiled nominations for the ICC Player of the Month award for the month of February 2026 under both men and women’s categories. Under the men’s category, the ICC picked England all-rounder Will Jacks, Pakistan run machine Sahibzada Farhan and USA fast bowler Shadley van Schalkwyk for their splendid show at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

The apex body also picked Pakistan Women’s all-rounder Fatima Sana for her impressive series against South Africa, as well as Sri Lanka’s top-order batter Harshitha Samarawickrama and Indian fast bowler Arundhati Reddy under the women’s category.

Abhishek Sharma to lead SRH in Pat Cummins’ absence in IPL 2026: Report

Australian captain and legendary fast bowler Pat Cummins is set to miss the initial stage of the upcoming IPL 2026 season as he is yet to fully recover from his injury. As per reports, explosive Indian opener Abhishek Sharma will be leading the SRH franchise in Cummins’ absence.

Cummins is currently recovering and remains away from competitive cricket. He also missed the entire 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka while representing Australia. His exact return date for SRH is yet to be determined.

The SRH franchise will face defending champions RCB in the opening match of IPL 2026 on March 28 later this month.

Spencer Johnson pulls out of PSL 2026 for Quetta Gladiators

Australia fast bowler Spencer Johnson has opted out of the upcoming PSL 2026 season. The speedster was signed in to play for the Quetta Gladiators in the tournament. His late exit has prompted the Gladiators to pick West Indies speedster Alzarri Joseph as a replacement.

Johnson, who represented the KKR franchise in IPL last year in his previous outing in competitive cricket, stated that he is leaving PSL 2026 owing to ‘personal reasons’.

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