Shubman Gill Returns, Rohit Sharma Backed- August 9 Cricket Highlights

Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma [Source: AFP]

Shubman Gill returned to bat for India after recovering from his finger injury. In other news, Rohit Sharma has now been backed by Ajinkya Rahane amid World Cup 2027 rumours. 

Capping an eventful day in the world of cricket, here we take a look at five of the biggest cricketing news stories that emerged on Sunday, August 9. 

Sarfaraz Khan recalled for India tour of Sri Lanka

The BCCI has recalled Sarfaraz Khan into the Indian team for the upcoming two-match Test tour of Sri Lanka. The middle-order batter was selected in India squad as an official replacement for Sai Sudharsan.

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Earlier this week, Sudharsan was ruled out of the series against Sri Lanka owing to his toe injury, prompting the selection committee to hand Sarfaraz his comeback for the first time since late 2024.

Mohammed Siraj fires India to big win vs SLC XI

Team India defeated Sri Lanka Cricket XI by six wickets on the final day of their three-day warm-up match at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo. Gurnoor Brar and Ravindra Jadeja picked up two wickets each on Day 3 to set India a target of 207. 

Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a brisk half-century at the top of the order, while Mohammed Siraj blasted 32* runs off just 15 balls to notch up the winning runs for the visitors. 

Ajinkya Rahane backs Rohit Sharma to play 2027 World Cup 

Former Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has backed Rohit Sharma to play for Team India up until the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in South Africa next year. In an interview, Rahane said that a player of Rohit’s calibre and experience will prove vital for India at the multi-nation ODI event. 

Rahane’s comments occurred amid growing rumours and debates on whether Rohit should be included in India’s World Cup plans or not.

KKR’s Sarthak Ranjan stars in DPL 2026 for North Delhi Strikers

KKR star Sarthak Ranjan smashed 65 runs off just 43 balls in match number 18 of the DPL 2026 season. Opening the innings for the North Delhi Strikers in a chase of 162 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the cricketer launched three fours and five huge sixes in his innings.

Ranjan’s thunderous knock helped the North Delhi Strikers defeat the New Delhi Tigers by seven wickets and five balls to spare.

Shubman Gill returns after finger injury in Sri Lanka

Indian captain Shubman Gill made his return to bat for his side on the final day of their three-day warm-up match against SLC XI in Colombo. It is worth noting that the senior Indian batter had sustained a finger injury during a training session a few days ago.

Opting himself out of India’s first innings, Gill resumed batting in the nets before returning to action during the run chase. 

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