What's happened
South Africa secured a rare Test series win in India, defeating the hosts 2-0 with a dominant performance. Meanwhile, the IPL is preparing for its 2026 season, with key players like Maxwell stepping away. The ICC announced a 20-team tournament across India and Sri Lanka starting February 2026, featuring new formats and venues.
What's behind the headline?
The recent Test series victory by South Africa signals a shift in the traditional power dynamics of cricket, as they overcame India on their home turf. This win, only their second in India since 2000, underscores the resilience and skill of the South African team, especially their spin bowling attack led by Maharaj and Harmer. Meanwhile, the IPL's evolving landscape, with players like Maxwell leaving and new talent emerging, reflects the league's commercial strength and its role in shaping cricket careers. The ICC's announcement of a 20-team tournament across India and Sri Lanka demonstrates the sport's global ambitions, but also highlights geopolitical tensions, notably Pakistan's exclusive matches in Sri Lanka due to political issues with India. The tournament's format and venue decisions will likely influence team strategies and fan engagement, with implications for the sport's future development.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports on South Africa's historic Test series win, emphasizing their rare success in India and the significance of Harmer and Maharaj’s performances. The same source details the IPL's player movements, including Maxwell's departure and the upcoming auction. Additionally, Al Jazeera covers the ICC's tournament plans, highlighting the division of venues and political considerations, especially Pakistan's matches in Sri Lanka. AP News provides a detailed breakdown of the tournament structure, groupings, and venues, emphasizing the logistical complexity and the impact of geopolitical tensions. The Scotsman offers insights into cricket's financial landscape, noting Kohli's status as the highest-paid cricketer and the league's lucrative nature, which influences player earnings and career choices. The contrasting perspectives between the sources reveal cricket's evolving competitive, commercial, and geopolitical dimensions, illustrating how the sport navigates these intersecting forces.
How we got here
South Africa's recent Test series victory in India marks only their second series win in the country since 2000, highlighting a significant achievement in international cricket. The IPL continues to attract top talent, with notable players like Maxwell reflecting on their careers and future plans. The upcoming ICC tournament expands the global cricket calendar, with new teams and venues, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting team participation.
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More on these topics
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The International Cricket Council is the world governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from Australia, England and South Africa.
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Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the world's fifth-most populous country with a population exceeding 212.2 million. It is the 33rd-largest country by area, spanning 881,913 square kilometres.
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India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the second-most populous country, the seventh-largest country by land area, and the most populous democracy in the world.