Latest Cricket News and Analyses: What is to Come for Cricketing Fans in 2026?
Published - 17 Dec 2025, 02:17 PM | Updated - 17 Dec 2025, 02:28 PM
If you are a fan of sports, chances are your go to one is a highly popular one. It is a team ball sport like football (association or NFL) or basketball. You may prefer tennis, or if you are a fan of motorsports, Formula 1 and MotoGP racing. Are you into combat sports and MMA? Well, UFC is there as the best promotion in the world. If you enjoy winter and all the activities it brings, Alpine skiing. Sumo wrestling? Golf? The list goes on. However, all of these sports, at least at the highest level, which is the most popular to watch and bet on, have their offseasons. These dry spells are a fan and bettor’s worst nightmare. No matches to watch, no athletes to break records, nothing.
What if we told you that there is a sport that seldom has a period without competitive play? Cricket, despite being typically associated with South East Asia and the British Commonwealth countries, is actually a global sport. Since it is still on the rise and expanding, some of the best players play for multiple teams during different parts of the year. The best thing about being a cricketing fan has to deal with the continuity of leagues and tournaments. When one big domestic league finishes, another one starts. When that one is over, there is yet one more. And so on, the yearly calendar goes on and on. Sometimes, they overlap, but that only means more games to enjoy.
Between India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the Caribbean, and even the USA and the UAE lately, there is no shortage of action. Read on to check out the latest news from the cricketing world, review the sports betting markets online, and analyze what is to come in the sport in 2026. It will be a big year for the sport, but there is also so much more left in 2025 worth paying close attention to.
The Latest Cricket News
December has been rather interesting for the entire sport, so with that in mind, here are some of the key news items that are important for every fan to know about. They deal with the most important players and matchups, so those who actively participate in online cricket betting will also benefit from this information.
Rohit Sharma crosses 20,000 international runs
On 6 December 2025, Rohit Sharma became the fourth Indian cricketer to surpass 20,000 runs in men’s international cricket (across all formats). In doing so, he joined his fellow legends and countrymen Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rahul Dravid. What a group! This milestone confirms and cements Rohit’s longevity and consistency across formats over his long and storied career.
The passing of legendary Robin Smith
On 1 December 2025, former England batter Robin Smith, an aggressive, fearless cricketer of the late 1980s and early 1990s, died unexpectedly at age 62 in Perth, Australia. Smith played 62 Tests for England (1988-1996), scoring over 4,200 Test runs with an average of 43.67. His death prompted tributes across the cricketing world.
2025-26 Ashes series: Australia lead 2-0 after dominant second Test
In the second Test of the 2025-26 Ashes series (Dec 7, Gabba, Brisbane), Australia defeated England by eight wickets, giving them a 2-0 lead in the five match series. Michael Neser starred with a career best 5-42, while Steve Smith sealed the chase with a quick 23 off 9 balls, including a six to finish the match. The result puts England under huge pressure, with Australia now heavy favourites to retain the Ashes. Stake.com favors Australia with 1.30 odds to take the December 17-21 meeting, with England only getting 3.35 odds.
The 2025 ACC Under 19 Asia Cup begins in mid December
The 2025 edition of the ACC Under 19 Asia Cup begins on 12 December 2025 in the UAE, featuring eight teams including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, and the UAE. The tournament runs through 21 December, offering valuable competitive exposure to rising Asian cricket talent. It is a great chance for the fans (and scouts) to meet the next wave of potential superstars in the making.
T20 leagues' scheduling updates
Sri Lanka Cricket officially postponed the 2025 edition of their domestic T20 franchise league, the Lanka Premier League (LPL). The next edition will instead take place from 8 July to 8 August 2026. Meanwhile, the fourth season of the International League T20 (ILT20) in the UAE is scheduled to begin on 2 December 2025, aligning with UAE National Day and the global cricket calendar.
Cricket to be Played in 2025
While we are more than ready to leave the current year behind us, that does not prevent us from looking forward to the following cricket leagues and competitions still to come in December.
International League T20 2025-26
The fourth season of the International League T20 (ILT20), a franchise based Twenty20 league in the United Arab Emirates, runs from 2 December 2025 to 4 January 2026. Six teams will compete: Dubai Capitals, Desert Vipers, Sharjah Warriorz, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Gulf Giants, and MI Emirates. Over 34 matches will be played across the group stage, playoffs, and the final, with venues spread among Dubai International Stadium, Sheikh Zayed Stadium (Abu
Dhabi), and Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The first match kicks off with Dubai Capitals vs Desert Vipers on December 2. The league is expected to mix international stars with local UAE talent, offering a fast paced and globally appealing T20 spectacle that the fans are accustomed to.
Nepal Premier League 2025
In Nepal, the Nepal Premier League (NPL) 2025, the second season of the domestic T20 league, is underway. It began on 17 November and will run through 13 December 2025. Right now, it is the middle of the season, and the tensions are rising. Eight teams represent different regions and cities, with a round robin format followed by playoffs. All 32 matches are being played primarily at the Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, thanks to upgraded floodlights that enable day night matches for the first time. The tournament promises domestic players valuable experience and an opportunity for local and regional talents to shine on a growing platform for cricket in Nepal.
ACC Under 19 Asia Cup 2025
The upcoming 2025 ACC Under 19 Asia Cup is scheduled for 12-21 December 2025, and will take place in the United Arab Emirates. This 50 over tournament will feature eight Under 19 teams: the five full members of the Asian Cricket Council (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka), along with three qualifiers, Nepal Under 19s, Malaysia Under 19s, and UAE Under 19s. Matches will be held at two venues in Dubai, namely the ICC Academy Ground and the Sevens Stadium. The tournament format includes a group stage followed by knockout rounds and will present the fans with a hotbed for young talent from across Asia to stake their claim on the international youth stage. For some, it will be the chance of a lifetime and a tournament that propels their careers.
South Africa Tour of India 2025
The South Africa national cricket team's tour of India 2025 remains in progress in December. The tour, which began with two Test matches in November, has moved on to One Day Internationals (ODIs) and a five match T20I series planned to conclude by 19 December 2025. The ODI series began on 30 November and continues into early December, and T20Is are scheduled to start on 9 December. Matches will be played at Cuttack, Chandigarh, Dharamsala, Lucknow, and a final game at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. This full format tour, with Tests, ODIs, and T20Is all coming into play, provides a comprehensive cricketing showcase that blends red ball and white ball formats that challenge both teams across conditions and formats. It is the celebration of the sport meant for old fans and the new.
2026: A Year of ICC World Cup(s)
It is going to be a marvelous year for the fans of cricket, but also for he players. There is so much to come, so here and now, we take a quick look at the most important events.
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026
At the very top of the 2026 calendar is the 10th edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, co hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The tournament runs from 7 February to 8 March 2026 and features 20 national teams battling across 55 matches. Matches will take place in eight venues across both countries, including iconic grounds such as Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai), and in Sri Lanka at grounds like R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo) and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy).
The final is scheduled for 8 March 2026 at the massive Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad) unless circumstances, such as a Pakistan appearance, shift the venue to Sri Lanka. Fans around the world will be watching eagerly, especially big matchups such as the scheduled India vs Pakistan T20 2026 clash on 15 February, which is always a marquee event and much more than a simple sports game for both countries and teams.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
2026 will also see a landmark moment for women’s cricket. The Women’s T20 World Cup, hosted by England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), runs from 12 June to 5 July 2026. For the first time features 12 teams, marking its biggest edition ever. Matches will take place across seven historic venues in England and Wales, among them Lord's Cricket Ground (London), Old Trafford Cricket Ground (Manchester), Headingley Stadium (Leeds), and Edgbaston Cricket Ground (Birmingham).
The final is slated for 5 July 2026 at Lord’s, a fitting stage for what is expected to be a defining chapter in women’s international cricket. Opening games already promise excitement with the hosts, England, facing Sri Lanka on 12 June. A high profile match between India and Pakistan is scheduled for 14 June.
2026 ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup
Another important event in 2026 is the Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup. This tournament is meant to showcase the future talent pipeline of world cricket and will be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia. It runs from 15 January to 6 February 2026 and involves 16 teams in a 50 over format, with group stages followed by Super 6s and knockout rounds. It is often where future stars first shine on the global stage, and since it precedes the senior T20 World Cup by just weeks, performances might influence team selections or spotlight emerging players to watch in bigger tournaments.
Cricket Betting FAQs
What are the most common types of cricket bets?
Popular bet types include match winner, top batter or bowler, total runs, over/under runs, player performance, method of dismissal, and series winner. In play (live) betting is also common in formats like T20 and ODI matches due to their dynamic play.
What factors should I consider before placing a cricket bet?
Key factors include team form, pitch conditions, weather, player injuries, head to head stats, and whether the match is being played at home or away. Different formats (Test, ODI, T20) also reward different team strengths.
How do pitch and weather conditions influence cricket outcomes?
Pitch type can greatly affect batting or bowling performance. For example, dry spinning tracks favor spinners, while green pitches suit fast bowlers. Rain and humidity also influence swing and pace.
What is live or in play cricket betting?
In play betting lets you place wagers after the match begins. Odds shift based on momentum, wickets, run rate, player form, and game situation. This makes live betting dynamic but also riskier. Most fans agree it is the most fun out of any other betting type.
Why do odds change so quickly during cricket matches?
Cricket is highly situational and dynamic. A single wicket, boundary, or strategic over can dramatically shift probabilities. Sportsbooks update odds to reflect real time game conditions and betting patterns.
What are the risks of cricket betting?
Cricket betting involves financial risk and should only be done responsibly. Odds never guarantee outcomes, and even strong favorites can lose due to unpredictable moments, weather, or player mistakes.
Can statistics help make better decisions?
Yes. Statistics such as average scores, strike rates, economy rates, venue history, and player matchups can provide useful insights. However, stats should support decisions and serve as a historical basis or context, not replace judgment.
How can I responsibly bet on cricket?
Set a budget, avoid chasing losses, do not let emotions dictate your bets, and never wager more than you can afford to lose. Treat betting as entertainment, not a source of income.
