Imran Khan, the 73-year-old former Pakistan cricket captain and prime minister, has been imprisoned since August 2023 on corruption charges. He was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment after being found guilty. Khan remains held in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where his health has become a growing concern among the international cricket community.

Former Australian cricketer Greg Chappell has publicly expressed alarm at Khan’s physical and mental state following recent observations. Chappell spoke on The Grade Cricketer podcast, describing the visible decline in the Pakistan legend’s condition over the past six years.

“At the moment, he’s not getting any better. You know, from a physical point of view, it’s hard to get information but I saw a video clip the other day, I’m assuming, of his latest trip to hospital where he was put into a wheelchair to get him to, from wherever he was, to wherever he was going, and he didn’t look well at all. He didn’t look robust. He didn’t look like he could really… get around very much.” Chappell said.

Chappell observes Khan’s physical decline

Chappell recalled meeting Khan in Pakistan approximately six years ago, when the former World Cup-winning captain appeared physically strong and mentally resilient. The contrast with Khan’s current state has deeply troubled Chappell, who witnessed Khan’s transformation firsthand.

“I mean, 73 years of age, so obviously, you know, he’s getting older, but, you know, I met up with him in Pakistan 6 years ago, and he was still a strong, robust older man. That’s not the case anymore. His right eye apparently [has developed a disability]… he’s struggling. He’s been in isolation for 3 years,” Chappell added.

Khan has reportedly suffered significant vision loss in his right eye due to central retinal vein occlusion, with his lawyer reporting 85 percent vision loss by February 2026. The condition was attributed to delayed medical treatment since October 2025. Khan underwent an eye procedure at a government hospital in January 2026, but a Supreme Court-ordered hospital stay lasted only a few hours before he was returned to jail.

The toll of prolonged isolation

The extended isolation and restricted access to basic amenities have compounded Khan’s health crisis. Chappell expressed concern about how prolonged confinement affects both mental and physical wellbeing, particularly for someone of Khan’s age and former stature.

“So, that’s not good for your mental health, and you know, as your mental health deteriorates, your physical health is going to deteriorate. He doesn’t have access, or his family doesn’t have access,” the Aussie noted.

Chappell concluded with a stark observation about the severity of Khan’s situation.

“I don’t know how anyone deals with that.”

The remark underscored the former cricketer’s belief that Khan’s circumstances represent an extraordinary hardship that few could endure.

Suryakumar Yadav, the 35-year-old former World Cup-winning captain, has made a huge statement regarding his prospects of returning to the national side after being dropped from recent squads. The Mumbai Indians batter was stripped of the captaincy and omitted from white-ball tours following India’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2026, which he led to victory as skipper for a second consecutive title win.

Suryakumar addressed his situation directly, expressing his commitment to earning a recall through consistent performances. He stated that he remains focused on his domestic and franchise cricket responsibilities while keeping his eyes on a potential return to international cricket.

“Look, I’m putting in all the hard work and doing everything I can. If things go well, then everything will fall into place, Suryakumar was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.

Why Suryakumar lost his India spot

Suryakumar Yadav’s struggles began during the T20 World Cup 2026, where he failed to make a significant impact with the bat. His only notable contribution came in India’s opening match against the USA. Despite his limited returns, he went on to lead India to the T20 World Cup title.

The difficult phase continued into IPL 2026. His form had deteriorated significantly, and he endured a challenging campaign, scoring just 270 runs in 13 matches at an average of 20.76. He managed only two half-centuries throughout the tournament, further raising questions over his place in India’s T20 setup.

The decision to drop Suryakumar also factored in the two-year cycle before the next global event, with selectors looking ahead to future planning. At 35 years of age, the BCCI has indicated that doors remain open for the batter if he can demonstrate consistent form in domestic cricket.

BCCI’s stance on his future

A BCCI source stated that Suryakumar is not part of current plans but acknowledged his potential return. The doors are still open for Suryakumar Yadav. He is not part of the current plans, but if he consistently scores runs in domestic cricket, he will certainly be considered for selection, the source said.

Meanwhile, Suryakumar continues to play a key role for Mumbai Indians in the IPL. He remains an important member of the franchise’s batting lineup and is also serving as brand ambassador of the Pro Govinda League, maintaining his presence in professional cricket while working towards an international comeback.

India won the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka 1-0, with the second Test at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo, ending in a draw on August 27, 2026. During the match, Mohammed Siraj seemingly bowled at a slower pace and used a shorter run-up, prompting questions about his physical condition. He also landed heavily while attempting to field a catch during Sri Lanka’s first innings, which intensified speculation about a possible injury heading into the series conclusion.

India Captain Shubman Gill addressed the fitness concerns in his post-match comments, clarifying the circumstances surrounding Siraj’s recent performance. Siraj had last played international cricket against Afghanistan in June, meaning he had been absent from competitive action for nearly two months before the series began.

“Firstly, Siraj is not injured. He didn’t feel well even in the first match (at Galle). He last played against Afghanistan in June…so he was playing after almost a couple of months. It takes time for someone to come back to the rhythm,” Gill was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

“Even in the first Test, we felt that his pace was slow. But sometimes when you play more, you come back to the rhythm. But as far as the injury is concerned, there is nothing,” he added.

Gill’s assessment placed Siraj’s recent form in the context of match rhythm rather than physical injury. The first Test at Galle International Stadium began on August 15, 2026. Gill indicated that the bowler’s pace in the opening match was noticeably slower, but he viewed this as a natural consequence of the extended layoff rather than an injury concern.

Pitch conditions and India’s attacking approach

On the Colombo pitch, Gill acknowledged the challenges India faced in converting their advantage into a series-clinching victory. Sri Lanka batted through the final day with Sonal Dinusha scoring an unbeaten 133, allowing the hosts to secure a draw. India had reduced Sri Lanka to 229 for 6 by the end of the fourth day but could not force the remaining wickets on the final day.

“It gets very frustrating. We attacked a lot in the beginning. But I think as the match went on, the wicket got slower. It was not like the ball was not moving and when the ball was spinning, the wickets were not in play. It was not like the wicket was very flat,” Gill added.

Prasidh Krishna’s standout bowling performance

Despite the frustration of not securing a second Test victory, Gill highlighted the standout performance of fast bowler Prasidh Krishna throughout the series. Krishna had been instrumental in India’s bowling attack during the campaign. Gill emphasised the value of having a reliable bowler who could create opportunities when conditions were not favourable.

“I think he’s been in the pick of our bowlers. When things are not happening, he’s been our go-to bowler, especially this season. He’s created chances, which is what I want as a captain. We want a go-to bowler when wickets are not guaranteed. I think he did that brilliantly,” Gill concluded.