Sanjay Manjrekar advises Virat Kohli to relax his mind and avoid overthinking ahead of India's match against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy. India remains firm favorites if Pakistan shows significant improvement. Manjrekar praises Shubman Gill's form, while Wahab Riaz hopes Pakistan can bounce back. He also notes India's bowling strength despite some expensive spells.

Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria criticizes Babar Azam for prioritizing personal milestones over team success. He highlights Pakistan's struggling form and concerns about their readiness for the crucial Champions Trophy match against India, emphasizing the challenges posed by India's spinners.

India is set for a highly-anticipated ICC Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan, relying heavily on batting icons Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. With Kohli's historical performances and Rohit's current form, fans eagerly await another masterclass. Pakistan aims to defend their title, enhancing the excitement.

Manu Bhaker will lead a 35-member Indian shooting team at the ISSF World Cups in South America this April. Saurabh Chaudhary returns after three years, having overcome a shoulder injury. The team will compete in Buenos Aires and Lima, with Manu contesting in women's air pistol and 25m pistol events.

Indian cricketer Virat Kohli arrived at the ICC Academy two hours early to work on his vulnerability against spin ahead of the Champions Trophy clash with Pakistan. Despite recent struggles, his commitment was evident as he practiced extensively against spinners, preparing to face a varied spin attack on a slower wicket.

Indian bowler Mohammed Shami, 34, reveals his fitness secrets, including eating only one meal a day since 2015 and staying away from delicacies. Despite a significant injury hiatus, Shami has made a remarkable comeback, adding five wickets in the Champions Trophy and becoming the fastest Indian to reach 200 ODI wickets.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made a major blunder ahead of the Australia-England Champions Trophy 2025 match by mistakenly playing India's national anthem at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The error was quickly corrected, but the video went viral, sparking widespread discussion on social media.

The sports ministry has increased the allowance for athletes under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme and introduced biannual physical and psychological tests. The core group now comprises 94 athletes, including 52 para-athletes, while performance evaluations will occur annually. The selection emphasizes a performance-oriented approach.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed displeasure to the ICC over Pakistan's name being omitted from the tournament logo during the India-Bangladesh Champions Trophy match in Dubai. The ICC confirmed it was a technical error and assured PCB the correct logo would be used in future matches. India played against Bangladesh, winning by six wickets.

Sunil Gavaskar highlighted concerns over Virat Kohli's recurring dismissals due to an open-faced bat as India aims to reclaim the Champions Trophy. Kohli's recent struggles against spin and the fast bowlers have been evident, with a poor run of form this year. India faces Pakistan next in the tournament.

India seeks a semifinal spot in the ICC Champions Trophy against a tense Pakistan, who are looking to avoid early elimination. While Rohit Sharma's successful leadership and form boost India, Pakistan struggles with Babar Azam's performance and Fakhar Zaman's injury.

A large crowd gathered to support the Pakistan cricket team during their first training session in Dubai. Former cricketer Mudassar Nazar offered valuable insights to the team, who are keen on defeating India to boost their tournament chances. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan interacted with fans afterward.

Injury-hit Australia and struggling England face off in Lahore on Saturday to kick off their Champions Trophy campaign. Australia, missing key players like Cummins and Marsh, has suffered recent ODI losses, while England remains winless since the 2023 World Cup. A high-scoring match is expected on a batting-friendly Gaddafi Stadium pitch. The match starts at 2:30 PM IST, live on Star Sports and JioHotstar.

Ricky Ponting praises Shubman Gill's determination and leadership potential, noting his strong performance in ODIs. He highlights Gill's impressive batting in limited-overs cricket and anticipates similar success in Test matches, emphasizing Gill's natural ability to score boundaries without excessive force.

AUS versus ENG Pitch Weather Update: Injury-hit Australia and out-of-form England begin their Champions Trophy campaign in Lahore on Saturday. Australia, missing key players like Cummins and Marsh, has struggled in ODIs, while England, winless since the 2023 World Cup, seeks redemption. A high-scoring contest is expected on a batting-friendly Gaddafi Stadium pitch. The match starts at 2:30 PM IST, live on Star Sports and JioHotstar.

Injury-hit Australia and out-of-form England clash in Lahore on Saturday to kick off their Champions Trophy campaign. Both teams have struggled in ODIs, with Australia missing key players, including Cummins, Starc, and Marsh. England, winless in ODIs since the 2023 World Cup, eyes a strong start. The match starts at 2:30 PM IST, live on Star Sports and JioHotstar.

Kerala secured their first-ever Ranji Trophy final berth with a dramatic two-run first-innings lead over Gujarat. Left-arm spinner Aditya Sarwate took the last three wickets under pressure to ensure Kerala's historic entry into the final, ending Gujarat's challenge just short of a crucial lead.

South Africa clinched a comprehensive 107-run victory over Afghanistan in their Champions Trophy clash. Ryan Rickelton led the charge with a century, while pacers Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada dismantled the opposition. The Proteas amassed 315/6 before dismissing Afghanistan for 208 runs.

Sportz Village has launched PathwayZ36 to identify and nurture young sporting talent across India through its school and grassroots programmes. This initiative aims to build a strong pipeline of national and international athletes, with a focus on preparing them for success at the 2036 Olympics and beyond.

The International Masters League (IML) will begin with a match between India Masters and Sri Lanka Masters on February 22. The tournament, featuring key players from the 2011 ICC World Cup final, has secured notable sponsors and will be broadcasted live on JioHotstar and Colors Cineplex.

Shahid Afridi acknowledges India's strength with their numerous match-winners and emphasizes the need for a collective effort by Pakistan to overcome them in the upcoming Champions Trophy clash. Yuvraj Singh notes Pakistan's familiarity with Dubai conditions may offer an advantage but stresses that adapting to the situation and handling pressure will be crucial for victory.

Sourav Ganguly expressed that KL Rahul's impressive ODI numbers might have favored him over Rishabh Pant as India's first-choice wicketkeeper in the Champions Trophy. He also advocated for Abhishek Sharma's ODI debut and backed Virat Kohli to overcome his struggles against leg-spin while predicting India as favorites for the tournament, even in the face of New Zealand and Pakistan.

Pakistan's fast bowler Haris Rauf stated that they will approach the upcoming Champions Trophy match against India with a relaxed mindset, treating it like any other game. Despite the anticipation surrounding the clash, Pakistan needs a win to stay in contention for the knockout stage. Rauf emphasized their familiarity with Dubai's conditions, aiming for victory despite key player absences.

South Africa's Champions Trophy match plans were disrupted when Heinrich Klaasen was sidelined due to a left elbow injury. Ryan Rickelton replaced him, taking full advantage by delivering a crucial century. His performance helped stabilize South Africa's innings against Afghanistan.

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya's 'Sundays on Cycle' movement has engaged over two lakh cyclists across 4,000 locations since December. The programme, part of the Fit India Movement, aims to promote a healthy lifestyle and combat drug use, with participation from prominent athletes and organizations nationwide.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi insisted that national selectors review the Champions Trophy squad multiple times before final approval, emphasizing thoroughness in selecting the best players. Naqvi, known for his authoritative approach, made it clear that the selectors and team management are solely responsible for the final 15-member squad chosen for the mega-event.

Champions Trophy Points Table 2025: The Champions Trophy has commenced, drawing the world's top eight cricket teams to compete in Pakistan and Dubai. India started strong with a win against Bangladesh, highlighted by Shubman Gill's performance and Mohammed Shami's 5-wicket haul. Pakistan is hosting an ICC event after three decades.

India vs Pakistan Champions Trophy 2025: India and Pakistan face off in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai, as political tensions continue to prevent matches in Pakistan. Former cricketers Shahid Afridi and Yuvraj Singh weighed in on the teams' strengths and key players, highlighting India's superior match-winners and Pakistan's familiarity with Dubai conditions.

India shows interest in hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games and proposes to conduct the disciplines dropped from the 2026 edition to safeguard its medal tally. A formal discussion with the Commonwealth Games Federation has taken place. The country is also eyeing the 2036 Olympic Games hosting rights, with a formal intent letter already sent to the IOC.

India's Esports prospects at the 2026 Asian Games have improved with the inclusion of 11 titles, up from seven in 2022. The expanded lineup includes new titles like Street Fighter 6 and Gran Turismo 7, enhancing opportunities for Indian gamers despite ongoing bans on some games.

Pakistan and India clash in a blockbuster group match at the Champions Trophy on Sunday in Dubai. Akhtar and Harbhajan recently playfully re-enacted the moment on TV in a promotion video for the Champions Trophy. fk/pst

India and Pakistan share a fierce cricket rivalry, and their matches have often been filled with dramatic moments. Here are five controversial incidents from their ODI encounters:

Afghanistan will begin their ICC Champions Trophy journey against South Africa on February 21 in Karachi. Led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan is known for surprises in global competitions. The Karachi pitch is expected to favor batting with overcast conditions. South Africa, under Temba Bavuma, remains a strong contender with a dynamic lineup despite recent inconsistencies.

Pakistan will face India in the Champions Trophy in Dubai, knowing a defeat could end their title defence. Pakistan, fourth in their group, need a win after losing to New Zealand. India, boosted by recent victories, remain confident about their chances of reaching the semi-finals.

IPL Jersey: Mumbai Indians unveil their official jersey for IPL 2025, highlighting the team's commitment to trust, confidence, and excellence. Captain Hardik Pandya motivates the fans to support the team, emphasizing their dedication to maintaining their successful legacy. Fans can purchase the new jersey from the MI shop.

Shubman Gill proved his mettle in India's Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh with a crucial century on a sluggish pitch in Dubai. Demonstrating situational awareness and strategic changes, Gill's performance solidifies his status as a key player, poised to anchor India's innings against formidable opponents in future matches.

Champions Trophy 2025 Afghanistan vs South Africa Playing 11: Afghanistan will aim to extend their successful run in white-ball cricket against South Africa, who are grappling with key pacers' injuries. Despite South Africa's struggles, Kagiso Rabada remains crucial in their bowling arsenal. Afghanistan's recent successes make them strong contenders for the semifinals. The teams face off in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan on Friday.

Mohammed Shami, recovering from a career-threatening injury, shone with a five-wicket haul in India's Champions Trophy win against Bangladesh. Shami, now India's leading wicket-taker in 50-over ICC events, emphasizes focusing on breakthroughs rather than economy rates, valuing attention to detail and loyalty to his craft.

AFG vs SA Live Telecast: Debutants Afghanistan aim to build on their white-ball cricket success as they face South Africa in their Champions Trophy opener in Karachi on Friday. South Africa looks to discard their 'chokers' tag. The match will be broadcast on Star Sports and Network 18 channels at 2.30 pm (IST) with live streaming on JioHotstar.

India's cricket team faced a challenging match against Bangladesh, who set a target of 228 after a resilient middle-order performance. Despite early breakthroughs by Mohammed Shami, India experienced a tough chase. Shubman Gill's unbeaten 101 guided India to victory, but the match highlighted their need for improvement against stronger bowling attacks in future games.

Coca-Cola is leveraging Pakistan's love for tape-ball cricket to gain attention during the Champions Trophy, introducing a limited edition bottle featuring red tape for creating tape balls. This campaign aims to evoke nostalgia for street cricket amidst a significant marketing opportunity, as international cricket returns to Pakistan for the first time in nearly three decades.

Shubman Gill's excellent performance ensured India's victory over Bangladesh in their opening match of the Champions Trophy. Rohit Sharma surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's record to become the second-fastest player to reach 11,000 ODI runs, while Mohammed Shami's impressive five-wicket haul helped restrict Bangladesh to 228 runs.

Virat Kohli tied Mohammad Azharuddin's record for the most ODI catches by an Indian with his 156th catch. In the same match, Mohammed Shami became the fastest Indian to reach 200 ODI wickets, surpassing Zaheer Khan.

Pakistan have been fined five per cent of their match fees for a slow over-rate in their Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand in Karachi. Captain Mohammad Rizwan pleaded guilty to the offence. Pakistan are now preparing for a crucial game against India, with Fakhar Zaman ruled out due to injury.

Bangladesh has captured a crucial wicket in the Champions Trophy 2025, dismissing Virat Kohli for 22 runs. Rishad Hossain's clever delivery led to Kohli's downfall, caught by Soumya Sarkar. With Kohli gone, India needs to regroup and stabilize their innings.

India captain Rohit Sharma became the second fastest batter to complete 11,000 runs in One-day Internationals. He achieved this milestone during their Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh, reaching the mark in his 261st innings. Only Virat Kohli has reached the milestone faster, achieving it in 222 innings.

Shubman Gill's spectacular catch set the tone for India's strong start in their Champions Trophy 2025 opener. His impressive leap to dismiss Mehidy Hasan Miraz left Bangladesh struggling at 2/2 after a shaky start, undermining their initial batting plans.

After struggling in series against New Zealand and Australia, Rohit has found his rhythm again just in time for the Champions Trophy. His knock today, though cut short, could prove vital as India aims to secure their third ICC trophy.

Bangladesh managed to recover and post a competitive total against India in their 2025 Champions Trophy opener, despite losing five wickets for just 35 runs within the first nine overs. A crucial 154-run partnership between Towhid Hridoy and Jaker Ali played a key role in the recovery.