The Economic Times

The T20 World Cup is set to begin with captains sharing their aspirations. Richie Berrington of Scotland is happy to participate. Rashid Khan of Afghanistan is confident. Rohit Paudel of Nepal hopes to inspire young fans. Wayne Madsen leads Italy, a new cricket nation. Monank Patel and Dilpreet Bajwa represent the USA and Canada respectively.

WPL finals: Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second Women's Premier League title. They defeated Delhi Capitals in a thrilling final match. Jemimah Rodrigues scored a half-century for Delhi Capitals. Laura Wolvaardt and Lizelle Lee also contributed with quick runs. The Royal Challengers bowlers started strongly, but Delhi Capitals found momentum. The match saw key wickets and strong partnerships.

Pakistan government announced the boycott of the marquee game against India in support of Bangladesh who withdrew from the World Cup citing security concerns in India despite low threat perception from the International Cricket Council.

Along with hosts India, teams from Indonesia, the South Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, and Thailand will compete for the two coveted promotion spots, a top AITA office bearer said.

RCB vs DC Women WPL Final predicted playing 11: Smriti Mandhanas RCB eyes a second title, while Jemimahs DC seeks their maiden trophy in Vadodara.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals Women final Live Streaming: Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals are set for a thrilling WPL 2026 final rematch at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. RCB topped the league stage with six wins, while DC advanced after defeating Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator, marking their fourth consecutive final appearance.

India's cricket team is set to travel to Colombo for their ICC T20 World Cup match against Pakistan. Captain Suryakumar Yadav stated the team's flight is booked and they will proceed as scheduled. Pakistan has announced a boycott of the game. India's focus remains on their upcoming matches, with the game against Pakistan contingent on their participation.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated his nation's stance of not playing the ICC T20 World Cup Group Stage clash against India. BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla stated that the board will abide by whatever the International Cricket Council decides. Pakistan has taken a clear stand to boycott the match scheduled for February 15 in Sri Lanka.

Pakistan captain Salman Agha says his team will consult the government if they meet India in the T20 World Cup knockout rounds. This follows political tensions that saw Bangladesh removed from the tournament. Pakistan is determined to perform well in Sri Lanka, their second home. They aim to overcome past disappointments and showcase good cricket.

Indian Women's Cricket Team stars Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, and Richa Ghosh have sent their best wishes to the Men's Team for the upcoming T20 World Cup. They expressed confidence in the team's ability to win the tournament.

New Zealand's T20 World Cup preparations have been hit by illness, with Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway ruled out of a warmup match due to a viral infection. Finn Allen will also rest as he recovers from a shoulder injury. Despite these setbacks, coach Rob Walter is optimistic that all players will be fit for their opening match against Afghanistan.

The Indian Under-19 cricket team aims for a record sixth title against England in the ICC Under-19 World Cup final. India's batting line-up, including Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, is expected to perform. England boasts a strong pace attack. Both teams are unbeaten. The match is set for Friday.

The Al-Nassr star had not featured in the club's 1-0 win over Al Riyadh on Monday, in protest of PIF's alleged lack of investment in Al Nassr and to give their arch-rivals, Al Hilal, an advantage and greater effort.

India is set to face England in the ICC U19 World Cup 2026 final at Harare Sports Club on Friday, February 6. The Men in Blue are aiming for their sixth consecutive title after a thrilling semifinal victory over Afghanistan. England earned their spot by defeating Australia. Catch all the action live on Star Sports and JioHotstar.

England's T20 World Cup campaign receives a significant boost following a dominant white-ball series win in Sri Lanka under new captain Harry Brook. Since Brook's appointment, the team has shown remarkable turnaround, embracing a high-octane 'Bazball' approach with strong performances from key players like Phil Salt and a potent spin attack.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed the nation's boycott of the T20 World Cup match against India. This decision follows careful deliberation. The International Cricket Council expressed concerns about selective participation. Scotland will replace Bangladesh in the tournament. Pakistan and India are in Group A. The T20 World Cup is scheduled for February 7 to March 8.

The T20 World Cup begins Saturday in India and Sri Lanka. This tournament is expected to showcase future cricket stars. Five players to watch are Abhishek Sharma of India, Jacob Bethell from England, South Africa's Dewald Brevis, Afghanistan's Noor Ahmad, and New Zealand's Finn Allen. These talents are set to impress fans with their skills.

India secured a spot in the ICC U19 World Cup final. They defeated Afghanistan by seven wickets. Aaron George scored a century. Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre also contributed with explosive fifties. India will now face England in the summit clash. This marks India's tenth final appearance in the tournament.

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup has become a global spectacle since 2007. Six nations have won the title. India recently secured their second T20 World Cup in 2024. The tournament has a history of dramatic finishes and unexpected outcomes. Hosts have never won the trophy. India and Sri Lanka will co-host the next edition.

Pakistan Cricket Board faces significant financial jeopardy if the ICC penalizes them for refusing to play India in the T20 World Cup. This refusal could impact Pakistan's substantial ICC financial cycle earnings, potentially leading to severe financial challenges for the board.

India and South Africa will play a warm-up match for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The game is scheduled for February 4 at Navi Mumbai. Both teams are in good form. India recently won a series against New Zealand. South Africa is confident after their SA20 season. This match will prepare them for the tournament.

Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav form a potent coaching and captaincy duo. Their successful partnership has yielded significant wins. Gambhir plans, and Yadav executes. Both share a nationalist spirit. Their journey is compared to historical pairings. The T20 World Cup 2026 will be a key test for their legacy. Their impact on T20 cricket is significant.

Ireland vs Pakistan Playing 11: Pakistan faces Ireland in a T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up game. Pakistan enters the tournament after a series win. Ireland aims to recover from a recent series loss. The match takes place in Colombo. Both teams will look to fine-tune their strategies before the main event. Fans can follow the action live.

Virat Kohli look-alike Garvit features in Apollo Tyres' new campaign 'Har Safar Mein Dum Hai', alongside cricketing legends and current stars. The film showcases the journey of Indian cricketers, highlighting their dedication and resilience. This campaign coincides with India's preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup.

MS Dhoni believes age is not a barrier for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to play the 2027 ODI World Cup, emphasizing performance and fitness as the key criteria. He stated that experienced players should decide their own future, as long as they are performing and fit to represent the country.

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup squads are now finalized. Twenty teams are set to compete. India, the defending champions, will be led by captain Suryakumar Yadav. The tournament features a blend of experienced players and new talent. Exciting matches are anticipated across four groups. Cricket fans can look forward to a thrilling global event.

India vs Afghanistan (IND vs AFG) U19 Playing 11 Today Match: Check out the predicted playing XI, full squad players list, and match preview for the ICC U19 World Cup 2026 semi-final in Harare.

England concluded their T20 World Cup preparations with a dominant 3-0 series victory over Sri Lanka. Young spinner Jacob Bethell emerged as the unlikely hero, taking four crucial wickets in eight balls to seal the final match. Sam Curran's career-best 58 guided England to 128, a total their bowlers defended effectively.

New Zealand's Michael Bracewell is making good progress from a calf injury and is on track to recover for the T20 World Cup. He could feature in the warm-up match against the USA on February 5. Despite recent setbacks, the Black Caps are considered contenders for the tournament.

IND vs AFG U19 Live Streaming: India aims to maintain their undefeated streak in the U-19 World Cup semifinals against Afghanistan in Harare. The five-time champions, who have won all five matches, are one step away from a record sixth title. Afghanistan, with four wins, will pose a strong challenge in this crucial encounter.

South Africa's cricket coach Shukri Conrad is targeting a T20 World Cup victory. He has changed tactics from the successful Test team. The team has used many players to build experience. A strong bowling attack and capable batsmen are key. The team believes they can compete with any opponent. Their focus is on advancing from the group stage.

The BCCI has launched the third phase of ticket sales for the upcoming T20 World Cup, following two successful earlier windows. This provides fans another chance to secure seats for matches at renowned Indian venues. Preparations are in their final stages, with a focus on venue readiness and spectator experience.

Despite a mixed record since the last T20 World Cup, the West Indies enter the tournament with positives like Shai Hope's batting evolution and Sherfane Rutherford's form. However, the absence of Nicholas Pooran and inconsistent performances from other players present significant challenges for the two-time champions.

Cricket legend MS Dhoni believes India is a dangerous team for the T20 World Cup. He highlights their vast experience in the format. However, Dhoni is worried about the dew. He states that dew makes winning the toss crucial. This factor could significantly influence match outcomes. India aims to defend its title on home soil.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup journey faces a significant hurdle. A government decision to forfeit their match against India could jeopardize their progress. The team must win all their remaining group games to stay in contention. Despite recent victories against Australia and South Africa, this political decision adds immense pressure.

Hardik Pandya is the Indian T20 team's most critical element, providing balance and covering all bases. His unique seam-bowling all-round ability, combining tactical bowling with strong batting, makes him indispensable. Without him, the team's formidable strength falters, exposing fragilities that quality opposition could exploit.

WADA is on the verge of a groundbreaking change in its anti-doping framework, responding to recent events involving Chinese swimmers who participated in competitions despite failed drug tests. To fortify the sport's reputation, WADA is deliberating the establishment of independent testing organizations to evaluate athletes ahead of major tournaments, including the Olympics.

The Netherlands cricket team is targeting consistent performances at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. All-rounder Bas de Leede emphasizes adaptability and making strengths stronger. The team has prepared extensively to handle varied playing conditions. Experience from past World Cups and playing against top teams has improved their competitiveness. They aim to deliver sustained performances throughout the tournament.

Delhi Capitals meet Gujarat Giants in a high-stakes WPL Eliminator. The winner advances to the final. Gujarat has won both league matches against Delhi. Captains Jemimah Rodrigues and Ashleigh Gardner are in form. Sophie Devine is a key player for Gujarat. The match will be broadcast on Star Sports and streamed on Jio Hotstar.

Nepal cricket team is set for the T20 World Cup. They aim to make a strong showing against top teams like England and West Indies. The team boasts experienced players like Sandeep Lamichhane and skipper Rohit Paudel. Nepalese fans are expected to provide strong support. This tournament is seen as a crucial step for Nepali cricket's growth and infrastructure development.

New Zealand heads into the T20 World Cup as a balanced team. They have shown flashes of brilliance but also faced recent setbacks. Key players like Tim Seifert and Finn Allen are in good form. However, issues around injuries and consistency remain. The team is seen as a dangerous dark horse capable of beating anyone.

Pakistan Cricket Board faces legal action from T20 World Cup broadcasters. The ICC has warned the PCB of potential lawsuits if Pakistan boycotts its February 15 game against India. Pakistan's government instructed the boycott. The ICC might withhold Pakistan's annual revenue share to pay broadcasters.

SL vs ENG Live Streaming: Sri Lanka and England face off in the final T20I match. England has already won the series. Both teams are preparing for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. England aims for a clean sweep. Sri Lanka seeks a positive end to the series. The match starts at 7:30 pm IST. Live streaming is on FanCode.

Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood faces a delayed start to the T20 World Cup. Teammate Pat Cummins indicated Hazlewood might join the tournament halfway through due to hamstring and Achilles issues. Australia heads into the World Cup facing bowling concerns with other key players also sidelined. The team aims to overcome recent poor form and player availability challenges.

Former Australian cricketer Michael Klinger believes India's recent performance against New Zealand makes them a formidable contender for the T20 World Cup. He highlighted the aggressive top-order, particularly Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, as key strengths. Klinger also acknowledged strong competition from Australia and South Africa.

Australia captain Mitchell Marsh declined to comment on Pakistan's boycott of the India match and Bangladesh's removal from the T20 World Cup. Marsh stated his sole focus is on winning the tournament, despite Australia's recent 0-3 T20 series loss to Pakistan. He expressed confidence in the team's ability to perform well in spin-friendly conditions at the World Cup.

India begins its T20 World Cup campaign as favorites at home. Coach Gautam Gambhir faces pressure. The tournament has seen a chaotic build-up with team changes. India aims for a strong performance led by Suryakumar Yadav. Abhishek Sharma opens the batting. The bowling attack features Jasprit Bumrah. The team is confident of success.

Italy's cricket team, bolstered by experienced coaches like Kevin O'Brien and John Davison, is poised to make a significant impact at the T20 World Cup. Their recent victory over Ireland and dedicated training camps in Dubai and Sri Lanka highlight their ambition to shed their fringe sport status.