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Abhishek Sharma faced early struggles in the T20 World Cup but bounced back to help India win. His friend Nehal Wadhera shared insights into Abhishek's talent and hard work. Wadhera also discussed his own IPL journey, learning from coaches like Ricky Ponting and playing under captains Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer. Punjab Kings aims for the title in IPL 2026.
Top Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy has withdrawn from the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament, prioritizing her personal safety and well-being. Citing security concerns despite assurances, Humpy's decision opens a spot for Anna Muzychuk. While India retains representation with R Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh, Humpy's withdrawal raises questions about potential FIDE penalties and impacts Indian chess.
Chennai Super Kings inducted Suresh Raina and Matthew Hayden into their inaugural Hall of Fame at the Roar26 fan event. Raina, 'Chinna Thala', was instrumental in four title wins and remains CSK's leading run-scorer. Hayden contributed to the 2010 IPL victory and was the first CSK player to win the Orange Cap.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes Delhi Capitals' past struggles with talent identification, citing instances like letting go of AB de Villiers and Andre Russell, contributed to their title drought. In contrast, Punjab Kings' recent progress, marked by strong leadership, strategic auction buys like Shreyas Iyer, and improved squad depth, has propelled them towards success, reaching the IPL final.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez dismissed claims that Cristiano Ronaldo is solely focused on reaching 1,000 career goals. Martinez emphasized that Ronaldo's primary motivation remains team success, citing his selfless play and commitment to collective performance. The coach stated that Ronaldo's behavior with the national team is not driven by personal milestones.
CSK host fan engagement event at Chepauk ahead of IPL 2026
Cricket Australia's 2026-27 schedule presents a gruelling challenge, with 10 Tests in 14 weeks. A five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour of India looms large for a senior Australian squad, many of whom have never won a series there. This demanding run includes a home series against England to mark a significant anniversary.
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka is reportedly set to join the Rajasthan Royals for IPL 2026 as a replacement for the injured Sam Curran. This move follows a trend of players switching from the PSL to the IPL, highlighting the latter's prominence. Shanaka, who went unsold in the mini-auction, previously played for Gujarat Titans.
Pakistan Super League 2026 will commence on March 26 behind closed doors due to regional tensions, with matches limited to Karachi and Lahore. The Pakistan Cricket Board cited government austerity measures, not security fears, for the decision. The tournament's opening ceremony has been canceled, and refunds will be issued to ticket holders.
Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant will bat at number three this IPL season. This move is crucial for his career and India's T20 plans. Pant aims to perform well after a costly auction. The team management supports this batting position. The squad is preparing for their opening match. Bowling improvements are noted, with Mayank Yadav returning.
Sunrisers Hyderabad's stand-in captain Ishan Kishan was playfully sent off by teammate Zeeshan Ansari during a practice game. Kishan, who is leading SRH in Pat Cummins' absence due to injury, responded sportingly to the leg-spinner's animated gesture. This incident occurs as Kishan takes on leadership duties following his stellar T20 World Cup performance.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes Punjab Kings are finally heading in the right direction after making smart and bold auction decisions. The franchise showed renewed clarity in leadership and squad building, leading to a breakthrough IPL 2025 campaign where they reached the finals under Shreyas Iyer's captaincy.
Spinner Varun Chakravarthy revealed the severe online abuse he endured after testing positive for COVID-19 during the 2021 IPL, which led to the tournament's suspension. Fans directed hateful messages, including death wishes, towards him. Despite this traumatic experience, Chakravarthy has since become a key player for KKR and performed well in the recent T20 World Cup.
Virat Kohli has debunked rumors about requesting chartered flights for travel between India and the UK during IPL 2026. The RCB icon dismissed the speculation with laughing emojis on Instagram. The IPL 2026 season begins March 28, with RCB defending their title.
Prithvi Shaw makes an emotional return to Delhi Capitals for IPL 2026 after being released and going unsold in the auction. He secured a Rs 75 lakh deal with his former franchise during the accelerated phase. Shaw expressed his joy at being back home, reflecting on his strong bond with the team and the stadium.
Kolkata Knight Riders face pace bowling woes for IPL 2026 with key players injured. Despite a massive auction spend, including record signing Cameron Green, the team's strategy is reshaped. The predicted XI features new faces and retained stars, with Umran Malik poised for an impact role in a bid for redemption.
Rishabh Pant faces immense pressure heading into IPL 2026 after a disappointing 2025 season with Lucknow Super Giants. Bought for a record Rs 27 crore, Pant's batting form was underwhelming, and LSG failed to reach the playoffs. Former captain Faf du Plessis believes Pant's captaincy and batting performance are under the spotlight.
Mumbai Indians aim to end their IPL title drought in 2026, relying on superstar players to unite under Hardik Pandya's leadership. Despite a star-studded squad, the team must overcome past struggles and foster harmony to rediscover their winning formula and secure the championship.
The Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) celebrated India's top athletes in Lucknow, honouring excellence and dedication. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath presented awards to sporting legends like Leander Paes and the women's World Cup-winning cricket team, recognizing their significant contributions to Indian sports.
Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma has vowed to bring home their sixth IPL title, addressing fans at a recent event. Meanwhile, former cricketer Irfan Pathan argues that MI edges out CSK as the greatest IPL team due to their significant contribution in producing top Indian cricketers.
Kevin Pietersen unveiled his all-time IPL XI, notably excluding stars like Rohit Sharma. He lauded Yuzvendra Chahal, calling his release by RCB the league's worst decision. Pietersen's XI featured Gayle, Kohli, de Villiers, Raina, Dhoni, Russell, Jadeja, Narine, Chahal, Malinga, and Bumrah, prioritising impact over strict overseas limits.
Rajasthan Royals' Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, a 14-year-old batting sensation, faces a crucial IPL 2026 season. Following a stellar Under-19 World Cup, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan highlights the importance of this phase for the young prodigy. Pathan believes opposition teams are closely analyzing Sooryavanshi's game, making this season a significant learning curve for him to evolve and prove his mettle.
Chennai Super Kings gear up for IPL 2026 with a new look, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad. A blockbuster trade brings Sanju Samson aboard, while young talents like Ayush Mhatre and Kartik Sharma are set to shine. Despite Nathan Ellis's injury, CSK boasts a balanced squad, aiming for a record sixth title.
The Times of India Sports Awards 2025 showcased a grand celebration of Indian sporting excellence, bringing together top athletes, legends, and officials under one roof. The event highlighted outstanding achievements across disciplines, honouring dedication, performance, and resilience. With inspiring moments and recognition of emerging and established stars alike, it reflected Indias growing stature in global sports and its deep talent pool.
Robin Uthappa predicts IPL 2026 could be MS Dhoni's final season with CSK, suggesting a shift to a mentor-cum-player role. Dhoni's 2025 season saw him step in as captain due to Ruturaj Gaikwad's injury, while continuing his wicketkeeping excellence, reaching 200 dismissals.
During the T20 World Cup, Green scored 24 runs in three innings with a highest score of 21. He bowled three overs across two matches and picked up one wicket. In a recent Sheffield Shield match for Western Australia against New South Wales, where he scored a century, he did not bowl.
Smriti Mandhana and Samrat Rana were crowned Sportspersons of the Year at the TOISA awards for their stellar 2025 performances. Mandhana led India to their maiden Women's Cricket World Cup title, while pistol shooter Rana became India's first 10m air pistol world champion, clinching two golds. The event celebrated a landmark year for Indian sports.
England's Ashes campaign faced intense scrutiny over dressing-room culture, with allegations of indiscipline and a lack of seriousness. Despite initial setbacks and off-field controversies, Brendon McCullum's job was saved by a decisive shift in approach during the Sri Lanka tour and subsequent World Cup progress. However, lingering questions remain about the team's ability to perform under pressure.
At the Times of India Sports Awards 2025, Kuldeep Yadav and Harmanpreet Kaur won Cricketer of the Year. Spinner Kuldeep impressed with match-winning spin performances, while batter Harmanpreet led with aggressive captaincy and consistency. The awards reflected Indian crickets strong 2025, with both teams achieving success and rising global dominance.
At the Times of India Sports Awards (TOISA) 2025 in Lucknow, Prasad Sanyal highlighted the events growth into a national movement celebrating athletes journeys. Emphasising the theme More Sweat More Glory, he praised dedication behind success and lauded para-athletes resilience. He also acknowledged Uttar Pradeshs rising sports culture and an eminent jury.
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The ceremony in Lucknow recognised athletes across more than 45 sporting categories, honouring performances during the evaluation period from January 1 to December 31, 2025.
Former India pacer Irfan Pathan believes Mumbai Indians edge out Chennai Super Kings as the IPL's greatest team, highlighting MI's significant contribution of match-winners to the Indian squad. Pathan also noted that the upcoming IPL season will be a crucial learning phase for young batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who faces increased scrutiny from opposition bowlers.
India's Anahat Singh and Tanvi Khanna secured semifinal berths at the Indian Open Squash Championship, guaranteeing a national presence in the final. Top seed Anahat dominated her quarterfinal, while Tanvi staged an impressive upset. Local favorite Joshna Chinappa, however, was eliminated by Egypt's Nadien El Hammamy.
Earlier, Harshit Rana was also ruled out of the season due to the injury that he had sustained during a warm-up match ahead of the recently concluded T20 World Cup.
Sanju Samson's humility shone as he joined MS Dhoni at a CSK event, declining to sign a bat until Dhoni encouraged him. Fresh off a T20 World Cup win, Samson expressed excitement about learning from Dhoni and playing for CSK, anticipating an emotional opening match against his former team, Rajasthan Royals.
Cheteshwar Pujara believes Shubman Gill's T20 World Cup snub will fuel a stellar IPL 2026, urging him to boost his strike rate. Pujara hails Gujarat Titans' formidable top order, featuring Gill, Sudharsan, and Buttler, as key to their title aspirations. He also highlights the team's all-round depth and potent pace attack.
Despite a shaky start with three consecutive ducks at the T20 World Cup 2026, Abhishek Sharma found support from childhood friend Shubman Gill. Sharma humorously recounted seeking Gill's bat after his struggles. He later bounced back spectacularly, scoring a match-winning 52 in the final, helping India secure their third T20 World Cup title.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru kick off their IPL 2026 title defence on March 28 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Virat Kohli, fresh from practice, urged his team to maintain intensity for another successful campaign. Head coach Andy Flower expressed confidence in the squad, while Kohli eyes becoming the first to score 9,000 IPL runs.
Hardik Pandya once again named domestic legend Wasim Jaffer as his idol at the Naman Awards, recalling their first meeting at an Irfan Pathan dinner in 2014-15. Pandya, then an emerging talent, expressed his admiration for Jaffer's batting style. Jaffer, who amassed nearly 20,000 first-class runs, acknowledged Pandya's continued respect.
Cristiano Ronaldo misses Portugal's pre-World Cup friendlies due to a hamstring injury, though coach Roberto Martinez assures his World Cup participation is not at risk. Bernardo Silva is also absent for technical reasons. Portugal prepares for upcoming matches against Mexico and the USA, with Ronaldo aiming for his sixth World Cup appearance.
Former Pakistan head coach Gary Kirsten cited excessive interference from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as the primary reason for his abrupt departure after just six months. He described the constant external noise and punitive actions around poor performance as a significant challenge, making it difficult to implement plans or build relationships with players.
India is set to tour Ireland for a two-match T20I series in June 2026. Both matches will be held in Belfast, with the first game on June 26 and the second on June 28. This marks India's return to the Belfast venue after a significant gap.
India's sporting elite converges in Lucknow for the Times of India Sports Awards, honouring a decade of excellence and the past year's achievements. The prestigious event, attended by legends and led by a distinguished jury, celebrates athletes across over 45 categories, including a significant focus on para-sports, recognizing outstanding performances and emerging talents who have made the nation proud.
Kolkata Knight Riders' new head coach Abhishek Nayar anticipates a season of opportunities, leveraging a strong leadership group including Dwayne Bravo and Shane Watson. The team aims to finalize combinations, with Rinku Singh and Ramandeep Singh expected to step up. KKR awaits medical updates on pacer Harshit Rana and Lankan bowler Matheesha Pathirana.
Former India leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan has retired from the BCCI commentary panel. He cited a lack of opportunities for toss and presentation ceremonies over two decades. Sivaramakrishnan indicated this was a long-standing pattern. He also suggested colour discrimination might be a factor. His retirement highlights issues within TV production. Sivaramakrishnan was a prominent leg-spinner in the 1980s.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli face a crucial IPL season, their most visible audition for the 2027 ODI World Cup. With shrinking game-time and increasing selector pragmatism, this tournament is a fitness and form test. They must prove their present-day relevance and endurance to secure a spot, as reputation alone won't suffice for the demanding ODI format.