The Times of India
Elections 2026Sports / The Times of India
India's most recent T20I series in New Zealand was in 2022. The match in Napier ended in a tie under the Duckworth-Lewis method after rain interrupted play. India went on to win the series, claiming victory in the only match that was not affected by rain.
This was Jalajs 35th five-wicket haul in the Ranji Trophy, a phenomenal number that puts him level with the great Bishan Singh Bedi for the joint fifth-most five-fors in the tournaments history. Odisha, meanwhile, became the 20th Ranji team he has taken five wickets against.
In an impressive showing at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games, India has claimed 27 medals, comprising five gold, pushing their total count to 62 after three days. Standing in fifth place, Indian athletes showcased their prowess, with athletics leading the charge and bringing home 18 medals along with new Games records. Other disciplines, including archery, swimming, and badminton, also contributed to the nation's medal haul.
Nandal has been completely visually impaired since birth due to optic nerve failure.
Yuki Bhambri's tennis career has been riddled with injuries that have hindered both his performance and ranking. Following a promising start to the 2026 season, he encountered obstacles like an elbow injury and quad strain. Nevertheless, Bhambri remains thankful for the chance to compete and is eager to enhance his skills. His story exemplifies resilience and tenacity in overcoming life's challenges.
Simran, who won bronze at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, is working her way back with new guide Shivam after her previous guide, Umar Saifi, was banned for a doping violation.
Preethi Pal showcased her incredible talent by clinching her second silver medal at the Asian Para Games 2026, completing the women's 100m T35 race in an impressive time of 13.98 seconds. This achievement follows her prior silver in the women's 200m T35. Despite facing significant hurdles since birth in rural Uttar Pradesh, Preethi's athletic career ignited at 17, leading her to numerous international medals, underscoring her resilience and dedication.
Neeraj Chopra, along with his wife Himani Mor, has launched a sports management company named Vel Sports. This new venture aims to prioritise athletes' needs and enhance their performance while managing commercial commitments. The couples shared experiences in elite sports inform their approach to athlete representation and support. Additionally, the Neeraj Chopra Foundation focuses on developing emerging talent and improving coaching standards in India.
Shreyas Iyer press conference: India captain opens up on multiple talking points ahead of the five-T20I series against New Zealand
Mitchell Santner press conference: New Zealand T20I captain address the media ahead of five-match series against India.
Ishan Kishan is gearing up for an exciting five-match T20I series against New Zealand, where he stands merely seven runs shy of breaking Suryakumar Yadav's impressive record for the most T20I runs within a year. With additional matches against Sri Lanka looming ahead, Kishan is poised to chase more milestones, aiming to become the first Indian cricketer to amass 2,000 T20 runs in a single calendar year.
New Zealand's captain, Mitchell Santner, recognises Bhuvneshwar Kumar as a significant threat for the team. With his skill to swing the ball and vast experience, he poses a unique challenge, especially in New Zealand conditions. Having not played T20I cricket for nearly four years, his return brings much-needed strength to India's bowling.
New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could be a tough batter to stop if he gets a chance in India's playing XI for the five-match T20I series. The series begins on Thursday, and Santner said his team has already worked on plans to deal with the young left-hander.
Harmanpreet Kaur achieved a remarkable performance by scoring 91 runs against Zimbabwe in a recent T20I. Her innings marked a significant comeback after struggling for form in previous matches. She expressed gratitude towards those who supported her during challenging times in her career. After stepping down as captain, she found relief and confidence to enjoy her game once more.
India won all three medals in the mens shot put F46 event at the Asian Para Games on Wednesday, with Sachin Sarjerao Khilari taking gold with a Games record. Khilari, a silver medallist at the Paris Paralympics, defended the gold he had won at the previous edition of the Games in China. He produced his best throw of 15.87m with his sixth and final attempt to set a new Games record.
Mohammed Shami is determined to fight for his place in the Indian cricket team. He insists that he remains in peak fitness and continues to focus on domestic cricket. Shami completed the previous domestic season and aims to stay prepared for future series and tournaments. While he welcomed Bhuvneshwar Kumar's return, he voiced concerns about communications with selectors. Shami emphasizes the importance of loyalty and dedication to his team, Bengal.
Sunil Gavaskar has provided guidance for Indian batters ahead of the Test series against New Zealand. He emphasized the importance of patience and technique to withstand swing and seam conditions. Gavaskar also mentioned that adjusting to the time difference will benefit the Indian team during the series. He expressed concern about the limited two-Test format and its potential to yield inconclusive results.
Simon Harmer made headlines with an impressive 82 in the second Test against Australia, eclipsing the previous record of 76 runs held by Dale Steyn for South African No. 9 batsmen. His performance was vital in rescuing South Africa from a challenging position of 110-6. Partnering with Temba Bavuma, their formidable eighth-wicket alliance totaled 183 runs. South Africa eventually declared at 425-9, while Australia wrapped up Day 3 at 3-1.
India's women's cricket team displayed sheer dominance against Zimbabwe, clinching the third T20I by a commanding 92 runs. With Shafali Verma and Harmanpreet Kaur leading the charge, scoring 69 and 91 respectively, Zimbabwe struggled in the chase, ending at 124/7 after facing early setbacks. Nandani Sharma's stellar three-wicket performance solidified the win, marking an impressive 11-match T20I winning streak.
India achieved 24 medals, achieving five golds on Day 2 of the Asian Para Games 2026. Nishad Kumar and Deepthi Jeevanji led the country with outstanding athletic performances, contributing significantly to the medal tally. Despite this notable success, India's ranking dropped from fourth to sixth due to the gold medal count. China continued to lead the standings with a significant gap over competing nations.
India experienced a significant medal rush during Day 2 of the Asian Para Games 2026. The country won 24 medals, including five golds, primarily in athletics. Notable athletes like Nishad Kumar and Deepthi Jeevanji achieved outstanding performances in their respective events. Additionally, the nation has secured medals in shooting, powerlifting, and swimming. With more medals expected in archery and badminton, India is building a strong campaign.
Cristiano Ronaldo was fined just 255 by Portugals Football Federation for walking out of the national-team camp. The modest penalty stemmed from fixed disciplinary rules, with his formal confession and clean disciplinary record reducing the applicable sanction range. Although he received the maximum fine permitted within that reduced range, his 30-day suspension was backdated, allowing him to avoid missing another scheduled international match.
At the Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, India delivered its standout performance in para table tennis, clinching five bronze medals and exceeding its previous best of two. With Ravi Baby Sahana and Prachi Pandey marking a significant first in the standing category, and impressive contributions from Bhavina Patel and Jehan Madan, this feat highlights India's expanding footprint in para table tennis.
Simran celebrated her triumphant return by clinching the women's 200m T12 title at the Asian Para Games, breaking the Games record with a stunning time of 24.80 seconds. Tejalben Damor also impressed by bagging a bronze in the event, adding to India's overall medal count. Both athletes showed enthusiasm for future competitions, particularly Tejalben, who is looking forward to the women's 400m.
Pranav Soorma and Ram Ratan Singh secured gold and silver medals in men's discus throw at the Asian Para Games. Soorma set a new Asian record with a throw of 11.66m, while Singh achieved a throw of 10.35m. This achievement adds to India's growing medal tally at the event in Aichi-Nagoya. The competition featured athletes from different classifications competing together for fairness in standings.
New Zealand pacer Jacob Duffy opens up on facing India in New Zealand, his learnings from the IPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and the upcoming cricket season. Duffy also discusses his experience playing alongside Virat Kohli, his bowling improvements, and why Test cricket remains the pinnacle for him.
Team India continues to shine in the ICC Women's T20I Bowling Rankings, led by the exceptional performances of Shree Charani and Deepti Sharma. With Nandani Sharma and Kranti Gaud climbing the rankings, the Indian women's team has established a commanding 2-0 lead over Zimbabwe in their series. This reinforces the depth of talent within the squad, while Australian players also rise in the ODI rankings after their series against Bangladesh.

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