The Times of India News

England have included injured fast bowler Jofra Archer in their provisional T20 World Cup squad, showing faith in his potential return. Archer will miss the Sri Lanka tour, with Brydon Carse replacing him. Harry Brook will captain the T20 side, which also features new call-up Josh Tongue and returning Will Jacks. Zak Crawley is recalled for the ODI squad.

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India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and his wife Devisha Shetty visited the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala on Vaikuntha Ekadashi. The couple participated in sacred rituals, including passing through the Vaikuntha Dwaram, and received blessings from temple priests. This spiritual visit follows Yadav's recent captaincy in the T20I series against South Africa.

The Eden Gardens pitch for the India-South Africa Test, which ended in three days, received a 'satisfactory' rating despite a low-scoring affair. While India's coach defended it as a test of skill, the batting coach noted unexpected, early turn. In contrast, the MCG's two-day Ashes Test pitch was deemed 'unsatisfactory'.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has released Test head coach Azhar Mahmood three months early, signaling a strategic reset for the World Test Championship cycle. Mahmood's contract was set to expire in March 2026, coinciding with the team's next Test assignments.

Tristan Stubbs press conference: Eastern Cape's captain talks about their bowling strength | SA20

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Quinton de Kocks fluent 77 and a blistering 116-run stand with Matthew Breetzke powered Sunrisers Eastern Cape to a 48-run bonus-point win over Pretoria Capitals at St Georges Park. The victory lifted Sunrisers to the top of the SA20 table, with Adam Milnes four-wicket haul sealing a dominant all-round display.

Unheralded 19-year-old Surya Charishma Tamiri, without formal training at major academies, stunned top Indian players to win the Senior Nationals title in Vijayawada. Her impressive performance, marked by a cool demeanor and executed game plan, has experts believing she has a great future, provided she receives proper grooming and improved facilities.

India's women's cricket team dominated Sri Lanka 4-0, showcasing strong batting and bowling. However, a recurring issue of dropped catches and sloppy fielding marred their otherwise convincing performance. Despite these lapses, the team's overall strength ensured victory, but head coach Amol Muzumdar will aim to rectify these basic errors before facing tougher opponents.

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua was hospitalized in Nigeria after a road accident that tragically claimed the lives of two friends and team members. Joshua sustained injuries but is in stable condition, with authorities suspecting excessive speed contributed to the crash involving a stationary truck.

Tristan Stubbs press conference: on Sunrisers Eastern Capes Balanced Bowling Attack | SA20

Arjun Erigaisi finally broke his world championship jinx, securing a coveted podium finish at the World Rapid Championship. After years of near-misses, the young Indian chess prodigy showcased remarkable resilience, overcoming setbacks to clinch a bronze medal. This achievement marks a significant milestone, placing him alongside Viswanathan Anand as a decorated Indian player on the world stage.

Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are expected to be rested from the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand to ensure they are fresh for the T20 World Cup. Rishabh Pant might also be excluded from the ODI squad, with Ishan Kishan being a strong contender for a recall.

Young wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel has made a compelling case for India's ODI squad with exceptional Vijay Hazare Trophy performances. His recent unbeaten 160 off 101 balls, alongside over 300 runs in three matches, puts him firmly in contention for the upcoming New Zealand series, especially with Rishabh Pant's potential absence.

Indian selectors have dropped Shubman Gill from the 2026 T20 World Cup squad, citing his recent form slump. Despite this, former spinner Harbhajan Singh believes it's not an end for Gill, highlighting the intense competition. Suryakumar Yadav retains captaincy, with selectors backing his ability to deliver. Axar Patel is vice-captain, and Ishan Kishan returns.

Mandhanas run-scoring at the top of the order has played a key role in India Womens results this season. She has scored runs in different formats and conditions while setting up innings for the team.

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen slammed the table after losing on time to Indias Arjun Erigaisi at the World Blitz Championship in Doha. The ninth-round defeat, with Arjun playing black, was one of the tournaments biggest upsets and pushed him joint top on 7.5 points. It was Carlsens latest emotional outburst.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said Pakistan will not force handshakes with India if the Indian team is unwilling, ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. He stressed keeping politics out of cricket and demanded equal treatment. The issue has continued since the Pahalgam attack, causing repeated handshake refusals, controversies, ICC interventions and sanctions during recent India-Pakistan tournaments.

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua was injured in a car accident in Nigeria that killed two other passengers. The crash, confirmed by Lagos officials, occurred on a busy road linking Ogun State and Lagos. Joshua was taken to an undisclosed hospital, with no details yet on his injuries. The accident comes just days after his win over Jake Paul in Miami, as he prepares for a potential title return and a possible fight with Tyson Fury in 2026.

Saurashtra earlier posted 320 for seven in 50 overs. Opener Vishvarajsinh Jadeja top-scored with 115 from 104 balls, while Ruchit Ahir added an unbeaten 95 off 65 balls.

With KL Rahul set to be Indias first-choice wicketkeeper, the battle for his backup has intensified ahead of the New Zealand ODIs. Ishan Kishans red-hot domestic form, Rishabh Pants experience and Dhruv Jurels consistency have turned the second wicketkeepers slot into a key selection dilemma as India fine-tune their white-ball plans

Former Australia cricketer Tom Moody says Indias biggest challenge is having too much talent, making team selection difficult for captains and selectors. Eoin Morgan stressed that strong bowling attacks win white-ball tournaments by building belief. Their comments come as India name Suryakumar Yadav captain for the T20 World Cup 2026, with a strong, balanced squad across batting and bowling for Group A.

Bihar continued their good run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Plate 2025-26 with an easy win over Meghalaya at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi. This was Bihars third win in a row, and they did it in convincing fashion by eight wickets. Bihar won the toss and chose to bowl first.

Australian opener Jake Weatherald humorously acknowledged his tough Ashes form with a self-deprecating social media post after the MCG Test concluded swiftly. Despite scoring low, his positive attitude earned fan support. The ICC deemed the pitch unsatisfactory as Australia secured the Ashes urn ahead of the Sydney finale.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders secured the last and final playoff spot in the ILT20 Season 4, joining Dubai Capitals, Desert Vipers, and MI Emirates. Desert Vipers topped the league, with MI Emirates finishing second. The playoffs feature a mix of past champions and teams seeking their first title. Standout performers include Max Holden and Sam Curran for Desert Vipers.

Masood remained unbeaten on 212 from 185 balls at the end of play on day one of the match on Sunday.

Seven-year-old Pragnika Vaka Lakshmi, Under-7 Girls champion at the FIDE World Schools Chess Championship 2025, met PM Narendra Modi after winning gold for India on Friday. From learning chess during COVID to rapid success, she shows rare courage and discipline. Backed by family sacrifices, scholarships, and offline coaching, she balances school, training, and dreams of becoming the best chess player worldwide.

On this day in 1983, batting legend Sunil Gavaskar etched his name in history with a monumental 236 not out against the West Indies in Chennai. This stellar innings followed his record-breaking 30th Test century, surpassing Don Bradman's long-standing mark. Gavaskar's unbeaten 236 remained India's highest Test score for nearly two decades, a testament to his enduring brilliance.

The pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the venue for the fourth Ashes Test, has been deemed Unsatisfactory with the venue handed one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, the ICC said in a statement. An unsatisfactory rating is the third level in the ICCs four-tier system.

While the BCCI has mandated centrally contracted players to feature in at least two matches, Virat Kohli has opted to play a third game as part of his preparation for the upcoming home series against New Zealand. Kohli has been in fine form in his first two appearances for Delhi, scoring 131 and 77 respectively.

Under ICC regulations, accumulation of six demerit points can result in a venue being banned from hosting international matches for a period of 12 months. The Test, which England won by four wickets, was completed inside two days, with as many as 20 wickets falling on the opening day alone.

Bhutan's Sonam Yeshey made T20 International history by becoming the first bowler to take an eight-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 8 for 7 against Myanmar. This extraordinary spell dismantled Myanmar's chase, securing an 82-run victory for Bhutan and an unassailable series lead. Yeshey's performance surpasses all previous T20 International records.

India womens team captain Harmanpreet Kaur broke into a bhangra while lifting the Womens T20 World Cup trophy, a moment that soon went viral and won hearts across social media. The celebratory act, however, had a light-hearted story behind it.

Venkatesh Iyers dismissal came after a costly mix-up with Himanshu Mantri while attempting a quick single, leaving him short of the crease. The early exit once again brought focus on the 30-year-old, who has been under scrutiny following an eventful IPL auction cycle.

India can survive without Virat and Rohit, not without Bumrah

Australia coach Andrew McDonald said Page had done an outstanding job over the years and felt the batters also needed to take responsibility for failing to post competitive totals. The conditions at the MCG offered significant movement and bounce for the seamers, making batting difficult, with England clinching a four-wicket victory inside two days.

In 2025, Mondo broke the pole vault record like a birthday kid handing out sweets. Elsewhere, F1 had a dash to the finish line that would have impressed the purists, while golf saw a man outgrow a kid and slip into the Green Jacket

Michael Pepper and Phil Salts 131-run opening stand powered Abu Dhabi Knight Riders to a 32-run win over Gulf Giants, sealing a playoff berth in the World ILT20. Peppers 83 and Salts unbeaten 72 set up 179/1 before Narine and Russell snuffed out a Moeen Ali-led chase to set up an Eliminator clash with Dubai Capitals.

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England's Gus Atkinson is out of the final Ashes Test. He injured his hamstring during the fourth Test. Atkinson is the third pace bowler to be sent home. Matthew Potts and Matthew Fisher are now in contention. Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, and Ben Stokes will handle the pace bowling. England trail Australia 3-1 in the series.

Magnus Carlsen secured his sixth World Rapid Championship title in Doha after a strong comeback, winning five consecutive games. India's Arjun Erigaisi and Koneru Humpy also achieved podium finishes, winning bronze medals in their respective sections. Aleksandra Goryachkina claimed the women's title in a playoff.

Delhi are scheduled to take on Saurashtra at the Karnataka Cricket Association (KSCA) Stadium in Alur, while Mumbai will face Chhattisgarh at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground in Jaipur. Both teams will be will be without the services of Kohli and Rohit, who had committed to playing only the first two matches of the competition.

Anil Kumble said Rashid Khans workload will need careful management, particularly alongside bowlers such as Sai Kishore. He also felt that all-round options like Rahul Tewatia and Washington Sundar could play a bigger role for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground witnessed an unprecedented two-day Test, sparking outrage over pitch quality. Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar sarcastically questioned the contrasting ratings of the Perth and Melbourne pitches, highlighting the financial and sporting implications of the rapid finish. He subtly critiqued the perceived double standards in evaluating groundsmen's work.

Monty Panesars remarks come at a time when India have struggled in Test cricket under head coach Gautam Gambhir, with the side suffering two whitewash defeats 3-0 against New Zealand and 2-0 against South Africa. Speaking about Gambhirs tenure, Panesar said the former India opener has proven himself as a white-ball coach but still needs time and experience in red-ball cricket.

Smriti Mandhana achieved a significant milestone, becoming the second Indian woman to score over 10,000 international runs. She reached this landmark during the T20I against Sri Lanka. Mandhana's career includes impressive statistics across all formats. She also holds records in T20Is and ODIs. Following the T20I series, she will captain Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women's Premier League.

Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has a surprising passion for perfumes. Teammate Axar Patel shared that Bumrah is deeply involved in understanding perfume composition. Bumrah even gifted a perfume to Siraj after a match. Patel also received a perfume gift from Bumrah. These anecdotes reveal a lighter side to the formidable bowler off the field.