The Times of India

Ishan Kishan's explosive 53 off 20 balls powered India to a formidable 241/5 in their T20 World Cup warm-up against South Africa. Despite a strong fightback from the Proteas, led by Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs, India secured a 30-run victory. Nine Indian bowlers contributed to restricting South Africa to 210/7.

India secured a spot in the ICC Under-19 World Cup final by defeating Afghanistan by seven wickets. Aaron George's century, along with half-centuries from Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre, guided India to their highest successful chase in the tournament's history. They will now face England in the final.

Aaron George's magnificent 115 powered India to a record U-19 World Cup semifinal chase, securing their spot in the final. His composed innings, supported by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Ayush Mhatre, anchored a challenging pursuit of 311. Coach Biju Nair praised his calm demeanor, highlighting his versatility. This century marks a significant milestone for the young talent.

Rishabh Pant is recovering well and is optimistic about returning to cricket soon. He is working hard at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. Pant emphasizes the importance of his love for the game and support from others during his recovery. He believes in continuous improvement as an athlete.

India's T20 World Cup warm-up saw Ishan Kishan open alongside Abhishek Sharma, potentially impacting Sanju Samson's World Cup selection. Captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed the opening pair, emphasizing the team's strategy. This move follows recent shifts in batting order, with Kishan's strong form and Samson's inconsistent returns influencing management decisions.

Australian captain Pat Cummins will miss the T20 World Cup. He is recovering from a back stress fracture. Cummins believes Australia can still win the tournament. He highlighted the team's depth and experience. Many players have performed well in the Big Bash League. Cummins also prioritizes Test cricket for his long-term career.

India secured their second T20 World Cup title in 2024, defeating South Africa in a thrilling final. This victory ended an 11-year drought and added to their inaugural win in 2007. The tournament has seen six different champions across nine editions, with a curious trend of host nations never winning the title.

South Africa begins its T20 World Cup preparation with a match against India. Experts analyze the Proteas' squad, noting the absence of Heinrich Klaasen but highlighting growing depth. The team shows renewed confidence and a strong presence. This squad possesses significant talent and is poised for success in the upcoming tournament.

India and South Africa will face off in their sole T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up match on Wednesday, February 4, in Navi Mumbai. This fixture offers both teams a crucial final opportunity to fine-tune their strategies, batting orders, and bowling plans before the tournament commences on February 7.

Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics begin February 6 in Northern Italy. Athletes compete in 16 disciplines across multiple venues. India sends two athletes, Arif Mohammad Khan and Stanzin Lundup. Key medal events include alpine skiing, figure skating, and ice hockey. Ski mountaineering debuts. The Games conclude February 22 with the mens ice hockey final and Closing Ceremony.

Sam Curran shows great flexibility for England's T20 World Cup campaign. He delivered key performances with bat and ball against Sri Lanka. Curran's ability to adapt his role, whether batting or bowling, makes him a vital player. His growth, boosted by franchise cricket, positions him as a key asset for England's ambitions.

Traditional wrestling akhadas in Old Delhi are facing a decline due to reduced public interest and the fading of local competitions. The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated financial struggles and halted tournaments, leading to closures. Concerns over fixed bouts and betting have eroded spectator trust, impacting young wrestlers' aspirations and the sport's future.

Almost a century ago, on February 4, 1929, 19-year-old Archie Jackson, hailed as Bradman's equal, achieved his sole Test century in his debut Ashes match for Australia. This stunning 164 was the highlight of a tragically short career. Jackson played only eight Tests before succumbing to tuberculosis at 23, leaving behind a legacy of immense promise.

Esha Singh secured the women's 10m air pistol gold at the Asian Championship, continuing her strong form. She also contributed to India's team gold, beating competitors from Chinese Taipei. This marks her second senior Asian Championship individual gold, following her 2024 continental title and last year's ISSF World Cup win.

World champion Samrat Rana secured a bronze in the men's 10m air pistol at the Asian Championship, despite a dip in form from his qualification performance. India also clinched a silver in the team event, with Rana, Sharvan Kumar, and Varun Tomar contributing to the impressive total. The nation fields the largest contingent at the prestigious competition.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has largely ruled out a career in cricket commentary, citing the difficulty in balancing description with criticism and his struggle with memorizing statistics. He prefers listening and absorbing information rather than speaking, though he humorously admits to still being awkward at phone conversations.

Former captain MS Dhoni supports Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the 2027 Cricket World Cup. He believes performance and fitness, not age, should decide their future in ODI cricket. Dhoni emphasises that experienced players offer invaluable guidance to younger teammates. He stated that if they continue to perform and remain fit, they should be considered for selection.

Dear Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav, don't let Ishan Kishan down

Cricket's rulebook sees 73 significant updates from October, including mandatory completion of the final over in multi-day matches, even after a wicket falls. Wicketkeeper positioning is clarified, and the 'bunny hop catch' is removed. Laminated bats are now legal in open-age cricket, and new ball sizes are introduced for women and juniors. Overthrows are officially defined for the first time.

A 16-year-old gymnast from Madhya Pradesh, Ujair Ali, died after a severe neck injury sustained during the School Games Nationals in Kolkata. His family alleges negligence, claiming officials abandoned him at a government hospital. Ujair suffered a dislocation of his C4 and C5 vertebrae while attempting a double backflip.

T20 cricket's Powerplay scoring has dramatically increased, with teams now targeting 75 runs for a strong start. India's explosive openers, led by Abhishek Sharma, are setting new benchmarks. While other nations like England, New Zealand, and Australia also boast formidable opening pairs, India's aggressive approach, featuring a potential all-left-handed top order, promises thrilling encounters.

Pakistans decision to boycott only its T20 World Cup match against India has put the PCB on a collision course with the ICC. With no force majeure clause in the participation agreement, the move is being viewed as a contractual violation. The ICC is likely to question selective participation and potential government interference, with sanctions not ruled out.

Legendary captain MS Dhoni rates India as a formidable contender for the T20 World Cup, citing their immense experience and current form. However, he expressed concern over the impact of dew, which can significantly influence match outcomes. Dhoni also emphasized the inherent unpredictability of T20 cricket, where individual brilliance and player availability are crucial for success.

Axar Patels career has been shaped by injuries, patience, and quiet excellence. From missing the 2023 ODI World Cup to starring in Indias 2024 T20 triumph, the all-rounder has grown into a vital cog across formats. Understated yet indispensable, a lot will depend on Axar's all-round skillsets in India's T20 World Cup title defence, starting from February 7.

Delhi Capitals cruised into their fourth straight WPL final with a dominant seven-wicket win over Gujarat Giants. After restricting Gujarat to 168/7, led by Chinelle Henrys 3/35, DC chased the target in 15.4 overs. Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee starred up top before Jemimah Rodrigues sealed a final clash with RCB.

Willow by Cricbuzz has announced major updates for the 2026 season, including free streaming of all four Team USA matches at the ICC Mens T20 World Cup on YouTube for the first time. The platform has also partnered with Jomboy Media for creator-led alternate telecasts and unveiled a revamped, faster viewing experience across its apps and devices.

Willow by Cricbuzz to Stream Team USA T20 World Cup Matches Free on YouTube in 2026

Are India favourites to win 2026 T20 World Cup? | Greenstone Lobo makes a HUGE PREDICTION

In Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel, India arguably have the best quartet of bowlers at the T20 World Cup. Not to forget, Kuldeep Yadav might have to wait for his chances and the vastly improved Shivam Dube is no pushover. The Suryakumar Yadav-led team looks dangerous not just on paper but has also walked the talk on the field.

The Athletics Federation of India has set extremely high qualification standards for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with athletes in 17 events required to match or break national records. With a reduced squad size, even record holders face challenges. The Federation Cup will be the final trials, though selectors retain discretion to pick medal prospects.

T20 World Cup: Bangladesh took a stand; Pakistans move reeks of desperation

Yuki Bhambri climbed to a career-high world No. 20 in the ATP doubles rankings, becoming the first Indian since Rohan Bopanna to enter the Top 20. The rise follows strong performances, including a solid Australian Open run, a US Open semifinal in 2025, and his maiden ATP 500 title in Dubai.

Former Australia captain Steve Smith has signed with PSL newcomers Sialkot Stallionz for the 2026 season, marking his first appearance in the league. Signed directly under league rules, Smith is expected to play a key leadership role. Despite going unsold in the IPL, he remains a top T20 performer after impressing in the Big Bash League.

Australias 3-0 T20 series loss to Pakistan sparked controversy after replays showed Cooper Connolly was wrongly stumped in the third match. Wicketkeeper Khawaja Nafay broke the stumps with the glove not holding the ball, breaching ICC rules. The error went unchecked, angering fans and raising concerns over umpiring and sportsmanship despite Pakistans dominant win.

Pakistan Cricket Board faces potential legal action from T20 World Cup broadcasters over boycotting the India match. The ICC warned of financial penalties, possibly withholding Pakistan's revenue share. This decision, reportedly in solidarity with Bangladesh, could lead to a breach of contract lawsuit. Officials are preparing for severe repercussions, a PCB source said on Tuesday to news agency PTI.

American boxer Jarrell Miller won his heavyweight bout at Madison Square Garden but lost his toupee mid-fight after taking punches from Kingsley Ibeh. Spotting it come loose, he laughed and threw it into the crowd, then blamed his sudden hair loss on shampoo at his mothers house, calling the moment embarrassing but funny.

Reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju has been confirmed as the fourth participant for Norway Chess 2026, joining fellow Indian R Praggnanandhaa. The youngest world champion in history, Gukesh returns after a strong 2025 showing and a memorable win over Magnus Carlsen, highlighting Indias growing dominance in world chess.

Former Mumbai allrounder Shubham Ranjane, now representing USA, is reliving nostalgic moments after returning to Mumbai for the T20 World Cup. Excited to play at Wankhede, meet close friend Suryakumar Yadav, and face India, Ranjane calls it a proud, emotional homecoming as family cheers him on.

India's 1977/78 tour of Australia saw a remarkable turnaround. After losing the first two Tests, India secured their maiden wins Down Under, including a stunning series-levelling victory. The decider in Adelaide was a nail-biter, with India pushing Australia to the brink before ultimately losing the series 3-2.

Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has slammed the ICC for urging the PCB to reconsider boycotting the India match at the T20 World Cup. Akmal questioned the ICC's past inaction on political issues affecting cricket between the two nations, including the Asia Cup and India's refusal to play in Pakistan.

Despite a stellar T20I series, Ishan Kishan was surprisingly omitted from Yuzvendra Chahal's preferred XI for India's T20 World Cup opener. Chahal opted for the struggling Sanju Samson to open alongside Abhishek Sharma, a decision that raises eyebrows given Kishan's dominant recent form.

Rohit Sharma, honored with the Padma Shri, expressed deep gratitude for the prestigious civilian award, calling it a momentous occasion for his family. He reaffirmed his unwavering dedication to securing victories for India on the cricket field. This recognition celebrates his significant contributions as both a player and captain, marking a distinguished chapter in his illustrious career.

Former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar believes the potential India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match cancellation is insignificant, stating the rivalry has lost its competitive edge. He argues India now dominates, making encounters feel one-sided, unlike past contests. Manjrekar asserts the tournament's value remains unaffected by this fixture's absence.

India's T20 juggernaut faces a crucial selection dilemma ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with Sanju Samson's recent form under scrutiny. Despite a strong past record, his struggles against New Zealand have opened the door for Ishan Kishan's impressive resurgence, creating a headache for the management as they aim to defend their title.

Pat Cummins has withdrawn from the T20 World Cup due to a back injury, prioritizing a demanding Test schedule over a rushed return. Medical advice indicated a longer recovery was needed, prompting a conservative approach to ensure fitness for upcoming major Test series. Cummins hopes to return for the IPL, with his comeback guided by further scans.

Kareena Kapoor on ISPLs rise and backing young cricket dreams | Tigers of Kolkata