The Times of India News

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.

The modern 'Battle of the Sexes' exhibition between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios was a detrimental circus act for women's tennis. Despite rigged rules, the match highlighted a lack of competitive substance, contrasting sharply with Billie Jean King's impactful 1973 win that shaped the formation of the WTA and paved way for equality.

Nick Kyrgios beat women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the Battle of the Sexes on Sunday, in a highly-publicised showdown with modified rules that divided tennis fans. On Sunday, each player received only one serve and the dimensions of Sabalenka's side of the court were nine percent smaller, in an attempt to restrict Kyrgios' power and speed advantage.

Mandhana and Shafali added 162 runs for the opening wicket in 15.2 overs. It is now the highest partnership for any wicket for India in womens T20Is.

I am writing this from a place of deep pain. My home has been broken, and my children have been left without their father. I am a mother of three, including a five month old infant who has yet to be held by his father. This is not a story I wished to share, but silence should never be mistaken for weakness, she wrote.

Glamorgan Cricket Club mourns the loss of Hugh Morris, former ECB chief executive and England Test cricketer, at 62. Morris, who captained Glamorgan to a League title and later led England to significant international success, passed away after a battle with bowel cancer. He leaves a profound legacy on both playing and administrative fronts in English and Welsh cricket.

Former India spinner R Ashwin lauded England's Josh Tongue, recalling his county days and praising his wicket-taking ability. Tongue's impressive seven-wicket haul at the MCG earned him Player of the Match, a dream come true after overcoming significant injury setbacks. Ashwin also highlighted England's batting inconsistencies, suggesting improvements in bowling could bolster the team.

Pakistan cricketer Imad Wasim has confirmed his divorce from wife Sannia Ashfaq after six years of marriage, citing unresolved issues and mutual consent. Sannia also confirmed the separation, attributing it to a third-party involvement that ended their struggling union. The couple has three children.

Surya Charishma Tamiri and Rithvik Sanjeevi were crowned the new women's and men's singles champions at the Senior National Badminton Championships. Tamiri overcame a slow start to defeat Tanvi Patri, while Sanjeevi relied on his defense to outplay Bharat Raghav. The doubles finals also saw clear winners crowned.

That (160kmph) means more to me than any wicket I've taken. Of course, the team comes first - to win the (2003) World Cup, the 16 straight Test wins, that's the pinnacle; that's why you play the game, Lee was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

Can Virat Kohli chase down Sachin Tendulkar's hundred hundreds?

Yashasvi Jaiswal's India debut was profoundly shaped by captain Rohit Sharma's early assurance and clear communication. Sharma informed Jaiswal of his selection fifteen days prior, fostering confidence. This trust allowed Jaiswal to debut with a remarkable 171, showcasing maturity. He credits Sharma as an elder brother figure, inspiring him and instilling the importance of upholding Indian cricket's values.

Shaheen Afridi's difficult Big Bash League stint continued with an expensive spell and a knee injury during Brisbane Heat's win over Adelaide Strikers. The Pakistan fast bowler conceded 19 runs in one over and later limped off the field, raising concerns ahead of the T20 World Cup. Afridi has struggled throughout the tournament, taking only two wickets from four matches.

Root, who had never scored a century on Australian soil, finally broke the curse as he scored an unbeaten 138 in the first innings of the second Ashes 2025-26 Test at Brisbane.

Anrich Nortje press conference: 'Hopefully I get selected,' on T20 World Cup selection

Virat Kohli made a sensational return to domestic cricket in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 202526, scoring 208 runs in his first two matches for Delhi. He became the fastest to 16,000 List A runs with a century against Andhra and followed it with a half-century and two catches against Gujarat.

Pakistan international kabaddi player Ubaidullah Rajput has been indefinitely banned by the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation for playing for an Indian team in a private tournament in Bahrain without a no-objection certificate. Rajput claimed it was a misunderstanding, but the federation cited his participation and representation of an Indian team as violations.

Ryan Rickelton's stunning 113 went in vain as MI Cape Town fell short by 15 runs in a high-scoring SA20 opener. Durban's Super Giants posted a record 232/5, powered by Devon Conway's 64, before Ethan Bosch's crucial wickets sealed the win.

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MI Emirates sealed a Qualifier 1 berth with a commanding eight-wicket win over Dubai Capitals, powered by Allah Ghazanfars three-wicket spell and Kieron Pollards unbeaten 44. After restricting Dubai to 122/8, Pollards explosive 14th over ensured MI Emirates fifth consecutive win and a top-two finish.

A total of 36 wickets fell in just 142 overs, including 20 on the opening day, with the contest wrapped up in the evening session of day two as England sealed a four-wicket win their first Test victory in Australia since January 2011.

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Both sets of fans sang chants in Jota's name in the 18th and 20th minutes -- the shirt numbers he wore during his spells at Molineux and Anfield respectively.

Indian football experienced a difficult year. The national league faced significant uncertainty due to a lack of commercial partners. The national team failed to qualify for major tournaments. This contrasts with positive developments in football from other nations. The year 2025 is marked as a low point for Indian football.

Like Axar Patel, Jayswal hails from Nadiad in Gujarats Kheda district and began his cricket journey at the same academy where Team Indias T20I vice-captain took his first steps. Jayswal lost his father when he was just eight months old. As he grew older, cricket became his passion, and he told his mother of his dream to become a professional cricketer. The road was far from easy, but his mother stood firmly by him.

Former cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu wants Virat Kohli to return to Test cricket. Kohli retired from Tests in May 2025 after a successful career. He continues to perform well in One Day Internationals. Recent performances in Australia and South Africa show his enduring form. This has led to calls for his Test comeback.

Tragedy struck the Bangladesh Premier League as Dhaka Capitals assistant coach Mahbub Ali Zaki, 59, passed away after collapsing during a warm-up. He was rushed to the hospital but doctors confirmed his death. Zaki, a former fast bowler and respected coach, was known for his contributions to pace bowling development in Bangladesh.

Rayan Cherki's late goal secured a 2-1 victory for Manchester City against Nottingham Forest, propelling them to the top of the Premier League. Cherki also assisted the opening goal, showcasing his growing influence. The win extended City's impressive league run to six consecutive matches.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi will captain India's U-19 team on their South Africa tour, with Ayush Mhatre set to lead the squad for the 2026 U-19 World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Injuries have ruled out Mhatre and Vihaan Malhotra from the South Africa leg, but they are expected to return for the World Cup.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's participation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy highlights the tournament's crucial role in India's domestic cricket. Player earnings are tiered by experience, not stardom, with seasoned cricketers like Kohli and Sharma earning Rs 60,000 per match, a fraction of their international fees. Daily allowances and performance-based awards supplement this income.

England secured a significant four-wicket victory over Australia in Melbourne, ending a 19-Test winless streak Down Under. This result also impacted the ICC World Test Championship, handing Australia their first loss and tightening the race for the final. While Australia remains atop the standings, their points percentage has decreased, benefiting teams like New Zealand and South Africa.

India's women's cricket team aims for a fourth T20I win against Sri Lanka. Pacer Renuka Singh is a key player, finding success in Thiruvananthapuram. She has improved her bowling with new variations. Renuka's dedication and preparation are evident. She is a crucial part of India's future plans, with potential for success in upcoming tournaments.

It probably started quite slow and it's hard to explain. Not tennis bally normally, that's from like the moisture of the wicket, Smith said during the post-match press conference. He added that the thickness of the grass affected how the ball behaved after pitching.

England achieved a significant victory in the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This win ended an 18-match winless streak in Australia. The match concluded quickly due to pitch conditions. Stuart Broad's contrasting reactions from Perth to Melbourne captured the team's emotional journey. Despite the series outcome, the victory held immense emotional value for the English team.

Steve Smith has become Australia's second highest run-scorer against England in Ashes history. He surpassed Allan Border during the recent Test match. Smith's consistent performance over many Ashes contests places him in elite company. The match itself was a low-scoring affair dominated by bowlers on a challenging pitch. England ultimately secured a victory in a closely fought contest.

When you go out there and you're faced with those conditions, you've got to crack on and deal with it, Stokes said after England ended a 15-year wait for a Test win on Australian soil. Smith said the pitch had too much grass, which created excessive seam movement and made batting difficult.

Virat Kohli played a strong innings of 77 for Delhi against Gujarat in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Gujarat spinner Vishal Jayswal took Kohli's wicket. After the match, Jayswal shared a memorable moment with Kohli, receiving an autograph and a photograph. Kohli had previously scored 131 in the tournament. He is not expected to play further matches.