The Times of India

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The ICC has replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the 2026 T20 World Cup after the Bangladesh Cricket Board refused to travel to India. Despite extensive dialogue and a deadline, the BCB maintained its objections over security assessments, a stance the ICC deemed an unhealthy precedent. The decision was finalized after the BCB failed to confirm participation.

India are unlikely to play a bilateral series with Pakistan anytime soon. BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla says the board will follow the Indian governments guidance. I don't think it's possible to have bilateral tours in the current situation, he added. India last played Pakistan in 2012-13 and now follows a third soil policy for matches. Tensions increased after Operation Sindoor in 2025, and security concerns remain high, recalling the 2009 attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore.

Yuki Bhambri and Andre Goransson staged a comeback to defeat Santiago Gonzalez and David Pel 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in the Australian Open men's doubles. Play was halted for nearly four hours due to the heat rule, after which the tenth seeds found their rhythm. They advanced to face Brazil's Luz and Matos in the round of 16.

Jannik Sinner battled severe heat and cramping at the Australian Open, struggling against Eliot Spizzirri before a heat-induced roof closure and break allowed him to recover. He ultimately secured a tough 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory. Meanwhile, veteran Stan Wawrinka's impressive run ended as he was defeated by Taylor Fritz.

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Bangladesh have been officially replaced by Scotland in the T20 World Cup after the ICC ruled that BCBs demands did not align with its policy. ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta informed the Board and invited Scotland, citing their strong recent performances and No.14 ranking. Scotland, seen as the most deserving associate team, will play in Group C with matches in Kolkata and Mumbai.

Former India batter Aakash Chopra questions Sanju Samson's T20I spot against New Zealand, citing repeated dismissals. Despite India's series lead, Samson's struggles, particularly his driving shots, are concerning. With Ishan Kishan in form and the T20 World Cup approaching, Samson faces mounting pressure to perform, even on his home ground.

Stan Wawrinka's illustrious Australian Open journey concluded in the third round after a challenging four-set loss to Taylor Fritz. The 40-year-old Swiss veteran, in his final career season, bowed out at John Cain Arena, marking a poignant farewell to the tournament he won in 2014. Despite a strong second-set response, Wawrinka couldn't overcome the physical demands and Fritz's resurgence.

The ICC has officially replaced Bangladesh with Scotland for the mens T20 World Cup 2026, starting February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. Scotland will play in Group C with Italy, Nepal, West Indies and England. The move follows Bangladeshs refusal to tour India over security concerns, which the ICC rejected after risk assessments found no direct threat.

Chennai Super Kings icon MS Dhoni is back in the nets, preparing for his 17th IPL season in 2026. Despite a challenging 2025 for CSK and a rare lean patch with the bat, the legendary captain, who led India to World Cup glory, is gearing up for another campaign. His enduring presence and leadership remain vital for the franchise.

Naomi Osaka withdrew from the Australian Open before her third-round match due to an undisclosed injury. She said stopping was heartbreaking but necessary to avoid further damage. Her run drew attention for a viral fashion entrance and a tense second-round win over Sorana Cirstea, which ended with a cold exchange and brief on-court disagreement over Osakas celebrations.

Anrich Nortje on T20 World Cup momentum, SA20 conditions & team depth

Suryakumar Yadav's selfless act of sacrificing his No. 3 batting spot for Sarfaraz Khan in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy has been credited by Sarfaraz for his remarkable turnaround in form. This gesture, along with valuable advice, reignited Sarfaraz's confidence, leading to a stellar white-ball season and an IPL contract.

World Cup 2026 attendees can expect faster US visas. Brand USA is facilitating the process for ticket holders. Curated experiences like road trips on Route 66 are planned. Indian travelers will find familiar communities in host cities like New Jersey and New York. AI tools will assist in planning multi-city itineraries for the event.

Royal Challengers Bangalore faces venue uncertainty due to difficulties adhering to new Standard Operational Procedures, prompting a search for alternate grounds. This situation arises as the franchise is currently up for sale, raising concerns for potential investors. Rajasthan Royals also grapples with similar issues, highlighting a broader problem with stakeholder relations impacting the IPL.

While the IPL remains franchise crickets financial powerhouse, SA20 is carving its own identity through an unmatched fan experience. From relaxed grass-bank viewing and family-friendly atmospheres to smart crowd management, music, and on-screen engagement, a one-sided Qualifier 2 at the Wanderers showed that cricket's biggest wins often come off the field, not on it.

Extreme heat halts play at the Australian Open on outside courts. Jannik Sinner's match was briefly delayed before continuing under a closed roof. Madison Keys and Jessica Pegula advanced in the women's singles. Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek are also in action. Players are contending with high temperatures throughout the day.

James Coles produced a match-winning all-round display as Sunrisers Eastern Cape crushed the Royals to reach their fourth consecutive SA20 Final. After strangling the Royals with spin, Coles unbeaten 45 off 19 sealed a seven-wicket win and a title rematch with Pretoria Capitals at Newlands.

Shivam Dube press conference: On Ishan and Suryas knock & his role with the ball

Actor-producer Vidnyan Mane has accused singer-composer Palaash Muchhal of infidelity and financial misconduct, leading to a police complaint in Sangli, Maharashtra. Mane alleges Muchhal was caught with another woman during wedding festivities and claims he was cheated of over Rs 40 lakh in a film project. Muchhal has denied all accusations, calling them baseless and factually incorrect.

Suryakumar Yadav lauded Ishan Kishan's fearless batting after India's seven-wicket win over New Zealand. Kishan's aggressive 76 and Yadav's 82 powered a remarkable chase, reflecting the team's desired free-flowing approach. Despite bowling struggles, the team restricted New Zealand to a manageable total.

Ishan Kishan's powerful 76 off 32 balls marked a triumphant return to the Indian jersey after a two-year hiatus. He rediscovered his form through domestic cricket, answering his own doubts about his capability to perform at the international level. Kishan's confident mindset and strategic approach were key to chasing a daunting target.

India surged to a commanding 2-0 lead in the T20 series against New Zealand, securing a seven-wicket victory in Raipur. Ishan Kishan's explosive 76 and Suryakumar Yadav's unbeaten 82 powered the chase, while Kuldeep Yadav's two wickets proved crucial in restricting the visitors. The hosts comfortably overhauled New Zealand's 208-run target.

Professional polo player Siddhant Sharma faced a provisional suspension for cocaine use. However, his case was quickly decided in his favor by an anti-doping panel. He was granted conditional exoneration and allowed to play again. This swift decision by NADA has raised questions, especially given typical timelines for doping cases. The Indian Polo Association is now investigating the matter internally.

Indias first UCI 2.2 professional cycling race, the Pune Grand Tour, has impressed the sports global governing body, with the UCI considering an upgrade as early as next year. Praising organisation, international participation and fan response, UCI director general Amina Lanaya said Pune could become a reference race in Asia and even a future World Championships host.

India faced early pressure chasing New Zealand's 209. Ishan Kishan arrived at number three and played a fearless innings of 76 runs from just 32 balls. He partnered with captain Suryakumar Yadav for a 122-run stand. This partnership shifted the game's momentum. New Zealand had earlier posted 208 for 6. Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets for India.

Australia's T20 World Cup preparations have been hit by a hamstring injury to fast bowler Nathan Ellis, ruling him out of the Big Bash League. This setback adds to existing fitness concerns for Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, impacting Australia's pace attack ahead of the tournament. Ellis was a key performer for Hobart before his injury.

The US joins Mexico and Canada to host the FIFA World Cup, the games in the US will begin with the hosts taking on Paraguay in a Group D match in Los Angeles on June 12, day after the tournament kicks off in Mexico City. That will set football (soccer for Americans) rolling across 11 cities for the next one month.

Hardik Pandya has achieved a significant milestone in Indian T20I cricket. He is now the second most capped player, surpassing Virat Kohli. Pandya's consistent performance with bat and ball highlights his enduring presence in the shortest format. This achievement places him in an exclusive group of Indian cricketers with over 100 T20 international appearances.

Hanif Mohammad's monumental 337 against the West Indies in 1958 secured Pakistan's first Test draw. He batted for 970 minutes, showcasing incredible patience and resilience to save his team from defeat after following on. This innings remains the longest in Test cricket history by time.

Former New Zealand wicketkeeper Ian Smith questioned India's decision to omit Rishabh Pant from their T20 World Cup squad, stating a player of his caliber should be a guaranteed selection. Smith believes Pant's match-winning ability makes him indispensable, even over Sanju Samson, highlighting the modern T20 trend of wicketkeeper-batters batting higher up the order.

The ICC is considering action against Bangladesh for refusing to tour India for the T20 World Cup 2026 due to security concerns. Bangladesh's request to shift matches to Sri Lanka was rejected, potentially leading to Scotland's replacement. The dispute escalated after a Bangladeshi player's IPL removal.

Bangladesh Cricket Board has appealed to the ICC's Dispute Resolution Committee regarding their T20 World Cup matches being held in India, despite the committee lacking authority over such decisions. This move follows the interim government's refusal to travel, citing security concerns. The ICC Board had previously approved India as the venue.

Young tennis star Iva Jovic has reached the Australian Open fourth round. She defeated seventh seed Jasmine Paolini. Jovic received advice from her idol Novak Djokovic. This is her first time reaching the second week of a major tournament. She will now face Yulia Putintseva for a quarterfinal spot.

Sarfaraz Khan has once again impressed with a double century in the Ranji Trophy. This follows his strong performances in other domestic competitions. His consistent run-scoring highlights his readiness for international cricket. The Mumbai batter's hunger for big scores remains undiminished. This latest innings puts him firmly back in the selectors' frame for a Test recall.

Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria commented on Babar Azam's early exit from the Big Bash League and an on-field incident. Kaneria stated that players must accept tough situations for the team's benefit, emphasizing that such incidents are common in professional cricket and should not be taken personally.

Bangladesh Cricket Board has refused to send its team to the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India, citing a lack of justice from the ICC. The global governing body rejected Bangladesh's venue shift request and has issued an ultimatum. Scotland is now the frontrunner to replace Bangladesh in the tournament.

Former India batter Manoj Tiwary advocates for Rohit Sharma's immediate return as ODI captain, citing Shubman Gill's recent struggles. Tiwary believes Rohit's proven leadership is crucial for the upcoming World Cup, suggesting a significantly higher chance of victory under his command compared to Gill's. He questioned the timing of the captaincy change.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin criticized Bangladesh's decision to boycott their T20 World Cup 2026 matches in India, calling it their own loss. He emphasized India's secure environment, citing ongoing matches involving New Zealand and South Africa. The ICC rejected Bangladesh's request to shift their games, a decision the BCB president confirmed they will uphold.

Australian Open faces extreme heat with temperatures nearing 40C, prompting schedule changes and safety advisories. Matches commence earlier to utilize cooler mornings, with organizers prioritizing player and spectator well-being. Further intense heat is forecast for Tuesday, potentially reaching 43C, raising concerns for player preparations and health.

Indian opener Abhishek Sharma aims to emulate Rohit Sharma's aggressive powerplay approach, acknowledging room for improvement. His recent blistering form, including an 84 against New Zealand, showcases his intent to set a strong momentum for the team. Abhishek's meticulous preparation fuels his attacking style, aiming to put opposition bowlers under pressure early.

Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria backed the ICC's decision to maintain the 2026 T20 World Cup schedule in India, dismissing Bangladesh's security concerns. He stated Bangladesh's absence would have minimal impact, highlighting that political issues are overshadowing cricket discussions and urging for the sport to remain separate from politics.

Chris Morris views SA20 as an ideal T20 World Cup build-up, praising competitive conditions and the rise of South African players. He lauded Kagiso Rabadas return, highlighted the rise of Jordan Hermann and Nqobani Mokoena, and stressed the value of spinners alongside seamers. Morris also acknowledges injury challenges, SA20s transformative impact, and the enduring importance of all-rounders in modern international cricket.