The Times of India
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Abhishek Sharma smashed his century off just 30 balls to break the record for the fastest T20I century by an Indian. The record was earlier held by former India captain Rohit Sharma, who had scored a 35-ball century against Sri Lanka in Indore in 2017.
Abhishek Sharma smashed the fastest T20I century by an Indian batter, reaching the milestone in just 30 balls during the third and final T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Abhishek smashed 11 sixes and nine fours during his 108-run whirlwind knock off just 34 balls as he broke former India captain Rohit Sharma's record for the fastest T20I century by an Indian.
Abhishek Sharma set the Arun Jaitley Stadium on fire with a stunning display of power hitting against Afghanistan in the third T20I on Thursday. Abhishek smashed a blistering century off just 30 balls. It is the fastest T20I century by a batter from a Test-playing nation.
Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran won the toss and opted to field against India in the third and final T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Thursday. Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran said his team wanted to bowl first in the previous two matches as well but lost the toss on both occasions.
Prithvi Shaw and Akriti Agarwal announced their engagement on March 8. The India batter shared a series of romantic pictures from the occasion. In one photograph, Shaw could be seen going down on one knee to propose to Agarwal, while another showed the couple displaying their engagement rings.
Afghanistan players open up on their special bond with India, experiences in the IPL and the incredible support they continue to receive from fans in Delhi and across the country.
Leicestershire have been fined 5,000 and deducted 27 points after their Grace Road pitch was deemed poor during the Glamorgan match. The club cited extreme heat and an unscheduled Bollywood shoot linked to Sourav Gangulys biopic as factors. However, the disciplinary panel rejected the filming as a mitigating factor, leaving Leicestershire facing a serious relegation battle.
The Pakistan Cricket Board will wait for the NCCIAs forensic report before deciding whether to take disciplinary action against Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq. The Lahore High Court dismissed Rizwans petition challenging NCCIA notices. The agency is examining mobile phones taken from both players and is expected to submit its findings to the PCB next week.
Pakistan batter Mohammad Rizwan has moved the Lahore High Court against summons issued by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). Rizwan, questioned after Pakistans Test series loss in England, has challenged the investigation and the agencys jurisdiction. The case comes amid a separate PCB inquiry into player conduct and major squad changes following Pakistans poor England tour.
France opened their Chess Olympiad campaign with a 4-0 win over Tunisia, but top board Maxime Vachier-Lagrave remains realistic about his teams chances. In an exclusive interaction, MVL named USA, India, China and Uzbekistan as the favourites. The French star also reflected on his three-decade chess journey, handling setbacks, his love for the game and his recent time in India.
China's cricket journey in the Asian Games came to an unforeseen halt, as their quarter-final clash with Bangladesh was called off due to a soaked outfield. Consequently, Bangladesh moved forward to the semi-finals, taking advantage of their superior international ranking. This marked a sudden end to China's third participation in the Asian Games cricket event, a situation governed by tournament rules favouring the higher-ranked team.
Indian athletes in rowing and shooting faced a tumultuous start upon arrival, encountering major issues with their accommodation and registration. Several competitors were left without lodging, while others noticed their names were missing from the official list. Additionally, the rowing team's practice was hampered by delayed oars. On the shooting front, coach Samaresh Jung experienced accreditation problems, limiting his access.
India's second-ranked Arjun Erigaisi suffered a surprising Round 1 defeat at the Chess Olympiad. He lost to Thailand's Prin Laohawirapap despite a significant rating advantage. Other Indian players secured victories, ensuring a team win against Thailand. The Indian women's team also achieved a dominant 4-0 victory over their opponents. These results occurred on the opening day of the prestigious Chess Olympiad.
The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games will introduce Indian spectators to a range of unique sports, such as teqball, kurash, soft tennis, sepak takraw, and sport climbing. These events not only highlight athletic prowess but also celebrate Asian culture. With a delegation of 503 athletes, India will participate robustly, showcasing diverse sporting talents on an international scale.
Rashid Khan believes Afghanistan needs to find solutions in the powerplay, while India's fearless young batters have caught his eye. The Afghanistan star explains what makes Abhishek Sharma a very big package for Team India and calls 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi a God-gifted talent. Rashid also identifies Noor Ahmad and Abdollah Ahmadzai as players to watch and opens up about the one ICC achievement he still wants in his book.
India has unveiled its teams for the highly anticipated home series against the West Indies. Shubman Gill will take charge of the One Day International squad, while Shreyas Iyer has been named captain of the Twenty20 International team. Additionally, the Rest of India roster for the upcoming Irani Cup has been released, featuring Rishabh Pant as the leader.
Vishal TK reflects on his record-breaking year and sets his sights firmly on the Asian Games, with the big challenge ahead.
The IPL auction is gearing up to make a comeback to India for its 2027 season. While the exact host city remains undecided, this event promises to be more intimate. Amid discussions surrounding the contentious Impact Player rule, the BCCI is actively gathering insights from franchises and stakeholders. Notably, several key Indian players have raised concerns regarding the effect of this rule on all-rounders' roles in the game.
Animesh Kujur opens up on his Asian Games preparations and the challenge of competing against Asias top sprinters.
Sanju Samson highlighted the importance of team objectives over individual rivalries and societal expectations. He mentioned that selections hinge on a players current form and the imperative to secure victories. Acknowledging external pressures, he noted that experience aids in navigating them. Samson concluded that players should always prioritize team dynamics, even amid personal challenges, as evidenced by his key role in steering India to a series win against Afghanistan.

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