Sports / The Times of India
Senuran Muthusamy achieved his maiden Test century on Day 2 of the Guwahati Test, a resilient innings that propelled South Africa to 428 for 7 by lunch. His century, built on patience and control, put India on the back foot. Muthusamy's significant contribution, alongside partnerships with Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen, allowed South Africa to dictate terms throughout the session.
Stand-in captain Rishabh Pant's frustration was evident on Day 2 as India struggled against South Africa. Stump-mic recordings captured Pant urging his bowlers and fielders to maintain urgency and adhere to the over-rate timer, highlighting India's growing pressure. Despite the team's efforts, South Africa's lower middle order continued to frustrate the hosts.
Smriti Mandhana and Palash Muchhal's pre-wedding festivities featured a memorable moment as Palash dropped to one knee and kissed Smriti's hand during a dance to Mujhse Shaadi Karogi. The couple, set to marry today, also performed together to Tenu Leke and Agar Main Kahoon, while Mandhana's teammates showcased their camaraderie with dance tributes.
Cricket Australia faces a significant financial blow as the Ashes opener concluded in just two days, costing them over AUD 3 million in ticket revenue. The match, dominated by fast bowlers on a lively pitch, saw Australia secure a commanding victory. England's aggressive Bazball approach contributed to the rapid finish, leaving them trailing 1-0 in the series.
Smriti Mandhana and Palash Muchhal's wedding celebrations are in full swing, highlighted by a vibrant Sangeet night - videos of which have gone viral on social media. Teammates Jemimah Rodrigues and Shreyanka Patil delivered emotional and fun performances, showcasing their strong bond. The couple also graced the stage with their own dances and musical moments, adding to the joyous pre-wedding festivities.
Cricket star Smriti Mandhana and music director Palash Muchhal are celebrating their wedding with vibrant pre-wedding festivities, including a surprise coordinated dance. Their journey, which began in 2019, saw them navigate demanding careers while keeping their relationship private until a public acknowledgment in July 2024. A memorable proposal followed India's ODI World Cup win.
Indian cricket icon Smriti Mandhana is set to marry music composer Palash Muchhal this Sunday in an intimate ceremony in her hometown. The couple, who kept their relationship private for years, publicly announced their engagement after India's ODI World Cup win. Muchhal's proposal at DY Patil Stadium and a tattoo of Mandhana's initials mark their journey towards formalizing their bond.
Travis Head delivered a career-defining innings in the Ashes opener at Perth, smashing a century off just 69 balls. His aggressive 123 off 83 guided Australia to a remarkable victory, leaving England captain Ben Stokes shellshocked. This performance reignited memories of his match-winning efforts against India in major finals.
Shreyas Iyer makes his first public appearance after injury, spotted with Preity Zinta
Barcelona celebrated their return to a partially reopened Camp Nou with a dominant 4-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao. Goals from Lewandowski, Ferran Torres (twice), and Lpez, coupled with an opponent's red card, secured the win. The club aims to leverage the renovated stadium for revenue amidst financial challenges.
Indian boxers are drawn to the massive prize money at the IBA World Championships, with gold medalists set to earn $300,000. However, India's Boxing Federation president Ajay Singh confirmed boxers won't participate, citing alignment with the Olympic movement and World Boxing, which offers no prize money. India prioritizes the Olympics and its commitment to the IOC.
Boxer Parveen Hooda has made a triumphant return to the ring. She secured a gold medal at the World Boxing Cup Finals after a two-year suspension. Hooda faced whereabouts failures and lost her Asian Games medal and Olympic quota. She used the break to rebuild mentally and physically. Her victory signifies a powerful comeback and a testament to her resilience.
The 24-year-old top-order batter Abhinav Tejrana has set the Ranji Trophy on fire. Batting for Goa at No. 3, the Delhi-born cricketer has amassed 651 runs in eight innings, including a double century on first-class debut against Chandigarh. He has also smashed two centuries against Punjab and Saurashtra, and not to forget his match-saving unbeaten 73 against Karnataka.
India fought back late on day one of the second Test against South Africa, with Mohammed Siraj's late wicket offering a glimmer of hope. Despite a solid effort from the Proteas, who reached 247/6, crucial dropped catches and a disciplined bowling performance kept the match in the balance. The red-soil pitch offered assistance, and the game remains wide open.
KL Rahul will captain India in the upcoming ODI series against South Africa, replacing Shubman Gill who is out with a serious neck injury. With vice-captain Shreyas Iyer also sidelined, Rahul steps in. Gill's recovery timeline is extended, raising doubts about his availability for the T20Is as well.
Wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav impressed on Day One, showcasing guile and deception on a good batting pitch. Despite limited opportunities, his performance offered a refreshing change from typical turning tracks. Experts highlighted how pitch conditions, particularly bounce and pace, enhance his effectiveness, providing India a crucial early advantage.
Australia thrashed England by eight wickets in the first Ashes Test, concluding in under two days. England's batting collapsed spectacularly, facing their fewest balls in a Test since 1904. The match was the shortest Ashes contest by balls bowled in over a century, with Travis Head smashing a rapid century to seal the dominant victory.
Liverpool's struggles continued with a dismal 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, leaving them 11th in the Premier League. Manchester City also faltered, losing 2-1 at Newcastle. Chelsea capitalized, moving to second place with a 2-0 victory over Burnley.
Legendary cricketer Geoffrey Boycott has slammed England's rainless batting and bowling after their swift Ashes Test defeat. He criticized their repeated mistakes and inability to learn, stating it's impossible to take the team seriously. Despite a strong position, England self-destructed, allowing Australia to chase a modest target with ease, highlighting the pitfalls of their aggressive approach against top sides.
Sanju Samson will lead Kerala in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025/26, commencing November 26 in Lucknow. The team's departure is set for November 22. This appointment follows Samson's high-profile trade to Chennai Super Kings and his recent Asia Cup T20 success, as he prepares for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.
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Captain Shubman Gill is set to miss the upcoming South Africa ODI series due to a serious nerve injury, potentially sidelining him until next year. KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant might lead the team temporarily. The selectors are also considering Abhishek Sharma and a pace attack featuring Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, and Arshdeep Singh.
England captain Ben Stokes expressed shock after a two-day defeat to Australia in the first Ashes Test. Despite a strong bowling performance, Travis Head's century proved decisive. Stokes emphasized the need for the team to process the loss quickly and avoid carrying any aggage into the next match in Brisbane.
India face a leadership crisis for the South Africa ODIs with captain Shubman Gill ruled out and vice-captain Shreyas Iyer already sidelined. A stop-gap captain will be picked from KL Rahul, Axar Patel and Rishabh Pant. With an overly right-handed batting core, selectors are also considering left-handed options like Pant, Tilak Varma and Washington Sundar to rebalance the middle order.
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India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate believes the Guwahati pitch suits their home approach, despite the surface not dictating Test results. He highlighted Kuldeep Yadav's effectiveness with three wickets, noting the conditions amplified his spin. Ten Doeschate anticipates that the finger spinners will become more prominent as the game progresses.
India fought back strongly on day one of the second Test. South Africa's top order scored runs but ended up setting an unwanted record never seen before in the sport. India's spinners took wickets, shifting the momentum towards the end. Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav were effective, as the visitors ended the day at 247 for 6.
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Travis Head's explosive 69-ball century powered Australia to an eight-wicket victory over England in the opening Ashes Test. Pace bowlers Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc triggered an England collapse, setting up a chase Australia comfortably achieved on day two. Head's remarkable knock, despite opening due to an injury, was the highlight of a swift Australian win.
Usman Khawaja's back spasms in the Ashes opener forced a batting order reshuffle, preventing him from opening Australia's first innings due to ICC rules. Despite Cricket Australia dismissing links to pre-match golf, the incident sparked debate about player preparation. Khawaja ultimately did not bat in the second innings as Australia secured victory.
India seized control on day one of the second Test against South Africa, ending at 247-6. Kuldeep Yadav starred with three wickets, while Tristan Stubbs and Temba Bavuma built a vital partnership. Despite a strong start from the openers, India's bowlers fought back, with bad light halting play. The tourists aim for a historic series win.
Nitish Rana will captain Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, marking his debut for the state after transferring from Uttar Pradesh. Wrist-spinner Digvesh Rathi was excluded due to DPL performance, while Ishant Sharma and Navdeep Saini's availability hinges on injury recovery. Several DPL performers and established players feature in the squad.
Australia secured a commanding eight-wicket victory in the Ashes opener, finishing the Test in just two days, a feat not seen since 1921. Travis Head's explosive 69-ball century was the highlight, chasing down 205 with ease. Perth Stadium also set a new attendance record, underscoring the excitement surrounding the series.
Shreyas Iyer faces an extended layoff due to a spleen laceration, likely missing the home ODI series against New Zealand. A controlled rehabilitation roadmap is prescribed, requiring two months before resuming training. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya's return is delayed; he's expected to play T20Is against South Africa after featuring in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Australia's injured captain Pat Cummins is optimistic about featuring in the second Ashes Test against England in Brisbane. The pace spearhead, sidelined for four months with a back injury, has been bowling in the nets and feels he has a half a chance for the December 4th fixture. His potential return would be a significant boost for the team.
Australia secured a dominant eight-wicket victory over England in the first Ashes Test, completing the match in just two days. Travis Head's explosive 123 off 83 balls, including a rapid century, was the driving force behind the chase. This remarkable win marks the quickest Ashes finish in over a century.
Joe Root endured a disappointing start to the Ashes 2025 in Perth, failing to score in the first innings and managing only eight in the second, with Mitchell Starc claiming his wicket on both occasions. Despite his stellar career record, Root has historically struggled in Australia. Travis Head's century secured an eight-wicket victory for Australia in the first Test.
Mohammed Shami has been included in Bengal's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy squad following a strong comeback from injury, taking 20 wickets in four Ranji Trophy matches. His impressive performances have put him back in contention for national selection, despite recent omissions from India squads. Bengal will commence their T20 campaign on November 26.
Rishabh Pant captained India on Day 1 of the second Test, his vocal encouragement from behind the stumps becoming a highlight. Viral stump-mic moments captured his active role in motivating bowlers and setting the tone. Despite South Africa reaching a strong position, Pant's energetic leadership offered a glimpse into his captaincy style, balancing instinct and calmness.
New Zealand completed a 3-0 ODI series sweep against the West Indies with a four-wicket victory in the final match. Matt Henry starred with four wickets as the hosts chased down 162. This ODI success follows New Zealand's 3-1 T20I series win, with both teams now preparing for a Test series.
Yashasvi Jaiswal's remarkable Test career continues with a unique record of never playing on the same ground twice. From his debut century in Dominica to recent double hundreds against England, he has consistently adapted to diverse conditions. Despite a recent struggle in South Africa, Jaiswal's impressive statistics highlight his potential.
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Temba Bavuma achieved a significant captaincy milestone, scoring 1000 Test runs as captain, becoming the second-fastest for South Africa. His leadership has been instrumental in South Africa's series position, with an unbeaten record of 10 wins and a draw from 11 matches. Bavuma's composed approach and strategic resource management are key to his success.
Mitchell Starc's devastating spell shattered England's middle order, including Joe Root's crucial wicket, as Australia seized control of the first Test. England collapsed to 76/5, their lead evaporating, setting Australia a modest target of 205. Starc's all-round brilliance, including a stunning catch, proved pivotal in shifting the Ashes momentum decisively.
Smriti Mandhana and Palash Muchhal's pre-wedding festivities included a lively cricket match between 'team bride' and 'team groom,' with Mandhana's side emerging victorious. This playful contest followed a vibrant Haldi ceremony and a romantic proposal at DY Patil Stadium, all leading up to their wedding on the 23rd of November.
David Warner has sharply criticized England's 'Bazball' approach after Joe Root's cheap dismissal in the second Ashes Test. Root's struggles against Mitchell Starc, who dismissed him twice, highlighted a lack of smarts in England's aggressive batting. This costly passage of play, following a strong first-innings lead, saw England falter.
Mitchell Starc achieved a remarkable ten-wicket haul in the first Ashes Test at Perth Stadium, his finest performance to date. He dismissed England captain Ben Stokes to seal the milestone, becoming the first Australian seamer to claim a ten-for in an Ashes Test since 1990-91. England holds a lead heading into the afternoon session, with the match finely poised.

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