The Times of India

He has been diagnosed with a right-sided strain with internal oblique muscle tear, and has thus been ruled out of the forthcoming ODI series against New Zealand, a reliable source told TOI. While KL Rahul is the regular wicketkeeper in India's ODI side, the selectors will soon announce a replacement for Pant.

Mumbai Indians beat Delhi Capitals by 50 runs in the WPL with a dominant all-round display. Nat Sciver-Brunt (70 not out) and Harmanpreet Kaur (74 not out) powered MI to 195/4. Delhis chase faltered early as Nicola Carey struck key blows, and despite Chinelle Henrys 56, DC were bowled out for 145 in 19 overs.

All India Football Federation (AIFF) has asked Indian Super League (ISL) clubs to send the details of the venues where they plan to play their home matches by Monday noon so that it can start working on the schedule of the delayed season which is set to start on February 14.

Phoebe Litchfields aggressive 78 off 40 balls could not prevent UP Warriorz from going down as Gujarat Giants registered a 10-run win in a high-scoring Womens Premier League (WPL) match.

Indian pacer Umran Malik, nicknamed the Indian Shoaib Akhtar, has been left out of Jammu and Kashmirs Ranji Trophy preparatory camp due to poor domestic form. Despite international experience, he played only one Ranji match without success and was earlier dropped from the Vijay Hazare squad. Opener Qamran Iqbal was also omitted as J&K prepare for phase two.

Gardners innings came to an end in the 18th over when she was dismissed by Sophie Ecclestone. Georgia Wareham then provided the finishing touches with a quick unbeaten 27 off just 10 balls, which included one four and three sixes. Bharti Fulmali also chipped in with an unbeaten 14 off seven balls, hitting two sixes, as Gujarat Giants crossed the 200-run mark.

Graeme Smith on SA20 growth, viewership boom, ticket sales & league expansion

Pant was batting against Indian throwdown specialists when he copped the blow and was seen grimacing in pain.

Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi dazzled in India U19s World Cup warm-up against Scotland, smashing 96 off 50 balls to power India to 374/8. Opening the innings, the left-hander mixed precision with power, striking nine fours and seven sixes. His fearless, fluent knock and rapid partnership with Aaron George sent a clear warning to rivals.

India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru pace-bowling all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar has been ruled out for at least two weeks of the ongoing Women's Premier League due to a hamstring injury. The 26-year-old, who last played a competitive game in the T20 World Cup in October 2024, was brought for Rs 85 lakh during the Women's Premier League auction in November last year.

Pakistan pacer Zaman Khan came under scrutiny in the Big Bash League after David Warner questioned his slingshot bowling action during a match. Warner raised concerns with umpires after scoring 82. Zaman struggled in his debut for Brisbane Heat, conceding 32 runs, though Heat won comfortably. The incident revived memories of Muhammad Hasnains past action controversy.

The 26-year-old was not picked for the T20 World Cup despite leading India in the longer formats. Gill has played 36 T20Is, scoring 869 runs at an average of 28.03 and a strike rate of 138.59. He was dropped from the T20 setup after managing 291 runs in his last 15 matches in the format at an average of 24.25.

A viral video shows Sanju Samson receiving batting tips from former India star Yuvraj Singh in the nets. This interaction fuels speculation about Yuvraj's growing influence as a mentor, following his past guidance for Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma. Samson is preparing for the upcoming T20 World Cup at home.

Shubman Gill press conference: Breaks silence on T20 World Cup snub, and more on his future

Wesley So clarified that he proposed the draw against R Praggnanandhaa after a dramatic time scramble at Tata Steel Chess India Rapid, a decision that sparked debate and criticism from arbiter Chris Bird. Amid the controversy, Nihal Sarin won the Rapid title, dedicating it to his late grandfather, while Kateryna Lagno claimed the womens crown

Olympic star Neeraj Chopra has ended his coaching partnership with javelin legend Jan Zelezny after a successful year. Chopra credited Zelezny for helping him surpass the 90-meter mark and expressed admiration for his idol. Both athletes highlighted their positive relationship and plan to stay in touch. Chopra now aims for greater control over his training as he targets future championships.

Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto revealed the psychological strain on players due to uncertainty surrounding their T20 World Cup participation in India. He also condemned a BCB director's 'Indian agent' remark against former captain Tamim Iqbal, emphasizing the need for respect within the cricketing fraternity.

India's ODI campaign kicks off against New Zealand with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in top form. Captain Shubman Gill faces scrutiny after T20 World Cup omission, while Shreyas Iyer's return bolsters the middle order. New Zealand, missing key players, aims to leverage a winning mindset led by Michael Bracewell.

Graeme Smith opens up on transition in Indian cricket, T20 World Cup and more

India is significantly raising its Olympic medal ambitions, targeting 12-14 gold and 30-35 overall medals for the 2036 Games, while also bidding to host. A long-term strategy aims for 30-35 gold and 100 total medals by 2048, positioning India among the top sporting nations.

Sikkim's cricket team gained valuable experience in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Though they did not win, the tournament provided a clear path for improvement. The team showed promise against stronger opponents. Enhanced facilities are expected to boost local cricket. The women's team secured Sikkim's first national title. Professional coaching is anticipated to enhance competitiveness.

Former Mizoram Ranji Trophy cricketer K. Lalremruata, 38, tragically passed away on Thursday after collapsing during a local match. He suffered a stroke while playing and succumbed despite immediate medical attention. Lalremruata represented Mizoram in the Ranji and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophies, leaving a significant void in the state's cricket fraternity.

Axar Patel, now India's T20I vice-captain, reflects on his journey of growth and maturity as a cricketer. He credits past setbacks for building resilience and a clear mindset, enabling him to perform under pressure. Patel emphasizes his evolution as a specialist all-rounder, no longer seen as a backup, and his confidence in his batting abilities.

A couple of nets away, Indias ODI captain Shubman Gill was going through the paces, hitting the ball hard and appearing totally focused. All looked well with his game. With the likes of Kohli and Rohit Sharma still around in the ODI setup, Gills current situation is a reminder of the time a young Mohammad Azharuddin captained a starstudded Indian team.

PV Sindhu's strong performance at the Malaysia Open Super 1000 concluded with a semifinal defeat to China's Wang Zhiyi. The two-time Olympic medalist struggled with consistency, committing unforced errors in a straight-game loss. This marked the end of India's campaign in the prestigious tournament.

Virat Kohli exuded a relaxed and cheerful demeanor as India began preparations for the ODI series against New Zealand. During training, Kohli playfully mimicked Arshdeep Singh's run-up, drawing laughter from teammates. Senior batters Kohli and Rohit Sharma focused on rigorous practice, preparing for a demanding schedule ahead.

Wasim Akram's wit lightened the Pakistan Super League's franchise auction as two new teams were added for the 2026 season. OZ Developers secured Sialkot for Rs 1.85 billion, and FKS Group won Hyderabad for Rs 1.75 billion. Akram also recently lauded the PSL's shorter duration compared to other leagues.

Nadine de Klerk starred in Royal Challengers Bangalore's dramatic three-wicket WPL opener win against Mumbai Indians. She took 4/26 with the ball and then smashed an unbeaten 63, securing player-of-the-match. De Klerk credited backing her strengths for the decisive performance in the thrilling last-ball victory.

BCCI officials met in Mumbai to discuss the Centre of Excellence's operations and future India U-19 and India A tours. Regarding Bangladesh's T20 World Cup match venue request, the board stated it's not their domain, as the ICC holds the final decision. Recruitment for vacant technical positions at the CoE is also a priority.

SA20 League Commissioner Graeme Smith says the tournament is enjoying its strongest commercial year yet, driven by record ticket sales, rising viewership and improved cricket quality. Despite rain interruptions, Smith credits IPL franchise backing, youth development and strong fan engagement for SA20s rapid growth, while hinting at future expansion and a possible womens league.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women began their WPL 2026 campaign with a thrilling three-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in Navi Mumbai. Chasing 155, Nadine de Klerk starred with an unbeaten 63 and hit the winning boundary off the last ball. It was De Klerk's night in Navi Mumbai, the commentator roared. Earlier, MI posted 154, with Sajeevan Sajana and Nicola Carey leading the charge.

IOA president P T Usha praised the Gujarat governments efforts to build world-class sports infrastructure to support Indias bid for the 2036 Olympics. After a detailed presentation at the IOA AGM in Ahmedabad, Usha said the city is emerging as a future sports hub. Officials expressed satisfaction with developments, with Ahmedabad also set to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

The start of the 2026 T20 World Cup is less than a month away and Smith wants his team to beat India in the final of the multi-nation tournament. Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing SA20, league commissioner Smith said the Proteas have all bases covered with their squad.

After Englands 4-1 Ashes loss to Australia, Kevin Pietersen called for changes in the coaching setup and backed former coach Andy Flower as a possible replacement for Brendon McCullum. Calling it a wild thought, Pietersen said Flower has evolved and understands modern players. Flower previously led England to major successes and has since won titles in the PSL, The Hundred and IPL.

Bangladesh have asked the ICC to move their T20 World Cup matches out of India after the BCCI instructed IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to release Mustafizur Rahman, due to the recent developments.

WPL 2026 began with a glitzy opening ceremony at DY Patil Stadium, highlighted by Honey Singhs surprise entry that caught captains Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur off-guard and went viral. On the field, RCB won the toss and chose to bowl against MI. The season-opening clash marked a lively start to the JanuaryFebruary edition of the league.

Rohit Sharma smiled with pride after ICC chairman Jay Shah referred to him as Indias captain at a public event, despite him no longer holding the ODI role. The moment went viral online. Rohit led India to the T20 World Cup 2024 and Champions Trophy 2025. Now retired from Tests and T20Is, he is set to play in Indias upcoming ODI series starting January 11.

To win a Cricket World Cup, all your elements batting, bowling and fielding need to collectively work well. Consistency in team efforts, along with a few individuals standout performances, makes a team the World Champion. But sometimes a decision, technical or tactical, during the buildup to such a mega event turns out to be a trump card for the team, leading them to massive success.

Indian cricketer Jemimah Rodrigues recalled a scary childhood incident where she fell from the first floor during a church programme while playing with cousins, making them think she had died. Luckily unharmed, the story is now a fond memory. Today, Jemimah is a World Cup hero and the newly appointed Delhi Capitals captain.

At 58, veteran striker Kazuyoshi Miura, affectionately known as 'King Kazu,' is embarking on his 41st professional season. He has joined third-division side Fukushima United on loan, aiming to score and assist. Miura, a pioneer of Japanese football, remains driven by a desire to play, even for a fleeting moment, showcasing his enduring passion for the game.

Bangladesh cricket faces uncertainty as Indian sponsorship deals for players like Litton Das are at risk following the Mustafizur Rahman controversy. The Bangladesh Cricket Board has requested the International Cricket Council shift T20 World Cup matches from India to Sri Lanka due to security concerns, impacting players and coaching staff.

PV Sindhu has advanced to the Malaysia Open Super 1000 semifinals, marking a strong comeback after an injury layoff. Her quarterfinal opponent, Akane Yamaguchi, retired hurt after the first game, with Sindhu dominating the initial set. This victory underscores Sindhu's growing confidence as she progresses in her return to peak form.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra strongly advocates for Shreyas Iyer's immediate inclusion in the T20I squad. He believes Iyer is the ideal replacement for the injured Tilak Varma, emphasising the need for middle-order stability and experience ahead of a crucial white-ball calendar. Chopra sees Iyer as the most logical choice, even over other contenders like Riyan Parag.

Defending champions Mumbai Indians, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, are set to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the WPL 2026 opener. MI, considered favorites with a strong squad, will clash with RCB, captained by Smriti Mandhana, in a highly anticipated match that kicks off the tournament and teams' T20 World Cup preparations.

Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal urged the BCB to carefully consider the national team's T20 World Cup participation, warning against hasty decisions driven by public emotion. He emphasized prioritizing Bangladesh cricket's long-term future and suggested dialogue over public pronouncements. Iqbal stressed the BCB's need for independent decision-making while acknowledging government involvement.

Ex-Bangladesh Cricket Board official Syed Ashraful Haque criticised political meddling in cricket administration, saying the Mustafizur Rahman row reflects how World Cup matters are being driven by immature, election-linked politics rather than sporting logic, potentially jeopardising Bangladeshs participation