The Times of India

Virat Kohli has reclaimed the No.1 spot in the ICC ODI batting rankings after a stellar 93 against New Zealand. This marks his 11th stint at the top, underscoring his enduring dominance and a remarkable sequence of recent performances. The Indian great continues his pursuit of Sachin Tendulkar's records, solidifying his legacy as a premier run-scorer.

Despite Bangladesh Cricket Board's refusal to send its team to India for the T20 World Cup 2026 due to security concerns, a Bangladeshi umpire is officiating in an ongoing ODI series on Indian soil. This highlights the ICC's independent appointment process for neutral match officials, even amidst strained bilateral relations.

Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma expressed devastation after learning of his T20 World Cup 2026 omission, admitting the news came as a shock without prior communication. Despite initial heartbreak, he accepted the selectors' reasoning after discussions. Jitesh found solace in family and guidance from Dinesh Karthik to move past the disappointment.

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Former chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth has fiercely criticised Ayush Badoni's ODI call-up, questioning the selection basis and hinting at favouritism. Srikkanth argued against Badoni's all-rounder status and highlighted inconsistent selection criteria. The team management, however, defended the move, citing Badoni as a like-for-like replacement for the injured Washington Sundar to ensure team balance.

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Ayush Badoni joins the Indian ODI squad for the New Zealand series. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak highlighted Badoni's consistent performances for India A and in the IPL. He offers a valuable sixth bowling option. Badoni's inclusion provides flexibility to the team's bowling attack. He has a strong record in List A and IPL cricket.

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Four US cricketers of Pakistani origin are awaiting visa clearance to participate in the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. They completed their appointments at the Indian High Commission in Colombo, with the process involving additional scrutiny due to their origins. The US squad is currently in Sri Lanka for a preparatory camp.

The Indian cricket team is adapting to new batting strategies for ODIs following a rule change allowing only one ball per innings after the 34th over. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak highlighted the need for a new approach, especially for the death overs, as older balls become softer and harder to hit.

Ravindra Jadeja is under scrutiny to maintain his position as India's premier ODI spin-bowling all-rounder. Axar Patel is reportedly the preferred choice for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Jadeja is on trial to prove his relevance in the team's future ODI plans. The team management is building a pool of backups for all positions.

Team India aims to address new ball bowling and middle-overs spin concerns after a close win against New Zealand. With Washington Sundar injured, the team looks to its strong top order and a returning middle order to maintain their home ODI series unbeaten streak.

Speculation arose after US cricketer Ali Khan's social media post suggested visa denials for Pakistan-origin players ahead of the T20 World Cup. Officials clarified that no visas have been rejected; applications for four US players of Pakistani origin are undergoing standard administrative review, a routine process for such cases.

Ahead of the second ODI against New Zealand, KL Rahul shared valuable advice with budding cricketers, emphasising patience and perseverance. He urged youngsters to trust the process, continuously work on themselves, and be ready to seize opportunities when they arise. Rahul highlighted that difficult phases are common for all players and stressed the importance of not giving up.

Mohammad Kaif attributes Virat Kohli's ODI dominance over Rohit Sharma to his exceptional mindset and ability to convert starts into match-winning scores. Kaif highlighted Kohli's self-awareness and relentless standards, even after a significant knock. Kohli's recent fifty-plus streak in ODIs is also noted, bringing him closer to a new Indian record.

Pakistan players endured further embarrassment in the Big Bash League as Hasan Alis misfield gifted a boundary during Adelaide Strikers loss to Melbourne Stars, just a day after Mohammad Rizwan became the first overseas player to be retired out. Tom Currans career-best spell then helped the Stars bowl Strikers out for 83 and seal an easy win.

Mumbai Indians chased down Gujarat Giants target with seven wickets in hand in the sixth match of the Womens Premier League 2026 on Tuesday.

Ahead of the second ODI, New Zealands Henry Nicholls said bilateral series have become vital with limited ODI cricket before major events like the 2027 World Cup. He called the format exciting and praised his teams adaptation against Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. India lead the series 1-0 after a four-wicket win in the opener.

Punjab secured a dominant 183-run victory over Madhya Pradesh to advance to the Vijay Hazare Trophy semifinals. Batting first, Punjab posted a formidable 345/6, led by captain Prabhsimran Singh's 88. In response, Madhya Pradesh was bowled out for 162, with Sanvir Singh taking three wickets.

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Lakshya Sen advanced to the second round of the India Open Super 750 with a straight-game win over Ayush Shetty. The Indian shuttler adapted well to the conditions and praised his opponent while focusing on taking one match at a time. Treesa JollyGayatri Gopichand and top mens doubles pairs also progressed, while some seeded players suffered early exits.

Swiss snowboarding pioneer Ueli Kestenholz, a bronze medalist at the sport's Olympic debut in 1998, has tragically passed away at 50 after being caught in an avalanche. Kestenholz, who also excelled in X-Games, was snowboarding with a friend in the Valais region when the incident occurred. He was later airlifted to hospital.

Denmarks Mia Blichfeldt again criticised playing conditions at the India Open, saying the move to Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium has not helped. She described the venue as cold, dirty and unhealthy, making warm-up difficult, and urged organisers and the BWF to intervene ahead of the World Championships. Canadas Michelle Li and former world champion Ratchanok Intanon also raised concerns over the cold conditions.

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Virat Kohli is on the cusp of a new Indian record, aiming for his sixth consecutive ODI fifty-plus score against New Zealand in Rajkot. This remarkable streak places him alongside legends like Tendulkar and Dravid. With an exceptional recent run, Kohli's form is a major talking point as India seeks to extend their series lead.

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Mumbai's stand-in captain Siddhesh Lad has called for a change in the Vijay Hazare Trophy knockout format. He believes the 9 am start times unfairly benefit the team fielding first. Lad suggests day/night matches for future knockout stages to ensure a level playing field.

Virat Kohli is in exceptional form, achieving six consecutive fifty-plus scores, including two centuries. This remarkable run brings his international century tally to 84, just 16 shy of Sachin Tendulkar's record. A recent 93 against New Zealand highlights his consistent performance, fueling speculation about his potential if 'nervous' nineties were converted.

Indian grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa admitted his form dipped after a hectic 2025 season despite early title wins. He struggled in the years latter half but is not worried about the 2026 Candidates. Praggnanandhaa believes continuous tournaments affected his play and says an upcoming two-month break will help him rest, regroup, and prepare better.

Bangladesh Cricket Board reaffirmd its stance against traveling to India for the T20 World Cup 2026 due to security concerns, requesting matches be moved. The ICC has rejected these claims, urging Bangladesh to reconsider, but the BCB's position remains unchanged. Discussions are ongoing to find a resolution.

Kranti Gaud, a World Cup-winning cricketer from Ghuwara village, has become a local hero. Her historic victory led to her father's job reinstatement after 13 years. Gaud, inspired by Hardik Pandya, aims to perform well for UP Warriorz in the WPL and believes her success is changing perceptions about girls in sports.

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Mary Kom's estranged husband, Karung Onkholer, denies her allegations of financial misappropriation and land loss, calling them baseless. He counters by accusing the boxer of extramarital affairs, claiming their marriage deteriorated over a decade ago. Kom, meanwhile, describes the separation as the darkest phase of her life, alleging she was cheated of crores and lost land.

Leg-spinner KC Cariappa has announced his retirement from BCCI cricket at 31. After a memorable IPL debut for KKR where he dismissed AB de Villiers, Cariappa played 11 IPL matches. He also had a productive domestic career representing Mizoram, taking 75 first-class wickets.

Bangladesh's sports advisor claimed the nation would boycott the 2026 T20 World Cup in India, citing security concerns and an alleged ICC assessment. However, the ICC has firmly refuted these claims, stating their independent risk assessments found no specific threats and did not recommend squad changes or election postponements. Bangladesh's matches remain scheduled in India.

Ayush Badoni received his maiden ODI call-up as a replacement for the injured Washington Sundar. The 24-year-old, who has had a strong domestic season, joined the Indian squad in Rajkot for the second ODI against New Zealand. A video of Badoni singing at the team's request has also gone viral.

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru are set to host their IPL 2026 home matches at Navi Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium and Raipur's Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium. Rajasthan Royals will play their home games at Pune's MCA Stadium. Meanwhile, early WPL fixtures in Navi Mumbai might be held behind closed doors due to local elections.

Towering 6'5 Ayush Shetty is emerging as India's next badminton star, recently breaking into the top 30 and winning his first BWF World Tour title. His impressive victory over Olympic medalist Lee Zii Jia signals a new era for Indian men's singles. Shetty, inspired by Viktor Axelsen, aims for the top 10 this year.

Virat Kohli's masterful 93 guided India to a four-wicket victory, chasing 301 in the first ODI. His seventh consecutive fifty-plus score highlights remarkable consistency. Ravichandran Ashwin lauded Kohli's liberated approach, attributing it to enjoying the game. Shreyas Iyer also impressed on his comeback with a crucial 49, showcasing his ODI reliability.

The Indian government is considering allowing Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) athletes to represent the country in sports where talent is lacking. This strategic move aims to bolster India's medal prospects at international events like the Olympics, with sports federations encouraged to identify and approach eligible athletes.

Washington Sundar's decision to bat with a visible injury in the first ODI against New Zealand has sparked debate. Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif criticised the team management's handling, citing a double standard compared to Shubman Gill's injury management. Kaif argued that sending an injured Sundar risked aggravating his injury unnecessarily.

A recent alleged assault on a minor shooter by a national coach has prompted the NRAI to reaffirm its commitment to athlete safety. President Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo assured female shooters of a secure environment, promising stricter SOPs and swift action against any wrongdoers. The federation has suspended the accused coach pending investigation.

Sunil Gavaskar has heavily criticised Ben Stokes' England following their 4-1 Ashes series defeat in Australia, labeling them paper tigers. He argued that the Bazball approach has lost its effectiveness, with teams now able to counter England's aggressive style, especially on challenging pitches. Gavaskar also pointed to a lack of accountability in the English batting lineup.

A young fan, nicknamed 'Mini Virat' for his striking resemblance to the Indian batting icon, had a memorable encounter with Virat Kohli during a training session. Kohli paused to acknowledge the boy, posing for pictures and sharing laughs, an interaction that quickly went viral online. The youngster revealed Kohli playfully pointed him out to Rohit Sharma, calling him 'Chhota Chiku'.