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Elections 2026Sports / The Times of India
India's men's and women's hockey teams have learned their group-stage opponents for the FIH Hockey World Cup, with both sides drawn in Pool D. The men will face Pakistan, England, and Wales, while the women will compete against China, England, and South Africa. Both teams will play their matches in the Netherlands.
England, led by Ben Stokes, lost the 2025/26 Ashes series 4-1 to Australia cricket team. The tour is still under review by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene praised Mumbai Indians strong core, with Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma shining in Indias T20 World Cup win. MI have given them an extended break. He backed Suryakumar, praised Bumrah, hinted at a bigger role for Rohit Sharma, and welcomed healthy selection competition.
Irans 2026 World Cup participation is uncertain amid rising tensions. The country is negotiating with FIFA to shift matches from the US to Mexico, citing safety concerns. Officials said, We will certainly not travel to America. FIFA hasnt agreed yet. After Donald Trump warned about safety, Iran insisted o one can exclude them from the tournament.
India women's team skipper Harmanpreet Kaur rose to seventh in ICC ODI rankings, while Smriti Mandhana stayed No.1. All-rounder Sophie Devine slipped to ninth. New Zealand stars impressed Maddy Green and Amelia Kerr made big gains. In T20Is, Kerr, Georgia Plimmer and Jess Kerr also climbed rankings with strong performances.
The AFC said the action was taken after Malaysia used players who were not eligible during the final round of qualifiers.
Steve Smith and David Warner face uncertainty over joining the Pakistan Super League due to rising security concerns. Tensions, travel disruptions, and a Do Not Travel alert for Peshawar have raised alarms. While preparations continue, players are weighing safety risks, with contingency plans like emergency evacuation under consideration before final decisions are made.
Josh Hazlewood will miss the start of IPL 2026 due to injury, delaying his return by nearly five months. Pat Cummins is also recovering and may join later. Meanwhile, players like Steve Smith face safety concerns over joining the Pakistan Super League amid regional tensions, with evacuation plans being considered.
Dhoni, 44, will play for CSK when the season begins on March 28. De Villiers said Dhonis recent trend of batting at No. 8 or 9 limits his impact.
India's Sumit Nagal is fighting back after a turbulent career plagued by injuries, including hip surgery and a hip flexor tear, that saw him drop from World No. 68 to No. 278. Now refocused on fitness, diet, and the controllables of his game, Nagal heads into his favourite time of the season - on clay - with hard-won maturity and renewed determination.
KL Rahul is set to open for the Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026. The move follows a mid-season shift that boosted his form. The 33-year-old will also keep wickets for the Delhi Capitals in this season. With a strong squad featuring experienced Indian players and impactful overseas signings, Capitals aim to bounce back and push for their maiden IPL title.
Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag watches West Ham vs Man City in London
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has confirmed a controversial run-out in the Bangladesh vs. Pakistan ODI was correctly given out under the Laws of Cricket. The non-striker was out of his ground when the wicket was broken, and the ball remained in play, making the dismissal lawful.
Devon Conway's composed half-century guided New Zealand to 175/6 before a clinical bowling performance secured a 68-run victory over South Africa. Pace bowlers Ben Sears and Lockie Ferguson were instrumental, taking three wickets each as the Proteas were bowled out for 107, leveling the five-match series at 1-1.
India T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav apologised to Daryl Mitchell after Arshdeep Singh accidentally hit him with a throw in the World Cup final. Arshdeep was fined but later apologised. Suryakumar said such moments happen in heat but stressed leadership and sportsmanship, adding he said sorry regardless of intent to set the right example.
A controversy ignited after Sunil Gavaskar suggested Indian-owned franchises shouldn't sign Pakistani players, citing potential indirect financial contributions to India's adversaries. Pakistan-born England cricketer Azeem Rafiq fiercely condemned Gavaskar's remarks as vile stuff. Franchise coaches defended player selections based on cricketing merit, while the BCCI stated no jurisdiction over foreign league decisions.
As IPL 2026 nears, a surprising fact emerges: several top run-scorers have never won the Orange Cap. Legends like Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, AB de Villiers, Ajinkya Rahane, and MS Dhoni, despite their high rankings and impactful careers, have surprisingly never finished a season as the leading run-scorer.
Suryakumar Yadav credits his wife Devisha's rutally honest question in 2018 as the catalyst for his international cricket career. Her direct inquiry about his aspirations pushed him to implement disciplined lifestyle changes, leading to consistent performances and his eventual India debut. Devisha's support extended beyond cricket, focusing on mindset and humility.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav distinguished India's T20 World Cup victories, noting the 2024 team's experienced enthusiasm and the 2026 squad's fiery passion of youth. While both teams possessed skill, the 2024 side leveraged seasoned players like Rohit and Kohli, whereas the 2026 unit thrived on youthful intensity and hunger, especially winning on home soil.
Ishan Kishans rise as a leadership contender stems from his strong domestic captaincy record, ability to manage young players, and tactical awareness as a wicketkeeper. His recent international form, successfully leading Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title, has strengthened his case, helping him get the vote of approval from the SRH management.
Afghanistan's cricket stars, including Naveen-ul-Haq and Rashid Khan, have expressed outrage and grief following a devastating airstrike in Kabul that reportedly killed hundreds. The attack, which targeted a hospital, has intensified tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban administration. Cricketers are calling for accountability and justice for the victims.
Despite concerns over Koneru Humpy potentially withdrawing from the Cyprus Candidates tournament due to regional tensions, India's rising chess stars Divya Deshmukh, R Vaishali, and R Praggnanandhaa are confirmed to participate. Their teams are actively planning travel and preparations, signaling their commitment to the prestigious event as the gateway to the World Championship.
A viral comment by Varun Chakravarthy about a 'Mallu' in the World Cup team, referencing Sanju Samson, gained traction after India's dominant T20 World Cup 2026 victory. Samson was named Player of the Tournament for his exceptional batting, scoring 321 runs and delivering crucial performances in knockout stages. Chakravarthy also played a key role with 14 wickets, despite some inconsistency.
Sanju Samson, fresh from T20 World Cup heroics, revealed his Rajasthan Royals departure was a mutual feeling of a journey's end. He's now eager to learn from MS Dhoni at Chennai Super Kings, promising to play his best against his former team despite the unusual opening fixture. Samson aims to repay Chennai's fan support.
Pole vault sensation Mondo Duplantis is eager to return to Torun, Poland, the site of his first world record in 2020, ahead of the World Indoors. Fresh off his 15th world record at 6.31m, the two-time Olympic champion credits a tweaked run-up for his continued dominance. Duplantis remains focused, never underestimating opponents or the sport itself.
Afghanistan's cricket star Rashid Khan has condemned alleged Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul, which reportedly killed over 400 people and destroyed a drug rehabilitation hospital. Khan called the targeting of civilian sites a war crime and urged the UN to investigate. Pakistan denies intentionally hitting civilian areas, stating strikes targeted militants.
Following India's T20 World Cup triumph, Sanju Samson reflects on the spiritual victory and overcoming self-doubt, highlighting a crucial innings against the West Indies. He also shares an emotional moment with coach Gautam Gambhir and looks forward to his new chapter with Chennai Super Kings, aiming to inspire young cricketers.
Young prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 14, is navigating the pressures of IPL stardom, focusing on his game amidst rising popularity. His career highlight remains a match-defining 175 off 80 balls in the 2026 U-19 World Cup final, a performance that secured India's sixth title and is cherished above his IPL century.
James Foster, previously with KKR, has been appointed fielding coach of Chennai Super Kings ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026. The former England national cricket team wicketkeeper joins the coaching staff led by Stephen Fleming alongside Michael Hussey and Eric Simmons. Foster brings international and franchise coaching experience, including a recent International League T20 title with Desert Vipers.
Ricky Ponting hailed the India national cricket team as one of the strongest T20 sides after their triumph in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, where they beat the New Zealand national cricket team by 96 runs at Narendra Modi Stadium. Ponting credited Indias depth, experience and Indian Premier League exposure for their dominance in white-ball cricket and back-to-back titles.
Liam Livingstone criticised England management, including coach Brendon McCullum and director Rob Key, for poor communication after he was dropped in 2025. The all-rounder said the experience was eye-opening and expressed frustration over his role and batting position. Now with Sunrisers Hyderabad for the Indian Premier League 2026, he hopes strong performances revive his England chances.
Ishan Kishan is the leading candidate to captain Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League 2026 if Pat Cummins is unavailable at the start. Kishan enters the season in strong form after scoring 354 runs in IPL 2025 and 317 runs for the India national cricket team in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, where he helped India win the title.
Sanju Samson reflected on Indias victory in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, where he was Player of the Tournament with 321 runs. He spoke about his long bond with head coach Gautam Gambhir and revealed receiving an emotional message from Sachin Tendulkar after India defeated the New Zealand national cricket team in the final.
Sanju Samson said he is excited to play alongside MS Dhoni for the first time in the Indian Premier League, calling it a big learning opportunity. The wicketkeeper-batter also reflected on Indias triumph in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, where he was Player of the Tournament. Meanwhile, Mohammed Siraj called his unexpected inclusion in the title-winning squad a miracle.
Jay Shah calls 2019 to 2026 as Indian cricket's golden period
Harshit Rana was seen on crutches at the BCCI Naman Awards, indicating his recovery is not progressing as expected. The Kolkata Knight Riders fast bowler is set to miss the IPL 2026 season due to a knee injury sustained earlier this year. This setback adds to KKR's bowling concerns for the upcoming tournament.
Kolkata Knight Riders face setbacks ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 after being asked by the Board of Control for Cricket in India to release Mustafizur Rahman amid controversy. Paceman Harshit Rana is also doubtful due to knee surgery. However, a cryptic post hints at possible relief regarding Matheesha Pathirana, while Blessing Muzarabani has been added as backup.
Mahmood played for Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) in the 2012 and 2013 seasons and later represented KKR in the 2015 season.
HS Prannoy has withdrawn from the Orleans Masters Super 300 after a shoulder injury suffered during the Swiss Open in Basel. Scans showed a minor tear, and he hopes to return for the Asian Championships in Ningbo. With him out, youngsters like Ayush Shetty and Tanvi Sharma will lead Indias challenge.
Shahid Afridi criticised Pakistans selectors after the Pakistan national cricket team lost the ODI series 21 to the Bangladesh national cricket team following a poor ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. Afridi blamed excessive experimentation and sidelining experienced players. Bangladesh secured the series with an 11-run win at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium despite Salman Ali Aghas century for Pakistan.
India's T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav, despite dreaming of Test cricket, finds T20 his natural comfort zone. He admits ODI cricket proved challenging, requiring a blend of styles he never fully grasped. However, he acknowledges the unique charm and atmosphere the 50-over format generated during the 2023 World Cup.
Sunrisers Leeds' signing of Pakistani spinner Abrar Ahmed has ignited controversy in India, with Sunil Gavaskar urging Indian-owned franchises to avoid such deals. He argued that payments to Pakistani players indirectly fund their government, potentially harming India. While the franchise cited cricketing reasons, the BCCI stated it cannot intervene in foreign league decisions.
Koneru Humpy is considering withdrawing from the FIDE Candidates Tournament in Cyprus due to safety concerns linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. While FIDE says the situation is calm and preparations continue, Humpy believes holding the crucial event near a conflict zone is risky and suggests considering alternative venues or dates.
Suryakumar Yadav revealed the T20 World Cup selection of Ishan Kishan over Jitesh Sharma was a gut call, believing Kishan was the X-factor. Kishan justified this faith with strong performances, helping India win the tournament. The captain also highlighted Sanju Samson's impactful inclusion at the top order, which shifted the team's momentum.
Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar achieved his historic 100th international century on March 16, 2012, against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup. This monumental feat, after a year-long wait, cemented his status as a legend. Despite the immense pressure, Tendulkar's patient 114-run innings showcased his enduring class, inspiring a generation.
India's T20 talent pool is so deep, Suryakumar Yadav believes multiple international-quality teams could be formed, thanks to robust domestic cricket and the IPL. He highlighted the current generation as India's strongest T20 group. Under his captaincy, Team India boasts an impressive win rate, a testament to the team's collective mindset and his strong rapport with coach Gautam Gambhir.