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Shardul Thakur expressed his excitement about rejoining the Mumbai Indians, highlighting Rohit Sharma's crucial role in fostering his confidence and freedom. Thakur also reflected on his early experiences with the franchise as a support bowler, crediting the exposure and guidance from coaches and senior players for shaping his career.

South African skipper Aiden Markram highlighted Abhishek Sharma's crucial wicket as key to their T20I opener against India. Markram acknowledged Sharma as a match-winner and welcomed pacer Anrich Nortje's return after injury. India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, aims to continue their winning streak ahead of next year's T20 World Cup.

Shubman Gill, back to full fitness, impressed during India's T20 World Cup preparations, batting with ease and engaging in positive interactions. His strong showing offers a promising opening partnership option. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya's workload management remains a key concern for the team as he returns from injury, with the World Cup on the horizon.

Team India gears up for the T20 World Cup with a five-match series against South Africa, marking the return of key players Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya. Suryakumar Yadav's team aims to fine-tune their champion squad, while South Africa welcome back Anrich Nortje. The Barabati Stadium pitch is expected to favour batters, promising a run-fest.

Australian spinner Nathan Lyon's candid admission of being filthy after being dropped sparked a debate on Indian cricketers' reserved reactions. Veteran R Ashwin revealed that while emotions are similar, Indian players fear collateral damage and being labelled for expressing themselves, unlike in some Western cultures. He hopes this will change.

Smriti Mandhana's past interview on dealing with setbacks has resurfaced following the announcement that her wedding to Palash Muchhal has been called off. In the clip, she shared her strategy of focusing on short-term goals and routine to overcome difficult phases.

Australia face a significant Ashes blow as Josh Hazlewood is out for the series with an Achilles issue. His absence coincides with captain Pat Cummins' return from a back injury, expected to lead the attack in Adelaide. Mitchell Starc is cleared despite a niggle, but the team must now manage pace options carefully.

Among the 35 new additions to the final list, South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock stands out as a surprise entry. De Kock was not part of the original document but was later included following a recommendation from a franchise. His addition comes soon after he reversed his international retirement and scored a century in the ODI against India in Visakhapatnam.

Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana has officially called off her wedding with composer Palash Muchhal, requesting privacy for both families. While the exact reasons remain undisclosed, Mandhana emphasised her commitment to representing India. This follows an earlier postponement due to a family health emergency. She seeks to focus on her career.

Jasprit Bumrah is on the verge of significant T20I milestones as India faces South Africa. He needs just one wicket to reach 100 T20I wickets, a feat that would also make him the first Indian to achieve a century of wickets in all international formats. Additionally, Bumrah is nearing 500 combined international wickets across formats.

Mitchell Marsh is stepping away from first-class cricket with Western Australia. This move raises questions about his future in Test cricket. Marsh has indicated he remains open to Test selection if chosen. Australia coach Andrew McDonald has stated the team would consider picking players from white-ball cricket for Tests. Marsh's Test career has been impacted by injuries and recent form.

Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya return to India's T20I squad for the South Africa series, impacting the middle order. Despite Sanju Samson's good form, captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed Gill will open, with Samson batting in the middle. Jitesh Sharma's recent performance also intensifies competition for middle-order spots.

Australia eyes series win against England in the third Ashes Test, holding a commanding 2-0 lead. Captain Pat Cummins is set to return, with fitness checks for Usman Khawaja and Josh Hazlewood ongoing. The team will prioritize balance based on Adelaide's conditions, potentially seeing Nathan Lyon back. Michael Neser's impressive five-wicket haul highlights selection dilemmas.

Veteran David Miller returns to the Proteas squad, expressing his readiness after a period of focused training and recovery. He highlighted the team's strong player pool and the collective effort needed to secure a major white-ball title, ahead of the T20I series against India. Miller feels fit and eager to contribute.

Mohamed Salah's Liverpool legacy is under threat following explosive comments about manager Arne Slot, who he claims he no longer has a relationship with. Wayne Rooney believes Slot must assert authority and exclude Salah from the upcoming Champions League match, warning the forward is damaging years of goodwill with his handling of the situation.

Phil Salt lauded his successful IPL 2025 opening partnership with Virat Kohli at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, crediting their understanding for RCB's title triumph. He highlighted their seamless communication on the field, emphasizing a shared goal of providing strong powerplay starts. Salt also discussed his alignment with RCB's playing style and his team-centric approach to T20 cricket.

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Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel is keenly observing India's strategy for Jasprit Bumrah's overs in the T20I series against South Africa. He also highlighted the crucial return of Hardik Pandya and the potential impact of in-form opener Abhishek Sharma. Patel believes these elements will be key to India's success in the upcoming matches.

Hardik Pandya is on the verge of a significant T20I milestone, needing 140 runs for 2,000 and just two wickets for 100. Returning from injury, he proved his fitness and is a key player for India's T20 World Cup preparations. The five-match series against South Africa begins December 9.

India achieved its best ever ISSF World Cup Final performance, securing six medals. Zorawar Singh Sandhu competed in the men's trap final. China topped the medal tally. India finished second overall. Simranpreet Kaur Brar and Suruchi Phogat won gold medals. Sainyam, Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, and Anish Bhanwala secured silver medals. Samrat Rana earned a bronze medal.

Chennai Super Kings enter IPL 2026 at a crossroads, carrying both legacy and last-place disappointment. Major trades, including Jadeja and Currans exit and Samsons arrival, signal a new direction. With gaps in finishing, spin and pace, CSK head into the auction with a big purse and urgent needs as they prepare for life beyond MS Dhoni.

Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa has earned a coveted spot in the Candidates 2026 tournament by triumphing in the FIDE Circuit 2025. His stellar year, marked by victories in major events, secures his sole male representation for India. Seven participants are confirmed, with one remaining spot to be decided by rating.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan urged Shubman Gill to seize his T20 opening opportunity against South Africa, emphasizing the need to solidify his spot for the 2026 World Cup. Pathan also highlighted the crucial search for a reliable finisher to support Hardik Pandya, naming Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma, and Rinku Singh as potential candidates for the vital role.

Russian Grandmaster Volodar Murzin, the 2024 FIDE Rapid champion, is set to compete in the Global Chess League in Mumbai. He expressed his fondness for Indian cuisine, particularly mangoes, paneer, and sugarcane juice. Murzin also shared his confidence boost after winning the World Rapid title and his ambition to improve his classical chess game.

India's vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has resumed cricket training following the cancellation of her wedding to composer Palash Muchhal. She will soon return to competitive cricket in a T20I series against Sri Lanka, which serves as preparation for the T20 World Cup. Mandhana had previously confirmed the wedding's cancellation and emphasised her commitment to cricket.

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Joe Root has etched his name in the record books, albeit for an unwanted reason, after England's Gabba Test loss. Despite a maiden Australian century, Root's 16th winless match Down Under surpasses Kapil Dev's record. This defeat leaves England 2-0 down in the Ashes, extending their winless streak in Australia.

Under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel which deals with minimum over-rate offences players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their team fails to bowl within the stipulated time.

Brendon McCullum's 'Bazball' approach faces intense criticism after England's poor Ashes start, with the coach admitting over-preparation. His comments sparked backlash, including from former player Darren Gough, highlighting the heated debate surrounding England's style and leadership.

Ravichandran Ashwin has appealed to Indian cricket fans for more constructive online discussions. He highlighted the negative trend of personal attacks following recent team performances. Ashwin stressed that debates should focus on selection and on-field output, not on labeling players. He believes this approach will foster a more positive environment for the sport and its followers.

Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana and music composer Palash Muchhal have officially called off their wedding, which was previously postponed due to Mandhana's father's hospitalisation. Both stars confirmed the cancellation on Instagram, with Mandhana urging for privacy and emphasising her continued focus on representing India in cricket.

India's T20 strength is set to increase with the return of Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill, according to captain Suryakumar Yadav. Their presence provides valuable balance and flexibility, offering multiple combinations for the team's strategy, especially with an eye on the upcoming T20 World Cup. This adaptability in batting order is seen as a significant advantage for the squad.

Pakistan's T20 skipper Salman Ali Agha indicated no major squad changes are expected for the upcoming World Cup, citing significant team improvement after players were assigned specific roles. With only six T20 matches remaining, the focus is on consistency with the current combination, though Shadab Khan's return is not ruled out.

India have been formidable since their T20 World Cup triumph last year, winning eight consecutive matches on their way to the title. Their dominant run has extended to 26 wins and just four losses, including a seven-match streak en route to the Asia Cup victory in Dubai. The team has not lost a T20I series in this period and will look to sharpen their edge against the side they defeated in the T20 World Cup final.

Amit Passi etched his name in T20 history by equaling the world record for the highest individual score on debut, smashing 114 off 55 balls for Baroda against Services. His explosive knock, featuring 10 fours and nine sixes, helped Baroda post 220/5 and has put him on the radar of IPL franchises.

India's 2025 cricket season saw young stars like Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Suryavanshi dominate search trends, even in Pakistan. While India triumphed over rivals on the field, it was these emerging talents who captured global attention, signaling a significant generational shift in cricket's digital landscape and highlighting the growing influence of women's cricket.

India cricketer Smriti Mandhana has confirmed her wedding to music composer Palash Muchhal is called off, following weeks of speculation. Teammate Jemimah Rodrigues has provided significant emotional support throughout the ordeal. Mandhana, however, remains focused on her cricket career, emphasising her commitment to representing India.

Shakib Al Hasan has admitted that extreme physical fatigue pushed him to intentionally chuck during an English County match for Surrey a move that ultimately led to his bowling suspension. The left-arm spinner was banned from bowling in all competitions governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) after independent testing at Loughborough University in December last year deemed his action illegal.

Australia registered an eight-wicket win over Ben Stokes England in Brisbane on Sunday, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. Contributions from Australias tail-enders, with pacers Michael Neser (16) and Brendan Doggett (13) supporting a strong 77 from Mitchell Starc, helped the home side post 511 in the first innings. Neser then claimed a five-wicket haul in the second innings, playing a crucial role in Australias dominant win.

Australia secured a commanding eight-wicket victory over England at The Gabba, taking a 2-0 Ashes lead. Stand-in captain Steve Smith playfully deflected questions about a heated on-field exchange with Jofra Archer, stating it was 'none of your business'. The win was bolstered by strong performances from Mitchell Starc and a maiden five-wicket haul from Michael Neser.

India secured a 2-1 ODI series victory against South Africa. The win was celebrated with light-hearted moments in the dressing room. Virat Kohli playfully teased Kuldeep Yadav, who was named Impact Player of the Series. Kuldeep had a stellar performance, taking nine wickets. The team now prepares for a T20I series.

Mumbai Smashers achieved an incredible Indian Pickleball League championship, climbing from sixth place to defeat Hyderabad Royals 5-1 in the Grand Finale. Their dramatic comeback, marked by strong singles and doubles performances, culminated in a decisive Grand Rally win, capping a remarkable underdog journey witnessed by Minister Kiren Rijiju.

England's Ashes campaign faces severe criticism after a 0-2 deficit, with 'Bazball' under fire. Former player Geoffrey Boycott lambasted the team's batting, bowling, and fielding, calling their approach a 'horror show.' He questioned individual performances and the team's insular mindset, suggesting a drastic turnaround is needed to salvage the series.

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Hardik Pandya commenced early net practice in Cuttack, mirroring Virat Kohli's proactive approach. Having recovered from a quadricep injury, Pandya showcased his match fitness in recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy games, preparing for the T20I series against South Africa.

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Head coach Gautam Gambhir faces scrutiny after consecutive home Test series losses. However, former coach Ravi Shastri advocates for shared player responsibility, emphasising that defeats are collective. Shastri highlighted the importance of pride, hurt from losses, and strong man-management skills for team success, urging a broader view of accountability beyond just the coach.

Yashasvi Jaiswal seized his opportunity, scoring a maiden ODI century with an unbeaten 116 to guide India to a series-clinching victory. Coach Gautam Gambhir praised Jaiswal's innings and emphasised the importance of youngsters staying motivated for future chances, even with senior players returning.

Rovman Powell's explosive unbeaten 96 powered Dubai Capitals to a commanding 83-run victory over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders. Powell, alongside Jordan Cox's 52, orchestrated a crucial partnership after a shaky start, setting a formidable 187. The Capitals' bowlers then dismantled the Knight Riders for 103, securing their first win of the season.

Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has withdrawn his retirement from Test and T20I formats, aiming to play a full series in all three formats before his international career concludes. He has been out of international cricket for over a year due to security concerns and a ban following birthday wishes to a former Prime Minister.