The Times of India

India's U-19 World Cup victory was a testament to their deep talent pool, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's dazzling 175 in the final being a highlight. The team's success was built on range, resilience, and crucial contributions from across the squad, showcasing a generation ready for future success.

Keshav Maharaj called Ottneil Baartman the 'best death bowler in the country.' Legendary Dale Steyn, who has coached him for three years, has sung his praises. On the field, he took 20 wickets in the recent SA20 season, including a five-wicket haul. Yet, the seamer has not traveled to India for the T20 World Cup.

Suryakumar Yadav's heartwarming gesture towards Rohit Sharma preceded his match-winning 84, rescuing India from a collapse against the USA. A disciplined bowling performance, led by Siraj, secured a 29-run victory in their T20 World Cup opener.

Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's extraordinary 175 off 80 balls powered India to a record-extending sixth ICC Under-19 World Cup title, crushing England by 100 runs. His stellar performance, featuring 15 fours and 15 sixes, overshadowed England's Caleb Falconer's century. Sooryavanshi expressed gratitude and acknowledged the journey ahead.

Mohammed Sirajs quiet February plans, featuring family time, Ramadan and a Real Madrid match, were upended by a sudden SOS from Indias T20 leadership. Drafted into the World Cup squad after an injury crisis and Siraj delivered at the Wankhede.

Washington Sundar last played a competitive fixture nearly a month ago during the ODI series vs New Zealand. The all-rounder injured himself while bowling in the 1st ODI in Vadodara and went on to miss the remainder of the series, and the five T20Is which followed

T20 World Cup: 'That was the difference' - USA's Shadley Van Schalkwyk on Suryakumar Yadav

T20 World Cup: 'God changed my destiny' - Mohammed Siraj on emotions of lucky comeback

India start their T20 World Cup with a 29-run win over the USA, recovering from 77/6 thanks to captain Suryakumar Yadavs unbeaten 84 off 49 balls. SKY admitted, We could've batted a little better, praising his Mumbai experience and coach Gautam Gambhirs advice. Bowlers Siraj, Arshdeep, and Axar restricted the USA to 132/8, securing a hard-fought victory.

Barcelona extended their La Liga lead to four points with a dominant 3-0 win over Mallorca. Lamine Yamal starred, scoring a spectacular long-range goal after an earlier miss, while Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring and Marc Bernal sealed the victory with his first senior goal. The result provides a significant boost to Barcelona's title aspirations.

Manchester United's resurgence under Michael Carrick is gaining momentum, marked by a fourth consecutive Premier League win against Tottenham. Captain Bruno Fernandes credits Carrick's deep club connection for the turnaround, reigniting Champions League hopes. This victory propels United up the table, surpassing last season's points total and showcasing a revitalized team spirit.

India secured a 35-run victory against the USA in their T20 World Cup opener. Despite a shaky batting performance, Suryakumar Yadav's unbeaten 84 guided India to 161. Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj then dismantled the USA's top order, setting up a comfortable win for the hosts.

Shadley Claude van Schalkwyk delivered a stunning performance, taking three wickets in a single over against India in the T20 World Cup 2026 opener. The South African-born all-rounder dismissed Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, and Shivam Dube, leaving India reeling at 45 for 4 after the powerplay.

Italy's Thomas Draca is set to make history at the T20 World Cup, a dream come true for the former aspiring footballer. He aims to soak in the support and believes Italy can challenge established teams, drawing inspiration from their past footballing triumphs. Draca is also eager to explore India's culture and cuisine during the tournament.

Sanju Samson was omitted from India's T20 World Cup 2026 opening XI against the USA. Ishan Kishan takes his place at the top, with Suryakumar Yadav confirming the changes. Jasprit Bumrah is also out due to illness, replaced by Mohammed Siraj. Washington Sundar also missed out.

Mohammed Siraj made an unexpected return to India's T20I side for their World Cup opener against the USA. Called up as standby cover, he was drafted into the playing XI after Jasprit Bumrah fell ill. This marked Siraj's first T20 international appearance in 557 days, a significant moment on the grandest stage.

Indias T20 World Cup opener against the USA began with Jasprit Bumrah ruled out due to illness, with Mohammed Siraj replacing him. USA won the toss and chose to bowl on a batting-friendly Wankhede pitch. Suryakumar Yadav admitted pressure but backed Indias approach, while Monank Patel expressed confidence in his team. India and USA named strong XIs as India began their title defence.

Jason Holder achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first West Indies bowler to bag 100 T20I wickets during their T20 World Cup 2026 opener against Scotland. Shimron Hetmyer's explosive 64 and Romario Shepherd's five-wicket haul, including a hat-trick, powered the West Indies to a commanding victory, setting a celebratory tone for their campaign.

The PCB has invoked Force Majeure citing the government instruction to not take the field versus their arch-rivals in the group stage of the multi-nation tournament. In the statement, the government didn't give any further explanation or justification for doing the same. India are schedule to play Pakistan on February 15.

Shimron Hetmyer's explosive 64 off 36 balls powered West Indies to 182 for 5 against Scotland. Despite a shaky start and Scotland's disciplined bowling, Hetmyer's rapid counterattack, including a 81-run partnership with Rovman Powell, secured a competitive total. His fastest T20 World Cup fifty for West Indies highlighted his improved fitness and clear batting approach.

Ahead of India's T20 World Cup opener, all-rounder Hardik Pandya expressed confidence and motivation, believing his international journey is just beginning. He aims to win at least four to five more ICC trophies for India, stating his potential as a batter will become eally scary in the coming years.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia reviewed Indias final preparations and hosting arrangements at Wankhede ahead of their T20 World Cup opener against the USA. The tournament runs from February 7 to March 8 with 20 teams and 55 matches across India and Sri Lanka. India will also face Namibia, Pakistan (uncertain), and the Netherlands. ICC chairman Jay Shah wished all teams luck.

Afghanistan's cricketers, led by Rashid Khan, yearn to host international matches at home, a dream overshadowed by decades of conflict. Despite global success, playing on Afghan soil remains paramount. Khan also highlighted the need for a stronger domestic league to nurture talent and foster competition, emphasizing the current reliance on natural ability.

T20 World Cup | 'Sense of peace' - Faheem Ashraf on heroics for Pakistan vs Netherlands

Pakistan narrowly avoided a T20 World Cup 2026 opening upset against the Netherlands, thanks to a match-winning 29 off 11 balls from Faheem Ashraf. Chasing 148, Pakistan collapsed in the middle order, but Ashraf's explosive 19th over turned the tide, securing a three-wicket victory with three balls to spare.

Pakistan narrowly beat the Netherlands by three wickets in their T20 World Cup opener after a tense chase led by Faheem Ashrafs late heroics. During the match, ex-India cricketer Mohammad Kaif mocked Babar Azams batting style on commentary, saying hitting sixes isnt his strength. Pakistan captain Salman Agha praised Faheem, while the Dutch rued missed chances.

Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's record-shattering 175 in the U19 World Cup final against England has ignited debate about his senior India debut. Despite his phenomenal performance, the ICC's Minimum Age Policy, requiring players to be 15, and the BCCI's 'One-Tournament' rule for U19s, currently prevent his inclusion. Fans eagerly await his transition to the senior squad.

Faheem Ashraf's explosive unbeaten 29 off 11 balls secured a dramatic three-wicket victory for Pakistan against the Netherlands in their T20 World Cup opener. Despite a mid-innings collapse, Ashraf's late heroics, including three sixes in the penultimate over, guided Pakistan to 148 with three balls to spare, rescuing them from a precarious position.

India's T20 World Cup batting philosophy has shifted to aggressive acceleration, prioritising high strike-rates and minimal settling-in time. This tournament will test their new-age approach, featuring specialist T20 batters like Abhishek Sharma and Rinku Singh, aiming for decisive Powerplay wins and controlled finishes.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smoked 15 sixes and 15 fours at a strike rate of 218.75 during a brutal and breathtaking knock in the U-19 World Cup final against England at the Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe. Back home in his village in Bihars Samastipur district, his family had hardly caught any sleep, while his coachs phone in Patna was buzzing with congratulatory messages and strange requests: Sir, mera beta do saal ka hai, usko cricketer Vaibhav bana dijiye (My son is two years old, make him like Vaib

Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has captured attention with his exceptional batting, drawing comparisons to cricketing legends. His coach highlights his ime and space as key assets, developed through extensive practice and idolizing Brian Lara. While possessing immense talent and hunger, Sooryavanshi is still refining his defensive game and specific shots, with caution advised against rushing his development.

India clinched a record sixth U-19 World Cup title with a dominant 100-run victory over England. Star performer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, who smashed 175, led the joyous celebrations with his teammates. The young squad's fearless approach and hard work culminated in this historic triumph, continuing India's World Cup legacy.

Why Gautam Gambhir and Hardik Pandya had an intense chat before India vs USA T20 WC

Teen sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's record-shattering 175 powered India to a sixth U-19 World Cup title, defeating England by 100 runs. The 14-year-old's breathtaking innings, featuring 15 sixes, set a daunting target. Sooryavanshi also secured Player of the Tournament, showcasing his immense talent and dedication.

Defending champions India enter the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 as overwhelming favourites, showcasing a revitalised squad under Suryakumar Yadav. Following a generational shift, the team has embraced a high-octane philosophy, boasting a dominant recent record and top-ranked players. India aim for a third title with a confident, albeit with a few lingering concerns, lineup.

Usman Tariq has lately grabbed attention for his bowling action despite being cleared of any wrongdoing by the ICC. The Pakistan spinner has had a life worthy of a Bollywood movie: lost his father early, struggled to survive as a youngster and turned to cricket inspired by MS Dhoni's biopic.

Still two-years younger than what Sachin Tendulkar's age was at the time of his India debut, he has a bat-swing that reminds of Brian Charles Lara, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Yuvraj Singh, and like footballer Lamine Yamal, who has emerged as a teenage sensation at the highest level, Sooryavanshis age has rarely matched the stage he performs on.

The 2026 T20 World Cup will showcase 30 players of Pakistani origin representing 10 different nations, underlining how modern cricket transcends borders. From UAEs Muhammad Jawad Ullah to Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza and Englands Rehan Ahmed, it shows how cricket has moved beyond rigid ideas of nationality and has become more inclusive and diverse by embracing migrants.

Former India spinner R Ashwin hailed 14-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi after his stunning 175 in the U-19 World Cup final, calling him a rare big-match prodigy. Highlighting his tournament-leading runs and explosive strike rate, Ashwin said fans shouldnt be surprised if Vaibhav earns an international call-up soon after the T20 World Cup.

As the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 begins on Saturday across venues in India and Sri Lanka, the tournament marks another chapter in a competition that began 19 years ago. From its first edition in South Africa in 2007 to the 2024 event in the USA and Caribbean, the T20 World Cup has seen the format grow in scale and reach.

T20 World Cup | Suryakumar Yadav press conference - On Harshit Rana, 'nerves', strategy

Fourteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi produced a breathtaking knock in the U-19 World Cup final, smashing the second-fastest century in tournament history off just 55 balls against England. He went on to score 175, dominating the bowlers, sharing a huge partnership, and earning a standing ovation for one of the greatest U-19 innings ever.

Mohammed Siraj is all set to fly to Mumbai today to link up with T20I squad before Indias World Cup opener vs USA. Harshit Rana is expected to miss out on the T20 World Cup due to a knee injury that he picked up in the warm-up match against South Africa.

India's T20 World Cup 2026 hopes for fast bowler Harshit Rana are uncertain after he sustained a knee injury during a warm-up match against South Africa. Captain Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged the situation is concerning, stating Rana hasn't been ruled out but the team is prepared to explore alternatives. Squad balance and available bowling options will guide any replacement decisions.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi smashed a blistering 55-ball century in the Under-19 World Cup final against England, setting a new record for most sixes in the tournament. His explosive innings, featuring eight fours and as many sixes, helped India post a strong total after winning the toss and electing to bat.

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