The Times of India

England defeated New Zealand by four wickets in a thrilling Super Eights clash, chasing down 160 with three balls to spare. Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed starred in a dramatic late comeback after England were 117/6. The win kept Pakistans semifinal hopes alive, while England finished unbeaten and topped Group 2.

England now have three wins from three matches in the Super Eights. New Zealand sit second in Group 2 with three points, while Pakistan are third with one point. Pakistan must register a big win against already-eliminated Sri Lanka on Saturday to move ahead of New Zealand and qualify for the semifinals.

India land in Kolkata for do-or-die WI clash | Semi-final spot on the line

An interesting moment occurred before the England-New Zealand clash in Colombo when New Zealands national anthem played in fast forward, leaving players laughing. New Zealand won the toss and chose to bat, keeping the same XI, while England brought in Rehan Ahmed. England are already in the semifinals, while New Zealand must win to qualify.

Real Madrid and Manchester City will face off in a Champions League knockout tie for the fifth season running after being drawn Friday to play each other in the last 16, while reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain will take on Chelsea. Tottenham Hotspur were drawn to play Atletico Madrid, with the winners of that tie then facing Newcastle or Barcelona in the last eight.

India beat Zimbabwe in Chennai | Fans react as decider vs WI awaits in Kolkata

Australia Women secured a commanding five-wicket victory over India Women, clinching the ODI series 2-0. Georgia Voll's century and Phoebe Litchfield's brisk 80 laid the foundation for the successful chase after India posted 251/9. This win extends Australia's all-format series lead, leaving India with much to ponder.

Ravichandran Ashwin defended Abhishek Sharma after Mohammad Amir called him just a slogger following three ducks in the T20 World Cup. Abhishek silenced critics with a quick 55 off 30 balls against Zimbabwe. Ashwin praised his bat swing and rejected the label, while Abhishek said he had waited for this moment and appreciated the teams support.

Sourav Ganguly has backed Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi for national selection following his stellar Ranji Trophy final performance. Nabi's five-wicket haul and league-leading 60 wickets this season have earned him praise, with Ganguly suggesting a call-up for the 2026 England white-ball tour.

Rinku Singh's father breathed his last on Friday morning at the Yatharth Hospital in Greater Noida, informed the hospital PRO. He was undergoing treatment at Yatharth Hospital in Greater Noida,.

India set for next challenge | Hardik, Mahieka at airport; SKY spotted with wife, Rinku heads home

Former cricketers are extending heartfelt condolences to Rinku Singh following the passing of his father, Khanchand Singh. Rinku, who left the T20 World Cup to be with his family, is receiving support from figures like Harbhajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, and Virender Sehwag. IPL franchises have also shared their sympathies during this difficult period.

Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar expressed surprise at Abhishek Sharma's defensive shot during India's T20 World Cup win over Zimbabwe on Thursday. Sharma's fluent 55, ending a streak of ducks, showcased a new maturity. Gavaskar believes this experience marks significant growth for the young batter, preparing him for crucial upcoming matches.

India's path to the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals is now clear, with a win against West Indies at Eden on Sunday securing their spot. Following South Africa's victory, the final Group 1 match is a virtual quarterfinal. India's dominant batting performance against Zimbabwe set them up for this crucial encounter.

Umar Akmal clarified his recent social media post, stating he did not intend to compare himself to Babar Azam or disrespect the Pakistan captain. Akmal explained his intention was to highlight that Azam's batting style is not ideally suited for the T20 middle order, emphasizing role suitability rather than a direct comparison of achievements.

Defending champions India face a crucial Super 8 clash against the West Indies on Sunday. A victory in Kolkata will secure their semi-final spot in the T20 World Cup. South Africa has already qualified from Group 1. Meanwhile, England have advanced from Group 2, with New Zealand and Pakistan vying for the remaining berth.

India secured a commanding 72-run victory over Zimbabwe in their Super 8 clash. All-rounder Hardik Pandya starred with an unbeaten 50 and economical bowling, earning him Player of the Match. India posted a formidable 256, with Zimbabwe falling short despite a brilliant 97 from Brian Bennett. India now prepares for their next Super 8 fixture.

India secured a dominant 72-run victory against Zimbabwe, getting their T20 World Cup campaign back on track. Abhishek Sharma's return to form with a 30-ball 55 and a strong middle-order performance propelled India to a record 256/4 in Chennai. This win sets up a crucial 'quarterfinal' against the West Indies.

Tilak Varma's explosive unbeaten 44 off 16 balls, and aggressive contributions from top-order batters powered India to a commanding 72-run victory over Zimbabwe, keeping their semifinal hopes alive. Adopting a fearless approach, Varma stated the team's intention to instill fear in opponents, emphasizing their commitment to aggressive batting regardless of early wickets.

Indias Super Eight fate briefly hinged on the West Indies vs South Africa clash. After South Africas win kept their hopes alive, India responded with a clinical performance against Zimbabwe. Backing their brand of cricket and team-first approach, the Men in Blue now head into a virtual quarter-final against the West Indies with renewed belief.

Indian cricketer Rinku Singh's father, Khanchand Singh, has passed away after a battle with advanced liver cancer. He was on ventilator support at a Greater Noida hospital. Rinku, part of the T20 World Cup squad, had briefly returned home earlier due to his father's deteriorating health. His father was a pillar of support for his cricketing dreams.

India's T20 World Cup campaign reignited with a dominant 72-run victory over Zimbabwe, setting a new tournament record with their highest-ever total of 256/4. Batting legends praised the team's character and fearless intent under pressure. This emphatic win, fueled by collective batting brilliance, has instilled renewed belief ahead of their next crucial match.

India keep T20 World Cup dream alive, over to Kolkata now

India unleashed a record-breaking batting blitz against Zimbabwe, scoring 256/4 with a remarkable 17 sixes. Six batters achieved strike rates over 150, showcasing exceptional collective intent. This dominant performance, marked by minimal dot balls and a powerful finish, reignited India's attacking spirit and kept their semifinal hopes soaring.

From the strong powerplay to intent in the middle overs and a blockbuster finishback-to-back sixes by Hardik PandyaIndia checked the boxes they were yearning to in the fixtures preceding Thursday's clash. Restoring the right-left combination at the top of the order worked wonders for the defending champions.

Auqib Nabi's exceptional bowling performance has propelled Jammu & Kashmir to the brink of a historic Ranji Trophy title. The seamer, who became the competition's leading wicket-taker, emphasized a simple, disciplined approach focusing on line and length. Nabi's success, attributed to strong wrist position for swing and movement, has fulfilled a long-held dream for J&K cricket.

Jammu and Kashmir's bowlers dominated Day 3 of the Ranji Trophy final, reducing Karnataka to 220/5. Opener Mayank Agarwal remained unbeaten on 130, but Karnataka trails by 364 runs. J&K's Auqib Nabi took three crucial wickets, dismantling Karnataka's top order.

South Africa secured a dominant nine-wicket victory over the West Indies in their T20 World Cup Super 8 clash, extending their unbeaten tournament run. Disciplined bowling restricted the West Indies to 176 for 8, with a late partnership providing a competitive total. Captain Aiden Markram's unbeaten 82 led South Africa's strong chase, ensuring a comfortable win.

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra urges India to embrace their fearless, attacking style against Zimbabwe to revive semi-final hopes. He stressed the need for explosive batting, particularly from Suryakumar Yadav, and criticized the team's current cautious approach. Chopra warned that a failure to revert to their aggressive brand of cricket could jeopardize India's World Cup campaign.

Young Indian star Vaibhav Sooryavanshi unleashed a blistering 19-ball 63, featuring seven fours and five sixes, in the DY Patil T20 Cup. This explosive innings, with a strike rate of 331.58, serves as a potent warning to IPL 2026 rivals. His fearless aggression, evident since his record-breaking IPL century, continues to dominate bowlers, making him a player to watch.

Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired a 25% stake in Spanish second-tier club UD Almera, marking a significant step in his post-playing career ambitions. The investment, made through his CR7 Sports Investments subsidiary, signals his desire to contribute to the sport beyond the pitch. Almera's owner welcomed the move, highlighting Ronaldo's understanding of Spanish football and the club's potential.

The Ranji Trophy final between Jammu & Kashmir and Karnataka is heading towards a potential draw, with J&K posting a massive 584. Karnataka, currently trailing, faces a significant challenge to secure a first-innings lead. This lead will determine the champion if an outright result isn't achieved, highlighting the importance of sustained performance in multi-day cricket.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan advises the Men in Blue to focus on winning upcoming T20 World Cup matches. He suggests prioritizing victory over net-run-rate calculations. Pathan also proposes batting captain Suryakumar Yadav at number three to balance the top order, which currently features many left-handers. India faces Zimbabwe and the West Indies next.

Pakistan faces online abuse after a narrow T20 World Cup loss to England, with captain Salman Ali Agha's family targeted. Despite this, many fans condemned the toxic reactions. England secured a semi-final spot, leaving Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand vying for the remaining place, with Pakistan needing significant wins and favorable results.

Kumar Sangakkara expressed deep disappointment as Sri Lanka exited the T20 World Cup, citing a lot of hurt all round. He warned of the nation falling behind if urgent changes aren't made, emphasizing the need to adapt to modern cricket's evolution. Sangakkara fears irrelevance if Sri Lanka fails to evolve, stressing the burden and privilege of national representation.

Virender Sehwag highlighted India's struggle in T20 World Cup chases exceeding 160, noting Virat Kohli's crucial role in past successes. He urged players like Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, and Hardik Pandya to emulate Kohli's match-finishing ability and play fearless cricket under pressure to secure victories.

Jasprit Bumrah is close to a major milestone of 500 international wickets. This could happen in India's vital T20 World Cup match against Zimbabwe. India needs a win to keep semifinal hopes alive. Bumrah's bowling is key for India's success. He has been in excellent form in the tournament. His wickets are crucial for the team.

Indian Super League clubs have unanimously rejected the All India Football Federation's proposal to include Churchill Brothers in the ongoing 2025-26 season. The clubs cited concerns over merit-based participation and competitive integrity, stating the league structure is closed and final. This decision comes after previous deliberations and a prior rejection by the AIFF Executive Committee.

Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka has appealed to the government to shield players from excessive criticism, citing its detrimental impact on their mental health following the team's T20 World Cup exit. Shanaka expressed frustration over the negative environment, attributing the team's performance to factors like pitch conditions and fitness issues, while apologising to fans for the disappointing results.

Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup campaign ended in disappointment, with captain Dasun Shanaka issuing a heartfelt apology to fans. He cited failures, fitness concerns, and missed opportunities as reasons for the team's exit in the Super Eight stage. Shanaka acknowledged the team's fitness levels lag behind global standards and called for long-term planning.

India face a crucial T20 World Cup match against Zimbabwe, with their qualification hopes hinging on other results. Batting order changes are likely, potentially seeing Sanju Samson open. Coach Kotak acknowledges batting struggles but defends recent performances. Axar Patel's return is also expected as India aims to regain momentum on a potentially high-scoring Chepauk pitch.

India's opening pair, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, have struggled significantly in the T20 World Cup, averaging a dismal 6.8. Abhishek's poor form, marked by consecutive ducks, is a major concern, while the middle order also faces challenges against off-spin. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak remains confident in their ability to bounce back.

India faces a crucial T20 World Cup match against Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe's tall fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani is a key player. He has taken many wickets and performed well in tough bowling spells. His height and skill make him a difficult opponent. India's batters must be careful against him. His team believes he has overcome injury to perform strongly.

New Zealand's decisive win over Sri Lanka has eliminated the co-hosts from the T20 World Cup. This result, however, keeps Pakistan's semi-final hopes alive. The final qualification spot from Group 2 now hinges on the England versus New Zealand match, with Pakistan needing a significant victory in their final game to potentially advance.

T20 World Cup: Sri Lanka bow out of the tournament; Pakistans hopes dim