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India's star opener Abhishek Sharma has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup clash against Namibia due to a stomach infection. Captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed Sharma could also miss the upcoming match against Pakistan, with Sanju Samson replacing him in the lineup.
India has opted to rest opener Abhishek Sharma for their T20 World Cup match against Namibia due to a stomach infection. Sharma, who was discharged from the hospital after two days, missed the game with Sanju Samson replacing him. Jasprit Bumrah also comes in for Mohammed Siraj in the bowling attack.
Italy achieved a historic maiden T20 World Cup victory, defeating Nepal by 10 wickets. After their spinners dismissed Nepal for 123, the Mosca brothers, Anthony and Justin, delivered a dominant unbeaten opening partnership to secure the win with 7.2 overs to spare.
Over 1,300 athletes have been removed from the Khelo India programme in the last three years due to performance issues and doping violations. The Union sports minister informed the Rajya Sabha that 1,342 athletes exited while 2,905 new ones were inducted. Performance benchmarks are revised annually and assessed through camps.
Indian chess legend Koneru Humpy will play Norway Chess Women for the third time from May 25 to June 5 in Oslo, expressing excitement about the competition and atmosphere. A trailblazer, she became Indias first female Grandmaster at 15 and crossed 2600 Elo in 2007. A two-time Womens World Rapid Champion, she qualified for the 2026 Candidates.
Churchill Brothers will not be promoted to the Indian Super League for the 2025-26 season, the AIFF ruled, despite provisionally finishing top of the I-League. The decision followed a CAS verdict that awarded the I-League title and promotion to Inter Kashi, who will play their first game on February 14 against FC Goa.
Afghanistan cricketers withdrew from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Players' Auction following backlash over Rahmanullah Gurbaz's direct signing by Peshawar Zalmi. Strained diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan are cited as the primary reason for the players' decision to pull out, impacting their participation in the tournament.
Lindsey Vonn embodied resilience after a devastating Olympic crash, updating fans from hospital following her third successful surgery on a complex leg fracture. The 41-year-old, who had also ruptured her ACL days earlier, stressed that success now means recovery. After returning from retirement in 2024 and dominating World Cup races, Vonns comeback inspired fans and athletes alike. Her quote, Im never tired of winning, reflects her relentless spirit and refusal to surrender to injury or doubt.
Steve Smith shattered PSL records, becoming the most expensive player at PKR 14 crore for the Sialkot Stallions. The revamped 11th edition features a new auction system and two new franchises. Naseem Shah was the top Pakistani buy, while Babar Azam was retained. The tournament runs March 26-May 3.
Sri Lanka secured a dominant 105-run victory over Oman in their T20 World Cup clash. Blistering half-centuries from Pavan Rathnayake and Dasun Shanaka, supported by Kusal Mendis's composed fifty, propelled Sri Lanka to a formidable 225/5. Oman's chase faltered under early pressure, ending at 120/9.
Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi has been fined. He received a 15 percent match fee penalty. This was for disobeying an umpire's instruction during the match against South Africa. The incident involved a dispute over a bowler's wristband. Nabi also received one demerit point. He accepted the sanction without a formal hearing. South Africa won the match after two Super Overs.
Returning to his hometown Delhi for the match against Namibia, India's head coach Gautam Gambhir emphasised the importance of team togetherness in the demanding world of elite sports. He highlighted how support staff become like family, fostering a relaxed atmosphere during practice. Gambhir candidly stated that only a winning dressing room brings smiles, underscoring the pressure of professional cricket.
T20 World Cup: Namibia's Gerhard Erasmus upset after lack of night practice before India match
Namibia's captain, Gerhard Erasmus, expressed frustration over the T20 World Cup schedule, noting his team received no night training sessions despite facing India in a night fixture. Erasmus highlighted the lack of floodlit practice facilities in Namibia, making the adjustment difficult for his players. Despite the disadvantage, the team is prepared to compete in their own 'Namibian way'.
Ajayveer Hundal, a 20-year-old Canadian cricketer, shares his journey from ice hockey to the sport's biggest stage. Born to Indian parents, Hundal discovered his love for cricket during the 2019 World Cup. He trained in India to hone his skills. Hundal now plays in the T20 World Cup, a dream come true.
T20 World Cup | Tilak Varma provides update on Abhishek's fitness, mindset during rehab
Rajasthan Royals are hesitant to host majority of their home games at Jaipur's Sawai Mansingh Stadium due to unresolved safety and infrastructure concerns. The franchise has sought clarification from IPL and BCCI officials regarding the venue's adequacy for modern IPL matches. The stadium's outdated facilities and the Rajasthan Cricket Association's ongoing governance issues further complicate the situation.
Pakistan's mystery spinner Usman Tariq, inspired by MS Dhoni, has become a significant threat ahead of the India clash. His unique slinging action and stop-start run-up have troubled batsmen, with R Ashwin and WV Raman defending his bowling style. Indian batters, however, are expected to adapt to the challenge posed by Tariq and Pakistan's other spinners.
Tilak Varma embraces the anchor role in India's T20 lineup, providing stability amidst explosive hitters. He stressed the importance of the middle overs for winning T20 games, aiming to take the game deep and finish chases. Learning from the USA slip-up, India prioritise a settled batting order, with Varma and Suryakumar key to this strategy.
India batter Tilak Varma expressed excitement for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan on February 15, stating the team has entered match zone after fixture confirmation. Varma emphasised a methodical approach, focusing on one match at a time with video analysis and adapting to wicket conditions.
Tilak Varma provided positive fitness updates on Abhishek Sharma, who has been discharged from the hospital after a stomach infection, and Jasprit Bumrah, who is recovering well. Final decisions on their availability for the upcoming match against Namibia will be made closer to game time. The team is also preparing for their high-voltage encounter against Pakistan.
The T20 World Cup heats up on February 12 with Sri Lanka facing Oman, Nepal taking on Italy, and India battling Namibia. Sri Lanka, despite Hasaranga's injury, aims for another win. Nepal, buoyed by a near-upset against England, meets Italy. India, after defeating USA, faces Namibia with opener Sharma a doubt, potentially seeing Samson open.
Jasprit Bumrah showed good form in training, boosting hopes for his return against Namibia. Ishan Kishan faced a brief scare after being hit by a Bumrah yorker but resumed batting. Sanju Samson is in contention if Abhishek Sharma's stomach infection persists. Washington Sundar also trained well. The team is preparing for the Pakistan clash.
England were bowled out for 166 in 19 overs in reply. They began the chase quickly, but Motie, who mixes left-arm orthodox and wrist spin, dismissed Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell and captain Harry Brook in a spell of 3 for 33.
Afghanistan's T20 World Cup campaign suffered a devastating blow after a nail-biting Super Over loss to South Africa. Coach Jonathan Trott expressed heartbreak for his players, acknowledging the narrow defeat would sting. Despite the emotional toll, Trott highlighted Afghanistan's significant strides and the respect earned globally for their spirited performances.
Namibia head into the contest after losing their opening match to the Netherlands on Tuesday. India, meanwhile, began their campaign with a win over the USA in Mumbai.
Nathan Ellis spearheaded an under-strength Australia to a dominant 67-run victory over Ireland in their T20 World Cup opener. Ellis's exceptional 4 for 12, coupled with Adam Zampa's 4 for 23, restricted Ireland to 115. Earlier, contributions from Inglis, Green, Renshaw, and Stoinis powered Australia to 182.
Novak Djokovic's reign at the Australian Open ended after a hard-fought loss to Carlos Alcaraz. Despite the defeat, the 38-year-old Serbian remains confident in his ability to win more Grand Slams, stating, 'I always believe I can.' He acknowledged disappointment with his performance after a strong start but expressed contentment with reaching the final.
TimesofIndia.com has learnt that on February 6, after a net session at the Wankhede Stadium, Abhishek ate something in Mumbai that caused an upset stomach. On matchday, his condition worsened, but the batter decided to carry on and play the game.
Guwahati-born footballer Soham Bhagawati, now in Spain, is honing his skills for a potential India debut. Inspired by family and Sunil Chhetri, he plays for Terrassa FC's B team. Soham believes exposure, not talent, separates Indian and Spanish players, highlighting the ISL's crucial role in developing young Indian talent and boosting the sport's visibility.
Manas Dhamne secured his first title of the year at the ITF M15 Zahra in Kuwait, defeating his coach's son in an all-Piatti Academy final. Despite a subsequent loss at the ATP Challenger, the 18-year-old remains focused on his long-term progress and learning from his elite training environment in Italy.
South Africa secured a dramatic victory over Afghanistan in a nail-biting Super Over contest. The match required two tie-breakers after regulation time ended level. Afghanistan fought hard, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz performing exceptionally. However, South Africa ultimately prevailed, advancing to the next stage of the tournament.
Australia faces a significant setback as captain Mitchell Marsh is ruled out of their T20 World Cup opener against Ireland due to a groin injury. Travis Head will lead the team in his absence. Veteran Steve Smith has been added as cover, ready to step in if needed. This absence impacts Australia's leadership and all-round strength at the tournament's start.
Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq's unique bowling action has reignited debate after a match-winning performance on Tuesday. While critics question his technique, veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin defended bowlers, highlighting perceived double standards in cricket's rules compared to batting. Tariq maintains his action is natural, having been cleared by the ICC previously.
FanCode has sub-licensed the TV coverage of the 2025-26 ISL season to Sony Sports Network. Sony was among the early interested parties for the ISL broadcast rights but stayed away from placing a final bid. Dream Sports-owned FanCode will showcase India's top football division on OTT and has announced three different pricing structures.
T20 World Cup | Muhammad Waseem press conference after loss vs New Zealand
T20 World Cup | USA's Shubham Ranjane on Pakistan of 2024 T20 World Cup vs 2026
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha expressed confidence after their T20 World Cup win, stating the team's unique identity is their strength. He highlighted the improved middle-order batting and faith in their bowling attack to defend targets, even modest ones. Agha also noted the batting order's flexibility and the need for improvement in powerplay bowling.
T20 World Cup | Sahibzada Farhan on India vs Pakistan matches: 'Not one-sided'
Abhishek Sharma in hospital - latest on his recovery and India nets
Sri Lanka face a blow as star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga is out of the T20 World Cup with a hamstring tear. Spin all-rounder Dushan Hemantha has been drafted in as his replacement. The ICC has approved the change. Meanwhile, New Zealand also face an injury concern with Michael Bracewell's calf issue.
England Test captain Ben Stokes has successfully undergone surgery for a facial injury sustained during a nets session. The all-rounder shared images of his swollen face, humorously remarking on the cricket ball's condition. This procedure follows a challenging Ashes tour and comes as his captaincy is under review.
Protesting wrestlers, led by Bajrang Punia and Sangeeta Phogat, are launching the 'Orka Wrestling League' this November. This rebel professional league will feature eight franchise-based global teams, including prominent Indian wrestlers. Aiming to provide recognition and financial security, the league will be a mixed-gender competition with substantial sponsorship and rewards, despite potential opposition from the WFI.