News
Sports / The Times of India
England head coach Brendon McCullum believes his team rained too much ahead of their heavy Ashes Test defeat in Brisbane. He suggested excessive preparation may have contributed to the team's struggles to adapt to conditions. McCullum emphasized the need for players to be physically and mentally fresh for crucial decisions during matches.
Australia have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in the Ashes series as they defeated England by eight wickets in the Brisbane day-night Test on Sunday. Joe Root scored his first Test century in Australia, but Australia established a significant first-innings lead. England fought back but ultimately fell short. With this win, Australia remain at the top of the World Test Championship standings.
Yashasvi Jaiswal will join the Mumbai team for the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy knockouts. This comes after his impressive maiden ODI century against South Africa. Jaiswal replaces Ayush Mhatre who will lead the India Under-19 team. The knockout stage begins on December 9 in Pune. Mumbai qualified for the knockouts after a strong league stage performance.
England captain Ben Stokes admitted his team struggled to handle pressure in key moments during their second Test defeat to Australia, leading to a 2-0 series deficit. Despite dropped catches and a lack of required mindset, Stokes believes a 3-2 Ashes victory is still possible if the team addresses issues quickly.
Australia captain Steve Smith downplayed his on-field verbal spat with England's Jofra Archer during their recent Ashes Test victory. Smith described the exchange as good banter between fierce competitors, emphasizing that any tension remained on the field. The incident occurred late in Australia's chase, but ultimately had no impact on the match's outcome.
Australia secured an emphatic eight-wicket victory in the second Test, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the Ashes series. England's performance drew heavy criticism from legend Ian Botham, who questioned the team's preparation and fitness, suggesting supporters deserve refunds. The defeat exposed significant weaknesses in England's batting, bowling, and fielding.
Mohamed Salah expressed deep disappointment and a breakdown in his relationship with Liverpool coach Arne Slot after being benched for three consecutive matches. Salah feels the club has blamed him for recent poor form, casting doubt on his future at Anfield as he prepares for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Australia secured an eight-wicket victory in the second Ashes Test, taking a 2-0 series lead. During Australia's chase, Steve Smith and Jofra Archer engaged in a verbal exchange after Archer bowled a series of aggressive deliveries. Smith responded with boundaries, including a six, to finish the match.
Australia secured a commanding eight-wicket victory over England in the second Ashes Test at Brisbane, taking a 2-0 series lead. The hosts efficiently chased down the target of 65 runs in just 10 overs. England's performance was significantly weaker across all aspects of the game, with batting and bowling proving inadequate on the Gabba surface.
Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana has officially confirmed her wedding to music composer Palash Muchhal is off, ending weeks of speculation. She requested privacy for both families, stating her focus is now on representing India. Calling herself a very private person, she urged restraint and understanding from the public.
Following a stellar India vs South Africa ODI series, where he smashed two centuries and a fifty, Virat Kohli visited the Simhachalam Temple. His exceptional form, culminating in Player of the Series, saw him finish 2025 as India's top ODI scorer. Head coach Gautam Gambhir also sought blessings at the temple before the decisive Vizag match.
Shimron Hetmyer interview: Opens up on hitting sixes, playing T20 leagues and ILT20 experience
Indian womens team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana on Sunday addressed weeks of speculation surrounding her personal life, confirming that her wedding with music composer Palash Muchhal has been called off. The star batter appealed to fans and the media to respect the privacy of both families.
Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar asserts that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma deserve special treatment and their places in the ODI setup should never have been questioned. He believes their years of contribution and recent strong performances warrant a different evaluation standard, highlighting their impact on team morale and performance.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir defended his flexible batting order approach in white-ball cricket, calling it overrated except for openers. He highlighted Washington Sundar's adaptability and team-first attitude. Gambhir also acknowledged dew's significant impact on the ODI series but expects less influence in the upcoming T20Is.
Providing weight to the senior contingent, Virat Kohli emerged Player of the Series in the ODIs against South Africa, scoring two centuries and a fifty a swift return to the highs he consistently reached from 2015 onwards. Rohit Sharma added a couple of fifties, underlining his enduring touch and class.
South Africa's coach Shukri Conrad regrets using the word grovel, acknowledging it overshadowed their historic Test win over India. He clarified no malice was intended, aiming only to describe India's defensive approach. Conrad also expressed disappointment in missing a chance to win both Test and ODI series, highlighting learnings from Indian stars like Kohli and Sharma for his young squad.
The historic Major League Soccer triumph marked a moment of triumph for co-owner David Beckham, the former England and Manchester United star who had long envisioned bringing success to Miami.
Virat Kohli is back in top form, scoring 376 runs in his last four ODIs with two centuries and feeling liberated. After a Player of the Series award, he expressed his best rhythm in years, contributing to India's series win. Kohli, who holds the world record with 53 ODI centuries, rated his 135 in Ranchi as his best knock of the series.
Yashasvi Jaiswal's maiden ODI century (116*) powered India to a commanding nine-wicket victory over South Africa, clinching the series 2-1. Rohit Sharma also shone with 75 runs, crossing 20,000 international runs. The duo's 155-run opening stand set the stage for a dominant chase, with Virat Kohli adding an unbeaten 65.
Gautam Gambhir Press Conference: Team India head coach heaves fire after 2-1 ODI series win over SA
Arsenal's Premier League title aspirations took a hit as Aston Villa secured a dramatic 2-1 victory with Emiliano Buendia's stoppage-time winner. The result tightened the title race, with Villa moving to second and Manchester City gaining an opportunity. Despite a strong run, Arsenal's away form faltered, allowing rivals to close the gap.
Ravichandran Ashwin and Irfan Pathan lauded Prasidh Krishna's impactful four-wicket haul in the third ODI against South Africa. Despite an earlier expensive spell, Krishna's crucial breakthroughs, including the wickets of Breetzke, Markram, de Kock, and Baartman, helped India restrict the opposition, showcasing his potential.
Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna starred with four wickets each, dismantling South Africa for 270 in the final ODI. Despite Quinton de Kock's brilliant 106, the Proteas faltered. Kuldeep's exceptional spell further cemented his dominance against South Africa, marking his fifth four-wicket haul against them. At one stage, South Africa were 199/4
During India's series-clinching ODI against South Africa, Rohit Sharma, despite not captaining, humorously intervened to prevent Kuldeep Yadav from taking unnecessary DRS reviews. Sharma, supported by Virat Kohli, repeatedly signaled against reviews, showcasing a blend of humor and strategic insight that ultimately proved correct, as Kuldeep later admitted his reliance on such guidance.
Australia is on the cusp of a commanding Ashes victory after a dominant third day at the Gabba. Mitchell Starc starred with both bat and ball, propelling the hosts to a significant lead. England, struggling under lights, ended the day at 134-6, facing a familiar collapse and a daunting task to stay in the series.
Fans travel thousands of kilometres to watch Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma play
West Indies staged a remarkable fightback in Christchurch, securing a heroic draw against New Zealand with a record-breaking fourth-innings performance. Batting for over 163 overs, Justin Greaves (202*) and Kemar Roach (58*) led the charge, achieving the highest fourth-innings total in a five-day Test and etching their names in history with several rare milestones.
Sanju Samson's unbeaten 73 anchored Kerala's low score against Andhra Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. This captain's knock, his second fifty this season, highlights his consistent domestic form amidst ongoing questions about his role in India's T20 setup. With competition for wicketkeeping spots, Samson's future in the playing XI remains uncertain.
This was de Kocks seventh ODI hundred in just 23 innings against India. No player has scored more hundreds against India. He is now level with Sanath Jayasuriya, who also has seven but reached the mark in 85 innings. De Kock also moved level with AB de Villiers for the most ODI hundreds by a visiting batter in India.
Justin Greaves scored an unbeaten 202 to help West Indies achieve a remarkable draw against New Zealand. Chasing a huge target, the team showed immense grit. Shai Hope and Kemar Roach also played vital roles. Despite this heroic effort, West Indies remains at the bottom of the World Test Championship standings. New Zealand moves up the table.
Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif expressed concerns over Washington Sundar's bowling, noting his limited overs and lack of wicket-taking confidence. Kaif stated Sundar is ot even half of Ashwin as a pure spinner, with captains often preferring Jadeja or Kuldeep in tight situations.
Shubman Gill had been included in the T20I squad subject to fitness and was required to undergo a full set of rehabilitation and skill-based Return To Play (RTP) protocols. Gill's injury occurred due to a whiplash incident on the second day of the Kolkata Test, resulting in Gill being hospitalised for a couple of days and administered an injection.
The crowd roared and a smiling KL Rahul elected to bowl in the deciding third match of the series, which is level at 1-1. India's players were quick to congratulate Rahul, who is leading the ODI team in place of the injured Shubman Gill.
India won the toss and elected to field against South Africa in the third and final ODI of the series at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. The last time India won the toss in an ODI was during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-final against New Zealand at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.
Saurabh Netravalkar Interview: Gets emotional about playing at Wankhede, for USA; ILT20 and more
'Will get international matches back to Chinnaswamy' | Venkatesh Prasad EXCLUSIVE
Dutch No. 1 Anish Giri described D Gukeshs ability to switch into distinct modes depending on the situation, calling him a completely different person on and off the board. Gukesh later said on X that this trait is natural. With Giri already qualified for the 2026 Candidates, the two may meet sooner in the upcoming Global Chess League (GCL).
For the first time, the draw was structured to keep the four highest-ranked teams apart meaning Spain, Argentina, France, and England cannot meet before the semi-finals, should they all top their respective groups.
US President Donald Trump became the first ever recipient of FIFA's new peace prize at the 2026 World Cup draw Friday -- a compensation gift for a leader who still dreams of winning the Nobel. Gianni Infantino, the head of world football's governing body and a close ally of Trump, presented the 79-year-old with the award during the ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington.
Lionel Messi and Argentina will open their title defense against Algeria, with further group-stage fixtures against Austria and tournament debutants Jordan in Group J. Spain, among the leading contenders and current European champions, will begin their campaign against first-time qualifiers Cape Verde before facing Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Group H.
IndiGo faces widespread passenger anger and flight disruptions due to new pilot rest regulations. Thousands were stranded, including cricketer Madan Lal, as over 1,000 flights were cancelled. The airline admitted to planning gaps and expects full normalisation between December 10 and 15.
Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana broke her social media silence with a toothpaste ad post, sparking speculation due to her missing engagement ring. Her wedding to Palash Muchhal was indefinitely postponed due to family medical emergencies, with recent nazar emojis in bios addressing further rumours. Mandhana is set to return to cricket soon.
Irfan Pathan explains Rinku Singh's T20I squad exclusion, citing Hardik Pandya's return as the primary reason. Pathan believes this squad is largely set for the 2026 T20 World Cup, emphasizing Hardik Pandya's pivotal role in India's global campaign and the need for clarity in pace and spin combinations.
India's junior men's hockey team triumphed over Belgium in a dramatic quarterfinal clash, securing a 4-3 shootout victory after a 2-2 draw. Goalkeeper Princedeep Singh was a standout, making crucial saves and earning Player of the Match. Sharda Nand Tiwari and Ankit Pal were instrumental in the shootout win. India now faces Germany in the semifinals.
Arjun Tendulkar has achieved a unique T20 milestone by opening both batting and bowling for Goa, a feat his father Sachin Tendulkar never accomplished. Arjun's all-round performance in his new role highlights his growing impact in domestic cricket, contrasting with his father's T20 career, where he primarily opened the batting.
Andre Russell's IPL journey with KKR takes a new turn as he transitions to 'Power Coach' for 2026. CEO Venky Mysore revealed the decision, influenced by auction rules and Russell's own thoughts on retirement. This innovative role aims to leverage Russell's explosive power and game-finishing expertise for the team's future.

16 C