The Times of India

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza believes their strong group stage, including wins over Australia and Sri Lanka, has earned them respect heading into the Super Eights. Despite facing formidable opponents like India and South Africa, Raza remains unfazed, emphasizing a game-by-game approach and the team's confidence in their preparation and clear roles.

The Ranji Trophy final between Karnataka and Jammu and Kashmir will be held in Hubballi, not Bengaluru, due to ongoing safety upgrades at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. This strategic move, confirmed by KSCA, aims to ensure a high-quality spectator experience and promote cricket statewide, fostering fan engagement beyond the capital.

Karnataka secured their Ranji Trophy final berth despite a brief, unusual resumption of play after tea. Umpires insisted on continuing the match against Uttarakhand, though the result was a foregone conclusion. Karnataka will now host Jammu and Kashmir in the final, with coach Yere Goud acknowledging the formidable challenge posed by the first-time finalists.

Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has lauded Varun Chakravarthy as India's most dangerous weapon in the T20 World Cup 2026, even suggesting he's more lethal than Jasprit Bumrah. Srikkanth highlighted Varun's exceptional form and deceptive variations, noting batters' struggles to decipher his bowling. He believes Varun deserves more recognition and could be Player of the Tournament.

Shivam Dube credited MS Dhoni's guidance for his improved batting approach, particularly against pace. Dhoni advised focusing on strike rotation and controlled intent, which Dube implemented effectively in India's T20 World Cup win against the Netherlands. Dube's match-winning 67-run knock and two wickets earned him player of the match honors.

Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir has issued a stark warning to India's Abhishek Sharma following his three consecutive ducks in the T20 World Cup 2026. Amir drew parallels to Saim Ayub's early struggles, emphasizing how quality bowlers exploit technical flaws.

West Indies wrapped up Group C with a 42-run win over Italy, led by Shai Hopes 75 off 46 and a strong bowling effort. They posted 165/6 despite early losses, then bowled Italy out for 123, with Shamar Joseph (4/30), Matthew Forde (3/19) and Gudakesh Motie (2/24) starring. West Indies topped the group unbeaten and carried momentum into the Super Eights.

Shivam Dube emerged as India's 'silent' yet explosive hero in the T20 World Cup, smashing a match-winning 66 off 31 balls against the Netherlands. His powerful hitting against spinners and improved game awareness, especially against short balls, have made him a vital power-hitter. Dube's journey from struggling for selection to a key player highlights his remarkable transformation.

Harmanpreet Kaur has become the most capped player in women's international cricket, reaching her 356th appearance against Australia. This milestone surpasses Suzie Bates, with Ellyse Perry, Mithali Raj, and Charlotte Edwards also featuring among the top players. Kaur's extensive career includes Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, contributing significantly to her team's success.

Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar believes pressure is affecting India's young opening batter Abhishek Sharma's T20 World Cup form, advising him to build his innings patiently rather than forcing big shots early. He also praised Shivam Dube's explosive batting and highlighted Varun Chakravarthy's crucial role as a key bowler for India.

South Africa's specialist consultant Albie Morkel lightened the mood ahead of their UAE clash, joking about his brother Morne's role with India. Albie's focus on yorkers and building confidence has bolstered the Proteas' formidable pace attack, with bowlers like Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen excelling. He credits Stephen Fleming for shaping his player-centric coaching approach.

Mohammad Amir said Pakistan no longer commands the fear it did in the 1990s, especially against India. Shahid Afridi called for dropping senior players, which angered Shadab Khan, who reminded critics they also never beat India in World Cups. Basit Ali criticised Shadabs comments and questioned his performances, sharing an anecdote about taking away his phones on a past tour.

T20 World Cup | Albie Morkel press conference on South Africa's bowling might, Rabada's form

T20 World Cup | Shivam Dube press conference after India beat Netherlands

Jammu and Kashmir's remarkable journey to the Ranji Trophy final, marked by self-belief and meticulous planning, has transformed them into title contenders. Coach Ajay Sharma's patient approach and the development of a core group of talented young players, supported by improved infrastructure and pre-season exposure, have been pivotal to this success.

India and South Africa gear up for a T20 World Cup Super 8 clash, with a key battle potentially involving Varun Chakravarthy and Dewald Brevis. Dubbed 'Baby AB', Brevis, unfazed by the spinner, aims to leverage his IPL experience. He showed glimpses of form against UAE, emphasising positivity and backing his game.

India have won all four group-stage matches at the T20 World Cup, but cracks have emerged, particularly against off-spin in the middle overs. Fixed batting roles and slow scoring by Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma have hurt momentum, giving opponents a clear blueprint. Rivals like South Africa will target this weakness, and India must urgently address their middle-overs approach ahead of the Super Eights.

Jammu and Kashmir have achieved a historic Ranji Trophy final berth after a 67-year wait, defeating Bengal by six wickets. Despite facing a first-innings deficit and a challenging chase, J&K's resilience, spearheaded by Abdul Samad and Vanshaj Sharma, secured their maiden final appearance. Pacer Auqib Nabi was a standout performer.

Hardik Pandya shared a birthday post for girlfriend Mahieka Sharma, calling her my princess. He confirmed their relationship in late 2025 after divorcing Natasa Stankovic. Mahieka has been seen with his son Agastya and helped motivate him to rediscover his cricketing potential. On Valentines Day 2026, Hardik got an M and leopard tattoo symbolising their strong bond and mutual support.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav expressed confidence after his team's dominant group stage performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup. He highlighted that the team has icked almost all the boxes and is ready for the Super 8s, citing Shivam Dube's crucial innings and the team's bowling flexibility as key strengths.

How Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma are hurting India | T20 World Cup

Imad Wasims ex-wife Sannia Ashfaq accused him of forcing her to abort their child in 2023, cheating on her, and threatening her during pregnancy. She shared posts, videos, and messages claiming emotional and physical trauma and called him a murderer. Ashfaq urged a boycott of Islamabad United and requested an investigation by Pakistans PM and PCB chief.

Unbeaten Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe clash in Colombo, a crucial dress rehearsal before the Super Eights. Both teams have shown significant progress, with Zimbabwe aiming to build on their historic win over Australia. Sri Lanka, despite injuries, is in strong form, led by Pathum Nissanka's stellar innings.

Saad Bin Zafar moved from Pakistan to Canada in 2004 for education, with cricket initially just a hobby. After years of inconsistency, he became a key player and leader for Canada, helping regain ODI status and starring in the 2026 T20 World Cup. Balancing studies, jobs, and cricket, he eventually went full-time in 2018.

Sahibzada Farhan achieved a maiden T20I century against Namibia in the T20 World Cup 2026. While reaching the milestone, his approach in the closing moments drew criticism from Irfan Pathan, who felt the team's total should have been prioritized. Despite this, Farhan's unbeaten 100 helped Pakistan post 199/3, leading to a dominant 102-run victory.

India secured four wins in the T20 World Cup group stage but batting has been inconsistent. Different players have rescued the team in each match. The opening has been the biggest concern as the World No.1 T20I batter Abhishek Sharma is yet to score a run in the tournament.

BCCI president Mithun Manhas stated that Jammu and Kashmir's cricket infrastructure will see rapid growth once the state association receives government approval. He highlighted the progress made in developing pitches, talent hunts, and coaching qualifications during his tenure as head of the ad-hoc committee, emphasizing a focus on grooming local talent.

Why Pakistan don't trust Babar Azam any more | T20 World Cup 2026

Shadab Khan responded strongly to criticism from Mohammad Yousuf and Shahid Afridi after Pakistans loss to India, defending senior players and the teams process. The all-rounder cited Pakistans lone World Cup win over India in 2021, brushed aside external criticism, and stressed that the team remains focused on winning the T20 World Cup.

Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup campaign faces a blow as fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana is ruled out due to a muscle strain sustained against Australia. Dilshan Madushanka has been approved as his replacement. Pathirana's injury, which occurred early in his spell, also raises concerns for his IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders.

Abhishek Sharma's T20 World Cup campaign hit a new low as he registered his third consecutive duck against the Netherlands. The left-handed batter was dismissed for a first-ball duck by Aryan Dutt. India, having already qualified for the Super Eights, elected to bat first in their final group stage match.

Never short of headlines, Sahibzada Farhan completed a full-circle moment with a scintillating T20 World Cup century against Namibia in Colombo. From challenging selection norms and going unsold in the PSL to becoming only Pakistans second World Cup centurion. Pakistan defeated Namibia by 102 runs to cement their place in the Super Eight

Sahibzada Farhan made history by scoring a century in the T20 World Cup. He is the second Pakistani batter to achieve this milestone. Farhan's century helped Pakistan post a strong total against Namibia. This performance was crucial for Pakistan's hopes of advancing in the tournament. The team made changes to its lineup for this important match.

Abhishek Sharma holds the top spot in ICC T20I batter rankings despite recent form. Ishan Kishan has entered the top 10 after strong performances. Pathum Nissanka and Ryan Rickelton also saw significant ranking jumps. Saim Ayub is back at number one in the all-rounder rankings. Rashid Khan is closing in on the top bowling spot.

Pakistan made a significant change, dropping fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi for their must-win T20 World Cup match against Namibia. The team also brought in Salman Mirza and Khawaja Nafay. This decision comes amidst criticism of senior players' recent performances and the team's precarious position in the tournament.

South Africa secured a commanding six-wicket victory over the UAE, boosting their morale heading into the T20 World Cup Super Eight stage. Despite a rain-interrupted start, the Proteas chased down 123 aggressively, with Dewald Brevis and Aiden Markram leading the charge. Key performances from bowlers Corbin Bosch and Anrich Nortje were crucial in restricting the UAE.

Pakistan's hockey captain, Shakeel Ammad Butt, has fiercely criticised the Pakistan Hockey Federation following a disastrous tour of Australia. Players endured severe accommodation issues, including being forced to wash dishes before matches, and faced significant delays and unconfirmed bookings. Butt stated the team's performance was negatively impacted by these embarrassing circumstances.

Australia's ICC T20 World Cup 2026 exit has drawn criticism from Glenn McGrath, who questioned selecting Cameron Green over Steve Smith. Green's poor batting and minimal bowling raised doubts about his place. Jason Gillespie also voiced concerns about underperforming youngsters like Cooper Connolly, highlighting a perceived decline in Australian dominance.

Shadley van Schalkwyk is dominating the T20 World Cup 2026 with two four-wicket hauls, leading the tournament with 13 wickets. Seven teams have already advanced to the Super 8s, with Pakistan and the USA vying for the final spot as the group stage concludes.

NorthEast United FC coach Juan Pedro Benali urged fans to support Indian football by attending matches and subscribing to watch games, rather than just criticising on social media. He emphasised unity within the Indian football family, calling for collective support for clubs and players during challenging times.

Jammu and Kashmir achieved a historic Ranji Trophy final berth after 67 years, defeating former champions Bengal by six wickets. Pace bowler Auqib Nabi's nine-wicket haul set up a manageable target, which Vanshaj Sharma and Abdul Samad expertly chased down. This remarkable victory marks a significant milestone for J&K cricket.

A former physical education teacher from Thiruvananthapuram, Joji Varghese, who moved to Canada for his children's future, fulfilled a lifelong dream by meeting his favourite cricketer, Sanju Samson. Now a massage therapist for the Canadian cricket team, Joji shared an emotional reunion with Samson during a practice session in India, highlighting Samson's humility and connection.

India face the Netherlands in their final World Cup league match, aiming for Abhishek Sharma to regain form ahead of the Super 8s. This fixture offers a valuable opportunity for acclimatisation to the Ahmedabad venue, where India will play their opening Super 8 fixture. Despite the one-sided look on paper, a large crowd is expected.

Pakistan fans express cautious optimism for a rematch with India, but the team must first secure a win against Namibia. Despite a loss to India, spinners Usman Tariq and Saim Ayub showed promise. Pakistan need to address bowling lapses and batting concerns, especially Shaheen Afridi's form, to advance in the tournament.

Australia's T20 World Cup journey ended abruptly, sparking outrage over their bowling frailties and questionable selections. Former spinner Brad Hogg labelled the campaign shambolic, highlighting a severe lack of bowling depth. Injuries and strategic missteps, including the handling of Steve Smith, contributed to the stunning group-stage exit, leaving the team facing urgent structural reviews.