The Times of India

Smriti Mandhana discusses her captaincy responsibilities, Indias preparations for the Zimbabwe series, and the areas the team needs to improve in T20 cricket. She also shares her thoughts on batting approach, team combination, and the road ahead for Indian womens cricket.

In a strategic move before the IPL season begins, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals have confirmed a player trade. T Natarajan, the left-arm pacer previously known for his significant contributions to SRH, is returning after a term with DC. Meanwhile, leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari is set to enhance DC's spin attack, having already demonstrated his skills in early matches at his current contract value.

The Mall, a wide red-paved road in the heart of London, is usually the setting for royal processions and public celebrations. On Tuesday, however, it hosted a game of tennis-ball cricket as William picked up a bat and faced deliveries from Ganguly.

The third T20I against the West Indies was another milestone match for Abhishek Sharma. He became the sixth Indian men's cricketer to score 2,000 runs in T20 internationals. He also became the fastest batter in men's cricket to reach the milestone in terms of balls faced.

WFI president Sanjay Singh criticised the US Embassy after nine Indian wrestlers were denied visas for the 2026 U23 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas, blaming the decision for costing India potential gold medals. While the mens freestyle team received clearance, Greco-Roman and womens wrestlers were affected. Vishvajit More reached the 55kg Greco-Roman final, keeping Indias gold medal hopes alive.

From a childhood incident that made her want to learn how to fight to winning an Asian Games bronze medal, Suchika Tariyals journey has been anything but ordinary.The 36-year-old combat athlete opens up on her journey through Judo, Kurash and MMA, the setbacks that almost made her quit, the sacrifices made by her husband, the support she finally received from the MMA federation, and why being told she was too old only motivated her further.In this TOISA Spotlight episode, Suchika also talks abou

Qais Ahmed grabbed attention in the closing stages of the one-off Test between Afghanistan and Bangladesh in Abu Dhabi. The Afghanistan batter's injury moment reminded fans of Gulbadin Naib's incident during the 2024 T20 World Cup. Afghanistan put up a determined batting effort to secure a draw at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. The hosts batted for 142 overs to avoid defeat against their Asian rivals.

India will look to seal the five-match T20I series when they face the West Indies in the fourth match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday. With India leading the series 2-1, the possibility of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi getting a chance has once again become a major talking point.

Former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has denied participating in an upcoming franchise T20 league, claiming organisers used his name without his knowledge or permission. In a post on X, he said his team would take appropriate legal action and urged the media and fans to ignore unauthorised announcements. Dhawan has represented India across all three international cricket formats.

TOI understands that Krishna has been given a three-week timeline when he reported to the Centre of Excellence (CoE) after he walked out of the second ODI against West Indies in Guwahati on Sept 30. Seam-bowling allrounder Rana, who has been at the CoE since July, is expected to undergo a return-to-play match simulation on June 25 before the ODI and Test squads are expected to fly out on Oct 28 with the ODI series scheduled to start on Nov 4.

Lisandro Martinez criticised Manchester Uniteds hierarchy after their 2-0 Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid, calling for greater investment in the squad. Wayne Rooney condemned the defenders public remarks as disrespectful to teammates, questioning his motives and suggesting the club take action. Former United player Ashley Young agreed recruitment must improve but insisted players must perform with the squad they have.

South Africa faced a significant defeat against Australia by 214 runs in the first Test at Durban. This loss caused South Africa to drop to third place in the ICC World Test Championship standings. Australia, with nine wins from eleven matches, remains at the top of the table. Matt Renshaw was instrumental in Australia's success, scoring 190 runs in the first innings.

Cristiano Ronaldo received the UAE Golden Visa in 2020, years before moving to Saudi Arabias Al-Nassr. Recognised for his achievements as an elite athlete, he qualified without needing to invest in Dubai property or establish a business. The programmes long-term residency benefits explain how Ronaldo can continue living and playing in Saudi Arabia while maintaining ties with the neighbouring Emirates.

In a remarkable display of skill, Josh Hazlewood surpassed the legendary Brett Lee's Test wicket record during the first Test against South Africa in Durban. Achieving his career-best with a six-wicket haul, Hazlewood ended up with eight wickets. This stellar performance was pivotal in Australia's commanding 214-run win, solidifying his status as one of the greatest fast bowlers in Australia's Test history.

Yuvraj Singh has been appointed as the Assistant and Batting Coach for Delhi Capitals in IPL. This role is his first formal coaching position following a distinguished cricket career. He previously played for the franchise, which adds to the significance of this appointment. Yuvraj expressed his enthusiasm about working with former captain Sourav Ganguly and the talented squad.

India vice-captain Tilak Varma opens up on India's aggressive brand of cricket and his middle-order role ahead of the 4th T20I against West Indies.Varma discusses adapting to different match situations, handling pressure, accelerating when required and India's plans against the power-packed West Indies batting line-up.

Lionel Messi could reportedly present the 2026 Ballon dOr trophy in London, despite being among the 30 nominees himself. The rumour has sparked memes and speculation about Lamine Yamal winning, given their famous connection. While Messis family could attend, neither his presenting role nor his attendance has been confirmed, leaving fans guessing ahead of the October 26 ceremony.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar's selection for the T20I series against New Zealand showcases his impressive form with RCB. Ravichandran Ashwin emphasized that Bhuvneshwar concentrated on honing his skills instead of aiming for a comeback on the national team. Ashwin is optimistic about India's prospects in the upcoming 2027 ODI World Cup, attributing this to solid bowling assets and seasoned hitters. He pointed out South Africa's strength, citing their understanding of local conditions.

Smriti Mandhana remains the highest-ranked batter in the ICC womens ODI rankings with 790 rating points. Harmanpreet Kaur maintains her place in the top ten at ninth position. The T20I batting rankings feature three Indian players, with Shafali Verma leading in fourth place. Indian bowlers dominate the T20I bowling rankings, with Shree Charani in the top spot. India maintains a strong presence in both ODI and T20I team rankings.

Indias Sports Ministry has greenlit a team of 275 individuals for the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. This contingent includes 166 talented athletes across ten disciplines, featuring standout players like gold medallist Sheetal Devi and world champion Pramod Bhagat. Para-athletics leads the representation, closely followed by para-badminton and para-swimming, highlighting emerging athletes. The games will take place from October 18 to 24, 2026.

The Sports Ministry has officially dismissed Jai Prakash Nautiyal from his role as the para-shooting coach for India's 2026 Asian Para Games contingent. This action comes in response to allegations of improper practices in the selection process, spurring protests among athletes and an investigation. The squad features 166 talented athletes, including stars Avani Lekhara and Bhavina Patel, and aims to showcase their skills in multiple sports.

UNICEF India has appointed Indian womens cricket captain Smriti Mandhana as its Celebrity Advocate to promote girls rights, health, well-being and equal opportunities. Mandhana will support efforts to empower young girls and help them achieve their potential. A celebrated cricketer, she was part of Indias historic 2025 Womens Cricket World Cup-winning team and has set several batting records.

Shaun Pollock has raised an intriguing idea about the use of pink balls in daytime Test matches to combat delays from poor light conditions. His proposal came after weather interruptions plagued the first Test between South Africa and Australia in Durban. While cricket's governing body permits pink balls in daytime matches with both captains' approval, Ashwell Prince advocates for the traditional red ball due to varying team experiences.