The Times of India

Aaryavir Sehwag showcased his extraordinary talent by scoring 160 runs in the ACC Men's U19 Asia Cup, leading India U19 to a total of 309 runs. His partnership with VK Vineeth, who added 67 runs, was crucial. In reply, the UAE faltered, finishing at 239 runs despite Ahmed Khudadad's valiant 74. Ishan Sood stood out with three wickets, sealing India's place in the semi-finals against Afghanistan on November 12.

India's Manu Bhaker and Esha Singh missed out on individual medals and Los Angeles 2028 Olympic quota places in the women's 25m pistol at the ISSF World Championships. Manu finished fourth, while Esha placed eighth. However, the duo, alongside Divya Subbaraju, had earlier clinched team gold with a combined score of 1,761, capping India's strong campaign.

Persistent rain and repeated delays disrupted the third ODI at Seddon Park in Hamilton, with both India and New Zealand players waiting for the weather to clear. Despite a brief improvement and revised timings, another spell of rain forced abandonment. Fans endured hours of waiting, catching only fleeting glimpses of their favourite cricketers.

Unseen visuals from Seddon Park as persistent rain washes out the India vs New Zealand 3rd ODI in Hamilton, bringing the match to an early end without a result.

Cricket Scotland has decided to halt all cricket-related activities with Afghanistan, excluding ICC events, driven by serious concerns regarding the Taliban's treatment of women and broader human rights issues. This move underscores their dedication to promoting women's involvement in cricket. While ICC tournaments continue as planned, no bilateral series will be organised. The policy will be reassessed each year, or following significant progress in women's rights.

The third ODI clash between India and New Zealand was marred by rain, resulting in its cancellation. Indian captain Shubman Gill opted to bowl after winning the toss. However, persistent rain caused major delays and eventually forced the game to be called off. India holds a 2-0 lead in the series, with New Zealand needing to secure victories in the upcoming matches scheduled for Mount Maunganui.

Mitchell Starc has once again addressed the controversy surrounding the 2018 ball-tampering incident, reaffirming his stance since 2021. Meanwhile, David Warner has backed Usman Khawaja's assertions, labeling them as the truth. He expressed his disappointment over the lack of in-depth scrutiny during Cricket Australia's initial probe. Starc denied any involvement or knowledge of the tampering, insisting that the bowlers were kept in the dark about the matter.

Anshul Kamboj is experiencing his first tour in New Zealand and finding the conditions familiar. He has made a strong impact in his ODI performances, returning excellent bowling figures. Kamboj credits his success to accuracy and adapting to the pitch conditions. His time with Chennai Super Kings helped him develop further as a cricketer.

Shubman Gill leads India in his final match of the ODI series against New Zealand at Seddon Park. He will miss the fourth and fifth ODIs due to workload management before the Test series. India are ahead in the series, leading series 2-0. Shreyas Iyer will take over as captain for the final two matches.

With the celebration of 100 Grandmasters in India, Anuj Shrivatri stands as the newest star. While reaching the Grandmaster title is commendable, certain players manipulate rules to safeguard their ratings. Currently, only a few maintain an Elo rating above 2500, exposing the fierce competition. The ongoing scarcity of sponsorship and support for chess talents is a pressing issue, which contrasts sharply with better-resourced nations.

Ravi Shastri expressed that coaching is more challenging than playing or commenting due to its immense responsibility. He mentioned the inability to control outcomes once players are on the field. Shastri reflected on the pressure to win consistently, regardless of conditions. He highlighted the satisfaction of achieving successful results and earning respect. His passion for cricket has kept him involved in the sport throughout his career.

Ryan ten Doeschate has voiced his bewilderment regarding Yashasvi Jaiswal's absence from India's ODI lineup. With an impressive record of two centuries in merely six matches, Jaiswal's exclusion raises questions, especially as the ODI World Cup looms. His notable performance against Mitchell Starc during the 2024 Test tour further strengthens his case. All eyes now turn to the forthcoming Test series against New Zealand.

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen will headline the 2026 London Chess Classic Super Rapid on December 5-6, alongside India's Nihal Sarin, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Anish Giri. The open event offers amateurs a chance to face Carlsen. Also competing are World No. 5 Nodirbek Abdusattorov and prodigy Bodhana Sivanandan, the youngest Woman Grandmaster in history.

Smriti Mandhana will captain India across all three formats on their December tour of South Africa, featuring one Test, three ODIs and three T20Is. Deepti Sharma will be vice-captain in Tests and ODIs, while Shafali Verma will deputise in T20Is. Vaishnavi Sharma replaces Sneh Rana in the ODI squad, while three young players feature in T20Is.

PT Usha has lost the IOA Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit elections, ending her hopes of contesting for a second term as president. Saina Nehwal, Rani Rampal, Anju Bobby George and Dola Banerjee were elected among women, while four male athletes were chosen unopposed. The elected members are now eligible to contest the December 5 IOA elections.

The Mumbai Cricket Association has appointed Suryakumar Yadav as captain for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. SKY will aim to regain his place in the Indian team with strong performances. Shardul Thakur returns after recovering from a finger fracture, while Shivam Dube features in the squad. Suryansh Shedge and Tanush Kotian will miss the tournament due to India A duty.

KL Rahuls batting position sparked debate after Indias second ODI against New Zealand, as Krishnamachari Srikkanth criticised sending Axar Patel ahead of him. Axar managed just seven runs, while Rahul looked comfortable. Srikkanth called it unfair to Rahul, but Sunil Gavaskar defended the move, explaining that promoting a left-hander can disrupt bowlers rhythm.

Heavy rain and chilly conditions in Hamilton disrupted India's preparations, but that didn't stop the fun! Watch how Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill and other Team India players spent their time, sharing light moments, laughter and plenty of banter during the rain break on the New Zealand tour.

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak addresses the media ahead of the next ODI against New Zealand. He discusses KL Rahul's versatility, India's batting approach in challenging conditions, the importance of experienced players, young batters adapting their game and preparations for the upcoming Test series.

David Warner has shown unwavering support for Usman Khawaja in light of fresh discussions surrounding the notorious 2018 Sandpaper Gate scandal. Khawaja's forthcoming autobiography suggests that more team members were involved in the ball-tampering scandal than initially admitted. Warner has voiced concerns over the integrity of the investigation, particularly since Khawaja was not interviewed, despite his presence during the incident.

Ryan ten Doeschate opened up about a thoughtful exchange with Virat Kohli focused on refining his batting technique. After Kohli faced difficulties during the challenging Australia tour, ten Doeschate cautiously approached him to discuss areas for improvement. Despite no immediate breakthroughs, the dialogue underscored the significance of mindful coaching communication, showcasing how subtle guidance can impact player development over time.

New Zealand's batting coach Luke Ronchi expressed admiration for India's young pace bowlers during the ongoing ODI series. He noted their ability to adapt their bowling techniques to challenging conditions that help them excel. Ronchi emphasised the importance of maintaining a calm mindset among batters in such difficult situations. He pointed out that scoring rates should not overshadow the need for strategic adjustments.

Donald Trump is signalling that another major US attack on Iran may not be necessary if Tehran agrees to what he calls a very strong agreement, marking a notable shift after weeks of leaving open the possibility of renewed large-scale strikes. Asked by CNN about further military action, Trump said it depended on whether Iran signs an agreement, adding that fresh strikes were highly unlikely to be necessary. But the military threat remains. Trump says Washington has identified Iranian infrastruct