The Times of India

Lakshya Sen once again fell short in the All England Open final, losing to Lin Chun-yi. This marks India's continued 25-year wait for a men's singles champion at the prestigious event. Despite reaching multiple finals, experts believe Sen's consistent presence at this level is a significant achievement, highlighting his strong mental and physical game.

Ishan Kishan, once dropped from central contracts, has made a remarkable comeback, playing a key role in India's T20 World Cup victory. Despite a personal tragedy just before the final, he delivered a stellar performance, showcasing his resilience and dedication. His journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers from Bihar and beyond.

India's T20 triumph in 2024 validates Gambhir and Agarkar's tough selection calls, prioritizing team ethos over individual stardom. With the 2028 LA Olympics and T20 World Cup on the horizon, the duo faces the challenge of maintaining this philosophy, especially as they shift focus to the upcoming ODI World Cup. Their commitment to principles will be tested.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir identified Sanju Samson's 97 against West Indies as the turning point in their 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup victory. Gambhir emphasised Samson's calm under pressure boosted team belief, contributing to their third title win on home soil. He also highlighted the team's fearless, impact-driven approach and adaptability as key to their success.

Travel disruptions after the T20 World Cup left teams like West Indies stranded in India due to West Asia airspace closures linked to the IsraelIran conflict. With ICC charter flights delayed, Cricket West Indies arranged commercial flights to send players and staff home. Zimbabwe also faced similar issues and will return to Harare via Addis Ababa.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has criticised Mohammad Amir's harsh remarks about Indian opener Abhishek Sharma. Ali defended Sharma, highlighting his match-winning performance in the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand after a difficult start. He expressed a desire for players of Sharma's caliber in Pakistan's team.

Harbhajan Singh has slammed Kirti Azad for politicizing the Indian cricket team's trophy visit to a temple post their T20 World Cup victory. Harbhajan defended the gesture, suggesting Azad, a former cricketer, is prioritizing politics over sportsmanship. He also expressed a desire for a larger reward for the triumphant team.

India exited the AFC Womens Asian Cup after a 1-3 defeat to Chinese Taipei in their final group match. Despite creating several chances, India failed to convert them. Manisha Kalyan scored Indias only goal. Defensive errors and missed opportunities proved costly as India finished their campaign without a point despite an attacking performance.

After their T20 World Cup 2026 exit, West Indies and South Africa remained stranded in Kolkata for over a week, drawing criticism from Michael Vaughan, who questioned why England flew home within 36 hours of elimination. Officials said the delay was due to Middle East airspace restrictions affecting routes to the Caribbean and South Africa, forcing cancellations and charter flight complications.

After Indias T20 World Cup 2026 triumph, the BCCI announced a Rs 131 crore reward for the team and support staff. Each of the 15 players is expected to receive Rs 6 crore, with the rest shared among staff. India beat New Zealand by 96 runs in the final, becoming the first team to retain the title and win the tournament three times.

Suryakumar Yadav, fresh off captaining India to the T20 World Cup title, expressed his elation and reflected on the team's winning streak. He aims to build on this momentum, targeting Olympic gold in 2028 and further ICC trophies, while acknowledging the honor of being compared to legendary captains like Dhoni and Rohit.

Indias Lakshya Sen finished runner-up at the 2026 All England Open, losing the final to Taiwans Lin Chun-Yi. Fatigue from a gruelling 97-minute semi-final and a foot blister affected his performance. Despite disappointment, Sen reflected positively on the week, highlighting his improved belief and expectations compared to 2022 after defeating several top-ranked opponents.

India pacer Arshdeep Singh has been fined 15% of his match fee and received one demerit point for aggressively throwing the ball at Daryl Mitchell during the T20 World Cup final. This action breached ICC Code of Conduct Article 2.9, relating to inappropriate or dangerous ball throwing. Arshdeep accepted the sanction, marking his first offense within a 24-month period.

Suryakumar Yadav receives grand homecoming after Indias T20 World Cup win

India slipped to 25th in the 2026 Gender Equality in Chess Index (GECI), highlighting gender imbalance in the sport. Despite strong performances by elite women players, female participation in youth championships remains low, and many girls drop out early. Experts say social pressures, financial hurdles and lack of structured support limit opportunities, stressing the need for better grassroots development and long-term systems to promote womens chess.

Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh has been fined 15% of his match fee and received one demerit point for a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct. The incident occurred during the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand when he aggressively threw the ball, hitting batter Daryl Mitchell. Arshdeep accepted the sanction, avoiding a formal hearing.

Ishan Kishan responds to Kirti Azad's criticism | T20 World Cup

India's T20 World Cup 2026 victory sees Rinku Singh return home, sharing a lighthearted airport moment with fiance Priya Saroj. Despite a personal struggle following his father's passing and a challenging tournament performance, Rinku's dedication to fulfilling his father's dream resonated deeply. Sanju Samson's impactful contributions proved crucial for India's triumph.

Indias 2026 T20 World Cup win sparked controversy after Kirti Azad criticised the team for taking the trophy to a Hindu temple. Ishan Kishan brushed off questions about the remark, urging reporters to focus on the victory. Kishan also reflected on his comeback journey, while India sealed the title with a dominant win over New Zealand.

The BCCI will host its annual awards ceremony, NAMAN, in New Delhi on March 15 to felicitate multiple Indian teams for their ICC trophy wins over the past year. Players, coaches, and support staff from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, ICC Champions Trophy 2025, senior women's team, U19 boys, and U19 girls' victorious squads will be honoured.

Ravichandran Ashwin shared his thoughts on Sanju Samson's T20 World Cup 2026 performances. Ashwin stated Samson narrowly missed three centuries, scoring 97 not out against West Indies, 89 against England, and 89 against New Zealand. He highlighted Samson's intent to play aggressively, even at the cost of personal records. Samson's batting was crucial for India's title win.

Indian batter Rinku Singh dedicated the T20 World Cup triumph to his late father, Khanchand Singh, who passed away during the tournament. Rinku expressed profound grief, sharing how his father's dream of seeing him as a world champion was fulfilled, but lamented his absence. He spoke of his father's teachings on duty and the immense void left behind.

Stranded in Doha for ten days due to regional tensions disrupting flights, the Indian men's basketball team is finally returning home. The Qatar Basketball Federation provided crucial support, and the Indian Embassy facilitated their journey back. The team traveled by road to Saudi Arabia before flying home in two groups, ensuring their safe return was the federation's top priority.

Model Garima Tiwari has filed a fresh complaint in Kanpur against IPL cricketer Amit Mishra and his family, accusing them of dowry harassment, assault, and abetment to suicide. Tiwari alleges continuous physical and mental abuse, demands for dowry, and threats of divorce, which led her to attempt suicide. This marks her third legal case against Mishra.

Team India has been awarded a Rs 131 crore cash reward by the BCCI following their historic ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 victory. Dominating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final, India successfully defended their title, becoming the first team to win the T20 World Cup three times and solidifying their status as a premier cricketing nation.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor celebrated Sanju Samson's stellar T20 World Cup performances, revealing the cricketer called him on his birthday. Samson's remarkable comeback saw him deliver crucial match-winning innings, including a record-breaking 321 runs for India in a single edition. His consistent high scores in vital matches cemented his status as a World Cup hero.

Sanju Samson opens up on T20 World Cup journey, and title win

Five Iranian women's football players have found safety in Australia, accepting asylum after conflict erupted back home during their tournament stay. Authorities confirmed their humanitarian visas were approved, offering them a new beginning. While the entire squad was offered protection, only these five have accepted so far, with the option remaining open for others.

Shahid Afridi lauded India for their historic achievement of defending the ICC Men's T20 World Cup title, becoming the first team to do so. He highlighted India's strong team combination and exceptional bench strength, praising individual performances from Bumrah, Samson, Abhishek, and Kishan in their dominant victory over New Zealand.

India's T20 World Cup triumph is highlighted by four players in the tournament's XI, including Player of the Tournament Sanju Samson. Jasprit Bumrah's bowling brilliance and Ishan Kishan's impactful batting also feature prominently. The team selection celebrates outstanding individual performances that fueled India's dominant victory.

India batter Sanju Samson's remarkable transformation into a steady, consistent batsman, evident in his T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament performance, stems from a period of introspection after a lean patch. His crucial half-centuries and leading run tally highlight a newfound clarity and hard work, impressing teammates and opponents alike.

Bollywood stars erupted in celebration as India clinched their third ICC Men's T20 World Cup title with a dominant victory over New Zealand. Preity Zinta, present at the stadium, shared her elation, while Shah Rukh Khan and other celebrities lauded the team's commanding performance. India's historic win saw them successfully defend the T20 World Cup trophy.

Dhol, cheers and flowers: How Delhi welcomed Gautam Gambhir

Defending champions India clinched their third T20 World Cup title, overcoming a challenging campaign to defeat New Zealand in the final. Despite a shaky start and testing Super 8 matches, stellar performances from Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, along with crucial contributions from a bowling unit led by Jasprit Bumrah, powered India to a historic victory at home.

Under-19 World Cup-winning captain Yash Dhull faced a challenging period after heart surgery, battling a strong desire to return to cricket. Despite initial setbacks and a risky recovery, Dhull's focus remains on regaining fitness and aiming for a senior World Cup appearance, drawing inspiration from senior players and preparing for future opportunities.

Travel chaos has stranded West Indies and South Africa teams in India post-T20 World Cup due to Middle East airspace restrictions. Accusations of ICC bias arose after England departed earlier, but the council denies preferential treatment, citing logistical factors like airspace availability and routing permissions as the sole determinants for departure sequencing.

Mohammed Siraj humorously described his role as a water carrier and bat holder after India's T20 World Cup 2026 victory. Despite not playing regularly, Siraj emphasized the importance of team combination over individual players, highlighting the positive environment maintained by those on the sidelines.

India has won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The team secured a commanding victory in the final. This win marks a historic achievement as India successfully defended its title. It is also the first time a nation has won the T20 World Cup on home soil. Captain Suryakumar Yadav led the team to this remarkable success.

Sri Lanka has indefinitely postponed their white-ball series against Afghanistan, originally set to take place in the UAE this week. The decision was made due to flight disruptions and ongoing regional conflict. The series, which included three T20s and three ODIs, has been cancelled, impacting the first bilateral series Afghanistan was to host.

India secured a record third ICC Men's T20 World Cup title in 2026, with four players making the official Team of the Tournament. Player of the Tournament Sanju Samson led the charge with 321 runs, including a final-record 89. Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah also earned spots for their stellar performances.

Yash Dhull Exclusive: Heart surgery, recovery and senior World Cup dream

Hardik Pandya celebrated India's back-to-back T20 World Cup victories, fulfilling a personal promise to win trophies for his country. After a redemption-focused 2024 win amidst personal struggles, Pandya's commitment to winning every tournament was validated by the 2026 title triumph in Ahmedabad, marking a significant achievement for the team.

Gary Kirsten has been appointed as the new head coach of the Sri Lanka national cricket team, signing a two-year contract starting April 15, 2026. The former India World Cup-winning coach brings extensive international playing and coaching experience to the role. A key focus will be the upcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

Michael Atherton hails India as the dominant force in white-ball cricket, highlighting their recent T20 World Cup triumph. He believes their consistent success across major tournaments positions them to potentially hold all three ICC white-ball trophies simultaneously. Nasser Hussain attributes this dominance to a powerful batting lineup and the exceptional bowling of Jasprit Bumrah.

Former spinner Harbhajan Singh dismissed notions of the Ahmedabad stadium being unlucky for India. He emphasized that match outcomes hinge solely on player performance, citing Australia's superior play in the 2023 World Cup final. Harbhajan drew parallels to past perceptions of Eden Gardens, asserting that such beliefs stem from those unfamiliar with cricket's realities.

India's T20 World Cup 2026 heroes Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma shared their journeys of overcoming criticism and self-doubt. Kishan highlighted the importance of self-belief and hard work after a two-year absence, while Sharma credited the unwavering support of teammates and management for his crucial final performance. Both emphasized the power of positive company and continuous improvement.

A friend's phone repair inadvertently exposed the 2010 spot-fixing plot, revealing messages between a fixer and Pakistan players. Former selector Abdul Razzaq detailed how captain Shahid Afridi confronted young pacer Mohammad Amir, leading to a confession after a slap. This revelation ultimately brought the scandal to light, resulting in bans and jail time for the involved cricketers.

Pakistan's white-ball coach Mike Hesson clarified that senior players' absence from the Bangladesh ODI series isn't punishment for the T20 World Cup exit. He emphasized it's an opportunity to test emerging talent, citing players like Sahabzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain. However, former pacer Sikander Bakht alleged Hesson overruled selectors during World Cup squad finalization, creating internal friction.

Proud families celebrate Indias World Cup heroes | SKY, Abhishek & Axars loved ones react

Team India clinched their third T20 World Cup title, defeating New Zealand in a thrilling final. Celebrations erupted as players, including Arshdeep Singh playfully teasing head coach Gautam Gambhir, shared their joy. Captain Suryakumar Yadav highlighted the importance of mental resilience and team understanding in their historic home victory.