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Sports / The Times of India
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.
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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.
Asian Games gold medallist Seema Punia has been handed a 16-month doping ban by NADA, her third violation. The 42-year-old discus thrower, who won bronze at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, faces this suspension effective November 10. Several other athletes also received lengthy bans for doping offenses.
India and South Africa are set for a thrilling series decider in the third ODI on December 6, with the series locked at 1-1. Virat Kohli's stellar form with consecutive centuries is a highlight, as India considers potential changes to bolster their batting and bowling attack for the crucial match.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that Ahmedabad is being prepared to host the 2036 Olympic Games, following its successful bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. He expressed confidence that India will rank among the top five medal-winning nations at the Olympics, attributing this to increased sports funding and athlete performance.
India's Junior Women's Hockey Team dominated Ireland with a 4-0 victory in their final Pool C match at the FIH Junior Women's World Cup. Purnima Yadav netted two goals, supported by strikes from Kanika Siwach and Sakshi Rana. The team showcased aggressive play and clinical finishing to secure a decisive win.
England captain Joe Root remains optimistic about the Ashes Test despite Australia holding a 44-run lead. Root's century propelled England to 334, but Australia reached 378-6, capitalising on bowling and fielding lapses. Root acknowledged the team's performance wasn't their best but stressed their ability to quickly turn the game around, emphasising the need to take four more wickets.
Punjab Kings achieved significant global recognition, ranking fourth in Google's Top Five Most Searched Sports Teams worldwide for 2025. This achievement highlights the franchise's strong digital presence and growing international fan base, making them the highest-ranked IPL team on the list. The ranking reflects fans' deep engagement with the team's players, performances, and brand identity.
India faces a 'desperate' situation in the series decider against South Africa, admits assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate. Following a Test series loss and a 1-1 ODI scoreline, the team understands the pressure. Dew is a major factor, forcing adaptation in batting and bowling strategies. India aims to maximize scores despite challenging conditions.
Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee and received one demerit point for a Level 1 ICC Code of Conduct breach. The violation occurred during the Tri-Series final against Sri Lanka when Zaman showed dissent towards an umpire's dismissal decision. He admitted the offence and accepted the proposed sanction.
Ravichandran Ashwin urged head coach Gautam Gambhir to provide Washington Sundar with clear role clarity as a primary bowler who can bat. Ashwin highlighted India's finishing struggles and questioned if a fast-bowling all-rounder like Nitish Kumar Reddy might be a better option given the team's bowling limitations.
Twelve ISL clubs have urgently appealed to the AIFF regarding a domestic football crisis, with the Marketing Rights Agreement expiring soon. Clubs face commercial impossibility due to a halt in central revenue and withdrawn local sponsors. They urge government collaboration and immediate Supreme Court action to restore commercial certainty and safeguard the league's future.
Australia established a 44-run lead at stumps on Day 2 of the second Ashes Test, reaching 378 for 6. Half-centuries from Jake Weatherald and Steve Smith anchored the hosts' strong batting performance. Alex Carey remained unbeaten on 46, with Michael Neser on 15, as England's bowlers struggled with consistency and dropped catches.
With Sanju Samson's departure to CSK, Rajasthan Royals are considering Riyan Parag as their next captain. Parag, who captained RR in Samson's absence last season, expressed his readiness for the role but emphasized the management's decision will be made post-auction. He also acknowledged the significant workload leadership entails.
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy knockouts have been shifted from Indore to Pune due to hotel unavailability caused by a global conference. This logistical change, confirmed by the BCCI, could be further complicated by ongoing disruptions in domestic flight services, impacting team and official travel for the tournament and other BCCI events.
Riyan Parag attributes his India absence to a shoulder injury, not a lack of skill, expressing confidence in his white-ball capabilities. Despite recent domestic struggles and bowling no overs, he remains unfazed, drawing parallels to past IPL challenges. Parag emphasizes focusing on full recovery to reclaim his spot in national colours.
India and South Africa are tied 1-1 heading into their final ODI, a series marked by high-scoring games and broken batting records. Virat Kohli is on the verge of multiple century milestones, while both teams could set new records for successful 350+ chases. The decisive match promises further batting fireworks.
Ravichandran Ashwin believes Riyan Parag isn't ready for India's ODI middle order despite growing calls for his inclusion. Ashwin noted Parag's lack of experience batting at No. 5 or 6, stating the youngster needs to demonstrate adaptability at the domestic level to push for those crucial slots.
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Andy Flower, in Dubai for ILT20 commentary and RCB scouting, praised Virat Kohlis hunger and incredible standard after his back-to-back ODI tons. The RCB coach backed India head coach Gautam Gambhir amid criticism following consecutive home Test series defeats, saying responsibility cannot fall on one man. Flower also urged India to avoid extreme turners, insisting their talent is strong enough to win on sporting pitches.
Mitchell Starc has become the most successful left-arm fast bowler in Test history, surpassing Wasim Akram's 414 wickets with a stellar 6/75 performance. Akram lauded Starc as a worthy successor, but the Australian humbly stated Akram remains the benchmark. Starc now ranks among Australia's top wicket-takers, with his pursuit of further milestones ongoing.
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Thousands of passionate Indian cricket fans descended upon Cuttack's Barabati Stadium for tickets to the India vs. South Africa T20I, resulting in chaotic scenes. A viral video captured a frenzied crowd pushing and surging towards ticket counters, raising concerns about public safety amidst intense demand for the upcoming series.
Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan criticised Ravindra Jadeja's slow batting in the second ODI loss to South Africa. Pathan believes Jadeja's lack of urgency, scoring 24 off 27 balls, cost India crucial runs. Despite centuries from Kohli and Gaikwad, the team failed to capitalise fully, allowing South Africa to chase a formidable target.
Lionel Messi, 38, remains non-committal about a 2026 World Cup appearance despite leading Argentina's qualifiers. He cited his current form and the advantage of playing in the US, where Inter Miami is based, as factors influencing his decision. Messi is in regular dialogue with coach Lionel Scaloni regarding his potential role, hinting at a possible sixth World Cup appearance.

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