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Malaysia U19 Skipper Patro Keen To Take On Powerhouses India And Pakistan

The Malaysia Cricket Association: Malaysia captain Deaaz Patro isn't losing sleep over the prospect of facing powerhouses India and Pakistan in the upcoming Mens U19 Asia Cup, which starts in the UAE on Friday. His strategy is simple: block out the noise, focus on the contest, and take it one ball at a time. We agree that India and Pakistan are both very big teams in the cricketing world. But when we enter the field, we focus on the bowler and batsman. We just try to focus on one ball at a time instead of thinking about the result, Patro said in an exclusive conversation with IANS, facilitated by Sony Sports Network, ahead of Malaysia's fifth U19 Asia Cup appearance. Following their clash against Pakistan on Friday, Malaysia will face the UAE on December 14, before taking on a formidable India on December 16. For Patro and vice-captain Muhammad Aalif, the tournament represents both a significant challenge and an important opportunity following their team's third-place finish in the ACC U19 Men's Premier Cup 2025 a result that secured their spot in the Asia Cup. So after we got back, we had four days of training. So, every day, just training and getting prepared for this tournament. As a batsman, I've been practising more on the batting while our bowlers are working on their bowling. So I think it's all equally prioritised, said Patro. Vice-captain Aalif echoed the pragmatic approach when discussing the team's objectives for the Asia Cup. I think we want to give our best. We want to win, of course. I think we'll learn a lot by playing against these big countries. We'll learn their routines, their mentality, and it'll be good for us, he said. But Malaysia arent coming just to participate, if one goes by Patro and Aalif spelling out their ambitious personal targets. For me, I'm looking to get into the playoffs stage and score around 300 to 400 runs in this competition. For Malaysia, this will be a good exposure for us since it's very rare for us to be playing against such high-level countries. But that doesn't mean we are not going to give our best. We are still going to come and do our best for the country. I think our team is very ready to take up the challenge, said Patro. Aalif's vision is also equally high. For me personally, I would like to be in the top three best batsmen and this is my target for this Asia Cup. The Malaysia Cricket Association has been with us since we were young. They've been giving us a lot of opportunities to play cricket in Malaysia - such as the Malaysia Premier League, and playing with the men's senior team, he said. The confidence isn't unfounded, as demonstrated by the teams chemistry built over years of playing together. We had psychology sessions with our psychologist and team bonding sessions, which helped us know each other better, and to improve our communication. Actually, our team has been together since the under-12s. Most of us have been playing together since under-16. So I would say we are very well gelled, said Patro. That cohesion has been further strengthened through focused preparation. Most of the time, we've been staying here in Bayuemas for a camp to prepare for the Asia Cup. Then, from the coaches and staff, they've been giving us a lot of support, giving us motivation and continuing to play very well on a higher level of cricket, said Aalif. He further elaborated on the comprehensive training regime. To be honest, every morning before we start our practice session, we do high-intensity fitness, which is we do a bit of leg training and then some quick running between the wickets, said Aalif. Patro also expressed similar views. The weather over here is quite similar. It's also very hot. So we are quite used to playing in hotter weather. As Aalif said, every morning before training, we have fitness sessions like sprinting, then endurance and agility training. Aalifs technical preparation has been equally meticulous. For me, as a batsman, I'll be focusing on facing spinners on the ground. So I've been doing quite a lot of training against the spinners, with coaches and then alongside the batting coach. Both players carry inspiration from cricket's biggest stars. Patro models his game after Australian dasher David Warner. Since I was young, I used to love watching him, how he bats aggressively in the power play and being able to do so well in all three formats. So I've always looked up to him, the captain said. Aalif, unsurprisingly, looks to India's modern batting great, Virat Kohli. Everyone knows that Virat Kohli is the biggest star in cricket. I love him because of his style, action, and aggression on the field. On and off, he's a good guy, he shared. Their journeys to this moment reflect Malaysian cricket's grassroots development. Patro's path began early, shaped by family influence. For me, actually, my dad was a big fan of cricket. So when I was just 4 years old, he put me into a cricketing club over here. When I was 10 years old, I started playing for our state under-16 team. Then, after the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown, I really started to put in more effort. I got the opportunity to play for Malaysia for the first time in 2023. Then, after that, I just kept working hard, and now I'm captain of Malaysia under-16 and Malaysia under-19, he recalled. Aalif's introduction to cricket was purely accidental. I never knew there was a sport named cricket. But at my primary school, there was a teacher who coached the cricket team. So asked me, Do you want to play for the cricket team in my school? I just went, and day by day I've loved playing this sport. So now, I'm here. Then, after the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown, I really started to put in more effort. I got the opportunity to play for Malaysia for the first time in 2023. Then, after that, I just kept working hard, and now I'm captain of Malaysia under-16 and Malaysia under-19, he recalled. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Watch the ACC Mens U19 Asia Cup 2025 live on Sony Sports Network from December 12-21 across Sony Sports Ten 1 and Ten 2 SD & HD channels, and will be livestreamed on Sony Liv Article Source: IANS

Bangladeshs Hossan Eyes U19 Asia Cup Defense As Rehearsal For Next Years WC

U19 Asia Cup: Bangladeshs seam-bowling all-rounder Rizan Hossan views the upcoming U19 Mens Asia Cup, starting in the UAE on Friday, as the perfect dress rehearsal for the defending champions ahead of next years World Cup, to be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Bangladesh is playing very well in every match so far. In this tournament, match by match, we will try to focus on the processes step by step and try to win the title. This tournament has a very good importance, as it's a big event before the World Cup happens. We have a good team and the likes of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have good teams. So this is a very great platform for preparing for the World Cup, said Hossan in an exclusive conversation with IANS, facilitated by Sony Sports Network. Bangladesh enter as defending champions after beating India in last year's final, adding to their 2020 U19 World Cup triumph also secured by beating the same opposition. Though their meeting with India will happen in the later stage of the competition, Bangladesh first need to get the better of Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal in their Group B games. For Hossan, confidence is at an all-time high following recent performances like hitting a century in England, making 95 and picking five-for against South Africa and hitting 75 not out along with taking 2-54 against Afghanistan. I am very confident now and trying to give the same performance as the one against South Africa in the upcoming games. I am very confident of contributing in all three departments batting, bowling and fielding, he said. That rare fast-bowling all-rounder ability also makes Hossan a crucial cog in the wheel. My cricket journey started in my district Tangail and I am from Dhaka division. From the district, I went to the academy, then division, age-level cricket, under 14, 16, 18, then played at the national level in under 15, 17 and 19, and that's how I got my selection here, he explained. Family support has been instrumental in his journey so far. My family, especially my father, supports me a lot. My two older brothers are also cricketers and they participate in the competitions in the division. So I get a lot of help from them, said Hossan, who speaks a fair bit of Hindi and English, apart from his mother tongue Bengali. The Bangladesh coaching staff's investment in developing his all-round game has paid dividends. Our coaching staff is very supportive. They always try to give me time with batting, bowling and fielding. They give tons of options to me because I am a very hard-working person who always tries to learn new things and is very much concentrated on the game. With their support, I always try to give the best performance for my team, he said. Hossan's approach to batting reflects maturity beyond his years. Its just normal things like try to play ball-by-ball and handle the situation well and take no big risks. Also, I just try to be calm on the field and not to focus on the target or hitting big runs quickly. The key is set some smaller targets like 10-20 runs and then everything becomes easy. Preparation for the U19 Mens Asia Cup has been comprehensive for him. I practised different things for the upcoming Asia Cup. I focused on facing spin bowling more. I tried to make some new shots against back of the length deliveries and on the leg side as well. For bowling he's now working on maintaining the same loads like before. His game draws inspiration from England's Test captain and fellow seam bowling all-rounder Ben Stokes. I like his attitude in batting, bowling and captaincy everything. That's why he is my idol and favourite player. Preparation for the U19 Mens Asia Cup has been comprehensive for him. I practised different things for the upcoming Asia Cup. I focused on facing spin bowling more. I tried to make some new shots against back of the length deliveries and on the leg side as well. For bowling he's now working on maintaining the same loads like before. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Watch the ACC Mens U19 Asia Cup 2025 live on Sony Sports Network from December 12-21 across Sony Sports Ten 1 and Ten 2 SD & HD channels and livestream on Sony Liv Article Source: IANS

Scotland Announce Kathryn Bryce-led Squad For Womens T20 WC Qualifier

T20 World Cup Qualifier: Scotland have announced their womens team for the upcoming ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier in Nepal. The fifteen-player squad is headed by Kathryn Bryce. Pippa Sproul has also been named in the squad that participated in the ICC Emerging Nations Trophy in Thailand last month. The Qualifier runs from January 12 to February 2, with 10 teams, including Scotland, competing for four spots in the 2026 ICC Womens T20 World Cup in England next summer. Craig Wallace, head coach of the Scottish womens team, said, We have a really exciting opportunity ahead of us going into Nepal, with an opportunity to qualify for another World Cup. We know how hard qualifying tournaments are, and the Emerging Nations Trophy showed us how tough associate cricket is, so we just need to take it one game at a time and play how we know we can. Having that time together in Thailand was really important to get everyone back together and play T20 cricket as a group for this first time in a while. It was great getting to work on a few different things in terms of how we want to play and push the players really hard we still have work to do, but it was good to get some hard games under our belt and play in high-pressure situations. Its pleasing to welcome Kathryn Bryce back, shes our captain and a world class player, and she adds so much value to all aspects of the game, both on and off the pitch. Sarah Bryce and Abtaha Maqsood did an outstanding job in Thailand leading the group, and Kathryn just adds value on top of that. Having that time together in Thailand was really important to get everyone back together and play T20 cricket as a group for this first time in a while. It was great getting to work on a few different things in terms of how we want to play and push the players really hard we still have work to do, but it was good to get some hard games under our belt and play in high-pressure situations. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Scotland Women's squad: Kathryn Bryce (captain), Chloe Abel, Olivia Bell, Sarah Bryce, Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji , Katherine Fraser, Ailsa Lister, Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Mollie Parker, Hannah Rainey, Niamh Robertson-Jack, Rachel Slater, Pippa Sproul Article Source: IANS

TPL 7: Former World No. 23 Damir Dzumhur Lauds Tournaments Global Prominence

Former World No: Two days into Season 7 of the Tennis Premier League (TPL), the leagues expanding international reputation has been strongly validated by players across generations, as former World No. 23 Damir Dzumhur, representing Yash Mumbai Eagles, and young Czech player Dalibor Svrcina of Chennai Smashers shared their initial thoughts on the tournament and offered insights into TPLs growing global reach. Damir Dzumhur, a 33-year-old veteran of the league with experience facing top players like Carlos Alcaraz, stated that he was aware of TPL long before arriving in India. He said, I had spoken to a couple of international players that played TPL in the past and a lot of them told me the management is very good and its very fun being inside the team. I myself have played Davis Cup for my country (Bosnia and Herzegovina) for 15 years so I really enjoy working together as a team. He also praised TPLs unique format while saying, I like how it works with only 25 points a match. This is incredible for someone who wants to start watching Tennis because Grand Slam matches can go for about 4-5 hours and not everyone enjoys that. Its shorter, there is always movement, there is always something happening. Its a lot of fun for people watching, he said. The surface is very nice, the weather is great. Everything we have here to practice and play is really good. Im definitely up to do it again in future years, he concluded. Representing the younger generation of international players experiencing TPL for the first time, Dalibor Svrcina shared similar praise. The 23-year-old Czech player, who recently entered the top 100 rankings said, Its been really good so far. The facilities, hotel and the organisers are good. We feel very welcomed here. As a team we are in the positive numbers. My goal now is to help my team reach the semi-finals. Describing the leagues structure as a welcome change, he stated, Its a very different format, very fast, very fun and entertaining. You see different good players back-to-back so it keeps everything fresh. Its nice even for the fans. Representing the younger generation of international players experiencing TPL for the first time, Dalibor Svrcina shared similar praise. The 23-year-old Czech player, who recently entered the top 100 rankings said, Its been really good so far. The facilities, hotel and the organisers are good. We feel very welcomed here. As a team we are in the positive numbers. My goal now is to help my team reach the semi-finals. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With endorsements from experienced player Damir Dzumhur and rising star Dalibor Svrcina, TPLs broad appeal across different age groups becomes evident. Their experiences show that the league is highly regarded internationally and fulfils its promises once players reach India. As Season 7 advances, TPL solidifies its status as a globally significant, player-orientated, and highly engaging tennis event. Article Source: IANS

Babar Azam Looks Forward To Playing With Steve Smith In BBL

Big Bash League: Pakistans batting star Babar Azam says he is eager not only to entertain fans but also to sharpen his game alongside Australian great Steve Smith as anticipation builds ahead of the Big Bash Leagues opening weekend. With large pockets of the Pakistani community in Sydney and Perth rushing to buy tickets, Babar has quickly become one of the major attractions of this years tournament. The Sydney Sixers begin their campaign on Sunday against the five-time champions, the Perth Scorchers, at Optus Stadium. I am super excited to be a part of the Sydney Sixers, Babar told Telecom Asia Sport. It is a fact that you learn a lot while playing in Australia so this is going to be a good experience for me, more so because I will get a chance to play alongside Steve Smith, who is a great player. He is one of seven Pakistani players participating in the latest edition of the league. His long-time T20I opening partner Mohammad Rizwan joins the Melbourne Renegades, while Shaheen Shah Afridi turns out for Brisbane Heat. Haris Rauf reunites with the Melbourne Stars, Shadab Khan represents Sydney Thunder, Hasan Ali plays for the Adelaide Strikers, and Hasaan Khan also lines up for the Renegades. Babar said he is already feeling the support from local Pakistan fans. I have already seen the excitement in the Pakistan community in Perth and when I go to Sydney there will be more fans coming, so its a nice thing to entertain them. For many supporters, this is a rare opportunity to watch the prolific batter in action. Mohammad Imran, who has lived in Perth for 20 years, said he and his friends secured their seats early. We bought tickets for the match well in advance and will go to see our beloved batter in action. Babar said he is already feeling the support from local Pakistan fans. I have already seen the excitement in the Pakistan community in Perth and when I go to Sydney there will be more fans coming, so its a nice thing to entertain them. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Babar is our honour, said Sohail Sheikh, a cricket organiser in Sydney. There is a lot of excitement amongst the Pakistani fans over Babar coming to Sydney and play for our team in the BigBash League. Article Source: IANS

NZ Hold The Edge Despite Windies' Fightback On Day 2 Of Wellington Test

As New Zealand: New Zealand strengthened their hold on the ongoing second Test against the West Indies here at the Basin Reserve, thanks to the composed half-centuries by Devon Conway and debutant Mitchell Hay before their seamers undermined the West Indies' response. The hosts built a 73-run lead after being bowled out for 278, then took two wickets with the new ball to leave West Indies 41 runs behind with eight wickets still in hand at stumps. As New Zealand resumed from the overnight score of 24/0, the West Indies quicks troubled the hosts throughout the innings. Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields, and Anderson Phillip all found swing and seam, repeatedly forcing defensive errors. Loose strokes from New Zealands batters only added to the pressure. But Conway anchored the innings with a composed 60, his first fifty against the Caribbean side, punishing anything short or wide with crisp cuts and flicks among his eight boundaries. Hay, debuting at No. 6, added a composed 61, helping New Zealand rebuild after a mid-session stumble. New Zealand's innings started poorly. Tom Latham's off stump was knocked out by a sharp nip-back from Roach, and Kane Williamson was dismissed by Phillip, whose late-straightening delivery beat his defence. After lunch, Roach got Rachin Ravindra caught fishing at a wide one, while Conway was caught leg side off a poor delivery from Justin Greaves, courtesy of Tevin Imlachs athletic diving catch. At 117 for 4, New Zealand remained vulnerable. Hay and Daryl Mitchell steadied the innings with a 73-run stand, only for West Indies to break through soon. Hay miscued a pull shot in the fourth over of the session, and Glenn Phillips, after an adventurous cameo worth 18, slogged one into the hands of Philip. The tail, however, proved stubborn as Jacob Duffy, Zakary Foulkes and Michael Rae chipped in valuable runs to stretch the lead before Seales finally ended the innings by removing Rae. With Blair Tickner unavailable due to injury, New Zealand declared upon losing their ninth wicket. The tail, however, proved stubborn as Jacob Duffy, Zakary Foulkes and Michael Rae chipped in valuable runs to stretch the lead before Seales finally ended the innings by removing Rae. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: West Indies 205/10 and 32/2 in 10 overs (Brandon King 15*, John Campbell 14; Michael Rae 1-4, Jacob Duffy 1-8) trail New Zealand 278/9d in 74.4 overs (Mitchell Hay 61, Devon Conway 60; Anderson Phillip 3-70, Kemar Roach 2-43) by 41 runs Article Source: IANS

BCCI To Revise Womens Domestic Cricket Pay Structure In Apex Council Meet On Dec 22

Joint Secretary Prabhtej Singh Bhatia: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will take up the revision of the pay structure for women cricketers at its 31st Apex Council meeting on December 22. The meeting will be held online and is slated to begin at 7:00 PM. Amongst the six agendas listed for the meeting, revision in payments for women cricketers in domestic cricket is listed at number two and holds significant importance, considering disparities are still present. As per the last revision made in 2021, for a domestic one-day game, senior womens players are paid Rs 20,000 per match, hiked from the previous amount of Rs 12,500. For the womens U23, U19 and U15, players are currently getting Rs 10,000. Reserve players in all womens tournaments would get 50 percent of the amount. In between, the senior womens zonal red-ball tournament also restarted, which means its payscale also needs a proper structure. Sources familiar with the matter told IANS on Thursday that revising womens domestic payment is a good and much-needed move. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side winning this years ODI World Cup also means a revision of the womens central contracts is also a big likelihood, considering Annual Player Retainership Contracts is listed as agenda number five. As of now, the highest central contract amount for womens is Rs 50 lakh -- which is half of the amount of the lowest grade in men's cricket (Grade C) -- followed by 30 lakh and 10 lakh in the next two brackets. Central contracts for the mens team will also be on the agenda, with particular focus on the grade of batting stalwarts and former skippers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The duo have stepped away from Tests and T20Is, which makes their categorisation a matter of interest ahead of the new cycle. With Shubman Gill becoming Test skipper and ODI captain, as well as T20I vice-captain, his grade of central contract will be of great interest. The meeting is also expected to finalise revisions to fees of umpires and match referees, as well as seek an update on BCCIs digital properties. Central contracts for the mens team will also be on the agenda, with particular focus on the grade of batting stalwarts and former skippers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The duo have stepped away from Tests and T20Is, which makes their categorisation a matter of interest ahead of the new cycle. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) President Jaydev Shah was also elected to the Apex Council as a representative of the general body. Article Source: IANS

Fifties from Conway, Hay extend New Zealand's advantage

The hosts secured a 73-run first-innings lead before picking up two early wickets to hurt West Indies further

He's A Role Model: Shaheen Afridi Credits legend Starc For Shaping His Career

Cricket World Cup: Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has opened up about the influence Australian left-arm quick Mitchell Starc has had on his rise in international cricket, crediting the senior pacer for shaping key elements of his bowling craft. Starc, who debuted for Australia in 2010, recently surpassed Pakistan legend Wasim Akram for the most Test wickets by a left-arm quick. And while Afridi still has years ahead of him to chase such milestones, the 24-year-old pacer said the Australian has already played a defining role in his development. Afridi recalled being a teenager during Starcs dominant ICC Mens Cricket World Cup campaign on home soil in 2015, where the Australian spearhead finished as the joint leading wicket-taker in a title-winning side. He's a legend, Afridi said ahead of his first appearance in Australia's Big Bash League. When 'Starcy' played that 2015 World Cup, I was playing for the Under 16 Pakistan team at that time, so...I followed him to try to bowl many times the way he swung the ball. He bowled a fuller ball throughout that World Cup and had very good success, Afridi stated. The 25-year-old pacer said watching Starc at close quarters, even if only from afar, helped him understand the value of attacking lengths for left-arm quicks. It is a lesson he carries with him to this day. Starc has continued to deliver at the highest level, starring in the opening two Tests of the ongoing Ashes series. The 35-year-old has already claimed 18 wickets and earned back-to-back Player of the Match honours, helping Australia seize a 20 advantage over England. Afridi, who regularly seeks out Starc for conversations whenever they cross paths internationally, said their last interaction was a moment of honesty and appreciation. Starc has continued to deliver at the highest level, starring in the opening two Tests of the ongoing Ashes series. The 35-year-old has already claimed 18 wickets and earned back-to-back Player of the Match honours, helping Australia seize a 20 advantage over England. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Shaheen, now a senior figure in his national setup, continues to draw inspiration from the bowler he once studied as a teenager. Article Source: IANS

NZ Spinner Eden Carson To Undergo Surgery, Set To Miss Women's T20 WC Title Defence

T20 World Cup: New Zealand off-spinner Eden Carson is set to undergo surgery on her right elbow on Thursday and is anticipated to need six months of rehabilitation before making a return to competitive cricket. Given the recovery timeline, the spinner will miss the rest of the home summer as well as New Zealand's title defence at the 2026 ICC Womens T20 World Cup. Carson suffered a partial ligament tear in her elbow during the teams training camp in Dubai ahead of the 2025 ICC Womens Cricket World Cup and played through the injury during the tournament. Because the injury involves her bowling arm, head coach Ben Sawyer said they decided to proceed with surgery now to safeguard her long-term career. Were all really gutted for Eden. The team has a big six months ahead, and I know how difficult it was for her to make the decision to go through with the surgery now, but I fully support it. It'll obviously be a huge loss for the team not having Eden available, especially for the T20 World Cup, where she played a big role for us last year. At just 24 years old, shes still got a long career ahead, so its important we look forward and prioritise getting her back on the park and fully fit, Sawyer said in a statement released by New Zealand Cricket (NZC). Carson finished with nine wickets from six innings, at an economy rate of 6.39, during New Zealands T20 World Cup-winning campaign in October 2024 in Dubai. At just 24 years old, shes still got a long career ahead, so its important we look forward and prioritise getting her back on the park and fully fit, Sawyer said in a statement released by New Zealand Cricket (NZC). Also Read: Live Cricket Score The matches will be played at venues across Hamilton, Wellington and Dunedin. Article Source: IANS

Oliver Peake To Lead Australia's U19 World Cup Title Defense

ICC U19 World Cup: Left-hand batter Oliver Peake will captain Australia in the ICC U19 World Cup as the reigning champions will be aiming for their fifth title when the marquee event commences on January 12 in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Peake, who played an integral role in Australia's title success in South Africa in 2024, is the only member of Australia's squad that won the Under 19 World Cu last year. He amassed 120 runs from four innings at the tournament - including an unbeaten 46 not out in the final against India - after being called up as an injury replacement player during the early stages of the event. The 19-year-old also featured in the Prime Minister's XI against England in Canberra last month where he scored an excellent half-century against many of the tourists' Ashes squad. Nitesh Samuel, Naden Cooray and William Taylor are the three newcomers in the squad and have been rewarded with selection for their impressive performance at this month's Under-19 Male National Championships. The Australia team will be coached by Tim Nielsen, who believes the side is well balanced to make a bid for back-to-back titles. We're delighted to announce a strong and well-balanced squad for the ICC Under-19 World Cup, Nielsen said. Our focus has been on selecting a group with complementary skill sets that provide the best chance of success in the tournament. The players named have impressed with their performances during the U19 series against India in September and at the recent National U19 Championships in Perth. It's an exciting group, some have already experienced senior training environments, while others are progressing rapidly through our pathway The World Cup is a fantastic opportunity for these young cricketers to showcase their talent and test themselves against the best in the world. Australia are drawn in Group C at the Under 19 World Cup and will take on Ireland, Japan and Sri Lanka during the opening round of the event. The World Cup is a fantastic opportunity for these young cricketers to showcase their talent and test themselves against the best in the world. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Australia squad: Oliver Peake (c), Kasey Barton, Naden Cooray, Jayden Draper, Steven Hogan, Thomas Hogan, Ben Gordon, John James, Charles Lachmund, Alex Lee Young, Will Malajczuk, Nitesh Samuel, Hayden Schiller, Aryan Sharma, William Taylor Article Source: IANS

Injured Tickner Will Not Bowl Or Field For Rest Of Wellington Test Vs Windies: NZC

New Zealand Cricket: New Zealand have revealed a new update on injured pacer Blair Tickner, saying it would be unlikely the fast bowler will feature in the remainder of the second Test against the West Indies. Tickner dislocated his shoulder while fielding on the opening day of the second Test on Wednesday. BlackCaps pace bowler Blair Tickner will not bowl or field, and is unlikely to bat for the remainder of the second Test in Wellington, after dislocating his shoulder while diving to stop a boundary on day one, New Zealand Cricket said in a statement. Tickner, who was taken to hospital for treatment last night, will join the squad at the ground today as he awaits further specialist assessment to determine his return to play, it added. Tickner was the standout performer on the opening day of the second Test, as he claimed a four-wicket haul but injured himself in the 67th over while attempting to prevent a boundary at fine leg. Chasing a flick from Tevon Imlach, he dived full-length near the rope and stayed down immediately. The medical staff from the New Zealand camp and the venue attended to him on the boundary edge before he was stretchered off. He later left the ground in an ambulance. Tickner's injury comes at a time when New Zealand have already lost Matt Henry, Mitchell Santner, and Nathan Smith for the rest of the Test series owing to their respective injuries. Henry (calf tear) and Smith (side strain) sustained their injuries during the drawn first Test in Christchurch, while Santner (groin) was ruled out before the match. Tickner's injury comes at a time when New Zealand have already lost Matt Henry, Mitchell Santner, and Nathan Smith for the rest of the Test series owing to their respective injuries. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell was also ruled out of the second Test after he suffered the injury while batting in the first Test in Christchurch last week. Article Source: IANS

Joe Root Finally Scores First Test Hundred in Australia, Joins Elite 40-Century Club

At last Joe Root has scored a Test hundred in Australia. This was one of the most awaited hundreds in international cricket like Sachin Tendulkars wait for his 100th hundred (the gap between his 99th and the 100th was 371 days) or Virat's wait for 1205 days (3 years, 3 months and 17 days) en route to his 28th ton in Tests. Root hit 138* against Australia and became the first English batsman and the fourth overall to score 40 career hundreds in Test cricket (others: Ricky Ponting 41, Jacques Kallis 45 and Sachin Tendulkar 51). Joe Roots drought in Australia had become a mystery. The drought had put Root under pressure, and this was probably the last tour for him to end the same. He took off his helmet and raised his bat after scoring a hundred that was long overdue and now, he must be a relieved man. This doesnt mean that his batting class in Tests in Australia was under any doubt. He has now scored a hundred but is yet to cross another benchmark. He is one of the four batsman who has Test average of 40+ in at least seven countries (min 10 innings in each country) with Sachin Tendulkar leading the pack with his success in eight countries (others: Younis Khan, Joe Root and Inzamam-ul-Haq), but he is yet to cross this barrier in Australia (37.60 up to Brisbane Test). He scored a hundred in Australia in Tests in the 30th attempt (in 16th Test) and is hopeful that this will not be his last in Australia. Overall, this was his fifth against Australia, probably scored in the most difficult of conditions in the pink-ball Test. Before this, his highest score in Australia was 89, scored at the Gabba. Joe Root now has 40 Test Centuries and among the Fab 4, he is the first to reach Test hundred number 33 to now 40. In fact, the other three are much behind now: Steve Smith - 36, Ken Williamson 33 and Virat Kohli 30. In the list of most Test hundreds, Joe Root is now fourth with Sachin Tendulkar - 51, J Kallis 45 and Ricky Ponting 41 ahead of him. Some other facts: *Incidentally, his 100th run of his first century in Australia was also his 1000th Test run in Australia. * Fewest Innings to reach 40 Test hundreds: 246 - Jacques Kallis, 251 - Sachin Tendulkar, 273 - Ricky Ponting and 291 - Joe Root. * First century for Joe Root across countries: England - 104, Leeds, 2013 West Indies - 182*, ST George's, 2015 South Africa - 110, Johannesburg, 2016 India - 124, Rajkot, 2016 Sri Lanka - 124, Pallekele, 2018 New Zealand - 226, Hamilton, 2019 Pakistan - 262, Multan, 2024 Australia - 138*, Brisbane, 2025 *Test Centuries by fab 4 away from home (innings per century): 18: Steve Smith (6.2) 16: Virat Kohli (7.7) 16: Joe Root (7.3) 13: Kane Williamson (7.6) *Joe Roots 40 Test hundreds have been accumulated all over the world: 24 in England; 4 in West Indies; 3 in each of India, Sri Lanka & New Zealand. 1 in each of South Africa, Pakistan and Australia. The happiest person to see Joe Root scoring a Test hundred in Australia is Grace Hayden, daughter of the former Australia opener Matthew Hayden and TV Anchor because her father had promised to walk nude around the MCG if he (Root) doesnt make a hundred this summer, forcing Grace to respond on Instagram with: Please Joe Root, make a hundred. Matthew, 54, was convinced that on this tour Root would hit a century, after 29 innings, that he made a bet with fellow former Aussie Greg Blewett. Grace Hayden, 23, took to social media to thank the England batter and ensured her father would not have to come good on his pledge to walk around Melbourne Cricket Ground naked. She followed it with a clip from the film F1, released this year, in which a team principal played by Javier Bardem celebrates wildly following his team winning a race below the caption 'Joe Root finally has a Test century in Australia.' Also Read: Live Cricket Score In July 2020, Virat Kohli was the leader among the fab 4 with 27 Test hundreds, followed by Steve Smith 26, Kane Williamson 21 and Root the least at 17. Now the England batsman is walking tall with 40 hundreds.

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IND vs SA 2nd T20I: Approaching Milestones and Records Ahead of Mullanpur Clash

IND vs SA 2nd T20I,T20IApproaching Milestones and Records :Team India took a 1-0 lead as they hammered the tourists with a margin of 101 runs. That was the poorest defeat ever for South Africa in T20Is. Hardik Pandya and the bowlers were the key performers for the hosts, handing them a dominating win. Now, the Indian cricket team and the South African cricket team will be up against each other in the New Chandigarh match. The second T20I will commence at 7 PM IST on Thursday at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. India will look to replicate the success and win the next game. South Africa will be looking to bounce back and level the series at 1-1. Jasprit Bumrah became only the second Indian with 100 T20I wickets and the first Indian bowler to take 100 or more wickets across all three formats. There were a few more records, which got tumbled in the first T20I. Not just this, there are a few more records, which are expected to be achieved in the second T20I. Here, we will talk about big records and milestones which are lined up and can be achieved in the India vs South Africa2nd T20I clash at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. IND vs SA 2nd T20I: Approaching Test Records and T20ICricket Milestones Ahead of the IND vs SA 2nd T20IatMaharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh 81 - Hardik Pandya slammed a 59 off 28 in the first game. Now, he is just 81 runs away from completing 2000 T20I runs. He will become the fifth Indian to do so. 19 - South African captain Aiden Markram needs 19 more runs to complete 1500 T20I runs. 4 - Lungi Ngidi took three wickets in the first game. He needs four more to surpass Kagiso Rabada (77) and become the second-highest wicket-taker in T20I cricket. 1 - Hardik Pandya is just one wicket away from becoming only the third Indian bowler with 100 wickets in T20 internationals. 3 - No. 1 ranked T20I bowler Varun Chakravarthy is just three wickets away from completing 50 T20I wickets. If he does in the second game, he will become India's fastest to do so. 1 - Lasith Malinga is a legendary name in T20Is, who retired with 107 wickets. Arshdeep Singh also has 107 wickets and needs one more wicket to surpass the Sri Lankan legend. Also Read: Live Cricket Score 5 - Sanju Samson didn't play in the first game. But if he plays in the second game, he needs five runs to complete 1000 T20I runs.

IPL 2026: Daniel Vettori Wants To Miss Ashes Test Preparation To Be In Abu Dhabi For Auction

Indian Premier League: With the auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 set to be held in Abu Dhabi on December 16, Australia will be missing their assistant coach during the Ashes series with England, as he will be flying to India to be with his franchise for the auction. Daniel Vettori, who is also the coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad, will miss the preparations for the third Test of the Ashes series because of the IPL auction. According to a report in Cricbuzz, the former New Zealand captain has sought permission from Cricket Australia (CA) to travel to Abu Dhabi in the middle of the Ashes. Australia is currently leading the series 2-0, winning the second Test recently. The Australian public will also have its focus on the IPL auction, with many current and former Australian players involved in the IPL. Cameron Green, who is expected to garner a lot of attention in this auction, tops the list of 19 Australians, with Josh Inglis, Matthew Short, Cooper Connolly, and Beau Webster being the other prominent names. A total of 350 players are set to feature in the IPL 2026 mini auction on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, as the BCCI revealed the Player Auction list for the 2026 season on Tuesday. A total of 1390 players registered for the Player Auction, out of which 350 players were shortlisted. Of the 350 players shortlisted, 240 are Indian, and 110 are from overseas. The pool comprises 224 uncapped Indian players and 14 uncapped overseas players, adding significant depth and fresh talent to this year's auction roster. Franchises will compete for 77 available slots overall, including 31 spots reserved for overseas players. Of the 350 players shortlisted, 240 are Indian, and 110 are from overseas. The pool comprises 224 uncapped Indian players and 14 uncapped overseas players, adding significant depth and fresh talent to this year's auction roster. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Earlier, a total of 173 players were retained across teams, including 49 overseas players. A combined purse of Rs 237.55 crore will be available at the auction for a total of 77 player slots. Article Source: IANS

Thomas Knight Named As Scotlands Captain For 2026 Mens U19 World Cup

U19 World Cup: Thomas Knight has been appointed as Scotlands captain for the 2026 International Cricket Council (ICC) Mens Under-19 World Cup, to be held in Namibia and Zimbabwe from January 15 to February 6. In a statement, Cricket Scotland said that following the ICC Europe Qualifier in August, Shlok Thaker and Shreyas Tekale have been added to the squad for the biannual showpiece event. Its exciting to welcome Shlok and Shreyas into the squad, and were really happy to see the work theyve put in to get to this stage, said head coach Keegan Russell. Shlok was with us as part of the wider training squad and unfortunately missed out on a place at the Qualifier. Hes gone away and taken on board the feedback, put a huge amount into his training, and come back fitter and stronger and is now bowling the best that weve seen him. Its really pleasing to see that approach hes taken, responding to what could be seen as a setback, and hes come back stronger for it. Shreyas had a great tour in Ireland with the U17 squad at the Celtic Cup and proved a real handful on the wickets over there, he said. Hes had a tough journey in terms of the teams hes had to graft to get into, and as someone who wasnt in our wider squad at the start of the year, hes come on a great deal and turned heads with some of his performances, so he deserves his selection. Scotlands squad will fly to South Africa on December 30 for a training camp at Potchefstroom, before heading to Zimbabwe for playing warm-up games against India in Bulawayo and Bangladesh in Harare. The tournament begins for Scotland on January 15 when they take on hosts Zimbabwe in Harare, followed by Group B matches against Pakistan and England on January 19 and 21, respectively. Its an exciting time for everyone, but its been challenging as well. Its important to remember that we are looking after a group of teenage boys who are training like professionals ahead of this World Cup, so its been brilliant to see their excitement, and its been a long time coming for them, he added. The tournament begins for Scotland on January 15 when they take on hosts Zimbabwe in Harare, followed by Group B matches against Pakistan and England on January 19 and 21, respectively. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Scotland squad: Thomas Knight, Finlay Carter, Max Chaplin, George Cutler, Rory Grant, Finlay Jones, Ollie Jones, Ali Khan, Olly Pillinger, Ethan Ramsay, Theo Robinson, Manu Saraswat, Shlok Thaker, Shreyas Tekale, and Jake Woodhouse Article Source: IANS

India vs South Africa, 2nd T20I - Who will win today IND vs SA match?

IND vs SA , 2nd T20I , Cricket Tips :Team India managed a rather easy win in the first T20I in Cuttack by 101 runs. The hosts managed to outfox the visitors, and it was a nightmare with the bat. Every Indian bowler picked up a wicket. Now, these sides will be up against each other in the second game. Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, will host this game on Thursday at 7 PM IST. Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav are struggling with the bat. India need runs from their top order. South Africa will be looking to bounce back and level the series. IND vs SA: Match Details Date : December 11, 2025 (Thursday) Time : 7:00 PM IST Venue : Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, New Chandigarh IND vs SA: Live Streaming Details Star Sports Network on cable TVs in India will broadcast the live action of the second T20I. Fans can also enjoy the live action through the Jio Hotstar app or website. IND vs SA: Head-to-Head Total Matches : 32 India : 19 South Africa : 12 No-Result : 01 IND vs SA: Ground Pitch Report The wicket in Mullanpur is a good wicket for the batting side. For the first half, the wicket will remain firm and the ball will bounce well. Batters can play their shots early on. But with time, the wicket will have a spongy bounce, and spinners will come in handy. IND vs SA: Possible XIs India : Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh South Africa : Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Dewald Brevis, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje IND vs SA: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Abhishek Sharma is India's biggest star at the moment because of the form he is in. He will be a big wicket. For South Africa, Tristan Stubbs is someone who can tackle India bowlers in these conditions. Probable Best Bowler Arshdeep Singh set the tone for India with two wickets with the new ball. He will be a tough bowler to face early on. Lungi Ngidi did the same damage from South Africa. Today Match Prediction : South Africa had a poor game and they must be slightly under pressure. Hence, we back India to win this game on Thursday. IND vs SA Match 2nd T20I, Today Match IND vs SA, IND vs SA Prediction, IND vs SA Predicted XIs, Injury Update of the match between India vs South Africa Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.

You'd Be Foolish To Treat ILT20 As A Warm-up For T20 World Cup, Says DC All-rounder Neesham

T20 World Cup: James Neesham, the New Zealand seam-bowling all-rounder currently turning out for Dubai Capitals in the International League T20 *(ILT20), said the ongoing tournament cant be viewed as a warm-up for next years T20 World Cup, stressing that the mega event in India and Sri Lanka will pose challenges entirely different from the UAE conditions. In 93 T20Is for New Zealand, Neesham has amassed 1010 runs and grabbed 56 wickets. Look, I think everyone nowadays is playing cricket around the world pretty much year-round. So, you don't put too much emphasis on one tournament over another. I think India and Sri Lanka will be very different conditions from what they are over here. So we'll have to prepare for that tournament as best we can when that moment comes. But I think you'd be foolish to treat the ILT20 as, I suppose, a warm-up series for the World Cup because they're obviously two very unique prospects, Neesham told IANS in an exclusive conversation from Dubai. Neesham, a long-time globetrotter in T20 leagues, said his first stint in the ILT20 so far has been a unique one. It's obviously a unique tournament with the number of overseas players that are playing in each team. It's a high-quality product. I have come from Nepal, where there are only three or four overseas players in the team and six or seven locals. Then you come here, and there are only two locals and nine overseas. So, it's a different makeup. It brings high-quality cricket to the table. I think we're going to continue to see some very high-quality players over the next month or so, he said. Seeing Dubai Capitals, the defending champions, get their first win of the ongoing competition has been immensely helpful. Obviously, it's good to get our first win of the season. Rovman (Powell) and Coxsey (Jordan Cox) obviously batted incredibly well to get a good total, and the guys all bowled well as well. So, the mood in the camp is good. We've got a couple of good training days ahead of us before our next game is on Saturday. In the last few years, power-hitting has become a defining skill in modern T20 cricket batting, and Neesham stated that the scope of an anchor batter is now wiped out. Obviously, the game has become more aggressive, I think, over the last few years. I think the role of an anchor batter sort of batting through in an innings is almost extinct now. Most teams have set themselves up to be aggressive from the top, bat deep, and try to finish games off. So, it's an important part of the game to be able to clear the rope, and hopefully we can continue to do that over this series and bat other teams out of the game. Modern-day cricket has become significantly more demanding for fast bowlers, with workload and injury risks rising due to the overlap of international cricket and franchise leagues. Neesham opined that fast bowlers will soon be forced to choose between playing formats and urged the ICC to find a balance between scheduling international games and franchise leagues. I think fast bowlers basically just can't play all three formats. I don't think that can happen. So, guys are going to have to choose earlier than they would in the future. I think one day cricket is obviously the format that is going to fall by the wayside, I guess, with Test cricket being the most valuable format of the game and T20 being the biggest earner, he added. Modern-day cricket has become significantly more demanding for fast bowlers, with workload and injury risks rising due to the overlap of international cricket and franchise leagues. Neesham opined that fast bowlers will soon be forced to choose between playing formats and urged the ICC to find a balance between scheduling international games and franchise leagues. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Neesham signed off by hoping he can manage his playing schedule fairly well. Obviously, that'll be different for different individuals. So, for me, I'm 35 years old now, and I've been around the block a fair bit. So I'm pretty resilient when it comes to the physical demands of the game. So, hopefully that can continue for the next few years. Article Source: IANS

Playing ILT20 A Key Boost For Afghanistan Players Ahead Of T20 WC, Says DC All-rounder Nabi

T20 World Cup: Mohammad Nabi, the veteran Afghanistan all-rounder currently playing for Dubai Capitals in the ILT20, said the players participation from his country in the competition is a key boost, citing that its a platform to correct their errors made in the Asia Cup and serves as motivation to perform well ahead of next years T20 World Cup. Nabi has featured in 145 T20I matches for Afghanistan, amassing 2417 runs and picking 104 wickets. He has been a part of Afghanistans squad since the country first appeared in the T20 World Cup in 2010, and had their best-ever performance by reaching the semi-finals in the 2024 edition of the competition. Most Afghanistan players are playing in ILT20 and performing well. It gives us a lot of motivation to play in a high-level league before the T20 World Cup. We also have a series against the West Indies before the tournament happens. Those three T20I games will help us build a strong combination, Nabi told IANS in an exclusive conversation from Dubai. If we make mistakes during that series, we must fix them before the World Cup. Playing in ILT20 gives us more energy and helps us to work on the errors we made in the Asia Cup, he said. Though Nabi is 40, an age where many cricketers have thoughts of retiring from all forms of cricket, the veteran is showing no signs of slowing down. In the last 34 years, Ive enjoyed cricket more than when I was younger because of my hard work, training, and commitment at a high level. I cant escape anything -- I had to focus on my training, sleep, food, and diet. It gave me more motivation. When I am fit, I step onto the ground and give my 100%. When your body is working well and energetic, it improves your performance. I always focus on my next target. Like, what is my next event? Then I prepare my body for that. With the T20 World Cup coming, I have to focus on my body, fitness, and performance. I train myself both as a batter and a bowler. Thats why all my targets are set on the World Cup, and how I prepare my body for it, he elaborated. Nabi has carved a decent reputation as an attacking batting all-rounder who also bowls handy off-spin, and alongside leg-spinner Rashid Khan, he laid the foundation of Afghanistan players being picked in big numbers in various T20 leagues. With many Afghan players securing T20 league deals, Nabi felt a homegrown league would put more talented cricketers on the world map. Exposure is very important for our youngsters. Yesterday, the Afghanistan Cricket Board announced that the Afghanistan Premier League (APL) will be launched on December 20 and is set to be played next year. Thats great news for our youngsters, as talented players who have performed in domestic cricket but havent been seen internationally will now get a platform. This platform will be excellent for youngsters who are performing back home. Its great news for them because they will get more motivation to play high-level cricket in top leagues. When we perform at that stage, they are inspired to follow, he said. For now, Nabis attention will be on performing well for defending champions Dubai Capitals, who got their first win of the ongoing edition on December 7. The first win is always important to build and find a good combination for the team. We lost the first two games due to small mistakes and narrow margins, and we learnt from that. The last game was really good, and we won by a big margin. Hopefully this winning combination will work through the season, he said. With the UAE being a second home for Afghanistan players, Nabi knows the conditions by the back of his hand, and that has made him a vital source of intel for the Dubai Capitals players and coaches. For me, its like being at home. I always play international cricket in the UAE, and this league is stronger than other leagues because eight to nine international players are in the playing XI. Only three players -- two from the UAE and one from the associates - are included this time. Its a good thing; every team has a strong playing eleven, and it makes for tough competition. But for me, especially, its like being a local. All three venues - Sharjah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi - have different conditions. You need three different plans for playing in these stadiums. I always share my experience with the coaches and players on how to play in Sharjah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. Its a great opportunity to share my knowledge with the team. Only three players -- two from the UAE and one from the associates - are included this time. Its a good thing; every team has a strong playing eleven, and it makes for tough competition. But for me, especially, its like being a local. All three venues - Sharjah, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi - have different conditions. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With so many international players around, we share the errors we made in the national team and learn from them. Then we bring that experience back to the national side. Playing in different conditions and environments gives me more exposure and helps me improve, he added. Article Source: IANS

2026 T20 World Cup: Packed run-in for India, no games for Australia and Bangladesh

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PCB revokes Haider Ali suspension, issues NOC to play in the BPL

The batter has not played any competitive cricket since being cleared of rape allegations by the Manchester Police in September

Kazuma Kato-Stafford To Captain Japan In 2026 U19 WC

Asian Cricket Council Premier Cup: Kazuma Kato-Stafford has been named as Japans captain for the 2026 Mens Under-19 World Cup, scheduled to be played in Namibia and Zimbabwe from January 15 to February 6. Nikhil Pol and Timothy Moore, who missed the recent Asian Cricket Council Premier Cup for Japan in Ajman, have both returned to the squad for the mega event. In that tournament, Japan defeated Maldives and Qatar by 183 runs, but a loss to Oman denied them a semi-final berth. Among the standout performers, Nihar Parmar, who struck 156 off 132 balls against Maldives, and Kaisei Kobayashi-Doggett, who hammered 106 off 73 deliveries against Qatar, are named in the World Cup squad. Reo Sakurano-Thomas, an active senior mens international cricketer, has been appointed as U19 side head coach. Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming, captain of Japans senior mens side, will serve as assistant coach. Japan are drawn in Group C of the tournament alongside Sri Lanka, defending champions Australia, and Ireland. The team will depart for South Africa on January 5 to play warm up matches against Tanzania and the West Indies on January 10 and 12, respectively. This will be the second appearance for Japan after first featuring in the U19 World Cup held in South Africa in 2020. The 16th edition of the Mens Under-19 World Cup will feature 16 teams divided into four groups of four each. Every side will play the other three teams in its group during the opening round, with the top three progressing to the Super Six stage. Japan are drawn in Group C of the tournament alongside Sri Lanka, defending champions Australia, and Ireland. The team will depart for South Africa on January 5 to play warm up matches against Tanzania and the West Indies on January 10 and 12, respectively. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Japan squad: Charles Hara-Hinze, Gabriel Hara-Hinze, Montgomery Hara-Hinze, Kazuma Kato-Stafford (Captain), Kaisei Kobayashi-Doggett, Timothy Moore, Skyler Nakayama-Cook, Ryuki Ozeki, Nihar Parmar, Nikhil Pol, Chihaya Sekine, Hugo Tani-Kelly, Sandev Aaryan Waduge, Kai Wall and Taylor Waugh Article Source: IANS

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Allen Could Miss Part Of NZs T20Is Against India If Scorchers Reach BBL Finals

Big Bash League: New Zealand opener Finn Allen may miss part of the five-match T20I series in India, scheduled for January 2026, due to his upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) commitments with Perth Scorchers. The T20I series against India, starting on January 21 in Nagpur, and followed by matches in Raipur, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram, is regarded as vital preparation for New Zealand ahead of the T20 World Cup scheduled to take place in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Before this, New Zealand will play three ODIs in India from January 1117 and Allens availability for the T20Is depends on the defending champions Scorchers progress in the BBL. If the Scorchers reach the final on January 25, Allen may not be available until the fourth T20I on January 28. However, if they do not qualify, Allen is expected to be available for the full T20I series. Pending selection, Ill head straight to India once the Big Bash finishes up for us, Allen was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo on Wednesday. Allen is one of five players who have signed casual agreements with New Zealand Cricket (NZC), providing flexibility between national duties and franchise commitments. Playing for New Zealand is still, for me, the pinnacle and the reason why I love playing is to represent my country. But cricket's obviously evolving and changing year on year. New Zealand Cricket's been really good to work with over the last wee while. (I'm) confident about getting back into some Black Caps stuff after the Big Bash and hopefully can continue that, he added. Allen is one of five players who have signed casual agreements with New Zealand Cricket (NZC), providing flexibility between national duties and franchise commitments. Playing for New Zealand is still, for me, the pinnacle and the reason why I love playing is to represent my country. But cricket's obviously evolving and changing year on year. Also Read: Live Cricket Score In that tournament, his knock of 151 runs, including hitting a record 19 sixes for San Francisco Unicorns against Washington Freedom, left everyone jaw-dropped. Allen last featured for New Zealand in March, scoring 27 off 12 balls in an eight-wicket win over Pakistan in Wellington. Article Source: IANS

95 Pc Tickets Sold, Confirms PCA Chief As Mullanpur Set To Host First-ever Mens International Match

Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket: Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) president Amarjit Singh Mehta said that tickets for the forthcoming second T20I between India and South Africa at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Chandigarhs Mullanpur are 95 per cent sold out, with the venue set to witness an almost-packed stadium. He also noted that the second T20I will feature several BCCI dignitaries, as the venue gears up to host its first-ever mens international match. The occasion will be graced by Mithun Manhas, president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Moreover, two new stands will be unveiled on Thursday, named after former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh and the Indian womens teams World Cup-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur. This is the first-ever men's international match taking place here at PCA Mullanpur Stadium. It's a very big match. Several dignitaries from the BCCI will be in attendance, including the President, Mithun Manhas. Many local delegates are also coming. The Governor and the CM will give their confirmation today, as we have made a special request for them to grace the occasion. Hopefully, they will also come tomorrow. 95 per cent tickets have already been sold at the stadium, Mehta told IANS. Moreover, two new stands will be unveiled on Thursday, named after former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh and the Indian womens teams World Cup-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India won the T20I opener on Tuesday and are leading the five-game series 1-0. Article Source: IANS

Virat Kohli Advances To Second Place In Latest ICC Mens ODI Batting Rankings Update

India superstar, Virat Kohli has advanced two slots to second place on the batters list in the latest ICC Mens ODI Player Rankings. He is just eight points behind teammate Rohit Sharma who continues to uphold his number one position. The move up the rankings comes after exceptional performances in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against South Africa where Kohlis scores of 135, 102 and 65 not out helped his team to a 2-1 series win. He was named Player of the Series for his 302 runs across the three fixtures. Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock scored centuries in the second and third matches respectively and both moved up to 25th and 13th places respectively, while their skipper, Temba Bavuma went up three places to 37th. Kuldeep Yadavs four for 41 in the decisive third ODI also contributed to the series win for his team and advanced him to third place in the bowling table, up three places. In the ICC World Test Championship, Joe Roots first century in Australia enabled him to hold on to the top spot in the batters list with 781 rating points, but Harry Brook fell two places to fourth now behind Kane Williamson in second place (827 points) and Steve Smith (823 points) in third. Five Australians scored half-centuries in their first innings of the Brisbane win, with the biggest strides coming from Mitchell Starc whose 77 lifted him up 12 places to 90th, and Jake Weatherald rocketed 75 places to joint-106th after innings of 72 and 17 not out. Zak Crawley returned to the top 50 batters after a first-innings 76, but Jamie Smith dropped 12 places to 31st after scores of none and four. The West Indian fourth-innings rearguard was the highlight of the Christchurch Test as Justin Greaves struck an unbeaten double-century at number six to gain 16 places to a career-best 60th. He was well supported by Shai Hope, whose 140 moved him up 19 places to 48th and Kemar Roach whose unbeaten 58 occupied four and a half hours at the crease, enabled him to gain six places to 127th. He had a fine all-round match, taking five of the eight New Zealand wickets to fall in their second innings to bring himself back into the top 20 bowlers at number 18. New Zealands Rachin Ravindras 176 moved him back into the top 15 with the bat, and Tom Latham hit 145 to gain six places to 34th. Mitchell Starcs fine pink-ball performance which saw him take six wickets for 75 in Englands first innings, advanced him three slots in the bowlers list to a career-best third place and one slot to fifth in the all-rounders list. Michael Neser the first man whose first three Test match appearances have all been day-night affairs took five wickets for 42 in Englands second innings to re-enter the bowling charts at number 52. Jacob Duffy was the standout BLACKCAPS bowler, taking five for 39 in the West Indies first innings to help him up 76 places to joint-63rd The ICC Mens T20I Player Rankings also saw movements after the first encounter of the five-match series between India and South Africa in Cuttack on Tuesday, where India served up a comprehensive, 101-run victory over the visitors. Dewald Brevis moved into the top 10 among the batters, advancing three slots to eighth place after his 22-run knock. Indias Hardik Pandya progressed three places to fourth in the all-rounders list with Axar Patel moving to ninth (from 10th) on the same list and 13th (from 15th) among the bowlers. In the bowlers list, Arshdeep Singh went up three slots to 20th and Jasprit Bumrah jumped six spaces to 25th. Also Read: Live Cricket Score

WPL 2026: Pooja Vastrakar Is A Tremendous Addition To RCB, Says Aakash Chopra

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Former India batter Aakash Chopra believes Pooja Vastrakars move to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is a tremendous addition to the side ahead of 2026 Womens Premier League (WPL), saying that she brings in a strong batting quality which isnt found in other seam bowling options in the country. Despite her long layoff due to a shoulder surgery, which also led her to miss WPL 2025 season for eventual champions Mumbai Indians, Pooja found significant interest in last months mega auction, and eventually RCB roped her in for Rs 85 lakh. As of now, Pooja is in rehab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru and is expected to be fit for WPL 2026, to be played from January 9 to February 5 in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara. The way RCB has collected and selected players gives them great flexibility. Based on pitch conditions, form, or injuries, they can make tactical changes, whether its choosing between Grace Harris or Lauren Bell depending on the opposition. When you look at Indian fast-bowling all-rounders, Pooja Vastrakar stands out because she brings a quality of batting that otherslike Renuka Singh Thakur, Shikha Pandey, Arundhati Reddy, or Kranti Gaud, do not offer at the same level. She is a rare commodity. Yes, she has had injury concerns, but theres only one Pooja Vastrakar in the country. Thats exactly why we saw a bidding war for her. UP Warriorz were very interested, but RCB knew what they wanted, and they secured her. In my opinion, its a tremendous addition, said Chopra on JioHotstar. Saba Karim, the former India wicketkeeper-batter and national selector, believes the Smriti Mandhana-led RCB have a well-balanced look due to the plethora of all-rounders in their line-up. I felt that RCB clearly leaned towards all-rounders this time, which is why you see so many in their line-up, starting from Nadine de Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Grace Harris, and Pooja Vastrakar. Yes, she has had injury concerns, but theres only one Pooja Vastrakar in the country. Thats exactly why we saw a bidding war for her. UP Warriorz were very interested, but RCB knew what they wanted, and they secured her. In my opinion, its a tremendous addition, said Chopra on JioHotstar. Also Read: Live Cricket Score They will play matches in Navi Mumbai before going to Vadodara, and I believe the kind of wickets they will get there will complement this combination. Overall, this squad looks well-balanced for RCB, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

Kohli Edges Nearer To Dethroning Rohit As The No. 1 ODI Batter

ODI Player Rankings: Virat Kohlis twin centuries and an unbeaten half-century in the recently concluded ODI series against South Africa have helped him make additional progress in the latest ICC Men's ODI Player Rankings and get closer to replacing teammate Rohit Sharma as the No. 1 ODI batter. Kohli has not attained the No.1 ranking since Pakistans Babar Azam overtook him in April 2021. However, he is now nearing the top position again, thanks to his excellent performances at home. The 37-year-old was named Player of the Series for scoring 302 runs in three matches, and he was rewarded with a rise in the latest rankings, moving up two places to second overall behind teammate Rohit. Rohit scored a total of 146 runs throughout the series, securing his position at the top of the rankings. Meanwhile, Kohli narrowed the gap to within eight points, thanks to his unbeaten 65 not out in the series finale in Visakhapatnam. India's upcoming ODIs include a three-match series against New Zealand at home starting from January 11. All attention will be on Kohli and Rohit as they compete to secure the top position in the ODI rankings. Kohli wasn't the only Indian player to see significant improvements in the updated rankings this week; teammate KL Rahul also made notable progress in the ODI rankings for batters. The wicketkeeper-batter climbed two spots to rank 12th overall. Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav was the biggest mover among ODI bowlers, rising three places to third. South African players also advanced in the ODI batter rankings: Quinton de Kock moved up three rungs to 13th, Aiden Markram improved four places to 25th, and Temba Bavuma climbed three spots to 37th, despite India winning a high-scoring series 2-1. The latest T20I rankings see changes after the series opener between India and South Africa, with Proteas young star Dewald Brevis climbing three spots to reach eighth among T20I batters, entering the top 10 overall. Three Indian players improved their T20I bowler rankings after their convincing 101-run win in Cuttack. Axar Patel rose two spots to 13th, Arshdeep Singh climbed three places to 20th, and Jasprit Bumrah moved up six positions to 25th. It's no surprise that Mitchell Starc has leapt in the latest Test Bowler Rankings, climbing three spots to reach third place. This increase is due to his back-to-back Player of the Match awards in the first two Ashes Tests against England. Starc has taken 18 wickets in two matches and is climbing to a new career-high rating, currently holding his best-ever ranking of third as a result. England's decline in form Down Under saw Harry Brook drop two places to fourth in the Test batter rankings. Kane Williamson (second) and Steve Smith (third) each move up one spot behind Joe Root at the top. It's no surprise that Mitchell Starc has leapt in the latest Test Bowler Rankings, climbing three spots to reach third place. This increase is due to his back-to-back Player of the Match awards in the first two Ashes Tests against England. Starc has taken 18 wickets in two matches and is climbing to a new career-high rating, currently holding his best-ever ranking of third as a result. Also Read: Live Cricket Score West Indies pair Shai Hope, who moved up 19 places to reach joint 48th, and Justin Greaves, who rose 16 spots to 60th, improved their positions in the Test batter rankings following their performances on the final day in Christchurch. Meanwhile, veteran fast bowler Kemar Roach advanced five places on the Test bowlers list after taking seven wickets in the match. Article Source: IANS

WPL 2026: Jemimah Leading Delhi Capitals Will Be Fascinating To Watch, Says Aakash Chopra

With Meg Lanning: Former India batter Aakash Chopra believes a possible elevation of Jemimah Rodrigues as captain of Delhi Capitals for the upcoming Womens Premier League (WPL) 2026 season will make for an intriguing storyline. With Meg Lanning roped in by UP Warriorz during last months mega auction, Jemimah is a front-runner to be DCs captain in WPL 2026, especially with team owner Parth Jindal stating that an Indian player will be made the sides skipper. Jemimah had been the vice-captain when Meg captained DC to the WPL finals thrice. Between Marizanne Kapp and Annabel Sutherland, you already have eight quality overs. Weve spoken about Nandini Sharma; she can be the third bowling option. DC have two excellent spinners in Sneh Rana and Shree Charani, and Chinelle Henry adds strong fast-bowling support. With their overseas players, they can easily get ten overs, if not twelve. If Nandini Sharma plays, she gives them even more pace-bowling depth. Their spin attack is already impressive. But the most interesting aspect is how Jemimah Rodrigues captains this side. Weve seen her flourish as a player and as a strong team personality, but this is her first time leading a successful franchise. Its a big elevation and will be fascinating to watch, said Chopra on JioStar. Saba Karim, the former India wicketkeeper-batter and national selector, believes that with the new additions DC have got, they should cross the line if they manage to enter the final, to be played on February 5 at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. For Delhi Capitals, the auction has never been the issue; it is about how they finish the tournament. Despite having match-winners in the line-up, for some inexplicable reason, they havent been able to cross the line in key knockout moments. Can they do it this time? They had a purse of 5.7 crore and worked very intelligently. Saba Karim, the former India wicketkeeper-batter and national selector, believes that with the new additions DC have got, they should cross the line if they manage to enter the final, to be played on February 5 at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. Also Read: Live Cricket Score They clearly want players who can finish games for them, which is why someone like Sneh Rana at No. 8 or 9 becomes important. So, while finishing has been an issue for DC, they have done some sharp work at the auction table, he said. Article Source: IANS

Kohli closes in on Rohit at the top of ODI batting rankings

Mitchell Starc's 18 wickets in the first two Ashes Tests have pushed him up to No. 3 among Test bowlers

Tickner, Rae Shine As NZ Bowl Out WI For 205 On Day 1 In Wellington Test

Kavem Hodge LBW: New Zealand pacers Blair Tickner and debutant Michael Rae delivered an impressive display on the opening day of the second Test in Wellington, dismissing West Indies for 205 inside 75 overs at Basin Reserve. Tickner had been outstanding, taking 4 for 32, with debutant Rae chipping in with three wickets. However, New Zealand finished the day short of a bowler again, as Tickner was stretchered off with a suspected shoulder dislocation 67 overs into the match play. Put in to bat first, the West Indies had a strong start as openers Brandon King (33) and John Campbell (44) built an opening partnership of 66 runs, before Tickner claimed the first wicket, trapping King LBW to end the partnership. He then had Kavem Hodge LBW for an eight-ball duck. Centurion from Christchurch, Shai Hope, came in to bat, but it was Campbell who kept the scoreboard ticking, hitting Rae for three boundaries. At lunch, the West Indies were 92-2. Debutant Rae, who had leaked runs in his first spell in Test cricket, made an impact after lunch. Coming around the wicket, he angled a full ball across Campbell, who leaned into a drive with firm hands and edged to first slip, and WI were 93 for 3. Then, Hope and Roston Chase added a steady 60 off 102 for the fourth wicket, but Tickner struck again with a sharp bouncer to dismiss Hope (48). At 175-4 at tea, it looked like it was the West Indies day, but the course of the contest changed quickly as Tickner and Rae lifted their spirits at the start of the final session. Tickner took his fourth wicket when Roston Chase (29) edged a nip-backer onto his stumps, but a five-wicket haul eluded him as he left the field in the 67th over after injuring himself while diving at fine leg. Soon, Rae had Justin Greaves caught behind for 13, before fellow debutant trapped Kemar Roach LBW for a duck after a smart review, leaving Windies reeling at 184-7. Glenn Phillips and Jacob Duffy then got the rest of the job done as the Windies were bowled out for 205. Tickner took his fourth wicket when Roston Chase (29) edged a nip-backer onto his stumps, but a five-wicket haul eluded him as he left the field in the 67th over after injuring himself while diving at fine leg. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief scores: New Zealand 24/0 in 9 overs (Devon Conway 16*, Tom Latham 7*) trail West Indies 205/10 in 75 overs (Shai Hope 48, John Campbell 44, Blair Tickner 4-32, Michael Rae 3-67) by 181 runs Article Source: IANS

Dinesh Karthik Named Mentor & Batting Coach Of London Spirit Men At The Hundred

London Spirit Men: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, who is also a mentor of reigning IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has been named mentor and batting coach of The Hundred franchise London Spirit. In his first-ever role within a franchise for The Hundred, Karthik's expertise comes from participating in over 250 matches as both a player and a coach in the Indian Premier League (IPL), along with 180 international matches representing India. London Spirits Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, in a statement shared by the franchise, said, Its a pleasure to welcome DK to London Spirit. He is a truly original thinker in our game and his vast experience in short-format and franchise cricket will be invaluable to us. Hes also great fun to work with and brings an infectious energy and enthusiasm to everything he does. The signing of another elite individual with significant stature in the game demonstrates our ambition and the importance we place on ensuring that our players receive the best possible support, Bobat added. London Spirits Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, in a statement shared by the franchise, said, Its a pleasure to welcome DK to London Spirit. He is a truly original thinker in our game and his vast experience in short-format and franchise cricket will be invaluable to us. Hes also great fun to work with and brings an infectious energy and enthusiasm to everything he does. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The new role will be relatively easy for Karthik, who has worked closely with both Bobat and Andy Flower, Spirits head coach, at RCB in the IPL. Article Source: IANS

Dinesh Karthik appointed London Spirit mentor and batting coach

The signing of another elite individual with significant stature in the game demonstrates our ambition, London Spirit director of cricket Mo Bobat says

Angry Over Omission From SMAT Squad, Puducherry Cricketers Brutally Assault U19 Head Coach: Report

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: The Under-19 head coach of the Cricket Association of Pondicherry (CAP), S Venkataraman, was allegedly assaulted by three local cricketers who were angry over their non-selection for the team in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The attack, which occurred around 11 am inside the indoor nets at the CAP complex, resulted in Venkataraman suffering a head injury that required 20 stitches and a fractured shoulder, according to an Indian Express report. Confirming the incident, Sub-Inspector S Rajesh said, Venkataraman received 20 stitches on his forehead, but he is stable. The said players are absconding, and we are trying to track them. Further details will be revealed in due course. An FIR has been lodged at Sedarapet police station. In his complaint, Venkataraman named three local players: senior cricketer Karthikeyan Jayasundaram and first-class players A. Aravinddaraj and S. Santhosh Kumaran, as the assailants. He also claimed that G. Chandran, secretary of the Bharathidasan Pondicherry Cricketers Forum, instigated the trio. According to the report, Venkataraman said in his complaint, Around 11 am on December 8, 2025, I was in the indoor nets inside the CAP complex before Pondicherry senior cricketers Karthikeyan, Aravinddaraj and Santhosh Kumaran came and began to abuse me, insisting that I was the reason for their non-selection in the SMAT (Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy) squad. An FIR has been lodged at Sedarapet police station. In his complaint, Venkataraman named three local players: senior cricketer Karthikeyan Jayasundaram and first-class players A. Aravinddaraj and S. Santhosh Kumaran, as the assailants. He also claimed that G. Chandran, secretary of the Bharathidasan Pondicherry Cricketers Forum, instigated the trio. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The Bharathidasan Pondicherry Cricketers Forum's Senthil Kumaran, however, denied the allegations against Chandran, saying, Venkataraman has a documented history of several cases against him. He has often been known to behave rudely with local cricketers, using obscene language. His grudge against Chandran is also well-known, considering that we have repeatedly raised several issues within the CAP to the BCCI over the last seven years. Article Source: IANS

Allen to miss start of India T20I series if Scorchers reach BBL finals

If Scorchers don't qualify, then Allen should be available for the full series

Mindset Was About Coming Back 'stronger, Bigger And Better': Hardik

New Delhi: After being named Player of the Match in the first T20I against South Africa on Tuesday, all-rounder Hardik Pandya set his sights on larger goals. Fully embracing his comeback, he aims to cherish every moment ahead. Any doubts over his fitness were settled when he demonstrated his form in his first match since the Asia Cup 2025 injury. He delivered an impressive all-round performance, taking 1-16 with the ball and scoring an unbeaten 59 runs, aiding Indias 101-run victory over South Africa in Cuttack and securing a 1-0 lead in the series. You should be a rockstar, come perform for 10 minutes, and the crowd goes berserk. That has been the biggest motivation for me. Life has always thrown a lot of lemons at me, and I always thought that I would make lemonade. Ive always believed that if I dont believe in myself, how will others believe me? My mindset was really about coming back stronger, bigger and better, Hardik said in a video shared by the BCCI. Every time that I walk in, I feel like the crowd has been waiting for this moment. Theyve come to watch me bat. Because I have stood strong, I have done a lot of things with grace. That has helped me become even more confident, back myself, and really trust my skill set. I really believe in myself as a player. Injuries test you mentally as well, and at the same time, it puts you in a lot of doubt, he added. Hardik also credited his girlfriend, Mahieka Sharma, for bringing positivity into his life before confidently stating that his goal is now to pursue bigger ambitions and excel in every opportunity he gets. Every time that I walk in, I feel like the crowd has been waiting for this moment. Theyve come to watch me bat. Because I have stood strong, I have done a lot of things with grace. That has helped me become even more confident, back myself, and really trust my skill set. I really believe in myself as a player. Injuries test you mentally as well, and at the same time, it puts you in a lot of doubt, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Ive been a very honest and very real person in life as well, which has helped me a lot. I dont really sugarcoat a lot of things in my life. Its never about the other person, never about how others think or how others perceive. It is always about how I feel inside. Now its a time where Hardik Pandya just wants to play the sport and enjoy every second on the ground. And yes, bigger and better will be the motto in my life, he added. Article Source: IANS

If World Gets To See What We Discuss, They Can Do 10-part TV Series: Karthik On IPL Auction Prep

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Former India wicketkeeper-batter and current Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) mentor Dinesh Karthik opened up about the intense, high-stakes build-up to the IPL mini-auction, describing the experience as one of the most demanding yet enjoyable phases of his cricketing journey. Speaking about the extensive behind-the-scenes planning, Karthik reiterated how the preparation alone could form a gripping series. In a video shared by RCB on X, he said, If the world gets to see the whole footage of what all we speak and what all we discuss, they can do a mega serial, I feel. They can do a 10-part TV series on it. He detailed the exhaustive preparation that defined the days leading up to the auction, adding, It was the most exhilarating 10 days prior to the auction, the way we prepped. I don't think I've gone through an experience like that. I've played a lot of cricket, but to be in the boardroom discussing what it takes to make a team was the most challenging, most fun, engaging week, 10 days I've had because there was so much prep that went into it. Mo and Andy have a very detailed process that they go through. Karthik emphasised how deeply he enjoyed being part of the strategic core group, despite the long hours. And I thoroughly enjoyed every second of being in that room. At times, it was tiring because we had 12-hour, 14-hour days. I really enjoyed every second. I would do anything to have the same kind of experience in the lead-up to an auction. Comparing the current mini-auction to the mega auction, he admitted the latter offered unmatched excitement. This is a mini auction, very different. I must admit that the week in the lead-up to the mega auction was exciting. Discussing the complexity of player evaluation, he said, So many names, so many skill sets, how are you going to line up the team, giving your inputs, seeing what matters. So many things come into play and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Breaking down the decision-making layers, he added, But it's very interesting, intriguing and mentally challenging because you're assessing various things. A- the skill set. B- what does it take to be part of a team? But most importantly, the auction order. Where does the player come from? Will we bid for him? If we bid, how far we go? What we need to do? So it is a very intricate process, very challenging process and that's the thrill in an auction. Discussing the complexity of player evaluation, he said, So many names, so many skill sets, how are you going to line up the team, giving your inputs, seeing what matters. So many things come into play and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Also Read: Live Cricket Score At the same time, enjoying this whole process because I was looking forward to coming back. Just seeing everybody back together in the ground was such a nice feeling. Last night, to be fair, I didn't sleep much. I was very excited to see Andy, Malo, Mo, all of them together, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

NZ V WI: Tickner Stretchered Off With Suspected Shoulder Dislocation On Day 1 Of Wellington Test

Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell: New Zealand faced another significant injury setback as fast bowler Blair Tickner suffered a suspected dislocation of his left shoulder and was carried off the field on a stretcher during Day 1 of the second Test against the West Indies at Basin Reserve on Wednesday. Tickner was the standout performer on the opening day of the second Test, as he claimed a four-wicket haul but injured himself in the 67th over while attempting to prevent a boundary at fine leg. Chasing a flick from Tevon Imlach, he dived full-length near the rope and stayed down immediately. The medical staff from the New Zealand camp and the venue attended to him on the boundary edge before he was stretchered off. He later left the ground in an ambulance, as per ESPNcricinfo. Tickner's injury comes at a time when New Zealand have already lost Matt Henry, Mitchell Santner, and Nathan Smith for the rest of the Test series owing to their respective injuries. Henry (calf tear) and Smith (side strain) sustained their injuries during the drawn first Test in Christchurch, while Santner (groin) was ruled out before the match. Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell was also ruled out of the second Test after he suffered the injury while batting in the first Test in Christchurch last week. New Zealand made five changes to their XI for the second Test, with Mitchell Hay and Michael Rae making their Test debuts. Hay took the gloves from the injured Tom Blundell, while seamer Rae made his maiden New Zealand appearance in place of the injured Henry. Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and Tickner came in for Smith, Michael Bracewell and Will Young. Tickner's injury comes at a time when New Zealand have already lost Matt Henry, Mitchell Santner, and Nathan Smith for the rest of the Test series owing to their respective injuries. Henry (calf tear) and Smith (side strain) sustained their injuries during the drawn first Test in Christchurch, while Santner (groin) was ruled out before the match. Wicketkeeper Tom Blundell was also ruled out of the second Test after he suffered the injury while batting in the first Test in Christchurch last week. Also Read: Live Cricket Score After the first Test ended in a draw, both teams are searching for their first win in the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Article Source: IANS

'Out-and-out Match-winner' Hardik Will Be Integral To Indias Success At T20 WC: Uthappa

T20 World Cup: Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa was effusive in his admiration for all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who delivered a stellar all-round performance on his return from injury to help the team clinch a 101-run win in the first T20I against South Africa. The all-rounder played an unbeaten 59-run knock off 28 deliveries in the first innings before recording figures of 1-16 in two overs. With a huge win over the Proteas, India made a strong statement early in the series. South Africas innings quickly faded, and the anticipated resistance was absent, due to aggressive bowling from the Men in Blue. The pitch at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack challenged all players except Pandya, who seemed to thrive in the conditions. Here comes a guy returning from a break after an injury, and it doesnt even feel like hes been away. From ball one, it looked like he had never left. The first ball was a six, the third ball was a six, and he raced to a 24-ball fifty. Then he came on to bowl and picked up wickets again, including the crucial one of David Miller, a batter he has dismissed several times, Uthappa said. Calling Pandya an out-and-out match-winner, Uthappa stressed the unmatched balance the all-rounder brings to any side. Here comes a guy returning from a break after an injury, and it doesnt even feel like hes been away. From ball one, it looked like he had never left. The first ball was a six, the third ball was a six, and he raced to a 24-ball fifty. Then he came on to bowl and picked up wickets again, including the crucial one of David Miller, a batter he has dismissed several times, Uthappa said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With India firing in all departments and key players hitting form at the right time, the opening T20I offered an early reminder that they will be among the favourites when the T20 World Cup arrives in 2026. Article Source: IANS

India look to press home the advantage against South Africa after opening bash

No men's internationals have taken place in New Chandigarh, but most of the India players have been here during IPL 2025

India Showed Proteas Exactly How To Play On Sporting Wicket: Dale Steyn

Former South Africa: Former South Africa bowler Dale Steyn broke down Indias clinical outing against the Proteas and analysed the two sides performances in depth, stating that the hosts showed the visitors how to play on a sporting wicket. The Men in Blue signalled serious intent ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup with a commanding performance in the opening T20I of the five-match series against the Proteas. South Africa, playing in conditions that typically favour their strengths, faltered early with the bat, something Steyn found both surprising and disappointing. The Proteas, chasing a target of 176, crumbled for just 74, their lowest-ever total in the format, and lost the game by a massive 101-run margin. Its a tough one. Not tough to decipher how they batted, but certainly a tough pill to swallow because these are conditions youd expect South Africa to be familiar with. At home, theres always a bit of nip and seam, and we actually saw that when they bowled. So youd think the message to the batters would've been: get through the first nine or ten overs, assess, and then go deep, similar to how Hardik played. But it looked like there was a bit of franticness without any real aggression, Steyn said on JioStar. He added that Indias new-ball brilliance set the tone, If India wanted to win, they had to make the new ball talk, and they did. Yes, there were one or two unlucky dismissals, inside edges carrying to the keeper, but that still comes from good bowling in the right areas, trying to drive on the up. Drawing parallels with Englands recent struggles in Australia, Steyn highlighted the dangers of misplaced ultra-aggression, pointing to South Africas inexperience in key situations. And then you see little signs of inexperience, like Brevis taking on Bumrah at the back end. The game was gone, but you still have to pick your battles. Hes the best white-ball bowler in the world. If de Villiers and others couldnt consistently pull that off, youre not going to do it, young man. Wait for your moment, he said. Steyn also weighed in on Suryakumar Yadavs leadership, praising the captains composure and clarity. When you have the backing of your team and feel comfortable in your environment, you can have open conversations with your players. Youre not threatened by your spot or by the captaincy. You put the team first and say, Whats best for the individual? Whats best for the team? Thats the kind of captain everyone wants, someone whos secure, welcoming, and willing to adjust for the greater good, he said of the Indian skipper. Steyn also weighed in on Suryakumar Yadavs leadership, praising the captains composure and clarity. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The former pacer concluded with firm praise for India, stating, Theres a lot to unpack from this game, but credit to India, they played a perfect match. Hardik Pandya batted beautifully, and then they bowled superbly. They showed South Africa exactly how to play on a sporting wicket. Article Source: IANS

Afridi arrives to raise the heat for Brisbane: 'That's why I'm here'

Shaheen Shah Afridi's first game this BBL season will be against Melbourne Renegades, who have Mohammad Rizwan in their line-up

Tickner stretchered off after shoulder injury

The fast bowler hurt himself when he dived full-length in an attempt to prevent a boundary

Pooran declines stumping, Holden retires out - big drama at ILT20

Desert Vipers gained from their tactical decision to retire Max Holden out, going on to win the contest by one run

Ashes: Cummins Returns As Australia Name Squad For Third Ashes Test

Allan Border Field: Australia captain Pat Cummins has moved one step closer to returning to international cricket after he was named in a 15-player squad for the third Ashes Test against England. The pacer is the only addition to the squad that took a 2-0 series lead at the Gabba with veteran batter Usman Khawaja retaining his place in the 15-man group as he tries to earn his place back in the XI following his own injury issue. Cummins, who last played international cricket in the third Test against the West Indies in July, has been training well with the squad in both Perth and Brisbane. He has watched from the sidelines as stand-in captain Steve Smith guided Australia to comfortable eight-wicket wins in both matches. Selectors had even considered bringing Cummins into the squad for the pink-ball Test at the Gabba, as his recovery from a lower-back injury progressed faster than expected. Instead, he ramped up his bowling loads at Allan Border Field, where he simulated match conditions by sending down multiple spells to ensure he would at the peak of his powers ahead of his expected return for the third Test. Head coach Andrew McDonald indicated Cummins could have almost featured in that Brisbane Test and is almost certain to play in Adelaide. We feel as though he (Cummins) will be as best prepared as can be. He was well ahead of where we thought he'd be at and it did create a real live conversation for (Cummins playing in) Brisbane, McDonald said. It was debated a lot leading into that Test match. With that in mind, us seeing him further advanced, we feel he'll be really well placed for the challenges of Adelaide albeit (it's still) a long way off. We feel as though the simulation in the nets has got him skill ready. His body's ready to go. Barring anything else happening in the next week, I'd be expecting Pat to be tossing the coin and putting the blazer on, he added. Cummins return to the squad and expected availability for next Wednesdays match at Adelaide Oval does provide selectors with a tough call on the balance of their bowling attack. Alongside Khawaja, spinner Nathan Lyon is also in line for a return after being left out of the XI in favour of Michael Neser as Australia opted for an all-out pace attack for the pink-ball match. Cummins return to the squad and expected availability for next Wednesdays match at Adelaide Oval does provide selectors with a tough call on the balance of their bowling attack. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Australia squad for third Test: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster Article Source: IANS

Carey expects England to 'refresh the batteries' in four-day Noosa break

If he is available, no doubt the selectors will put him in, Alex Carey says of Pat Cummins, who has been included in the squad for the third Ashes Test

ILT20: Desert Vipers Edge MI Emirates by One Run in Final-Ball Thriller

The Desert Vipers were the victors in yet another thrilling clash, beating MI Emirates by one run at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. The win, which went down to the last ball, was the Vipers fourth-straight triumph of the DP World ILT20 Season 4. The Vipers consolidated their position as the table-toppers with eight points to their name. Defending 159, the Vipers initially struggled to take wickets. The game turned in the 19th over, when David Payne who finished with 4 for 29 claimed three crucial scalps. UAEs Khuzaima Tanveer was also impressive with 2 for 34, as the Vipers showed their composure once again. In the second innings, MI Emirates lost an early wicket when Tanveer dismissed Jonny Bairstow (8 off 7) in the second over. It was Muhammad Waseem (24 0ff 21) and Tom Banton (34 off 29) who steered the MI Emirates through the powerplay with the score at 49/1. They erected a 42-run stand in 31 balls before Tanveer struck again in his second spell of the night to removeWaseem. Banton looked in complete control when Nicholas Pooran (31 off 29) joined him in the middle. The duo looked settled,completing another 42-run partnership, this time in 40 balls. However, Sam Curran sent Pooran back in the 14th over with 62 needed off 36 balls. Banton followed in the next over as Payne bagged his first wicket of the night, bringing the score to 105/4. Tajinder Singh (17 off 7) hit Sam Curran for a couple of sixes that brought MI Emirates ahead of the equation with a 20-run over. Lockie Ferguson then ended Tajinders stayat the crease with his first wicket of the match in the 18th over. Another twist in the penultimate over saw Payne turn the match on its head. First, he got Romario Shepherd (1 off 4), followed by the wicket of skipper Kieron Pollard (23 off 13), who looked in good nick. Chris Woakes (0 off 2) followed in the final ball, meaning that MI Emirates needed 16 runs in six balls to secure the victory. Rashid Khan (13* off 8) could have been the match-winner, hitting a six and a four in the final over, but the MI Emirates couldnt find the two runs needed on the last ball. Batting first, the Vipers started on a promising note, led by Fakhar Zaman (35 off 31). By the end of the powerplay, the Vipers were 51/0, threatening to make their way to a big score. After Andries Gous (21 off 15) retired-hurt,Zaman combined with Max Holden (42 off 37) for a 51-run stand in 37 balls. Allah Ghazanfar then got the breakthrough when Zaman holedout to Tom Banton.Following his wicket, the bowlers kept the pressure on the Vipers, ensuring that boundaries were scarce. Shimron Hetmyer (15 off 9) entered the fray after Holden retired-out and hit the first six of the innings in the 18th over. Soon after, Sam Curran (19 off 19) hit the ball straight into Tom Bantons hands to give Ghazanfar his second wicket of the night. Dan Lawrence (15* off 8) also provided a key contribution towards the end while Hetmyer was scalped by Fazalhaq Farooqi in the final over of the innings as the Vipers finished at 159/4. Match Summary Desert Vipers beat MI Emirates by one run Desert Vipers 159/4 in 20 overs (Max Holden 42, Fakhar Zaman 35, Allah Ghazanfar 2 for 32, Fazalhaq Farooqi 1 for 27) MI Emirates 158/9 in 20 overs (Tom Banton 34, Nicholas Pooran 31, Kieron Pollard 23, David Payne 4 for 29, Khuzaima Tanveer 2 for 34) Also Read: Live Cricket Score Player of the Match:David Payne

Captain Pat Cummins Back In Australia Squad For Third Ashes Test

Australia captain Pat Cummins is in line to return for the third Ashes Test against England in Adelaide after being named in a 15-man squad on Wednesday. Cummins is the only addition to an otherwise unchanged squad from Brisbane, where Australia won by eight wickets to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. The 32-year-old Cummins has been sidelined since the tour to the West Indies in July with a lower back injury. We feel as though he'll be as best prepared as can be, Australia coach Andrew McDonald said. Under-pressure veteran opener Usman Khawaja, who did not play in the second Test because of a back injury, kept his place in the squad for the match, which begins at the Adelaide Oval on December 17. Spinner Nathan Lyon is likely to be back in the side after being left out as Australia opted for an all-seam attack for the day-night match at the Gabba. After Adelaide, the series moves on to Melbourne for the Boxing Day Test with the fifth and final match in Sydney starting on January 4. Australia squad for third Test: Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster Also Read: Live Cricket Score

Hardik shows what he can do when fit and firing

Playing international cricket after two months, Hardik batted as if he had never been away and also chipped in with the ball

NZ opt to bowl; Rae and Hay on Test debut with seven changes across both teams

A side strain to Chanderpaul forced West Indies to bring in King as opener. Phillip and Hodge were the other two additions to the visitors' XI

1st T20I: India Is Having A Great Run, Says Suryakumar After Teams 101-run Win Over South Africa

T20 World Cup: Indias T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav was pleased with the teams performance against South Africa in the first T20I that concluded here at the Barabati Stadium on Tuesday and said that the team was having a great run in the format heading into the T20 World Cup 2026. Put to bat first, India posted 175/6 on board, riding on Hardik Pandyas unbeaten 59, before the bowlers took charge. The pacers and spinners contributed equally towards the victory as the hosts dished out the visitors for a paltry 74, their lowest-ever T20I total. Speaking at the presentation ceremony after the game, Suryakumar praised the batters efforts saying that he had not expected the team to reach a 175-run total at the time when they had been reeling at 48-3 in 6.3 overs. At 48 for 3, and then from there getting to 175 the way Hardik batted, Axar batted, Tilak batted, and in the end Jitesh coming in, chipping in and doing his role, I think it was very important. At first, we thought wed get to 160, but then 175 was unbelievable. With 78 batters, there will be days when 23 batters wont have their day, but then the other 4 batters will cover it up and they did cover it up today. Maybe in the next game youll see someone else covering it up. Thats how T20 cricket goes, and thats how we want everyone to play. We want everyone to be fearless and enjoy their batting. India is having a great run, the skipper said after the match. Speaking at the presentation ceremony after the game, Suryakumar praised the batters efforts saying that he had not expected the team to reach a 175-run total at the time when they had been reeling at 48-3 in 6.3 overs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I think Arshdeep and Bumrah were the perfect bowlers to bowl at the start. The way they were bowling when they won the toss and bowled first, the way the new ball was being bowled by them, I think Arshdeep and Bumrah were the better option. But then Hardik coming in later on, coming back from injury, it was important to take care of him as well. And the way he bowled, Im very happy with it. I mean, batting first, 48 for 3 and then scoring about 9091 runs from overs 7 to 15, and then finishing with 4044 runs in the last five overs to get to 175 I think it was really, really commendable. The way we bowled, the amount of options we had, I think 175 was quite decent, he added. Article Source: IANS

Hardik, Arshdeep crush South Africa to put India 1-0 up

South Africa were bowled out for 74, their lowest T20I score

Ashes: Bazball Yielded A Culture That Lacks Accountability, Says McGrath

New Delhi: Former Australia cricketer Glenn McGrath believes England's Ashes squad lacks accountability and labelled it embarrassing after the visitors lost back-to-back matches and trail five-match series 0-2 against Australia. In the day-night pink-ball Test in Brisbane this week, England were soundly defeated after losing the first Test in Perth from a highly advantageous position due to a fourth-innings century from Travis Head and a batting collapse of their own. England's odds of winning the series in Australia after a 15-year drought are at 02. Not in Australias wildest dreams could they have believed they would be 2-0 up in this Ashes series after playing only six days of cricket, McGrath wrote a coloumn in BBC Sport. There is a lot I like about Englands attitude. I love it when sportspeople play without fear, because that helps them push the boundaries of what is possible, he wrote. McGrath was critical of the visitors; however, he maintains that there have been indications of a troubled culture. Following the public acknowledgement of problems by coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, he anticipates some adjustments. My concern for England was the message of this is the way we play yielded a culture that lacks accountability. I have no problems with what the England leaders said in public at the Gabba. If Stokes and McCullum have been strong in the media, you can guarantee they have been even stronger behind closed doors, the 55-year-old wrote. Will we now see a new version of Bazball? Like I said, I like the element of playing without fear. If England can add the ingredients of pressure and accountability, then they might still be on to something. McGrath also credited Australia for their exceptional performance with the batt and ball. He was full of praise for Mitchell Starc, who continues to deliver with the ball even in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood and leads the bowling chart with 18 wickets and some handy contribution with the bat too. For all that England have been criticised, Australia deserve a huge amount of credit. If England had been told they would play an Australia team without all of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, they would have been rubbing their hands with glee. And yet, Australia pulled off victory in Brisbane with all of their other players standing up. McGrath also credited Australia for their exceptional performance with the batt and ball. He was full of praise for Mitchell Starc, who continues to deliver with the ball even in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood and leads the bowling chart with 18 wickets and some handy contribution with the bat too. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Alex Carey put in an absolute masterclass behind the stumps, possibly the best wicketkeeping performance I've ever seen - and I played with Ian Healy and Adam Gilchrist. Perhaps the biggest revelation for Australia has been the shift in the batting order. Article Source: IANS

1st T20I: All-round Pandya, Bowlers Hand India Thumping 101-run Win Over SA

Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket: Hardik Pandyas all-round performance and cumulative efforts by the bowlers handed India a 101-run victory in the first T20I against South Africa here at the Barabati Stadium. With that, the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the five-game series to start their T20 World Cup 2-26 preparations in style. Defending 176 runs, the Men in Blue got off to a dream start as Arshdeep Singh sent Quinton de Kock packing for a duck off just the second delivery of the innings. Tristan Stubbs looked to get going as soon as he walked into the field, but his stay was cut short by the Indian pacer, who added a second wicket to his kitty in the third over. Markram and Dewald Brevis picked up the momentum quickly without letting the two early wickets affect the game, but a change in bowling, which saw Axar Patel come into the attack inside the powerplay, led to the Protea skipper falling for a run-a-ball 14. Returning to bowl for India after a long gap, Hardik Pandya struck on the very first ball that he delivered and dismissed the dangerous David Miller to get his side another key breakthrough. South Africas batting unit crumbled like a cookie as the Indian bowlers kept picking wickets at regular intervals. Though Marco Jansen provided a ray of hope in the middle by smoking a couple of sixes, Varun Chakaravarthy trapped him and bowled the all-rounder out as the visitors got into further trouble. Bumrah was just one scalp shy of completing 100 T20I wickets and he achieved the feat by dismissing Dewald Brevis in the 11th over and doubled the celebrations by picking Keshav Maharajs wicket in the same over. The Proteas lost their ninth wicket soon, in the 12th over, when Anrich Nortje found his way back to the pavilion, courtesy of Axar. Shivam Dube hit the final nail in the coffin as a fine catch by Abhishek Sharma led to Lutho Sipamlas dismissal. As a result, South Africa were bowled out for their lowest ever score in a T20I, closing their innings with just 74 runs. Speaking of the first innings, Shubman Gills much-awaited return was short-lived as Lungi Ngidi removed him in the opening over, and the pacer struck again to dismiss Suryakumar Yadav, leaving India unsettled early. Captain Suryakumar briefly counterattacked with a six and a four, including his signature supla stroke, before falling to a mistimed shot. Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma steadied the innings to take India to 40/2 at the end of the powerplay, but the openers dismissal to Lutho Sipamla halted the momentum. The middle overs dragged as Varma and Axar Patel struggled for fluency before the former perished scoring 26 off 32. Axar offered support, but the innings truly hinged on Pandyas commanding knock. The all-rounder struck six boundaries and four sixes, lifting Indias total with an assertive finish. Cameos from Shivam Dube and Jitesh Sharma added vital late runs in the closing stages. On a pitch that turned even routine strokes into laboured efforts, Pandya produced an innings of uncommon quality. With the surface gripping and the ball refusing to come on, Indias top order found fluency hard to locate; both Tilak Varma and Axar Patel promised more than they ultimately delivered. South Africa tightened the screws through Lungi Ngidis triple strike and Marco Jansens miserly overs, picking off batters just as partnerships seemed to settle. Amid that struggle, Pandya appeared almost untouched by the conditions. He shifted gears with clarity and confidence, seizing the initiative and swinging the contest back into balance. His knock has kept India firmly in the hunt despite everything the pitch and the South African bowlers threw at them. On a pitch that turned even routine strokes into laboured efforts, Pandya produced an innings of uncommon quality. With the surface gripping and the ball refusing to come on, Indias top order found fluency hard to locate; both Tilak Varma and Axar Patel promised more than they ultimately delivered. South Africa tightened the screws through Lungi Ngidis triple strike and Marco Jansens miserly overs, picking off batters just as partnerships seemed to settle. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: India 175/6 in 20 overs (Hardik Pandya 59*, Tilak Varma 26; Lungi Ngidi 3-31, Lutho Sipamla 2-38) beat South Africa (Dewald Brevis 22, Tristan Stubbs 14; Axar Patel 2-7, Arshdeep Singh 2-14) by 101 runs. Article Source: IANS

Allrounder Bulbulia to lead SA in Under-19 World Cup

South Africa have been placed in Group D, where they will face West Indies, Afghanistan and Tanzania

1st T20I: Hardik Pandyas Unbeaten 59 Powers India To 175

With Shubman Gill: Hardik Pandya was the star of the show as the host managed to post 175 runs on the board, riding on the all-rounders unbeaten half-century, against South Africa in the first T20I of the five-game series here at the Barabati Stadium. With Shubman Gill making a much-anticipated return after recovering from an injury, all eyes were on him. However, Lungi Ngidi cut his innings short and the vice captain walked back in the first over of the game, scoring just four runs off two deliveries. South Africa got an early breakthrough, and their celebrations doubled when the pacer picked Suryakumar Yadavs wicket in the third over. The Indian captain looked in great touch as he notched up a six and a four, including his trademark supla shot, to get things going. However, a mis-timed shot led to the opposition skipper Aiden Markram taking a fine catch over mid-on. Opener Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma then sailed through the powerplay as India reached 40/2 in six overs. Abhishek looked in good touch and had found the momentum, but Lutho Sipamla got the better of him shortly after the powerplay, giving his side a crucial breakthrough. The next few overs were sluggish as Varma and Axar Patel struggled to find boundaries and juggled between singles and doubles. While the former did hit an 89-meter long six off Anrich Nortje in the 10th over, he couldnt convert his knock into a big innings and was eventually dismissed scoring 26 runs in 32 deliveries. Axar Patel played a handy knock while forming partnerships with Varma and Pandya, but it was the Baroda cricketer who stood out during the first innings. Pandya took on the bowlers confidently and notched up six fours and four maximums, giving his best till the final delivery. Shivam Dube and Jitesh Sharmas innings was short but impactful as they contributed 11 and 10 runs in the limited time they spent on the field. Pandyas clutch knock anchored Indias innings as the team rose from 50/3 to finish at 175/6 at the end of their 20-over quota. Pandya took on the bowlers confidently and notched up six fours and four maximums, giving his best till the final delivery. Shivam Dube and Jitesh Sharmas innings was short but impactful as they contributed 11 and 10 runs in the limited time they spent on the field. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: India 175/6 in 20 overs (Hardik Pandya 59*, Tilak Varma 26; Lungi Ngidi 3-31, Lutho Sipamla 2-38) against South Africa. Article Source: IANS

Mukidul Islam five-for, Iqbal Hosen ton drive Rangpur Division to NCL title

They secured the title after defending champions Sylhet could only draw their match against Barishal

Olly Riley to lead Ireland at 2026 Under-19 World Cup

Ireland are in Group A, along with Australia, Japan and Sri Lanka

Teenagers Kamalini and Vaishnavi receive maiden India call-ups for Sri Lanka T20Is

Radha Yadav, Yastika Bhatia and Sayali Satghare, who were part of the previous T20I squad that played against England, have been left out

Gill and Hardik return for India after South Africa opt to bowl

Both teams picked four seam options with Nortje returning for his first international game since last year's T20 World Cup final

Kamalini, Vaishnavi Included As India Announce 15-member Squad For Sri Lanka T20Is

Sri Lanka T20Is: After a match-winning performance against South Africa in the Women's ODI World Cup final, Shafali Verma rejoins the Indian team for the five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka starting on December 21. The 15-person team includes G. Kamalini and Vaishnavi Sharma, both of whom played for India in the Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup. Smriti Mandhana has been named Harmanpreet Kaur's deputy in the leadership department as the latter leads the Women In Blue in the series against Sri Lanka. The Women's Selection Committee has picked Indias squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka Women, BCCI said in a statement. The team also includes other members of the recent World Cup-winning squad, as the selection committee has named Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, and Renuka Singh Thakur. The team's two wicketkeepers are Richa Ghosh and Kamalini. Indias five-match T20I series will begin on 21st December in Visakhapatnam, which will also host the second game on 23rd December. The action will then shift to Thiruvananthapuram for the final stretch, with the third T20I scheduled on 26th December, followed by the fourth on 28th December and the series finale on 30th December. The two venues will share the spotlight as India round off their year with a back-to-back contest in the shortest format. The team also includes other members of the recent World Cup-winning squad, as the selection committee has named Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, and Renuka Singh Thakur. The team's two wicketkeepers are Richa Ghosh and Kamalini. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Indias squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Harleen Deol, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, Renuka Singh Thakur, Richa Ghosh (WK), G Kamalini (WK), Sree Charani, Vaishnavi Sharma Article Source: IANS

Perfectly Fine Physically And Mentally Feeling Ready, Says Gill Upon Returning To Indian T20I Squad

Indian T20I: Shubman Gill, Indias vice captain for the five-game T20I series against South Africa, said that his body was feeling perfectly fine heading into the series as he made a return to international cricket after recovering from a neck injury. Gill sustained a neck injury during the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata last month and underwent rehabilitation before being cleared by the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Following Indias 2-1 ODI series win over South Africa on Saturday, head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed Gills readiness for the five-match T20I series. The 26-year-old was then named in the playing XI for the series opener and will open the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma while also taking on the leadership responsibilities as skipper Suryakumar Yadavs deputy. Speaking to Murali Kartik, one of the members of the commentary and presentation panel for the series, before the start of play here in Cuttack, Gill said that he is mentally ready to get back to the grind. Body feels perfectly fine. I spent a bit of time at the CoE and perfectly fine physically and mentally feeling ready, Gill said. The 26-year-old was then named in the playing XI for the series opener and will open the innings alongside Abhishek Sharma while also taking on the leadership responsibilities as skipper Suryakumar Yadavs deputy. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Speaking of the game, South Africa won the toss and asked the hosts to bat first. Gill, however, couldnt make a mark on his return and was dismissed cheaply, scoring just four runs off two deliveries. After hitting Lungi Ngidi for a four off the first ball he faced in the match, the Protea pacer got the better of the Indian opener and dismissed him on the next ball as India were reduced to 5-1 just three balls into the game. Article Source: IANS

Latham: NZ20 a 'great initiative' and will be 'hugely beneficial' for us

Test captain says he would much rather have our own competition in the summer than see his compatriots play in overseas T20 leagues

1st T20I: Gill, Pandya Return As South Africa Elect To Bowl Against India

T20 World Cup: South Africa won the toss and elected to bowl first against India in the first T20I of the five-match series here at the Barabati Stadium. The series will pose as an ideal one for both teams as they begin their preparations for the T20 World Cup 2026. The hosts arrive hoping to carry their momentum from their previous T20I series, where they defeated Australia. They've received a boost with the addition of Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya, who mark their return to international cricket after recovering from their respective injuries. Meanwhile, the visitors see this as a chance to bounce back after losing the recently concluded ODI series against India 2-1. For the first time in the venues varied history, a red-soil surface has been prepared, bringing with it the usual uncertainties of an untested wicket. Still, as India work toward finding the ideal blend of personnel and balance ahead of the 2026 World Cup in FebruaryMarch, the team should welcome these conditions, especially with comparable pitches likely to feature during the tournament. Protea skipper Aiden Markram, upon winning the toss, spoke of the teams preparations, combination and the conditions on offer as he said, We're going to bowl first. Expecting conditions to be good here in India. Quite a bit of dew around, might be a constant throughout the game but might get a bit worse later. (Quick turnaround time between formats) It's the way things work, lot of the games end up playing in the mind, need to get yourself in the right frame of mind. Fantastic build-up to the World Cup. From a conditions point of view, it's going to be great. You cant simulate these, certainly not back in South Africa, so thats a massive thing. And then obviously testing yourself against one of the better outfits in the world. Looking forward to that, seeing where we are. And weve got another couple of months after this to fine-tune things and hopefully be ready for that World Cup. India captain Suryakumar Yadav said the team was happy to bat first and will take the defence as a challenge. When asked about the teams preparations and his view on the playing conditions, he said, We were a little confused looking at the wicket. Yesterday it was looking a little more greener, but today we were a little confused. But its okay, were happy to bat first. It gives a good challenge to put runs on the board and come out here and defend. I mean, see, it (dew factor) becomes a little challenging for the bowlers - you cant run away from the fact. But going from here on, I think thats going to remain for a really long time. It has been there for a very long time. So if we keep focusing on that, I think the main job will be in trouble in doing that. But yeah, lets not think about it and have it as a challenge. We had a good series in Australia. Now we play five T20s against South Africa and then we play against New Zealand, so 15 good T20s. I think its good preparation. Same thing what weve been doing in the last few series: be fearless, enjoy the game, and be at it for the next three hours. It (selection) is a very good headache to have, he added. Speaking of the team combination, Suryakumar mentioned the players missing out of the XI, saying, The guys missing out are Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana. Playing XIs: Speaking of the team combination, Suryakumar mentioned the players missing out of the XI, saying, The guys missing out are Sanju Samson, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar and Harshit Rana. Also Read: Live Cricket Score South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje Article Source: IANS

Mack, Mills, King star as Scorchers set up Challenger with Sixers

Stars' season ended on Tuesday night at the WACA with four straight losses

There Is No Other Player Like Hardik Pandya In Indian Team, Says Sanjay Bangar

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar highlighted all-rounder Hardik Pandya's role ahead of the T20I series against South Africa, kicking off on Tuesday, saying that there was no other player like him. After missing two months owing to a quadricep injury sustained during the Asia Cup, Pandya is returning to the Indian side and is anticipated to feature in the playing XI against South Africa in the forthcoming T20Is. India's T20 World Cup 2026 preparations will begin with the series against the Proteas, with the first game set to be played in Cuttack. Look at all the all-rounders in world cricket now. Does England have a backup for Ben Stokes? No. In one-day or even Test cricket, there is no backup for Ravindra Jadeja. It is the same with Hardik Pandya. He (Pandya) can command a spot in the top five on his batting alone. He could also be one of the top three seamers in any team if he was just a bowler, Bangar told JiosStar. The point is, to be that kind of all-rounder, you must earn your place with your batting and also with your bowling. There is no other player like Hardik Pandya in the Indian team, he added. Look at all the all-rounders in world cricket now. Does England have a backup for Ben Stokes? No. In one-day or even Test cricket, there is no backup for Ravindra Jadeja. It is the same with Hardik Pandya. He (Pandya) can command a spot in the top five on his batting alone. He could also be one of the top three seamers in any team if he was just a bowler, Bangar told JiosStar. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We need to see how he copes. Playing in the SMAT (Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy) is different from the intensity of an international game. The team management must manage the workload of important players like him. So, if needed, we must do that for Hardik too. A fit Hardik Pandya allows the team to play its desired combination, especially with the spin options we have. Thats why his presence is critically very vital, he said. Article Source: IANS

Uthappa, Steyn, Morgan Join SA20s Commentary Panel For Season 4

Joburg Super Kings: SA20 is preparing to enhance its renowned broadcast for Season 4, introducing a prestigious commentary team with leading figures in international cricket. Robin Uthappa, a highly regarded voice in Indian T20 cricket, rejoins the panel, joined by global cricket legends Dale Steyn and Eoin Morgan. As SA20 prepares for another exciting season, audiences can expect expert analysis, compelling storytelling, and detailed insights from a team of analysts with decades of international experience in the commentary booth. Adding Steyn, regarded as the top fast bowler of his era, and Morgan, the visionary leader behind Englands transformation in white-ball cricket, greatly enhances the analysis of all 34 matches. Their inclusion offers fans an unmatched perspective on fast-bowling techniques, leadership choices, team strategies, and crucial match moments. Uthappa, who previously served on the broadcast panel, remains involved with SA20. His insights, developed through extensive experience in the IPL, international cricket, and various global T20 leagues, provide a valuable perspective during critical batting moments, pressure scenarios, and momentum swings. Leading the global effort are prominent figures such as former England captain Kevin Pietersen, the skilful Indian batsman Robin Uthappa, and cricket voice Mark Nicholas. They are complemented by a legendary panel of Proteas icons who are deeply familiar with local conditions. At the forefront is AB de Villiers, widely recognised as one of the most potent and destructive T20 hitters ever. He is supported by JP Duminy's strategic insight, Ashwell Prince's batting skill, Chris Morris's all-round ability, and Vernon Philander's precise bowling. Season 4 will once again showcase a mix of world cricket legends, popular South African stars, and experienced broadcasters, ensuring that every aspect of the game, from strategic insights to boundary-side energy, is presented with depth and style. Keeping the action lively and full of energy are the likes of Natalie Germanos, Mpumelelo Mbangwa, Kass Naidoo, Mark Butcher, Nikhil Uttamchandani, Lesego Pooe, Motshidisi Mohono, and Kriya Gangiah. Together, this vibrant and diverse line-up guarantees fans worldwide receive top-notch analysis, engaging stories, and unrivalled entertainment throughout the competition. The SA20 continues to grow as one of the most thrilling T20 leagues globally, delivering elite cricket to fans across six vibrant host cities: Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Paarl, Centurion, and Gqeberha. The six competing teams will showcase their sporting skill and entertainment in a spectacular battle. Durban's Super Giants Joburg Super Kings MI Cape Town (Season 3 - 2025 Champions) Paarl Royals Pretoria Capitals Paarl Royals Also Read: Live Cricket Score Fans in India can watch every moment of SA20 Season 4 live on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network, starting from December 26. Article Source: IANS

New Zealand vs West Indies, 2nd Test - Who will win today NZ vs WI match?

NZ vs WI, 2nd Test, Cricket Tips: The first Test between New Zealand and West Indies in Christchurch has etched itself in the history book. West Indies produced one of the best batting displays in the second innings and batted for 163.3 overs and scored 457/6. Justin Greaves scored an unbeaten 202, and Shai Hope and Kemar Roach also showed their great determination. That draw helped West Indies get going in the World Test Championship 2025-27. New Zealand would be unhappy with the result, but they dominated the game until West Indies produced something spectacular. The action will be back as the second test is all set to begin at 3:30 AM IST on Wednesday at Basin Reserve. NZ vs WI: Match Details Date : December 10-14 (Wednesday-Sunday) Time : 03:30 AM IST Venue : Basin Reserve, Wellington NZ vs WI: Live Streaming Details Indian fans can watch the live action of the second test on Sony Sports Networks. The live stream of the game will be available on the Sony LIV or FanCode apps or websites. NZ vs WI: Head-to-Head in Test Total Matches : 50 New Zealand : 17 West Indies : 13 No Result : 20 NZ vs WI: Ground Pitch Report Basin Reserve offers a green top and fast wicket. It is a paradise for the fast bowlers. The weather will also play well here, which will bring seam and swing throughout the game. Still, batting first will be a good choice at this venue. NZ vs WI: Possible XIs New Zealand : Devon Conway, Tom Latham (c), Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell (wk), Will Young, Michael Bracewell, Nathan Smith, Zakary Foulkes, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy West Indies : John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Alick Athanaze, Shai Hope, Justin Greaves, Roston Chase (c), Tevin Imlach (wk), Kemar Roach, Johann Layne, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields NZ vs WI: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Rachin Ravindra scored the most runs for New Zealand in the first game and is in good form. For West Indies, Shai Hope has been the one to watch out for. Probable Best Bowler Jacob Duffy has been firing on this tour and ended with 8 wickets in the first game. For West Indies, Kemar Roach bowled good spells and took seven wickets in the game. Today Match Prediction : West Indies showed a great fight, but still the edge will be towards New Zealand. Hence, we predict New Zealand to win the second test. NZ vs WI 2nd Test, Today Match NZ vs WI, NZ vs WI Prediction, NZ vs WI Predicted XIs, Injury Update of the match between New Zealand vs England Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.

Judoka Ritik Sharmas KIUG Triumph Fuels His 2026 CWG Dream

Atal Bihari Vajpayee Indoor Hall: Since relocating to the SAI National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Bhopal six years ago, Ritik Sharmas career has experienced a rapid ascent. The young Punjab-born judoka once again highlighted his progress with a commanding performance at the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) Rajasthan 2025. Competing in his fourth KIUG at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Indoor Hall in Udaipur, Ritik, representing Lovely Professional University (LPU), secured his third gold medal, adding to his existing bronze. What made the victory more meaningful was the way he bounced back from a recent setback. Flying straight to Udaipur after a first-round exit at the Asian Open Championships in Hong Kong, Ritik wasted no time dwelling on the disappointment. Instead, he channelled the lessons from his overseas trip into a composed, confident performance, overcoming familiar rival Yash Ghangas in the mens +100kg final. The rivalry between Ritik and Yash dates back to their teenage years. The two first competed in the final of the 2020 Khelo India Youth Games in Guwahati, and even now, as products of the same NCOE, their matchups remain intensely competitive. There are a handful of judokas in our category, so we have known each other for years now. I beat him for the first time in the Guwahati KIYG, and Im glad that I could get the better of him in KIUG 2025 too, said Ritik, emphasising the need for more international exposure trips. Despite being out in the first round, I have come back with a lot of learnings and positives from Hong Kong. What also matters is the mental aspect of the sport, as such exposure trips help you in understanding how the world and Olympic champions approach the game, their techniques, and sparring with some of the best in the world, he added. Ritiks journey started far from Indias main sporting centres, in Gurdaspur, a remote border district in Punjab bordering Pakistan. Growing up, opportunities were scarce, with few organised sports programmes or training centres available. Yet in 2015, at the age of 14, Ritik found his passion for judo and dedicated himself to the sport with steadfast focus. Born to an ASI in the Punjab Police and the youngest of three siblings, Ritik began his initial training at the renowned Shaheed Bhagat Singh JFI coaching centre, which has produced over 50 international and 100 national-level judokas. The foundation he built there kept him steady even as he faced challenges on the global stage. Ritiks journey started far from Indias main sporting centres, in Gurdaspur, a remote border district in Punjab bordering Pakistan. Growing up, opportunities were scarce, with few organised sports programmes or training centres available. Yet in 2015, at the age of 14, Ritik found his passion for judo and dedicated himself to the sport with steadfast focus. Also Read: Live Cricket Score For Ritik, the lack of quality sparring partners in his weight class remains a major obstacle. However, he continues to push his boundaries and is now aiming for the next significant goal of breaking into the 2026 Commonwealth Games squad. Article Source: IANS

Australia could consider Khawaja for middle-order return

The selectors will have a big call to make after the early success of the Head-Weatherald combination

Proteas Women's Players Make Big Gains In T20I Rankings After Win Vs Ireland

ICC T20I: The race at the top of the ICC Womens T20I rankings has grown even more competitive, with several South African players climbing the charts on the back of a commanding start to their home series against Ireland. Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba has been one of the biggest beneficiaries. Her tidy spells in the opening two matches, yielding three wickets at just over 11 runs apiece, have propelled her four spots up to sixth place among T20I bowlers. The 25-year-old now sits on 705 rating points, edging closer to Australias Annabel Sutherland, who continues to hold the No.1 position with 736 rating points. Mlabas rise is part of a broader upward shift for the hosts after securing a 20 lead in the three-match contest. Nadine de Klerk has climbed to 45th among bowlers following her four-wicket haul across the two games, while Chloe Tryon has vaulted 12 places to 49th. Tryon also advanced in the all-rounders table, moving up seven spots to sit just outside the top 10. Fellow all-rounder Sune Luus made similar progress, jumping nine places to 23rd after a standout run with both bat and ball. Luus has struck 118 runs in two outings, highlighted by an 81, and taken four wickets, lifting her to 41st in the batting rankings as well. There was positive movement for some returning and emerging names, too. Former South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk has re-entered the T20I batting list at 82nd after her comeback to international cricket, while Irelands Leah Paul has pushed up nine places to 67th thanks to a couple of confident innings. Tryon also advanced in the all-rounders table, moving up seven spots to sit just outside the top 10. Fellow all-rounder Sune Luus made similar progress, jumping nine places to 23rd after a standout run with both bat and ball. Luus has struck 118 runs in two outings, highlighted by an 81, and taken four wickets, lifting her to 41st in the batting rankings as well. Also Read: Live Cricket Score As the series heads into its final match, the rankings picture remains fluid, and the momentum is firmly with the Proteas. Article Source: IANS

His Body Just Keeps Letting Him Down: Nasser Hussain On Wood's Injury Setback

T20 World Cup: Former England captain has reflected on Mark Wood's fresh injury setback after the pacer has been ruled out of the remaining Ashes Tests, saying the seamer's body just keeps letting him down. Wood only returned to action in the first Test in Perth after eight months out following knee surgery. The 35-year-old subsequently suffered swelling in the same left knee and was forced to miss the second Test. He will now return home to begin rehabilitation and recovery. It is a huge blow to the team and the individual. The team because you want all your bowlers available, especially going into the final three Tests that are one after another. We have had big gaps so far, but after the third Test, they come thick and fast. England may not have been able to go with Wood and Jofra Archer again, but if Archer needed a rest, Wood could have come in and that is not possible now, Hussain said on Sky Sports. Before the Perth Test, Wood had not played red-ball cricket for England in 15 months due to an elbow injury followed by knee surgery. He is one of the fastest bowlers to ever play for England; Wood has taken 119 wickets in 38 Tests since making his debut in 2015. He was part of the team that won the Ashes in 2015, lifted the 2019 50-over World Cup and was in the England squad that won the T20 World Cup in 2022. It is a huge blow to the team and the individual. The team because you want all your bowlers available, especially going into the final three Tests that are one after another. We have had big gaps so far, but after the third Test, they come thick and fast. England may not have been able to go with Wood and Jofra Archer again, but if Archer needed a rest, Wood could have come in and that is not possible now, Hussain said on Sky Sports. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He has been around for a decade and played 38 Tests. He will be very down at the moment and I hope it's not the last we see of him in Tests. He turns 36 next month and at that age it is very difficult to keep coming back from injuries, Hussain added. Article Source: IANS

'I Came Here With High Expectations...' Wood Expressed Disappointment On Being Ruled Out Of Ashes

ICC Champions Trophy: England pacer Mark Wood has expressed his disappointment ob being ruled out from the Ashes series due to knee injury he suffered during the first Test in Perth, saying he came to the series with high expectations about making a big impact but his knee just hasn't held up. England Cricket have confirmed Wood will return home and will work closely with the ECB medical team on his rehabilitation and recovery. Matthew Fisher has been brought into the squad, having been in Australia with the English Lions. Wood has had recent troubles with his left knee, having sustained the injury earlier this year during the ICC Champions Trophy. The pacer, who has since had a surgery and returned after a nine-month absence following knee surgery for the first Test, had reported pain in his knee during the series opener and was only able to bowl 11 overs during the Test. He then missed out on featuring in Englands lineup for the second Test in Brisbane as the hosts took a 2-0 lead in the five-Test series. Gutted to be out the remainder of the Ashes. After extensive surgery and 7 long, hard months of work and rehab to get back into the Test arena, my knee just hasn't held up, Wood said in his Instagram post. None of us expected this. I came here with high expectations about making a big impact. I'm desperately disappointed that despite yet more injections and intensive medical treatment, it has become clear that the flare up in my knee is worse than feared. I'm really sorry that has left me unable to perform as expected, but it is not for want of trying. I want to thank everyone at home and away in Australia. The barmy army have been class as always and I really appreciate it. None of us expected this. I came here with high expectations about making a big impact. I'm desperately disappointed that despite yet more injections and intensive medical treatment, it has become clear that the flare up in my knee is worse than feared. Also Read: Live Cricket Score For Wood, the setback is yet another chapter in a career repeatedly disrupted by fitness problems. Before the Perth Test, he had not played red-ball cricket for England in 15 months due to an elbow injury followed by knee surgery. Article Source: IANS

Captain SKY, Coach Gambhir And Others Visit Shri Jagannath Temple Ahead Of First T20I

Puri SP Prateek Geeta Singh: India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, along with head coach Gautam Gambhir and other members of the team and support staff, on Tuesday visited the Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri to seek blessings ahead of the opening T20I of the five-match series against South Africa. Apart from captain Suryakumar Yadav, who was accompanied by his wife Devisha Shetty, and head coach Gambhir, batter Tilak Varma, fielding coach T. Dilip, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and other members of the support staff were among those who joined the temple visit. Its really wonderful that the team received gods blessings. Team India will surely succeed. The team manager, the coach, the captain, and the other players seek blessings here, said Rabi Sankar Pratihari, secretary of the Puri District Athletic Association. The members of the team and support staff entered the temple premises amid tight security arrangements as a large crowd of fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the players. Today, the captain, coach, and other members of Team India visited. We made all the necessary arrangements for them from our side. Based on their movement plan, we had alerted all the police stations along the route. Additional security was also deployed at the temple. A ring-round protection team was formed for them, as there are many fans who try to get close to the players, said Puri SP Prateek Geeta Singh. The members of the team and support staff entered the temple premises amid tight security arrangements as a large crowd of fans gathered to catch a glimpse of the players. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The series against South Africa begins Indias final leg of preparations for their title defence in next years T20 World Cup. The likes of Suryakumar, Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Shivam Dube are coming into the series after having a productive time with their respective state teams in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Article Source: IANS

Maddinson eyes comeback with Sydney Thunder in BBL

The left hander underwent treatment for cancer earlier this year but has recently returned to playing

Ashes: Khawaja In Contention For Adelaide Test But McDonald Hints At Batting Reshuffle

Adelaide Test: Australia's veteran opener Usman Khawaja is expected to be back in the mix for the second Ashes Test in Adelaide, though is not necessarily locked in to open. In the Perth series opener, Khawaja was unable to open in Australias first innings after spending extended time off the field with a back complaint during Englands batting. Marnus Labuschagne stepped in initially, but on day two Head capitalised on the opportunity, producing a match-winning Ashes century for the ages. Khawajas most probable return would see him slot back into the opening role, pushing Travis Head down to No. 5, although head coach Andrew McDonald stressed that the openers spot isnt his only option. If Khawaja is recalled, it would most likely come at Josh Inglis expense. We've got a lot of players that are really invested in this series, and they'll do anything for the team, said McDonald on Tuesday. And the assumption is that 'Uzzie' can only open as well I think that he does have the flexibility (to bat elsewhere). We like to think that all our batters have the flexibility to be able to perform anywhere in that order. We've got a collective group of batters there that, as the series wears on, the opposition may create some different challenges for us. So we're open to what it would look like for us moving forward. Khawaja batted at No. 5 when he returned to Test cricket during the 202122 Ashes before moving up to open to make room for Head. McDonald noted that the idea of shifting Khawaja back down the order hasnt been discussed since. We've got a collective group of batters there that, as the series wears on, the opposition may create some different challenges for us. So we're open to what it would look like for us moving forward. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But we're open to what the batting model would look like moving forward should there be any moving parts. Whether Trav opens, whether he goes back to the middle, that will all play out. We're taking it Test by Test. Article Source: IANS

England Pacer Mark Wood Ruled Out Of Ashes Series, Fisher Named Replacement

Mark Wood: England pacer Mark Wood has been ruled out of Ashes with a recurrence of the left-knee injury he sustained in the series opener in Perth. He will now return home to begin rehabilitation and recovery, ECB said on Tuesday. Wood returned after a nine-month absence following knee surgery for the first Test in Perth, managing eight overs before suffering tightness in his left hamstring, though scans later ruled out damage, and he was passed fit to play and had match figures of 0-44 in 11 overs. The 35-year-old pacer was later sent to a specialist after reporting pain in his knee and was ruled out of the second Test in Brisbane. England and Durham seamer Mark Wood has been ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes tour of Australia, following a recurrence of the left-knee injury he sustained during the first Test in Perth earlier this month. Wood will return home later this week and work closely with the ECB medical team on his rehabilitation and recovery, ECB said in a statement. England have called up Matthew Fisher to the squad. The seamer, who has been in Australia with the Lions, will link up with the group this week. Wood will return home later this week and work closely with the ECB medical team on his rehabilitation and recovery, ECB said in a statement. Also Read: Live Cricket Score For Wood, the setback is yet another chapter in a career repeatedly disrupted by fitness problems. Before the Perth Test, he had not played red-ball cricket for England in 15 months due to an elbow injury followed by knee surgery. Article Source: IANS

Mitch Hay To Debut For New Zealand As Tom Blundell Out Of 2nd West Indies Test

Injury-hit New Zealand will give a debut to wicketkeeper Mitch Hay in the second Test against the West Indies in Wellington after Tom Blundell was ruled out on Tuesday. Captain Tom Latham said there could be at least one more debutant for Wednesday's match after his side suffered several injuries in the drawn first Test in Christchurch. Seamers Matt Henry and Nathan Smith are out for the rest of the series after suffering calf and side-strains respectively. Blundell was injured while batting One of seaming all-rounder Kristian Clarke or pace bowler Michael Rae will come in for their first Test appearance. Latham encouraged them to bring their domestic form to the Test arena Sometimes, myself included, when I've come into the squad, you want to come and do something special, Latham said. But at the end of the day doing what they've been doing to get to this point will hold them in good stead. They've been performing really well, this season especially, so hopefully for them they can lean on those experiences. Clarke, a 24-year-old all-rounder, averages 32.93 with the ball and 23.79 with the bat in first-class cricket. While the 30-year-old Rae averages 32.9 with the ball. New Zealand's attack was seriously depleted in Christchurch, leaving Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes to bowl a combined 76 overs in the fourth innings. West Indies captain Roston Chase said his side had gained confidence from saving the game against the odds in Christchurch after being set a record 531 fourth-innings target. Justin Greaves scored an unbeaten 202 from 388 balls alongside number eight Kemar Roach, who dropped anchor for a 233-ball 58. Knowing that we can actually compete and come close, almost having a chance of winning in the first Test match, the guys' spirits are high, Chase said. Greaves and Roach came together with the West Indies in trouble at 277-6 early on the fifth day and batted unbroken for 68 overs to reach 457-6 by the close. Everyone seems ready to go, full of confidence and energy to prove that we can actually go a step further in winning the game, said Chase. I would say that we are on top right now, Chase added of the three-match series Also Read: Live Cricket Score

Wood ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes, Fisher named replacement

Fisher, whose only Test so far came against West Indies in 2022, is already in Australia with England Lions

350 Players To Go Under The Hammer At IPL 2026 Auction On Dec 16

Kolkata Knight Riders: A total of 350 players are set to feature in the IPL 2026 mini auction on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi as the BCCI revealed the Player Auction list for the 2026 season on Tuesday. A total of 1390 players registered for the Player Auction, out of which 350 players were shortlisted. Of the 350 players shortlisted, 240 are Indian and 110 from overseas. The pool comprises 224 uncapped Indian players and 14 uncapped overseas players, adding significant depth and fresh talent to this year's auction roster. Franchises will compete for 77 available slots overall, including 31 spots reserved for overseas players. As many as 40 players have listed themselves at the maximum base price of Rs 2 crore, with Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi being the only two Indians among them. Earlier, a total of 173 players have been retained, across teams, including 49 overseas players. A combined purse of Rs 237.55 crore will be available at the auction for a total of 77 player slots. South African wicketkeepers Quinton de Kock and George Linde, and Sri Lanka's Dunith Wellalage, who were not part of the longlist, have been included in the final list. Earlier, a total of 173 players have been retained, across teams, including 49 overseas players. A combined purse of Rs 237.55 crore will be available at the auction for a total of 77 player slots. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Australia's Cameron Green has been tipped to become the most expensive buy at the upcoming IPL auction as both KKR and CSK, who have the highest purses, are expected to put in strong bids for the allrounder. Article Source: IANS

NZ's Blundell Ruled Out Of Second Test Against WI, Mitchell Hay To Debut

Mitchell Hay: New Zealand wicketkeeper batter Tom Blundell has been ruled out of the second Test against the West Indies, starting Wednesday at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. NZC said that Mitchell Hay is set to be the first wicket-keeper to make a Test debut for New Zealand since 2017. Two other potential debutants in Kristian Clarke and Michael Rae have been named in the 14-man squad for the second Test. Speaking on Hay, head coach Rob Walter said. Mitch is a young cricketer whos already contributed well to the white-ball side. He also has an excellent record at First-Class level with Canterbury. Having him come into a Test squad is a great moment in his career and were really excited to see him play his part. Speaking on the new bowlers, Walter said, Kristian and Michael are both identified players of interest with great ability, and have both been good performers for their domestic sides over the past few years. They both have good skill with the red-ball, and theres a great opportunity for them to show that skill for us at the highest level of the game. New Zealand will be bolstered by the return of Glenn Phillips for the second in Wellington. After recovering from a groin injury, Phillips played the first two Plunket Shield fixtures for Otago, scoring 130 runs at an average of 43, and taking nine wickets at an average of 33. New Zealand will be bolstered by the return of Glenn Phillips for the second in Wellington. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (c), Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Michael Rae, Rachin Ravindra, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young Article Source: IANS

Injured Hazlewood Ruled Out Of Ashes, Cummins Set For Comeback

Coach Andrew McDonald: Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood will miss the rest of the series after suffering an injury setback while Pat Cummins appears certain to captain Australia in the third Test in Adelaide. Coach Andrew McDonald confirmed on Tuesday that Hazlewood, who sustained a hamstring strain while bowling in the Sheffield Shield last month and then suffered a setback when he hurt his Achilles last week, would not feature against England this summer. Hazlewood will instead focus on recovering in time for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup that commences on February 7. Really flat for him. A couple of setbacks that we didn't see coming. We thought he'd play a huge part in the series. But really feel for him that he won't get that opportunity,McDonald told reporters on Tuesday. Cummins, who was close to returning on overs restrictions in Brisbane after his recovery from a lower-back injury, progressed quicker than expected and is almost certain to feature in the third Test. There won't be any match opportunities for Pat (before Adelaide) and this is something we've done with Pat before long-ish layoffs, where we've put some time and effort into rebuilding his body, said McDonald. He was out at Allan Border Field whilst everyone was at the Gabba; he simulated pretty much what a match will look like out there with multiple spells. So we feel as though he'll be as best prepared as can be. He was well ahead of where we thought he'd be at and it did create a real live conversation for (Cummins playing in) Brisbane. It was debated a lot leading into that Test match. With that in mind, us seeing him further advanced, we feel he'll be really well placed for the challenges of Adelaide albeit (it's still) a long way off. Meanwhile, veteran spinner Nathan Lyon has been tipped to be back for the final three Tests too after being overlooked for the pink-ball match at the Gabba. Two of Boland, Michael Neser and Brendon Doggett are now likely to miss in Adelaide, giving Australia at least some fresh pace reinforcements for the final two Tests. Meanwhile, veteran spinner Nathan Lyon has been tipped to be back for the final three Tests too after being overlooked for the pink-ball match at the Gabba. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Now obviously we've got a big inclusion coming in and I think that'll be announced tomorrow officially that Pat will be back in the squad so that obviously creates a different balance to our attack, said McDonald. Article Source: IANS

'Not A Place For Weak Men': Ben Stokes Demands More From Under-Fire England

England captain Ben Stokes has demanded his players toughen up after another embarrassing defeat to Australia left the Ashes hanging by a thread, making clear the team is not a place for weak men. Two Tests into the five-match series and England are reeling, crashing by eight wickets in both Perth and Brisbane and waking Monday to yet more fierce criticism. Facing an almost impossible task to win the last three Tests to regain the Ashes, Stokes wants to see more fire from his players. There is a saying that we have said a lot here -- Australia is not for weak men, Stokes told the BBC. A dressing room that I am captain of is not a place for weak men either. Stokes was particularly critical of England crumbling in pressure moments, in contrast to Australia who have been able to dig deep and get the upper hand. Do we need to start thinking about what mentality we are taking into those pressure moments? Stokes said. When we are on top we are great and when behind the game we are also very good but when that moment is neck and neck we are not coming out on top on enough occasions. Australian media had a field day at England's expense with headlines including Humiliated, Humbled and Bazball in Ashes, referring to the aggressive style favoured by Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum that has failed so far. Former England great Geoffrey Boycott was scathing in his assessment. Brisbane was a horror show: irresponsible batting, bowling too short, too wide or too full and catches dropped, he said in a newspaper column. With this sort of batting and bowling, they couldn't win an egg cup, let alone the Ashes urn. - Beach break - England have more than a week to regroup before the must-win third Test in Adelaide on December 17, where Australia are set to be strengthened by the return of skipper Pat Cummins. But a scheduled four-day mini holiday on the beach at tourist playground Noosa after two crushing defeats may not be the best look. Stokes defended the decision, saying it was important for players to decompress. We have been here four weeks and they have been pretty full on, he told reporters. As physical as this game is, a huge part of it is also the mental side of it. I know that. I have experienced that. I know what the game can do to you when things aren't quite feeling right or going well. Trust me when I say it is so, so important for teams to be able to go away as a team and almost put the pressures aside for a couple of days, he added. Adding to England's woes, McCullum has been slammed for suggesting the team trained too much in the lead-up to the day-night clash in Brisbane. Following the Perth defeat, England opted against putting their first-choice players into a pink-ball tour game in Canberra and instead had five intense sessions in the Brisbane nets. I actually feel like we over-prepared to be honest, he said. I think the boys just need a few days off and we probably need to change up a few of the training methods. In response, England great Kevin Pietersen said on X: Leading into this Test match, I think we over-prepared. Crikey, Baz, while Darren Gough added: Over-prepared my arse. Also Read: Live Cricket Score

IPL 2026 auction - De Kock added in 350-player shortlist, Green part of first set

Forty players have listed themselves at INR 2 crore, with Venkatesh Iyer and Ravi Bishnoi being the only Indians among them

Australia Quick Josh Hazlewood Ruled Out Of Ashes After Injury Setback

Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was on Tuesday ruled out of the rest of the Ashes against England following an injury setback. Coach Andrew McDonald told reporters that Hazlewood, who missed the first two Tests, had suffered problems in recovering from hamstring and Achilles injuries and would sit out the remaining three matches. Really flat for him. A couple of setbacks that we didn't see coming, McDonald said. We thought he'd play a huge part in the series. But really feel for him that he won't get that opportunity. Hazlewood will now aim to be fully fit for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, which begins in February. Fellow fast bowler Pat Cummins looks certain to return as captain when Australia look to wrap up the series in next week's third Test in Adelaide. The 32-year-old Cummins has been sidelined since the tour to the West Indies in July with a lower back injury. McDonald said that Cummins had come through a match-like workload in training last week and was ready to play. This is something we've done with Pat before with longish layoffs, where we've put some time and effort into rebuilding his body, said McDonald. He simulated pretty much what a match will look like out there with multiple spells. So we feel as though he'll be as best prepared as can be. Mitchell Starc, who leads the bowling charts with 18 wickets in the first two Tests, had battled a left side niggle at the Gabba but would be fit for Adelaide, said McDonald. Also Read: Live Cricket Score

Desert Vipers Beat Gulf Giants in ILT20s First Super Over Thriller

The Desert Vipers held their nerves to prevail in the first-ever Super Over of the DP World ILT20, beating the Gulf Giants at the Dubai International Stadium. Sam Curran (44 off 36) and Dan Lawrences (56 off 31) partnership ensured the Vipers tied the scores, despite a challenging target of 180. The Vipers have overcome the Giants in each of their previous five encounters. Azmatullah Omarzai bagged four wickets for the Giants, but it was not enough to down the Vipers and stop them from their third straight win off the season. The lower-order batters of the Vipers also scored crucial runs in a comprehensive effort. In the first innings, the Gulf Giants started on the front foot, with Pathum Nissanka (56 off 29) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (41 off 31) taking 14 runs off Naseem Shah in the opening exchanges. The aggressive opening pair raced to a 50-run stand inside five overs and powered the Giants to 58 in the powerplay. Nissanka continued his rich vein of form, bringing up his third half-century in as many games, off just 27 balls. He struck Noor Ahmad for his fourth six of the innings, but the Afghan spinner had the final say, dismissing him off the very next delivery to end the 73-run opening stand. Gurbaz then took charge, with James Vince providing solid support through a key 25 runs off 22 balls. Their 54-run partnership was broken by Khuzaima Tanveer, who removed Vince before sending Gurbaz back two balls later. The Giants were 129/3 at the end of the 14th over. The Giants bowlers fought their way back into the contest thereafter. Noor picked up his second wicket by dismissing Azmatullah Omarzai (20 off 13), while David Payne removed Moeen Ali (11 off 11). With only 38 runs coming from the final five overs, the Giants finished on 179/5. Omarzai made early inroads for the Giants by dismissing Fakhar Zaman (1 off 9). Mark Adair struck soon after, removing Andries Gous (11 off 9), leaving the Vipers struggling at 14/2 early in the chase. Sam Curran and Impact Player Max Holden (15 off 15) attempted to steady the innings, but Haider Razzaq provided the third breakthrough by sending Holden back. At the halfway mark, the Vipers were 65/3, still needing 115 runs for victory. Curran then joined forces with Dan Lawrence as the pair began to find regular boundaries. Curran played a pivotal knock of 44 off 36 balls, including one four and three sixes, before falling to Nuwan Thushara. The 60-run partnership with Lawrence brought the Vipers back into contention. Lawrence reached his half-century in just 28 balls, but Omarzai turned the game again in the 18th over, dismissing Shimron Hetmyer (16 off 8) before removing Lawrence. Hasan Nawaz chipped in with a quick 11 off 4, but Thushara claimed his second wicket of the innings. With 13 needed off the final over, Tanveer struck Omarzai for a six, but a brilliant catch by Gurbaz ended the UAE batters stay. Vriitya Aravind then found the gaps to level the scores and force a Super Over. In the Super Over, the Vipers went on to score 13, with Lawrence finding the boundary once, before Thushara got his wicket. Meanwhile, Naseem Shah kept his cool and closed out the win for the Vipers after restricting the Giants to just nine runs. Match Summary Desert Vipers beat Gulf Giants in the Super Over Gulf Giants 179/5 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 56, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 41, Khuzaima Tanveer 2 for 23, Noor Ahmad 2 for 47) Desert Vipers 179/9 in 20 overs (Dan Lawrence 56, Sam Curran 44, Azmatullah Omarzai 4 for 32, Nuwan Thushara 2 off 33) Super Over Desert Vipers (Dan Lawrence 10, Shimron Hetmyer 3*, Nuwan Thushara 1 for 13) Also Read: Live Cricket Score Gulf Giants (Moeen Ali 5*, Tom Moores 1*, Naseem Shah 0 for 9) Player of the Match:Dan Lawrence