Cricket News

3rd Test: Conway Says NZ Aimed To bat Big And Well After Whirlwind Innings Against WI

Opener Devon Conway: Devon Conway explained that New Zealands plan after opting to bat first in the third Test against the West Indies was clear from the outset, saying that the side aimed to bat big, bat well, and give our bowlers an opportunity to bowl in the fourth innings. After winning the toss, New Zealand chose to bat first, a decision they had not taken in a home Test since 2011. By stumps, the hosts were firmly in control at 334 for 1, with Tom Latham dismissed late in the day for 137 and Conway unbeaten on 178. The opening duo vindicated New Zealands bold call to bat first on a green top surface, putting on a commanding 323-run opening stand on Day 1. Conway said the decision to bat first was made collectively once the team finalised its playing XI. Speaking after the conclusion of Day 1, he said, Once we made the decision that we were going to go with Jazzy (Ajaz Patel), we decided that we were collectively going to have a bat first, Conway said. Mentally, I really knew that we were going to bat. It was a guaranteed bat day because I had a feeling that they would have seen a green wicket, and with the make-up of their bowling attack, they probably wanted to bowl first. The early stages, however, were far from comfortable. West Indies made full use of the conditions, and Conway admitted he struggled to find rhythm. In the first 15-20 overs, they seemed to be bowling in really good areas and moving the ball quite a lot. I was constantly fighting myself throughout that first hour. Funny enough, I spoke to Tom Latham at lunch, and I said I almost felt like I forgot how to bat after that first hour Just everything felt really awkward. The trigger, its just part of the game, batting...That happens every now and then, but I just try to remind myself just to get through that, he mentioned. As the day wore on, batting became noticeably easier. The ball softened, the pitch quickened, and Conway and Latham began to dominate. Conway struck 25 fours in an innings built on patience and controlled aggression. I think it was a combination of two things. The ball got a little bit softer, a little bit older, and the wicket actually sped up a little bit. It offered up some good scoring opportunities for myself and Tom, he said. Staying positive was key to cashing in. One of my things is to play with freedom, play with a positive mindset, keep looking to score. I just try to remind myself to do that, particularly after lunch. If they miss, I want to capitalise and put them under pressure. The innings comes at an important time for Conway, who has struggled for consistency in recent months, with two-thirds of his previous 39 Test innings ending before he reached 30. However, he downplayed any personal pressure. I just try and remind myself to just keep doing that - dont worry about the runs. Just keep focusing on doing a job for the team and doing a role. Im pretty happy that it turned over for me today, but Ive just got to keep focusing on being present and just, as I say, doing a role for the team, he said. Conway also reflected on the challenges of opening the batting, particularly in New Zealand conditions. It is a very underappreciated job around the world, not just here. Yeah, it has been a tough ride. Quite often, you rock up day one of a Test match, and you see its pretty green, he stated. He was quick to praise his opening partner. Already mentally you think, well, its going to do bits here on this pitch. I think a lot of credit needs to go to a guy like Tom Latham, whos played 90-odd Tests, and hes done so well. I think hes scored his 15th Test century, and a lot of those centuries have been here in New Zealand. Discipline, Conway noted, remains non-negotiable. I think youve just got to try and remind yourself to get yourself into a good position and look to score because there is probably a ball with your name on it here in New Zealand. Youve just got to be disciplined. Conways top Test score is still the double century he made on his debut at Lords. He will resume on day two, just 22 runs shy of that achievement, but milestones are not at the front of his mind. Discipline, Conway noted, remains non-negotiable. I think youve just got to try and remind yourself to get yourself into a good position and look to score because there is probably a ball with your name on it here in New Zealand. Youve just got to be disciplined. Also Read: Live Cricket Score For now, his focus is straightforward. I just want to go out there, stay in the process ball by ball, and just keep doing my thing - building a partnership with others at the other end. Article Source: IANS

Siddle three-for, all-round Stoinis give Stars a winning start

Stoinis complemented his two-for in the first innings with an unbeaten 31-ball 62 in the chase

Josh Inglis confirms wedding plans will minimise his IPL availability

Inglis is set to get married in early April, with the IPL set to run from March 26 to May 31

Shubman Gill Will Continue To Lead The Team For Many Years: Gujarat Titans Director

Indian Premier League: Gujarat Titans chairman Jinal Mehta and director Shaan Mehta reflected on Shubman Gills leadership in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and assured that the young batter will continue to lead the franchise for many years to come. Gill moved to the Gujarat Titans in 2022 after a stellar IPL start with Kolkata Knight Riders from 2018 to 2021, where he was their highest run-scorer in 2020 and 2021. His pivotal contributions helped GT win the IPL 2022 title, and he followed that with a record-breaking IPL 2023 season, where he scored 890 runs with four centuries. Subsequently, Gill was appointed as the Gujarat Titans (GT) captain ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. In his first season as captain, GT finished eighth in the table. However, he was retained as captain for the 2025 season, during which the team qualified for the playoffs and finished third in the standings. I think GT spotted Shubman's batting talent and his leadership capabilities early on. He has done wonderfully well for both GT and India, Jinal said in an interview with the IPL after the mini-auction. Shaan added, The team bonding that has happened over the last few years continues, and Shubman continues to lead us going forward for many years to come. In the mini-auction held on Tuesday, GT strengthened their squad with five new additions: West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder, England wicketkeeper-batter Tom Banton, Indian fast bowler Ashok Sharma, England left-arm pacer Luke Wood, and uncapped Indian speedster Prithvi Raj. Sharing the perspectives on the squad assembled in the mini-auction, Jinal added, We came into the auction with our core in place, and we made minimal changes to our squad. We changed only five players. We came in with very specific requirements. We needed a couple of fast bowlers, an all-rounder, and a middle-order batter. We're happy with the outcome and have achieved all of our objectives. I think we have achieved what we wanted. We welcome all of these new signings and look forward to the next season. We have made it to the playoffs three times in the four seasons that we have played, including winning in our inaugural season and being runners-up in the second season. We're looking forward to building on this journey with the squad that we have in place. I think we will have a great season. We needed a couple of fast bowlers, an all-rounder, and a middle-order batter. We're happy with the outcome and have achieved all of our objectives. I think we have achieved what we wanted. We welcome all of these new signings and look forward to the next season. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Having assembled a strong squad with a good mix of experienced cricketers and young talents, the 2022 champions will be aiming to clinch their second IPL title. Article Source: IANS

Wanted to 'bat big' - Conway on his 323-run opening stand with Latham

The opener says it was a collective decision to bat first on a green pitch

'IPL Is All About Promoting Our Young Talents', Says BCCI Secy Saikia After Uncapped Players Earn Big In Auction

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia: BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia expressed delight over uncapped players earning big in the Indian Premier League (IPL) mini-auction, saying the tournament continues to serve its core purpose of providing a platform for young and emerging talent across the country. Uncapped players emerged as the biggest talking point of the auction, with franchises spending significant sums to secure promising domestic performers. Delhi Capitals made headlines by signing Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Dar for Rs. 84 crore, while five-time champions Chennai Super Kings invested heavily in youth by roping in Rajasthan cricketer Kartik Sharma and Uttar Pradesh all-rounder Prashant Veer for Rs. 14.20 crore each. Reacting to the developments, Saikia said he was pleased to see franchises backing players based on their domestic performances and giving opportunities to talent from across the country. I'm extremely happy because some uncapped players of India from various states, from their domestic performances, the franchises are picking up. You can take the example of that guy from J&K, Auqib Dar, another from UP (Veer) and one from Rajasthan (Kartik). So this is precisely what the IPL is all about, that we have to promote our young talents. Reacting to the developments, Saikia said he was pleased to see franchises backing players based on their domestic performances and giving opportunities to talent from across the country. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Saikias comments highlight the IPLs increasing role as a stepping stone for domestic cricketers, providing both financial stability and exposure as they work towards a bigger aim of representing their country on the global stage. Article Source: IANS

India vs South Africa, 5th T20I - Who will win today IND vs SA match?

IND vs SA , 5 th T20I , Cricket Tips :Both teams and their fans were disappointed after the fourth T20I in Lucknow was called off due to excessive fog. Everyone expected a tight contest, but every effort went in vain. Now, these two sides move to Ahmedabad. The final game will kick off at 7 PM IST on Friday. This contest will be held at Narendra Modi Stadium. India have an excellent record at this venue and have won five of the seven T20I played here. Shubman Gill is likely to get fit and will be hoping to get into form at his favorites venue. South Africa would also like to use this opportunity, because this is the same stadium where they will kick off their campaign for the T20 World Cup 2026 after a couple of months. IND vs SA: Match Details Date : December 19, 2025 (Friday) Time : 7:00 PM IST Venue : Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad IND vs SA: Live Streaming Details Fans can enjoy the live action of the final T20I on the Star Sports Networks. Fans can also catch the game on the Jio Hotstar live streaming platforms. IND vs SA: Head-to-Head Total Matches : 35 India : 20 South Africa : 13 No-Result : 02 IND vs SA: Ground Pitch Report The wicket at Narendra Modi Stadium is considered a good batting surface. Batters can thrive here because of the bounce this wicket has. The new ball will do a bit early on, which will be a challenging phase. But the wicket is expected to settle down with time, and chasing will be better. IND vs SA: Possible XIs India : Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy South Africa : Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Donovan Ferreira, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman IND vs SA: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Abhishek Sharma is the most dangerous Indian batter, purely because of the way he bats and takes the game forward. Quinton de Kock also possesses an aggressive batting approach and can take the game away. Probable Best Bowler Arshdeep Singh can set the tone with the new ball. He has among the best numbers within the power play. For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi has done well in different phases of the game. Today Match Prediction : India have an excellent record in Ahmedabad, and they are also in good form. Hence, we predict India to beat South Africa in the final game. IND vs SA Match 5th 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.

Told Aniket If You Get Selected, I Will Also Get In, Says SRH's Newest Recruit Shivang Kumar

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Manifestation met reality for Madhya Pradeshs left-arm wrist-spin all-rounder Shivang Kumar when Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) picked him in the IPL 2026 auction at his base price of Rs 30 lakh. The move to rope him in by SRH reunites Shivang, who bats right-handed and is capable of producing big hits, with best friend and Madhya Pradesh teammate Aniket Verma, who was one of the finds for the franchise in a disappointing 2025 season. First of all, I am very excited to play for SRH. Its a team of my teammate and best friend Aniket Verma. With me now going to his team, there is also this excitement feeling because I told him last year that if you get selected, then I will also get selected in it. So, a lot of things have been manifested. At that time (when the auction was on), I was in the room. My friend came and told me that 'bhai, you have been selected'. So, I felt very good, said Shivang in an exclusive conversation with IANS. Shivang, 23, had trials with multiple franchises before the auction and that was enough to tell him that he will be a part of the IPL for the first time. Before the auction, I went to trials of Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals. So, I got a good response from them. SRH also called me twice, but unfortunately, I could not go as at that time, I was in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The other time, it got cancelled for some reason. But the trials were quite good and there was a good response everywhere. SRH showed their trust in me and I am feeling good. Shivang views playing in IPL 2026 as his gateway to fulfilling his ultimate goal: playing for India. IPL is a launching pad for an uncapped player to the Indian team. So, as per my skills, I think SRH will like me a lot. I do both batting and bowling, so I can be very useful for the team. I have heard a lot about Murali sir (Muttiah Muralitharan). He talks a lot about cricket. So, it will be good to talk to him as well because I also talk mainly about cricket, he added. It also helps that Shivang sees Aniket as a huge source of motivation and belief to leave his mark in the IPL, after SRH scouts noticed his rare bowling skillset and penchant for hitting big shots. Because of Aniket, we felt that we can also do well at this level. Aniket's season was very good and he played very well in SRH for 2-3 innings. So, we also believe that we can also do well at the top. I told Aniket that you have done well there, then I will also do well. So, there was a lot of support from the Madhya Pradesh Premier League because under the lights, we actually play less matches on an international ground. So, the player gets a lot of experience and exposure there on how he will play internationally. The world also watches him - whatever he does, good or bad. So, it is also a benefit that we learn how to deal with it. Growing up in Rewa, a place that has produced notable pacers Kuldeep Sen and Ishwar Pandey, Shivang was first taught about cricket by his father Praveen Kumar, a Chief Ticket Inspector (CTI) in the Railways currently posted in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh. Praveen himself played cricket in Bengal, including the Ranji Trophy, and who harbored dreams of playing for India himself. We used to practice cricket in our MPCA camps in Indore. When I was 22, I went to Rewa. Before that, I used to play in the Gwalior division. Rewa supported me a lot and it was an opportunity for me. Actually, my father put me into playing cricket. He also had a dream that my child should play for India. He also had a dream that he should play. But this dream has been passed on to me. Hopefully, I will be able to fulfill his dream. Seeing him being picked by SRH for IPL left Praveen jubilant. My father is a very positive person. So, he was like, 'Okay, beta, you have been selected. So, learn and go upwards from here. Your ultimate goal is to play for India'. He was also very happy that I was selected for SRH, which is known for a lot of power hitters and are known for their fearless approach and excellent batting. It was Praveen, Shivangs first coach, who transformed him from a right-handed bowler into a left-arm spinner. He taught me batting and actually, I bowled right handed. But he made me a lefty bowler. I do everything from the right hand, but just do bowling from the left hand. So, you can call it his masterpiece, as he made me like this. After I started my cricket under him, I found my way through MP and MPCA supported me a lot. Shivangs journey in the cricketing world wouldnt have happened if the MS Dhoni biopic movie hadnt reignited his passion for the game. When I didn't get selected for the U-14 team, I decided to leave cricket. I didn't play for 5 months. Luckily, I got a chance to watch the movie on MS Dhoni. I had heard a few things about it like when people saw it, they said I gave up on cricket too soon. When my brother told me to watch the movie, saying that it is a very well made film and has an inspiring story, I went to watch it and took a lot of inspiration from Dhoni sir. It made me realise that his life had a lot of struggles and I gave up too fast. I re-started playing cricket and scored 98 in the first match. That made me realise that cricket is in my blood, and that I don't know if I will play at the higher level or not, but cricket cannot leave me, he recalled. Meeting his idol Dhoni sits at the top of Shivangs bucket list. It is every youngster's dream to meet Dhoni sir, especially when there is a match in Chepauk, the atmosphere is different. When he enters, I want to experience that what it is like to be out there. I have heard about it from the rest, but I will definitely want to experience it. The superlative performance in Madhya Pradeshs T20 league propelled Shivang to make his Syed Mushtaq Alit Trophy debut against Hyderabad, where he showed promise with the bat through a crucial knock of 45. But I didn't get a wicket in that game. When I went wicketless against Hyderabad, I spoke to Venkatesh Iyer. He told me not to worry and that I would get a wicket next time. He motivated me a lot. Next up, I got three wickets against Bihar and it felt good, said Shivang. Apart from Iyer, Shivang draws huge inspiration from RCB skipper and India batter Rajat Patidar. Rajat bhaiya is especially an inspiration. His batting is world famous. He is the most stylish batsman. Venky bhaiya has a positive attitude towards youngsters. He comes and makes the environment casual, and that helps in gelling up well with him. He doesn't look like a star and that gives us a feel that he is like our friend. Venky bhaiya gives a lot of support, and inspires me a lot in me wanting to play for India. Apart from Iyer, Shivang draws huge inspiration from RCB skipper and India batter Rajat Patidar. Rajat bhaiya is especially an inspiration. His batting is world famous. He is the most stylish batsman. Venky bhaiya has a positive attitude towards youngsters. Also Read: Live Cricket Score These are big matches and international players are present. I have never played against or with foreigners. How to bowl to them, as well as to big domestic hitters and veterans, it is a different game. So I want to experience it. Article Source: IANS

Ticket Refunds Are The Responsibility Of The State Association (UPCA): BCCI

BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia: After the fourth T20I between India and South Africa was abandoned due to excessive fog and poor visibility, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia said that the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) is the competent authority to oversee a full refund for ticket holders. The abandonment of the match sparked frustration among spectators, who are expecting a refund for their tickets. Under the BCCI's refund policy, spectators are eligible for reimbursement (minus fees) if a match is cancelled or abandoned before a single ball is bowled. That is under the domain of the state cricket association, which is UPCA. So, this games hosting state is the UPCA. So, they will be able to tell you about this, and they are the competent authority. Everything in ticketing is done by the state association, as the BCCI just gives them the hosting rights and all these things are taken care of and are under the domain of the state association, Saikia told IANS on Thursday. Repeated inspections by on-field umpires K.N. Ananthapadmanabhan and Rohan Pandit, along with reserve umpire J.R. Madanagopal, didnt yield the desired outcome as the game was eventually called off at 9.30 pm. Due to the match being abandoned at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, India holds a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, with the fifth and final game set to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday. The abandonment of the fourth T20I has reignited debate over the BCCIs scheduling of international games in winter months, particularly with this series against South Africa seen as a part of vital preparation ahead of the Mens T20 World Cup in February-March. This was the first time a T20I was staged in Lucknow in December, and it now carries the unwanted distinction of hosting Indias first major international match abandoned due to excessive fog. Indias seam-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya was even spotted wearing a mask in the middle, underscoring the severity of fog and the Air Quality Index (AQI), which remained hazardous. The scheduling of fixtures in North Indian winters has long been a contentious issue, and Saikia felt Wednesdays game being abandoned in Lucknow was just an exceptional situation. No, it is a solitary weather situation. Normally we have this kind of weather in the month of January. This time it is quite early, number one, and number two, we had a match in Dharamsala also the other day. Dharamsala is a much colder place. So you cannot predict fog, and rain. Nowadays cricket is a throughout the year annual event for 12, and we have to have the matches. When we saw that there were big disturbances from fog in northern India in the month of January, we already restructured our domestic cricket matches. That's why there is a big gap between Ranji Trophy matches in North India. If you look at our schedule, we have bifurcated the Ranji Trophy matches into two parts. During the first part of January, we are not scheduling any matches in North India from last year onwards, if you follow that. This Lucknow incident is an exceptional weather condition. We had three matches in North India - one in Chandigarh, Dharamshala and one in Lucknow - all are in the same build, he elaborated. Saikia also gave an example of how prior advice on smog affecting New Delhi after Diwali had led to the national capital hosting the second Test against the West Indies in October, instead of the originally decided series opener against South Africa. If we had got any sense that there will be something like this, you can take the example of rescheduling or swapping of the Test match in New Delhi. If you look at the West Indies match, the second Test was played in New Delhi. In fact, the second Test was scheduled to happen in Kolkata. Saikia also gave an example of how prior advice on smog affecting New Delhi after Diwali had led to the national capital hosting the second Test against the West Indies in October, instead of the originally decided series opener against South Africa. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I don't think Lucknow always has this kind of fog at this part of the time. Maybe in the first part of January, it is normal, but we are still in the second or third week of December. We still have 15 days time to be in that situation. That is one of the tough things we saw yesterday, and for this, we cannot have any kind of rescheduling, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

'Snicko needs to be sacked' - Aussies fume in latest controversy

Hosts incensed as Jamie Smith surives review after Alex Carey's reprieve on day one

Australia Rip Through England on Day Two of Third Ashes Test

A pumped-up Australia ripped through England's fragile batting Thursday to leave the tourists staring down the barrel of a third Test defeat with their Ashes campaign on the brink, barring a miracle. At stumps on a sweltering day two, the visitors had ground to 213-8, trailing by 158 after Australia added 45 to their overnight 326-8 as temperatures soared to 40 Celsius. A gutsy Ben Stokes was a weary not out 45 after facing a marathon 151 balls in searing heat with Jofra Archer on 30 in a Test England must win and on a pitch ideal for batting. He's worn out as you can imagine, said England batting coach Marcus Trescothick of Stokes. Lots of cramping, he's struggling to get the fluids in. He's struggling to get the carbohydrates in as he says he feels pretty sick. He's pretty broken in there at the moment. The captain's mood was not helped by another suspect decision by the Snicko technology, but at least his brave knock -- including a blow to the helmet off Mitchell Starc -- helped his side avoid the follow-on. Australia lead the five-match series 2-0 and will retain the urn if they win or draw after back-to-back eight-wicket thumpings in Perth and Brisbane. Opening pair Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley saw off the early overs from Starc and Pat Cummins. But it was a mirage with England losing three wickets for five runs in a 15-ball blitz, the latest chapter in a familiar tale. Cummins first tempted an edge from Crawley, on nine, to wicketkeeper Alex Carey in the Australian skipper's first Test since July after lower back issues. - 'Nice to contribute' - Then in a stroke of genius, he brought on spin king Nathan Lyon, who was controversially left out for the pink-ball second Test at the Gabba. Lyon grabbed two wickets in a sensational opening over with a hapless Ollie Pope (3) flicking to Josh Inglis at midwicket before he bowled Duckett for 29. Nice to contribute and finally get into the series, said Lyon, who admitted being filthy at being dropped for the second Test. I just had to bowl good balls and do the basics well, added Lyon, whose 564th Test wicket moved him past fellow Australian Glenn McGrath and into sixth on the all-time list. There's no secret to what I do, just bowl in the right areas. (For) our fast bowlers to get them eight down in 68 overs is a pretty big effort. Joe Root edged Scott Boland to Carey but a review showed it did not carry. England's most experienced player failed to capitalise and was gone in the third over after lunch to Cummins, with Carey collecting another edge. It was the 12th time Cummins has dismissed Root -- more than any other bowler. With the Ashes on the line, Stokes showed what he called a bit of dog and he barely flinched when a Starc bouncer thudded into the back of his helmet. But he lost a succession of partners, the first when Cameron Green removed Harry Brook, again caught by Carey. - More Snicko confusion - Jamie Smith departed for 22 when Carey took what Australia claimed was a faint bottom edge off Cummins. Snicko showed a small spike despite a gap between bat and ball, with Stokes shaking his head in disbelief as Smith trudged off. Carey;s day one century on his home ground had been shrouded in controversy over a Snicko error when he was on 72 and given not out. England failed to have the decision overturned on review with replays showing a noise spike well before the ball reached his bat. Carey later conceded he likely edged the delivery from Josh Tongue and the technology operator admitted to an error. In my view it's not good enough, Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg said of the technology before play started on Thursday. We're hoping to get some answers so we can be assured it won't happen again. Scott Boland quickly removed Will Jacks (6) and Brydon Carse (0)before Archer dug in with Stokes to see out the day. Earlier Starc plundered five quick fours before being bowled by Archer for 54. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Lyon and Boland then piled on the pain in a 23-run last-wicket stand before Lyon was trapped lbw for nine by Archer, who ended with 5-53 as Australia posted 371.

Ashes: Cummins, Lyon Lead Australia's Dominance On Day 2 Of Adelaide Test

Skipper Pat Cummins: Skipper Pat Cummins (3-54) and Nathan Lyon (2-51) led a dominant bowling show at the Adelaide Oval, reducing England to 213/8 in reply to their 371 on Day 2 of the third Test here on Thursday. England appeared to be in a strong position after claiming the two wickets required to bowl Australia out for 371 on the second morning, but the visitors were reduced to 213-8, trailing Australia by 158 runs. Starc and Nathan Lyon started from where they left off on Day 1 and took their overnight score of 326-8 to 344 in just two overs into the first session. Courtesy of his boundary-hitting spree, Starc reached his half-century off just 73 deliveries. He sent the ball away for a four on the first ball that he faced after scoring a half-century, but Jofra Archer had the last laugh as the Aussie pacers impressive knock came to an end on the 75th delivery that he faced. While Lyon showcased nerves of steel and put forth a strong defensive game, Scott Boland kept the run-scoring going and found boundaries at regular intervals. However, the spinners wicket in the 92nd over, off Archers delivery, brought the curtains down on the Australian innings as the hosts closed with 371 runs on board. With that final nail in the coffin, Archer also completed his fourth five-wicket haul, his third against Australia. In response, England openers started positively, with Ben Duckett appearing more confident than Zak Crawley. Pat Cummins took a crucial wicket in the eighth over as Crawley was caught behind. After the opening partnership was broken, Lyon made an immediate impact in his first over, dismissing Ollie Pope and then trapping Duckett, just two balls later, with a superb delivery. With this, he surpassed Glenn McGrath's record of 563 wickets and now ranks as Australia's second-highest wicket-taker in Test history. England found some respite after a controversial call led to Joe Root surviving a scare as he stitched a 29-run stand with Harry Brook, but Cummins finally had him edging one to Alex Carey behind the stumps in the 17th over of the innings. Skipper Ben Stokes then put on a show as he once again looked to anchor the innings and got decent support from Harry Brook, but the duo failed to score big as the opposition bowlers kept things tight with their bowling. Brook fought hard for his 45, but Cameron Green got the edge as the former found his way to the dugout. What followed was absolute drama as controversial sequences involving Englands Jamie Smith unfolded, raising doubts over the Snicko technology and umpiring. Cummins bowled a short ball that struck Smiths helmet and popped to slip, but replays showed no bat or glove contact and the catch had bounced, resulting in a not-out decision despite a Snicko spike. Starc criticised Snicko on the stump mic, dubbing it as the worst technology and calling for it to be sacked. Shortly after, Smith was controversially given out when another short ball carried to Alex Carey. Although replays showed a clear gap between bat and ball, a Snicko spike persuaded third umpire Chris Gaffaney, leaving the English skipper furious. Stokes showed resistance alongside Archer after Scott Boland dismissed Will Jacks and Brydon Carse for cheap scores, courtesy of some brilliant glove work by Carey. Shortly after, Smith was controversially given out when another short ball carried to Alex Carey. Although replays showed a clear gap between bat and ball, a Snicko spike persuaded third umpire Chris Gaffaney, leaving the English skipper furious. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: England 213/8 (Harry Brook 45, Ben Stokes 45*; Pat Cummins 3-54, Nathan Lyon 2-51) trail Australia 371 (Alex Carey 106, Usman Khawaja 82, Mitchell Starc 54; Archer 5-53) by 158 runs Article Source: IANS

Australia have the urn in their sights as England self-destruct again

Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer fight for England with the bat but with a deficit of 158 runs and just two first-innings wickets left, they are staring at another poor result

England Ashes Dreams On Life-Support As Australia Rip Through Batting

A pumped-up Australia ripped through England's fragile batting Thursday to leave the tourists staring down the barrel of a third Test defeat with their Ashes campaign on the brink, barring a miracle. At stumps on a sweltering day two, the visitors had ground to 213-8, trailing by 158 after Australia added 45 to their overnight 326-8 as temperatures soared to 40 Celsius. A gutsy Ben Stokes was not out 45 after facing 151 balls with Jofra Archer on 30 in a Test England must win and on a pitch ideal for batting. They were not helped by another suspect decision by the Snicko technology, but at least avoided the follow-on. Australia lead the five-match series 2-0 and will retain the urn if they win or draw after back-to-back eight-wicket thumpings in Perth and Brisbane. Opening pair Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley saw off the early overs from Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. But it was a mirage with England losing three wickets for five runs in a 15-ball blitz, the latest chapter in a familiar tale. Cummins first tempted an edge from Crawley, on nine, to wicketkeeper Alex Carey in the Australian skipper's first Test since July after lower back issues. - Lyon strikes - Then in a stroke of genius, he brought on spin king Nathan Lyon, who was controversially left out for the pink-ball second Test at the Gabba. Lyon grabbed two wickets in a sensational opening over with a hapless Ollie Pope (3) flicking to Josh Inglis at midwicket before he bowled Duckett for 29. Joe Root was fortunate to survive in the next over when he edged Scott Boland to Carey, but a review showed it did not carry. England's most experienced player failed to capitalise and was gone in the third over after lunch to Cummins, with Carey collecting another edge. It was the 12th time Cummins has dismissed Root -- more than any other bowler. With the Ashes on the line, Stokes needed to show what he called a bit of dog and he barely flinched when a Starc bouncer dangerously hit the back of his helmet. He was given the all-clear and set about rescuing the innings before Cameron Green was introduced just before tea and Carey took another catch to remove Harry Brook. Jamie Smith settled in but departed for 22 when Carey took what Australia claimed was a faint bottom edge off Cummins. The Snicko showed a small spike despite a gap between bat and ball, with Stokes shaking his head as Smith trudged off. On day one, Carey starred with an emotional century on his home ground, but it was shrouded in controversy over a Snicko error when he was on 72 and given not out. England failed to have the decision overturned on review with replays showing a noise spike before the ball reached his bat. Carey later conceded he likely edged the delivery from Josh Tongue that was caught behind and the technology operator admitted to an error. In my view it's not good enough, Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg said of the technology before play started on Thursday. We're hoping to get some answers so we can be assured it won't happen again. Scott Boland removed Will Jacks (6) and Brydon Carse (0) before Archer dug in with Stokes. The hosts resumed on the back of Carey's 106 and a gritty 82 from Usman Khawaja, with Starc on 33 and Lyon yet to score. Starc plundered five quick fours before being bowled by Archer for 54. Lyon and Boland then piled on the pain in a 23-run last-wicket stand before Lyon was trapped lbw for nine by Archer, who ended with 5-53. Also Read: Live Cricket Score

Ahmedabad welcomes India, SA for final hurrah of epic tour

With the series still alive, SA need a win to share the T20I series honours

Rashid, Naveen Star as MI Emirates Pull Off Seven-Run Heist

MI Emirates stunned the Dubai Capitals with a seven-run victory at the Dubai International Stadium on Wednesday, defending a modest total of 137/8. Jonny Bairstows half-century provided the backbone of the innings amidst impressive performances from Mustafizur Rahman and Muhammad Jawadullah. In response, the Capitals were comfortably placed in the chase before Rashid Khans two-wicket haul led the heist for the MI Emirates. The result took MI Emirates to six points and saw them replace the Capitals in third place on the DP World ILT20 Season 4 points table. Muhammad Rohid made an early dent on the Capitals with the wicket of Leus De Plooy (4 of 11) but Shayan Jahangir (34 off 27) and Jordan Cox (46 off 41) batted with intent. Jahangir thumped three sixes while Cox also worked three boundaries to post 51 runs inside the powerplay. The pair put the Capitals in control, but a scoring lull following the powerplay forced the wicket of Shayan Jahangir, outfoxed by Rashid Khan. Rovman Powell (11 off 10) joined Cox as the run-rate declined. The pair had put on a near run-a-ball 25-run stand until Rashid Khan had Powell stumped in the 13th over. Dasun Shanaka (3 off 5) was the next to depart, castled by Kamindu Mendis to leave the Capitals at 94/4 in 14 overs. The Capitals lost a third wicket in the span of six runs when Jimmy Neesham (0 off 3) was run-out. Though the well settled Cox was still in the middle, the run-rate was on the climb, and eventually Capitals needed as many as 30 runs off the final three overs. In the penultimate over Naveen-ul-Haq dismissed Cox and Mohammad Nabi (12 off 13) in the span of three balls to deliver a fatal blow to the Capitals run chase. The Capitals lost three more wickets, including a run-out in Romario Shepherds final over as they were skittled for 130. In the first innings, MI Emirates kept wickets intact in the powerplay, but tight new-ball spells from the Dubai Capitals limited Muhammad Waseem (17 off 19) and Jonny Bairstow (67 off 40) to 40 runs in the opening six overs. After David Willey scalped Waseem in the seventh over, Bairstow and Nicholas Pooran (8 off 16) combined for a 48-run partnership. Bairstow provided the impetus smashing Mohammad Nabi for a four and two consecutive sixes on his way to a 30-ball half century, studded with eight fours and three sixes. Capitals Jawadullah was instrumental in shifting momentum, accounting for Pooran and Bairstow in his first two overs, giving away only seven runs and leaving the MI Emirates at 99/3. Kieron Pollard (6 off 8) and Kamindu Mendis (10 off 7) fell in quick succession to Haider Ali and Waqar Salamkheil, before Mustafizur Rahman ripped through the middle and lower order, dismissing Tom Banton (5 off 11), Rashid Khan (1 off 3) and AM Ghazanfar (0). Also Read: Live Cricket Score Romario Shepherd (18 off 10) remained unbeaten with a six and a four as the MI Emirates posted 137/8.

Pakistan Name Farhan Yousaf-led Squad For U19 World Cup

ICC U19 World Cup: Farhan Yousaf will continue to captain Pakistan U19 as the 15-member squad, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been named for the upcoming tri-series in Zimbabwe and the ICC U19 World Cup. The tri-series, featuring Afghanistan, Pakistan, and hosts Zimbabwe, will take place from December 25 to January 6. It will serve as preparation for the ICC U19 World Cup, which will be held in Namibia and Zimbabwe from January 16 to February 6. Both tournaments will be contested in the 50-over format. Pakistan U19 are currently competing at the ACC U19 Asia Cup in Dubai, where they are scheduled to face Bangladesh in the semi-final on Friday, after finishing second in Group A. The final of the eight-team tournament will be held on Sunday. There is only one change to the squad named for the Asia Cup, with right-arm fast bowler Umar Zaib replacing left-arm spinner Mohammad Huzaifa for both the tri-series and the U19 World Cup. Right-arm pacer Ali Raza, who shone at the 2024 edition of the tournament, has been selected for the upcoming event as well. Just 15 at the time, Razas 4 for 34 against Australia in the semi-final nearly led Pakistan to a memorable victory. The pacer took nine wickets in just three games at the tournament. Pakistan squad: Farhan Yousaf (captain), Usman Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Subhan, Ahmed Hussain, Ali Hasan Baloch, Ali Raza, Daniyal Ali Khan, Hamza Zahoor (wk), Huzaifa Ahsan, Momin Qamar, Mohammad Sayyam, Mohammad Shayan (wk), Niqab Shafiq, Sameer Minhas and Umar Zaib Non-traveling reserves: Abdul Qadir, Farhanullah, Hassan Khan, Ibtisam Azhar and Mohammad Huzaifa Tri-series fixtures: December 25- Zimbabwe v Afghanistan, Harare Sports Club December 27 - Afghanistan v Pakistan, Harare Sports Club December 29- Zimbabwe v Pakistan, Prince Edward December 31- Zimbabwe v Afghanistan, Sunrise Sports Club January 2- Pakistan v Afghanistan, Sunrise Sports Club December 31- Zimbabwe v Afghanistan, Sunrise Sports Club Also Read: Live Cricket Score January 6- Final, Old Hararians Sports Club Article Source: IANS

Worst Technology': Starc Calls For Snicko To Be 'sacked After Controversial Umpiring In Adelaide Test

Skipper Ben Stokes: Controversial umpiring at the Ashes persisted even on Day 2 of the ongoing third Test here at the Adelaide Oval as Australian pacer Mitchell Starc expressed his frustration and opined that the snicko technology needs to be sacked. Pat Cummins bowled a sharply directed short ball that climbed awkwardly on Smith, forcing him to hop and fend it defensively. The ball popped up towards first slip, where Usman Khawaja dived forward, prompting a loud Australian appeal for a catch. The on-field umpire referred the decision upstairs amid doubts over bat or glove contact and whether the catch carried. Replays showed the ball had struck Smiths helmet, not his gloves, despite a Snicko spike. It also bounced before reaching Khawajas hands, leading to an eventual not-out verdict. Amid the snicko controversy, Starc, during a discussion with the umpire alongside his teammates, was heard on the stump mic saying, Snicko needs to be sacked. That's the worst technology there is They made a mistake the other day and made another today. Just a few balls later, England faced another setback, with the Snicko meter in the spotlight after Jamie Smith was controversially declared out. Skipper Ben Stokes was left fuming after the third umpires decision, despite replays showing a clear gap between bat and ball, raising questions about the reliability of Snicko technology. Australian captain Pat Cummins banged in a short delivery to the England wicketkeeper, who attempted a pull but failed to make solid contact. The ball carried through to the catcher, prompting on-field umpire Nitin Menon to send the decision upstairs to check if the take was fair. Just a few balls later, England faced another setback, with the Snicko meter in the spotlight after Jamie Smith was controversially declared out. Skipper Ben Stokes was left fuming after the third umpires decision, despite replays showing a clear gap between bat and ball, raising questions about the reliability of Snicko technology. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Although video replays showed a clear gap between bat and ball, Snicko registered a spike shortly after the ball passed the bat, which ultimately influenced the third umpires decision. Article Source: IANS

Conway, Latham Smash 323-Run Opening Stand in 3rd Test vs West Indies

Devon Conway and Tom Latham plundered a poor West Indies attack Thursday for a mammoth opening partnership on day one of the third Test in Mount Maunganui as New Zealand piled up 334-1. Conway ended the day 178 not out and captain Latham was out just before the close for 137. The pair put together 323, the second highest opening partnership for New Zealand, only bettered by Glenn Turner and Terry Jarvis's 387 stand against the West Indies in Georgetown in 1972. It was also only the eighth time New Zealand had registered a stand in excess of 300 in Tests. Conway batted all day facing 279 balls for his second century of the calendar year, but his first at home since January 2022 against Bangladesh in Christchurch. He scored 153 against Zimbabwe in August. Nightwatchman Jacob Duffy was on nine at the close of play. The 34-year-old Conway brought up his sixth Test century from 147 balls, and stroked 25 fours during his 279-ball stay. Latham's 15th Test century contained 15 fours and a six as he faced 264 balls. Conway and captain Latham had a near chanceless partnership. For the first two sessions the West Indies toiled without so much as a single lbw shout. Early in the third session they finally created a chance, but Latham was dropped by wicketkeeper Tevin Imlach off the bowling of Anderson Phillip when on 104 and New Zealand on 253. The marathon partnership justified Latham's decision to bat first on a green-looking wicket that is tipped to suit spin later in the match. The West Indies seamers found good movement off the grassy surface in the opening overs, bowling tight lines which had both Conway and Latham defending cautiously, but they became more aggressive once the new ball was seen off. West Indies skipper Roston Chase said he would have bowled had he won the toss. At a suggestion spin would play a part later in the match said he would have to see it to believe it. But after just 22 overs, Chase was on to bowl his offspin, and ended up bowling 19 overs throughout the day. Kemar Roach was the best of the bowlers, taking the lone wicket for figures of 1-63 from 17 overs. New Zealand included spinner Ajaz Patel in their side for his first home Test in five years. Tom Blundell returned to keep wicket after missing the previous Test with injury. The West Indies made one change, with the injured fast bowler Ojay Shields replaced by batsman Alick Athanaze. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand lead the three match series 1-0, after a draw in the first Test in Christchurch, and a nine-wicket win in Wellington.

Conway 178* and Latham 137 grind West Indies to dust in Mount Maunganui

It was a rare instance of New Zealand choosing to bat at home, but 334 for 1 after the first day's play showed just why Tom Latham broke with tradition

India Have Been The Better Team In T20Is: Dale Steyn

Narendra Modi Stadium: The ongoing India-South Africa series remains fiercely contested, with two possible outcomes before the final game: South Africa drawing level at 2-2 or India winning it 3-1, and former Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn opined that India have been the better team so far in the three games played. The fourth T20I of the series was called off on Wednesday without a ball being bowled due to heavy fog in Lucknow. This delay means the series outcome will be decided in the final game, scheduled for Friday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Steyn reflected on the hosts outings and South Africas overall tour of India, praising their performances across formats while also highlighting moments when they narrowly missed opportunities. I think its been a great series, and South Africa have probably exceeded expectations. Winning the Test series was outstanding, and they were very competitive in the ODIs. They might feel they let the first ODI slip after winning the toss and losing early wickets while chasing. Had they won that, they could have finished the ODI series 21. That said, out of the three T20Is so far, India have been the better team. They bowled South Africa out cheaply in one game, conceded runs in another, but then dominated again in Dharamshala. If India win the series, I would say well played they would deserve it. But Im hoping South Africa turn it around. Theyve had a wonderful tour, Steyn said on JioStar. Indias consistency in key moments, particularly with the ball, has helped them stay ahead in the shortest format, while South Africa have shown flashes of brilliance but have not been able to sustain momentum across matches. Steyn also shared his admiration for Indias young batting stars, singling out Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma for their contrasting yet impactful styles, saying, I remember Shubman Gill scoring heavily against SRH when I was the bowling coach there. He played beautifully. Even when youre on the losing side, you enjoy watching someone like him bat. He makes it look very easy elegant and pleasing on the eye. Indias consistency in key moments, particularly with the ball, has helped them stay ahead in the shortest format, while South Africa have shown flashes of brilliance but have not been able to sustain momentum across matches. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With the fourth match washed out, both teams will shift their focus to the series decider, where India aim to affirm their dominance in the T20Is and South Africa seek to end a memorable tour on a high. Article Source: IANS

SA Have Been A Bit Hot And Cold In The T20I Series: Robin Uthappa

Robin Uthappa: As the fourth T20I of the five-match series between India and South Africa was called off without a ball being bowled due to excessive fog in Lucknow, pushing the series outcome to the final match, former India batter Robin Uthappa shared his thoughts on the series so far, saying that the visitors have been a bit hot and cold in the T20Is. Uthappa assessed South Africas showing on the tour, noting both their competitiveness and inconsistency in the T20I leg. Opining on the Proteas outings, Uthappa said on JioStar, South Africa have played very competitively, but theyve been a bit hot and cold in the T20I series. That said, it has still been very entertaining. I thought they bowled really well, while their batting has been a little inconsistent. Its going to be an interesting contest because they will want to level the series. Overall, theyve had a great tour. They dominated the Test series and were competitive in the white-ball formats as well. India came back strongly, but South Africa will want to win the next one and head home with their heads held high, he added. India, meanwhile, have leaned on their overall consistency, particularly in pressure moments, to stay ahead in the series. Their depth in both batting and bowling has allowed them to respond strongly after setbacks, keeping them in a position of advantage heading into the decider. Its going to be an interesting contest because they will want to level the series. Overall, theyve had a great tour. They dominated the Test series and were competitive in the white-ball formats as well. India came back strongly, but South Africa will want to win the next one and head home with their heads held high, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With the fourth match abandoned, all eyes now turn to the final T20I, where South Africa will be eager to level the series, and India will look to seal it, setting the stage for a thrilling finish to an already compelling contest. Article Source: IANS

Cricket Australia Boss Slams Technology 'Howler' In Ashes Test

Cricket Australia boss Todd Greenberg on Thursday called an error in the Snicko technology being used during the Ashes not good enough as England had a review reinstated over the row. The operators of the technology admitted that a fault on day one of the third Test in Adelaide had denied the tourists' Alex Carey's wicket. Carey slammed 106 in Australia's first innings, but had a lucky escape on 72. England called for a review after their appeal for caught behind off Josh Tongue's pace bowling was turned down by the umpire Ahsan Raza The stump microphones picked up a clear sound, but the replay showed the noise before the ball passed Carey's bat and TV umpire Chris Gaffaney upheld the on-field decision. Carey suggested afterwards that he hit the ball and BBG Sports, the company that owns Snicko, used to help match officials review decisions made by on-field umpires, accepted responsibility for the mistake. It certainly caused me some heartburn because the whole idea of technology is to take away the clanger or the howler, Greenberg said on SEN radio. From what I can understand having dug into it last night and this morning is human error. There's two human errors there -- one is the actual decision from the umpire, and then there's supposed to be a failsafe with the technology and it didn't happen. In my view it's not good enough, he added. We're asking a lot of questions of the provider through the broadcasters and we're hoping to get some answers so we can be assured it won't happen again. The furore saw match referee Jeff Crowe reinstate a review decision for England, meaning they started day two with two reviews left, rather than one. Former England captain Mike Atherton called for calm. Forgive me for not getting incandescent about it, he wrote in The London Times. If you come from a generation where human error was accepted as part of the game -- and on any Test match day, there would have been so many mistakes made by umpires - then it is hard to get too worked up. Mistakes happen, and probably always will in a system relying, to any degree, on human input, whether in the middle or in the television trucks. Also Read: Live Cricket Score

Two in his first over: Lyon goes second behind Warne

The offspinner, who was left out in Brisbane, struck twice in his first over of the Adelaide Test

England have review reinstated after technology failure on Carey appeal

England held discussions with match referee Jeff Crowe to express dissatisfaction with process

Match Should Have Been Played In Afternoon: Fans React After Fourth T20I Called Off Due To Dense Fog

Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari: The abandonment of the fourth T20I between India and South Africa in Lucknow due to dense fog sparked frustration among spectators, who felt the match should have been scheduled in the afternoon to avoid visibility issues caused by the winter season in northern and central India. At the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, on-field umpires Rohan Pandit and K.N. Ananthapadmanabhan conducted six inspections, where the fog got worse as the evening progressed and AQI levels neared 400, before the game was called off. We wanted to win in the beginning, but the match didnt happen. I wanted to see Shubman Gill, but he wasnt there playing, said a young boy to IANS outside the stadium. Another fan asked for the abandoned game to be rescheduled. The public waited for a long time, including till the end, for the match to happen. Yes, it's a disappointment. We want this match to be rescheduled. Interestingly, on Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an orange alert for very dense fog in 13 districts of eastern and central Uttar Pradesh. It also issued a yellow alert for dense fog in 27 districts from the eastern to western parts of the state. The BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla, who holds significant influence in the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Stadium (UPCA), did have a chat with the umpires, but that didnt force the fog to go down. Once the match was abandoned, there was huge criticism over the games scheduling at this time of the year from the BCCIs Tours and Fixtures Committee. I want to say that today's weather prediction is so accurate that we already know what the weather will be like for the day. If we knew this, we could have seen this played as a match in the afternoon. It could have been held from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. If it had been played in the day, we wouldn't have had this problem. All the people who have been disappointed today because of the match cancellation, it wouldnt have happened if they had planned for it to happen in the afternoon, and it would have happened easily. There is no fog in the afternoon, and everyone would have come, said another fan to IANS. I want to say that today's weather prediction is so accurate that we already know what the weather will be like for the day. If we knew this, we could have seen this played as a match in the afternoon. It could have been held from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. If it had been played in the day, we wouldn't have had this problem. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I don't want to get angry. Everyone's safety is important. The safety of our players is very important. We don't want anyone to get hurt or injured. But we want them to know this beforehand. Everything is already known in the forecast. Accordingly, they should have played the match in the afternoon, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

Joshua Dorne Named West Indies Skipper For 2026 Mens Under-19 World Cup

Jonathan Van Lange: Top-order batter Joshua Dorne has been named captain of the West Indies squad for the 2026 Mens Under-19 World Cup, to be held in Zimbabwe and Namibia from January 15 to February 6. All-rounder Jonathan Van Lange will serve as the vice-captain. The 15-member squad features 19-year-old batter Jewel Andrew, who has played three ODIs and five T20Is for the West Indies senior mens team. West Indies recently claimed a seven-match Youth One-Day International series against England in Grenada 5-2, before edging Sri Lanka 4-3 in another seven-match contest in August-September. This squad is the product of a deliberate and well-structured preparation and selection process. Performances in regional Under-17 and Under-19 competitions were closely monitored, with an emphasis on identifying players with specialist skills and the adaptability required for international cricket. In assembling this group, we have aligned their development with the style of play we expect at the senior level, ensured exposure to high-quality match opportunities, and placed a strong focus on leadership, tactical awareness, and individual support within their territories. The result is a balanced and competitive squad, well-positioned to perform at the Under-19 World Cup and contribute meaningfully to the long-term future of West Indies cricket, said Dwain Gill, CWIs High Performance Manager. In the U19 World Cup, the West Indies have been drawn in Group D alongside South Africa, Afghanistan, and Tanzania, with the side to play all of their matches at the High-Performance Oval in Windhoek, Namibia. Ahead of the tournament, they will play warm-up matches against Ireland and Japan in Windhoek. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six phase, followed by the Semi-Finals on February 3 and 4, and the Final on February 6 at Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe. In the U19 World Cup, the West Indies have been drawn in Group D alongside South Africa, Afghanistan, and Tanzania, with the side to play all of their matches at the High-Performance Oval in Windhoek, Namibia. Ahead of the tournament, they will play warm-up matches against Ireland and Japan in Windhoek. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Reserves: Brendan Boodoo, Tyriek Bryan, Earsinho Fontaine, and Deshawn James Article Source: IANS

Vijay Hazare Trophy: KL Rahul And Prasidh Krishna Named In Karnatakas Squad

Vijay Hazare Trophy: The Indian duo of wicketkeeper-batter K.L. Rahul and fast-bowler Prasidh Krishna have been named in Karnatakas squad for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy. Defending champions Karnataka will play its Group A fixtures in Ahmedabad, starting on December 24. The addition of Rahul, who recently captained India in the ODI leg of the South Africa tour, where they won 2-1, and Prasidh adds further experience to the side led by Mayank Agarwal. Karun Nair has been appointed as the vice-captain following his strong performances in the Ranji Trophy. Pacers Vidwath Kaverappa and Vidyadhar Patel, though not listed in the main squad, will travel with the team to Ahmedabad and remain available for match duty. Young batters Harshil Dharmani and Dhruv Prabhakar, who also bowls handy off-spin, have earned call-ups after impressive outings in the U23 50-over competition last month. Left-arm spinner Shreesha Achar has been included as the squads lone specialist slow bowler. Yere Goud will be the head coach, while Mansur Ali Khan and Shabarish Mohan will serve as bowling and fielding coaches, respectively. Karnatakas Group A opponents include Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Pondicherry, Kerala, and Tripura. Pacers Vidwath Kaverappa and Vidyadhar Patel, though not listed in the main squad, will travel with the team to Ahmedabad and remain available for match duty. Young batters Harshil Dharmani and Dhruv Prabhakar, who also bowls handy off-spin, have earned call-ups after impressive outings in the U23 50-over competition last month. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Karnataka squad: Mayank Agarwal (captain), Karun Nair (vice-captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Ravichandran Smaran, KL Shrijith, Abhinav Manohar, Shreyas Gopal, V. Vyshak, Manvanth Kumar, Shreesha Achar, Abhilash Shetty, B.R. Sharath, Harshil Dharmani, Dhruv Prabhakar, KL Rahul, and Prasidh Krishna. Article Source: IANS

Squash: Vedant Patel Starts Campaign In Fine Style As Western India Slam Kicks Off

Western India Squash Tournament: Vedant Patel of Gujarat, one of Indias top squash players, began his campaign in the 80th Western India Squash Tournament in fine style, beating Ishaan Kohli in straight games on the opening day at the historic Cricket Club of India (CCI) in Mumbai on Wednesday. Born in Ahmedabad, Patel, ranked seventh in the country, has been one of the promising players in the country, but a recent injury break meant that this tournament became a fine vehicle for him to showcase his skills again. Vedant got the better of Ishaan Kohli of Maharashtra 11-2, 11-6, 11-3. Apart from Patels encounter, the opening day featured exciting encounters with players showcasing agility, precision, and mental toughness on the court. Defending champions and emerging players alike are expected to deliver nail-biting matches in their quest for the title. The finals are scheduled for Sunday (December 21), where the champions will be crowned, adding another chapter to this celebrated tournaments history. The 80th edition of the prestigious Western India Squash Tournament commenced with great enthusiasm, drawing top national squash players to showcase their skills and sportsmanship. The tournament features an INR 10,00,000 prize each for both the men's and women's categories, setting the stage for high-stakes competition and thrilling matches over the coming days. As one of the most celebrated squash events in the country, the tournament has attracted over 800 participants across 22 categories, including juniors, seniors, and veterans. With a rich legacy spanning decades, the Western India Squash Tournament continues to play a pivotal role in promoting squash and nurturing budding talent in India. Sports enthusiasts and squash lovers are encouraged to attend and witness this extraordinary display of skill and determination. Results: Mens: Shaan Dalal bt Narayan Manohar Lachka 11-3 11-5 11-5; Sankalp Anand bt Ishan Advani 11-2 11-7 11-5; Sharan Pbi bt Aaditya Khandelwal 11-3 11-5 11-0; Ajnav Dhawan bt Subhayan Das 11-5 11-8 7-11 11-4; Vedant Patel bt Ishaan Kohli 11-2 11-6 11-3 MIXU9: Atharv Mathur bt Aadya Mehra 11-7 11-9; Samar Dave bt Aveer Darooka 11-3 11-8 BU11: Mukesh Nirguda bt Mukesh Nirguda 11-1 11-3 11-1; Yuvaan Verma [5/8] bt Kaveer Jogani 11-4 11-3 11-4 BU13: Vivaan Narsule bt Mrigank Garg 11-9 11-7 7-11 11-5; Rupesh Daravada bt Mahir Goyal 11-1 11-4 11-1 BU15: Aaditya Negi bt Prem Tambade 11-2 11-2 11-2; Advik Kiran [9/16] bt Akshay Kejriwal 11-8 11-7 11-3 GU11: Avni Nandal [9/16] bt Riya Shingva 11-1 11-1 11-0 ; Anshika Kumari [3/4] bt Ayana Jain 11-2 11-1 11-2 BU15: Aaditya Negi bt Prem Tambade 11-2 11-2 11-2; Advik Kiran [9/16] bt Akshay Kejriwal 11-8 11-7 11-3 Also Read: Live Cricket Score GU15: Trisha Shah [5/8] by Jai Lende 11-1 11-1 11-5. Article Source: IANS

Sachin Tendulkar Praises Indian Womens Blind Cricket Team For Its Grit And Determination (Ld)

T20 Blind Cricket World Cup: Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday heaped praise on the Indian womens blind cricket team, who were recently crowned T20 Blind Cricket World Cup champions, asserting that with their grit and determination, they have changed the narrative of how we experience the game. The Indian womens blind cricket team made history by winning the first-ever Blind Women's T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, defeating Nepal by seven wickets in the Final. In the final played at the P Sara Oval in Colombo, India kept Nepal to 114/5, before passing the score just three wickets down in 12.1 overs to claim the silverware. On Wednesday, the team had its brush with greatness as it met Sachin Tendulkar at the MIG Club in Mumbai. Later, Sachin Tendulkar put out an Instagram story to heap praise on the young girls who conquered the world. Most have eyesight, but only a few have true vision. I had the chance to meet these remarkable young visually challenged women who made India proud, Tendulkar said in his Insta story. Their courage, discipline, and belief are a testament to the fact that this game is felt and lived, and that nothing should deter anyone from making it their own. With their grit and determination, they have changed the narrative of how we experience the game. They have made history on the world stage and inspired the next generation to believe that no dream is beyond reach, wrote Tendulkar in his post. Congratulations to the entire team and support staff on winning the inaugural T20 Womens World Cup for the visually challenged, he wrapped up his post. Earlier, praising the players' determination, Tendulkar said the team had overcome formidable challenges to chase their dreams and cross the final hurdle by winning the World Cup. He noted that their hard work and perseverance would be remembered and celebrated well beyond the tournament. He also acknowledged the crucial role played by the players families, particularly their parents, in offering encouragement and freedom rather than limitations, enabling the athletes to pursue the sport at the highest level. The captain of the Indian womens blind cricket team, Deepika TC, shared her emotions, saying, Meeting Sachin Sir was like a dream come true. We have always played with passion and belief, but hearing words of encouragement from him has touched our hearts deeply. This moment will stay with us for life and will motivate us to work even harder and carry Indian cricket to greater heights. Earlier, praising the players' determination, Tendulkar said the team had overcome formidable challenges to chase their dreams and cross the final hurdle by winning the World Cup. He noted that their hard work and perseverance would be remembered and celebrated well beyond the tournament. He also acknowledged the crucial role played by the players families, particularly their parents, in offering encouragement and freedom rather than limitations, enabling the athletes to pursue the sport at the highest level. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Speaking after the meeting, Dr. G.K. Mahantesh, President, Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI), said, Sachin Tendulkar meeting our World Cupwinning womens team is a moment we will cherish forever. His encouragement means more than words can express for our players. When a legend of his stature acknowledges their journey and extends his support, it gives immense confidence, not just to this team, but to the entire blind cricket ecosystem in India. Article Source: IANS

Fourth T20I Between India And South Africa Abandoned Due To Excessive Fog In Lucknow

Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari: The fourth T20I between India and South Africa was abandoned at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Wednesday due to excessive fog leading to poor visibility. Umpires Rohan Pandit and KN Ananthapadmanabhan delayed the toss and conducted multiple inspections, including one at 9:25 pm by looking at the floodlights from the batter's crease, before calling off the game at 9:30 pm local time. With no play possible in Lucknow, much to the dismay of a lot of enthusiastic fans at the stadium, India remain 2-1 ahead in the five-match series and cannot lose the trophy. The teams will now turn their attention to the fifth and final match scheduled to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday. India vice-captain Shubman Gill will be eager to regain full fitness ahead of Fridays contest at the place where he has enjoyed prolific success with the bat, including his lone T20I century, and boasts a strong IPL record. But with the opener nursing a foot injury, it raises the likelihood of Sanju Samson featuring in the playing eleven. The first indications of a possible abandonment of the first T20I to be held in Lucknow in December came when the toss, scheduled for 6:30 pm IST, was initially delayed to 6:50 pm. But with the fog not going away, further inspections were scheduled at 7:30 pm, 8:00 pm, 8:30 pm, and 9:00 pm. Amidst the inspections, Jasprit Bumrahs participation in warm-ups provided reassurance after missing the third T20I in Dharamsala due to personal reasons. But with the fog not relenting, players from both sides indulged in warm-up routines but were eventually forced to go indoors, even as the ground staff used a light roller on the pitch. Indias seam-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya was seen wearing a face mask, underlining concerns about the hazardous air quality index, hovering above 400. The fog at the stadium was so thick that spectators were barely able to see the stands situated on the opposite end. Pandit and Ananthapadmanabhan did some visibility drills during the 8 pm inspection -- one of the umpires held the ball up at the far end of the pitch, while another umpire went to deep midwicket to see if the ball was visible. Once it was clear that the ball wasnt to be sighted easily, another inspection was lined up. Indias seam-bowling all-rounder Hardik Pandya was seen wearing a face mask, underlining concerns about the hazardous air quality index, hovering above 400. The fog at the stadium was so thick that spectators were barely able to see the stands situated on the opposite end. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Questions will be raised over the scheduling of the fixture. What is the peak winter time in North and Central India? For now, smile, you are in Lucknow - the familiar tagline of the City of Nawabs went missing as excessive fog took over the venue, leaving everyone dismayed. Article Source: IANS

Fourth T20I abandoned due to foggy conditions in Lucknow

The series moves to its finale in Ahmedabad with India 2-1 up

Iqbal Stars Once Again With The Bat For India Seniors In Physical Disability T20 Series

Physical Disability T20 Series: For the second successive time in the Physical Disability T20 Series at the Wankhede Stadium, opener Wasim Iqbal stood out with the bat this time slamming an unbeaten 85 off just 45 balls to help India Seniors chase down India As target of 143 on Wednesday. After opting to bat, India A posted a modest 143/6 in their 20 overs. Jitendra VN (35 not out) and Akash Patil (37 not out) were the stars with the bat as they added 57 runs for the unbroken seventh wicket stand. Both came together with their side in a spot of bother at 86/6. From there on, the pair of Jitendra and Patil helped end the innings on a high. In their response, India Seniors chased down the target with absolute ease thanks to Iqbals effort, laced with eight boundaries and five sixes. Iqbal shared a fine 50-run opening stand with Vrushant Gunjal (32). From there on, it was a one-way street, as India Seniors completed the chase in 14.5 overs. India A skipper Majid Margray said he was absolutely thrilled to be able to get a chance to play at an iconic venue like the Wankhede Stadium. It has been an excellent experience. It was always a dream to play at the Wankhede Stadium. From the time I entered, it has been a surreal feeling for my team and me. This is the Lords of India and a matter of pride for all of us. To be in the same dressing room where some of our icons and legends of the game have been is a big thing in our lives. All thanks to DCCI and MCA for this initiative. As a group, we have been very excited about the whole experience. We may have lost both our games, but in terms of preparation for the upcoming series, this is the perfect stage for our young talent. Imagine being at the venue to experience the dressing room, outfield, and the general atmosphere. This has been a life-changing experience, said Margray, who is an all-rounder from Anantnag in Jammu & Kashmir. These sentiments were echoed by the rival captain Sante, who is based in Mumbai. Being from Mumbai, I have played a few times at Wankhede. I have played the Presidents Cup final with Vikrant Keni. Both of us were the only differently-abled players then. I have also had other experiences here. But this is a different feeling altogether. All thanks to the efforts of DCCI and MCA for giving us this opportunity. I have played in Ahmedabad, Lords, and Wankhede. This must be the best feeling for one as a cricketer. To be at the same venue where India won the 2011 World Cup is a big step up for all of us. We have had a few youngsters ask a lot of questions about the venue. So, I have been advising them about picking the ball up from the background because sometimes, when the ball comes parallel to the ground, you can lose it. I have advised my boys to be very careful in sighting the ball. We have a series against England next, so this is the perfect build-up, said Sante, a left-arm spinning all-rounder. The third and final game of the series will be played on Thursday. All thanks to the efforts of DCCI and MCA for giving us this opportunity. I have played in Ahmedabad, Lords, and Wankhede. This must be the best feeling for one as a cricketer. To be at the same venue where India won the 2011 World Cup is a big step up for all of us. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India A 143/6 in 20 overs (Akash Patil 37 not out, Jitendra VN 35 not out; Vipin 1-15, Vikrant Keni 1-10) lost to India Seniors 144/3 in 14.5 overs (Wasim Iqbal 85 not out, Vrushant Gunjal 32; Santosh Choube 3-24) by seven wickets Article Source: IANS

World Tennis League starts off on a cheerful note

The quality was a couple of notches below elite level, but there was fun and frolic, keeping the sizeable crowd bubbling

Rehan Ahmed joins Birmingham Phoenix

England allrounder moves from Trent Rockets ahead of Hundred's new era

4th T20I: Toss In Lucknow Delayed Due To Excessive Fog, Inspection Scheduled For 6:50 Pm

Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari: The toss for the fourth T20I between India and South Africa has been delayed due to excessive fog at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. The next inspection by the match officials will take place at 6:50 pm. Toss in Lucknow has been delayed due to excessive fog. Next inspection at 6:50 PM, said an update from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on their X account. Earlier on Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an orange alert for very dense fog in 13 districts of eastern and central Uttar Pradesh. It also issued a yellow alert for dense fog in 27 districts from the eastern to western parts of the state. The fog at the stadium has been so thick that spectators were barely able to see the stands situated at the opposite end. With fog set to get worse, there are concerns over whether the match will happen or not. It is to be noted that this is the first time Lucknow is hosting a T20I game in the month of December. Former India batter Robin Uthappa noted on the live broadcast that delaying play could prove counterproductive, as fog is likely to intensify as the evening progresses. Fortunately for India, ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah took part in the warm-ups ahead of the match, after he missed the third T20I in Dharamsala due to personal reasons. The fog at the stadium has been so thick that spectators were barely able to see the stands situated at the opposite end. With fog set to get worse, there are concerns over whether the match will happen or not. It is to be noted that this is the first time Lucknow is hosting a T20I game in the month of December. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India currently lead the series 2-1. After winning the first T20I, India lost the second match before winning the third to take the lead in the five-match series. Article Source: IANS

Bangladesh dismantle Sri Lanka to seal top spot in Group B

India will now play Sri Lanka in the first semi-final, while Bangladesh will take on Pakistan

Latham coy on Ajaz inclusion despite Bay Oval's promise of turn

The presence of allrounders Phillips, Ravindra and Bracewell could end up keeping the frontline spinner out yet again

From Breaking Photo Frames To Cracking Record IPL Deal, Father Recalls Kartik Sharmas Rs 14.20 Crore Dream

Bharatpur District Cricket Association: The journey of Indian Premier League's (IPL) newest sensation Kartik Sharma is not just a cricketing success story; it is a powerful tale of sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering belief. Once forced to sleep hungry and stay in night shelters due to lack of money, Kartik today stands among Indias most expensive IPL buys, after being picked for Rs. 14.20 crore in the auction on Tuesday. After his IPL selection, Kartik, with his parents, returned to his hometown, Bharatpur, where he was warmly and emotionally welcomed at Agarwal Dharamshala, Khirni Ghat. Prominent citizens of the city and members of the Bharatpur District Cricket Association (BDCA) gathered to honour the young cricketer whose rise has brought pride to the entire district. Kartiks father, Manoj Sharma, who earns a modest living, recalled the hardships behind his sons success. Our income was limited, but my wife Radha and I saw a dream to make Kartik a cricketer, no matter the cost, he told IANS. To support Kartiks training and tournaments, the family sold their plots and farmland in Bahnera village. Kartiks mother sold her jewellery, turning personal sacrifice into silent support. It was a challenging phase of our lives, but we never let Kartiks dream break, Manoj added. One of the most defining moments of Kartiks journey came during a tournament in Gwalior. Manoj accompanied his son, expecting the team to be eliminated within four or five matchesthe only time they could afford to stay. But Kartiks performance pushed the team into the final, and with no money left, father and son were forced to stay in a night shelter. There was a day when we had to sleep hungry, Manoj recalled. Only after winning the final and receiving the prize money were we able to return home. Kartiks cricketing talent was evident early. At only two and a half years old, he picked up a bat and hit a ball so hard that it broke two photo frames at home. That moment made us believe he was special, his father said. Interestingly, Manoj himself was once a cricketer, but an injury ended his playing days. I couldnt complete my dream, so I decided my child would, he said a dream now fulfilled beyond imagination. Despite early promise, Kartiks journey was far from smooth. He played at the Under-14 and Under-16 levels, but then went four years without selection. Many would have quit, but the youngster didnt. I just kept playing, Kartik told IANS. My father kept training me. Eventually, I got selected for Under-19, then the Ranji Trophy. Despite early promise, Kartiks journey was far from smooth. He played at the Under-14 and Under-16 levels, but then went four years without selection. Many would have quit, but the youngster didnt. Also Read: Live Cricket Score His youngest brother plays cricket, while his middle brother is focused on academics a reflection of the familys belief in discipline and balance. Kartiks story is now a symbol of hope for countless young athletes from small towns and financially challenged backgrounds. From selling land and jewellery to sleeping hungry in night shelters, his familys sacrifices have culminated in a moment that has rewritten their destiny. Article Source: IANS

Uzairullah, bowlers seal easy win for Afghanistan

The match, however, was inconsequential as both teams are out of the semi-final race having finished in the bottom two in Group B

Cricket Legend Sachin Tendulkar Meets T20 Blind Womens World Cup Champions In Mumbai

T20 Blind Cricket World Cup: Members of the Indian womens blind cricket team, who were recently crowned T20 Blind Cricket World Cup champions, have met Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar at the MIG Cricket Club in Mumbai -- the interaction marked as a significant milestone for the team. The team's journey to the world title has been defined by resilience, grit, and an unshakable belief in their dreams, and to acknowledge that, Tendulkar spent nearly an hour with the players, congratulating them on their historic achievement and listening to their journeys with keen attention. Praising their determination, Tendulkar said the team had overcome formidable challenges to chase their dreams and cross the final hurdle by winning the World Cup. He noted that their hard work and perseverance would be remembered and celebrated well beyond the tournament. He also acknowledged the crucial role played by the players families, particularly their parents, in offering encouragement and freedom rather than limitations, enabling the athletes to pursue the sport at the highest level. The legend, who won the World Cup in 2011, reminded the team that success brings with it greater responsibility. He said that expectations from them would rise, and meeting them would demand even harder work and sharper focus. Emphasising that the World Cup victory was not an endpoint, he described it as the beginning of a longer journey, one that now carries the weight of inspiration for countless others. For the players, meeting the man they grew up admiring was an overwhelming and unforgettable experience. Several players described the moment as a validation of their years of hard work and a powerful reminder that their achievements have truly been recognised at the highest level. The captain of the Indian womens blind cricket team, Deepika TC, shared her emotions, saying, Meeting Sachin Sir was like a dream come true. We have always played with passion and belief, but hearing words of encouragement from him has touched our hearts deeply. This moment will stay with us for life and will motivate us to work even harder and carry Indian cricket to greater heights. For the players, meeting the man they grew up admiring was an overwhelming and unforgettable experience. Several players described the moment as a validation of their years of hard work and a powerful reminder that their achievements have truly been recognised at the highest level. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Speaking after the meeting, G.K. Mahantesh, President, Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) said, Sachin Tendulkar meeting our World Cupwinning womens team is a moment we will cherish forever. His encouragement means more than words can express for our players. When a legend of his stature acknowledges their journey and extends his support, it gives immense confidence, not just to this team, but to the entire blind cricket ecosystem in India. Article Source: IANS

West Indies strengthen patchy batting in final bid to draw level

The hosts will have Tom Blundell back after injury, and will be hoping for smaller workloads for Duffy and Foulkes

Ansu Singh Hails Younger Brother Ravi Singh's Journey To IPL 2026

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Railways wicketkeeper-batter Ravi Singh's elder brother Ansu Singh hailed the 24-year-old cricketer's journey, giving credit to his hard work after he was roped in by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 95 lakh in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction in Abu Dhabi. Royal Challengers Bengaluru was the other team that went for him, but former winners Rajasthan Royals prevailed in the end. Hailing from the Mau district of Uttar Pradesh, Ravi is known for his aggressive batting against both pace and spin. He was one of the nine players RR signed at the auction. He was recently featured in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and registered 218 runs while striking at an impressive 173.01. He ended up with more sixes (17) than fours (16). It has been a long struggle for him. He has been playing cricket since childhood and represented Uttar Pradesh Under-16. After that, he took up a railway job in Kolkata and is currently playing for Railways. He works as a TC in the Railways. Our father is in business and works as an inspector. Ravi is in Kolkata at the moment, and he has a lot of hope, said Ansu Singh, elder brother of Ravi Singh, to IANS. Ravi has participated in four List A games in addition to the ten Twenty20 matches he has already played. Despite the limited experience and exposure, it is noteworthy that he has a higher strike rate (121.11), which highlights his ability to hit hard with the bat. It has been a long struggle for him. He has been playing cricket since childhood and represented Uttar Pradesh Under-16. After that, he took up a railway job in Kolkata and is currently playing for Railways. He works as a TC in the Railways. Our father is in business and works as an inspector. Ravi is in Kolkata at the moment, and he has a lot of hope, said Ansu Singh, elder brother of Ravi Singh, to IANS. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag, Ravindra Jadeja (traded in), Dhruv Jurel, Shimron Hetmyer, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Sandeep Sharma, Nandre Burger, Sam Curran (traded in), Adam Milne, Kwena Maphaka, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Donovan Ferreira (traded in), Ravi Singh, Shubham Dubey, Kuldeep Sen, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Vignesh Puthur, Sushant Mishra, Yash Raj Punja, Brijesh Sharma, Aman Rao. Article Source: IANS

'India Call Up Is The Next Aim', Says Auqib Dars Father After Blockbuster IPL Deal

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: As Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Dar made headlines after Delhi Capitals bought him for Rs 8.40 crore during the IPL 2026 mini auction, the uncapped pacer's father, Ghulam Nabi Dar, has said that while the IPL contract was a matter of great pride for the family, the only aim now is for his son to get selected in the Indian team. Starting at a base price of Rs 30 lakh, Auqib sparked an intense bidding war between Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Sunrisers Hyderabad later entering the fray. The contest ended with the 29-year-old pacer from Baramulla being snapped up by the Delhi Capitals. I can't express my happiness in words Now the only thing left is to get selected for the Indian team. Every parent wants their child to progress and succeed, Auqib's father told IANS. A consistent wicket-taker across formats in domestic cricket over the past few seasons, Auqib Nabi (registered as Auqib Dar) is primarily a swing bowler. Recently, however, the Jammu & Kashmir bowler has added new dimensions to his gamemost notably improved death-overs skillswhich have significantly boosted his value. His recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy performances underline that progress: 15 wickets in seven matches at an economy rate below eight, figures that support the effort he has invested. Has been a net bowler with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the past. A consistent wicket-taker across formats in domestic cricket over the past few seasons, Auqib Nabi (registered as Auqib Dar) is primarily a swing bowler. Recently, however, the Jammu & Kashmir bowler has added new dimensions to his gamemost notably improved death-overs skillswhich have significantly boosted his value. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Earlier this year, Nabi once grabbed everyone's eyeballs by bagging a five-wicket haul, which included four wickets in four balls during the 2025-26 Duleep Trophy game between North Zone and East Zone. Article Source: IANS

Bharatpur Beams With Joy And Pride As Home Boy Kartik Sharma Seals Record IPL 2026 Deal

District Cricket Association Secretary Shatrughan: Kartik Sharma made history in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction on Tuesday after Chennai Super Kings (CSK) roped him in for Rs. 14.20 crore, making him the joint-costliest uncapped player, alongside Prashant Veer, acquired by the same franchise, in the tournaments history. As soon as Kartiks record bid concluded, celebrations erupted across the city as the news brought joy and pride. At Laxman Mandir Chauraha, District Cricket Association officials and cricket fans commemorated the historic event by bursting firecrackers and sharing sweets. Kartik and his father, Manoj Sharma, were also congratulated through a video call. District Cricket Association Secretary Shatrughan Tiwari told IANS, Bharatpurs Kartik Sharma has achieved something remarkable. His rise from poverty to now, bagging a cheque worth Rs. 14.20 crore, will motivate many talented players. He mentioned that Kartiks father sacrificed everything he could for his sons cricket career. Manoj, a medium pace bowler himself, couldnt build a cricketing career for himself as his injury had the final say. However, he hoped his son would pursue that dream and took every possible measure to ensure their financial instability did not affect his sons career. Kartik has also received the Mathura Das Mathur Award. His father, committed to his cricket dreams, sold his shops and borrowed several lakhs to support his kid. The pathway led to Kartik and his family shifting their base to Agra, as he joined the academy headed by Lokendra Singh Chahar, India cricketer Deepak Chahars father. Tiwari mentioned that Kartik had been involved with the District Cricket Association since he was a child. He performed exceptionally well at all levelsUnder-14, Under-16, Under-19, senior cricket, and the Ranji Trophy. His showing in the IPL trials also gained admiration from all. Kartik has also received the Mathura Das Mathur Award. His father, committed to his cricket dreams, sold his shops and borrowed several lakhs to support his kid. The pathway led to Kartik and his family shifting their base to Agra, as he joined the academy headed by Lokendra Singh Chahar, India cricketer Deepak Chahars father. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The young keeper-batter will now be seen donning the yellow jersey and representing five-time champions CSK at the IPL 2026, in a bid to build a bigger and better career for himself. Article Source: IANS

R Sridhar named as Sri Lanka's fielding coach

He will be in the role until the conclusion of the men's T20 World Cup next year

Pramodya Wickramasinghe to head Sri Lanka's new selection committee

He has been chief selector before - between 2021 and 2023 - with Sri Lanka men's poor performance in the 2023 World Cup prompting his removal

'Hes Got A Good Pedigree At The Death': RCB Coach Andy Flower On Acquisition Of Jacob Duffy

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Reflecting on Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) overall approach and the additions made at the IPL 2026 player auction, head coach Andy Flower said that the acquisition of New Zealand's Jacob Duffy is really exciting, given that the attacking bowler has got good pedigree at the death. RCB, who entered the auction with a purse of Rs 16.4 crore, bagged eight players in all. The latest inclusions to the reigning champions' squad feature the likes of Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Duffy, Satwik Desal, Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox, Vicky Ostwal, Kanishk Chouhan and Vihaan Malhotra. Speaking about the quality and versatility added to the batting group, Flower said, We know Bethel's class, and Cox, who's had an outstanding 12 months with the bat, is a great utility player. He can bat anywhere in the order, he's a keeper batter as well, and if he gets in the field, he's one of the best fielders in the world. So very exciting talent, and great to have batsmen of that class waiting for their chance. Turning attention to the bowling unit, Flower reflected on the impact of retained players and the depth now available. On the bowling front, we saw what Nuwan Thushara could do for us last year when he got his one chance at Lucknow. He helped us win a hugely important game to help us qualify in the top two. We know what he can do both with the new ball and with that low slingy yorker and slower ball bowling that he offers as a package. The head coach also spoke about the acquisition of Duffy and the balance it brings to the squad. Recruitment of Jacob Duffy is really exciting. Hes a top-ranked seamer in T20 international cricket at the moment, and he looks like quite a prospect. Hes an attacking bowler in the powerplay, and hes got good pedigree at the death, even though hes quite new to international cricket. Highlighting the strength in overseas pace options, he said, Were really excited to have him backing up Josh Hazlewood. That sort of exciting overseas talent will be comforting for us as coaches to have in reserve, but very exciting for our fans to watch when they get the chance to perform. The head coach also spoke about the acquisition of Duffy and the balance it brings to the squad. Recruitment of Jacob Duffy is really exciting. Hes a top-ranked seamer in T20 international cricket at the moment, and he looks like quite a prospect. Hes an attacking bowler in the powerplay, and hes got good pedigree at the death, even though hes quite new to international cricket. Also Read: Live Cricket Score On the build-up to the season, he added, We now know the start date of IPL 2026 and that period before that is important to establish relationships with the players and get that group moving in one direction, like we did last year. We look forward to that prep time and exciting times ahead. Article Source: IANS

Team India Has Benefited Immensely From Hardiks Ability: Bangar

Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari: Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar highlighted Hardik Pandyas impact with bat and ball, stating that the Men in Blue have benefited massively because of the all-rounders abilities. Pandya returned to competitive cricket earlier this month after missing out for over two months due to the injury he sustained during the Asia Cup semi-final in September. He made an immediate impact in the game for the Men in Blue and played a crucial role in the teams successful outings against South Africa in the ongoing five-match T20I series. Speaking to JioStar, Bangar lavished praise on Pandya, emphasising the Baroda cricketers unique batting mechanics and his value as a bowling option in T20 cricket, as he said, Going deep inside the crease is Hardik Pandyas speciality. Even when he goes that deep, his weight remains on the front foot, which is a very good thing. As a batter, we always encourage waiting for the ball. He plays with a very wide base, which allows him to generate a lot of power. He can play front-foot shots, back-foot shots, baseball-style hits, full shots and the upper cut. He opens up both sides of the ground, which is a special ability. He bowls at around 132133 kmph with a fuller length, where close to 54 per cent of his deliveries are pitched up, and he gets wickets from there. He allows the ball to swing, and when required, he goes for the yorker as well. The Indian team has benefited immensely from his ability, he added. Bangar highlighted Abhishek Sharma's fearless approach, underscoring the technical elements that enable the young batter to dominate bowlers. Opining on his attacking mindset, Bangar stated, First of all, its his attacking mindset. If theres a delivery outside the off stump, he hits it very hard. One very important aspect of his batting is his high backlift. He holds the bat above the handle, which gives him excellent reach. Because of the swing he generates, he can hit big sixes, especially over the covers. Hitting sixes over the covers is a special ability. He doesnt try to hit from below, which gives him an incredible range. Turning his attention to Shubman Gill, Bangar acknowledged the Indian openers form while pointing out specific areas that need refinement, particularly against straight deliveries. In the beginning, his footwork was very positive. But if you remove three or four boundaries over 28 games, the issue has been on straighter lines. Against straight deliveries, his strike rate has fallen quite low. Outside the off stump, his strike rate is good, but there have been a few edges as well. Overall, he has scored runs, but straight-line play is something he will want to improve. In the second game, the ball that got him out was a very good deliveryit could have dismissed any batter. His footwork has improved, and if he continues to play with clear footwork, he will be able to hit the same shots consistently, like the three or four boundaries weve seen, he noted. In the beginning, his footwork was very positive. But if you remove three or four boundaries over 28 games, the issue has been on straighter lines. Against straight deliveries, his strike rate has fallen quite low. Outside the off stump, his strike rate is good, but there have been a few edges as well. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With India holding a 21 advantage in the five-match T20I series against South Africa, the spotlight now turns to Lucknow for the fourth game, as the two sides gear up to face off at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. Article Source: IANS

New Zealand vs West Indies, 3rd Test - Who will win today NZ vs WI match?

NZ vs WI, 3rd Test, Cricket Tips: After more than one and a half months, the West Indies' tour of New Zealand has reached its final game. The third and final test will be held at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. This contest will start at 3:30 AM IST on Thursday. After a draw in the first game, New Zealand managed a 9-wicket win in the second test in Wellington. They now have a 1-0 unbeatable lead, and they will look to secure a series win. West Indies had a great fight in the first test, but once again they failed to be consistent. They will be hoping for an improved performance from their batters to level the series. NZ vs WI: Match Details Date : December 18-22 (Thursday-Monday) Time : 03:30 AM IST Venue : Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui NZ vs WI: Live Streaming Details To watch the live action of the second test, Indian fans can tune into the Sony Sports Networks. Meanwhile, the live stream option will be available at the Sony LIV app or website. NZ vs WI: Head-to-Head in Test Total Matches : 51 New Zealand : 18 West Indies : 13 No Result : 20 NZ vs WI: Ground Pitch Report Bay Oval is an excellent wicket for the fast bowlers. The conditions here will be fast with good carry for the pacers. The wicket is expected to have a green top, encouraging the bowlers, whereas the weather conditions will also aid the fast bowlers. NZ vs WI: Possible XIs New Zealand : Tom Latham (c), Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Hay (wk), Zakary Foulkes, Blair Tickner, Jacob Duffy, Michael Rae West Indies : John Campbell, Kavem Hodge, Brandon King, Shai Hope, Roston Chase (c), Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach (wk), Jayden Seales, Kemar Roach, Anderson Phillip, Ojay Shields NZ vs WI: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Tom Latham has been the best Kiwi batter in this series. He has played good innings in both tests. For West Indies, Shai Hope has been in red-hot form, and a lot will depend on his batting form. Probable Best Bowler Jacob Duffy won the Player of the Match award for his brilliant bowling. He has been the best bowler on this tour. For West Indies, Kemar Roach is the key bowler because of his experience in these conditions. Today Match Prediction : West Indies are not consistent enough in this format, and these conditions are also tough for them. Hence, we predict New Zealand to win the third test. NZ vs WI 3rd 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.

Tilak Varma moves to No. 4 in T20Is; Chakravarthy solidifies top spot among bowlers

Abhishek Sharma retained the top batting spot despite scoring just 69 runs across three innings in the series against South Africa

Top-ranked T20I Bowler Chakaravarthy Attains Career-best Rating, Tilak Moves To Fourth In Batting Chart

T20 World Cup: India spinner Varun Chakaravarthy reached a career-best rating to increase his lead at the top of the T20 bowling charts after his third consecutive two-wicket haul in the ongoing five-game T20I series at home against South Africa. Chakaravarthy, who bagged two wickets each in the two T20Is played this past week, added 36 rating points to his tally, which has gone up to a career-best 818 points. He now holds a 119-point advantage over his closest rival, second-placed New Zealand seamer Jacob Duffy (699). Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh also improved four places to 16th overall on the rankings for T20I bowlers on the back of his Player of the Match heroics against the Proteas in the third game of their series South Africa are boosted by gains on the same list for Marco Jansen (up 14 spots to 25th), Lungi Ngidi (up 11 rungs to 44th) and Ottneil Baartman from outside the top 100 to 68th. Young India opener Abhishek Sharma continues to top the batters list, as Varma now joined him at fourth, as two Indian batters are now firmly placed inside the top five ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. South Africa skipper Aiden Markram (up eight places to 29th) and Quinton de Kock (up 14 spots to 43rd) make good ground following some decent recent efforts. Pakistan all-rounder Saim Ayub continues to lead the all-rounder list despite not playing any international cricket recently. India's Hardik Pandya (at fourth), Axar Patel (at ninth) are now joined by Shivam Dube, who improves his place to four spots to reach 16th. New Zealand and West Indies players got served in Test rankings after the conclusion of the second Test. Left-hand batter Devon Conway (up seven spots to 34th) in the batters list, while teammate Duffy (up 15 places to 48th) makes good ground for the Test bowlers list. Pakistan all-rounder Saim Ayub continues to lead the all-rounder list despite not playing any international cricket recently. India's Hardik Pandya (at fourth), Axar Patel (at ninth) are now joined by Shivam Dube, who improves his place to four spots to reach 16th. Also Read: Live Cricket Score West Indies all-rounders Roston Chase (up one place to 30th) and Justin Greaves (up one spot to 31st). Article Source: IANS

Messi Omits Salt Lake Stadium From India Tour Highlights; Video Features Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy: Argentina football legend Lionel Messi released a commemorative video of his 'GOAT India Tour' on Wednesday, notably excluding any footage of his appearance at Kolkatas Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium). The omission comes amid a backdrop of administrative mismanagement and fan unrest during the Kolkata leg of the tour, which was marred by mismanagement resulting in fans' outrage and the arrest of the event organiser. The video, shared on Messi's official Instagram account, includes only one event from Kolkata, the unveiling of Messis statue at Lake Town. There are no visuals from Yuva Bharati Krirangan. The rest of the video is dominated by scenes from Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi. It shows Messi playing football with Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy at the Hyderabad stadium, interacting with children, kicking the ball into the stands and waving to spectators. The video also carries moments of Messi interacting with Sachin Tendulkar at Mumbais Wankhede Stadium, along with visuals of him engaging with children and the crowd. Brief clips from the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi are also part of the montage. Messi is seen alongside Luis Surez and Rodrigo De Paul, all smiling through the tour. Apart from on-field moments, the video includes events outside the stadium, such as Messis participation in the Paddle Cup at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai and photographs with actor Kareena Kapoor Khan. During his visit to Kolkata, Messi met several prominent personalities. State minister Aroop Biswas was seen accompanying him at Yuva Bharati Krirangan, but neither the minister nor the stadium event features in the video. In contrast, some industrialists appear in the montage. Although Yuva Bharati Krirangan does not find a place in the visuals, Messi did mention Kolkata in the caption. He wrote, Namaste India! What incredible visits to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Thanks for the warm welcome, great hospitality and all the expressions of love throughout my tour. I hope football has a bright future in India! #GOATTourIndia #GOATconcert #Messiinlndia A Satadru Dutta Initiative. While Kolkata received a brief mention in the caption, the Yuva Bharati event was entirely left out of the video. Notably, Messi retained the name of Satadru Dutta, the main organiser of the tour, in the caption, despite Duttas arrest. Messi also shared a message reflecting on his visit to India. He said, First of all, thank you to India for the love I have received over the past few days. It was a wonderful experience. This trip was very short, but the love I received has removed all my fatigue. He added, I knew I would receive love, but I didn't realise how much. Everyone loved me like crazy. I am returning home with this experience. I hope that one day we will play in India. But even if we don't play, I will definitely come to India. Thank you, everyone. On December 13, the Salt Lake Stadium was packed well before the scheduled start of Messis event, with thousands of fans waiting to catch a glimpse of the great footballer. As Messi arrived, a large crowd surrounded him, trying to take photographs, while security personnel struggled to control the situation. Spectators later complained that many could not see Messi at all. He left the field after about 22 minutes. He added, I knew I would receive love, but I didn't realise how much. Everyone loved me like crazy. I am returning home with this experience. I hope that one day we will play in India. But even if we don't play, I will definitely come to India. Thank you, everyone. Also Read: Live Cricket Score In the aftermath, the state government constituted an inquiry committee. Event organiser Satadru Dutta was arrested, while on Tuesday, Aroop Biswas resigned from his post as state Sports Minister. Senior IPS officers, including Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar, were also issued show-cause notices. Article Source: IANS

Carey admits 'bit of luck' as England mull Snicko complaint

Carey survived a caught-behind review despite a disputed spike on the Snickometer, prompting England to question the reliability of the technology used in the series

Varun Chakravarthy,Tilak Varma Prosper In ICC Mens T20I Player Rankings

Indias hard-hitting batter Tilak Varma has surged up two places to fourth in the ICC Mens T20I Player Rankings even as spinner Varun Chakravarthy has consolidated his position at the top of the bowling rankings. Varma followed up his score of 26 in the opening match against South Africa in Cuttack with 62 in New Chandigarh and 26 not out in Dharamsala this past week to overtake Pakistans Sahibzada Farhan and Englands Jos Buttler in the list led by Indias Abhishek Sharma. Varmas best ranking is the second position that he reached in January this year. South Africa captain Aiden Markrams knock of 61 in a score of only 117 in the third match has taken him eight places up to 29th while Quinton de Kocks match-winning 90 in the second T20I has lifted him 14 places to 53rd position. The T20I bowling rankings see Chakravarthy, who bagged two wickets each in the two T20Is played this past week, adding 36 rating points to his tally, which has gone up to a career-best 818 points. Seamers from both sides have moved up the charts. Indias left-armer Arshdeep Singh, who was named Player of the Match for his haul of two for 13 in Dharamsala, is up four places to 16th while South Africa pacers Marco Jansen (up 14 places to 25th) and Lungi Ngidi (up 11 places to 44th) have also progressed. In the ICC Mens Test Player Rankings, Devon Conways scores of 60 and 28 in Wellington helped his team to a nine-wicket win in the second match of their ICC World Test Championship series against the West Indies and lifted him seven places to 34th position among batters. Mitchell Hay made a fine debut, top-scoring with 61 as he started his Test career in joint-78th position while Jacob Duffy took five second-innings wickets for just 38 runs to move up 15 places to a career-best 48th position among bowlers. Also Read: Live Cricket Score

Carey Century, Khawaja Resistance Power Australia to Strong Day One at Adelaide

An emotional Alex Carey slammed a majestic 106 on his home ground and Usman Khawaja hit a defiant 82 Wednesday to put Australia in the driving seat of the third Ashes Test against England. Batting after captain Pat Cummins won the toss as temperatures topped 36 Celsius at Adelaide Oval, the hosts were 326-8 at stumps on day one after the shock of Steve Smith being ruled out with illness. Mitchell Starc was not out 33 and Nathan Lyon yet to score. To make a hundred here in front of home fans and family was special, an emotional Carey told Australian TV. As he celebrated his maiden Ashes ton, Carey gestured towards the sky in a nod to his father Gordon, who died from cancer in September. I guess you know as well why I was looking to the heavens. I'm trying not to tear up. But, no, it was great. The wicketkeeper's wife Eloise was spotted in tears by TV cameras as he celebrated. To have, mum, brother, sister, Eloise, the kids (here), it was a special moment, Carey added. A tireless Jofra Archer ended with 3-29 on a tough day for England's bowlers in the field. I thought it was a good performance from our bowlers, the heat took us a bit by surprise, said England bowling coach David Saker. The boys toiled away. (Archer) had a point to prove, he sustained his pace and bowled at the stumps, and he was well supported. - Khawaja reprieve - Australia lead the five-Test series 2-0 and will retain the Ashes if they win or draw, after back-to-back eight-wicket thumpings in Perth and Brisbane. Smith, who has more than 10,000 runs, had been feeling unwell in the lead-up but was on Tuesday named in the side. He was on the field during the morning warm-up but left 20 minutes before the toss shaking his head. His absence gave an unexpected reprieve to Khawaja, who turns 39 on Thursday and had been overlooked as opener in favour of Travis Head and Jake Weatherald. Khawaja, who missed Brisbane after suffering back spasms in Perth, grabbed his chance in a stoic knock. He was eventually out just before tea, slog-sweeping to Josh Tongue in the deep off the spin of Will Jacks. Carey picked up the mantle, first alongside Josh Inglis (32), then Pat Cummins (13), and latterly Starc, who once more showed his prowess with the bat. Carey hit eight fours and a six in his third Test century, bringing up the milestone in front of family, friends and 56,298 fans -- the biggest cricket crowd ever at the venue. - Archer burst - A blistering first over after lunch from Archer had left Australia reeling at 94-4. He removed Marnus Labuschagne for 19 with his first ball after the interval. Two deliveries later Cameron Green was gone, with Brydon Carse collecting catches at midwicket to dismiss both. Inglis and Cummins fell in the final session to Tongue and Carse respectively. Players from both teams wore black armbands as a mark of respect to the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting. A moment of silence was held before the game with security tightened and flags flying at half-mast. At the start, Weatherald raced to 18 off 27 balls but his gung-ho approach cost him against the pace of Archer, who fired down a bouncer and induced a top edge to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith. Head followed next over for 10, with Zak Crawley taking a sensational instinctive catch low to his left off Carse. Khawaja, on five, was fortunate to survive when Harry Brook dropped a sitter at second slip and went on to bring up his 28th Test 50 to big cheers. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Carey had a life on 52 when Carse put down a difficult chance in the covers and the 34-year-old made the most of it before falling when he top-edged Jacks to Smith just before the close.

Ashes: Carey, Khawaja Shine As Australia Reach 326-8 At Stumps On Day 1 Of Adelaide Test

Boxing Day Test: Australia wicketkeeper batter Alex Carey delivered a batting masterclass on his home ground to guide his team to a strong start on the opening day of the third Ashes Test, as the hosts reached 326-8 here at the Adelaide Oval. After an early collapse where the hosts found themselves reeling at 94/4, Carey, along with last-minute addition Usman Khawaja, added 91 runs for the fifth wicket to rescue Australia. The 38-year-old left-hander was eventually out on 82 but delivered a fine performance, after being moved down the batting order, hitting several boundaries on the leg side to reach 41 by lunch. Steve Smith was ruled out of the third Test match with a potential 'vestibular issue'. Smith's last-minute withdrawal saw veteran batter Usman Khawaja return to Australias XI after missing out on the first two Tests in Perth and Brisbane. The stand-in captain for the first two Tests of this summers Ashes suffered from nausea and dizziness symptoms and missed training on Monday, but returned to bat in the nets on Tuesday morning ahead of the third Test. He had a brief fitness test on Wednesday morning in the nets but was seen having an intense dialogue with Andrew McDonald and Pat Cummins on the same morning, where the trio appeared to have made a final call on his availability. Khawaja set the stage for Australia with his 24th half-century at Test level, capitalising on a reprieve when Harry Brook dropped a catch when he was on five. The new No. 4 was eventually dismissed by Will Jacks while trying a sweep shot to deep square leg just before tea. Although wickets continued to fall from the other end, the wicketkeeper-batter stood his ground to score his third Test century and his first in front of his home crowd. This achievement was meaningful for Carey, who looked skywards in tribute to his late father, who died in September from leukaemia. The 34-year-old also became Australias leading run-scorer in Tests this year, overtaking Steve Smiths 618 runs to rank sixth worldwide for most runs in the format this year. Josh Inglis looked aggressive but got chopped on his stumps on 32, which included four boundaries. He remains doubtful for the Boxing Day Test once Smith returns to the XI. Carey was dismissed through an untimely top edge, finishing with a score of 106, but the lower order continues to challenge England as Mitchell Starc, the hero of the first two Tests, stamped his authority with an unbeaten 32 alongside spinner Nathan Lyon (0*), who kept his defence game strong. Josh Inglis looked aggressive but got chopped on his stumps on 32, which included four boundaries. He remains doubtful for the Boxing Day Test once Smith returns to the XI. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Archer finished the day with figures of 3-29 after 16 overs, while Carse and Jacks took two wickets each as Josh Tongue got the wicket of Inglis. Article Source: IANS

Sri Lanka Rope In R. Sridhar As Men's National Team Fielding Coach

T20I World Cup: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed R. Sridhar as the fielding coach of the national team until the completion of the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026. Sridhar's appointment was effective from December 11 and will end a couple of days after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, on March 10. Sridhar, a BCCI Level 3 qualified coach, brings extensive international experience, having served as Indias fielding coach across more than 300 international matches from 2014 to 2021, which includes two ODI and T20I World Cup editions each. In his new role, Sridhar will work closely with the Sri Lankan squad to lift overall fielding standards work with the players during the upcoming tours involving Pakistan and England, followed by preparations for the ICC Mens T20 World Cup. Speaking after the announcement, Sridhar said, Sri Lankan players have always stood for instinctive brilliance, resilience, and collective spirit. My role is not to impose a system but to nurture an environment where athleticism, awareness, and pride in the field can grow naturally. The appointment marks a familiar return for Sridhar, who earlier this year conducted a 10-day specialised fielding camp at Sri Lanka Crickets National High Performance Centre in May. He began the programme with the Sri Lanka National Mens team and subsequently trained other squads, where he conducted fielding drills, skill-specific training and simulated match scenarios to replicate game conditions. Sridhar had worked closely with the national, high-performance and club coaches during his 10-day stint at Sri Lanka Cricket. He began the programme with the Sri Lanka National Mens team and subsequently trained other squads, where he conducted fielding drills, skill-specific training and simulated match scenarios to replicate game conditions. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Last year, Sridhar was named Afghanistan mens cricket teams assistant coach for the sides one-off Test match against New Zealand in Noida and the three-match ODI series against South Africa in September. Article Source: IANS

'One For The Ages': Gilchrist Lauds Carey's 'emotional Hundred' In Adelaide

Adam Gilchrist: Australian legend Adam Gilchrist was full of praise for Alex Carey after he delivered his finest Ashes performance with a stunning century on his home ground in front of family, friends, and fans, describing it as an emotional hundred for a quality cricketer. Carey arrived at the crease when Australia were in trouble at 94/4 and formed a vital 91-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Usman Khawaja (82). After Khawaja's dismissal, Carey stood firm throughout to score his third Test century. He eventually went after a top edge, finishing on 106. After his century, Carey paid tribute to his late father, who passed away in September due to leukaemia. Gilchrist, who presented Carey with his Baggy Green cap before his debut in Brisbane in 2021, praised the wicketkeeper-batter's maiden Ashes century as one for the ages. It is an emotional hundred for a quality cricketer. It is his third in Test cricket. His first in an Ashes. That one is for you, dad, Gilchrist said on Kayo Sports. He was brilliant with the gloves up in Brisbane, next level, and he has brought it to his home ground with the bat. What a magical moment here at an amazing cricket ground. So many extraordinary feats have been carried out at this venue and that is one for the ages, an Ashes hundred to Alex Carey, Gilchrist said. 34-year-old Carey also became Australias top run-scorer at Test level this year, surpassing Steve Smith (618 runs) to now rank sixth in the world for most runs in the format this year. What a magical moment here at an amazing cricket ground. So many extraordinary feats have been carried out at this venue and that is one for the ages, an Ashes hundred to Alex Carey, Gilchrist said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I think it is how work ethic and just his desire to improve and do all the little, minor things at training, that is what has seen his performance get elevated. He has been feeling good with the bat and the gloves all year ... and he is such a reliable cricketer, Gilchrist added. Article Source: IANS

Carey century keeps Australia afloat as Ashes refuses to find slower gear

Usman Khawaja, given a life early, made 82 after an unexpected recall but the home side handed out wickets on plate to England

One Keeper From Every Decade- Teen, 20s, 30s, 40s: Mukund Points Out Interesting CSK Fact

Chennai Super Kings: Former India cricketer Abhinav Mukund made an interesting observation in Chennai Super Kings (CSK) squad after the team formed a 25-member team after the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, noting that the five-time champions have one wicketkeeper from every decade; teen, 20s, 30s, 40s. CSK have four wicketkeepers in their squad, 19-year-old Kartik Sharma, who is in his teens; Urvil Patel, in his 20s; Sanju Samson, in his 30s; and MS Dhoni, in his 40s. The Men in Yellow had a good outing at the auction, which took place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, and invested heavily in youth as they aimed to build a futuristic team. Notable inclusions were youngsters Prashant Veer from Uttar Pradesh and Kartik Sharma of Rajasthan, as the duo fetched Rs. 14.20 crores each to become the joint-costliest uncapped players in the tournaments history. Mukund opined that CSK made a massive tectonic shift in their approach and dubbed the current squad a very different side. Analysing their auction strategy and outcome, Mukund said, I think CSK have put together a pretty solid side. Their retentions earlier were always based on what had worked for them in the past, but now everything is out of the window. For 2026, its almost like a 30 per cent investment in wicketkeepers. They now have one from every decade one in his teens, one in his 20s, one in his 30s and one in his 40s. On a serious note, this is a complete reset for CSK. Just imagine the number of meetings they must have had before arriving at these decisions, because this is a legacy franchise built on one system, one belief, and strong player loyalty. Mukund opined that CSK made a massive tectonic shift in their approach and dubbed the current squad a very different side. Analysing their auction strategy and outcome, Mukund said, I think CSK have put together a pretty solid side. Their retentions earlier were always based on what had worked for them in the past, but now everything is out of the window. For 2026, its almost like a 30 per cent investment in wicketkeepers. Also Read: Live Cricket Score CSK Squad for IPL 2026: Anshul Kamboj, Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Gurjapneet Singh, Jamie Overton, Khaleel Ahmed, MS Dhoni, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis, Nood Ahmad, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Gopal, Urvil Patel, Akeal Hosein, Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma, Dasun Shanaka, Aman Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar, Zak Foulkes Article Source: IANS

Andhra Pradesh Presents Rs 2.5 Crore Cash Reward To Woman Cricketer Shree Charani

Sports Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy: The Andhra Pradesh government on Wednesday handed over a cash incentive of Rs 2.5 crore to woman cricketer Shree Charani in recognition of her exceptional performance at the ICC Womens One Day World Cup. Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh personally met Shree Charani at his Undavalli residence and presented her with the cheque on behalf of the coalition government. A native of Kadapa district, Shree Charani has emerged as one of Indias brightest talents in international womens cricket and played a pivotal role in her teams success during the recently concluded World Cup. Acknowledging her remarkable contribution and consistent excellence on the global stage, the Andhra Pradesh government has extended a comprehensive package of incentives. In addition to the Rs 2.5 crore cash award, the government has allotted her a residential plot measuring 500 square yards in Visakhapatnam. The state has also assured her a Group-I level position in the Andhra Pradesh government after the completion of her degree. Formal government orders to this effect have already been issued. The gesture reflects the state governments commitment to encouraging sporting excellence and inspiring young women across Andhra Pradesh to pursue careers in sports with confidence and ambition, an official release said. The event was attended by Transport and Youth & Sports Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy, Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) Chairman Animini Ravinayudu, Special Chief Secretary (Sports) Ajay Jain and other senior officials. The state government last month announced a cash reward, a government job and a house site for Shree Charani. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had announced the incentives after the young cricketer called on him. Hailing from Andhra Pradesh's Kadapa district, she played her first World Cup after making her international debut in April. The state government last month announced a cash reward, a government job and a house site for Shree Charani. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had announced the incentives after the young cricketer called on him. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The women's national cricket team made history by winning their first-ever ICC Women's Cricket World Cup title on November 2 in Navi Mumbai. They defeated South Africa by 52 runs in the final Article Source: IANS

A Hole in the Pitch: The Rare Incidents That Stopped Cricket Matches in Their Tracks

Recently an Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes WBBL match at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide ended in a silly mess. During the break, a warm up ball rolled onto the pitch, got stuck under the roller and damaged the wicket. Result: Match called off, points shared and with that the Strikers were out of the playoffs (finals) race. The ball settled into the wicket and left a hole when it was removed from the surface, and this prompted the umpires to abandon the match. There are many non-cricketing reasons, stopping play in a cricket match but the freak incident of a ball rolled into the pitch, resulting in abandoning a match is something unique. The Strikers had posted 167 for 4 in the 20 overs with Madeline Penna top scoring (63) and Hurricanes were preparing to start their run chase, then this incident happened. It was considered that due to the hole on the surface, the pitch condition has changed significantly. Will you believe that something similar has happened earlier also and that too in Test cricket. In 2003, the start of the third days play in the first Test between Zimbabwe and the West Indies at the Harare Sports Club, Harare was delayed after a practice ball was accidentally run over by a pitch roller. This created a hole in the pitch. In this case the damage to the pitch was repaired and play resumed whereas the WBBL match was abandoned. The timeline of the 2003 Test Match is very interesting. Zimbabwe's Trevor Gripper was the batsman who hit a practice ball onto the pitch area and at that time the ground staff were rolling the wicket. The roller operator, unaware of the balls arrival inadvertently ran over the ball, this pressed the ball hard into the dry pitch which resulted in creation of an inch-deep hole, at the city end of the ground. Umpires Simon Taufel and Billy Bowden decided that the pitch was unplayable in that condition. It was clear that the damage would change the behaviour of the pitch making it dangerous. There was no arrangement at the stadium to repair such a dent. The start was delayed. Robin Brown, a former Zimbabwe opener from the eighties, was the HSC groundsman at that time. He immediately sought an auger (a drilling tool) from a nearby golf course (Royal Harare Golf Club). The process adopted was to remove the damaged turf and fill the space with a portion of the pitch, dug from behind the stumps or in other words a minor turf transplantation took place. Indias Gundappa Viswanath was the match referee. He inspected the repairs along with both the captains, Brian Lara and Heath Streak. Once satisfied, the play eventually commenced after a delay of 121 minutes. A light rain shower also occurred during this delay. Viswanath postponed the lunch to allow a two-hour session. On the other hand, in the WBBL match it was considered that with the roller creating a hole in the pitch, the conditions were changed significantly. As such, after consultation between the match officials and the umpires, it was concluded that it would be unreasonable to expect the Hurricanes to bat in conditions that were materially different than those the Strikers had experienced. The agreed result proved costly for Adelaide as they were officially ruled out of qualifying for the Finals. At Harare, the play was due to start at 9.30, half an hour early, to make up for time lost on the second day. The preparation to start the play were on when Trevor Grippers mis-timed drive sent a practice ball on to the pitch, right in front of the roller. The repairing efforts proved beneficial and the further play showed no signs of any damage to the pitch. Believe it, the offending piece of turf was coated in resin and is kept as an historic item. The West Indies team under Brian Lara in 2003/04 toured Zimbabwe and South Africa. In Zimbabwe, this was the first of the two Test series. Zimbabwe batted first and finished the first day on 284/6. Heath Streak (127*: his maiden Test century, in his 56th Test, a record.) with Andy Blignaut (91), added 168 for the 8th wicket to help Zimbabwe finish at 507/7d. When the play ended, 36 minutes before the scheduled end due to bad light, the West Indies were 11/0. To make up for this loss of the play, it was decided to begin play half an hour early (9:30 am local time) on the 3rd day. Left-arm spinner Raymond Price collected 6/73 (finished the Test with 10/161) to hand his side a first innings lead of 172. Zimbabwe declared before lunch on the final day, setting a target of 373 and giving themselves a little over two sessions to bowl the tourists out. The West Indian batsmen failed to deliver, and the ninth wicket fell at 204 with nearly 12 overs to go. However, Ridley Jacobs (60*) and Fidel Edwards battled for 32 minutes and 71 deliveries in fading light, snatching a heart-stopping draw to the immense relief of their teammates. For Zimbabwe, this ended a run of 11 consecutive Test defeats and came heartbreakingly close to their first victory over a senior Test team since June 2001. Also Read: Live Cricket Score After this thrilling draw, the Windies won the Test series by defeating the hosts in the final Test in Bulawayo by 128 runs.

Anant Ambani gives Messi a million-dollar gift literally

Lionel Messi visited Anant Ambani's Vantara, where he took part in Hindu rituals, experienced wildlife up close, and interacted with caregivers and conservation teams. The team exuded elegance in traditional attire, with a tilak applied on their foreheads while performing the rituals. Take a look at the photos.

Cricket Australia, ECB seek to address Ashes warm-up concerns

Preparation for future series on the agenda after England's lack of competitive practice at Lilac Hill

After Trading Jaddu, We Needed A No.7 Who Bats, Bowl & Field: CSK CEO On Prashant Veers Record Bid

Chennai Super Kings: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) CEO Kasi Viswanathan opened up about the team purchasing uncapped all-rounder Prashant Veer at the IPL mini-auction, stating that they were looking for a new No. 7 player after trading Ravindra Jadeja to Rajasthan Royals. The Uttar Pradesh all-rounders price increased 47.3 times his initial value after CSK resisted early interest from the Royals and a late, fierce competition from Sunrisers Hyderabad to acquire the 20-year-old left-arm spinner and middle-order batter for a record Rs. 14.20 crore. The franchises CEO said they had hoped to sign Cameron Green but had to withdraw when the bidding surpassed Rs. 25 crore, explaining they could not spend more than 50 percent of their purse on a single player as it might have affected their subsequent acquisitions. To summarise, it was very difficult in the first round. We were hoping to get Cameron Green. But if we gave more than 50% of our purse for him alone, it would have been tough to get the rest of the players, especially the youngsters. We had identified a lot of youngsters. We were afraid we wouldnt get them. That's why we could only go up to 25 crores for green. But, we were able to get the youngsters whom we wanted, he said in a video shared by the franchise. Shedding light on Veers acquisition, which made him the joint-costliest uncapped player to ever be sold at the IPL auction, Kasi said, Prashant Veer is a new player. You know that we traded Jaddu (Jadeja) with RR. So we needed a number 7 who can bat and who can bowl. And who is also a good fielder. Our talent scout team gave us a lot of feedback as to which of the youngsters were doing well. Prashant Veer was the number one player whom the talent scout team had identified. He also came for CSK trials when we had the trials at HPC, we got to know about his talent. We could spot out that he has something extra. (AR) Srikanth, (Sridharan) Sriram, all of them were there. They told us that Prashant Veer has a special talent. They told us to keep an eye on him. They told us that hed be a good pick. So, we thought he would be a good bet for us, he added. CSKs auction strategy saw a change this time, as the franchise bid for many youngsters, aiming to build a futuristic squad and learning from their mistakes of the past. Once dubbed Daddys Army, Kasi said that the team looked to identify youngsters and up-and-coming players to bolster the squads strength. In the 2018 auction during the lunch time, our boss Srinivasan Sir scolded us, Are you picking players? What are you doing? All the fans also started saying, Youve picked a team like some Daddys army. But we won the trophy, coming back after 2 years. From that time, you will see in IPL, there has been a change in the kind of cricket which is being played. Power cricket, which is coming. For that, we have to adapt. That adaptation will take some time. Last year, we brought in youngsters from mid-season. Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, Dewald Brevis, all of them came into the team. We have traded in Sanju Samson. So, we have strengthened the batting. We are identifying some of the bowlers who will be good. Akeal Hossein is probably the best T20 powerplay bowler. Similarly, we have bowlers who can be really useful. We have got Jamie Overton, and now Matt Henry and Foulkes who are all very good with the new ball. So, I think we have fairly got a good side, he stated. Kasi assured the fans that theyll have fun watching CSKs games at their home ground, Chepauk, and said that skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and veteran MS Dhoni will do a great job for the team. Similarly, we have bowlers who can be really useful. We have got Jamie Overton, and now Matt Henry and Foulkes who are all very good with the new ball. So, I think we have fairly got a good side, he stated. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Message to fans, as I always say, Thala and Rutu will do a great job for the team. Fans, this year you will really enjoy watching CSK at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. And hope we win the trophy, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

He Fits The Position Perfectly, PBKS Skipper Shreyas Iyer On Buying Connolly In Auction

Shreyas Iyer: Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shreyas Iyer spoke about acquiring batting all-rounder Cooper Connolly, stating that the Australian has the ability to finish matches and fits the role perfectly. PBKS concluded the IPL 2026 mini-auction with four notable acquisitions, completing their 25-player squad for the upcoming season. The auction saw PBKS secure two uncapped and two capped players, with Australian pacer Ben Dwarshuis emerging as the team's most expensive purchase this auction. The Kings opened their account with Connolly, who was bought for Rs 3 crore. A rising talent capable of providing flexibility in the middle order, Connolly also offers dependable slow left-arm spin option. Speaking on the vision behind Connollys inclusion, Iyer, who has faced him in Australia, said: Honestly, he wasn't there in our mind at the start but as we brainstormed and narrowed down our options, we realized he fit the position perfectly. He further added, He has a great temperament and the ability to finish games. Those characteristics matter a lot in IPL. However, we didnt think we would get him for 3, we actually predicted his price would be much higher. The team's highest bid in the auction came shortly after, with Dwarshuis signed for Rs 4.40 crore. The left-arm pacer and useful lower-order hitter adds substantial depth to the bowling attack while offering a lethal power-hitting option at the death. Pravin Dubey returned to the Kings den after being re-acquired at his base price of Rs 30 lakh. Dubey provides essential Indian spin backup to complement the existing duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar. Further strengthening the domestic core, promising young talent Vishal Nishad joins the PBKS squad, also signed at his base price of Rs 30 lakh. The Kings entered the auction with a purse of Rs 11.5 crore and exhausted Rs 8 crore from it by acquiring two overseas and two Indian players. Further strengthening the domestic core, promising young talent Vishal Nishad joins the PBKS squad, also signed at his base price of Rs 30 lakh. Also Read: Live Cricket Score bc/vi Article Source: IANS

Football has a bright future in India: Messi after four-city tour

Messi extended his stay to visit the Vantara wildlife centre in Jamnagar before returning to Miami.

Livingstone Stars as Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Hand Desert Vipers First Defeat in One-Run Thriller

The Desert Vipers finally met their match on Tuesday night as the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders handed the table-toppers their first loss of the season, at the Zayed Cricket Stadium. The thrilling one-run victory was set up by Liam Livingstones knock of 76 runs before the Knight Riders bowling attack held their nerve to defend their total of 181/5. A crucial opening stand between Fakhar Zaman (44 off 32) and Max Holden (52 off 43) kept the Vipers in the fray for a long time, but potent spells from Andre Russell (2/16), Ajay Kumar (2/47) and Jason Holder (1/28) ensured a narrow victory. In response to a daunting target, Fakhar Zaman and Max Holden (52 off 43) steered the Vipers through an impactful powerplay of 53/0. The pair rotated the strike with ease and found timely boundaries even after the fielding restrictions as Max Holden brought up a 40-ball half-century. Holden struck six boundaries on his way there. The Vipers were at a canter until Andre Russell got the vital breakthrough, removing Holden in the 12th over. With only one boundary since the 11th over, the mounting pressure saw Andre Russell strike again to remove Zaman at 114/2 in 14 overs. Sunil Narine was also instrumental in turning up the pressure, conceding only 23 runs in his four overs. Hasan Nawaz broke the drought with two consecutive sixes off Ajay Kumar in the 16th over but holed out on the next delivery. Sam Curran (11 off 10) and Shimron Hetmyer (7 off 4) also perished in quick succession to leave the equation at 19 runs needed in 12 balls. A cameo from Khuzaima Tanveer (16 off 9) almost brought the Vipers home, but his knock came to an end in the final over as Ajay Kumar defended the 12 runs needed. Batting first, the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders stumbled out of the blocks, slumping to 9/2 inside two overs. Khuzaima Tanveer struck on the opening delivery, claiming Phil Salt as his 11th victim of the season, before Lockie Ferguson trapped Michael Pepper (4 off 3) LBW to leave the Knight Riders reeling. Alex Hales (25 off 18) counterattacked inside the powerplay with two fours and two sixes but fell to Ferguson in the fifth over as the Knight Riders finished the powerplay at 48/3. Liam Livingstone (76 off 48) and UAEs Alishan Sharafu (39 off 35) endured a difficult phase, steadying the ship with a 50-run stand in 46 balls. Just as the pair looked to step on the accelerator, Sharafu fell to Sam Curran in search of his fourth six of the night. The Knight Riders recovered well to pass the 15-over mark at 112/4, and Livingstone and Sherfane Rutherford (24* off 14) ensured the side plundered another 69 runs in the final five overs. Livingstone launched Qais Ahmad for two successive sixes to bring up a 36-ball fifty and finished the night with six fours and three sixes to his name. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rutherford took down Noor Ahmad in a 19-run over before Livingstone became Fergusons third scalp of the night in the final over. The partnership of 68 runs in 30 balls propelled the Knight Riders to 181/5.

Wayne Madsen To Lead Italy In T20 World Cup Next Year

The Italian Cricket Federation: The Italian Cricket Federation (Federazione Cricket Italia) have confirmed Wayne Madsen will lead the side for their historic ICC Men's T20 World Cup tilt next year, replacing Joe Burns who will be omitted from the squad for the tournament. The Italians are yet to submit their player list for the tournament next year, their first appearance at a cricket global tournament at any level of the game. Despite preliminary discussions regarding Burns' availability in recent weeks, however, a final agreement has not been reached and, consequently, no contract has been formalized. At the same time, internal technical and organizational evaluations have led to the identification of Wayne Madsen as the most suitable choice to lead the team, Federazione Cricket Italia said in a statement. Burns wore the Italian national team jersey in the 2024 tournaments in Rome and Uganda and captained the national team during the qualifying campaign in the Netherlands in July 2025, which culminated in Italy's historic qualification for the Men's T20 World Cup, the first in the history of the sport. The Federation would like to thank Joe Burns for his contribution to Italian cricket, both on the field and as captain, it added. Italy begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Bangladesh in Kolkata on February 9, with the team also scheduled to play against England, West Indies and Nepal in Group C. Italy will play three-match T20I series against Ireland in Dubai as both teams continue their preparations for the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026. Italy begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Bangladesh in Kolkata on February 9, with the team also scheduled to play against England, West Indies and Nepal in Group C. Also Read: Live Cricket Score It also offers a valuable opportunity for both sides to fine-tune their squads ahead of the marquee event. Article Source: IANS

Kareena Kapoor Reacts As Messi Includes Her In His Goodbye Post Following India Visit

Shah Rukh Khan: After concluding the last leg of his India tour, legendary footballer Lionel Messi decided to post a special montage video on social media, incorporating memories from his visit to the country. Amidst several moments that apparently stood out for the G.O.A.T. was his meeting with Bollywood beauty Kareena Kapoor and her two boys, Taimur and Jeh. Elated about featuring in Messi's farewell video, Bebo gave a shout-out to her elder son Taimur. Kareena re-posted Messi's video on the Stories section of her Instagram and wrote, Ok Tim then this happened (heart emoji) for you (heart emoji) (sic). During his visit to India, Messi met many bigwigs from B-town such as Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, Tiger Shroff, Shilpa Shetty, and Geeta Basra, to name just a few. On Wednesday, Messi took to his IG and treated the netizens with a special video, along with a special goodbye message for all his Indian fans. The clip had glimpses of Messi meeting the children at the stadium, along with his meeting with the cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar. However, picking from all his Bollywood interactions, Messi chose to include only Kareena and her sons in the montage. The footballer captioned the post, Namaste India! What incredible visits to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Thanks for the warm welcome, great hospitality, and all the expressions of love throughout my tour. I hope football has a bright future in India (sic). As part of his Indian tour, Messi landed in Mumbai on Sunday. However, this tour did not start on a great note, as he encountered an embarrassing situation in Kolkata. The footballer captioned the post, Namaste India! What incredible visits to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. Thanks for the warm welcome, great hospitality, and all the expressions of love throughout my tour. I hope football has a bright future in India (sic). Also Read: Live Cricket Score After Kolkata, Messi also went to Hyderabad and then Mumbai as part of his itinerary. Article Source: IANS

Pakistan imports to play entire BBL, says Cricket Australia CEO

There were concerns that Shaheen Shah Afridi and others might have to travel to Sri Lanka with the Pakistan national team to play a T20I series in January

Ashes: 'Vestibular Issue' Forces Smith Out Of Adelaide Test 20 Minutes Before Toss

Boxing Day Test: Australia batter Steve Smith has been ruled out of the third Ashes Test 20 minutes before the toss with a potential 'vestibular issue'. Smith's last-minute withdrawal sees veteran batter Usman Khawaja returning to the line-up and scored 82 runs while batting at No.4 position. Steve Smith was ruled out of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide today. Over the past few days he has been feeling unwell, with symptoms including nausea and dizziness, a Cricket Australia said in a statement. He was assessed and monitored closely and was close to being available to play. However, given the persistence of symptoms, a decision was made not to proceed. He is being treated for a potential vestibular issue. This is something Steve has experienced intermittently in the past and is being managed accordingly. He is expected to be available for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, it added. The stand-in captain for the first two Tests of this summers Ashes has suffered nausea and dizziness symptoms and missed training on Monday but returned to bat in the Adelaide Oval nets on Tuesday morning. He had a brief fitness test on Wednesday morning in the nets but was seen having intense dialogue with Andrew McDonald and Pat Cummins on Wednesday morning, where the trio made a final call on his availability. He came and gave it a crack this morning but didn't think he was going to get up for this one so he has headed off home, captain Pat Cummins said at the toss. (We're) pretty lucky we got someone like Usman who can step right in. He had a brief fitness test on Wednesday morning in the nets but was seen having intense dialogue with Andrew McDonald and Pat Cummins on Wednesday morning, where the trio made a final call on his availability. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Coming to the match, Australia are currently reeling at 185/5. Article Source: IANS

Cameron Green becomes most expensive overseas buy in IPL history

Australia all-rounder Cameron Green became the most expensive overseas buy in Indian Premier League history on Tuesday. Green was in the first set of players in the auction in Abu Dhabi and his name triggered a bidding war with former champions Kolkata Knight Riders finally signing him for next season for 252 million rupees ($2.77 million). In rupees, Green surpassed the previous overseas record of 247.5 million rupees paid by Kolkata in the 2024 auction for Mitchell Starc. The fall of the rupee means Starc's 2024 price was higher in dollars at $2.98 million. Three-time winners Kolkata also acquired Sri Lankan speedster Matheesha Pathirana for 180 million rupees. England's Liam Livingstone went to Sunrisers Hyderabad for 130 million rupees in the accelerated round after he went unsold in the first phase. Green has a capped salary of 180 million rupees due to a new maximum fee rule, with the remainder going to the Board of Control for Cricket in India. Very happy, something we were focused on and hoping. Happy with the price with which we got him, Kolkata chief executive Venky Mysore told reporters. He adds a lot to our team, especially with our new power coach Andre Russell. Very nice to have a young all-rounder. We know what he does with bat and ball. - Jackpot for uncapped Indians - Green, 26, becomes the third most expensive player in the IPL, after India's Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer. He has scored 707 runs in 29 IPL matches for five-time winners Mumbai Indians and defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He missed the 2025 edition with a back injury but is currently playing in the Ashes against England. Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings made a splash with when they bought uncapped Indians Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma for 142 million rupees each. The duo's value jumped from their base price of 3 million rupees to become joint-holders of the record for costliest uncapped players in IPL. Another uncapped Indian Auqib Nabi -- an up and coming fast bowler from Indian-administered Kashmir -- went for 28 times over his base price for 84 million rupees to Delhi Capitals. Delhi got lucky landing explosive South African batter David Miller for his base price of 20 million. At that price it's an absolute steal for Delhi Capitals, India's spin great Anil Kumble said on JioStar. Overall, it's a genius move by Delhi Capitals to add experience -- something they were missing last season. Mumbai brought wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock for the 10 million rupees the South African had picked as his base price. Australian Jake Fraser-McGurk, England's Jonny Bairstow and New Zealand batter Devon Conway went unsold. The business value of the world's richest cricket tournament was estimated earlier this year at $18.5 billion, by US investment bank Houlihan Lokey. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The 19th edition of the IPL begins on March 26.

Smith ruled out on the morning of Adelaide, Khawaja recalled

Australia forced into late rejig as senior batter pulls up unwell after net session

Cameron Green breaks IPL overseas record in move to Kolkata Knight Riders

The Australia allrounder was part of a bidding war which saw him finish with a AU$4.2 million deal

India vs South Africa, 4th T20I - Who will win today IND vs SA match?

IND vs SA , 4th T20I , Cricket Tips :The third test match between India and South Africa in Dharamsala saw a disciplined bowling performance from the hosts. Team India recorded an easy win to take a 2-1 lead in the series. The visitors found it hard against the moving ball. India and South Africa are ready to take on each other in the fourth test. This game will start at 7 PM IST on Wednesday at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow. Despite a lead in the series, India have been going through some issues. The form of Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill is India's biggest worry with only a few matches left for the T20 World Cup 2026. IND vs SA: Match Details Date : December 17, 2025 (Wednesday) Time : 7:00 PM IST Venue : Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow IND vs SA: Live Streaming Details To watch the live action of the fourth T20I, it will be provided on the Star Sports Network. The live stream of this game will be available on the Jio Hotstar app or website. IND vs SA: Head-to-Head Total Matches : 34 India : 20 South Africa : 13 No-Result : 01 IND vs SA: Ground Pitch Report The wicket in Lucknow is good for batting, which is expected to slow down with time. Slow bowlers will get more out of this wicket. The batters can score runs more quickly in the first innings. However, there can be dew in the second innings, so batting second can be a slight advantage. IND vs SA: Possible XIs India : Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy South Africa : Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Donovan Ferreira, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman IND vs SA: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Abhishek Sharma made the difference in Dharamsala with a quick-fire cameo. He will be the big danger for South Africa. Quinton de Kock is a kind of batter who can take on Indian bowlers and will be a big wicket. Probable Best Bowler Varun Chakravarthy has been the most consistent bowler in all three games. He has been in good form with the ball. For South Africa, Lungi Ngidi has been the best bowler. Today Match Prediction : South Africa are changing and chopping a lot, which has hurt their combination. Hence, we predict India to win the fourth T20I. IND vs SA Match 4th 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.

Nagesh Trophy: UP, Gujarat, Goa, Delhi, And Bengal Win On Third Day

National T20 Cricket Tournament: Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Goa, Delhi, and West Bengal won their matches as the 8th edition of the Nagesh Trophy Mens National T20 Cricket Tournament for the Blind 2025 witnessed an electrifying day of league matches across Vijayawada, Gandhinagar, and New Delhi. The day went well, featuring commanding victories, a nail-biting finish, and standout individual performancesfurther underlining the growing competitiveness of blind cricket in India. At Vijayawada, Uttar Pradesh registered a convincing seven-wicket victory over Tamil Nadu. After opting to field, Uttar Pradesh restricted Tamil Nadu to 135/6 in 20 overs, led by disciplined bowling from Gokul Kumar (3 wickets) and Shaukat Ali (2 wickets). The chase was anchored by Ravi Verma, who remained unbeaten on 70 off 44 balls, supported by Vikram Sen (31), as Uttar Pradesh reached 136/3 in 14.1 overs. Ravi Verma was named Player of the Match. In the second match at the venue, Gujarat produced a composed all-round performance to defeat Uttarakhand by six wickets. Gujarat restricted Uttarakhand to 132/9, before chasing down the target comfortably at 133/4 in 14.1 overs. Dinesh Rathva was adjudged Player of the Match for his impactful all-round contribution. At Gandhinagar, fans were treated to a thriller as Jammu & Kashmir edged past Manipur by five runs. Batting first, Jammu & Kashmir posted 173/6, built around Shubams 42 and a fluent unbeaten 33 from Sahil. Manipur mounted a spirited chase, led by Bablu Sankhwar (45), but fell just short at 168/8. Sahil was named Player of the Match for his decisive all-round effort. In another dominant display at the same venue, Goa stormed to a massive 101-run win over Railways. Goa piled on 233/2, powered by a sensational unbeaten 121 off 66 balls by Nilesh, with solid support from Aftab Patel (44). Railways were restricted to 132/8, with Nilesh also contributing with the ball. He was deservedly named Player of the Match. Meanwhile, in New Delhi, West Bengal registered a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Chandigarh. After bowling out Chandigarh for 128 in 18.5 overs, West Bengal chased down the target in just 13 overs, led by contributions from Surajit Ghara and captain Nasiruddin Ahamed, who was named Player of the Match. In another dominant display at the same venue, Goa stormed to a massive 101-run win over Railways. Goa piled on 233/2, powered by a sensational unbeaten 121 off 66 balls by Nilesh, with solid support from Aftab Patel (44). Railways were restricted to 132/8, with Nilesh also contributing with the ball. He was deservedly named Player of the Match. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The days results collectively showcased the intensity, skill, resilience, and rising national prominence of blind cricket in India, as the IndusInd Bank Nagesh Trophy 2025 continues to deliver high-quality, competitive cricket across venues. Article Source: IANS

Derbyshire sign Mohammad Abbas on two-year contact

Experienced Pakistan seamer will be reunited in Derby with Mickey Arthur

IPL 2026 Auction: Happy On Getting Uncapped Pacers Ashok And Prithvi, Says Parthiv Patel

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Gujarat Titans (GT) assistant coach Parthiv Patel expressed satisfaction on securing the services of uncapped pacers Ashok Sharma and Prithvi Raj Yarra in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Auction in Abu Dhabi, saying the duo bolsters their fast-bowling resources in unique ways. Sharma is leading the wicket-taking charts of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with 22 wickets in ten games for Rajasthan, while Yarra picked 12 wickets in nine matches for Andhra. The duos acquisition by GT at the auction in Abu Dhabi is a smart addition to an already rich arsenal of GTs fast bowlers, featuring the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Ishant Sharma, and Kagiso Rabada. See, basically, for Ashok Sharma, we all thought that the way the Indian uncapped pace bowlers were bowling, they were very impressive in their bowling this time. Because we were watching the matches, we saw that he also took a lot of matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this year, especially with the pace he was bowling, said Parthiv while responding to an IANS query in the post-auction press conference. So it was in our minds that we wanted an uncapped fast bowler to come to the team. Because of that, we are happy that a young fast bowler has come to our team. The same situation was that Prithvi Raj Yarra had also been playing first-class cricket for a long time and had an injury in between. But the way he is bowling this time, especially bringing us a variation of a lefty bowler, and because of this, the way we see domestic players, we thought that these two are very impressive bowlers. We are very happy that we were able to bring them to our team, said Patel. GTs headline purchase at the auction was West Indies fast-bowling all-rounder Jason Holder, who is set to vie with Glenn Phillips for a place in the starting eleven. Seeking to bolster their overseas contingent, GT aggressively pursued Holder and eventually got him for Rs 7 crore after a prolonged tussle with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Patel stated that Holder had always been their first-choice target in auction planning, adding that the teams style of play and overall composition demanded the presence of a seasoned all-rounder, making him a natural fit. See, we've tracked Jason Holder for the last one and a half years. He's been outstanding in T20 cricket. Wherever he has played in all the leagues, he's been brilliant. Also, GT's philosophy is that we always look at the experienced player. We all know how experienced Jason Holder is. He's been around for years, and obviously, an all-rounder is always an asset, and that is the reason why we've gone ahead with Jason Holder, he added. The addition of England pacer Luke Wood for Rs 75 lakh also boosted GTs overseas pace bowling options, after the franchise missed out on buying Australian pacer Ben Dwarshuis. Basically, we needed a left-arm seamer who could swing the ball, and both of them are like that. The other thing is that when you go to the auction, it depends on which player comes first. See, we've tracked Jason Holder for the last one and a half years. He's been outstanding in T20 cricket. Wherever he has played in all the leagues, he's been brilliant. Also, GT's philosophy is that we always look at the experienced player. We all know how experienced Jason Holder is. He's been around for years, and obviously, an all-rounder is always an asset, and that is the reason why we've gone ahead with Jason Holder, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So that's why Rabada was a right-arm seamer, and we had all the other right-arm fast bowlers. So we were going towards that variation and needed a left-arm seamer, and that's why we went to Luke Wood, concluded Patel. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026 Auction: Prithvi Shaw Makes Insta U-turn After Being Revived And Bought By Delhi Capitals

U19 Cricket World Cup: India batter Prithvi Shaw on Tuesday took a notable U-turn on social media as he posted a heartbreak emoticon on his Instagram story shortly after going unsold twice at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction, before deleting the post as the Delhi Capitals bought his services in a late bid. After going unsold at the base price of Rs 75 lakh in the opening session, Shaws name appeared in the accelerated auction of unsold players. However, he once again received no bids during the day. Shaw then posted a story on his Instagram account, writing It's Ok, accompanied by a heartbreak emoji. But things took a surprising turn for him as, towards the end of the auction, his name was revived for a third time, this time by the Delhi Capitals, who picked him up. Shaw responded promptly, deleting his earlier post within six minutes and replacing it with another, a reshare of the franchises post that included a photo of Shaw taking a selfie with DC captain Axar Patel, welcoming him back to the fold. Back to my family, Prithvi Shaw titled this new post with a heart emoji, making a quick U-turn. In this latest Insta story, Prithvi Shaw, who scored the fastest double century in the Ranji Trophy in October this year, shared his surprise at returning to the franchise he played for from 2018 to 2024. The 26-year-old Prithvi Shaw has played five Test matches and six ODIs for India since making his debut against the West Indies in October 2018. His most recent ODI was against Sri Lanka on July 23, 2021. Back to my family, Prithvi Shaw titled this new post with a heart emoji, making a quick U-turn. In this latest Insta story, Prithvi Shaw, who scored the fastest double century in the Ranji Trophy in October this year, shared his surprise at returning to the franchise he played for from 2018 to 2024. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Shaw, who set the highest score by any batsman in any organised form of cricket since 1901, when he scored 546 in a Harris Shield elite division match, captained the Indian team that won the U19 Cricket World Cup in 2018. He also represented Northamptonshire in the English County Championship during the 2023-24 season. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026 Auction: From Cameron Green To Prashant Veer - Updated Player List Of All Ten Teams

From Cameron Green: Australia all-rounder Cameron Green made headlines on Tuesday after being roped in by the Kolkata Knight Riders for a record sum of Rs. 25.20 crore, becoming the third most expensive player in the history of the Indian Premier League at the mini auction at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. India's Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma became the highest-priced uncapped players in IPL history as Chennai Super Kings went all out for the young Indian talent, whereas Matheesha Pathirana stole the limelight by fetching Rs. 18 crore from Kolkata Knight Riders and becoming the highest-paid Sri Lankan player in IPL history. Overall, all the 10 teams managed to fill all the 77 vacant slots for which they splurged a combined Rs 215.45 crore. Here is the updated list of players for all 10 teams: Lucknow Super Giants: Abdul Samad, Ayush Badoni, Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke, Himmat Singh, Rishabh Pant (c), Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, Shahbaz Ahmed, Arshin Kulkarni, Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, Mohsin Khan, Manimaran Siddharth, Digvesh Rathi, Prince Yadav, Akash Singh, Mohammed Shami, Arjun Tendulkar, Wanindu Hasaranga, Anrich Nortje, Mukul Choudhary, Naman Tiwari, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Josh Inglis. Kolkata Knight Riders: Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anukul Roy, Harshit Rana, Manish Pandey, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, Rovman Powell, Sunil Narine, Umran Malik, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy, Cameron Green, Finn Allen, Matheesha Pathirana, Tejasvi Singh, Kartik Tyagi, Prashant Solanki, Rahul Tripathi, Tim Seifert, Mustafizur Rahman, Sarthak Ranjan, Daksh Kamra, Rachin Ravindra, Akash Deep. Sunrisers Hyderabad: Pat Cummins (c), Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Aniket Verma, R. Smaran, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Kamindu Mendis, Harshal Patel, Brydon Carse, Jaydev Unadkat, Eshan Malinga, Zeeshan Ansari, Shivang Kumar, Salil Arora, Sakib Hussain, Onkar Tarmale, Amit Kumar, Praful Hinge, Krains Fuletra, Liam Livingstone, Shivam Mavi, Jack Edwards. Mumbai Indians: Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ryan Rickleton, Robin Minz, Raj Bawa, Raghu Sharma, Mitchell Santner, Corbin Bosch, Naman Dhir, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Allah Ghafanzar, Ashwani Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Will Jacks, Sherfane Rutherford, Mayank Markande, Shardul Thakur, Quinton de Kock, Danish Malewar, Mohammad Izhar, Atharva Ankolekar, Mayank Rawat. Punjab Kings: Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer, Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Musheer Khan, Pyala Avinash, Harnoor Pannu, Suryansh Shedge, Mitchell Owen, Xavier Bartlett, Lockie Ferguson, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Yash Thakur, Vishnu Vinod, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Pravin Dubey, Vishal Nishad. Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Ayush Mhatre, M.S. Dhoni, Sanju Samson, Dewald Brevis, Urvil Patel, Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, Shreyas Gopal, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis, Akeal Hosein, Prashant Veer, Kartik Sharma, Matthew Short, Aman Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Matt Henry, Rahul Chahar, Zak Foulkes. Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Rajat Patidar (c), Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nuwan Thushara, Rasikh Salam, Abhinandan Singh, Suyash Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Duffy, Satvik Deswal, Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Kanishk Chouhan. Rajasthan Royals: Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Donovan Ferreira, Sandeep Sharma, Shubham Dubey, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Shimron Hetmyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Jofra Archer, Tushar Deshpande, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger, Ravi Bishnoi, Sushant Mishra, Yash Raj Punja, Vignesh Puthur, Ravi Singh, Aman Rao, Brijesh Sharma, Adam Milne, Kuldeep Sen. Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Rajat Patidar (c), Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, Phil Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Krunal Pandya, Swapnil Singh, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Jacob Bethell, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Nuwan Thushara, Rasikh Salam, Abhinandan Singh, Suyash Sharma, Venkatesh Iyer, Jacob Duffy, Satvik Deswal, Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Kanishk Chouhan. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharsan, Kumar Kushagra, Anuj Rawat, Jos Buttler, Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Arshad Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Ishant Sharma, Gurnoor Singh Brar, Rashid Khan, Manav Suthar, Sai Kishore, Jayant Yadav, Ashok Sharma, Jason Holder, Tom Banton, Prithvi Raj Yarra, Luke Wood. Article Source: IANS

Sumit Nagal to lead Indian charge at Bengaluru Open

World Tennis League exhibition from today

T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour Kicks Off At Ram Setu Bridge

Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground: The ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour was launched on Tuesday over the Adams Bridge, culturally revered in India as the Ram Setu, a symbolic gateway linking the two co-hosts, India and Sri Lanka. The 10th edition of the ICC Mens T20 World Cup, featuring 20 teams, 29 days of high-intensity cricket and eight world-class venues (five in India and three in Sri Lanka), will take place from 7 February to 8 March 2026, promising to be one of the most compelling editions yet of the sports most explosive format. The Trophy Tour will journey across Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Oman, Nepal, Bahrain, and Mongolia, giving millions of fans the chance to see the iconic silverware up close, participate in interactive experiences, and build excitement ahead of the global event. In a unique initiative, the trophy will also be taken to schools and colleges associated with players set to participate in the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026, offering young fans an inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime connection to the global stage. In addition, aligning with the international cricket calendar, the trophy will be showcased at major T20 leagues as well as select bilateral series, extending its presence across competitive cricket environments and reinforcing the build-up to the tournament across formats and geographies. ICC Chairman, Jay Shah, said, Launching the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour with DP World above the Ram Setu, a site steeped in history, symbolism, and shared cultural identity, sets an inspiring tone as we build towards this landmark event. This tour represents far more than the physical movement of a trophy. It is a unifying journey that brings continents, cultures, and cricketing communities together, igniting passion among fans worldwide and strengthening the shared spirit that defines our game. As we prepare for the 10th edition of this global spectacle, our aim is for supporters everywhere to feel connected to the road to India and Sri Lanka. With every stop, the Trophy Tour will heighten the sense of anticipation and invite fans across the world to join us in celebrating what promises to be an unforgettable ICC Mens T20 World Cup. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said, The T20 World Cup brings a unique intensity and emotion, and launching the Trophy Tour at the iconic Ram Setu perfectly captures the magnitude of the journey ahead. India has successfully hosted two 50-over World Cups in the last three years, and we are delighted to welcome fans to yet another world-class event. This edition will showcase the extraordinary growth and depth of the T20 format in India. As co-host, the BCCI remains fully committed to providing outstanding facilities for players and curating a tournament experience for fans that will resonate long after the final ball is bowled. The Trophy Tour marks the beginning of a campaign that will gather immense momentum as it travels across the cricketing world. Sri Lanka Cricket president Shammi Silva said, As co-host, Sri Lanka Cricket welcomes the launch of the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour with DP World with great enthusiasm. This moment signals the start of an exciting journey as we prepare to host fans from across the globe. As co-host, the BCCI remains fully committed to providing outstanding facilities for players and curating a tournament experience for fans that will resonate long after the final ball is bowled. The Trophy Tour marks the beginning of a campaign that will gather immense momentum as it travels across the cricketing world. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The tournament venues are: Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai), Arun Jaitley Stadium (New Delhi), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground (Colombo), and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium (Kandy). Article Source: IANS

U19 Asia Cup: Abhigyan Kundu's Unbeaten 209 Guides India To A Massive Win Over Malaysia

Asia Cup Group: Abhigyan Kundu delivered a record-breaking innings to lead India to a dominant win over Malaysia in their Under-19 Asia Cup Group A match in Dubai. He scored an impressive 209 not out off 125 balls as India set a total of 408 for 7, bowling Malaysia out for just 93. Kundu came in at No. 5 in the 11th over and anchored Indias innings all the way to the end. His score ranks among the highest in youth cricket. However, Kundus double hundred does not have official youth ODI status. Jorich Van Schalkwyk from South Africa holds the recognised double century with his 215 off 153 balls against Zimbabwe earlier this year in Harare. Bangladeshs Soumya Sarkar also scored 209 off 135 balls against Qatar in 2012, but that match lacked official status as well. Kundu took control after Vaibhav Suryavanshi got India off to a quick start with a 50 off 26 balls. Kundu then formed a massive 209-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Vedant Trivedi, who made 90 off 106 balls. This partnership lasted from the 11th to the 41st over. When Trivedi was out, Kundu was already well set with 128 off 92 balls. In the final 10 overs, Kundu changed gears dramatically, adding 81 runs in just 33 balls, helping India surpass the 400-run mark. Earlier in the tournament, he had also contributed 32 not out off 17 balls against the UAE and 22 off 32 balls against Pakistan. For Malaysia, left-arm medium pacer Muhammad Akram was the standout bowler, taking 5 wickets for 89 runs in his ten overs, which included key dismissals of Suryavanshi, Vihaan Malhotra, and Harvansh Pangalia. In response, Malaysias chase got off to a shaky start as they lost openers Azib Wajdi and Mohammad Hairil for ducks. Medium pacer Deepesh Devendran dominated the lineup, taking a wicket in each of his first five overs, leaving Malaysia struggling at 38 for 7. He finished the innings with five wickets as Malaysia was all out for 93. Hamza Panggi and Jaashwin Krishnamurthi provided brief resistance with a 36-run partnership for the tenth wicket, but India ended the match soon after. This strong victory keeps India at the top of the Group A table, following earlier wins against the UAE and Pakistan. Meanwhile, Malaysia remains at the bottom of the group after losing to the same teams. In response, Malaysias chase got off to a shaky start as they lost openers Azib Wajdi and Mohammad Hairil for ducks. Medium pacer Deepesh Devendran dominated the lineup, taking a wicket in each of his first five overs, leaving Malaysia struggling at 38 for 7. He finished the innings with five wickets as Malaysia was all out for 93. Hamza Panggi and Jaashwin Krishnamurthi provided brief resistance with a 36-run partnership for the tenth wicket, but India ended the match soon after. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India U19 408/7 in 50 overs (Abhigyan Kundu 209, Vendant Trivedi 90; Muhammad Akram 5/89) beat Malaysia U19 93 all out in 32.1 overs (Deepesh Devendran 5-22, Udhav Mohan 2-24) by 315 runs. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026 Auction: Playing For Rajasthan Royals Will Feel Like Home, Says Ravi Bishnoi

RR Lead Owner Manoj Badale: India leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi said it felt like playing at home after being picked up by former champions Rajasthan Royals for Rs 7.2 crore at the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, with the franchise securing the spinner following competitive bidding. Hailing from Jodhpur, Bishnoi adds proven quality and energy to the Royals bowling attack. Speaking on his move to Rajasthan Royals, Ravi Bishnoi said, Playing for Rajasthan Royals will feel like playing at home. I started my cricket journey as a practice bowler at RR, and now representing a team that carries the name of my state means a lot to me. RR Lead Owner Manoj Badale said, Ravi is a special talent and someone our fans were eager to see in Royals colours. His return to the franchise feels like a homecoming, especially knowing he began his journey here as a net bowler. Hes a highly skilled bowler, a terrific fielder, and someone who embodies the hunger and spirit we value at this franchise. During the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 202526, the leg spinner bowled with an economy of 8.40 and claimed nine wickets in seven games. In the 2025 Indian Premier League, Bishnoi was a member of the Lucknow Super Giants. The 25-year-old has played for the Punjab Kings and the Lucknow Super Giants and, with 77 appearances, has taken 72 wickets. RR Lead Owner Manoj Badale said, Ravi is a special talent and someone our fans were eager to see in Royals colours. His return to the franchise feels like a homecoming, especially knowing he began his journey here as a net bowler. Hes a highly skilled bowler, a terrific fielder, and someone who embodies the hunger and spirit we value at this franchise. Also Read: Live Cricket Score CSK raised the bid to Rs 4.2 crore before the Royals briefly stepped back. They returned at Rs 4.4 crore, starting another round of frenetic bidding that brought the total to Rs 5.8 crore. After a long discussion at the Royals table, RR jumped back in at Rs 6 crore, and CSK chose not to respond. Just when it seemed like the Royals had secured the player, the Sunrisers Hyderabad entered with a bid of Rs 6.2 crore, sparking the bidding war again. The price kept rising before finally settling at Rs 7.2 crore. Article Source: IANS

IPL 2026 Auction: Pathirana Was Our Priority, We Went To Our Absolute Limit For Him, Says LSG Owner Goenka

Match Centre Live Auction: Lucknow Super Giants suffered a heartbreak in their attempts to bag Sri Lanka star Matheesha Pathirana, losing him to the Kolkata Knight Riders. But LSG expressed satisfaction with their auction strategy, having secured key international targets aligned with their team requirements. LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka highlighted the successful acquisition of Wanindu Hasaranga and Anrich Nortje as part of a well-planned and disciplined bidding approach in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 mini-auction. Pathirana stole the limelight in early bidding by fetching Rs. 18 crore from Kolkata Knight Riders. He sparked a bidding war between the Delhi Capitals and LSG, with the sum crossing Rs. 15 crore. Just when Delhi backed out, KKR joined in, taking the youngsters fee even higher. The three-time champions eventually won the battle and roped in the 22-year-old pacer for a massive sum of Rs. 18 crore. Pathirana made his IPL debut for the Chennai Super Kings and represented them till the 2025 edition of the tournament. On losing Matheesha to KKR, Goenka said they went to their absolute limit to get him as he was their priority, but that was not to be. Yes, our captain and vice-captain were both very keen on Matheesha Pathirana, as was I. We were also very interested in Anrich Nortje. Pathirana was our priority, and we went up to 17.8 crore, which was our absolute limit we didnt have the purse to go beyond that. When Anrich Nortje came up later, we were pleasantly surprised and delighted to secure him at the base price. So overall, it was a very considered, concerted, and well-thought-out decision, Dr Goenka said on JioHotstars Match Centre Live Auction 2026. Pathirana made his IPL debut for the Chennai Super Kings and represented them till the 2025 edition of the tournament. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We are very close to our primary targets. Our key objectives were to secure one quality international leg-spinner and one reputed international fast bowler. Wanindu Hasaranga was our first-choice leg-spinner, and for the fast-bowling option, it was between Matheesha Pathirana and Anrich Nortje. We are delighted to have acquired two players who were part of our shortlisted three, so we are extremely happy with how the auction has unfolded, he said. Article Source: IANS

Nortje buzzing with LSG deal and renewed rhythm by his side

He was picked up by Lucknow Super Giants for INR 2 crore (US$ 220,000 approx.) in Tuesday's auction

Hurricanes open title defence with tight win against Thunder

Nikhil Chaudhary, Ben McDermott and Mitchell Owen all contributed at the top for Hurricanes