Nat Sciver-Brunt heads home from South Africa for family reasons
England captain had led Team Brittin to victory in the first of five intra-squad trial games in Pretoria
T20 World Cup: Australia vice-captain Ashleigh Gardner is revisiting the fearless approach that defined her early career as the team prepares for the ICC Womens T20 World Cup 2026 in England. The all-rounder is aiming to regain her top form ahead of a marquee tournament, while reaching a personal milestone of 100 T20 Internationals. Gardner will become the seventh Australian woman to reach the century of T20Is when the team faces the West Indies in St Vincent. The milestone comes at a crucial juncture for Australia, who will be eager to reverse recent semi-final disappointments, a loss to hosts India in the ICC Womens World Cup 2025 and a similar exit against South Africa in the 2024 Womens T20 World Cup. I was someone that had no fear, and I guess as I've gotten older and more mature, I've gained more fear in the way that I approach life and just cricket in general, Gardner told Cricket Australia. It's trying to harness a little bit of that, not stepping over the line to just being completely reckless, but for me, the brand of cricket that I play, I try and take the game on. So when I'm under the pump, really trying to harness that and channel that. That's when I'm playing my best cricket, she added. The 28-year-old acknowledged the challenge of translating her stellar ODI performances, three centuries and three fifties at an average of 45.94 since early 2024, into the fast-paced T20 format. In this format, my role within the middle-order is challenging at times. You might come in when the team's on top, or you come in when we're not on top. It's summing up the situation really quickly, and finding my gears really fast, and it's probably something that I haven't done overly well in this format for a prolonged period of time, Gardner said. She has averaged 25.11 in T20Is while playing in the middle-order for Australia. Gardner sees the upcoming West Indies series as final preparation for the World Cup, drawing parallels to the teams transformative period following the 2017 World Cup. If I look back at that 2017 World Cup that we lost, we were just playing really timid cricket, and then we had that evolution of, 'let's try and take the game on, let's be really fearless'. We've bought into that ever since then, and it's almost an unwritten rule when you come into this side, that's the brand of cricket that you play, she noted. Gardner sees the upcoming West Indies series as final preparation for the World Cup, drawing parallels to the teams transformative period following the 2017 World Cup. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I think just having a lot of belief and confidence that the personnel that are here are the right people to win those trophies. She had her own little imprint on the team through that Indian series, but now that she takes full reins, I'm super excited to see where she's going to take the team, she added. Article Source: IANS
'My Identity Has Been Weaponised': Gambhir Moves Delhi HC Over Misuse Of His Personality Rights
Delhi High Court: Former India cricketer and current head coach of the Indian mens team Gautam Gambhir has approached the Delhi High Court, seeking comprehensive protection of his personality and publicity rights against a coordinated campaign of digital impersonation, AI-generated deepfakes, and unauthorised commercial exploitation. The civil suit has been filed in the Commercial Division of the High Court, where Gambhir has sought an urgent injunction against multiple defendants, including social media accounts, e-commerce platforms and intermediaries. In the law suit, Gambhir's legal team documented a sharp and alarming increase in fabricated digital content across Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and Facebook. Multiple accounts deployed artificial intelligence, face-swapping, and voice-cloning technologies to create realistic videos falsely depicting Mr. Gambhir making statements he never made including a fraudulent esignation announcement that garnered over 29 lakh views, and a fabricated clip purporting to show him making remarks about senior cricketers' World Cup participation that drew over 17 lakh views. Beyond social media, major e-commerce platforms were facilitating the sale of posters and merchandise bearing his name and likeness without any authorisation, as per the release shared by Gambhir's team. The suit has been filed against 16 defendants, including identified social media accounts (JanKey Frames, Bhupendra Paintola, Legends Revolution, gustakhedits, cricket_memer45, GemsOfCrickets, Crickaith, Sunny Upadhyay, @imRavY_), e-commerce platforms (Amazon, Flipkart), platform intermediaries (Meta Platforms Inc., X Corp., Google LLC / YouTube), and the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology and Department of Telecommunications as proforma parties to facilitate implementation of any court order. My identity my name, my face, my voice has been weaponised by anonymous accounts to spread misinformation and generate revenue at my expense. This is not a matter of personal hurt; it is a matter of law, dignity, and the protection every public figure deserves in the age of artificial intelligence, Gambhir said in a statement. The plea has been filed under provisions of the Copyright Act, Trade Marks Act and Commercial Courts Act, and also refers to past rulings by the Delhi High Court that recognise personality rights, including cases involving Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor and Sunil Gavaskar. In the lawsuit, damages of Rs. 2.5 crore have been claimed, alongside prayers for rendition of accounts, permanent injunction, and takedown of all infringing content. The plea has been filed under provisions of the Copyright Act, Trade Marks Act and Commercial Courts Act, and also refers to past rulings by the Delhi High Court that recognise personality rights, including cases involving Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor and Sunil Gavaskar. Also Read: Live Cricket Score An urgent application for ex-parte ad-interim injunction has simultaneously been filed under Order XXXIX Rules 1 & 2 CPC, requesting immediate takedown of all infringing content and a freeze on further dissemination pending final hearing. Article Source: IANS
'The Moment We've Waited For,' CSK Welcome 'Chettan' Samson In Chennai Ahead Of IPL 2026
WORLD CHAMPION SANJU SAMSON IS: India's World Cup-winning star Sanju Samson reached Chennai on Thursday to join the Chennai Super Kings camp ahead of his Indian Premier League (IPL) outing with the five-time champions. The IPL 2026 is set to begin on March 28. CSK's social media handle shared an image of Samson's arrival, writing, Chettan in Chennai. In another post, it shared, The moment we've waited for! WORLD CHAMPION SANJU SAMSON IS HERE. The franchise also shared a video of Samson arrival with a caption, Chennai feels Sanjus aura. CSK will play their campaign opener against Samsons former franchise, Rajasthan Royals, from whom they traded the wicketkeeper-batter in place of Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. Samson is in great form and is very likely to open the batting lineup alongside Indias U-19 World Cup-winning captain Ayush Mhatre to provide fiery starts for the franchise during the IPL season. CSK are entering the new season with a young team. Adding Samson is sure to strengthen CSK. It's well known that Samson has expressed his passion for the franchise and his wish to play for it. Since the transfer deal was finalised, with Jadeja and Curran moving to Rajasthan Royals, and Samson to CSK, the fans of the Yellow Army have supported him wholeheartedly. Samson is expected to hold a crucial position at the top of the batting order and could also assume wicketkeeping duties from MS Dhoni in one or two matches, should there be any injury issues with the 44-year-old veteran. Since the transfer deal was finalised, with Jadeja and Curran moving to Rajasthan Royals, and Samson to CSK, the fans of the Yellow Army have supported him wholeheartedly. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Expressing gratitude for the support he received from the Chennai audience during his stint in the T20 World Cup, Samson said, I was surprised by the support I got from the Chennai crowd during the World Cup. I think I am lucky. Maybe they see me as one of them. I will give my best for CSK. Article Source: IANS
Jos Buttler Ready To Continue England Career Despite 'Poor' T20 World Cup
Jos Buttler is refusing to accept his England career is over despite admitting he had a poor tournament at the recent T20 World Cup. Widely regarded as one of the outstanding white-ball batsmen of his generation, Buttler managed just 87 runs in eight innings at the tournament as England reached the semi-finals before losing to co-hosts and eventual champions India. Obviously I had a poor tournament, which is disappointing, Buttler, who remains on an England and Wales central contract, said on his For the Love of Cricket podcast with former England fast bowler Stuart Broad. But I have been playing some of the best cricket of my (career) in recent years, so hopefully I can get back to playing my best. I certainly have ambitions (to play for England again), but no longer being a captain, I am not a selector and whatever, so what will be, will be. Buttler, 35, is set to play for Gujarat Titans in the upcoming Indian Premier League and hopes time away after the World Cup up the mountains in France with his family will leave him feeling reinvigorated. I couldn't have been further away from cricket, which for me at the time was just perfect, said Buttler. It is exactly what I needed. Obviously the tournament didn't go personally how I would have liked it to go, and I just felt like I needed some space from cricket and not to think about the game, and I could not have been further away from cricket where I was in that week. Buttler, a member of England's 2019 one-day international World Cup-winning team and also the skipper for their T20 triumph in Australia three years later, added: It was really refreshing - I really enjoyed it, a complete sort of release, and slowly but surely, I would say at the start of this week, (I am) just starting to reflect a bit and have a few thoughts about what is important to me and my cricket, and why it probably didn't go quite as I would've liked. There's elements that I actually don't really know exactly. For all your best intentions and hard work and efforts to perform, it just didn't work, and sometimes that is OK as well. Also Read: Live Cricket Score That is something I have had to realise. It wasnt for a lack of effort, it just didn't quite happen.
John Mooney named Delhi Capitals' fielding coach for IPL 2026
John Mooney becomes the first from Ireland to be part of an IPL franchise's coaching staff
'He Had Become The Face Of RR: Faf Calls Samson's Move To CSK Massive Thing For IPL
Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Faf du Plessis reflected on the impact of Sanju Samsons departure, describing the India wicketkeeper-batsman as the face of the franchise for the last decade, and believes that RR losing Samson is a massive thing for the fans and the tournament. Samson was traded in from RR to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the auction in a major move as the five-time champions traded out Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran to Rajasthan. The two sides will now face off in their respective campaign openers on March 30 at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati. If I look at the IPL and the teams, the iconic teams we see around the league, all of them have one marquee Indian player in common, someone who has been the face of the franchise for a period of time, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli. And Sanju Samson, for me, was that guy at Rajasthan Royals. Yes, he's of a newer generation, but he had become the face of that franchise. If I think of Rajasthan Royals, I think Sanju Samson. So, the fact that they've lost that face, I think, is a massive thing for the fans, for the IPL, and for the tournament, because he's played such a big role there, du Plessis told JioStar. Du Plessis also highlighted the challenge facing young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who will have to adjust to new responsibilities in the batting line-up. The thing with Yashasvi Jaiswal is that he's had Sanju Samson, who has been such a huge, consistent performer within that batting line-up. So, when you have that consistency of runs from Sanju, it allows you to play your game. Now, you take that away, all of a sudden, people will look at him with more responsibility, he said. And for a player like him, you don't want him thinking about responsibility, you want him thinking, 'I want to take the game on. I want to hit as many sixes as possible.' So there's a learning curve that's going to come into his career this season, 'Am I true to the game that I've always played, or do I take up the senior player role to score the bulk of the runs?' So it'll be interesting to see how that goes. I think he'll still play in the way that he does. It would be silly not to, because he's such an attacking player, he added. The thing with Yashasvi Jaiswal is that he's had Sanju Samson, who has been such a huge, consistent performer within that batting line-up. So, when you have that consistency of runs from Sanju, it allows you to play your game. Now, you take that away, all of a sudden, people will look at him with more responsibility, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So the versatility that you get from Sam Curran is very crucial for the team because he gives you an over in the powerplay, bowls his cutters in the middle, and is really good at death bowling, whether with yorkers or slower balls. So you're getting a lot of skill sets there. Also, he's bringing experience and captaincy support to a young captain in that dressing room. The more leaders you have around you, the better the support will be for Riyan, he added. Article Source: IANS
'Never Seen PCB This Weak In My Life': Ahmed Shehzad Slams PCB For Lack Of Control
Pakistan Cricket Board: Former cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has strongly criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), calling it a weak board and blaming it for giving too much power to a small group of people, which he believes has hurt the teams performance. Pakistan have failed to reach the knockout stage in their last four ICC tournaments, leading to growing criticism of both the players and the board. They crashed out of the Super 8s stage in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2026. Whenever you talk about any player, they start spinning stories. I have never seen the Pakistan Cricket Board this weak in my life, as weak as this PCB is. They have power, right? But in their decision-making, they appear to be kneeling before their players. This PCB cant do anything, Shehzad said on his YouTube channel. The work they were supposed to do, bringing in new faces, they didnt. What they do is, after every event, they try to pull a new trick, but the public has now caught their pattern, he added. Shehzad also questioned the PCBs focus on promoting a few players through the Pakistan Super League (PSL), saying it created an unhealthy system. The calibre of your players is not at that level, which was built up as a brand by the Pakistan Cricket Board for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 5 and 7 years ago. These 6-8 boys they are also the face of the PSL. They are also the face of our Pakistan team. Will they change Pakistans destiny? said Shehzad. He added that the board gave these players sponsorships, leadership roles, and too much control, but did not get results in return. You provided all the sponsorships to those boys, endorsed them, and invested money in them. You gave them captaincies in the PSL, right? You made them the thumb of the Pakistan team. You handed over the entire Pakistan cricket team to those 6 boys and their agents. And what have they done now? The fire they have lit in the jungle, the fun and parties they have had, the pockets they have filled, the enjoyment they have had they havent given Pakistan any wins by doing so, he added. He also criticised the players for not taking responsibility despite poor performance, which led to the country's downfall in cricket. You provided all the sponsorships to those boys, endorsed them, and invested money in them. You gave them captaincies in the PSL, right? You made them the thumb of the Pakistan team. You handed over the entire Pakistan cricket team to those 6 boys and their agents. And what have they done now? The fire they have lit in the jungle, the fun and parties they have had, the pockets they have filled, the enjoyment they have had they havent given Pakistan any wins by doing so, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Meanwhile, Pakistan's poor stint continued after the T20 World Cup 2026 as they lost the three-match ODI series against a lower-ranked Bangladesh, adding more to their humiliation. Article Source: IANS
Lets Welcome New Beginnings With New Dreams: Sachin, Suryakumar Extend Gudi Padwa Wishes
T20 World Cup: Former India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and Indias T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav extended heartfelt wishes to their friends and family on the occasion of Gudi Padwa, marking the Marathi New Year. Tendulkar shared his festive wishes on X, addressing his fans and wellwishers. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Gudi Padwa and Marathi New Year. May this New Year bring happiness, joy, and prosperity this is my heartfelt prayer. Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav also joined in the celebrations, posting warm greetings to his followers. Lets welcome new beginnings along with new dreams. Wishing everyone a very Happy Gudi Padwa! he wrote on his social media handle, capturing the festive spirit of renewal and optimism shared across Maharashtra and beyond. New year. New energy. One connection. We are connected to health, to tradition, to you. Happy Ugadi & Gudi Padwa, shared ex-spinner Harbhajan Singh on X. VVS Laxman said, One New Year. Many traditions. Happy Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh, Sajibu Nongma Panba. A celebration of unity in diversity. Wishing all new beginnings & endless possibilities. India batter Ajinkya Rahane shared, Heartfelt wishes on Gudi Padva! May the new year bring joy, success, and prosperity into your life. Former India spinner and coach Anil Kumble also shared warm wishes on social media, On this auspicious occasion of Ugadi, heartfelt New Year wishes to you and your family. India batter Ajinkya Rahane shared, Heartfelt wishes on Gudi Padva! May the new year bring joy, success, and prosperity into your life. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Ugadi, Gudi Padwa, Cheti Chand, Navreh, and Sajibu Nongma Panba are diverse, regional celebrations of the Hindu New Year falling on the same day (Chaitra Shukla Pratipada), usually in March-April. Article Source: IANS
Agarkar Seeks Extension As BCCI Selection Committee Chair Until 2027 ODI WC: Report
T20 World Cup: After India successfully defended their T20 World Cup crown, chairman of the mens senior selection committee Ajit Agarkar has reportedly sought an extension to his tenure until the 2027 ODI World Cup. Agarkar, who has been chairman of the mens senior selection committee since June 2023, got his contract renewed before the start of IPL 2025 after Indias impressive performances, including victories in the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy. As per the Times of India report, a former Indian cricketer has approached the board for a further extension until the 2027 World Cup after India successfull defense of the T20 World Cup this month. The report claimed that the BCCI is currently engaged in discussions regarding the request, further suggesting that strong murmurs within BCCI corridors suggest that another former India cricketer from the West Zone was the front-runner to succeed Agarkar, but there has been no concrete development on that front. Under Agarkar's tenure, so far India has won three major ICC trophies: two T20 World Cups and one Champions Trophy. Despite these successes in limited-overs cricket, Indias Test performances have been inconsistent, with consecutive home series defeats and a loss in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy abroad. The report claimed that the BCCI is currently engaged in discussions regarding the request, further suggesting that strong murmurs within BCCI corridors suggest that another former India cricketer from the West Zone was the front-runner to succeed Agarkar, but there has been no concrete development on that front. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Agarkars tenure has also seen major changes, with veteran players like Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Virat Kohli announcing retirements in various formats. While Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continue to feature in ODIs, Ashwin has retired from all forms of international cricket. Article Source: IANS
IPL 2026: Delhi Capitals Appoint Former Ireland All-rounder John Mooney As Fielding Coach
ICC Cricket World Cups: Delhi Capitals have roped in former Ireland all-rounder John Mooney as their new fielding coach ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, which will commence on March 28. He will join an experienced support staff of Delhi Capitals, which includes Hemang Badani as head coach, former Indian pacer Munaf Patel (bowling coach) and former England player Ian Bell (assistant coach). Venugopal Rao is the team's director in IPL 2026. Mooney, who holds Level 3, 2, and 1 coaching certificates from the England Cricket Board, took over from Gnaneswara Rao and Anton Roux, who both departed following the conclusion of 2025 season. The former Irish player had previously served as the Afghanistan fielding coach from 2018 to 2019, when they made their Test debut in India. He had also worked with the West Indies men's team in 2019 and has been a temporary coach for the Ireland women's team since January this year. He has represented Ireland in 91 international matches, including three ICC Cricket World Cups (2007, 2011, and 2015) and two ICC Men's T20 World Cups. A left-hand batter and right-arm quick during his playing days, 43-year-old Mooney played 64 ODIs and 27 T20Is for Ireland from 2006 to 2015. He had famously hit the winning runs in Ireland's historic win over England in the 2011 World Cup in Bengaluru. Delhi suffered a significant blow ahead of the start of the season as their mentor, Kevin Pietersen, withdrew from the tournament. A left-hand batter and right-arm quick during his playing days, 43-year-old Mooney played 64 ODIs and 27 T20Is for Ireland from 2006 to 2015. He had famously hit the winning runs in Ireland's historic win over England in the 2011 World Cup in Bengaluru. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Delhi Capitals nearly missed a playoff berth in the last season. They finished in fifth position by registering seven wins in 14 matches. They have never won an IPL trophy, and the team will look to end their quest in the 19th season. Article Source: IANS
Dinesh Karthik And Wife Dipika Pallikal Welcome Baby Girl Raaha
World Doubles Squash Championships: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik and squash star Dipika Pallikal have announced the arrival of their baby girl, Raaha Pallikal Karthik, marking a heartwarming expansion of their family. The couple shared the news in a social media announcement that expressed their gratitude and joy as they introduced their baby girl as the younger sister of their twin sons, Kabir and Zian. With blessings in our hearts and gratitude beyond words, we joyfully welcome our precious girl into this world. Kabir and Zian are thrilled to introduce their baby sister, Raaha Pallikal Karthik. Love, Dipika & Dinesh The couple tied the knot on August 25, 2015 in traditional Hindu and Christian ceremonies and welcomed their twins in 2021. Karthik, a former Indian international cricketer, enjoyed a distinguished career behind the stumps and with the bat before transitioning into coaching and commentary roles following his retirement from competitive play. Over more than two decades, he featured in Tests, ODIs, and T20 Internationals, and later served as a mentor and batting coach for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Dipika, meanwhile, etched her name in Indian squash history as the first Indian woman to break into the worlds top10 rankings. A recipient of the Padma Shri and multiple medals at Commonwealth and Asian Games, she remains one of the countrys most decorated athletes. She last competed at the Hangzhou Asian Games in October 2023, where she secured a gold medal in mixed doubles. After returning from maternity leave in early 2022, she made a successful comeback, capturing two titles at the World Doubles Squash Championships and earning a bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Dipika, meanwhile, etched her name in Indian squash history as the first Indian woman to break into the worlds top10 rankings. A recipient of the Padma Shri and multiple medals at Commonwealth and Asian Games, she remains one of the countrys most decorated athletes. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The support staff also features Richard Halsall as assistant coach; Malolan Rangarajan as spin bowling coach and player identification manager; Basu Shanker as strength and conditioning coach; Evan Speechly and James Pipe as the team physios; Navnita Gautam as the athletic therapist; and Dr Shikha Dhaundiyal as the team doctor. Article Source: IANS
Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital: Representatives of the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), along with players from the national squad, visited hospitals in Kabul to check on those hurt in an alleged Pakistani airstrike targeting a medical facility. ODI and Test captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, along with teammates Gulbadin Naib and Qais Ahmad, went to Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital and Kabul Emergency Hospital, where they met with the injured, spoke to survivors, and conveyed their solidarity with the victims and their families. The hospital visits took place against a backdrop of rising frustration within Afghanistans cricket community, fuelled by reports of heavy civilian losses in Kabul. ACB officials and members of the #AfghanAtalan lineup paid a heartfelt visit to those injured in the recent airstrike carried out by the Pakistan Military Regime, offering support and condolences at Kabul Emergency and Wazir Akbar Khan Hospitals. Led by CEO Naseeb Khan, they inquired about the injureds health, condemned the attack, and expressed condolences. They assured aid would be organised and urged support from citizens and businesses during this difficult time, ACB wrote on X while sharing pictures from the visit. ACB officials and members of the #AfghanAtalan lineup paid a heartfelt visit to those injured in the recent airstrike carried out by the Pakistan Military Regime, offering support and condolences at Kabul Emergency and Wazir Akbar Khan Hospitals Led by CEO Naseeb Khan, they inquired about the injureds health, condemned the attack, and expressed condolences. They assured aid would be organized and urged support from citizens and businesses during this difficult time, it shared in another post. Earlier, the ACB had strongly condemned the Pakistani airstrike that allegedly killed over 400 people and injured at least 250, according to Taliban officials and local media. Calling the tragedy deeply heartbreaking, the board said what should have been a time of celebration during Ramadan and ahead of Eid turned into mourning for many Afghan families. Led by CEO Naseeb Khan, they inquired about the injureds health, condemned the attack, and expressed condolences. They assured aid would be organized and urged support from citizens and businesses during this difficult time, it shared in another post. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Meanwhile, Afghan cricketers Rashid Khan and Naveen-ul-Haq condemned the reported strikes, calling attacks on civilian infrastructure a war crime and urging the United Nations and human rights organisations to investigate and hold those responsible accountable. Article Source: IANS
IPL 2026: Rajasthan Royals Captain Riyan Parag Unveils New Jersey For Upcoming Season
Chennai Super Kings: Inaugural IPL champions Rajasthan Royals unveiled their new jersey for the upcoming 2026 season on Wednesday, with newly-appointed captain Riyan Parag, teenaged batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi among those present to showcase it. The 2008 IPL winners announced the reveal of their jersey in their usual blue and pink colours on Instagram with the caption: New look, same Halla Bol. Jersey: RRevealed. RR will begin their IPL 2026 season against five-time winners Chennai Super Kings at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati on March 30. The franchise will play their first three home matches in Guwahati - their alternate home ground and Parags hometown - with fixtures at their primary home venue, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, to be confirmed whenever the BCCI announces the remainder of the tournaments schedule. The opening fixture against Chennai Super Kings will carry an added edge, with Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran, now RR players, set to face their former side. RR will then travel to Ahmedabad for their first away game of the season, where they take on 2022 winners Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium on April 4. The franchise will play their first three home matches in Guwahati - their alternate home ground and Parags hometown - with fixtures at their primary home venue, the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, to be confirmed whenever the BCCI announces the remainder of the tournaments schedule. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Parags elevation to RRs captaincy came after the exit of Sanju Samson, who moved to CSK in a trade that brought Jadeja and Curran to RR. Parag, 24, briefly captained RR in the 2025 season when Samson missed eight matches through injury, though the side won only two of those games under his leadership. Article Source: IANS
Hockey World Cup: India To Meet Pakistan On Aug 19; Women's Team To Start Against China On Aug 16
FIH Hockey World Cup: World No 8 India will meet archrivals Pakistan in a Pool D match at 6.30 pm IST on August 19 in the Men's FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 at the Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen. India are clubbed together with neighbours and four-time World Cup winner Pakistan in Pool D, along with Wales and England in the four-team Pool from which the top-placed team will qualify for the quarterfinals, while the next two placed teams will figure in Cross-Over matches. After a thrilling draw ceremony held at the Wagener Stadium in Amsterdam on Tuesday, where participating teams and athletes discovered their opponents for the group stage, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has now confirmed the match schedule for the World Cup. The 1975 World Cup winner India will start their campaign in the 16-team men's competition against Wales on August 15, the opening day of the FIH Hockey World Cup, at 4.30 pm IST, and will run into fourth-ranked England on August 17 at the Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen England will play Pakistan in another key match of Pool D on August 15. The first round matches will be held till August 20, and the knock-out stage matches will be played from August 21. Meanwhile, the Indian women's hockey team will start their campaign against World No.4 and Asian Champion China at the Wagner Stadium in Amsterdam on August 16. They will run into South Africa, the only team ranked lower than them in World Rankings, on August 18 before winding off their first round proceedings with a clash with World No. 7 England, the team to which they lost in the World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad, India, on August 20. The Men's and Women's Hockey World Cups, being jointly held for the first time by Belgium and the Netherlands, will start with Australia women meeting Japan Women in the tournament opener on August 15. They will run into South Africa, the only team ranked lower than them in World Rankings, on August 18 before winding off their first round proceedings with a clash with World No. 7 England, the team to which they lost in the World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad, India, on August 20. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India, along with the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Australia, Ireland, Argentina, Spain, New Zealand, Japan, and South Africa have qualified in both men's and women's sections of the competition. The Indian men made it by winning the Asia Cup, while the women's team made it by finishing second in the Qualifying tournament held in Hyderabad, Telangana. Article Source: IANS
IPL 2026: We Have To Win And Get That Fourth Star, Says KKR Head Coach Nayar
Kolkata Knight Riders: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Abhishek Nayar delivered a clear and unambiguous message to his squad ahead of day one of the sides practice session at the Eden Gardens - the skill is there, the talent is assembled, and now it is time to win their fourth title. Three-time IPL winners KKR will open their 2026 season against five-time champions Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on March 29. I'm just going to leave you all with one message before the whole group arrives. We have prepared a lot, we have worked on our skills in the past couple of months. We have had a lot of discussions; we have spoken a lot. For me, what happens year on is how we tune whats between our ears. The skill is there, that's not going to change in the next 10 days. But what changes is our mentality. So every moment that we spend on this ground, every moment we spend with each other, with the coaches, amongst ourselves, there's one goal. We have to do one thing, we have to win, we have to get that fourth star and we do everything to prepare our minds before our body actually arrives at the first game on the 29th. We prepare here, we use this time to talk to each other, communicate, get stronger as a group. So we're ready for everything. Have a lot of fun, said Nayar in a video posted by KKR Knight Club. Nayar also used the occasion to welcome a clutch of new faces into the KKR fold, starting from assistant coach Shane Watson and fielding coach Dishant Yagnik. Guys, just a very formal welcome from me. A few new entrants, so I think I should start with introducing them. Everyone knows Shane Watson as a player, but I've known him as someone who's played under him as a player. I'm really, really happy, Watto, to have you with us. I think you've been a terrific addition, even in this small period that I've interacted with you. Tap into his experience, you will learn a lot. We've had a lot of good coaches, but I'm pretty sure that Shane Watson is going to add a lot of value to us. So, Watto, welcome to the KKR family. I tend to miss a lot of names, but I think the second addition to our family is Mr. Dishant Yagnik, a ball of energy. A lot of you all know him domestically, but I'm sure his energy and his love and passion is something that will come across for us. So, welcome, Yagi. We've got (Manvinder) Bisla and Biju (George) here who are our head of scouting and our scouting team, they're here to help us in the phase building up. On Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani, Nayar said, Blessing, you are a blessing in disguise for us. I know so far we've sort of folded you in the bus, but it's great to have you, the tallest member ever to be part of this KKR team. So welcome, I hope you have a great time with us and you enjoy the company of our boys. I tend to miss a lot of names, but I think the second addition to our family is Mr. Dishant Yagnik, a ball of energy. A lot of you all know him domestically, but I'm sure his energy and his love and passion is something that will come across for us. So, welcome, Yagi. We've got (Manvinder) Bisla and Biju (George) here who are our head of scouting and our scouting team, they're here to help us in the phase building up. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Now that that's out of the way and I hope I haven't forgotten anyone. Just one small thing, Rahul's not welcome here, as Rahul is back, and back to where he belongs. Rahul (Tripathi), welcome back. I know we've had a camp and it's pretty much the same group, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Lifting U19 Womens T20 WC Trophy For Second Time Felt Quite Special, Says Niki Prasad
U19 T20 World Cup: Niki Prasad says lifting the ICC Women's U19 T20 World Cup trophy for the second time as the sides captain - was an experience like no other and that has only sharpened her hunger to keep winning more titles for India in future. The 2025 U19 Womens T20 World Cup winning team was among the five champion sides felicitated by the BCCI at the recent annual awards in New Delhi on Sunday. All members and coaches received special medals from former players Sudha Shah and Shubhangi Kulkarni. I think that day was pretty special for all of us. Every kid dreams to play for India and for me it was playing for India U19 and also leading. So I think lifting the trophy for the second time felt quite special. Now as I look back at it, of course it's a really memorable day. Even coming over here, I was really excited to be around all the legends. So it was a pretty exciting day, said Niki in a video posted by the BCCI on their X account on Wednesday. With India winning the Women's ODI World Cup, Mens Champions Trophy, Mens U19 World Cup and Mens T20 World Cup, Niki said seeing the trophies won by India filled her with immense pride. Firstly I think I take pride in being Indian and I'm really proud to be Indian. Also I think it's really a very memorable and happy moment to be, not just sharing the U19 World Cup trophy with my own teammates, but also being part of the same calendar year, being part of seeing the women's team lifting the World Cup and then the men's one. So I think as an Indian and as a cricketer, I think it's a really proud moment for me, especially in this calendar year. Niki was keen to acknowledge that the BCCIs sustained investment in youth cricket is a key driver of that success. I think the BCCI plays a major role in the growth of the Indian team and also the future. They've put a lot of vision and a lot of investment in the youth. So I think that is obviously going to pay off and we've already done that in both men's and women's. It's really important to have that kind of support from the BCCI. I think we're just going to keep growing from here on. With Niki plying her trade for Delhi Capitals in WPL and Karnataka in domestic cricket, she said her aim is to get more trophies when she enters the senior team. For me, it's not just about playing for India, but it's about lifting the trophy again and again for India. So that's my ultimate goal for India. I think my first thought is going to be that we have one common thing - that all of us have one ICC trophy. She further talked about how she would chat with senior team captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Also I think the interaction was going to be quite interesting for me. To just ask about how their experience has been after winning in the T20s and the ODIs. So I think I would probably ask how they must have been feeling. With Niki plying her trade for Delhi Capitals in WPL and Karnataka in domestic cricket, she said her aim is to get more trophies when she enters the senior team. For me, it's not just about playing for India, but it's about lifting the trophy again and again for India. So that's my ultimate goal for India. I think my first thought is going to be that we have one common thing - that all of us have one ICC trophy. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So I think that would really help all the youngsters and all the current cricket players to go over there and keep training and keep evolving. So I think that plays a major role in the growth of the Indian cricket team. Article Source: IANS
IPL 2026: Ishan Kishan To Captain Sunrisers Hyderabad In Pat Cummins' Absence
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Wicketkeeper batter Ishan Kishan will lead Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for the first few matches of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, standing in for Australian legend Pat Cummins, who is yet to recover from a back injury, the franchise announced on Wednesday. SRH have also stated that No.1 T20I batter Abhishek Sharma will be Kishan's deputy during this period. Pat Cummins will miss a few games while recovering from injury. Until he recovers, Ishan Kishan will be the Captain and Abhishek Sharma will be the Vice-Captain, SRH wrote in a post on X. Cummins has not played competitive cricket since the third Ashes Test in Adelaide in December 2025, after being out of action post the tour of West Indies due to a lumbar bone stress injury in his lower back. He was subsequently ruled out of the remaining Ashes matches and the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup due to the same issue. The all-rounder is expected to join the team in the later stages of IPL 2026. Kishan, who has been in the SRH camp since the 2025 IPL, captained Jharkhand to winning the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title in the recent domestic season and has strong credentials to lead the side in Cummins absence. He has never captained any team in the IPL, and it will be his first stint as a leader in the world's biggest cricket league. He was subsequently ruled out of the remaining Ashes matches and the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup due to the same issue. The all-rounder is expected to join the team in the later stages of IPL 2026. Also Read: Live Cricket Score SRH, the IPL 2016 winners, will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 28. Article Source: IANS
Kishan to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad in Cummins' absence
Cummins, who is recuperating from a lumbar stress issue, is set to miss the early part of the season
T20 World Cup: England wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler has expressed hope that the T20 World Cup semi-final loss to India was not the final chapter of his international career, though he acknowledged that there are no guarantees regarding selection for Englands upcoming white-ball series in July. Buttler endured a difficult World Cup, scoring just 87 runs across eight innings and managing only one half-century in his last four ICC events. Despite this, he remains optimistic about being part of Englands home summer, which includes five T20Is and three ODIs against India. I hope so. I don't know. Obviously, I had a poor tournament, which is disappointing, but I've been playing some of the best cricket of my (career) in recent years, so hopefully I can get back to playing my best. I certainly have ambitions (to continue playing for England) but no longer being a captain, I'm not a selector and whatever, so what will be will be. Yeah, we will see, Buttler said on his podcast For the Love of Cricket. Following the tournament, Buttler took time away from cricket, spending a week with his family in France to reset mentally before returning to India to prepare for the IPL season with the Gujarat Titans. I couldn't have been further away from cricket, which for me at the time was just perfect. It's exactly what I needed. Obviously the tournament didn't go personally how I'd have liked it to go, and I just felt like I needed some space from cricket and not to think about the game, and I could not have been further away from cricket where I was in that week, he stated. It was really refreshing - I really enjoyed it, a complete sort of release. And slowly but surely, I'd say at the start of this week, (I am) just starting to reflect a bit and have a few thoughts about what's important to me and my cricket, and why it probably didn't go quite as I would've liked. There's elements (to what went wrong) that I actually don't really know exactly. For all your best intentions and hard work and efforts to perform, it just didn't work, and sometimes that's okay as well. That's something I've had to realise. It wasn't for a lack of effort. It just didn't quite happen, he added. It was really refreshing - I really enjoyed it, a complete sort of release. And slowly but surely, I'd say at the start of this week, (I am) just starting to reflect a bit and have a few thoughts about what's important to me and my cricket, and why it probably didn't go quite as I would've liked. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Harry Brook and Brendon McCullum had created a fantastic environment at the World Cup. India were a serious team and worthy winners, Buttler said, recognising the quality of the opposition. Article Source: IANS
England's Smith Feels IPL Omission Could Prove To Be A Blessing In Disguise Ahead Of Home Summer
Indian Premier League: England wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith believes missing out on a place in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 could prove to be a blessing in disguise, adding that time at home would give him a valuable block of red-ball preparation ahead of the Test summer starting in June against New Zealand. Smith had a difficult Ashes series, managing just 211 runs and a single half-century across five Tests as Australia won 4-1. After going unsold at last years IPL auction, Smith was subsequently dropped from England's white-ball squads for their tour to Sri Lanka and the Mens T20 World Cup. At the time, I would have definitely liked to have gone (to the IPL). It's an ambition of mine to strengthen all sides of my game, and I see the IPL as something that can really enhance the white-ball side and does have benefits for the red-ball (game). But in hindsight, yeah, it's fantastic to come here and have a block of red-ball (cricket) behind me. I felt that towards the back end of the summer and into the winter, technically, I felt a little bit out of kilter. It's been nice to come here (The Oval) and work on a couple of things, and then I'll be able to hopefully implement them, for six or seven (County Championship) games, and we'll see where we get to if there's any England stuff after that. But, yeah, it's nice to have a little block to try and get things right, Smith was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo on Wednesday. Smith's Ashes trip in Australia was not without its difficult moments. He dropped a straightforward chance of Travis Head as England slipped to a heavy defeat at the Gabba and drew widespread criticism for pulling a Marnus Labuschagne bouncer to deep extra cover in Sydney - a shot widely regarded as one of the more regrettable dismissals of the series. He was candid about the experience of playing in Australia, but stopped short of being overly self-critical, pointing to the cumulative toll of featuring in back-to-back long Test series. Mistakes are going to happen. The India series was physically and mentally very tough. It was my first five-Test series. Also, we were out in the field for 22 out of 25 days or something stupid, and all the Tests lasted (five days). By the end, it was just actual exhaustion: I was just knackered physically and mentally from all that had gone. From there, the learning was how to make sure that from the first to the last game, your standards are still as high as possible? It was similar in Australia, to be honest. I know a few of the games didn't last as long as people were expecting or wanting, but again, I don't feel like my standards were down too much, he added. Smith acknowledged his personal returns fell short of what was required of him, while also crediting Australia's performance across the series. It was tough. You go on a tour like that with high expectations of trying to do as well as you can, and it didn't pan out that way. It was similar in Australia, to be honest. I know a few of the games didn't last as long as people were expecting or wanting, but again, I don't feel like my standards were down too much, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score You are playing against a world-class team as well, and I think sometimes that gets lost a little bit, how good the opposition is. It's learning, but I'm coming into (the season) fresh, and I love being back at Surrey and playing here, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Virat Definitely Is Still The Heartbeat Of RCB: AB De Villiers
Former Royal Challengers Bangalore: Former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) superstar AB de Villiers has lauded Virat Kohli as the cornerstone of the franchise, emphasising that the Indian batting legend remains central not only for his performances but also for the energy and leadership he brings to the squad. De Villiers highlighted that Kohlis presence continues to inspire the team, particularly the younger players, reinforcing his enduring legacy at RCB. RCB will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign on March 28, hosting Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore in the curtain raiser. After last years triumphant season, expectations are high for Kohli and the franchise as they aim to defend their title. Virat definitely is still the heartbeat of the franchise. Not only through his performances and the consistency he has achieved with the bat over the years, but also through his presence and the energy he brings to the squad. The way he conducts himself on and off the field, always fighting for the team, stands out. He brings that energy and makes the youngsters believe that they can ultimately go on and win the trophy, which RCB did last year, de Villiers told JioHotstar. What I liked about last season, yes, he was one of the main run-scorers in the team, as openers usually are, but there were other players who stepped in. In the past, RCB were often guilty of relying on just two, three, or four players performing consistently. This time, I felt the entire team chipped in, he added. Virat definitely is still the heartbeat of the franchise. Not only through his performances and the consistency he has achieved with the bat over the years, but also through his presence and the energy he brings to the squad. The way he conducts himself on and off the field, always fighting for the team, stands out. He brings that energy and makes the youngsters believe that they can ultimately go on and win the trophy, which RCB did last year, de Villiers told JioHotstar. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He emphasised the collective effort, noting that Kohlis leadership benefits from having a well-rounded squad around him. Thats my point, players contributing like that throughout the season, and the bowling attack stepping up. Virat can feel that; he can sense that he is not the only one carrying the load anymore. He has a squad of fighters around him, all gunning to win the trophy. I think they are in a really good place. Its a similar squad, they didnt have to change much, and they have good reason to believe they can go all the way again this coming season, he said. Article Source: IANS
Buttler 'still has England ambitions' despite T20 World Cup slump
Former England captain has made one half-century in four ICC events, but is contracted for another 18 months
NZ Pacer Ferguson Credits Adaptability For Fightback In Hamilton T20I Against South Africa
Hamilton T20I: New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson said the Black Caps' adaptability factor was key to them staging a commanding fightback against South Africa in Hamilton, where the hosts levelled the five-match T20I series 1-1. Bowled out for a meagre 91 in the series opener in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, regrouped to post 175/6 on a testing Hamilton pitch, before sealing a 68-run victory in the second match. I think more than anything, we talk a lot about the Black Caps adapting to conditions. It's not always as easy as it sounds, but certainly when a wicket we expect to play well doesn't play as well as we think, it's important to try and work out what a good total on that is. Sometimes you don't get that right. But at the same time, I think (the Hamilton game) was a good example of us adapting very quickly. Probably, I thought 175 was an outstanding total on that. Although Dev (Devon Conway, who top-scored with 60) was probably not as fluid as he always looks, it was a challenging wicket, and he got the runs that we needed and posted a great total, Ferguson was quoted as saying by ICC on Wednesday. The match in Hamilton carried added significance for Ferguson, as he missed the initial part of the home summer due to injury and took some time out of the 2026 Mens T20 World Cup for the birth of his first child. I really miss playing in New Zealand. It was unfortunate to start the summer with an injury. I was really looking forward to quite a lot of T20 cricket at home. I love playing in New Zealand in front of the home crowd, conditions I'm used to. So, stoked to get a game in last night. The bowling group as a collective were great, and they made my job a bit easier, the pressure from both ends, added Ferguson. Fellow pacer Ben Sears caught everyones eye through a three-wicket burst in Hamilton, something which Ferguson liked. He (Sears) has still got more pace in him, I think. But look, he's bowling well. It's good to see him get some consistent training time with us overseas. He was working on his game every training session. I saw him running in hard and working on different change-ups, different lines, asking the right questions. And it's that development that we've seen in the last few years, which will stand him well in the next few years and as long as his career goes. But a pleasure for me to watch from the side on, seeing him get extra bounce, scaring some of the batters certainly. And I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes at Eden Park in the third T20I too, he elaborated. I saw him running in hard and working on different change-ups, different lines, asking the right questions. And it's that development that we've seen in the last few years, which will stand him well in the next few years and as long as his career goes. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The crowd feels like they're right on your back. But the thing we get at Auckland is we get a great crowd supporting us. We always have amazing games of cricket there. So I certainly love playing there, concluded Ferguson. Article Source: IANS
Best International Cricketer: Indias vice captain Smriti Mandhana celebrated a remarkable year after being honoured with the Best International Cricketer (Women) award at the BCCI Naman Awards. The left-handed batter reflected on both her individual contributions and the broader success of Indian cricket, particularly the Womens ODI World Cup victory. It's been a great year. Again, I can't really mention a lot about my own performance because of the way we played the World Cup and winning the World Cup, that was pretty special. But for me individually as well, it was a great year in terms of doing what I could for the team and I'm happy that I could contribute to that, Mandhana said in a BCCI video. The opening batter highlighted the significance of Indias resurgence on the global stage across men's and womens cricket, stating, As I mentioned in the speech, four World Cups and one Champions Trophy, that's pretty amazing. And for Indian cricket, we had a few years where there was no World Cup, and a lot of people had a lot of things to say. But to come back in the last two years and doing what the Indian cricket has done, it's just amazing. And just to be part of the evening and celebrating all the teams, it's just amazing. Mandhana also talked about how important it was to be ready and have support systems in place that helped India win. She praised Jay Shah, the former BCCI secretary and current ICC chief, for all the work he did to help women's cricket grow. The opening batter highlighted the significance of Indias resurgence on the global stage across men's and womens cricket, stating, As I mentioned in the speech, four World Cups and one Champions Trophy, that's pretty amazing. And for Indian cricket, we had a few years where there was no World Cup, and a lot of people had a lot of things to say. But to come back in the last two years and doing what the Indian cricket has done, it's just amazing. And just to be part of the evening and celebrating all the teams, it's just amazing. Also Read: Live Cricket Score She further acknowledged the role of infrastructure and support staff in fostering a winning environment. Just the kind of support staff was provided, the kind of facilities which were provided, whatever was asked was given. So when you do those sort of things, those things right, the result comes. And the 19 women's winning the World Cup and as well as WPL creating stars and then us going on to win the World Cup. That's just the start of something really great, Mandhana said. Article Source: IANS
Jamie Smith: IPL omission can be blessing in disguise
Keeper-batter rues shortcomings in Australia but hopes to take lessons into new season
ICC Rankings: Mehidy Climbs To No. 2 Among ODI All-rounders; Santner Gains Big In T20I
Mehidy Hasan Miraz: Bangladesh skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz has made significant gains in the ODI charts following a string of impressive performances against Pakistan in the recently concluded three-match ODI series at home. Mehidy climbed nine places to move to joint seventh in the ODI bowlers rankings, while also improving two spots to rise to second in the ODI all-rounders list. Mehidy was among Bangladesh's best performers during the recent three-game ODI series against Pakistan at home, with the all-rounder collecting five wickets across three matches. Bangladesh's prime batter Tanzid Hasan, who scored his maiden century against Pakistan, also surged 31 places to 55th, while Litton Das moved up 10 spots to 82nd. Among bowlers, Taskin Ahmed climbed 12 places to 28th and Mustafizur Rahman gained 13 positions to reach 47th. Despite losing the series, Pakistan batter Salman Ali Agha jumped nine places to joint ninth in the ODI batting rankings. He also improved three spots to be placed joint 10th among ODI all-rounders. Shaheen Shah Afridi advanced four places to be tied for 25th in the ODI all-rounders list after contributing with the ball. In T20Is, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner registered the biggest gains, continuing his strong form from the ICC Mens T20 World Cup into the ongoing home series against South Africa. Santner, who has picked up three wickets and scored 35 runs in the opening two matches of the five-game series, climbed 11 places to 13th in the T20I bowlers rankings. He also moved up two spots to joint seventh in the T20I all-rounders list, achieving a career-best rating. Among his teammates, Lockie Ferguson rose 18 places to 51st in the T20I bowling rankings, while Devon Conway gained four spots to reach 70th among batters. Indias Abhishek Sharma continues to lead the T20I batting rankings. Santner, who has picked up three wickets and scored 35 runs in the opening two matches of the five-game series, climbed 11 places to 13th in the T20I bowlers rankings. He also moved up two spots to joint seventh in the T20I all-rounders list, achieving a career-best rating. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Indian opener Abhishek Sharma maintained his top spot in the T20I batters' rankings with Varun Chakaravarthy also continuing in the second spot in the T20I bowling chart. Article Source: IANS
Bangladesh Sports Minister To Consult ICC On Team's Future, Investigate BCB Polls And T20 WC Absence
Sports Minister Aminul Haque: Bangladeshs Sports Minister Aminul Haque has confirmed that he will consult with the International Cricket Council (ICC) before making any final decisions regarding the future of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Additionally, he plans to establish a second committee to investigate the reasons behind Bangladeshs absence from this years mens T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Earlier, on March 11, the sports ministry established a committee to investigate allegations of irregularities, manipulation, and abuse of power in last years BCB elections. The board responded on Monday, claiming that the formation of the committee represented government interference in its affairs. Haque, a former Bangladesh football captain, stated on Tuesday that the five-member committee's findings, expected within 15 working days, will be reviewed before any further action is taken with the ICC. We are all aware of direct interference from our previous government in the BCB elections last year. I have spoken about it on a number of occasions. Following allegations from Dhaka clubs and the districts, we have formed an investigation committee. I will read their report, but my next step will come after I have spoken to the ICC, Haque was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. Allegations of election manipulation emerged during the polls, with former cricketer Tamim Iqbal and several Dhaka club officials claiming interference. There were also accusations against BCB president Aminul Islam before the elections, including a signed letter in which Aminul reportedly requested changes to the councillors from certain districts. Tamim also alleged that the BCB twice extended the deadline for filing nominations. Tamim withdrew his candidacy on October 1, while Aminul denied all allegations on October 5, a day before the elections. Haque stated that the investigation would examine how district administrators modified their nominations in reply to letters from the BCB leadership. The investigation committee will speak to the BCB election commissioners, the current board president, BCB directors and the CEO. It will also get in touch with the district administrators who nominated the BCB councillors. There is an allegation that many of these district administrators sent the name of a new councillor after having already nominated one, following receipt of a letter [from Aminul]. I believe there has to be a neutral investigation of these matters, Haque explained. Haque stated that the investigation would examine how district administrators modified their nominations in reply to letters from the BCB leadership. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We will try to find out why we didn't go to the World Cup. We have to understand why our sports diplomacy fell short. We will form an investigation committee on this subject after Eid. We have to strengthen our sports diplomacy and make sure we don't repeat this mistake in the future, he said. Article Source: IANS
'It's Amazing To Be Recognised Among Legends,' Says Gill After Winning Polly Umrigar Award
Polly Umrigar Award: India's test captain Shubman Gill expressed immense pride and gratitude after being named the winner of the prestigious Polly Umrigar Award for Best International Cricketer (Men) for 2025 by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at the Naman Awards. Gill said that being recognised alongside some of the legends and idols who have previously won the award made the achievement even more special. Obviously, it feels quite amazing to be recognised among cricketers, among the legends and idols that have won this award before me. Its truly a great honour every time you step on the field to represent your country in a sport that Ive spent my entire life playing, and to do well in that sport and be recognised by the BCCI is an immense honour, Gill said in a video released by the BCCI on X. Reflecting on Indias performances over the past year, Gill said that it was an amazing journey, highlighting the teams resilience during the England series, where they fought back to draw after a difficult start. I think its been an amazing journey so far. Going into the England series and coming back to draw the series from where we were after the first Test match, and even after that, playing in the West Indies and the Asia Cup its been a truly great year, he noted. Looking ahead, Gill emphasised the importance of the upcoming Test calendar, with India set to face Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Australia in crucial series that could determine their chances of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The team are currently placed at the sixth position with only four wins and a draw in nine matches. Weve got some really crucial Test series coming up. Hopefully we are able to win most of our matches and qualify for the finals, he said. Gill credited the collective effort of the teams support staff, including head coach Gautam Gambhir along with the broader coaching unit and staff at the Centre of Excellence (CoE), for shaping India into one of the most fearless teams in world cricket. Its efforts by everyone whether its Gauti bhai, the batting coach, bowling coach, fielding coach; they all work tirelessly to make this group what it is today. Thats why we are recognised as one of the most fearless teams in the world, and wherever we go, we are looked upon as favourites. That tag doesnt come easy, he added. The 26-year-old also acknowledged the support from the BCCI's current leadership and former secretary Jay Shah for providing world-class facilities and infrastructure that have contributed to players growth and performance. The support that we have got from the BCCI, especially Jay bhai and all the office bearers, has been great. The initiatives theyve taken to take our cricket forward have really helped us immensely. Even when I got injured, the training, practice and facilities played a huge role in performance, Gill said. Gill further downplayed discussions around legacy, instead stressing the importance of building a team identity in Test cricket. The support that we have got from the BCCI, especially Jay bhai and all the office bearers, has been great. The initiatives theyve taken to take our cricket forward have really helped us immensely. Even when I got injured, the training, practice and facilities played a huge role in performance, Gill said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Gill's performance in India's five-Test series in England was the central reason for the award. He scored 754 runs in ten innings at an average of 75.40 with four centuries and a highest score of 269. Gill finished as the highest run-getter in the test for 2025 with 983 runs in nine matches at an average of 70.21. Article Source: IANS
'KKRs Top Order Definitely Needs To Fire This Season', Opines L Balaji Ahead Of IPL 2026
Indian Premier League: Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, former India pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji has stressed the importance of Kolkata Knight Riders top order performing consistently if the three-time champions are to challenge for the title. With key players departing after the 2025 season, KKRs batting lineup faces fresh scrutiny, and Balaji believes the responsibility will largely fall on skipper Ajinkya Rahane, Cameron Green, and the teams overseas openers. Balaji suggested a reshuffled batting order could maximise KKRs potential. I always feel that KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane should bat in the top order. He shouldnt bat at anything less than number three. He has done phenomenally well with CSK at number three and scored a lot of runs. So, he batting one down would be good for both him and KKR. Cameron Green can come out to bat at number four. That will give him time to settle down and then start going after the bowlers. So, a top four of Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Ajinkya Rahane and Cameron Green is going to be the go-to one, he told JioStar. With key players departing after the 2025 season, KKRs batting lineup faces fresh scrutiny, and Balaji believes the responsibility will largely fall on skipper Ajinkya Rahane, Cameron Green, and the teams overseas openers. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The 19th edition of the cash-rich event is set to commence on March 28, with KKR scheduled to play the second game of the tournament, against five-time champions Mumbai Indians, at the iconic Wankhede Stadium. Article Source: IANS
Virat Kohli Reaches Bengaluru Ahead Of IPL 2026, Netizens Say, 'The King Arrived In His Kingdom'
Karnataka State Cricket Association: India's talismanic batter Virat Kohli has arrived here in the city to join the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ahead of the 19th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is set to commence on March 28. Kohli played a pivotal role in RCB's title-winning campaign last season, scoring 657 runs at a strike rate of 144.71 and a stunning average of 54.75, including eight fifties. The veteran batter would look to continue the form for the franchise as they will march towards defending the title for the first time. RCB shared a video of Virat's arrival on its social media, showing the former captain at the airport and in a cab, with a traffic signal displaying his jersey number 18, with the KGF theme in the background. You dont have to see him to know hes coming! Check the calendar. There will be signs, RCB wrote in the caption. Natiezens can contain their excitement, as one fan wrote on X, The king kohli arrived in his kingdom. Another user wrote, The King has arrived to reclaim his throne once again, and we are all seated to witness him smash the opponents for fun and he could not come at a better day, Its the 18th day of the month. Another user added, 18 march and jersey number 18 is here. while a fan said, RCB isnt complete without the King Kohli. Kohli is the highest run-scorer in the history of the tournament; he has scored 8,661 runs from 267 matches at an average of 39.54. The 37-year-old has eight tons, the most for a player, as well as 63 half-centuries. Kohli made his debut in 2008, and since then, he has played for only one franchise. The former captain recently shared a video of a practice session in London where he was looking in great touch. Meanwhile, the defending champions RCB will return to their home ground, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, to play the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 opener against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 28 after the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) received official permission from the Government of Karnataka to host the matches. The former captain recently shared a video of a practice session in London where he was looking in great touch. Also Read: Live Cricket Score RCB's clash against Rajasthan will happen in Guwahati before they hit the road again to take on Mumbai at the Wankhede. Article Source: IANS
If I Were With KKR, Id Ask For A Spin-friendly Eden Pitch For Varun & Narine: Faf
Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis has weighed in on Kolkata Knight Riders prospects for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, highlighting the crucial role their spin attack could play after a disappointing campaign last year. KKR, three-time IPL champions, are looking to regroup and rediscover their winning formula. According to du Plessis, much of that success will hinge on how effectively they utilise their two premier spinners, Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine, particularly in home conditions at Eden Gardens. If I was part of the KKR team management, I would ask the groundsman at Eden Gardens to make the wicket spin-friendly. KKR are blessed to have two absolute cannons in Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine. They are two of the best T20 spinners in the game right now, du Plessis told JioStar. Both Varun and Narine have to be in the game. If they play on surfaces where they are not in contention, then you are losing those two cannons and your superpower. Yes, they can bowl well on any wicket and trouble batters. But for KKR to be successful this IPL, Varun and Narine need to fire. The pitch should be prepared keeping those two players in mind, he added. Beyond spin, du Plessis also turned his attention to KKRs squad composition, particularly the inclusion of Cameron Green, who has been brought in as a high-profile all-round option. Cameron Green is a highly talented guy who has a lot of potential in him to succeed. He is the multi-skilled marquee buy for KKR and the replacement for Andre Russell. Green is six-foot tall, a massive guy, he bowls well, has a good bouncer and yorker, can hit the ball out of the stadium easily and is a proper batter, he said, However, he also pointed out that expectations will be high, especially given the player's price tag. In short, he is a complete package. He balances KKRs team very well. In terms of IPL cricket, Green has a lot of potential. But form has not been on his side recently. With a price tag of INR 25.2 crores, there is a big price tag pressure he will carry. There is a lot of weight on his shoulders. The team will expect a lot from him. It will be interesting to see how he goes, he added. Du Plessis further assessed KKRs potential opening combination, suggesting a dynamic pairing at the top could strengthen their batting lineup. He pointed to Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, who have opened together for New Zealand in T20Is, noting that their aggressive approach aligns well with modern T20 demands. If KKR can find a way to fit Finn Allen and Tim Seifert together in the playing XI as openers, it will be really good for them. It will make their batting very strong. Allen and Seifert know each other quite well and have an established opening partnership between each other since they open for New Zealand in T20Is. We all saw the carnage they displayed in the T20 World Cup. That counts as a massive factor. Du Plessis further assessed KKRs potential opening combination, suggesting a dynamic pairing at the top could strengthen their batting lineup. He pointed to Finn Allen and Tim Seifert, who have opened together for New Zealand in T20Is, noting that their aggressive approach aligns well with modern T20 demands. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He did, however, flag concerns around the teams bowling depth, particularly in light of injury issues. But the question mark is their bowling. With the injuries they have, they almost need to pick an experienced player from the unsold list and bring that required experience into their bowling attack. Article Source: IANS
NSW Rope In Ex-Australia Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin As New Mens Head Coach
Cricket NSW Life Member: Former Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has been named the new head coach of New South Wales (NSW). The 48-year-old replaces Greg Shipperd, whose stint ended early despite having a year remaining on his contract. Haddin, whose decorated career as a wicketkeeper batter for Australia, NSW and the Sydney Sixers earned him Cricket NSW Life Member status in 2024, will commence in the role in June. His appointment signifies a return to the state setup more than ten years after his last appearance for the Blues in November 2014. Haddin, brings international coaching experience, having served as an assistant and fielding coach for Australia under Darren Lehmann and Justin Langer, will oversee all aspects of the Blues program, building on the strong foundations in place to embed a distinctive playing style, develop First-Class and Australian players and challenge for further titles. NSW cricket has been an integral part of my life and to rejoin the fold as Blues head coach is a proud moment for myself and my family. I am looking forward to working with our current crop of talented players to bring back an aura to NSW cricket and to have a team with a formidable and distinctive style of play we can all be proud of. Wearing the baggy blue was incredibly special and gave me some of the greatest memories of my career, Haddin said in an NSW statement. Haddins appointment as NSW Head Coach will see him pull on a Blues uniform for the first time in almost 12 years, having last represented the state in November 2014 during his final summer of First-Class and List-A cricket. Lee Germon, Cricket NSW CEO, said, I am delighted to welcome Brad Haddin back to Cricket NSW to drive our Blues program forward and challenge for further titles. Brad is a highly regarded coach with experience at international and franchise level, plus a deep understanding of the NSW way of playing. Haddins appointment as NSW Head Coach will see him pull on a Blues uniform for the first time in almost 12 years, having last represented the state in November 2014 during his final summer of First-Class and List-A cricket. Also Read: Live Cricket Score While Haddin will lead the Blues, his duties will not extend to the Big Bash League sides Sydney Sixers or Sydney Thunder. Both franchises are in the process of appointing new head coaches after parting ways with Greg Shipperd and Trevor Bayliss, with James Hopes and Shane Watson among those linked to the vacancies. Article Source: IANS
WI T20Is: Australia skipper Sophie Molineux has confirmed she is fit and eager to return to action ahead of the teams upcoming white-ball tour of the Caribbean against the West Indies, but the exact nature of her involvement has yet to be confirmed as she continues to manage a back injury. The all-rounder had been sidelined recently due to a back injury, which forced her to miss the latter part of Australias ODI series at home against India. However, she is now nearing full fitness and is expected to feature in the three-match T20I series starting this week. With the ICC Womens T20 World Cup in England just under three months away, Molineux shared an encouraging update on her recovery while speaking to the media in St Vincent. But, she did not clarify what role she would play beyond her availability, saying she would be assessed across the six-game white-ball tour. I'm looking forward to playing a role and getting back out there (we'll) see how we go, especially towards that back end with the one-dayers, we'll just keep assessing. I'm looking forward to getting back out there again with the girls, it was hard to watch that Test, especially not being a part of Alyssa Healy's last game for Australia. To be able to get my feet in behind the desk and lead the group, I'm looking forward to making the most of those opportunities, and especially just getting away and jumping on a plane together and connecting as a group again after what's been a big few months in Australia, Molineux told reporters. Although she is set to participate in the T20Is, it remains uncertain whether she will play all six matches on the tour. The left-arm spinner indicated she could sit out the subsequent ODI fixtures to carefully manage her workload and ensure she is fully prepared for the World Cup. There is also some uncertainty about her bowling readiness, even though she has already resumed batting and fielding during training sessions. Australias tour of the West Indies represents their final international assignment before the T20 World Cup, making it a crucial phase of preparation. Molineux emphasised the importance of maximising this opportunity to build momentum and strengthen team cohesion. There is also some uncertainty about her bowling readiness, even though she has already resumed batting and fielding during training sessions. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I'm looking forward to making the most of those opportunities and especially just getting away and jumping on a plane together and connecting as a group again after what's been a few months in Australia. It's going to be really good for us, Molineux added. Article Source: IANS
Former Australian Test Wicketkeeper Haddin To Coach NSW
Former Australian Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was appointed head coach of New South Wales on Wednesday, vowing to bring an aura back to the struggling team. Haddin replaces Greg Shipperd who was sacked midway through the season with NSW failing to fire in the domestic Sheffield Shield. He got the nod after reportedly receiving high-level endorsements from former Test captains Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh. Wearing the baggy blue was incredibly special and gave me some of the greatest memories of my career, said Haddin of his playing time with NSW. I am looking forward to working with our current crop of talented players to bring back an aura to NSW cricket and to have a team with a formidable, distinctive style of play we can all be proud of. The appointment continues Haddin's rise through coaching ranks, having previously served as an assistant in the Australian teams under Darren Lehmann and Justin Langer. He also worked under Trevor Bayliss at Indian Premier League sides Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Haddin played 66 Tests and 126 ODIs before his retirement in 2015.
Ferguson on Sears: 'He has still got more pace in him'
I love playing in New Zealand in front of the home crowd, conditions I'm used to, Lockie Ferguson says of returning after a break
Bangladesh sports minister to consult ICC on future of BCB
Sports minister Aminul Haque said on Tuesday that once the five-member committee submits its report within 15 working days, he will discuss the matter with the ICC
Molineux set to return but full all-round role remains uncertain
Caution will be taken with Australia's new captain ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year
Haddin named New South Wales head coach
The former wicketkeeper-batter takes over from Greg Shipperd after a messy few months for the state
Can England's regime change to meet post-Ashes realities?
Livingstone's explosive interview with ESPNcricinfo exposes issues within disjointed England set-up
Hard To Find Difference Between Israel And Pakistan, Says Naveen Ul Haq After Kabul Air Strikes
Naveen Ul Haq: Afghanistan cricketer Naveen Ul Haq has flayed Pakistan for the air strikes on Kabul that killed 400 people, and said it is hard to find any difference between the attack by Israel and the United States on Iran and that on his country's capital. Hard to find any difference between the Israel and Pakistan regimes. Period, Naveel Ul Haq wrote in a post on his Facebook wall on Tuesday. The Afghanistan pacer was reacting to air strikes by Pakistan forces on a hospital treating drug addicts in Kabul. Around 400 people died while 250 were injured in the air strikes. His comments drew sharp reactions from many people on social media. Naveen Ul Haq is among several Afghan cricketers who have condemned the air strikes in which several civilians have been killed. Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan condemned the attacks, calling them sickening and deeply concerning and said he stands with the Afghan people in this difficult time. I am deeply saddened by the latest reports of civilian casualties as a result of Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul. Targeting civilian homes, educational facilities, or medical infrastructure, either intentional or by mistake, is a war crime. The sheer disregard for human lives, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, is sickening and deeply concerning. It will only fuel division and hatred. I call upon the UN and other human rights agencies to thoroughly investigate this latest atrocity and hold the perpetrators to account. I stand with my Afghan people in this difficult time. We shall heal, and we will rise as a nation. We always do. Inshallah! Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan said in a post on X. Another Afghan cricketer, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, also expressed anguish over the loss of 'innocent lives' in the attack by Pakistan and wondered how many more lives must be lost before the world speaks on these incidents.. A hospital was bombed in Afghanistan during Ramadan by PakistanWhere is international law now? Where is humanity now? How many innocent lives must be lost before the world speaks? wrote Gurbaz in his post on X, formerly Twitter. Several fans also supported the cricketers and condemned the attack by Pakistan that cost civilian lives. A hospital was bombed in Afghanistan during Ramadan by PakistanWhere is international law now? Where is humanity now? How many innocent lives must be lost before the world speaks? wrote Gurbaz in his post on X, formerly Twitter. Also Read: Live Cricket Score A few months back, Pakistan had bombed places across the border in Afghanistan, in which three domestic cricketers had died. As a result, the Afghanistan Cricket Board had pulled out its cricket team from a tri-series in Pakistan. Article Source: IANS
Ollie Pope Says Idea England 'Weren't Fussed' About The Ashes Was Tough To Take
Ollie Pope believes the idea England weren't fussed during their woeful Ashes tour of Australia was unfair on the squad but understands why the misperception became lodged in the minds of many fans and pundits. Ben Stokes' tourists went down to a 4-1 series loss to Australia over five Tests in 2025/26, with the troubled campaign still the subject of an England and Wales Cricket Board review. In addition to their poor on-field performance, concerns about the culture of the England squad emerged during a break in Noosa, an Australian resort, where there were reports of excessive drinking by players. This was followed by revelations that vice-captain Harry Brook had had an altercation with a nightclub bouncer on the pre-Ashes visit to New Zealand. Pope, however, insists England's were fully focused on regaining the Ashes and might have been more successful had they cemented an encouraging start to the first Test in Perth. Going into that series, there was a lot spoken about the preparation of it, Pope told reporters on Tuesday. As a team, the misconception might be that we weren't as fussed as it came across. The 28-year-old, speaking at county side Surrey's media day, added: The tough thing for everyone in that first game (Test) was the nature of it. Had we won that, and we'd done slightly better on day two, the idea is different. Of course we want to be a well-liked team, on and off the pitch, and unfortunately our performance didn't allow that to happen in Australia. - 'Take the pressure off' - I can understand why people felt that way, but at the same time the perception that we weren't fussed was probably the hard thing. All we wanted to do was go and win the Ashes...All anyone wanted to do was to win. And for us at times it was just trying to, in our minds, take the pressure off the actual Test match. Even before the trip started, questions were raised about a lack of preparation in Australian conditions, which consisted of a three-day match against the second-string England Lions at Lilac Hill in Perth. As we've done over the previous years, we tried to treat it like a normal series to get the best out of ourselves, said Pope. Unfortunately, it didn't quite go to plan. He added: I know what I need to be as ready as I can be. From a personal point, I felt as ready as I could have been for that first Test. Pope was dropped after the third Test after averaging only 20.83 runs across the first three games, with replacement Jacob Bethell going on to score a century in the fifth Test at Sydney. But Pope insisted he was determined to regain his England place, saying: I still feel like my best batting years are to come. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The Surrey batsman was speaking after the England and Wales Cricket Board went back on a plan to stop its Ashes players speaking to the media ahead of the new county season while it conducts its review.
Pak Spinner Abrar Not Concerned By Backlash On The Hundred Signing By Indian Owners: Report
Indian Premier League: Pakistans mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed is not losing sleep over the possible backlash, specifically comments from former Indian great Sunil Gavaskar, on his signing by an Indian-owned franchise, Sunrisers Leeds, in the auction for the upcoming edition of The Hundred, a news report said on Tuesday. Abrar, ranked as high as number two in the ICC rankings until last month and now third, was signed by Sunrisers Leeds, which owns Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League, for 190k Pounds Sterling last week. The franchise owners are facing severe backlash in India over the signing, but Abrar is not worried by comments over the move, Telecom Asia Sport said in a report. Gavaskar called the signing an indirect way to fund the Pakistan military, which, in turn, kills Indian soldiers. While the Pakistan Cricket Board and Abrar are tight-lipped on the backlash, sources said there are no concerns as the matter is between England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the franchise. The noise on Abrars signing is not unexpected, but he is not losing sleep over the uproar, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sources told www.telecomasia.net. Abrar registered for The Hundred as he is ready to ply his trade in the leagues around the world and was signed as one of the top three bowlers in T20I rankings, which is well deserved, the report said, quoting sources. The coach of Sunrisers Leeds, Daniel Vettori, conveyed the signing to Abrar and advised him to be in touch and prepared to give his best, the sources said. Vettori, himself a spinner of repute who played 442 internationals for New Zealand across formats, backed the signing. Once we missed out on Adil Rashid [to Southern Brave], who was a priority early on, then we obviously jumped into the overseas spinner. There were four or five guys that we were looking at, and Abrar was one of them. Very pleased to get him, Daniel Vettori said after the conclusion of the auction. Abrars signing comes after the ECB threatened that The Hundred sides could face disciplinary action if there is evidence that Pakistan players are overlooked in the auction based on nationality, the Telecom Asia Sport report said on Tuesday. The warning followed after the BBC reported that the four Indian-owned teams - Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, and Sunrisers Leeds - will not consider Pakistan cricketers over a blanket ban on them due to strained relations between the two countries. The relations between the two countries hit their lowest point after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in April last year. New Delhi accused the attacks of having the backing of Islamabad, a claim Pakistan denied. A four-day military conflict followed, with both sides claiming victory. The relations between the two countries hit their lowest point after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir in April last year. Also Read: Live Cricket Score This is absolutely ridiculous & should be condemned. How are these comments acceptable? I dont care how many runs you have scored. Vile stuff from Gavaskar, Rafiq wrote on social media platform X. Article Source: IANS
Pope: Ashes axing was 'right decision at the time'
Former vice-captain will be back in county ranks for first time since 2022 ahead of Test summer
IPL 2026: Working With Southee Will Improve My Skills, Says KKR's Vaibhav Arora
Kolkata Knight Riders: Ahead of the new season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) pacer Vaibhav Arora is focused on evolving his game and sharpening his skillset as he prepares for the challenges ahead in the season. The 28-year-old pacer from Ambala, who made his debut for the franchise in 2023, has taken 36 wickets in 32 matches in his IPL career so far with an impressive strike rate of 17.72. He also played a key role in KKRs title-winning campaign in IPL 2024, claiming 11 wickets in 10 matches. As the team gears up for the upcoming season, Arora has been putting in extensive work during the training camp, focusing on improving different aspects of his bowling. Overall, the preparation is solid. We're playing practice matches and also honing our variations in the nets. As a fast bowler, you always want to prepare well and improve your skills so that you can execute them effectively in match situations, he said. Arora is particularly excited about the opportunity to work closely with former teammate Tim Southee, who has joined the franchise as bowling coach this season. The former New Zealand captain brings enormous experience to the role, having taken more than 700 international wickets and previously represented KKR for three seasons between 2021 and 2023. Reflecting on the chance to learn from Southee again, Arora said, Tim Southee is a legend with tons of experience. Weve been teammates with KKR before in 2023, and I learned a lot from him then. Now that hes our bowling coach, Ill get more time to work with him and learn from his experience to improve my skills. Theres a lot I can learn from him, and its going to be fun working with him. Known for his ability with the new ball, Arora is also looking to expand his repertoire and adapt to the conditions he is likely to face during the season. As you must have seen at Eden Gardens last year, the new ball swings only for the first three or four overs, maximum. After that, there is no swing because of the conditions and the nature of the wicket. So, the variations become very important in those situations, he explained. With that in mind, Arora has been working on refining his variations and improving his execution, something that worked well for him during the previous season. Last year, we had a bit of success while executing yorkers with the new ball. As a bowler, you must use the ground's dimensions to your advantage and choose deliveries wisely against each batter, he said. Known for his ability with the new ball, Arora is also looking to expand his repertoire and adapt to the conditions he is likely to face during the season. As you must have seen at Eden Gardens last year, the new ball swings only for the first three or four overs, maximum. After that, there is no swing because of the conditions and the nature of the wicket. So, the variations become very important in those situations, he explained. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Looking ahead, Arora said the teams focus remains on continuing their preparation and being ready for the upcoming phase of training in Kolkata. Our mindset is focused on going to the next camp in Kolkata and being mentally and physically prepared to give 110% there, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
The Marylebone Cricket Club: The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has clarified that the controversial run out of Salman Ali Agha during the second ODI between Bangladesh and Pakistan in Dhaka was correctly adjudged under the Laws of Cricket, while also noting that the fielding side could have chosen to withdraw the appeal in keeping with the Spirit of Cricket. The incident occurred when Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz attempted to field a shot played by Mohammad Rizwan. As Miraz moved across the pitch to collect the ball, he collided with Agha, who had backed up at the non-strikers end. In the confusion that followed, Agha bent down as if to pick up the ball and hand it back to the bowler, seemingly under the impression that play had come to a halt. However, Miraz quickly gathered the ball and deflected it onto the stumps while Agha was still outside his crease, leading to the Pakistan captains dismissal. After the match, Agha referenced the Spirit of Cricket, remarking that he would have chosen differently had he been the fielder and instead gone for sportsman spirit. In response to the debate over the incident, the MCC issued a statement confirming that the on-field decision was correct. Under Laws, there is little that either umpire could have done differently. The non-striker was clearly out of his ground when the wicket was broken, and the ball was in play. That is out, the statement said. The MCC also pointed out that Agha had put himself at greater risk by trying to handle the ball. It is also worth pointing out that the non-striker had left his ground when the ball was in play and had just started to attempt to regain his ground when he collided with Mehidy. Furthermore, no batter should attempt to pick the ball up without the consent of the fielding side, and had he done so, he would have been at risk of an Obstructing the field dismissal. In retrospect, he would have been better using that time to attempt to regain his ground, the statement read. Amid suggestions that the ball should have been declared dead after the collision, the MCC rejected that interpretation, stating that the Laws did not permit such a ruling in this situation. There have been some suggestions that the ball should have been treated as Dead. That is not viable under the Laws; the ball does not become dead when players collide - if it did, that would incentivise players to seek out collisions when the situation was advantageous. There was no question of a serious injury, so there could be no call of Dead ball for that. It could not have been clear to the umpire that all the players ceased to consider the ball to be in play, since Mehidy clearly believed it was live, even if Agha did not. And it cannot have been finally settled in the hands of the bowler or wicket-keeper, since it was on the ground. The MCC further explained that even the revised dead-ball law, scheduled to take effect in October, would not have changed the outcome of the incident. Under the new Laws, which will come into effect in October, an umpire will be able to determine that the ball is finally settled if it is stationary on the ground. However, it is hard to make an argument that the ball is finally settled if the nearest fielder to it is attempting to run the non-striker out, with that non-striker out of their ground. There is no case, therefore, to be made that this was Not Out under Law, nor that the Law could be rewritten to somehow make a situation like this Not out. While backing the dismissal's legality, the MCC acknowledged that Bangladesh could have recalled the batter if they wished to uphold the Spirit of Cricket. There is no case, therefore, to be made that this was Not Out under Law, nor that the Law could be rewritten to somehow make a situation like this Not out. Also Read: Live Cricket Score It certainly would have been possible for Mehidy, as Bangladesh captain, to withdraw his appeal. Agha clearly thought the ball was dead and was attempting to assist the fielding side after an unintentional collision, which made it harder for him to regain his ground. The Laws allow a withdrawal for incidents where the batter is out in Law, but the fielding side feels that it would be better, within the Spirit of Cricket, to allow them to continue. Article Source: IANS
Ashwell Prince rues lack of partnerships in South Africa's Hamilton defeat
The only box we ticked was George Linde, who played a really nice cameo towards the end, but we didn't get any partnerships going, the South Africa batting coach said
MCC on Agha run-out: 'No case to be made that this was not out'
The lawmaking body contended that the dismissal was fully in accordance with the Laws of the game
There Is More To Indian Cricket Than Just A Couple Of People, Says R. Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin: The realisation that it was time for him to retire from Test cricket dawned on former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin when the younger and less experienced Washington Sundar was preferred over him for a Test match in Australia. During India's tour of Australia in 2024, senior bowler Ashwin lost his place in the XI and decided to retire at the end of the series. At an event in Kolkata on Tuesday, Ashwin opened up about the moment he realised his time with the Indian team had come to an end. At Perth, I was the senior bowler. Washi (Washington Sundar) played that Test, and I realised that my time was up, he said. His retirement after the Brisbane Test prompted criticism of the team management, especially after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli also stepped away following the series. Head coach Gautam Gambhir faced trolling on social media amid suggestions that senior players had been pushed towards retirement. Ashwin, however, dismissed that narrative and backed Gambhirs approach. I like Gautam, and many people may have different opinions about him, but he is someone who always puts the team ahead of individuals, Ashwin said. He credits the team, not individuals, and thats something I admire. Ashwin also spoke about the culture within the Indian dressing room and the importance of looking beyond individual stars. There is more to Indian cricket than just a couple of people, he said. Reflecting on his long association with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Ashwin highlighted the bond within the group during their years together. The best part about us was that none of us blamed each other. We all wanted India to win and make the country proud. We were motivated to do that, he said. Ashwin also spoke about the culture within the Indian dressing room and the importance of looking beyond individual stars. There is more to Indian cricket than just a couple of people, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Bowling is not as effective as batting, and thats where the concern lies. Article Source: IANS
PSL 2026: Labuschagne appointed Hyderabad Kingsmen captain
Labuschagne will work with fellow Australian Jason Gillespie, who was appointed the franchise's coach
Sanju Samson Felicitated By Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan After T20 WC Win
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan honoured India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, who played a pivotal role in Indias triumphant campaign at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup earlier this month. Vijayan hosted the World Cup champion at his official residence, Cliff House, on Monday (March 16), to acknowledge his achievements. The 31-year-old Samson came dressed in traditional attire for the ceremony, during which Vijayan handed him a commemorative memento bearing the message, We salute Sanju Viswanath Samson. The keepsake also highlighted his crucial contributions during the tournaments knockout phase, including a 97 off 50 balls against the West Indies in the Super 8 stage, an 89 off 42 in the semifinal against England, and another 89 off 46 in the final versus New Zealand. Sharing the moment on X, Vijayan wrote, Had the pleasure of hosting India's pride and Kerala's own, Sanju Samson, at Cliff House yesterday. Conveyed the profound love and joy of the people of Kerala. May he draw strength from his recent achievements and continue to scale new heights. Wishing him the very best! Samsons journey in the tournament was not without challenges. He had initially been left out of Indias playing XI for their opening match, with the team management opting for Ishan Kishan as the wicketkeeper alongside opener Abhishek Sharma. His place in the squad had also come under scrutiny after he managed only 46 runs across five matches in a home T20I series against New Zealand ahead of the global event. Despite the early doubts, Samson turned the narrative around with a string of match-winning performances, emerging as one of the standout players in Indias successful campaign. Following the celebrations, the Kerala batter has now turned his attention to the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League, where Samson will make his debut with Chennai Super Kings, five-time champions of the tournament. Despite the early doubts, Samson turned the narrative around with a string of match-winning performances, emerging as one of the standout players in Indias successful campaign. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Chennai will be looking to bounce back strongly this season after finishing at the bottom of the table in IPL 2025 with just four wins from 14 matches. Article Source: IANS
Conway, Bowlers Star As NZ Level Series With Clinical Win Over SA In 2nd T20I
Devon Conway: A disciplined all-round performance helped New Zealand register a convincing win over South Africa in the second T20I and level the five-game series 1-1 at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Tuesday. Asked to bat first, New Zealand built their innings around a steady knock from Devon Conway (60 off 49), who anchored the top order and ensured the hosts had a solid platform. The opener rotated the strike well and found timely boundaries, allowing New Zealand to recover whenever South Africas bowlers struck. South Africa managed to pick up wickets at regular intervals through their pace attack and spin options, preventing the hosts from running away with the innings in the middle overs. However, New Zealands batters ensured the run rate never dipped significantly, thanks to a 12-ball 21 and a 14-ball 20 by Nick Kelly and skipper Mitchell Santner, respectively. The hosts then accelerated in the closing stages of the innings, capitalising on a few loose deliveries to add valuable runs in the death overs and post a competitive total. The late flourish from Cole McConchie (18 off 12) and Josh Clarkson (26 not out off nine balls) proved crucial in pushing the score to a level that kept the pressure firmly on the visitors heading into the chase. Chasing a modest total, South Africa began cautiously with Wiaan Mulder and Connor Esterhuizen at the top. Mulder provided the early highlight with a powerful six off Kyle Jamieson, while Esterhuizen also cleared the ropes against Lockie Ferguson. Despite the occasional boundaries, New Zealands bowlers kept things tight and denied the visitors a strong start. The breakthrough came when Ben Sears had Esterhuizen caught at backward point, after which the hosts began to tighten their grip on the contest. Captain Santner struck to remove Mulder, who sliced a cut straight to Conway in the ring. Rubin Hermann briefly counter-attacked, striking Santner for a six and a four, but his promising stay ended when James Neesham had him caught by Ferguson in the deep. Santner continued to make an impact, dismissing Jason Smith to leave South Africa struggling in the middle overs. With wickets falling regularly, the visitors found it difficult to build partnerships. Cole McConchie and Sears chipped in with crucial strikes as New Zealands bowlers maintained relentless pressure. George Linde offered late resistance with a quickfire cameo, smashing multiple sixes to momentarily revive South Africas hopes. But his entertaining knock of 33 off just 12 balls ended when Ferguson forced a mistimed pull that was safely caught by McConchie at long-on, sealing the win. With that, New Zealand completed a comprehensive victory to level the series ahead of the third T20I of the five-match series. George Linde offered late resistance with a quickfire cameo, smashing multiple sixes to momentarily revive South Africas hopes. But his entertaining knock of 33 off just 12 balls ended when Ferguson forced a mistimed pull that was safely caught by McConchie at long-on, sealing the win. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand 175/6 in 20 overs (Devon Conway 60, Josh Clarkson 26*; Wiaan Mulder 2-14, Gerald Coetzee 1-28) beat South Africa 107/10 in 15.3 overs (George Linde 33, Rubin Hermann 19; Ben Sears 3-14, Lockie Ferguson 3-16) by 68 runs. Article Source: IANS
Suryakumar: 'The percentage I tried to get in school and college, I'm getting in cricket'
India wanted to win the [2026 T20] World Cup in India, and we wanted to win it in the same stadium in Ahmedabad, which was more important for us, Suryakumar Yadav says
Gavaskar hits out at Sunrisers for signing Abrar Ahmed in Men's Hundred
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar calls franchise into question in scathing column in Indian newspaper
New Zealand Players Gain Big In Latest Womens T20I Rankings After Victory Over SA
The White Ferns: New Zealands top white-ball performers have reaped the rewards in the latest update to the ICC Womens Player Rankings, following a dominant showing in recent home series against South Africa and Zimbabwe. The White Ferns are currently hosting South Africa in a five-match T20I series and made a flying start with an emphatic 80-run victory at Mount Maunganui on Sunday. While skipper Melie Kerr led the charge with a blistering 78-run knock, earning the Player of the Match award, many of her teammates made significant gains in the updated ICC rankings. Hard-hitting opener Georgia Plimmer climbed nine spots to 41st in the T20I batters rankings after her impactful innings of 63. Meanwhile, Jess Kerr improved by 11 places to 23rd, achieving a new career-high rating among T20I bowlers. Adding to the White Ferns list of success stories, former New Zealand captain Sophie Devine jumped six places to 11th in the T20I all-rounders list, following a four-wicket haul against the Proteas. The veteran all-rounder continues to defy age, making a major impact with both bat and ball. The updated rankings also reflected New Zealands dominance in the recently completed three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, which the White Ferns swept 3-0. Maddy Green moved up five spots to 17th, while Melie Kerr climbed two places to equal 19th. Isabella Gaze also improved her position, rising three places to 61st in the ODI batters rankings. Adding to the White Ferns list of success stories, former New Zealand captain Sophie Devine jumped six places to 11th in the T20I all-rounders list, following a four-wicket haul against the Proteas. The veteran all-rounder continues to defy age, making a major impact with both bat and ball. Also Read: Live Cricket Score New Zealand and South Africa played out the second T20I of the five-match series on Tuesday, with the latter clinching an 18-run victory to level the series 1-1. Article Source: IANS
A Moment I Will Cherish For The Rest Of My Life, Says Pratika Rawal On Being Felicitated By DDCA
Delhi Sports Journalists Association: The Delhi & District Cricket Association honoured Indias World Cup champions, Pratika Rawal and Udhav Mohan, at the Sports Journalists Federation of India National Convention, hosted by the Delhi Sports Journalists Association on Monday. The recognition ceremony was held as part of the SJFI convention's Golden Jubilee celebrations, bringing together administrators, journalists, and sportspeople to acknowledge achievements in Indian sports. During the event, DDCA awarded Rawal, a member of Indias historic womens ODI World Cup win in 2025, a cash prize of 11 lakh. Additionally, Mohan, who won the Under-19 World Cup with the national junior team, received a prize of Rs. 11 lakh. Speaking at the ceremony, DDCA President Rohan Jaitley said, It is always special to recognise players who have risen through the Delhi system and gone on to represent the country with distinction. Achievements like these inspire countless young cricketers who dream of following the same path. As an association, we believe recognition and encouragement are important in nurturing the next generation of talent. Rawal regarded the honour as a memorable milestone in her journey as a cricketer developed through Delhis system. It feels really good when you are recognised on such a big stage, especially by the DDCA and by Rohan sir. It is a very privileged moment for me. I have played a lot of cricket for Delhi, and this is a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life, Rawal said. Speaking about the impact such gestures can have on young players entering the system, she added, When you perform at your best, recognition follows naturally, so its intertwined. When you receive that recognition it motivates you to perform even better the next time. It becomes a cycle where you perform well, get recognised and then feel encouraged to keep improving. I believe this will motivate many youngsters coming into the system, both girls and boys. For Mohan, this recognition marked an important milestone early in his career. The young Delhi cricketer, a member of Indias 2025/26 Under-19 World Cup winning team, trains at the West Delhi Cricket Academy under the guidance of renowned coach Rajkumar Sharma, who also mentored Indian cricket star Virat Kohli during his early development. First of all I am very thankful to DDCA. This is very motivating for us as cricketers because when we know our association supports us and stands behind our goals it pushes us to do even better. It encourages me to keep improving, play better cricket and make my state and country proud. At the end of the day, every cricketer wants to grow and improve, and here we get access to quality facilities, the opportunity to train and play on some of the best grounds, and an environment where we can make full use of those resources. We practise hard and try to become better players, Mohan said. Reflecting on his journey through the Delhi system, he added, I have always played for Delhi. I was picked in the Under 16 team and since then I have represented Delhi in Under 16 and Under 19 cricket before being part of the India Under 19 World Cup squad. Delhi has a very strong selection system where players have to prove themselves consistently and that helps bring the best talent forward. First of all I am very thankful to DDCA. This is very motivating for us as cricketers because when we know our association supports us and stands behind our goals it pushes us to do even better. It encourages me to keep improving, play better cricket and make my state and country proud. At the end of the day, every cricketer wants to grow and improve, and here we get access to quality facilities, the opportunity to train and play on some of the best grounds, and an environment where we can make full use of those resources. We practise hard and try to become better players, Mohan said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score We are also on the lines of making another international stadium and one of the core ideas behind that concept is accessibility. The aim is to ensure that individuals with mobility challenges, speech or vision impairments and those with sensory sensitivities are able to come to an international arena and enjoy the sport comfortably. Cricket should be experienced by everyone, he said. Article Source: IANS
Western Australia cling on nine down as Shipperd denied farewell NSW victory
A late surge from Liam Hatcher and Sean Abbott blew the game open but the home side couldn't quite claim the final wicket
Im Confident Shreyas Can Replicate The Same Performance This Season: Irfan
Australians Cooper Connolly: Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan expressed confidence that Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer can replicate his impressive form from the IPL 2025 season, highlighting the middle-order batters proven ability in both franchise and international cricket. The team had a stellar run in the previous edition under Iyers leadership as they finished runners up. Ahead of IPL 2026, PBKS retained their core group and made some smart buys in Australians Cooper Connolly and Ben Dwarshuis at the auction table. Pathan believes that Iyer is a proven cricketer and has a shot at making it to Indias T20I setup. I'm not sure that Shreyas Iyer would be thinking of using the IPL as a stage to prove himself for a comeback into the T20I side. Shreyas Iyer is a proven cricketer. He's done really well in T20 cricket for Punjab Kings, yes, a different franchise, and he's done really well for Team India as well. He's a very important player in one-day cricket as far as the Indian team is concerned. I think there is a place for him in the T20 setup for Team India and he's aware of that, Pathan told JioStar. Pathan also recalled Iyers memorable performance against Mumbai Indians in the previous seasons playoffs, saying, That qualifier knock against Mumbai, I still remember that shot against Bumrah, gliding that yorker down towards third man with so much time. He has improved leaps and bounds. I'm really excited to see if he can replicate the same performance this season as well. I'm confident he will. On Punjab Kings overall team combination, Pathan expressed optimism, noting a balance between batting firepower and bowling depth. Pathan also recalled Iyers memorable performance against Mumbai Indians in the previous seasons playoffs, saying, That qualifier knock against Mumbai, I still remember that shot against Bumrah, gliding that yorker down towards third man with so much time. He has improved leaps and bounds. I'm really excited to see if he can replicate the same performance this season as well. I'm confident he will. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He further highlighted the franchises reliance on all-rounder Mitch Owen and the strength of the fast-bowling unit, stating, After that, they're trying to trust Mitch Owen, who is actually a powerhouse. If he clicks, picking the fast bowlers and the rest of the line-up will not be difficult. My eyes will be on this team's fast bowlers, Arshdeep, Marco Jansen and Ferguson, they are totally sorted. They have good backups as well. Article Source: IANS
Mumbai Indians Announce Tiered Ticket Sales For Home Matches
Indian Premier League: Mumbai Indians (MI) on Tuesday released the ticket sale schedule for their home matches in the first phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, set to be played from March 28 to April 12. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the schedule for the first phase of IPL 2026, in which Mumbai will play four matches. They will begin their campaign with a home clash against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 29 at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, then get on the road for their next two away games against the Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). The five-time champions will then return home for a mega rivalry clash against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Tickets, available exclusively as M-Tickets on the BookMyShow website and app, will be released in four phases with tiered access. In the first phase, Google Pay users (GPAY UPI) can book tickets from March 19, 12:00 IST to March 21, 12:00 IST. Phase two booking is for MI Gold, Silver, and Junior Members to gain early access, from March 21, 15:00 IST to March 22, 15:00 IST. In the third phase, MI Blue Members and pre-registered BookMyShow users can book from March 22, 17:00 IST to March 23, 17:00 IST, while sales open to the general public from March 23, 18:00 IST onwards as part of the fourth and final phase. The franchise clarified that members must have purchased their membership before 11:59 PM IST on March 19, 2026, to qualify for early access benefits. In the third phase, MI Blue Members and pre-registered BookMyShow users can book from March 22, 17:00 IST to March 23, 17:00 IST, while sales open to the general public from March 23, 18:00 IST onwards as part of the fourth and final phase. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The franchise officially kicked off their training camp on Monday, with veteran Rohit Sharma also uniting with the team ahead of the 19th edition of the cash-rich event. Article Source: IANS
It Was Destiny: Sourav Ganguly On Indias Historic 2001 Eden Gardens Win
Anil Kumble Bhai: Twenty-five years ago at Eden Gardens, India scripted one of the most remarkable victories in the history of Test cricket. The famous 2001 Test against Australia was revisited where Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan and Venkatesh Prasad shared their memories of the iconic comeback, while Sourav Ganguly joined the session virtually. Reflecting on that extraordinary win, then India captain Sourav Ganguly said, It was destiny. It was a fairytale. I dont have a recipe for that. I didnt do that. It just happened. Among the architects of that victory was Harbhajan Singh, who played a pivotal role with the ball during the match. Speaking about his connection with the venue, he said, I came to this world due to my parents, but I dont know what I would be without Eden Gardens. He also recalled how he got the opportunity to play that Test. Whenever I come here, those memories come to mind. Of course, Anil Kumble Bhai got injured. John Wright wanted someone who could take wickets. They called everyone to bowl in the nets and thought I was the best of the lot. Ganguly insisted on having me. I was taking wickets in domestic cricket. Looking back at the final day of the match, Harbhajan added, I think on that fifth day we had the total on the board. Knowing Australia, they would come hard at us. When to declare and when not to declare was the question in the dressing room. In the end, around 74 to 76 overs were enough. Those superb catches by Rahul Dravid, Shiv Sundar Das and S Ramesh. That Test gave us belief. Venkatesh Prasad, who was also part of that memorable game, reflected on a moment that still lingers in his mind. I dropped a catch. I lost it because the crowd was behind me. In the tea session, it was hell for me. I was feeling rotten. It kept playing on TV. These two guys, commentators Ravi Shastri and Ian Chappell, kept talking about it. You dont want to be near the coach, John Wright. John said, Youve got to take those catches, man. Looking back at the final day of the match, Harbhajan added, I think on that fifth day we had the total on the board. Knowing Australia, they would come hard at us. When to declare and when not to declare was the question in the dressing room. In the end, around 74 to 76 overs were enough. Those superb catches by Rahul Dravid, Shiv Sundar Das and S Ramesh. That Test gave us belief. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Harbhajan also praised Ganguly and called him the best captain I played under. Recalling an incident that illustrated his leadership, he said, Once I was dropped in seaming conditions. Only one of Kumble or I could have played and it was the great Anil Bhai. The next day he called me. I didnt go. He called again but I was angry and didnt go. He even said, I am making coffee for you. A very nice guy. Zaheer added, Ganguly was very approachable. Article Source: IANS
Eid Hopes Turned Into Mourning: The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has expressed deep grief and condemnation after a Pakistani airstrike on a major addiction treatment hospital in Kabul killed more than 400 people and injured at least 250 others, Taliban officials and local media reported, in what could become one of the deadliest incidents in the Afghan capital. Eid Hopes Turned Into Mourning. Afghanistan Cricket Board's leadership, along with the #AfghanAtalan lineup and staff, strongly condemns all acts of violence against innocent people. We stand in solidarity with the affected families and our people during this difficult time. What should have been moments of joy and celebration have instead turned into grief and heartbreak. Lives that were looking forward to Eid, to healing, and to a brighter tomorrow were tragically cut short, leaving behind shattered dreams and grieving families, the ACB penned on X. Condemning the airstrike, the ACB added, The Pakistani regime's devastating attack on a rehabilitation facility, resulting in the loss of hundreds of innocent lives and injuries to countless others, has deeply saddened us all. The occurrence of such a tragedy during Ramadan makes the pain even more profound. The board concluded by offering prayers for the victims and their families, stating, We ask the Almighty Allah to grant the victims the highest ranks in Jannah and bless their families with patience, strength, and peace. Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return. Earlier, Afghanistan all-rounder Rashid Khan condemned the reported civilian casualties from recent airstrikes, calling the targeting of civilian infrastructure a war crime and urging international bodies to investigate the incident. The board concluded by offering prayers for the victims and their families, stating, We ask the Almighty Allah to grant the victims the highest ranks in Jannah and bless their families with patience, strength, and peace. Indeed, we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I am deeply saddened by the latest reports of civilian casualties as a result of Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul. Targeting civilian homes, educational facilities or medical infrastructure, either intentional or by mistake, is a war crime. The sheer disregard for human lives, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, is sickening and deeply concerning. It will only fuel division and hatred. I call upon the UN and other human rights agencies to thoroughly investigate this latest atrocity and hold the perpetrators to account. I stand with my Afghan people in this difficult time. We shall heal, and we will rise as a nation. We always do. Inshallah, he wrote. Article Source: IANS
Incredible: Riyan Parag Reflects On Premier League Experience
India Super Fan: Indian cricketer and Premier League India Super Fan Riyan Parag was in the UK for a week to get a firsthand look at the Leagues matches. The new Rajasthan Royals captain spent his time watching live Premier League games, meeting players, and immersing himself in the atmosphere, before rejoining his teammates for the upcoming IPL season. As the Premier League season approaches its end, Manchester City, eight-time champions, chase league leaders Arsenal. Parag experienced the thrill shared by countless fans while watching City face West Ham United live at the 62,500-capacity London Stadium. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. Reflecting on his matchday experience, Parag said, The Premier League has a massive following in India and its something Ive followed since I was a kid. Being at the London Stadium and hearing the fans in full voice, the chants, the energy, the whole atmosphere, it was honestly incredible. The way the stadium echoes when everyone gets behind the team is something special. In India we feel that same emotion around cricket, so you immediately connect with it. Being there in person and to be living the dream of millions of fans back home was a great experience. Earlier this week, Parag had an immersive look into West Ham Uniteds preparations for the weekend match by visiting their training ground to observe the squad. During his visit, he met West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen, and they discussed topics such as captaincy, managing pressure at the top level, and similarities in preparing for important game days. Reflecting on his matchday experience, Parag said, The Premier League has a massive following in India and its something Ive followed since I was a kid. Being at the London Stadium and hearing the fans in full voice, the chants, the energy, the whole atmosphere, it was honestly incredible. The way the stadium echoes when everyone gets behind the team is something special. In India we feel that same emotion around cricket, so you immediately connect with it. Being there in person and to be living the dream of millions of fans back home was a great experience. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Parag finished his week with a visit to the Premier League Productions studio in London, the central hub for broadcasting the Premier League across 189 countries worldwide. He observed all the behind-the-scenes activities and met with Premier League legend and Ballon dOr winner, Michael Owen. Article Source: IANS
Mulder in as SA bowl; Clarkson, Ferguson in for NZ
South Africa kept the same attack that bowled New Zealand out for 91 with no room for experienced quick Lutho Sipamla
IPL 2026: Langer, Moody Present LSG Jerseys To Groundsmen At Ekana
Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari: Ahead of the 19th IPL season starting on March 28, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) head coach Justin Langer and Director of Cricket Tom Moody presented jerseys to the groundsmen at their home ground, the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, on Tuesday. LSG will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign at home on April 1 against the Delhi Capitals before heading to Hyderabad for the second fixture against the Sunrisers on April 5. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced only part of the schedule, in which LSG are slated to play a total of four games. The Rishabh Pant-led side will also face the Kolkata Knight Riders at the iconic Edemn Gardens on April 9, before returning home to play the Gujarat Titans on April 12. With preparations already underway and players now joining camp and starting training, Langer and Moody demonstrated a kind gesture towards the ground staff by presenting them with the franchises newest jersey. Sharing pictures of the moment, the franchise wrote on X, For our groundsmen, straight from our heart. LSG began their training camp on Monday, with the franchise stating that Pant and veteran pacer Mohammed Shami are expected to join the squad on Tuesday, having arrived in the city late on Monday. During Monday's session, batters Akshat Raghuvanshi, Abdul Samad, and Himmat Singh, along with all-rounders Ayush Badoni, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Arshin Kulkarni, impressed in the nets. The pace attack of Arjun Tendulkar, Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, and wrist-spinner Digvesh Rathi earned praise from the coaching staff for their speed and accuracy. LSG began their training camp on Monday, with the franchise stating that Pant and veteran pacer Mohammed Shami are expected to join the squad on Tuesday, having arrived in the city late on Monday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Since their first appearance in 2022, LSG have reached the playoffs twice, in 2022 and 2023, and finished seventh in the points table in 2024 and 2025. Currently, LSG is the only active team to have never reached an IPL final. Article Source: IANS
Khaka, Mlaba Guide South Africa To Series-levelling Win Against New Zealand In 2nd T20I
South Africa Women: South Africa Women delivered a clinical all-round performance to beat New Zealand Women by 18 runs in the second T20I of the five-match series, relying on a strong batting display from the top-order batters and disciplined bowling by Ayabonga Khaka and Nonkululeko Mlaba to gain control of the match. Asked to bat first, South Africa got off to a brisk start through Sune Luus and Tazmin Brits, who stitched together a fluent 62-run opening stand. Luus was the early aggressor, striking 31 off 21 balls with five boundaries and a six before falling to Amelia Kerr. Brits then took charge, anchoring the innings with a well-crafted 53 off 43 deliveries, laced with five fours and three sixes. Captain Laura Wolvaardt provided stability in the middle overs with a composed 41 off 33 balls, ensuring the innings did not lose momentum despite regular wickets. South Africa crossed the 100-run mark in the 11th over, but a brief slowdown followed as New Zealands spinners applied the brakes. However, a late flourish turned the tide decisively. Kayla Reyneke provided the finishing kick with a blistering unbeaten 28 off just nine balls, smashing three consecutive sixes in the final over off Sophie Devine. Her late onslaught propelled South Africa to a formidable 177/5 in their 20 overs. In response, New Zealand began on a positive note despite losing a couple of early wickets. Amelia Kerr counterattacked with a quickfire 32 off 18 balls, striking six boundaries, while Sophie Devine added 25 off 18 as the hosts raced to 71/3 inside seven overs. Just as New Zealand looked well-placed, South Africas bowlers triggered a collapse. Ayabonga Khaka led the charge with a superb spell, finishing with 4-27, removing key batters including Maddy Green and Brooke Halliday in quick succession. Left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba complemented her brilliantly, claiming 3-27 and breaking the crucial partnership by dismissing both Amelia Kerr and, later, Suzie Bates. The middle overs proved decisive as New Zealand lost wickets at regular intervals, slipping from a promising position to 111/7. Despite a late effort from Izzy Sharp, who top-scored with 29, and a brief cameo from Jess Kerr (14), the required rate kept climbing. South Africa maintained composure in the death overs, with Khaka returning to pick up another wicket and seal the game. A run-out in the final over ended New Zealands innings at 159/9, falling 18 runs short. The middle overs proved decisive as New Zealand lost wickets at regular intervals, slipping from a promising position to 111/7. Despite a late effort from Izzy Sharp, who top-scored with 29, and a brief cameo from Jess Kerr (14), the required rate kept climbing. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief scores: South Africa Women 177/5 in 20 overs (Tazmin Brits 53, Laura Wolvaardt 41; Amelia Kerr 2-29, Jess Kerr 2-34) beat New Zealand Women 159/10 in 19.1 overs (Amelia Kerr 32, Izzy Sharp 29; Ayabonga Khaka 4-27, Nonkululeko Mlaba 3-27) by 18 runs. Article Source: IANS
Brits, Reyneke, Khaka and Mlaba headline South Africa's series-levelling win
Amelia Kerr put in an excellent all-round performance for New Zealand, but South Africa fired on all cylinders, with the bat and the ball and in the field, to run out 18-run victors
Out-Of-Favour Liam Livingstone Says 'No-One Cares' In England Set-Up
Liam Livingstone has slammed the England hierarchy following his exile from international cricket, saying no-one cares about you when you are dropped. The Lancashire all-rounder has exactly 100 caps for his country across all three formats but has not featured for over a year. In an interview with ESPN Cricinfo, the 32-year-old was highly critical of his treatment by England director of cricket Rob Key. He also described his time at last year's Champions Trophy as the worst experience I've had playing cricket and said he did not miss being involved in the recent T20 World Cup. The England and Wales Cricket Board's Ashes review, covering tour planning and preparation, individual performance and behaviours after the 4-1 thrashing in Australia, is still ongoing. Livingstone, reflecting on a lack of communication after his dropping in a brief phone call by England coach Brendon McCullum in May, said: I don't think it would have reached a minute. I asked why; they said they wanted to try someone else. That was off Baz (McCullum). Brooky (captain Harry Brook) sent me a text. Keysy said nothing, (he) said 'I'll speak to you in the summer'. I actually rang him one day, and he said he was busy at a Test camp at Loughborough and then I didn't hear off him until the end of September. That probably sums that group up as a collective. That was a bit of an eye-opening experience about the group and the regime: if you're in, you're in, and if you're not in, no-one cares about you. Livingstone, still in demand on the franchise circuit, with a 1 million ($1.32 million) IPL deal from Sunrisers Hyderabad and a 350,000 bid from London Spirit at last week's Hundred auction, insisted: I still believe I'm one of the best players in white-ball cricket in England. Just because I'm not playing for England, because of a couple of peoples opinions, it doesn't mean that I'm not good enough to do it. As for missing the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India, where Will Jacks performed well in Livingstone's old role of spinner and hard-hitting batsman, he said: I didn't miss it one bit. Also Read: Live Cricket Score There wasn't any part of me that was wishing I was playing in that team, to be honest.
Sunil Gavaskar Condemns Indian-Owned Franchise For Signing Pakistan Bowler
India cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has alleged that the signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed by an Indian-owned Hundred franchise in England indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians. Players from Pakistan have not featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009 because of deep-seated diplomatic tensions between the two nations. There was speculation that Pakistan players involved at the inaugural Hundred auction in London would be subject to a shadow ban, with IPL-affiliated teams refusing to bid for them. That did not come to pass, but Sunrisers Leeds -- from the same group that controls IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad -- faced a fierce social media backlash after last week clinching a deal for Abrar, paying 190,000 ($252,000) for his services. Former India captain Gavaskar, 76, launched a blistering attack in a weekend column for the Indian newspaper Mid-Day. The fees that they pay to a Pakistani player, who then pays income tax to his government, which buys arms and weapons, indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians, he wrote. Whether it is an Indian entity or an overseas subsidiary of the entity that is making the payment, if the owner is Indian then he or she is contributing to the Indian casualties. Three other Hundred franchises -- MI London, Manchester Super Giants and Southern Brave -- are at least part-owned by companies that control IPL teams. Usman Tariq, the only other Pakistani player bought in auction, was picked up by American-backed Birmingham Phoenix. The England and Wales Cricket Board last month issued a statement saying all eight franchises in the 100-ball-a-side competition were committed to selection based solely on performances. India and Pakistan, who were engaged in a deadly conflict in May last year, have not played a bilateral series in more than a decade and meet only in global or regional tournaments. Also Read: Live Cricket Score There's still time to undo the wrong and hopefully wiser counsels will prevail, added Gavaskar, the first batsman to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket.
Injury Setback Halts Dane Van Niekerk's Comeback Tour
Cricket South Africa: Dane van Niekerks long-awaited return to international cricket has faced an obstacle. The all-rounder will not join the South Africa women's national team on their ongoing tour of New Zealand due to a calf injury. The former captain reversed her international retirement last year but already missed the opening match and will take no further part in the series. Cricket South Africa confirmed the news in an official update. Proteas Women all-rounder Dan van Niekerk will miss the rest of the tour to New Zealand due to a right calf injury. Van Niekerk felt discomfort the day before the first T20 International (T20I). A scan showed the injury's extent, which will need rehabilitation. Fidelity Titans Anneke Bosch has been called up as her replacement, the Proteas Women posted on X. In her absence, Anneke Bosch rejoins the T20I setup, marking her first appearance in the format since November 2024. This injury is a significant setback for van Niekerk, who has been striving for a spot in South Africas squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 after missing the last two editions. Her journey back has not been easy. A veteran of 110 ODIs and 91 T20Is, van Niekerk was dropped in 2022 for not meeting fitness standards and announced her retirement in March 2023. Since then, she has worked hard to return through domestic cricket, playing for Western Province and earning a call-up to the national team in late 2025 during a home series against Ireland. In her absence, Anneke Bosch rejoins the T20I setup, marking her first appearance in the format since November 2024. This injury is a significant setback for van Niekerk, who has been striving for a spot in South Africas squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 after missing the last two editions. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Meanwhile, the multi-format series in New Zealand, featuring five T20Is and three ODIs as part of the Womens Championship, has posed additional challenges for the visitors. Mens batter Jordan Hermann is also out due to a hamstring injury. Article Source: IANS
Selection In Focus As Australia Fine-tunes World Cup Plans In The Caribbean
T20 World Cup: Head coach Shelley Nitschke is using the upcoming tour of the Caribbean as an important audition for the Australia women's national cricket team ahead of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in England. With six white-ball matches scheduled against the West Indies women's national cricket team, this series provides a final chance to test combinations and finalize the squad for the tournament starting on June 12. Australia will be without star all-rounder Annabel Sutherland, who is being rested as part of a workload management plan. Nitschke, however, highlighted the broader context behind this decision. We all know how great Annabel is, and I certainly think she's going to be a key part of our T20 batting lineup at some point and offers us strong hitting down the order right now, she said. But her absence is part of a larger management plan. It also gives us opportunities to examine a few things we need to consider before heading to England to better understand our options and ideal makeup. Sutherland's absence opens opportunities for players like Nicola Carey, Lucy Hamilton, and Megan Schutt to make their case. Captain Sophie Molineux is expected to return after recovering from a back issue. Kim Garth and Ellyse Perry are also available after dealing with quad problems, providing Australia with nearly a full-strength pool to select from. Even with this experimentation, Nitschke made it clear that winning is still important. We are coming here to win these games, she said. I'm going to choose the team that's best for the conditions, and I think there will be chances for players. Weve got 15 or 14 players here right now, and I think some opportunities will arise in these three games. But, above all, we want to perform really well. At the top of the order, the pairing of Beth Mooney and Georgia Voll is likely to continue despite mixed results in the recent series against India, with Phoebe Litchfield expected to maintain her spot at number three. Nitschke indicated that only minor adjustments are needed as the team approaches its final lineup. I think we're really close to finalizing our best side, she noted. There was a lot of talk about the India series, but we didn't change much. Our top order has been pretty stable for a while. I believe we have just a couple of decisions to make and a few tweaks to figure out our best combinations too. I think we're really close to finalizing our best side, she noted. There was a lot of talk about the India series, but we didn't change much. Our top order has been pretty stable for a while. Also Read: Live Cricket Score She still provides us with strong hitting down the order. We all know what Grace can do; she has a unique advantage and remains part of the discussions about what the final squad will look like for the World Cup. Article Source: IANS
Sutherland's absence means T20 batting role remains uncertain
Australia's three-match series in West Indies is crucial in the build-up to the T20 World Cup later this year
Harshit Rana set to miss bulk of IPL season after knee surgery
He is currently undergoing rehab and the BCCI medical team has not yet earmarked a date of return
DDCA Prez Jaitley Hands Pratika Rawal 51 Lakh Reward As SJFI's Golden Jubilee Convention Concludes
India Honorary Secretary General Virendra: The Golden Jubilee edition of the Sports Journalists Federation of India (SJFI) National Convention concluded with a grand closing ceremony at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday, with Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) President Rohan Jaitley emphasising the importance of the relationship between sports administrators and journalists. The balance between cricket administration and journalistic reviews is very important. Whether it be criticism or feedback, for an administrator, it is exceptionally important. We need to realise where we are going wrong. It is important to know our mistakes. It is important to rectify them, said Jaitley. Jaitley also announced a cash prize of 5 lakh for the Akash Rawal-led North Zone team, the winners of the JK Bose Inter-Zonal T20 Cricket Tournament. Since the North Zone has won, on behalf of the association, I would want to announce a cash prize of 5 lakh for the winning side, he added. On the occasion, the DDCA also felicitated India Womens World Cup-winning cricketer Pratika Rawal with a 51 lakh reward and honoured India U-19 Mens World Cup squad member Uddhav Mohan with a cash award of 11 lakh. The four-day Golden Jubilee convention, hosted by the Delhi Sports Journalists Association (DSJA), brought together sports media professionals from across the country for meetings, competitions, and networking. On the first day of the Convention, Smt Raksha Khadse, Minister of State (MoS), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and sports secretary Hari Ranjan Rao graced the occasion, addressing the visiting journalists from across the country. On Saturday, the journalists had a special interaction with Member of Parliament and former Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur. The programme also featured a major sports conclave with International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice President and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Rajiv Shukla, and Archery Association of India Honorary Secretary General Virendra Sachdeva. Several dignitaries and stakeholders from the sports and corporate ecosystems were felicitated during the Day 4 proceedings of the convention. Among those honoured were Svayam Founder Sminu Jindal, Adimazes Founder Akhilesh Yadav, WordsWork Communications Consulting Founder and CEO Neha Mathur Rastogi, RPL Industries Chairman Rakesh Mishra, and Rajasthan United Football Club (RUFC) Chairman Krishan Kumar Tak. The SJFI President and Secretary also honoured Sangeeta Baroova, the first woman President of the Sports Journalist Federation of India, and felicitated 18 state presidents and secretaries. Hosting the Golden Jubilee convention in the capital has been a monumental honour for the DSJA, said the President of the Delhi Sports Journalist Association, Abhishek Tripathi. Our goal was to create an environment where the fraternity could celebrate its legacy while also enjoying the sports we cover daily. The President of the Sports Journalist Federation of India, Saraju Chakraborty, added, Reaching fifty years is a testament to the resilience of sports journalism in India. This convention celebrated our history while setting a progressive tone for the future. Sabi Hussain, Secretary of the Delhi Sports Journalist Association, thanked the sponsors, stating that organising a four-day event of this magnitude would not have been possible without the support of partners from across the sports and corporate ecosystem. On the sporting front, North Zone won the JK Bose Inter-Zonal T20 Cricket Tournament, defeating East Zone by 10 wickets. East Zone scored 135/6 in 20 overs, with Pranab Shil scoring an unbeaten 47. North Zone chased down the target in just 9.5 overs, led by Rishabh Singhs unbeaten 87. In another match, West Zone defeated South Zone by 10 wickets after bowling them out for 97. Sabi Hussain, Secretary of the Delhi Sports Journalist Association, thanked the sponsors, stating that organising a four-day event of this magnitude would not have been possible without the support of partners from across the sports and corporate ecosystem. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The evening concluded with a dinner hosted by DDCA President Rohan Jaitley, bringing the landmark Golden Jubilee convention to a celebratory close. Article Source: IANS
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I Prediction, Match Preview And Playing XI
NZ vs SA 2nd T20I , Cricket Tips :South Africa stunned New Zealand in the first game of the five-match T20I series, and they recorded a 7-wicket win. The Proteas took a 1-0 lead in the series and will be eyeing consecutive wins. South Africa and New Zealand will be up against each other in the second game on Tuesday. This contest will commence at 11:415 AM IST at Seddon Park in Hamilton. New Zealand will be disappointing after the way the first game ended. They were bowled out for their second lowest T20I total at home. Their batters had a poor collapse, and they need to back it up with a strong performance to level the series. NZ vs SA: Match Details Date : March 17, 2026 (Tuesday) Time : 11:45 AM IST Venue : Seddon Park, Hamilton NZ vs SA: Live Streaming Details In India, the live telecast of the second T20I will be available on the Sony Sports Networks. Fans can also watch the game on the Sony LIV app or website. NZ vs SA: Head-to-Head in T20I Total Matches : 21 New Zealand : 08 South Africa : 13 No result/Tied: 0 NZ vs SA: Ground Pitch Report Seddon Park is known to be a good batting venue. It has good bounce and pace, where batters can play their shots. The outfield is also very fast, which gives the batters full value for the shots. The toss will be crucial, because the best conditions to bowl will be in the first innings. NZ vs SA: Possible XIs New Zealand : Tom Latham (wk), Devon Conway, Tim Robinson, Nick Kelly, James Neesham, Bevon Jacobs, Zakary Foulkes, Mitchell Santner (c), Cole McConchie, Kyle Jamieson, Lockie Ferguson South Africa : Tony de Zorzi, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann (wk), Connor Esterhuizen, Wiaan Mulder, Jason Smith, Gerald Coetzee, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj (c), Ottneil Baartman, Nqobani Mokoena NZ vs SA: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Connor Esterhuizen batted well and showed a good temperament under pressure. He must have earned confidence after that and will come with another good knock. For New Zealand, Tom Latham is the most experienced batter, and he can play a perfect anchor for the team. Probable Best Bowler Nqobani Mokoena won the Player of the Match award in his debut game. He bowled well up front and also produced wicket-taking balls. For New Zealand, Mitch Santner bowled an economical spell, and he is a difficult bowler to face. Today Match Prediction : South Africa had a good first game, and they looked good in the form. Hence, we predict South Africa to win the second game as well. NZ vs SA Match 2nd T20I, Today Match NZ vs SA, NZ vs SA Prediction, NZ vs SA Predicted XIs, Injury Update for NZ vs SA Match 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.
Djokovic pulls out of Miami Open with shoulder injury
The 24-times Grand Slam champion has won the Miami Open six times, making him the most successful men's player in the tournament's history
BCB warns Bangladesh government against interfering in board matters
The Bangladesh sports ministry has formed a committee to investigate allegations of malpractice during last year's BCB elections
IPL 2026: Abhishek, Ishan In Race To Captain SRH In Initial Games In Pat Cummins Absence
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Indias left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma and wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan are in the race to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their initial matches in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign, as regular captain Pat Cummins is unavailable as he is still recovering from a back injury. SRH, the IPL 2016 winners, will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M, Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on March 28. Cummins has not played competitive cricket since the third Ashes Test in Adelaide in December 2025, after being out of action post the tour of West Indies due to a lumbar bone stress injury in his lower back. He was subsequently ruled out of the remaining Ashes matches and the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup due to the same issue. IANS understands that Abhishek and wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who were members of the Indian team that won the 2026 Mens T20 World Cup, are in the race to lead SRH in Cummins absence. Kishan, who has been in the SRH camp since the 2025 IPL, captained Jharkhand to winning the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title in the recent domestic season and has understandably strong credentials to lead the side in Cummins absence. Abhishek, meanwhile, joined SRH ahead of IPL 2019 and has been a mainstay with the side - forming an ultra-attacking opening partnership alongside Australias Travis Head. While the in-form Kishan hit three fifties in Indias triumphant T20 World Cup win, Abhishek finally found mojo to smash a half-century off just 18 balls in the final, which India won by 96 runs. Pat Cummins is recovering from the injury, but he mostly needs to clear his fitness tests, and then he will join the team. He is ready to play, but he has to clear the fitness tests and then join the SRH set-up. As Cummins will take more time, the team management is still deciding if either Ishan or Abhishek will lead SRH. If all goes well, then whoever is the interim SRH captain will attend the IPL 2026 captains and managers meet, to be held on March 25 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. A customary photoshoot of all ten captains with the tournaments trophy will also be held there, said a source familiar with the matter to IANS on Monday. If Abhishek becomes SRHs captain, this will be the first time he has captained an IPL side, which will also be the case if Kishan gets the leadership armband. But Cummins' absence for the initial IPL 2026 games is a huge blow for SRH. His absence deprives them of having both their leader and their most dependable bowler in what is already considered the side's most vulnerable department, despite having one of the most fearsome batting line-ups in the competition. If Abhishek becomes SRHs captain, this will be the first time he has captained an IPL side, which will also be the case if Kishan gets the leadership armband. But Cummins' absence for the initial IPL 2026 games is a huge blow for SRH. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Uncapped bowling options include Shivang Kumar, Krains Fuletra, Jack Edwards, Sakib Hussain, Onkar Tarmale, Amit Kumar, and Praful Hinge. After the highs of 2024, when they finished as runners-up, SRH misfired throughout the campaign to finish at sixth place in the points table in 2025. Article Source: IANS
Secretary Devajit Saikia Congratulates All Winners Of BCCI Naman Awards, Wishes Them More Success
Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement: Devajit Saikia, secretary, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on Monday congratulated all the winners of the BCCI Naman Awards and wished more success to all the awardees feted at a glittering ceremony in New Delhi. Congratulations to all the winners of the BCCI Naman Awards. Your performances, commitment, and passion continue to raise the bar for Indian cricket and inspire millions. Wishing all the awardees more success to carry Indian cricket to even greater heights, Devajit LON Saikia wrote in a post on X on Monday. Celebrated the success & glory of Indian Cricket last evening, the BCCI secretary wrote in his post that was accompanied by photographs of the ceremony. The BCCI celebrated outstanding achievements across Indian cricket at the BCCI Naman Awards 2026, recognising excellence in international, domestic, and age-group cricket while honouring individuals who have made lasting contributions to the sport in India. Former India greats Roger Binny and Rahul Dravid received the prestigious Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award for their long-standing service to Indian cricket, while former India womens captain Mithali Raj was honoured with the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women in recognition of her immense role in elevating womens cricket in the country. Among other award winners were Indias Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, who received the Polly Umrigar Award for the 202425 season, while Smriti Mandhana was honoured with the Best International Cricketer (Women) award for the fifth time. Former India greats Roger Binny and Rahul Dravid received the prestigious Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award for their long-standing service to Indian cricket, while former India womens captain Mithali Raj was honoured with the BCCI Lifetime Achievement Award for Women in recognition of her immense role in elevating womens cricket in the country. Also Read: Live Cricket Score A major highlight of the ceremony was the recognition of five Indian teams that recently won ICC titles, including victories in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025, and the mens and womens ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup events, spotlighting a historic period of success for Indian cricket. Article Source: IANS
IPL 2026: Lucknow Super Giants Begin Training Camp In Lucknow, Pant And Shami To Join On Tuesday
Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have commenced their training camp ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Monday. The franchise said captain, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, and veteran pacer Mohammed Shami are due to link up with the squad on Tuesday after arriving in Lucknow in late hours on Monday. In the session held on Monday, batters Akshat Raghuvanshi, Abdul Samad, and Himmat Singh, along with all-rounders Ayush Badoni, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Arshin Kulkarni, impressed in the nets. The pace attack of Arjun Tendulkar, Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, and wrist-spinner Digvesh Rathi drew praise from the coaching staff for their speed and accuracy. LSGs Global Cricket Director Tom Moody and head coach Justin Langer provided technical guidance throughout the sessions, with assistant coaches Lance Klusener and Bharat Arun also working hard with the players. The franchise previously had a pre-season camp in Chennai at the Coaching Beyond Academy ground. LSG will open their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign against the Delhi Capitals on April 1 at the Ekana Stadium. LSG also said that fans will be able to enter the venue on match days using digital tickets on their smartphones. Under the new system, spectators booking tickets starting from the April 1 clash against DC through BookMyShow will receive an M-ticket directly on their registered mobile number, which can be scanned at the stadium gates for entry. The franchise previously had a pre-season camp in Chennai at the Coaching Beyond Academy ground. LSG will open their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign against the Delhi Capitals on April 1 at the Ekana Stadium. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Since the first appearance in 2022, LSG have reached the playoffs in two seasons -- 2022 and 2023 -- and finished seventh in the points table in 2024 and 2025. Currently, LSG are the only active team to have never reached an IPL final. Article Source: IANS
North Zone Win JK Bose Inter-Zonal T20 Cricket Trophy, SJAM-1 Claim Table Tennis Title
AC Bali Table Tennis Tournament: North Zone claimed the JK Bose Inter-Zonal T20 Cricket Trophy without losing a single game throughout the tournament, while the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai (SJAM-1) won the AC Bali Table Tennis Tournament team title at the Sports Journalists Federation of India (SJFI) National Convention's Golden Jubilee celebrations in New Delhi on Monday. North Zone sealed the cricket title with a crushing 10-wicket victory over East Zone at the Roshanara Cricket Ground, with opener Rishabh Singh blazing an unbeaten 87 off 40 balls and captain Akash Rawal finishing unbeaten on 31 as they overhauled East Zone's 135/6 in just 9.5 overs. Rishabh Singh finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 289 runs in the competition. East Zone had posted a competitive total on the back of Pranab Shil's explosive 47 not out off 23 balls and an unbeaten 39 from captain Abhishek, but North's batters made light work of the chase. In the other cricket fixture at the Delhi Police Ground, West Zone dismissed South Zone for 97 in 18.5 overs, with Deep Sudhakar taking 4-13 and Taus Rizvi claiming 3-13. West Zone then cruised to victory without loss in 13 overs, with Rizvi contributing an unbeaten 53 and Devendra Pandey remaining not out on 36. In the table tennis event at the Roshanara Club, SJAM-1's Amol Karhadkar and Ashwin Ferro defeated the Delhi Sports Journalists Association's (DSJA-1) trio of Bharat Sharma, Kushan Sarkar, and Norris Pritam to claim the team championship title. Karhadkar also dominated the individual events, winning the men's singles title ahead of Keerthi of the Tamil Nadu Sports Journalists Association, before combining with Ferro to win the men's doubles, with the DSJA pair of Sarkar and Sharma finishing runners-up. Meanwhile, Bengaluru emerged champions in the basketball competition with Indore finishing runners-up, while in the futsal (freekick) event, the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai-2 (SJAM-2) were crowned champions, and the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai-1 (SJAM-1) finished runners-up. Brief scores: Meanwhile, Bengaluru emerged champions in the basketball competition with Indore finishing runners-up, while in the futsal (freekick) event, the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai-2 (SJAM-2) were crowned champions, and the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai-1 (SJAM-1) finished runners-up. Also Read: Live Cricket Score East Zone 135/6 in 20 overs (Pranab Shil 47 not out, Abhishek 39 not out) lost to North Zone 136/0 in 9.5 overs (Rishabh Singh 87 not out, Akash Rawal 31 not out) by 10 wickets and won the title. Article Source: IANS
India Is Strongest Ever White-ball Team After Back-to-back Mens T20 WC Triumphs, Says Ricky Ponting
T20 World Cup: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has hailed India as the greatest white-ball team ever assembled after they became the first men's side to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title with an emphatic 96-run win over New Zealand in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Ponting said India's unbeaten run across ICC events since the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup and the 2025 ICC Men's Champions Trophy - interrupted only by a Super Eights defeat to South Africa in this years T20 World Cup -- spoke to a consistency no other side in the modern era had matched. Its really hard to argue a point against that. If you look at this, not just the T20I team but their white-ball record in ICC events over the last five or six years, its quite remarkable. A lot of people probably identified before this tournament started the depth and the strength that this current Indian team had, and also the experience that they have. This is a very, very strong Indian white-ball team, not just a T20 team. Back-to-back World Cups, hats off to them, said Ponting on The ICC Review show. He also felt the sheer volume of high-pressure cricket India had absorbed, both on the international stage and through the Indian Premier League (IPL), led to the creation of a team uniquely equipped for excelling in major tournaments. The one thing thats probably overlooked with this current team is the amount of experience and the amount of cricket a lot of these guys have played, whether its international cricket or even just the IPL. The IPL games are every bit as big as international games anyway, so this Indian team came in well primed with great balance and a great squad, he added. He also felt the sheer volume of high-pressure cricket India had absorbed, both on the international stage and through the Indian Premier League (IPL), led to the creation of a team uniquely equipped for excelling in major tournaments. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Maybe it just allowed them to regroup, get together, and talk about the things that are important to them as a team. They solidified what they felt was their strongest playing XI and didnt make many changes at the back end of the tournament, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
'Contributes To Indian Casualties': Gavaskar Slams SRH Owners Over Abrar Deal In The Hundred Auction
Indian Premier League: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has strongly criticised the decision of SunRisers Leeds to sign Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed in the 2026 auction of The Hundred, saying Indian franchise owners should avoid recruiting players from Pakistan due to the sensitive political relationship between the two nations. Gavaskar also questioned whether sporting success should outweigh national concerns, arguing that Indian-owned entities must remain mindful of the wider implications of such decisions, as the money earned by Abrar could be used against India. The furore created by the acquisition of a Pakistani player by the Indian owner of a franchise in The Hundred is hardly surprising. Ever since the Mumbai attacks in November 2008, Indian franchise owners have simply ignored Pakistani players for the IPL, Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid-Day. Gavaskar suggested that the issue goes beyond cricketing merit. According to him, the financial trail, which starts from player payments to government tax revenue, creates a moral dilemma for Indian owners when dealing with Pakistani sportspersons. Although belated, the realisation that the fees that they pay to a Pakistani player, who then pays income tax to his government, which buys arms and weapons, indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians, is making Indian entities refrain from even considering having Pakistani artistes and sportspersons, he wrote. Whether it is an Indian entity or an overseas subsidiary of the entity that is making the payment, if the owner is Indian, then he or she is contributing to the Indian casualties. Its as simple as that, Gavaskar added. The former India opener also pointed out that while team management may look at signings purely from a cricketing perspective, franchise owners must weigh broader national implications before making such decisions. Daniel Vettori, the coach of the team in The Hundred who hails from New Zealand, may not understand this simple dynamic and so may have wanted some Pakistani players in his team, but surely the owner should have had an understanding of the situation and discouraged the purchase. Is winning a tournament in a format that no other country plays in much more important than Indian lives? he noted. SunRisers Leeds secured Abrar Ahmed for 190,000 (approximately Rs 2.34 crore) during the auction held in London on Thursday. The franchise is owned by the Sun Group, led by businessman Kalanithi Maran, with his daughter Kavya Maran representing the team at the auction table alongside head coach Daniel Vettori. The signing has sparked widespread criticism from fans in India, who have also termed the franchise as anti-national. SunRisers Leeds secured Abrar Ahmed for 190,000 (approximately Rs 2.34 crore) during the auction held in London on Thursday. The franchise is owned by the Sun Group, led by businessman Kalanithi Maran, with his daughter Kavya Maran representing the team at the auction table alongside head coach Daniel Vettori. Also Read: Live Cricket Score It won't be a surprise that for every game that this team plays, whether at home or away, there will be massive demonstrations by Indian fans protesting at this hard-to-believe buying. In fact, it won't be a surprise that despite having some of the most attractive stroke makers in their team, the crowds may stay away and show their disapproval of the decision, Gavaskar concluded. Article Source: IANS
James Foster named CSK fielding coach
Former England wicketkeeper won the ILT20 as Desert Vipers head coach in January
Hardik Pandya Needs To Bring His A Game; Do What He Did In The T20 WC, Says Harbhajan
Indian Premier League: Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has urged Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya to replicate his match-winning form from this years Mens T20 World Cup as the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions bid to end a trophy drought. MI will kick-start their campaign at home against three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 29 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The side had reached Qualifier 2 in IPL 2025 before losing to eventual runners-up Punjab Kings. I think Hardik Pandya needs to unleash his real Hardik Pandya version. He needs to bring his A game to the table. Once he starts playing his A game, not just as a batter but as a bowler as well, it will make a huge difference. We saw him bowl in the T20 World Cup. He was brilliant with the ball. That is what he needs to do in the IPL as well. When a captain leads from the front and shows the way, everyone follows. It will come down to belief. If Hardik and his men believe from day one that they are not just there to compete, but to lift the trophy for the sixth time, things can change very quickly for MI, said Harbhajan on JioStar. Harbhajan also weighed in on a selection dilemma at the top of the MI batting order, saying the team's management was unlikely to field both South Africa wicketkeeper-batters Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock in the same starting eleven, given the presence of explosive opener Rohit Sharma. If Hardik and his men believe from day one that they are not just there to compete, but to lift the trophy for the sixth time, things can change very quickly for MI, said Harbhajan on JioStar. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He will be the main opener with either Ryan Rickelton or Quinton de Kock giving him company at the other end. Then Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma will come in at three and four. So I don't think we will see Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton playing together at the same time, added Harbhajan. Article Source: IANS
Bumrah Creates An Impact In Every Game, Guarantees You A Wicket, Says Aakash Chopra
Indian Premier League: Former India opener Aakash Chopra says pace ace Jasprit Bumrah is guaranteed to deliver in every match for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2026, but warned that the five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions face a complex puzzle to solve to fit their array of overseas talent into their playing eleven. Bumrah picked 18 wickets in 12 games at an average of 17.56 and an economy rate of 6.68 in IPL 2025. MI will kick-start their campaign at home against three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on March 29 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The side had reached Qualifier 2 in IPL 2025 before losing to eventual runners-up Punjab Kings. If your name is Jasprit Bumrah, the pressure comes automatically. He is that kind of bowler. He creates an impact in every game, guarantees you a wicket, and restricts the opposition. That responsibility brings a lot of pressure because his four overs are the most precious thing for MI. Bowl one over in the powerplay, keep one for the middle phase, and two at the death. That is Bumrah -- that pressure is not going anywhere. Whether Boult bowls well or Deepak Chahar is fully fit, Bumrah's pressure stays with him. But if Boult is fit, MI will want to continue with him. Fit, available, in form. They will want the new ball to move around a little with Boult and Deepak Chahar. Shardul Thakur is a capable replacement for Chahar, but it does not necessarily mean that he plays ahead of him. A fit Deepak Chahar, a fit Trent Boult, Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya will be MI's four starting pacers. Corbin Bosch is waiting in the wings. He is a very good all-rounder. But again, you cannot play all overseas players, said Chopra on JioStar. He also said Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock should reprise their formidable opening partnership, but added that finding room for Will Jacks, Sherfane Rutherford, and Bosch alongside the overseas bowlers has made for an enviable selection headache. MI love their left and right-hand combination as openers. I am sure we will see Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock opening the innings. This pair helped them lift the trophy in 2019 and 2020. Then the bigger challenge is fitting Will Jacks in the line-up. Does he fit into the scheme of things? He also said Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock should reprise their formidable opening partnership, but added that finding room for Will Jacks, Sherfane Rutherford, and Bosch alongside the overseas bowlers has made for an enviable selection headache. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The other part is that they need to feature at least two overseas bowlers. Trent Boult will play. Then one between Mitchell Santner and Allah Ghazanfar must play. Plus, there is Corbin Bosch as well. It is going to be a tough ask. But this is a problem of riches that most teams desire. MI has it. Now it is up to them to solve this riddle, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Varun, Sundar Meet Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin After T20 WC Triumph
ICC T20 World Cup: Key spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Washington Sundar, who were part of India's victorious campaign in the recently concluded ICC T20 World Cup 2026, met the Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin on Monday. The spin duo, who hail from the state, also presented a signed jersey and a cap to the CM. Tamil Nadu's deputy chief minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin, was also present on the occasion. Stalin hailed the visit through a post on X describing the meeting. He also wished Sundar and Varun well for future endeavours. Memorable moments with our spin twins from Tamil Nadu, Washington Sundar and Varun Chakaravarthy. Had a wonderful interaction with them on their journey, shaped by perseverance, discipline, and self-belief, he wrote on X. Wishing @Sundarwashi5 and @Chakaravarthy29 many more match-winning spells and proud moments ahead, Stalin added. Sundar quickly reacted to the post and thanked the CM for the meeting and inspiring words. Thank you so much, sir, for the love showered today. Always admire your infectious energy and it was wonderful to be in your presence, he wrote on X. Sundar quickly reacted to the post and thanked the CM for the meeting and inspiring words. Also Read: Live Cricket Score On the other side, Sundar, who joined the squad after recovering from the injury, played only one match in the T20 WC against South Africa, where he bowled two overs without taking a single wicket and also scored only 11 runs off 11 balls. Article Source: IANS
Getting A Lifetime Achievement Award Is Something Any Cricketer Would Cherish, Says Roger Binny
Lifetime Achievement Award: Former India all-rounder Roger Binny said receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent BCCI Awards ceremony was a moment of immense pride, calling it the culmination of a life devoted to cricket as a player, coach, and administrator. Well, I was very proud to hear from the BCCI that I'd been given this award. It's something that any cricketer would cherish - being a lifetime achievement (awardee). You work so much to achieve so many things in the game. It's not only just cricket, but it's also administration and coaching, and everything revolves around cricket. To me, it was a great honour, and I'm very proud to receive it, said Binny in a video released by the BCCI on Monday. Binny, a key member of India's historic 1983 ODI World Cup-winning side, reflected on the memories that defined his playing career. I was fortunate to be one of the players to play for India. Coming from a country whose population is so big, not many of us get a chance to represent the country. So, for me, representing the country was the biggest goal I achieved in cricket, and this is what growing up as a young kid, you want to achieve. You want to be on the television, and you want to be part of the winning teams. So, I achieved that. That was one of the greatest things that I cherish. We happened to win the World Cup and the World Championship of Cricket during my period. From 1983 to 1986-87, we won every single one-day competition in the world and in Asia at that time. After hanging up his boots, Binny said he quickly realised he still had much to offer the game and turned to coaching, as India won the 2000 Mens U19 World Cup. So, for me, it was a big time for me, and I was able to perform in these tournaments. When I finished my cricket, I thought I would just take a break from the game. Then I realised that I could contribute a lot more to the game. That's why I got into the coaching scene first from my home state, Karnataka. Then I did the Indian U19s coaching, and again, for me, it was a big boost because I was able to pass on what it means to be a cricketer and playing out there in the middle. I was able to pass on a lot of information to the younger generation of cricketers. So, I enjoyed it very much, and moreover, coaching the junior teams is always much, much more rewarding for you, and you get a lot of pleasure out of it. Binny said the pull of serving cricket then drew him into administration, a journey that eventually took him to being the BCCI President. So, that was one thing. When I finished up with my coaching, I realised that, you know, there was also some more cricket left in me for the administration. So, I got into the administration in my home state way back in 1999. Then I went through all the, from being what we used to call a committee member. Now, it's an ethics council. So, from a committee member, I moved up the ranks. I went to be the vice president and the president of the KSCA. Then, fortunately, after KSCA, I came into the BCCI and headed the BCCI for a period of time, which I enjoyed very much again, because in all these state and national postings, I was able to contribute again towards the game. So, I was very happy because I could still not play the game, but be a part of the system. Binny said the pull of serving cricket then drew him into administration, a journey that eventually took him to being the BCCI President. So, that was one thing. When I finished up with my coaching, I realised that, you know, there was also some more cricket left in me for the administration. So, I got into the administration in my home state way back in 1999. Then I went through all the, from being what we used to call a committee member. Now, it's an ethics council. Also Read: Live Cricket Score My parents are the ones who encouraged me when I started playing the game. They gave me the support and encouragement that any young cricketer needs. So, they are the ones to really admire. If they were alive today, they would admire my role in cricket. Article Source: IANS
Gujarat HC Disqualifies Kiran More, Three Others From Baroda Cricket Association Polls
The Gujarat High Court: The Gujarat High Court on Monday held that former India cricketer Kiran More and three others were not eligible to contest the elections to the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA), setting aside the returning officers decision to accept their nomination papers. The ruling came on a petition filed by residents Pradipsinh Solanki and Ramchandra Prajapati, who challenged the eligibility of four candidates -- More, Amul Jikar, Anant Indulkar and Amar Patiwala -- for posts in the association. The petitioners had also made the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Baroda Cricket Association parties to the case. After hearing the matter, the single-judge bench concluded that the nominations had been accepted in violation of the eligibility norms governing office-bearers in cricket associations. The court consequently set aside the returning officers decision and declared the four candidates ineligible to contest for positions in the BCA, which include key posts such as president, secretary and treasurer. The petitioners argued that the candidates had already completed the maximum tenure permitted under governance rules framed following directions of the Supreme Court of India. Under these rules, a person who has served a cumulative nine years in office must step down and observe a three-year cooling-off period after completing two consecutive terms before becoming eligible again. Accepting this contention, the High Court ruled that the provisions had been breached and that the nomination forms should not have been accepted. The court directed the election officer to declare the results of the BCA elections. However, at the request of the respondents, it granted two weeks interim protection to allow the disqualified candidates time to file an appeal before a division bench of the High Court. Until the results are officially declared, the existing BCA committee will continue to carry out routine administrative work in a temporary capacity but will refrain from taking major policy decisions. Polling for the BCA elections was held on February 15, in which 1,430 members voted out of around 1,900 eligible voters. The contest has largely been between the Royal Satyamev Jayate group associated with Samarjitsinh Gaekwad and the Revival Group. Polling for the BCA elections was held on February 15, in which 1,430 members voted out of around 1,900 eligible voters. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Until further orders, the present BCA committee will continue to function in an acting capacity. Article Source: IANS
Always Seen My Role As Just Carrying A Torch, Says Dravid On Getting Lifetime Achievement Honour
Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement: Legendary India batter Rahul Dravid said he was humbled to receive the Lifetime Achievement honour at the recent BCCI annual awards ceremony, adding that his life in cricket is akin to a torchbearer passing on the legacy of those who came before him. Dravid along with Roger Binny and Mithali Raj were given the Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement award in a glittering ceremony in New Delhi on Sunday night. I think that I've always just seen my role as just carrying a torch. I carried a torch from an earlier generation in whether I was a player or whether as a coach, I have just built on the good work that other people have done. I have had my time when I've had the opportunity to contribute and do the best that I can and I'm very proud and grateful to see the way the next generation continues to carry that on and the kind of successes that we have had is a great credit to the current management, the current team and everyone involved with Indian cricket. So we all have our time in the game and we have to do our bit and I've tried to do the best that I can and I've been inspired by generations before me and it's just amazing to see that generations ahead of us continue to in fact take it to another level, said Dravid in a video release by the BCCI on Monday. Dravid, who also has the rare distinction of captaining and coaching India, said getting the award was a moment of pure gratitude for him. I am very grateful to receive this award. I mean, I follow the earlier recipients of this award who are some of the greatest legends of the game in our country. It's really the people I have looked up to and admired and have been great inspirations to me as a player and as a coach and in all the other things that I've been involved in Indian cricket. Dravid, who also has the rare distinction of captaining and coaching India, said getting the award was a moment of pure gratitude for him. I am very grateful to receive this award. I mean, I follow the earlier recipients of this award who are some of the greatest legends of the game in our country. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So, it's a great privilege. I am very grateful for this honour, very humbled and I think I am very appreciative of the fact that I've been able to be involved with Indian cricket for such a long time - since the time I'm a young boy, probably playing under 15 cricket for the first time to today and very grateful for the opportunities that I've got. So, I think I've been very lucky to be involved in Indian cricket. Article Source: IANS
Getting Lifetime Achievement Award Is Something Any Cricketer Would Cherish, Says Binny
ODI World Cup: Former India all-rounder Roger Binny said receiving the Lifetime Achievement award at the recent BCCI awards ceremony was a moment of immense pride, calling it the culmination of a life devoted to cricket as a player, coach and administrator. Well, I was very proud to hear from the BCCI that I'd been given this award. It's something that any cricketer would cherish - being a lifetime achievement (awardee). You work so much to achieve so many things in the game. It's not only just cricket, but it's also administration and coaching and everything revolves around cricket. To me, it was a great honour and I'm very proud to receive it, said Binny in a video release by the BCCI on Monday. Binny, a key member of India's historic 1983 ODI World Cup-winning side, reflected on the memories that defined his playing career. I was fortunate to be one of the players to play for India. Coming from a country whose population is so big, not many of us get a chance to represent the country. So, for me, representing the country was the biggest goal I achieved in cricket and this is what growing up as a young kid, you want to achieve. You want to be on the television and you want to be part of the winning teams. So, I achieved that. That was one of the greatest things which I cherish. We happened to win the World Cup and the World Championship of Cricket during my period. From 1983 to 1986-87, we won every single one-day competition in the world and in Asia at that time. After hanging up his boots, Binny said he quickly realised he still had much to offer the game and turned to coaching, as India won the 2000 Mens U19 World Cup. So, for me, it was a big time for me and I was able to perform in these tournaments. When I finished my cricket, I thought I would just take a break from the game. Then I realized that I could contribute a lot more to the game. That's why I got into the coaching scene first from my home state, Karnataka. Then I did the Indian U19s coaching and again, for me, was a big boost because I was able to pass on what it means being a cricketer and playing out there in the middle. I was able to pass on a lot of information to the younger generation of cricketers. So, I enjoyed it very much and moreover, coaching the junior teams is always much, much more rewarding for you and you get a lot of pleasure out of it. Binny said the pull of serving cricket then drew him into administration, a journey that eventually took him to being the BCCI President. So, that was one thing. When I finished up with my coaching, then I realized that, you know, there was also some more cricket left in me for the administration. So, I got into the administration in my home state way back in 1999. Then I went through all the, from being what we used to call a committee member. Now, it's an ethics council. So, from a committee member, I moved up the ranks. I went to be vice president and President of the KSCA. Then, fortunately, after KSCA, I came into the BCCI and headed the BCCI for a period of time, which I enjoyed very much again because in all these state and national postings, I was able to contribute again towards the game. So, I was very happy because I could still not play the game, but be a part of the system. Binny said the pull of serving cricket then drew him into administration, a journey that eventually took him to being the BCCI President. So, that was one thing. When I finished up with my coaching, then I realized that, you know, there was also some more cricket left in me for the administration. So, I got into the administration in my home state way back in 1999. Then I went through all the, from being what we used to call a committee member. Now, it's an ethics council. Also Read: Live Cricket Score My parents are the ones who encouraged me when I started playing the game. They gave me the support and encouragement which any young cricketer needs. So, they are the ones to really admire. If they were alive today, they would admire my role in cricket. Article Source: IANS
