Cricket

Stubbs dropped, Rickelton to keep wickets in Gqueberha Test

Matthew Breetzke has been brought into South Africa's 17-man squad

Samson reveals what cost India the 4th T20I

Sanju Samson defended India's bowlers after their 24-run defeat to the West Indies in the fourth T20, which levelled the series 2-2. He attributed the loss to Tilak Varma's dismissal as a turning point and praised Shai Hope's match-winning century. Samson also discussed the challenging conditions in Hyderabad and the need for emerging pacers to gain experience.

Rishad Hossain Returns As Hobart Hurricanes Strengthen Spin Attack For BBL 16

High Performance Salliann Beams: The Hobart Hurricanes have secured the return of Bangladesh leg-spinner Rishad Hossain for Big Bash League 16, retaining one of their most effective bowlers from last season as they prepare to pair him with Australian international Adam Zampa. Hossains re-signing gives the defending squad a potent spin combination heading into the new campaign, with the 24-year-old having made an immediate impression during his first taste of the Big Bash League. In 12 appearances last season, the Bangladesh international claimed 15 wickets at an average of 20.86 and an economy rate of 7.82. His best performance yielded figures of 3-26, and his consistency across the campaign earned him the Hurricanes BBL Player of the Year award. For Hobart, bringing Hossain back was a priority despite the addition of Zampa, whose extensive experience in international white-ball cricket adds another dimension to the sides bowling resources. Hurricanes General Manager High Performance Salliann Beams said the spinners enthusiasm for returning to the franchise helped facilitate the agreement. Rishad made it really clear to us that he loved his time in Hobart last season and wanted to come back, and that certainly meant a lot to us. Our list had taken a slightly different shape with the addition of Adam Zampa, but when a player of Rishads quality is so determined to return to the Hurricanes, we wanted to explore every opportunity to make that happen. He was outstanding for us last season. To come into the Big Bash for the first time, play every game and finish as our leading wicket-taker showed the quality he has and how quickly he adapted to Australian conditions. We now have two high-quality leg-spinners who bring different strengths and give us some really exciting options depending on conditions and match-ups. Adam has been one of the outstanding white-ball bowlers in world cricket for a long period of time, while we saw last summer just how dangerous Rishad can be through the middle overs. To have both of them as part of our squad gives us enormous flexibility and adds another dimension to our bowling attack, Beams said in a statement. Hossains continued presence also brings an end to a longer wait for the Hurricanes. The franchise selected him during the BBL|14 draft, but his commitments to the Bangladesh Premier League meant he could not join the squad that season. His Big Bash debut finally arrived the following summer, when he quickly established himself as a key wicket-taking option. His ability to vary his pace, extract turn and challenge batters through the middle overs made him an important part of Hobarts bowling plans. The return also offers Hossain an opportunity to build on a breakthrough season in Australian conditions while continuing to develop his reputation on the international T20 circuit. His Big Bash debut finally arrived the following summer, when he quickly established himself as a key wicket-taking option. His ability to vary his pace, extract turn and challenge batters through the middle overs made him an important part of Hobarts bowling plans. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

No dew, slower balls! How Windies stunned India

Pacer Keemo Paul discusses how West Indies bowlers effectively used slow balls on a gripping pitch and the absence of dew to secure a 24-run victory over India in the fourth T20I on Wednesday. He also highlighted captain Shai Hope's crucial century and strong team planning as key factors in their success.

Sydney Thunder Bolster Their Squad With Trent Boults Addition BBL 16

European T20 Premier League: New Zealand fast-bowling star Trent Boult will return to the Big Bash League after signing a one-year contract with Sydney Thunder, adding international pedigree and a potent left-arm option to the franchises bowling attack ahead of the 16th edition of the tournament. The 37-year-old will be available throughout the season, including the finals, and is expected to partner compatriot Lockie Ferguson as Thunder look to strengthen a bowling unit that struggled to make an impact last season. Boult previously featured in the BBL for Melbourne Stars during the 2022-23 campaign, appearing in eight matches. His arrival at Thunder marks a return to Australian franchise cricket, with the experienced pacer eager to make an impact both on the field and among supporters. Im really excited to be playing in the Big Bash again and joining Lockie (Ferguson) at Thunder. The way he gets involved is what Im hoping to mirror and make a mark like he has, not just with the team but the fans as well. Cricket has given me so much over the years and Im still at the stage where I love going out there, contributing, taking wickets and trying to be aggressive in the Powerplay, Boult said in a statement. The signing is among the first major steps in Sydney Thunders efforts to rebuild following a disappointing previous season. Former England captain Andrew Flintoff, appointed head coach after the club parted ways with Trevor Bayliss in February, will lead the sides push to return to the finals. Flintoff believes the combination of Boult and Ferguson could give Thunder the new-ball threat they have lacked, with the contrasting angles of the left-arm and right-arm quicks expected to offer greater variety. Trent (Boult) has an amazing reputation for being a great bloke, a team player and a world-class performer. Having a couple Kiwis in the team who have played a lot of cricket together over the years brings a level of familiarity and I think they complement each other really well as a right-arm and left-arm pairing. One of the things we havent been able to do in recent times is take wickets with the new ball, so hopefully these two can remedy that, Flintoff said in a statement. Although Flintoff had already brought his international career to a close before Boult made his New Zealand debut in 2009, the former England all-rounder was a figure the Kiwi quick admired growing up. Boult is now looking forward to working under Flintoff as Thunder pursue a title that has eluded both men during their distinguished careers. Every cricketer idolised Freddie (Flintoff) as a kid (and) I was one of them. Im sure he wants to bring the group together, create a great culture, and work towards something special. Were trying to achieve the top prize, and it will take small steps, but Im looking forward to hopefully achieving something special with this club, Boult said. Boults credentials make him a significant addition to the squad. He has claimed 601 wickets across Tests, one-day internationals and T20 internationals, placing him fourth among New Zealands leading wicket-takers in each of the three formats. Since stepping away from international cricket after the 2024 T20 World Cup, Boult has remained a regular presence in franchise competitions around the world. His 2026 schedule has included appearances in South Africas SA20, the Indian Premier League, Major League Cricket in the United States, Englands The Hundred and the European T20 Premier League. Boults credentials make him a significant addition to the squad. He has claimed 601 wickets across Tests, one-day internationals and T20 internationals, placing him fourth among New Zealands leading wicket-takers in each of the three formats. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

'All Of Us Are Looking To Dominate': How A Structured Pathway Is Powering India A Women's Rise

Emerging T20 Asia Cup: There was no live streaming, so the people at the IS Bindra Stadium will have to do the remembering for everyone else. On September 25, in the deciding game of the three-match one-day series, Australia A made a daunting 362/9. Two days ago, Australia A hunted down 339 to square the series against India A. Coming to the chase, when Tanisha Singh fell for 60 in the 20th over, India A were 119/4 and needed another 244 to get an improbable win and clinch the series. In the Indian dressing room, nobody sat in a corner doing the arithmetic of despair, according to Tejal Hasabnis. The pitch was good, the batters were in form, and the conversation ran only one way. Basically, it started with the first ODI, where we chased well on an okayish wicket. We knew that we would get hit for runs, but the wicket was good, the batters were in form and hum bhi runs bana lenge (we will score runs too), Tejal told IANS. They did, as Anushka Sharma (58) and Niki Prasad put on 91 runs for the fifth wicket. Off-spin bowling all-rounder Minnu Mani walked in and made an unbeaten 88 off 56 balls. She added 106 runs with Niki, who took four wickets earlier in the day before making 76. Minnu later had an unbroken 47-run stand with Jintimani Kalita as India A got home with ten balls to spare. Tejal has played alongside Minnu for seven or eight years and was left in awe of how she finished the chase. The way she finished, it was too classy and too good to watch. Rajib Datta, who has worked with this group for years, believes the ability was always there. She only lacked belief. That knock she played in Mohali showed that she has that capability, Rajib told IANS. Tejal remembers that the batters agreed to keep the required rate around seven and never let it stretch to nine or ten. That strategy came from the preceding T20 series, which Australia A swept 3-0 after quiet overs let the asking rate drift away from India As reach. Everyone knew we made a mistake then, and we had not to repeat it in that game, she said. Only one side has chased more in women's List A cricket: Bengal, who hunted down 390 against Haryana in December 2024. No one would have ever thought that 363 runs would have been chased by them, said Hemlata Kala, a former India player and a national selector from 2015 to 2020. What India A has done woh kaarnama hai sikandaron ka (a feat achieved by the champions). The way they played against Australia in one-days, I have never seen a team play like that against them, she added. Tejal stated the shift in approach is deliberate and runs from India A to Under-19 teams. After winning the 2025 World Cup, you now get the belief that the Indian women's cricket team is gonna dominate. All of us are looking to dominate due to a shift in approach and intent. Theres a quote I have, You bleed more in practice, so you bleed less in war. That kind of process, intent shift and attitude to dominate is giving us the results on and off the field. The improbable chase had its roots in a sentence spoken in 2023. After India won the inaugural Under-19 Women's World Cup in South Africa, VVS Laxman, head of the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, pulled two coaches for a new project. One was Datta, then a bowling coach and lead faculty at the CoE. The other was Apurva Desai, the current India A womens head coach. Whatever you are doing with the boys, I want it replicated for the women's, Datta recalls Laxman telling them. By then, A tours, central monitoring and an Under-19 pathway had given India's men a bench deep enough to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia in 2020/21 without half of their first-choice players. But when it came to womens, there was nothing notable. In August 2025, India A beat an Australia A side stocked with established names 2-1 in a one-day series in Brisbane, just before the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side went on to win the Women's ODI World Cup for the first time at home. This year, even as Harmanpreet & Co made an early exit from the T20 World Cup, India A brought some cheer by winning the 50-over series by the same margin in England, before doing it again against Australia A at home. In February they also won the Emerging Womens T20 Asia Cup title in Bangkok. Since August 2024, India A have played 32 matches across three formats, and their assignments have gone from one a year to three in 2026 (with England A set to tour in December). Around 40 players have been involved in India A setup so far. Days after the chase of 363, India A beat Australia A by 281 runs in a four-day game, their first red-ball win in three attempts. Several India A players will be a part of the main team taking on Zimbabwe in a white-ball series starting in Raipur on Friday. Niki, who captained India to 2025 U19 World Cup win in Malaysia, and Jintimani Kalita are in the senior T20I squad for the first time, with Anushka Sharma, Minnu and Prema Rawat recalled, while Tejal, Yastika Bhatia, Vaishnavi Sharma and Sayali Satghare are in the ODI squad. Harmanpreet gave up the all-format captaincy, with Smriti Mandhana set to start her full-time tenure against Zimbabwe. Datta expects the senior side to move towards a transition within a year, which makes it a fair time to look at how India A learned to play the way it does. VVS is more of a holistic person. He doesn't leave any small loophole as hes creating a system. Obviously, you will have to give kudos to the BCCI and Jay Shah because had it not been for them, women's cricket wouldn't have reached this stage. When we went to South Africa in 2023, I said, if this Under-19 team can win, it will change women's cricket in India and it started from there only, said Datta. When the Neetu David-led selection committee took charge, there was no dedicated India A women's side and no structured Under-19 pathway. Aarti Vaidya, a former India cricketer and national selector, recalled how the selectors lobbied for an A programme that would give India a pool of 30-40 players. It's not that our girls were not talented, but then there was no direction. You can't be bringing a player from home and straight away put her into international cricket. There is still a lot of work to be done, but we can see the fruits now. The Under-19 title win in 2023 was meticulously planned: selectors tracked players from 2021 and made a pool of 25 players, while coaches spent ten months building extensive files on every opponent. After coming back to Bengaluru, Datta asked Desai a question. Doing it one time is a fluke. Can we do it a second time? They prepared for another 18 months, and India retained the title in 2025. That, Datta says, is what convinced the BCCI the method worked. Even as Datta moved on from the CoE last year, Desai has stuck with the women's A team. The first tour was humbling - in August 2024, India A won one match out of seven across three formats in Australia. The post-mortem rounded up the usual suspects: fitness, fielding, running between the wickets. But the coaches refused to wait until those were fixed. We have to beat them with skills of batting and bowling and play a brand of cricket which will actually intimidate them. So, that's what we started instilling into them and Apurva has done a fantastic job over the last two years, he says. Australia A travelled with 15 support staff members, backed by a women's wing of around 20 people who know every player from Under-19 level. As per Datta, India took inspiration from the template, with some Indian twist added. Curiosity has since flowed the other way. Datta says Lisa Keightley and Kyle Hogg, then with Australia and England U19 teams, have asked what India are doing to unearth solid players. There was a time when we used to try and follow England and Australia and now the world is trying to follow us. On fitness, a conscious call was made to start with teenagers rather than players already 25 or 26. I can get the seniors to get fitter. But they will never be able to match the Australians. So, who will be able to match the Australians? The younger crowd who are 19, 20 and 21. Every girl who plays state cricket in India, starting from the Under-15 level, is logged on an Athlete Management System (AMS) that records her daily training, workload and sleep. It's exactly like what we did with the men. There is no differentiation, Datta says. Aarti's panel scouted domestic matches for roles, not runs and wickets. Let's not look at the scores let's look at the specific talent which we want. G Kamalini, spotted at Under-15 level, went through India Under-19 and the Women's Premier League (WPL) before coming into the Indian team. You have already 25 girls who are ready to play for India, says Aarti. Datta reckons the IPL took a decade to pay dividends for the mens team, while the WPL has just done that for the womens team in four seasons. He also credits the selection panels under Neetu and Amita Sharma for being in sync with the CoE in terms of rotating and selecting players for India A tours. These are the last five years where I am seeing coaches and selectors working in unison towards some goals. It's a lovely time for women's cricket and in the next two years, we will be ruling the world. That's what I want to see. Fielding and fitness were long India's excuses in not being able to defeat Australia often and preparation for that began two months ago at high intensity. Now, with that intent, everyone is putting hard yards off the field. Even on the last day of the last match, if I have to take a diving catch to win the match, I had an idea that it should be like this, said Tejal. The planning for fielding has changed too. After watching Australia, the coaches began training position-specific movements. Datta admits lapses remain, but believes they are ending, as training specialist fielders for specialist positions is the next project in India A setup. You will see these stopping now. We will take brilliant catches and you will see the results in a years time, as it has already started. Tejal goes back to February, when India A lost their opening Emerging T20 Asia Cup match to UAE. Desai came into the dressing room and said, It's okay, it's one bad day, now what next? India A won their next games and the title too. A system has been made where the player feels safe to execute plans, she says. To her, India A is the important in-between step between domestic cricket and international cricket, and those who move up carry, that sense of confidence. That we were in this situation before, we did well. Former India player Karuna Jain, who was in the India A coaching staff for 2025 ODI World Cup warm-up games, says the players trust Desai and learn something new every time he speaks, though his ideas have only started showing results on the field in the last 12-18 months. Karuna watched that patience work on Shafali Verma, who was initially left out of the ODI World Cup squad. She was a little disappointed in not making it to the team. But again, we spoke to her and she performed too, she says. Shafali was called up later in the tournament due to Pratika Rawals ankle injury and delivered an all-round performance as India won the final. She got the opportunity at the right time and grabbed it with two hands, added Karuna. Another example she gives is of leg-spin bowling all-rounder Prema Rawat, who went from India A squad in England to the T20 World Cup as a replacement for injured Shreyanka and did well in the Asia Cup-winning campaign. When Karuna played for India, three or four series a year were held, and a single failure could mean a wait for a year or two. In our time, if we had more series, then even we would have been aggressive, she says. Now, with a system in place, a dropped player knows another chance is coming. Currently, 120 women players are divided into four 25-member squads: main contracted, targeted, Under-23, and Under-19. Where the women's A team goes beyond the men's setup is developing a pool of female coaches. The Neetu-led committee insisted on a female head coach for the Under-19 World Cup, and Nooshin Al Khadeer took charge for two title wins. Nooshin, Vanitha and Sunetra Paranjpe hold CoE coaching contracts and building female coaches is a part of the plan via level 1, 2 and 3 exams and giving them opportunities. Around Datta and Desai, coaches have been rotated on India A tours to gain experience: bowling coach P Krishna Kumar and fielding coach Milap Mewada, as well as Nooshin, Karuna, Vanitha, Sunetra, Rumeli Dhar, Shrabani Debnath and Priyankka Acharya. When Desai was called to the coaching staff for India A mens red-ball games against Australia A in Puducherry, Sunetra stepped in for him in Mohali. Not everything has crossed over. Other boards are often reluctant to host India A women tours for financial reasons, and Aarti said India has offered to host them instead. Right now, T20 is the format that hasn't yielded desired results. That T20 format is something we are yet to crack. That's a puzzle we are trying to solve, Datta says. Against Australia A and England A, India A have won one of 12 T20s since 2024, though three of those defeats came by seven runs or fewer. Tejal still thinks about one T20 game against Australia A that got away, when her side needed 60 off 60 balls with nine wickets in hand and lost the plot. Maybe I could have finished the game, she says. Within a year, Datta expects separate womens squads for different formats, just like how it is for the mens. Though Datta is no longer in CoE, an emotional feeling still runs high in him over seeing India A women succeed. You can just hear my voice and understand the inner feeling. It's unbelievably gratifying and satisfying. That inner feeling of satisfaction is something that a coach keeps with himself or herself. Datta spent about 25 days with the India A group before the series against Australia A at the CoE and told Laxman that the next crop was ready to step up to the higher level. As per Datta, few more players can step up to India A - G Trisha, Player of the Series at the 2025 Under-19 World Cup, Soumya Tiwari, Triveni Vasistha, Henrietta Pereira, Nandana Sridharan, Happy Kumari and Shuchi Upadhayay. Our system is so good and so robust. Even if nothing is done, we will get 14 good players. Thats there 100 percent - but the question is, can we bring these 14 good players into one common vision? That was always our challenge. Now a system has been put in place. Just following and being within this, you would replicate and keep on going for five years time until and unless someone beats us into this process, which is again going to happen. So, once we have found this Midas touch, can we elongate this for 7-8 years? For that, whoever comes in women's cricket will have to come with a belief that this is a system that has worked. By bringing in a few India A players for the upcoming Zimbabwe series, the selectors have made a start. Whether the new call-ups get a proper run to establish themselves is the real test. Back in domestic cricket, the queue for India A spots is set to increase and Tejal knows the only way is upwards. So, once we have found this Midas touch, can we elongate this for 7-8 years? For that, whoever comes in women's cricket will have to come with a belief that this is a system that has worked. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

India Stars, Who Played Close To 100 Tests, Reject BCCI's Offer To Be Selector: Report

From the time Ajit Agarkar's tenure as BCCI chief selector ended earlier this month, the search has been on to find his replacement

Why Shreyas Called Back Arshdeep in Final Over

India captain Shreyas Iyer called back Arshdeep Singh after the pacer was struck on the shoulder by a Shamar Joseph bouncer in the final over of the fourth T20I against the West Indies in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

Sanju Samson Shares Arshdeep Injury Update

Sanju Samson has expressed hope that left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh will recover from a bouncer injury in time for India's crucial T20I series decider against the West Indies in Bengaluru.

Shreyas Iyer Throws Bowlers Under The Bus After India Lose 4th T20I To West Indies

Shreyas Iyer stressed the need for better execution and the right mindset going forward after the hosts suffered a 24-run defeat against the West Indies in the fourth T20I.

Ajinkya Rahane Shares Experience Of Playing Cricket In Front Of Buckingham Palace With Prince William

Former India captains Sourav Ganguly and Ajinkya Rahane joined a distinguished gathering of cricketing legends and members of royalty in London for a unique celebration that brought together the spirit of cricket and the cause of environmental sustainability

'Steel And Velvet': What Smriti Mandhana Brings As India's New All-format Captain

What Smriti Mandhana: The first thing Biju George noticed about a teenaged Smriti Mandhana at the BCCI's first-ever Under-19 girls' camp, held in Guntur in 2013/14, was the cover drive. Tall and bespectacled, Smriti leaned into the ball so sweetly while playing the cover drive that George nicknamed her 'Lady Dada'. The second thing he noticed was her gutsy nature when she came to him to solve an issue. She came up to me and said, 'Listen, I find it difficult. I am like a compulsory hooker. So people get me out with that and I want to work on that,' George said to IANS. He and a colleague, Raghu, took her to the indoor nets at the old NCA and threw balls at her for hours till the issue was solved. That habit and maturity runs through almost every account of Smriti Mandhana, India's new all-format captain. Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down as Indias skipper on October 6, though she will carry on as a player. She leaves after leading India to its first-ever ODI World Cup at home in 2025, a second Asian Games gold medal and twin Asia Cup triumphs. But under Harmanpreets captaincy, India was also a T20I side that has gone out in the group stage of the last two World Cups, though she was hamstrung by the absence of key all-rounders this year. Smriti, 30, has led India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs as a stand-in captain and taken Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to WPL titles in 2024 and 2026, apart. This year she passed Mithali Raj as the leading run-scorer in women's international cricket, made a record 18th international hundred to surpass Meg Lanning, and moved past Suzie Bates to be at the top of the T20I run charts. In March, Mattel made her a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll, the first cricketer to be bestowed with that honour. Aarti Vaidya, the former India player and national selector, feels a measured and assured Smriti is very prepared to begin life as the sides captain. She has played a lot of WBBL and franchise matches in England too. So she has that international cricket experience of handling and being with different teams and that helps. Similar views are echoed by Malolan Rangarajan, RCB's women's head coach. It's very well deserving for someone who has worked so hard on her game and also contributed so much to Indian cricket. She has been Indias vice-captain for such a long time and so, it's a well-deserved elevation and adds another feather in Smriti's cap, he said to IANS. It also helped that when Smriti captained RCB, it had former international captains like Heather Knight and Sophie Devine. While picking her, it wasn't like we were waiting to see how good a captain she was. She had captained before she joined RCB also. So she was very well experienced back then itself. But having worked with her over a period of 4-5 years now, you get to know the person also. She is a leader of a team and not a leader of select individuals. She always thinks about what's best for the team, how can this team, and anything with it, go forward. I'm pretty sure regardless of her being the Indian captain or not, even as the vice-captain, she was always thinking about how well she can contribute and take Indian cricket forward, added Rangarajan. Asked about instances in WPL where Smriti the skipper shined, Rangarajan is wary of reducing it to a single moment. She's got an extraordinary pulse of the game. She knows what works, and what doesn't work. With her, it was always about knowing what's best for the team and what's best for a situation. So I can't point out a single situation in which Smriti was amazing. She's a very, very, very experienced player. She knows a lot of Indian and international girls. Even tactically, she's very, very adept - knows exactly what to do when and just overall, her experience has been amazing, he said. Tejal Hasabnis, who will play under Smriti in the ODI series against Zimbabwe in Vadodara, knows Smriti well from the Maharashtra days. Getting to debut internationally under Smritis captaincy during the 50-over clash against New Zealand in Ahmedabad in 2024 will always be a fun fact worth cherishing for the right-handed batter. Growing up, I have played a lot of cricket under her. She used to lead Maharashtra senior side as well. So, yes, it will be very familiar and I am just looking forward to it. I am so excited because this is kind of a new chapter starting for the Indian women's cricket team. So, I am very excited to see how she approaches it and what will come next. She also gives a glowing assessment of what playing under Smritis captaincy is like. Basically, Smriti is someone who is a very calm and thoughtful person off the field and is the same on the field. I feel she is someone who prepares and then she just comes there and executes her plan with a calm head. Even in domestic games, she was pretty clear on what she wanted from the team. She gave us role clarity - like what she expects from the players and when just out there, she supports us to execute our plans. Former India player Soniya Dabir was Smritis roommate when she first broke into Maharashtra's senior side as a shy teenager. Made the sides captain at 16, Smriti leaned on the senior players rather than trying to impress them. She used to listen to everyone for help in terms of formulating strategies. She could make it out whose advice was to be taken and used to think about the situations differently. That thought process was very clear from a young age. With the bat, we always believed that as long as she was there, we could still go ahead and win the match. Smriti has spent her India career under two very different leaders: the measured Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet, whose fire a team still learning to believe in itself needed a lot. Luckily for her, she got to play under Mithali and Harman for a long time. So she is quite experienced for that job and on and off, when Harman was not available, she was also taking her place, says Aarti. George puts this captaincy change in a well-thought phrase. Harman was steel-steel. Now Smriti will be steel and velvet. Harman can be aloof at certain times. Smriti is never aloof. Smriti is always available and I know the girls will love working with Smriti. He calls it a new era for India, where the captaincy is more welcoming. In Georges view, Smriti is that one girl who will always listen and one of the few who would reach out and ask. Smriti and Jemi (Jemimah Rodrigues) are a few people who have never changed, he said. Aarti feels the change at the helm has arrived at the right time. I just thought time had come for her to take charge now. I guess she would handle it properly because she has that experience with her. George, though, will watch out for one adjustment. Challenges will be working with the same support staff because they were so much used to Harman's style of captaincy. A home Champions Trophy in February 2027, then the T20 World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, and ODI World Cup title defence in 2029 a great showing in all of them will be on Smritis radar. Results will decide how her captaincy will be judged, especially with the social media era quick in asking questions and hurling criticisms. That level of scrutiny, long reserved for India's men's captains, is a measure of how far the women's game has come. Harmanpreet built a side that learned to fight, and then to win and constantly challenge big teams. Smritis task will be to take it up a notch and also crack the code of success in the shortest format while being the ever-dependable batter. She's been playing the sport at the highest level for a while now. She knows what it takes to play at that level. Not only play, but to also be a superstar at that level. So, it's come at a very good time for her and the Indian cricket team. Knowing Smriti, the only thing she'll be thinking about is how she can take this team to the next level. They've obviously won the World Cup in the 50 overs and knowing her, she'll be thoroughly and fully focused on how she can make this team even better, added Rangarajan. It also helps that Smriti is easily approachable and shows empathy towards newbies and youngsters to give them a sense of belonging. With Smriti, what you see is what you get. Regardless of her seniority or experience, she conducts herself in a very, very calm manner. She's very approachable, and I'm pretty sure if you speak to more girls, they'll echo the same sentiment of how good Smriti is around the group and how she is. RCB also has found a couple of players who came in as uncapped players and have now gone on to play for the country, and that's a testament to how Smriti has led the team, said Rangarajan. He also feels Smriti can easily compartmentalise her batting and captaincy duties. Again, Smriti is experienced enough to detach the two. When she captains, she captains and when she bats, she's mature and experienced enough to think like a batter and do what's required for the team. So, knowing her as a person, I don't think it's going to make too much of a difference, her being a captain or not. Soniya also agrees with it. I don't think that captaincy pressure will matter that much to her. She is used to it now. Like she said in an interview, a captain is more answerable. So now she has an idea of what she is going to face. She will take it as an opportunity. There are still lots of trophies to be won. Aarti adds, If you have that hunger to win, then obviously there are a lot of things which come your way and I guess she has that hunger and proved it during WPL also. She has handled the team there very well. Rangarajan returns to clarity of thought in Smriti, the leader. Smriti is such an experienced player. She knows every player - literally every player. Practically, shes very, very clear. She doesn't waste her time around and wants to do what's right for the team. Even in meetings, she's very clear with the messaging that needs to go out to the team. She's been absolutely good and I don't expect her to do anything different in the Indian team. Aarti adds, If you have that hunger to win, then obviously there are a lot of things which come your way and I guess she has that hunger and proved it during WPL also. She has handled the team there very well. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Too Many Trophies! Shai Hope Faces Luggage Woes

West Indies captain Shai Hope has continued his exceptional form against India, scoring his fourth century and fifth fifty-plus score in seven innings during the ongoing tour. His consistent 'Player of the Match' performances have been crucial, with the series now level at 2-2 heading into the decider on October 17 in Bengaluru. Hope also reflected on the challenging pitch conditions during their recent win.

Sanju Samson Reveals How India Let Winning Position Slip Against West Indies In 4th T20I

After the defeat, Sanju Samson reflected on how the partnership between Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy kept India in the hunt during the chase.

Samson: Tilak's wicket the 'turning point' in India's loss

India lost the fourth T20I by 24 runs while chasing 248 in Hyderabad

India Squad For New Zealand Tests: BCCI Keen To Back Injured India Star In 2 Formats - Report

BCCI is yet to announce the teams for the ODIs and Test matches against New Zealand, starting November 4.

Abhishek Sharma Sets New World Record, Surpasses Suryakumar Yadav For Huge Feat

India opener Abhishek Sharma continued his meteoric rise in T20I cricket, shattering another massive world record during the fourth T20I against the West Indies on Wednesday.

Welcomed By VVS Laxman, Ignored By Gautam Gambhir: Glaring Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Stat Stirs Internet

Amid the debate surrounding Sooryavanshi, a key comparison has emerged between his time in the Indian team under head coaches Gautam Gambhir and VVS Laxman.

Sunil Gavaskar Blasts West Indies Star, Questions His Sportsmanship In 4th T20I vs India

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar tore into West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph over his lack of sportsmanship during the 4th T20I in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

PSG down Manchester City, Real Madrid edge past Roma

Paris St Germain defeated Manchester City 4-2 in a thrilling Champions League encounter, with a dominant first-half performance. The match took place amidst scrutiny over City's financial breaches. Erling Haaland set a new record as the fastest player to reach 60 Champions League goals. Other notable results included Liverpool's 6-3 win over LASK, Aston Villa's 6-0 victory against Fenerbahce, and Real Madrid's dramatic 4-3 comeback against AS Roma.

Hope Unstoppable, India Left Searching for Answers

Shai Hope's unbeaten 102 and Keemo Paul's five-wicket haul led West Indies to a 24-run victory over India, levelling the five-match T20I series at 2-2.

Shreyas Flags India's Bowling Lapses After Windies Defeat

India's captain Shreyas Iyer attributed the team's 24-run defeat against the West Indies in the fourth T20I to poor bowling execution. The loss levelled the five-match series 2-2, setting up a decider on Saturday. West Indies skipper Shai Hope and bowler Keemo Paul also shared their perspectives on the match and pitch conditions.

4th T20I: Hope Backs West Indies' Bowling Decisions After Series-levelling Win, Says 240-plus Was A Decent Score

The West Indies: West Indies captain Shai Hope backed his bowling decisions after his side defeated India by 24 runs in the fourth T20I, saying the conditions were more even for both teams and the visitors had done well to give themselves a chance to win the series in Bengaluru. Hope led from the front with an unbeaten 102 off 50 balls before Keemo Paul claimed a five-wicket haul to help West Indies defend their massive total of 247/3 and level the five-match series 2-2 on Wednesday. Reflecting on the decision to give Gudakesh Motie only two overs despite the spinner taking two wickets in successive deliveries, Hope said managing bowling spells in Indian conditions was not always straightforward. Well, just, here in India, it's always tough to give bowlers three in a row, especially on conditions maybe say, yes, give him another one. But sometimes you just have to make a decision and back it. Just one of those things that happened today, Hope said after being named Player of the Match. Hope also felt the conditions were more balanced than in previous games, particularly with the dew factor posing a challenge for the team bowling second. He credited India for their performance but was pleased that West Indies had managed to keep the series alive. Yeah, for sure. Conditions were a little bit more similar for both sides. I just felt as though (with) the dew around, it's always going to be a part of the game when they chase it. Again, a really good cricket game. They played good cricket in all phases as well. So you got to give them credit. But we did well to give ourselves a chance to win the series in Bangalore, he said. The West Indies skipper, who has been among the runs throughout the tour, joked about the challenge of taking home another Player of the Match award before explaining his approach to building the innings. Well, to be honest, those were a bit heavy; we got to look at luggage weight. So I think we're gonna have some problems when I go back home with those Player of the Match awards, Hope said with a smile. On his unbeaten century, he said the priority was to provide a strong platform before allowing the middle order to accelerate and finish the innings strongly. Yeah, just trying to give the team the best chance, man. So as long as we lay that foundation at the start, we got a 50-plus opening partnership. So it was good for us to start innings and then obviously we got that foundation, you can express yourself a bit more in the middle period and then try to give the team the best finish as could be possible, he said. Hope added that West Indies believed their total was competitive, particularly after noticing that the surface was offering variable bounce and becoming harder to score on as the innings progressed. I honestly felt it was a decent score because the surface was actually holding a bit more than we thought initially. We felt as though the pitch would probably come on a bit better. But I found that with the new ball, some balls were kicking up a lot more and then some were staying down as well. So it's a bit too pace to start and then obviously with the spinners and the quicks in the back end, it was a little bit more difficult to hit through the line. So I felt as though 240 plus was a decent score, he said. Hope added that West Indies believed their total was competitive, particularly after noticing that the surface was offering variable bounce and becoming harder to score on as the innings progressed. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Samson Reaches 100 T20I Sixes, India Achieve Big Feat During 4th Match vs West Indies

Team India made history, becoming the second team to complete 2,000 sixes as a unit in T20I cricket on Wednesday.

The bowlers are trying to catch up: New Zealands Santner

4th T20I: Keemo Paul's Five-For Wrecks India's Chase After Shai Hope's Ton As West Indies Level Series

Keemo Paul produced a match-winning five-wicket haul to wreck India's chase after Shai Hope's stunning hundred, as the West Indies secured a 24-run victory in the fourth T20 International.

4th T20I: Shreyas Blames Bowling For India's Loss, Backs Batting Approach Ahead Of Series Decider

Shreyas Iyer: India captain Shreyas Iyer admitted that poor execution of line and length with the ball cost his side the fourth T20I against West Indies, but backed the team's batting approach in the 24-run defeat that levelled the five-match series 2-2 in Hyderabad on Wednesday. West Indies posted a mammoth 247/3, powered by skipper Shai Hope's unbeaten 102 off 50 balls and Sherfane Rutherford's 49 not out off 26 deliveries, before Keemo Paul claimed a five-wicket haul to restrict India to 223 and set up a series decider in Bengaluru. Reflecting on the defeat, Iyer said India's bowlers had failed to execute their plans effectively, making the chase increasingly difficult despite the team's positive intent with the bat. Yeah, it all started with bowling. I think we didn't execute our line and lengths well, and at the end of the day, chasing 250, you have to go in a certain pattern when you're coming in chasing. So I like the approach when we were chasing, but we were unfortunate we couldn't execute our plans in bowling, and that's where we fell a bit short, Iyer said. Asked whether Abhishek Sharma's limited time on strike had affected his start, Iyer dismissed the suggestion, pointing instead to West Indies' disciplined bowling and the assistance available from the surface. Not really. We were still going 12 an over at that point in time. It's just that they executed their plan, and there was a bit to offer from the wicket as well. The ball was kicking a bit, and they used the field pretty well. So credit where it's due, and their execution was spot on, he said. Iyer also acknowledged that the surface had offered some assistance to the bowlers, particularly during the middle overs, when the ball held up and produced occasional uneven bounce. Yeah, it was holding a bit, and there was some odd bounce as well. But yeah, knowing that, I feel the bowlers, they realised it. They are bowlers, and the way they bowled according to the field, that's what was important, especially in those middle overs, he said. The India captain praised West Indies for regaining control after India threatened to build momentum during the chase, saying their ability to respond under pressure made the difference. Even though the momentum shifted towards us in between, still the ability to bounce back was top-notch, and I'm sure the fifth one would be an interesting one, Iyer added. Despite the defeat, Iyer pointed to India's ability to score heavily on the relaid Hyderabad surface as evidence that the team's aggressive batting approach remained on track. West Indies' total of 247/3 came after India had been unable to contain the visitors' scoring rate, with Hope and Rutherford adding an unbeaten 91-run stand for the fourth wicket. Obviously, you know, getting 220, especially when we were chasing, and then scoring 250, you can see the approach and attitude of every individual. So the approach is going to be the same, Iyer said. Despite the defeat, Iyer pointed to India's ability to score heavily on the relaid Hyderabad surface as evidence that the team's aggressive batting approach remained on track. West Indies' total of 247/3 came after India had been unable to contain the visitors' scoring rate, with Hope and Rutherford adding an unbeaten 91-run stand for the fourth wicket. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Hope ton, Paul five-for help West Indies level series 2-2

West Indies bowlers reined India in after Sanju Samson's 56 off 23

Green 'progressing well' but still uncertain for second Test

Josh Inglis has returned to the nets after rejoining the squad following the fractured finger he suffered in the first ODI

Men's T20 WC 2028: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia Crowned Champs In Asia Sub-regional Qualifiers

T20 World Cup Asia Regional: Kuwait and Saudi Arabia topped Asia Sub-Regional Qualifiers A and B in Malaysia to progress to the regional final as they inched closer to the Road to ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2028. Bahrain, Qatar, Malaysia and Hong Kong, China also secured places at the Asia Regional Final in 2027, while Kuwaits Adnan Idress and Malaysias Virandeep Singh were named Players of the Tournament. Kuwait finished top of Sub-Regional Qualifier A, ahead of runners-up Bahrain and third-placed Qatar, with all three securing their spots at the ICC Mens T20 World Cup Asia Regional Final in 2027. Saudi Arabia claimed the Sub-Regional Qualifier B title, with Hong Kong China finishing second and hosts Malaysia third to complete the six-team line-up progressing from the two events. Both Qualifiers ran simultaneously in Malaysia, with Kuwaits Adnan Idress named Player of the Tournament for Sub-Regional Qualifier A, and Malaysias Virandeep Singh receiving the award for Sub-Regional Qualifier B. The six advancing teams will now continue their journey at the Asia Regional Final in 2027, where places in the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2028 Global Qualifier will be up for grabs. Kuwait captain Mohamed Aslam said: Winning the T20 World Cup Qualifier is an incredibly proud moment for all of us. Our success came from clear planning, disciplined preparation, belief in our players, and a strong team culture. We worked hard to build a team that plays fearless, attacking cricket while staying united under pressure. The players deserve immense credit for their commitment and the way they delivered when it mattered most. Saudi Arabia captain Waji Ul Hassan added: It is an incredible feeling and a historic moment for Saudi cricket. Winning our first ICC tournament is a dream come true and a reward for our hard work, dedication, and determination. We are extremely proud to represent Saudi Arabia and bring this achievement home. Most importantly, I am incredibly proud of my teammates, who demonstrated outstanding commitment, unity, and fighting spirit throughout the tournament. Kuwait captain Mohamed Aslam said: Winning the T20 World Cup Qualifier is an incredibly proud moment for all of us. Our success came from clear planning, disciplined preparation, belief in our players, and a strong team culture. We worked hard to build a team that plays fearless, attacking cricket while staying united under pressure. The players deserve immense credit for their commitment and the way they delivered when it mattered most. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Maddinson admits 'huge relief' after second outing in Durban

Maddinson said he was aware of

4th T20I: Hope's century, Paul's five-for power West Indies to 24-run win over India, level series 2-2

Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Oct 14 (IANS) Skipper Shai Hope struck a magnificent unbeaten century before Keemo Paul produced a match-winning five-wicket haul as West Indies defeated India by 24 runs in the fourth T20I at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday to level the five-match series 2-2. Hope smashed an unbeaten 102 off just 50 balls, while Sherfane Rutherford contributed 49 not out off 26 deliveries as West Indies posted a formidable 247/3 after being asked to bat first. In reply, India were bowled out for 223, with Paul returning figures of 5/41 to headline a disciplined bowling effort that kept the hosts from completing the chase despite a flying start. The victory kept the West Indies' hopes of winning the series alive ahead of the deciding fifth T20I in Bengaluru. It was also a significant result for the visitors, who had not beaten India in a T20I on Indian soil since 2019 before this tour. Hope continued his prolific run on the tour, registering his second century of the series and his third in T20 Internationals. He received strong support from Rutherford as the pair added an unbeaten 91 runs for the fourth wicket, the second-highest partnership for that wicket for West Indies in T20Is. The duo had set the record with a 120-run stand in the previous match in Ranchi. West Indies made a blistering start, racing to 79/1 in the powerplay, their highest powerplay total against India in the format. Jewel Andrew scored a brisk 21 off 16 balls, while Hope kept the scoreboard moving as the visitors reached 118/2 at the halfway stage. Shimron Hetmyer added further momentum with a blistering 33 off just 12 deliveries, striking at 275. West Indies reached their hundred in only 7.4 overs, equalling their fastest team hundred against India in T20Is, previously achieved in Lauderhill in 2016. Hope, meanwhile, brought up his half-century off 28 balls before accelerating further in the closing overs. He struck two sixes off the final two deliveries to finish unbeaten on 102, taking West Indies to 247/3 their second-highest T20I total against India, behind the 252/4 they scored in Ranchi earlier in the series. India began the chase aggressively, with Sanju Samson racing to a half-century off just 20 balls. However, Paul changed the complexion of the contest by striking with his first delivery, dismissing the dangerous Samson at deep backward square-leg before removing Ishan Kishan in the same over. The quick double blow halted India's momentum and put the hosts under pressure despite their promising start. Paul returned in the 19th over to claim three more wickets, completing a five-wicket haul and leaving India with too much to do in the final stages. Gudakesh Motie also played a crucial role in the middle overs, dismissing Abhishek Sharma and Naman Dhir in successive deliveries to further derail the chase. Roston Chase had earlier helped keep Abhishek quiet, while Shamar Springer delivered an important 18th over that cost just five runs, tightening the pressure on the Indian batters. India struggled to maintain the required scoring rate as wickets fell at regular intervals, with the disciplined efforts of the West Indies bowlers complementing Paul's decisive spell. The visitors' attack ensured that Hope's imposing total proved beyond the hosts. The match ended in unfortunate circumstances for India, with Arshdeep Singh retiring hurt after clutching his left shoulder, leaving Mayank Yadav without a batting partner as the hosts' innings came to a close. West Indies' all-round performance ensured they bounced back from their defeat in Indore and set up a series decider in Bengaluru, with Hope's outstanding century and Paul's five-wicket haul proving decisive in Hyderabad. Brief scores: West Indies 247/3 in 20 overs (Shai Hope 102 not out, Sherfane Rutherford 49 not out; Prince Yadav 1/36) beat India 223/9 in 19.3 overs (Sanju Samson 56, Tilak Varma 43; Kemo Paul 5/40, Gudakesh Motie 2/13) by 24 runs

Why Lord's Is Giving Pitch 9 a Two-Season Break

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has relaid Pitch 9 at Lord's after it received an unsatisfactory rating from the ICC following England's Test against New Zealand in June. The pitch, which saw all 40 wickets fall in just 166 overs, will be out of use for at least the next two seasons. MCC has launched a comprehensive review of pitch preparation and plans to use hybrid surfaces to mitigate the impact.

Shai Hope, Keemo Paul architect West Indies' 25-run win in 4th T20I vs India, series locked at 2-2

West Indies defeated India by 25 runs in the fourth T20I of the five-match series at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The hosts arrived as favourites, given their batting form, but the Shai...

Samson Joins India's T20I Six-Hitting Elite

Sanju Samson smashed 56 off 22 balls to join India's 100-six T20I club as the team became the second nation to cross 2,000 sixes in the format.

Karnataka coach Vinay Kumar praises Karun

Mandhana Says Captaincy Won't Be A New Challenge, Aims To Do Justice To Role

ODI World Cup: India's newly appointed women's cricket captain Smriti Mandhana said the full-time leadership role would not be an entirely new challenge for her, given her nearly decade-long experience as vice-captain, and expressed confidence that the additional responsibility would not affect her batting approach. Mandhana was appointed captain of the Indian women's team earlier this month, on the same day Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from the role. The 29-year-old, who has been part of the Indian team since 2013, will lead the side in white-ball cricket going forward. I have been the vice-captain for the last almost 10 years. So, I have been part of the leadership role, and I wouldnt say it is an extremely new thing. But for sure, it is something to look forward to, and hopefully, I can do justice to the role, Mandhana told reporters on Wednesday. The left-handed batter also stressed that captaincy would not change the way she approaches her innings, adding that she would continue to play according to the team's requirements and trust her instincts. I have become a captain on the field; there should be no changes in my batting. My coach used to tell me when I was 15 years old, Whenever you bat, always think you are the captain. You always take that responsibility, and those things have never changed. If the ball is in the zone, I will still go for it. I will still play whatever (way) the team needs (me to), she said. Calling the series an exciting opportunity, Mandhana said India would also look to learn from their opponents while using the matches to establish their approach ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy. The first bilateral (series) with Zimbabwe, I think, is very exciting. It is our first time playing with them. Sometimes, playing with Zimbabwe and all the Associate nations, it feels like you can learn a lot from them as well because they enjoy playing their cricket, she said. Sometimes, we get into a lot of things professionally. You can learn a lot from them. But again, we have six T20 matches before the Champions Trophy as an Indian team, so we will look to set standards as an Indian team (as to) how we approach the next three months leading up to the Champions Trophy, Mandhana added. The first bilateral (series) with Zimbabwe, I think, is very exciting. It is our first time playing with them. Sometimes, playing with Zimbabwe and all the Associate nations, it feels like you can learn a lot from them as well because they enjoy playing their cricket, she said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

We Are Here To Win The Championship: Yuvraj Singh Sets Sights On Building A Winning Culture At Delhi Capitals

ICC Cricket World Cup: A day after being named assistant and batting coach of Delhi Capitals, former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh has set clear targets for his first season -- instilling a culture at the franchise and claiming the title in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027. As he prepares to embark on his first formal coaching assignment, the star all-rounder says he wants to achieve with Delhi Capitals build a team that believes in itself, competes under pressure and has the conviction to win the championship. Yuvraj returns to the Delhi franchise with a renewed purpose, joining hands with Sourav Ganguly, Head Coach of Delhi Capitals, with whom he shares a long-standing relationship dating back to the early years of his international career. Revealing how the opportunity came about, Yuvraj said, Dada told me, Would you be my assistant? And I was like, Ive been your assistant for the last 25 years, so Ill probably be doing the same job! I was very happy to do it. Ive been building myself up over the last three to four years for this opportunity. I have worked with players individually, but being part of the entire team environment will be a different experience, and Im really excited about it, Yuvraj was quoted as saying in a release by Delhi Capitals on Wednesday. For Yuvraj, the reunion also presents an opportunity to work alongside Ganguly once again, this time in a coaching setup. Having made his international debut under Gangulys captaincy, the former India all-rounder believes the ability to build a strong team environment remains one of his former captains greatest strengths. The best thing I learnt from Dada was how to create a good team environment. When he was captain and I made my debut, he kept us together. He made us believe that we could become a great team and win tournaments outside India. He has always been like a big brother to me, whether it was helping me understand selection, mentoring me, or showing me what it takes to become a good international cricketer. Im looking forward to working with him, understanding his insights and sharing mine, he said. A two-time World Cup winner and one of the key architects of Indias triumphs at the 2007 ICC Mens T20 World Cup and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, Yuvraj brings extensive experience of performing on the biggest stages. As he transitions into coaching, he believes instilling self-belief in players will be central to his approach. At this level, everybody is skilled and brings something different to the table. But I come from a place where self-belief is extremely important. If a franchise has selected you and given you a position in the squad, it means they believe in you. You have to believe that you belong there. That comes through practice, awareness of the game and playing matches. We will work on these things as a team, he said. Yuvraj also expressed confidence in the batting resources available to Delhi Capitals, highlighting the importance of building the right combination and ensuring the team is equipped to deliver across all departments. KL Rahul is a solid player whom Ive watched for a long time, and Tristan Stubbs is very exciting. There are also players like Sameer Rizvi and Ashutosh Sharma, who are very good hitters. We have good batting resources, but we need to work on the right team combination and make the side stronger and more versatile, with deeper batting, quality bowling and good fielding. Every aspect of the game matters, he said. Having experienced the disappointment of not qualifying for the playoffs during his previous stint as a player with the franchise, Yuvraj is determined to help Delhi Capitals approach the upcoming season with a renewed sense of purpose. While qualification remains the immediate objective, he believes the team must set its sights on the ultimate prize. We definitely have the ability, and thats why Dada and I are coming in to bring that belief back. Our first target is to qualify, but we are here to win the championship, and I dont see why we cant do that. Just because it hasnt happened in the past doesnt mean it cant happen in the future. We want to build a squad and an energy that is ready to fight, take on any opposition and perform in any situation, he said. For Yuvraj, the role goes beyond technical guidance or improving individual performances. It is about preparing the players to handle pressure, trust their abilities and give their best for the franchise, working in tandem with Ganguly and the wider coaching and support staff. I want to help the boys play better cricket, perform under pressure and build a squad that believes in itself. Im here to put my heart and soul into the franchise. Hopefully, with the contribution of the entire team management and the players, we can take Delhi Capitals forward, qualify for the playoffs and then go on to win the championship, he added. Yuvrajs appointment marks a new chapter in his association with Delhi Capitals. Having represented the franchise, then known as Delhi Daredevils, in the 2015 IPL season, he now returns with the experience of a celebrated international career and the ambition to help shape the teams next phase alongside Head Coach Sourav Ganguly. I want to help the boys play better cricket, perform under pressure and build a squad that believes in itself. Im here to put my heart and soul into the franchise. Hopefully, with the contribution of the entire team management and the players, we can take Delhi Capitals forward, qualify for the playoffs and then go on to win the championship, he added. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

We Are Here To Win The Championship: Yuvraj Singh Reveals Mission With Delhi Capitals

As he prepares to embark on his first formal coaching assignment in the Indian Premier League (IPL), former India star all-rounder Yuvraj Singh is clear about what he wants to achieve with Delhi Capitals

Hasn't Changed: Yuzvendra Chahal Reveals Why Abhishek Sharma Is Nightmare For Bowlers

Abhishek Sharma smashed 69 off 30 balls in India's third T20I win over West Indies. It was his fourth score of more than 50 in the last 10 matches.

Smriti Mandhana plans to set new standard for Indian T20I side in upcoming Zimbabwe series

Newly appointed captain Smriti Mandhana aims to use India's upcoming six-match home series against Zimbabwe to sharpen the team's T20I strategy and establish performance benchmarks ahead of the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy in February 2027....

4th T20I: Hope Unleashes Hurricane on India as Windies Storm to 247

Shai Hope scored a magnificent unbeaten century, hitting 102 off 50 balls, to help West Indies post a formidable total of 247 for three against India in the fourth T20 International in Hyderabad. His partnership with Sherfane Rutherford, who scored 49 not out, highlighted India's bowling struggles and fielding errors.

We Still Need To Improve: New India Captain Smriti Mandhana Gets Honest

Newly appointed captain Smriti Mandhana on Wednesday said India may have won the ODI World Cup recently, but the team still needs to work hard in the shortest format, with the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy set to be held early next year.

Ranji Trophy Round 1: Ravindra Jadeja Stars, Mohammed Shami Impresses, Karun Nair Delivers

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, batter Karun Nair, pacer Mohammed Shami and several uncapped players emerged as the standout performers as the first round of the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 concluded on Wednesday.

Patient Mulani lives on hope

4th T20I: Centurion Hope Leads West Indies To Their Second-highest Total Against India In Hyderabad

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: West Indies skipper Shai Hope continued his prolific run-scoring on the tour of India with another century as the visitors raced to 247/3 in 20 overs against India in the fourth T20I at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday, putting the hosts under pressure with an explosive start to their innings. Hope and Sherfane Rutherford (49 off 26*) continued their impressive partnership against India, adding an unbeaten 91 runs for the fourth wicket in Hyderabad to register the second-highest fourth-wicket stand for West Indies in T20 Internationals. Their effort is behind their own record of 120 runs, set during the previous T20I in Ranchi, while Dwayne Bravo and Shimron Hetmyers 103-run partnership against Australia in Gros Islet in 2021 remains the second-best before the Hyderabad stand. Shai Hope also crossed the 2,000-run mark in T20 Internationals with the six he struck off the final ball of the innings, becoming the fourth West Indies batter to reach the milestone. He joined Rovman Powell (2,400), Nicholas Pooran (2,275) and Brandon King (2,028) in the elite list. West Indies also posted their second-highest total against India in T20Is, reaching 247/3 in Hyderabad. Their highest total against India remains the 252/4 scored in Ranchi earlier in the tour, while their previous best before these two outings was 245/6 in Lauderhill in 2016. Hope raised his 50 off only 28 balls, and after his latest 50+ score on tour, he joined Chris Gayle at the top of the West Indies' list of most fifties and scores of 50 or more in T20Is with 16. The right-hander already had three centuries this tour and looked to be in good touch as the visitors kept up an impressive rate after being put in. West Indies kept up their free-flowing batting style in the series by chalking up their third successive 200-plus total after being asked to bat first in the fourth T20I against India at Hyderabad. Visitors got off to a blazing start thanks to Shai Hope and Jewel Andrew, taking 79/1 in the powerplay - their highest in the first six overs versus India in T20I. Hope and Andrew put on 56 in a third-wicket stand to build West Indies' charge to 118/2 after the mandated halfway mark, with the bowlers not able to slow down the scoring rate. Jewel Andrew started the ball rolling with a brisk 21 off 16 balls, and Hope ensured momentum was sustained. India's wayward bowling also proved costly to visitors, as they gave away 13 extra runs in the first six overs of the game. Shimron Hetmyer joined the carnage and took the attack to the Indian bowlers, plundering 33 from just 12 balls at a strike rate of 275. Five fours in a row brought up the team hundred in just 7.4 overs, equaling West Indies' fastest team hundred against India in T20Is. It was the same mark they reached at Lauderhill in 2016 without losing a wicket. Hetmyer's quickfire knock earned him one of the top strike-rate performances against India in a T20I innings of 10 balls or more. His strike rate of 275 was the third highest in that list, marginally behind Shamar Springer's 318.18 (35 off 11 balls for his 35 off 11 balls in Indore earlier in the series) and Marco Jansen's 317.64 (54 off 17 balls for South Africa in Centurion in 2024). India did make a bit of a comeback towards the tail-end of the first 10 overs, though, with Axar getting rid of Andrew and Prince of Hetmyer, giving away just nine runs in the closing two overs and ending the partnership. Hope was once again the star, continuing his scintillating form by scoring a magnificent 102 not out off 50 balls. His third T20I century was scored in dramatic circumstances, finishing with two sixes in the last two balls of the innings. Sherfane Rutherford contributed an unselfish 49 not out from 26 balls as West Indies reached 247/3, setting India a mammoth target of 248. All, bar Prince Yadav, of the Indian bowlers conceded more than ten runs an over. Brief scores: Hope was once again the star, continuing his scintillating form by scoring a magnificent 102 not out off 50 balls. His third T20I century was scored in dramatic circumstances, finishing with two sixes in the last two balls of the innings. Sherfane Rutherford contributed an unselfish 49 not out from 26 balls as West Indies reached 247/3, setting India a mammoth target of 248. All, bar Prince Yadav, of the Indian bowlers conceded more than ten runs an over. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

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4th T20I: I definitely want to be a genuine all-rounder, says Naman Dhir

Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Oct 14 (IANS) India all-rounder Naman Dhir is keen to establish himself as a genuine all-rounder but admitted that contributing with the bat remains his immediate priority, while stressing that the hosts cannot afford to be complacent despite holding a 2-1 lead in the five-match T20I series against the West Indies. Speaking ahead of the fourth T20I, Dhir acknowledged the threat posed by the visitors in the shortest format and said India would need to maintain the same intensity that helped them secure a 14-run victory in the previous match at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. West Indies obviously are a very dangerous team, especially in this format. The learning would be that you can't be complacent at any stage of the series. Yes, we are 2-1 up, but we'll still play the game with the same intensity, Dhir said. The 26-year-old has made a valuable contribution with the ball in the series, emerging as India's leading wicket-taker with five scalps. Interestingly, each of his wickets has come after he conceded a six, a statistic the all-rounder hopes to change in the upcoming contest. I hope this time I won't concede a six before getting a wicket. I didn't know that I am the highest wicket-taker till now in this series. I have a lot of learnings. I've been talking to Gautam (Gambhir) sir and every other coach. So they are talking to me about a few aspects of bowling, he said. Dhir also underlined his ambition to develop into a genuine all-rounder, though he would prefer to make a bigger impact with the bat at this stage of his career. No, I definitely want to be a genuine all-rounder, but at the time I prefer that I should score more with the bat. I had the opportunity in the last game. But, yeah, I'm happy that we ended up on the winning side, he added. India head into the fourth T20I with the aim of consolidating their lead following their defense of a total of 223, which saw them beat the West Indies by 14 runs in Indore. The vital 69 runs that Abhishek Sharma scored off just 30 balls set the platform for India's total, though a slowdown in the second half left the home side with a difficult task ahead. The visitors were in a good position throughout their chase, after Shimron Hetmyer scored 43 and Kamil Pooran reached 42. Yet Arshdeep Singh's three-wicket stand and Dhir's two wickets enabled India to regain control and kept the West Indies within 209, all while Shamar Springer scored 35 runs without losing a wicket off only 11 deliveries towards the end. The victory was India's first while batting first in the white-ball series and gave them a crucial 2-1 lead ahead of the Hyderabad encounter. Dhir also expressed confidence about playing at the venue, pointing to the dimensions of the ground compared to Indore, where India secured their previous win. If you see the ground of Indore, it was pretty smaller than that. So I'm a little more confident than in Indore from the last game, he said.

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India opt to bowl against West Indies in fourth T20I

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4th T20I: Shepherhd comes in as India ask West Indies to bat first in Hyderabad

Digital Desk | Hyderabad, Oct 14 (IANS) India won the toss and elected to bowl against West Indies in the fourth T20I at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday. India led the five-match series 2-1 after claiming a crucial win in Indore. The visitors have made two changes to their playing XI, with Kamil Pooran and Sampson left out, while Romario Shepherd comes into the side as hosts name an unchanged playing XI. Skipper Shreyas Iyer opted to bowl first, citing the relaid surface and expecting extra bounce due to its hardness. Acknowledging the threat posed by the West Indies' destructive batting line-up, Iyer stressed the need to avoid complacency and maintain the same emotional intensity that served the team well in the previous match. India have retained the same playing XI for the encounter. We are going to bowl first. That's one of the major reasons -- the relaid surface. We have played on such wickets before. There is going to be bounce as well because the surface is very hard. We know how destructive the West Indies are, so can't get complacent. The emotions we maintained throughout the last match were good. Same team, said Iyer after winning the toss. West Indies skipper Shai Hope said his side would have preferred to bowl first as they look to bounce back in the must-win encounter. Hope emphasised the need to lay a solid foundation and remain clear about their approach while staying open-minded about the conditions. We would have fielded as well. It's a must-win game, so we need to pull this one back. We need to give a foundation, just being clear about how we want to go. We have to wait and see; it looks good. Needs to be open-minded. Two changes for us - Pooran and Sampson are out, Romario and Jewel Andrew are in, said Hope. Playing XIs: West Indies: Shai Hope (wk/c), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Keemo Paul, Shamar Springer, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph India: Sanju Samson (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (c), Tilak Varma, Naman Dhir, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav

Did Shreyas Iyer Trick Shai Hope? India Captain's Antics Go Viral During Toss For 4th T20I

India captain Shreyas Iyer poked fun at his West Indies counterpart Shai Hope ahead of the toss for the fourth T20I at the Uppal Stadium in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

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Herschelle Gibbs Calls For Kagiso Rabada Return And Surprise Wicketkeeping Switch

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Mandhana Begins Captaincy Stint with Champions Trophy Firmly in Focus

Newly-appointed India captain Smriti Mandhana outlined her team's strategy to utilise the upcoming six T20Is, including a series against Zimbabwe, as crucial preparation for the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy early next year. She emphasised setting high standards and improving in the shortest format.

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Bengal Thrash Delhi By Nine Wickets To Begin Ranji Trophy Campaign On Winning Note

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Australia Women Complete 3-0 ODI Series Sweep Over Bangladesh With Eight-wicket Win

Allan Border Field: Australia completed a comprehensive 3-0 sweep of the women's ODI series against Bangladesh with a clinical eight-wicket victory in the third and final match at Allan Border Field here, chasing down a target of 173 in just 22.4 overs with 164 balls to spare. Veteran pacer Megan Schutt led Australia's bowling effort with an outstanding spell of 4/16 in 10 overs, helping restrict Bangladesh to 172 in 49.5 overs after the hosts elected to bowl first. Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland then ensured a comfortable finish with an unbeaten partnership, as Perry struck 65 not out off 64 balls and Sutherland smashed 74 not out off just 52 deliveries. Schutt broke up Bangladesh's top order early on, leaving the visitors at 18 for three, after Sharmin Akhter and Shorna Akter brought the innings back with half-centuries. Sharmin scored 50, and Shorna added 54, providing resistance during the middle overs. Australia's bowlers kept up the pressure; Sutherland claimed 2 for 25 and Ash Gardner 2 for 49, breaking the important partnerships and making it impossible for Bangladesh to put together a competitive score. Australia lost two wickets but still controlled the chase. Elyse Perry provided a steady performance with his innings, and Sutherland sped things up with a fluent display of strokeplay which enabled the home team to cross the finish line in just 22.4 overs. The win marked a dominant series for Australia, who had shown their superiority through convincing victories in the first two ODIs. In their first match on October 9, Sutherland was in control of the ball, taking 4/30 when Bangladesh were dismissed for 166. Australia reached the target in 25.4 overs and won by seven wickets, thanks to the contributions of their top order, which enabled a comfortable win. In the second ODI, Bangladesh put up a competitive total of 220 all out, a score made possible by a historic century from Sobhana Mostary, who reached 118, and an unbeaten 74 from captain Nigar Sultana. Yet it was the opening batter Georgia Voll who delivered a performance that won the match, scoring 131 not out off 97 balls and thus leading Australia to a nine-wicket win in 28.1 overs, which secured the series with one game to spare. Brief scores: Yet it was the opening batter Georgia Voll who delivered a performance that won the match, scoring 131 not out off 97 balls and thus leading Australia to a nine-wicket win in 28.1 overs, which secured the series with one game to spare. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

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Natarajan returns to Sunrisers; Zeeshan Ansari moves to DC ahead of IPL 2027

Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 14 (IANS) Indian left-arm pacer T. Natarajan will return to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), while leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari will join Delhi Capitals (DC) following a player trade between the two franchises ahead of the next Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will welcome back T. Natarajan, while Delhi Capitals (DC) will add leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari to their squad following a player trade between the two franchises, the IPL said in a release. Natarajan, who represented SRH from 2020 to 2024, will rejoin the franchise at a revised fee of Rs 5 crore. Delhi Capitals had acquired the Tamil Nadu pacer for Rs 10.75 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction. The 35-year-old made his DC debut against SRH on May 5, 2025, after a collarbone injury and subsequent recovery kept him out of the teams first 10 matches that season. He featured in two matches in the 2025 edition, taking five wickets in 10 appearances during the 2026 season. Natarajan enjoyed his most successful IPL campaign in 2024, claiming 19 wickets to finish as Sunrisers Hyderabads leading wicket-taker and helping the side reach the final. Across his IPL career, the left-arm seamer has played 73 matches and taken 72 wickets at an economy rate of 9.21. Known for his yorkers and ability to bowl at the death, he will return to a franchise where he established himself as a reliable Indian pace option. Natarajan will join SRH's leading pace attack, which includes youngsters like Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain, led by captain Pat Cummins. The Hyderabad squad also includes Sri Lankan pacer Eshan Malinga, who has impressed with his bowling. Meanwhile, Ansari will join Delhi Capitals at his existing fee of Rs 40 lakh after representing SRH in 10 matches during IPL 2025. He was benched for the entire tournament in IPL 2026. The 26-year-old leg-spinner made an impressive start to his IPL career, claiming three wickets on debut against Delhi Capitals. He has taken six wickets in 10 IPL appearances and is expected to add depth to DCs spin-bowling options, which include Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel.

Sri Lanka announce strong squad for Hong Kong Sixes 2026

Digital Desk | Hong Kong, Oct 14 (IANS) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) selection committee on Wednesday picked a vibrant and aggressive team for the much-anticipated return of the Hong Kong Sixes in 2026, tailor-made for the unique and fast-paced format of sixes cricket. Sri Lanka have named Sangeeth Cooray as captain for this edition. Cooray will be backed by Movin Subasinghe, Vishen Halambage, Chamindu Wijesinghe, Sachitha Jayatilake, Ravindu Fernando and Muditha Lakshan as the island nation looks to add another title to its Hong Kong Sixes history. The tournament is famous for its quick, high-scoring games, with teams from around the globe competing for the title. Sri Lanka, with their proud record in the competition, will be looking to make their mark with their chosen squad at the event in the short form of the game. The Hong Kong Sixes, renowned for its entertaining and action-packed format, brings together teams from across the world for a celebration of fast-paced cricket. Anuraag Bhatnagar, director of marketing and commercial, Cricket Hong Kong, China, expressed his enthusiasm, saying: We are absolutely delighted to welcome Sri Lanka back to the Hong Kong Sixes in 2026. The Sri Lankan team has always brought flair and excitement to this tournament, and the squad theyve selected for this edition promises exactly that. We look forward to seeing them #TurnItUpToSix and create more unforgettable moments for cricket fans in Hong Kong and around the world. The Hong Kong Sixes returns from 30 October to November 1, with the two-time Champions looking to add a third silverware in their trophy cabinet. The Tournament will be broadcasted live in India on Sony Sports Network with FanCode being the live streaming partner in India. Sri Lanka squad for Hong Kong Sixes: Sangeeth Cooray (C), Movin Subasinghe, Vishen Halambage, Chamindu Wijesinghe, Sachitha Jayatilake, Ravindu Fernando, Muditha Lakshan

Natarajan returns to SRH, Ansari traded to Dehi Capitals

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His Influence Will Strengthen Batting, Says Ganguly On Yuvraj Singhs Appointment At Delhi Capitals

ICC T20 World Cup: Delhi Capitals' Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly believes Yuvraj Singhs experience as a World Cup-winning all-rounder and his ability to mentor young batters will strengthen the franchises batting group ahead of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2027. Yuvraj's appointment as assistant and batting coach of Delhi Capitals was announced on Tuesday. Ganguly revealed that he initiated discussions to bring Yuvraj into the coaching setup, expressing confidence that the 44-year-olds understanding of T20 cricket and experience of performing on the biggest stages would benefit Delhis emerging players. Well, Im extremely happy that hes with us. Obviously, I initiated the entire talks, and it worked out well. You know, hes a World Cup winner. T20 and 50 overs. And hes been with me in the World Cup sides as well, where we went to the finals a couple of times. He knows what its like to bat in T20 cricket, because he himself was a big hitter. No one forgets those 6 sixes in Durban against Stuart Broad in the 2007 T20 World Cup, the first-ever World Cup in the shortest format. So, hes a special player, and Im sure he will impart his skills to a lot of young players. The appointment brings together two members of Indias successful international setups, with Ganguly highlighting Yuvrajs credentials as both a proven performer and a mentor. The former all-rounder played a pivotal role in Indias 2007 ICC T20 World Cup and 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup triumphs, while his six sixes against Stuart Broad in the inaugural T20 World Cup remain among the formats most memorable moments. Ganguly also pointed to the composition of Delhis squad, which includes several left-handed batters, as a reason Yuvrajs involvement could prove particularly valuable. We have a lot of left-handers in the side. Now, with the inclusion of Rishabh Pant, theres another left-hander. Weve got Pant, Miller, Akshar, Nitish Rana. So, there are lots of left-handers in that squad. So, his influence along with mine will obviously strengthen the batting. Beyond his international achievements, Yuvraj brings recent experience of working with younger players. Ganguly cited his involvement with Abhishek Sharma and other cricketers in Punjab as an example of the guidance he could provide to Delhis batting group. You know, he works with young players, like Abhishek Sharma and some of the other boys in Punjab, who have benefited. And hopefully, the young Delhi boys will learn from him. Yuvrajs appointment marks his first formal coaching role and his return to the Delhi franchise, which signed him for a then-record Rs 16 crore in 2015, when it was known as Delhi Daredevils. He featured in all 14 matches for the side that season. Across his international career, Yuvraj represented India in 304 ODIs, 40 Tests and 58 T20Is. He also played 132 IPL matches, scoring 2,750 runs and taking 36 wickets. Gangulys endorsement extended beyond Yuvrajs cricketing ability, with the Delhi Capitals official describing the former India all-rounder as someone whose personality and professionalism could also leave a positive impression on the squad. No, hes a lovable person. Well, he has his own way, which is fine. Hes a successful player, but a great guy. Honest, down-to-earth, humble, and respects people. And most importantly, respects the game, Ganguly said in a video shared by the franchise on Wednesday. Gangulys endorsement extended beyond Yuvrajs cricketing ability, with the Delhi Capitals official describing the former India all-rounder as someone whose personality and professionalism could also leave a positive impression on the squad. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

SA's middle order in a muddle and Conrad wants them to 'get bloody better'

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Bengal Kick Off Ranji Trophy Campaign with Crushing Win over Delhi

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Delhi Capitals pacer returns to Sunrisers Hyderabad after two years, accepts 5.75 crore pay cut

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Iyer moves to fourth in T20I batting rankings

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'A Home World Cup Before Retirement Is A Blessing,' Says Sikandar Raza

ODI World Cup: Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza has described the chance to play an ODI World Cup on home soil before retiring from international cricket as a 'blessing', adding that the 2027 tournament will also let the world experience the beauty and hospitality of his country. Zimbabwe will co-host the 2027 ODI World Cup alongside South Africa and Namibia, with Raza's team scheduled to play its league matches in Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. The 40-year-old, approaching the final phase of his career, said playing in a home World Cup would be special for him personally. Every cricketer dreams of having retired or of retiring after a World Cup. The fact that I am coming to the end of my career as well, so to have an opportunity to play a home World Cup is certainly a blessing for me from a personal point of view, Raza said at an event as quoted by Cricinfo. He also expressed hope that the tournament would help showcase Zimbabwe and the wider African continent to international visitors. From a collective point of view, I do think the world really needs to see what Africa has to offer - the beauty, the crowd, and the vibe and everything that we have to offer in Zimbabwe, especially. The world deserves to see it. For people who will find time to travel to Zimbabwe to watch the World Cup, it will be an unforgettable experience, he said. Raza also welcomed the proposed World Cup format, which will feature a first round involving three teams, with the winner progressing to join the top 11 sides in two groups of six. The competition will then move to the Super Seven stage before the knockout rounds. I quite like the Super Seven idea. I think the teams that play well deserve to have more games at the World Cup, he said. The Zimbabwe captain acknowledged that securing a home advantage at an International Cricket Council (ICC) event could be difficult because of the governing body's control over playing conditions. However, he said the team would look to make the most of whatever opportunities were available. We will try our best to gain some home advantage, but for ICC events it's very difficult because the curators ICC is basically in control of everything, Raza said. The Zimbabwe captain acknowledged that securing a home advantage at an International Cricket Council (ICC) event could be difficult because of the governing body's control over playing conditions. However, he said the team would look to make the most of whatever opportunities were available. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS

Abhishek Sharma Is India's Chris Gayle?

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The seven longest ducks in the history of Test cricket

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