Labuschagne scores century in low-intensity Potchefstroom warm-up
He appears certain to retain his spot at No. 3 for the opening Test against South Africa in Durban next week
Kuldeep Wins Impact Player Of The Series Award After ODI Series Win Over The West Indies
Impact Player: Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav was named the winner of 'Impact Player of the Series' award following India's 2-1 ODI series victory over the West Indies. He earned high praise from team physiotherapist Yogesh Parmar for putting his body on the line and achieving major milestones throughout the leg. Kuldeep emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the three-match series by picking seven scalps, including a four-wicket haul in Thiruvananthapuram. He also became the fastest Indian spinner to cross the 200-wicket milestone in mens ODIs. First of all, congratulations for winning the series. The award goes to someone who has consistently performed throughout the series. He has also got 200 wickets in ODI format. So that's another achievement and he is also the highest wicket taker for this series. As we discussed, he has always stood up and performed exceptionally well and he has always put his body on the line and this award goes to Kuldeep Yadav, Parmar said in a video posted on BCCIs social media accounts on Sunday. Accepting the honour, Kuldeep credited senior batters captain Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, and Rohit Sharma for setting up matches with the bat, while reflecting on the preparatory camp in Thiruvananthapuram helping him hit peak rhythm ahead of the series. Firstly, congratulations for the series win. A lot of credit goes to Shubhi, Virat bhai, KL bhai and Rohit bhai, especially with the bat. This award really means a lot to me because before the start of the series, we had a couple of sessions in Trivandrum. Then I felt like I was in a very, very good rhythm. I just wanted to continue that rhythm into the games as well and luckily, it went really well. So this is very special. Thank you, he said. Firstly, congratulations for the series win. A lot of credit goes to Shubhi, Virat bhai, KL bhai and Rohit bhai, especially with the bat. This award really means a lot to me because before the start of the series, we had a couple of sessions in Trivandrum. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
U-19 cricket | India keen to get the job done in second game against Australia
Nortje Eyes Red-ball Return For South Africa In Marquee Test Series Against Australia
South Africa: South Africa tearaway pacer Anrich Nortje said he is setting his sights on a comeback to Tests after a gap of nearly three-and-a-half years, adding that he has been quietly grinding behind the scenes to rebuild his red-ball workload ahead of the upcoming three-match series against Australia, starting on October 9. Nortje, 32, last played a Test match against West Indies in March 2023 and has not featured in a first-class game since. Following a spate of severe back injuries, including stress fractures, Nortje spent much of the past three years operating primarily as a T20 bowler. My prep from quite some time back has been red-ball. It's been quite a bit of a focus for me to try and execute skills with the red ball, to build loads gradually - and in the right way - and to try and get the overs up. It's something that I've been doing for quite some time, whether it's on my own or whatever it might be. There's been quite some effort put in to try and upskill again, and improve from where I left off. There were one or two things that were lacking that I wanted to improve, Nortje was quoted as saying by Cricinfo on Sunday. Working closely with Piet Botha, Nortje added that he relied on self-recorded video analysis to tweak his body alignment and build an action resilient enough to sustain the rigours of five-day cricket. He's always been a good reference. There's a lot of things recently that I've done on my own as well. I've never recorded myself as much. I had to see where I can improve action-wise and skills-wise, and there's been a good amount of chat with coach Piet. The stuff that I've been working on myself as well has been (on) alignments, (and) trying to get the action better, stronger, more sustainable and more reliable. And then I've been sending it through to coach Piet and seeing if it all checks out, he said. Although Nortje hasn't bowled more than five overs in a single competitive match since April 2023, the hunger for him to return to red-ball cricket remains undiminished. You don't think of the tough times in T20 cricket. You just think about executing skills there, where in Tests, you think about the tough times, the good times, the hard work and think that gets you through some sessions. I'll be very excited if I can put my Test cap on again. Growing up, it's the format you want to play. It's the motivation when you train. There's just that little bit of extra X-factor that comes out or fire that comes out, and energy that comes out. Guys want to do well, and everyone wants to perform. It is a big series. Personally, we always said we want to try and rectify things when we get them back home. It was a tough series. I enjoyed the series, and learned a lot from it, but we wanted to get them in South Africa and do well. That's what's in my head, added Nortje. Nortjes timing could prove crucial for South Africa, as Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka, and Ottneil Baartman are already ruled out of the series, while Kagiso Rabada is monitoring a hamstring concern as the Proteas squad prepares for a two-day intra-squad practice match. Nortje also praised the progress made by the Test side under head coach Shukri Conrad and expressed his desire to contribute to their ongoing success. The way the team's progressed over the last few years has been amazing under coach Shuks - it's been really good, the way they've played and the way they've gone about things. Nortjes timing could prove crucial for South Africa, as Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka, and Ottneil Baartman are already ruled out of the series, while Kagiso Rabada is monitoring a hamstring concern as the Proteas squad prepares for a two-day intra-squad practice match. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Watch: Virat Kohli's Reaction As Fan Holds His Brand's Shoe In Crowd
Virat Kohli recently launched his shoe brand, One8, which has become immensely popular among fans. Many supporters have been spotted wearing the footwear, which has received positive reviews and widespread appreciation.
Our fielding has not been up to the mark: Gill
The Indian captain adds that ground fielding needs to get better
Irani Cup: Mukesh and Akash blow away J&K as RoI triumphs
J&K fold up for 111 in less than 29 overs on the third day
Digital Desk | Vancouver, Oct 4 (IANS) The Canada Super 60 Season 2 semi-final line-up is set, with unbeaten Mississauga Masters taking on Toronto Sixers in the first knockout and Vancouver Anchors facing Brampton Blitz in the second. The women's competition, meanwhile, ended with Toronto Sixers Women successfully defending their title, beating Vancouver Warriors Women by six wickets in the final. Warriors posted 84/9 in their 10 overs, with Sophie Reid making 35 off 28 and Marizanne Kapp adding 16 off nine, before Toronto chased the target in 9.3 overs. Ella McCaughan was the match-winner with an unbeaten 36 off 20 balls, including three fours and two sixes, while Indu Barma remained unbeaten on 18 off 13 as Toronto completed their second successive Women's title. Mississauga finished the league stage on top with 10 points from five matches, followed by Vancouver on eight, Brampton on six and Toronto on four, setting up the 1-v-4 and 2-v-3 semi-final pairings. White Rock Warriors finished fifth with two points, while Montreal Royal Tigers ended their campaign without a win. The top four positions were confirmed after the final round of league matches at BC Place. The final round saw several of the tournament's established names produce telling performances. Kieron Pollard led Toronto Sixers' resistance with an unbeaten 40 off 24 balls against Mississauga Masters, but his effort could not prevent a 92-run defeat as the Masters posted 166/5. Chris Jordan smashed 30 off 12 balls, including three sixes, for Vancouver Anchors in their 141/7 against White Rock Warriors, helping set up a 35-run victory. Montreal's Isuru Udana, who had emerged as one of the Royal Tigers' leading wicket-takers during the league stage, was another key contributor for the side that finished sixth. Vancouver Anchors closed their league campaign with an emphatic 35-run victory over White Rock Warriors. After being sent in, Vancouver raced to 141/7 in 10 overs, with Aneurin Donald striking 30 off 11 balls, and Obus Pienaar making 31 off 12, in addition to Jordans aforementioned inputs. Moeen Ali fell for a duck, but the Anchors had already built sufficient momentum before White Rock were restricted to 106/7. Dwaine Pretorius made 35 off 10 for White Rock, while Hayden Dickson contributed 29 off 12, but Martin Andersson's 3/24 and Ben Sanderson's 2/4 kept the chase under control. Mississauga Masters were once again the dominant side, completing the league phase with five wins from five after dismantling Toronto Sixers by 92 runs. Alex Lees produced one of the innings of the tournament, smashing 70 from 24 balls with six fours and six sixes, while George Munsey added 27 off 15 and David Wiese finished with 23 off eight as Mississauga reached 166/5. Toronto never got close in the chase, slipping to 74/9 despite Pollard's unbeaten 40, with Wiese taking 3/9 and Saad Bin Zafar claiming 3/2.
Alcaraz through to Japan Open semis, Fils crashes out
Defending champion Alcaraz will play fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar for a place in the final after the world number 64 ended the impressive run of 86th-ranked Kyrian Jacquet of France
KL Rahul: Indian wicketkeeper batter KL Rahul revealed that he has formed a blueprint on batting in different situations in ODIs in his mind, which helped him play an unbeaten knock of 129 runs against the West Indies in the third ODI on Saturday. Rahul, who didn't get an opportunity to bat in the first two matches, made the best use of the chance he got in the final match of the three-match series at the new PCA stadium and hit his career-best score in 50-over cricket. However, his effort was overshadowed by West Indies captain Shai Hopes unbeaten 162 as the visitors chased down the target with 10 balls to spare. Rahul said he spends considerable time thinking about how he wants to approach his batting in different scenarios, with his role at No. 5 requiring a slightly different blueprint in ODI cricket. I think for me, its very important for me to have prepared really well. And I put a lot of focus on how I prepare. I am someone who sits down and thinks about how I want to play my cricket and how I want to bat in certain scenarios, Rahul said in a BCCI video. And when Im batting at number five, I wont say theres a fixed template, but theres a little bit of a blueprint in my head as to this is how Im going to play in ODI cricket. And when it comes to the test, theres something that theres a game plan for. And that for me is most important, he added. Rahul walked in with India in trouble at 160/4 after Rohit Sharmas 92 and Ruturaj Gaikwads 57 had steadied the innings following the early dismissals of Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli. He initially played the supporting role before accelerating towards the end. Rahul reached his fifty from 41 balls and brought up his ninth ODI hundred off 80 deliveries with a fine shot over a fine leg off Jayden Seales in the 49th over. He then finished unbeaten on 129, helping India add 105 runs in the final 10 overs. Rahul said the ability to switch into match mode comes naturally when representing India, but he has focused heavily on controlling the aspects of his game that are within his reach. You know, when you play for India, when youre representing your country, and when you walk out trying to face up to that first ball, and there are so many people who have come to watch you and youre wearing the blues or youre wearing the white, youre representing your country, and youre wearing your colours. I dont think it takes too much time to switch on, he said. So you, I think, as players, automatically switch on when youre in that moment. The things that Ive really worked on are the things that I can control: my game plan and my preparation. And if I can tick those boxes, then I feel quite switched on, he added. Rahuls knock also came on a significant personal day as he crossed 10,000 runs in international cricket, joining a select group of Indian players to reach the landmark. A handful of people in our country have been able to achieve 10,000 runs overall. So yeah, a very special moment for me, for my coaches, for my family, he said. Rahuls knock also came on a significant personal day as he crossed 10,000 runs in international cricket, joining a select group of Indian players to reach the landmark. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Shubman Gill reflects on areas that India could look to improve in ahead of ODI World Cup 2027
The Indian team put forth a good showing in their recently concluded ODI series against the West Indies. The Men in Blue defeated the West Indies across the first two ODIs of the series and...
Nortje: 'I'll be very excited if I can put my Test cap on again'
Having played his last Test in 2023, he's eyeing a spot in SA's side for upcoming three-Test series against Australia at home
'To Keep For 50 Overs And Then Score 162 Is Special': Sammy On WI Skipper Hope
ODI World Cup: West Indies head coach Daren Sammy lavishly praised captain Shai Hopes exceptional leadership after the skipper produced a match-winning, unbeaten 162 to lead the visitors to a historic 352-run chase against India in the third and final ODI of the series. Hope, who spent all 50 overs behind the stumps during Indias innings before opening the batting in place of an injured Jewel Andrew, anchored the record-breaking pursuit to hand West Indies a memorable victory by carrying his bat throughout the chase at the new PCA Stadium. He was in the field for what, 98.2 overs. He literally took the team on his back today with the bat, like hes done so many times before. The skipper stepping up is not anything new to him, but to keep 50 overs and then put on your pads and go and play an innings like that was special, Sammy was quoted as saying by the ICC on Sunday. The head coach felt also Hope's contributions to West Indies cricket often do not receive the recognition they deserve. He doesnt really say much. But when he speaks, hes quite clear as to what hes expecting from himself and from the group. As I said, he leads by his performance. He believes in that. Like, somebody had to go up and open, and when I said to him (to open), he didnt say a word. He just put on his pads, went out, and won us the game. I dont think he gets enough credit for what hes done for West Indies, how hes played, and the commitment hes given us. Class player, great individual, he added. Highlighting the broader takeaways from the series ahead of 2027 Mens ODI World Cup, though the West Indies might have to take the qualifiers route, Sammy felt there were a lot of positives to take from a batting perspective. We came here knowing the quality that India has and to measure ourselves against a team like that. We showed that when we do things consistently well for long enough, we could match the number one team in the world. We will take a lot of learning from this. Highlighting the broader takeaways from the series ahead of 2027 Mens ODI World Cup, though the West Indies might have to take the qualifiers route, Sammy felt there were a lot of positives to take from a batting perspective. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
IND vs WI ODIs review: Men in Blues bowling remains a red mark even as batters extend purple patch
Apart from Kuldeep in the first match, none of the other bowlers looked like they could keep the batters honest or provide timely breakthroughs
CRICKET | Two bodies, one destiny: Mukesh, Akash savour tight bond
Anukul drafted into India A squad for one-dayers against Australia A as Dhirs replacement
Digital Desk | Puducherry, Oct 4 (IANS) Left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Anukul Roy has been drafted into the India A squad for the upcoming three-match one-day series against Australia A as a replacement for Naman Dhir, who was called up to the senior mens T20I team for the five-game series against the West Indies. Dhir was included in India's T20I squad for the matches against the West Indies as a replacement for off-spin bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar, who was released to play Ranji Trophy for Tamil Nadu ahead of India's Test tour of New Zealand, happening next month. Anukul was in Srinagar as a member of the Rest of India Irani Cup team, before travelling to Puducherry to join the India A squad after Naman was called up for the upcoming senior mens T20I team duty, a source privy to the developments told IANS on Sunday. Anukul, who plays for Jharkhand in domestic cricket, was a member of India A squad in the 50-over tri-series in Sri Lanka in June, where he played five games and had the highest score of 39 with the bat and took seven wickets in all for the visitors to win the trophy. He then turned out for East Zone in their victorious Duleep Trophy campaign making scores of 37, 16, 0, 45 and 64 with the bat while picking seven wickets, including a five-for against North East Zone. Previously, seam-bowling all-rounder Suryansh Shedge has been drafted into the India A squad as a replacement for injured Hardik Pandya, who is down with a right medial tibial stress syndrome. The three-match unofficial ODI series between India A and Australia A begins at the Cricket Association Puducherry Siechem Ground on Tuesday with a start time of 2pm, while subsequent matches will take place on October 9 and 11 respectively and begin from 9am. India A skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad will link up after being a part of Indias 2-1 ODI series win over the West Indies, while Vipraj Nigam and Yash Thakur are scheduled to arrive after being a part of Asian Games gold medal winning team. Updated India A squad: Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Priyansh Arya, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal (vice-captain), Rajat Patidar, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Nishant Sindhu, Vipraj Nigam, Arshin Kulkarni, Arshad Khan, Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Gurjapneet Singh, Yash Thakur, Suryansh Shedge and Anukul Roy.
Beed's Cricket Revolution: Three Local Talents Named In Maharashtra Ranji Squad
Despite limited access to advanced cricketing facilities and training opportunities, three youngsters from Beed have made their mark through hard work, earning berths in the Maharashtra Ranji Trophy squad.
Shedge Links Up With India A Squad For One-dayers Against Australia A As Pandyas Replacement
Suryansh Shedge: Seam-bowling all-rounder Suryansh Shedge has been drafted into the India A squad as a replacement for injured Hardik Pandya for the upcoming three-match one-day series against Australia A, starting here on Tuesday. Hardik, who was named in the squad last month, but subject to fitness clearance, was ruled out after experiencing discomfort in his right calf on September 19. An MRI scan later revealed that he has very mild intramedullary edema, which is equivalent to suffering right medial tibial stress syndrome. Yes, Shedge has joined the India A squad as a replacement for injured Hardik. Shedge had a quadriceps injury and was recovering from it at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, a source tracking developments told IANS on Sunday. Shedge, 23, made his international debut during India's T20I tour of Ireland in June this year and featured in the T20I series against England and Zimbabwe, though hes yet to take a wicket. He also impressed during the India A 50-over tri-series in Sri Lanka in June this year, scoring 147 runs in five matches while chipping in two scalps in 23 overs. His inclusion in the India A team means Shedge will miss Mumbai's opening Ranji Trophy game against Chandigarh at the Wankhede Stadium, starting on October 11. Middle-order batter Naman Dhir will also miss the 50-over series against Australia A after being drafted into India's T20I squad for the upcoming five-match series against the West Indies as a replacement for Washington Sundar. Sundar, the off-spin bowling all-rounder who was a member of the Asian Games gold medal winning team in Japan, has been released from the T20I squad to play Ranji Trophy for Tamil Nadu as part of preparation for the Tests against New Zealand, to be played in November. Ruturaj Gaikwad will lead the India A side in the 50-over matches scheduled to be played on October 6, 9, and 11 respectively. The first one-day match will now begin at 2 PM, with gates opening for fans at 1pm, while the second and three matches will begin at 9am. Sundar, the off-spin bowling all-rounder who was a member of the Asian Games gold medal winning team in Japan, has been released from the T20I squad to play Ranji Trophy for Tamil Nadu as part of preparation for the Tests against New Zealand, to be played in November. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
KL Rahul Opens Up On India's 2027 World Cup Blueprint After Record-Breaking Knock
KL Rahul said his unbeaten 129 in the third ODI against the West Indies was as much about gaining valuable time in the middle as it was about the runs.
CRICKET | Saamy effusive in his praise for Hopes leadership qualities
Why Gavaskar was disappointed with Rohit's 92
Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar expressed his disappointment over Rohit Sharma missing a century against West Indies, wishing for Rohit to achieve more ODI hundreds than his age by the time he retires. Gavaskar also highlighted a significant shift in Rohit's batting approach since the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he now prioritizes preserving his wicket and converting starts into big scores, benefiting the team's scoring rate and shielding him from criticism.
Against all odds, Beed trio break into Maharashtra Ranji team
Three young cricketers from Beed, Saurabh Navale, Sachin Dhas, and Rishikesh Sonawane, have been selected for the Maharashtra Ranji Trophy squad, marking a historic first for the district. Their selection highlights their hard work and talent despite limited local facilities, inspiring future generations. Prithvi Shaw will captain the Maharashtra team.
From Chaos To Cheers: Aichi-Nagoya Bows Out, Leaving India With Memories, Medals And A Lesson
Nagoya Asian Games: The buses will stop running, accreditation cards will soon become souvenirs, and athletes rushing through airports will once again replace the colourful chaos of the past two weeks. The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games have come to an end. It was a simple farewell, much like the opening ceremony. There was music, colour, dancing, flags and athletes enjoying perhaps their first opportunity in days to simply breathe and take in what they had achieved. For India, it was a closing night filled with pride. Shooter Neeru Dhanda led the Indian contingent as flagbearer, carrying the Tricolour into the stadium after an exceptional campaign for the country. Yet her presence was just one part of a much bigger Indian story. India finished fourth in the medal table with 85 medals 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze. China dominated the Games, followed by Japan and South Korea, while Indias medal haul once again highlighted its growing presence across a wide range of sports. And some of the loudest celebrations came from a sport that needs little introduction in India cricket. Cricket once again proved that its place in the Asian Games is no longer merely symbolic. Indias mens and womens teams both returned with gold medals. The womens team set the tone, managing the pressure of being among the competitions biggest names and delivering when it mattered. The mens team followed with another gold, bringing Indias cricket campaign to a close with two gold medals. For Indian cricket, these were not just two more medals on a crowded tally. The Asian Games offered another reminder of how far the sport has reached beyond its traditional boundariesand of the weight the Indian jersey carries even outside the worlds biggest cricket tournaments. For some Indian athletes, however, there was no glamour attached to their journey. There were early morning starts, long journeys to venues and hours spent waiting for competition. Some travelled hundreds of kilometres simply to compete for a medal that may never make the front pages. Yet they kept showing up. That perhaps became the defining characteristic of Indias campaign. Archery produced a stunning five gold medals. Boxing added three golds, while wrestling contributed two. Hockey and kabaddi brought the familiar roar of team triumphs, with both mens and womens teams winning gold. Athletics again produced its share of drama, with Indias runners and field athletes battling through pressure and weather to add precious medals. Golf created history too, with Pranavi Urs winning Indias first womens individual Asian Games gold in the sport. Shooting remained one of Indias strongest medal-producing disciplines, while weightlifting, badminton, squash, rowing, table tennis, sailing, wushu, kurash, MMA, soft tennis and other sports also contributed to the final tally. The numbers tell one story. The athletes tell another. Behind Indias 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze medals are stories of athletes who trained for years for a few minutes of competition. Some arrived as favourites and delivered. Others arrived almost unnoticed and left as household names. Japans difficult fortnight Away from the competition venues, Aichi-Nagoya was rarely free from criticism. Transport became a recurring frustration. So did the distances between venues. The absence of a traditional athletes village created its own challenges, while sparse crowds at some events did little to create the atmosphere usually associated with the Asian Games. For journalists, photographers and support staff, travelling between venues sometimes became an event in itself. Japan, a country known for precision and efficiency, was therefore under an unusually bright spotlight. But the Games also showed the other side of the story. Despite the problems, competitions were completed. Athletes competed. Medals were won. Records were broken. And, eventually, the closing ceremony arrived. That is perhaps the fairest way to judge a sporting event. Not everything went according to plan. But the sport survived the imperfections. And in the end, that is what the athletes will remember. Soon, the venues will become quiet again. The banners will come down. The temporary signs will disappear. The medal ceremonies will become photographs on athletes phones. For India, the 85 medals will remain in the record books. But the memories will be more personal. A victory celebrated with teammates. A defeat followed by a hug. A coach wiping away tears. A parent watching nervously from the stands. An athlete hearing the national anthem for the first time. And, on the final evening, a contingent walking together behind the Tricolour. A parent watching nervously from the stands. An athlete hearing the national anthem for the first time. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
The Indian team put forth an exceptional performance as the gold medal in the mens cricket final at the Asian Games 2026. The Men in Blue, led by Shreyas Iyer, defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in the summit clash of the tournament and clinched the gold medal in the process as well.
Rishabh Pant Reveals Secret To Victory As Rest Of India Win Irani Cup
Rest of India captain Rishabh Pant revealed that a conscious decision to adjust their bowling lengths and hit a fuller line in the second innings paid off as the side thrashed Jammu and Kashmir by 167 runs to win the Irani Cup on Sunday.
PIX: Neeru Dhanda Leads India At Asian Games 2026 Closing
Indian trap shooter Neeru Dhanda, who secured two gold medals and a silver, served as India's flag-bearer at the closing ceremony of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, marking a historic campaign for the country.
Irani Cup: Learning Experience For Us, Rest Of India Played Well, Says J&K Skipper Dogra
BCCI President Mithun Manhas: Jammu and Kashmir captain Paras Dogra praised Rest of India for their clinical performance in the Irani Cup, adding that the 167-run defeat for his team at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium will be a valuable learning experience as they gear up for the upcoming Ranji Trophy. Despite securing a 41-run first-innings lead, Jammu and Kashmir, the current Ranji Trophy champions, fell like a pack of cards on day four, as they were bundled out for 111 in pursuit of 279, thanks to a lethal post-lunch spell of seam bowling by Mukesh Kumar (6-33) and Akash Deep (3-25). It has been a really good game - they played really well. It is a learning for us and boys have taken positives. Credit goes to Rest of India, Dogra said at the post-match presentation ceremony on Sunday. The match was largely tipped in Rest of India's favour by young batter Smaran Ravichandran, who hit a brilliant 135 and shared a match-defining 113-run ninth-wicket stand alongside Mukesh Choudhary in the second innings. Asked if J&K could have handled the situation differently, Dogra tipped his hat to the opposition's standout performers. I thought a lot about it. all credit goes to Smaran - he batted really well. I don't think there is any word (to tell about it), and then Akash and Mukesh bowled really well, noted the veteran batter. Dogra also pointed to the broader transformation in Jammu and Kashmir's domestic cricket ecosystem, crediting former batter and current BCCI President Mithun Manhas's administrative involvement in his time at JKCA alongside steady management backing for their recent rise. I thought a lot about it. all credit goes to Smaran - he batted really well. I don't think there is any word (to tell about it), and then Akash and Mukesh bowled really well, noted the veteran batter. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Kainat Imtiaz retires from internationals to become match referee
She decided to follow in her mother Saleema Imtiaz's footsteps to become a match official
Avishka Fernando recalled to Sri Lanka's ODI side for tri-series in Pakistan
Spin-bowling allrounder Sahan Arachchige took the spot of the injured Wanindu Hasaranga
Irani Cup: Plan to bowl fuller in second innings paid off, says Rest of India captain Pant
Digital Desk | Srinagar, Oct 4 (IANS) Rest of India captain Rishabh Pant revealed that a conscious decision to adjust their bowling lengths and hit a fuller line in the second innings paid off as the side thrashed Jammu and Kashmir by 167 runs to win the Irani Cup here on Sunday. After conceding a 41-run first-innings lead to Jammu and Kashmir, the Ranji Trophy champions, Rest of India produced a devastating post-lunch performance on day four, led by pacer Mukesh Kumar's 6-33, to bundle them out for a meagre 111 in pursuit of 279. Pant, who was down with fever and didnt take the field on Sunday, admitted that the bowlers had strayed from their initial strategy during J&K's first essay but praised the group for making the required tactical course corrections when it mattered the most. Definitely, when you win, all the pain, all the fatigue goes away for sure. Mostly the plan was to bowl fuller in the first innings. That was the conversation we had with the bowlers that we were like, we would back up the length. That was something we wanted to correct in the second innings because we knew our bowlers were really good, but the problem was the first innings we bowled too much back of the length, and we corrected that and bowled fuller and fuller in the second innings, Pant said at the post-match presentation ceremony. Pant, who turned 29 on Sunday, noted that executing the plans bring immense satisfaction, especially after the initial frustration of falling behind early in the contest. See, definitely the plan was fuller on the stump. Obviously you will get disappointed because when you're not sticking to the plan, but at the same time, when you come up with a plan and you stick to it and you can see things happening, it's lovely to see. Pant was also effusive in his praise for young batter Ravichandran Smaran, whose twin knocks of 68 and a brilliant second-innings 135 rescued Rest of India from perilous situation to set up the match in their favour. Today all the pieces fell in place, but at the same time, you know, like you mentioned, Smaran, the way he played in both innings, I think it was outstanding innings, especially we were under pressure, especially in the second innings the way he played, it was outstanding, concluded Pant.
Irani Cup: Age-group cricket experience helped me stay calm under pressure, says Smaran
Digital Desk | Srinagar, Oct 4 (IANS) Player of the Match Ravichandran Smaran attributed his match-winning composure to hit a match-winning 135 in the Irani Cup clash against Jammu & Kashmir to his extensive experience of playing age-group domestic cricket, adding that treating every game equally helped him deliver under pressure. With his parents and childhood coach Syed Zabiulla in attendance at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium, left-handed batter Smaran was the standout performer for Rest of India, scoring 68 and 135 to rescue his side from precarious situations in both innings against Ranji Trophy champions Jammu and Kashmir. His second-innings century, alongside a crucial 113-run ninth-wicket partnership with Mukesh Choudhary, set J&K a target of 279, which eventually proved well beyond their reach as team Rest of India sealed a 167-run win to claim their 31st Irani Cup title. I think playing similar knocks a lot in back home in Karnataka, in the under-23s as well and some experience from there comes into when I went over here to bat. Obviously Mukesh was there with me, and he also played a very important part in that partnership. So I'm glad that we could get the win, Smaran said at the post-match presentation ceremony. Despite the magnitude of the occasion and the high-stakes match situation, Smaran revealed that he consciously avoided playing the occasion in mind. I mean, I don't think of it as a big game. I just treat every game the same and look to give my best each and every time I step out there. I'm glad that on two big occasions I could contribute to the team's success and we ended up on the winning side, he said. Asked about whether his strategy shifted as the match was in balance, Smaran noted that he maintained a positive approach throughout to keep the pressure on the opposition bowlers. I think nothing much changed. The first innings also my approach was the same. It was just to play positive cricket and put pressure back on the bowlers and the second innings also I did it the same and I'm glad that everyone could chip in with some runs and we could put a decent total on board to defend in the fourth innings, he added. When asked about a broadcast graphic that highlighted his scoring efficiency outside the off-stump, Smaran, who will captain Karnataka in their Ranji Trophy opening game against Andhra in Vijayawada on October 11, acknowledged that playing to his natural strengths was key to his boundary-scoring options. I just noticed it as I was batting. I mean, I really didn't notice it when I was batting. But I think probably outside off is my strength and anything that was loose outside off, I put it away for a boundary and I think that's the way the game goes, he concluded.
Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep Shine As Rest Of India Beat J&K To Lift Irani Cup
India pacers Mukesh Kumar and Akash Deep shared nine wickets between them as Rest of India swatted aside reigning Ranji Trophy champions Jammu and Kashmir by 167 runs on the fourth day to clinch the Irani Cup in Srinagar on Sunday.
3rd ODI: 'It Was Important For Me To Get Some Batting Time,' Says Rahul On His Century
Cricket World Cup: KL Rahul said his unbeaten 129 in the third ODI against the West Indies was as much about gaining valuable time in the middle as it was about the runs, with India using the bilateral series to sharpen their plans for the ICC Mens Cricket World Cup 2027. Speaking after Indias 2-1 series win, Rahul said the long innings was important as he continues to work on the demands of batting in the middle order ahead of next years global tournament. Rahuls century came in a match India eventually lost as the West Indies chased down 352, denying the visitors a series clean sweep. Despite that disappointment, the wicketkeeper-batter saw value in spending an extended period at the crease, particularly after limited opportunities to construct a long ODI innings from the middle order earlier this year. Happy to have scored 129 runs but disappointed that we couldnt clean sweep the series. Had we done that, then the happiness level would have been at the peak. Nonetheless, I wanted to spend more time with the bat out there in the middle and the last time I really got to bat for a long duration in ODI cricket, in the middle-order was in early January this year against New Zealand, and since then I havent really got a lot of time to play a long innings. And next year is a big one, with the World Cup starting in October, so its important for me to get valuable batting time because off the field Im trying a few things and I want to test that in the game. And only then will you know whether the work that youre putting behind the scenes is working or not, or what I need to do differently. So yeah, it was important for me to get some batting time, so Im happy about that, Rahul told JioStar. The innings also offered Rahul an opportunity to work on one of the more demanding aspects of his current role. Having spent much of his career at the top of the order, the batter has had to adapt to conditions that can become increasingly difficult for middle-order players as an ODI innings progresses. He pointed specifically to the behaviour of the older ball and the difficulties it can create for batters attempting to attack in the final overs. Its very different, but Ive been doing this role for the last 6-7 years. In the last year and a half, since the ball change rule has happened, its been very different. Its not been easy to get 80-90 in the last 10 overs. The balls been getting reverse swing, and even in this game, once the ball got old and soft, and started to reverse swing, as a batter you dont feel confident enough to take on the long-on and deep mid-wicket fielder if its a big boundary on that side. Ive always batted top of the order, and I like the hard ball coming onto me, I can use the pace. So thats something Ive been working on, trying to play with softer, older balls and being able to hit sixes with that. So, thats something Ive worked on. I constantly try to get better within my own game, understand my role, understand what a number five and number six batter has to do to consistently put up performances for the team, he added. The 2027 World Cup remains more than a year away, but Rahul said the current series are already providing the match situations needed to test Indias plans and personnel. All these series on the road to the World Cup are a good opportunity to get some game time in the middle. We dont want to go too far away from the plan but also experiment a little bit as a batting unit. The goal so far has been about can we score 330-340 while batting first, but were seeing that 340s and 350s get chased down very easily in one-day cricket. So how can batters, once set, keep pressing on and get 370s and 380s, or push for 400 on a given day. The 2027 World Cup remains more than a year away, but Rahul said the current series are already providing the match situations needed to test Indias plans and personnel. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
'I was disappointed': Sunil Gavaskar weighs in on Rohit Sharma missing out on 36th ODI century
The Indian team took on the West Indies in the third and final ODI of the ongoing series. The two sides met in New Chandigarh for the clash on October 3rd, and the Windies managed...
Sri Lanka Drop Charith Asalanka For Pakistan ODI Tri-series, Avishka, Sahan Recalled
The Sri Lanka ODI: Sri Lanka have named their squad for the ODI tri-series in Pakistan, featuring the hosts and England, and have dropped former captain Charith Asalanka. Asalanka, who was the vice-captain for the white-ball series against England, had scores of 1, 11 and 7 during the one-dayers and has faced the axe. Meanwhile, Avishka Fernando and all-rounder Sahan Arachchige have been recalled in the squad for the ODI tri-series that begins on October 18 in Rawalpindi and runs till October 31. They come in place of Asalanka and the injured Wanindu Hasaranga, who is out due to the hamstring injury he picked up during the England tour. Asalanka was part of the leadership group for the England tour, being the vice-captain. The 29-year-old led the T20I team in the absence of regular skipper Kusal Mendis, who missed out due to a hamstring injury. He was also in line to lead them in the ODIs, but Mendis made a return. In England, Asalanka made a return to the T20Is after being sidelined for six months, with his last outing coming in the 2026 World Cup. Asalanka was also removed as ODI captain in May 2026 but was brought back into the leadership group for the England series. He now misses out on the ODIs. This removal follows Asalanka's exclusion from the T20I squad for the Pakistan series, which begins on October 9. The Sri Lanka ODI squad remains unchanged otherwise from the 1-2 ODI series defeat to England. Pathum Nissanka and Dushmantha Chameera are in the side despite their fitness concerns. Nissanka was ruled out of the Pakistan T20Is, and the SLC confirmed that he will travel with the side only if declared fit. Chameera was picked for the T20Is subject to fitness clearance. This removal follows Asalanka's exclusion from the T20I squad for the Pakistan series, which begins on October 9. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Mukesh Kumar, Smaran hand Rest of India the Irani Cup
Seven wickets fell in a manic hour post-lunch as Rest of India secured a 167-run win against Jammu
I Want Rohit To Have More ODI Tons Than His Age: Gavaskar
ODI World Cup: Sunil Gavaskar has revealed why Rohit Sharmas dismissal for 92 in Indias third ODI against the West Indies left him disappointed, saying the former India captain could potentially finish his international career after the 2027 ODI World Cup and that he would like Rohit to retire with more ODI hundreds than his age. Rohits 92 came during Indias 2-1 series victory, with the West Indies winning the final match by successfully chasing 352 on the back of captain Shai Hopes unbeaten 162. Gavaskar believes there is a special significance in a batter having more international hundreds than his age at the time of retirement, and he wants Rohit to reach that milestone. The reason I was disappointed with Rohit getting out on 92 is because he didnt get a hundred and he might possibly quit international cricket after the end of the ICC Mens Cricket World Cup 2027. And at that particular point of time, when he decides to call it a day, I personally would like Rohit to have more ODI hundreds than his age. Had he gotten a century in the third ODI, he would have moved closer to achieving that feat with his 36th hundred, Gavaskar told JioStar. For me, its a special thing when a players hundreds outnumber his age at retirement. It shows the kind of career they have had and the standard they have kept for so many years. That is why I really want Rohit to reach that mark. In my last year of international cricket, I wanted to get as many Test centuries as my age, and I got out in the 90s thrice. If Id got those hundreds, then my centuries would have matched the age of my retirement, which was 38, he added. Gavaskars argument also comes against the backdrop of a Rohit batting approach that has evolved since the 2023 ODI World Cup. While the opener was known for taking the attack to the opposition from the very beginning of an innings during that tournament, Gavaskar feels there is now greater recognition of the value of remaining at the crease. A slight change has appeared in the batting template of Rohit that he himself set as the captain for the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he was going bang-bang from the first ball, irrespective of the possibility of getting out sooner. Now he recognises that his wicket is valuable. In that 2023 World Cup, he got the team off to great starts, but hes not a batsman who will score just 30-40 runs. Gavaskars argument also comes against the backdrop of a Rohit batting approach that has evolved since the 2023 ODI World Cup. While the opener was known for taking the attack to the opposition from the very beginning of an innings during that tournament, Gavaskar feels there is now greater recognition of the value of remaining at the crease. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Sunil Gavaskar Disappointed With Rohit Sharma Despite Scoring 92, Refuses To Hide Frustration
Sunil Gavaskar wasn't happy with Rohit Sharma's 92 in the third ODI against West Indies. He has set a retirement target for the Hitman.
Alcaraz Reaches Tokyo Semi-finals After Shapovalov Retires
Japan Open Tennis Championships: Carlos Alcaraz moved into the semi-finals of the Japan Open Tennis Championships on Sunday after Denis Shapovalov was forced to retire early in the second set of their quarter-final. The top seed, who survived a tense opening set, was leading 7-6(3), 2-1 when Shapovalov ended his challenge after 82 minutes. The match had swung repeatedly before the defending champion managed to take control. Shapovalov established a 5-3 advantage in the opening set and had a set point at 5-4, 30/40, but Alcaraz produced a drop shot to save the opportunity. The Spaniard then raised his level in the tie-break to claim a crucial lead. It was a little bit frustrating with my serve. I couldnt find a good way of serving: I was struggling almost every game on serve, Alcaraz, who dropped serve three times in the first set, said. But Im just happy with the way I came back after every break. It was a great first set: Great points, great rallies. The opening set was an unusually volatile affair, with six breaks of serve. Shapovalov failed to convert his advantage when he had the chance to close it out at 5-3, allowing Alcaraz to immediately level. Alcaraz then had his own chance to finish the set while serving at 6-5, but Shapovalov produced another break, this time without dropping a point. The Canadians resistance ultimately lasted only until the tie-break, where Alcaraz put together the decisive run. The momentum shifted for a different reason at the beginning of the second set. Shapovalov appeared to hurt his hip while stretching for a forehand on the run. He received an off-court medical timeout after the first game, but after returning to the court, the former World No. 10 was unable to carry on. Its a shame that he had to pull out, Alcaraz added. Going through to a semi-final like this is not the way I wanted, but sometimes sports are tough. You have to accept it. Hopefully hes going to be able to play in Shanghai healthy. The result keeps Alcarazs unbeaten run at the Tokyo ATP 500 event intact. The 23-year-old has now won eight consecutive matches at the tournament, having captured the title on his debut in 2025. Awaiting Alcaraz in the last four will be Jaume Munar, who continued his run through the draw with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Kyrian Jacquet. The Spaniard entered the tournament as a qualifier and has already made a major impact, including a first-round victory over third seed Taylor Fritz. Alcaraz holds a 3-1 ATP head-to-head record against Munar and will look to extend that advantage in their semi-final. Munar, meanwhile, is appearing in his eighth ATP Tour semi-final and his first since Basel last October. Awaiting Alcaraz in the last four will be Jaume Munar, who continued his run through the draw with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Kyrian Jacquet. The Spaniard entered the tournament as a qualifier and has already made a major impact, including a first-round victory over third seed Taylor Fritz. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Charith Asalanka faces the axe, misses out on Sri Lanka's ODI squad ahead of tri-series
SLC (Sri Lanka Cricket ) recently came forward and announced its squad for the upcoming ODI tri-series between Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and England. With the squad announcement, many fans were shocked after former skipper Charith Asalanka was left out of the squad.
Pakistan Pacer Kainat Imtiaz Announces Retirement From International Cricket
PCB National Schools U17 Women: Pakistan fast bowler Kainat Imtiaz announced her retirement from international cricket, drawing the curtains on a 13-year career, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Sunday. Kainat made her debut in 2010 in T20Is and her ODI debut in 2011. She played her last match in 2023. The right-arm speedster was a vital part of Pakistan's women's squads in their gold medal wins in the Asian Games cricket event in 2010 and 2014. She was also with the Women in Green in the Commonwealth Games 2022 and also represented them in the 2017 ODI World Cup. Kainat, 34, has switched hats recently as she has begun her career as a match referee in the PCB National Womens U19 T20 Tournament held in August and September. Her mother, Saleema Imtiaz also became the first Pakistani woman to be nominated to the ICCs International Development Panel in 2024. Kainat played 19 ODIs and 21 T20Is for the Women in Green. She has 10 wickets in 16 ODI innings with a best haul of 3-49. She took eight wickets in 12 T20I innings with a best haul of 2-18. She also used to chip in with the bat a bit, having made 134 runs in 13 ODI innings at an average of 11.16 with a best of 24. She made 137 runs in 17 T20I innings at 12.45 with a best of 29. The speedster began her career in February 2007 when she played for Karachi Schools U17 in the PCB National Schools U17 Womens Championship. She went on to make her List A debut in March 2008 and her T20 debut in July that year. Kainat won her first international cap in a T20I in 2010 during the ICC Women's Cricket Twenty20 Challenge against South Africa. She played her first ODI against Ireland in the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier in 2011. The speedster began her career in February 2007 when she played for Karachi Schools U17 in the PCB National Schools U17 Womens Championship. She went on to make her List A debut in March 2008 and her T20 debut in July that year. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
'Winning Series Is Important; Then We Can Experiment With Combinations,' Says Iyer Ahead Of WI T20Is
WI T20Is: India captain Shreyas Iyer has put results ahead of experimentation as the team enters a five-match T20I series against the West Indies, saying the priority must be to secure the series before trying different combinations. Speaking ahead of the contest, Iyer said excessive experimentation at the beginning of a series can create uncertainty among players and undermine the confidence needed in a young team. With India building towards the defence of their ICC Mens T20 World Cup title, the T20I set-up is expected to provide opportunities for younger players while also establishing a settled core. Iyer, however, believes that the process of testing options needs to be managed carefully, with winning remaining the first objective. The most important thing for me is to win the series, and then we can experiment with the playing combination. Experimenting from the start doesnt make sense because then the players also get insecure, and then they start questioning themselves, questioning others around the dressing room. And then they go in that dilemma phase where they feel like, Will I get a match ahead or will I not get one? I dont like that mindset. Ive been in that mindset in the past, and I know how it feels from inside, Iyer told JioStar. Iyers position is rooted as much in player management as it is in team selection. He believes uncertainty over selection can affect a player before he even walks out to bat or bowl, particularly when several members of the squad are competing for limited opportunities. The captain wants the group to operate with greater freedom and trust, an approach he sees as essential for a side that is likely to feature a mix of experienced campaigners and emerging talent. Iyers position is rooted as much in player management as it is in team selection. He believes uncertainty over selection can affect a player before he even walks out to bat or bowl, particularly when several members of the squad are competing for limited opportunities. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Asian Games 2026: India finishes with 85 medals: full list of gold, silver and bronze winners
India finished the Asian Games 2026 with 85 medals 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze, securing fourth place in the overall standings. India won gold medals across cricket, hockey, shooting, archery, boxing, wrestling, kabaddi and golf.
Vaibhav Is A Very Silent Guy, But Destructive On The Field: Shreyas Iyer
India T20I: India T20I captain Shreyas Iyer believes young Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has the temperament and ability to make a significant impact in Indian cricket, but said the teenagers immediate development should not be reduced to conversations about his performances on the field. Speaking ahead of Indias five-match T20I series against the West Indies, Iyer said he has deliberately tried to build a personal connection with the youngster by speaking to him about life away from cricket. Sooryavanshi remains part of Indias squad as the side begins its preparations for the next T20 World Cup, but Iyer indicated that there is no need to rush the youngster into a bigger role. The captain pointed to the presence of Indias established World Cup-winning openers while stressing that Sooryavanshis opportunity will arrive in due course. I keep interacting with Vaibhav in terms of what he does outside the field, because everyone talks to him about cricket, and we know how talented and gifted as an individual he is. So, just to talk about his lifestyle outside, that interaction, knowing about his family, what he does, what not, excites him more because hes more of himself when he talks about it. And a very silent guy, but on the field, is very destructive. So, thats like an irony when you look at him. Hes a very charming, sweet guy to interact with and good to have him around the dressing room. And I know that his time will come, because we have been playing with World Cup-winning openers right now, and they deserve the time out there, and hes still in the 15. So definitely, when his time comes, he is going to dominate Indian cricket, Iyer told JioStar. I keep interacting with Vaibhav in terms of what he does outside the field, because everyone talks to him about cricket, and we know how talented and gifted as an individual he is. So, just to talk about his lifestyle outside, that interaction, knowing about his family, what he does, what not, excites him more because hes more of himself when he talks about it. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
'Had a chat with MS Dhoni': Shai Hope reveals his chat with former India skipper after third ODI win
The West Indies registered a brilliant victory in the third ODI of the ongoing series against the Indian team. The two sides met in New Chandigarh for the clash on October 3rd, and the Windies chased down the target of 352 runs in the game thanks to a brilliant knock by Shai Hope.
West Indies can match India, says Sammy after record chase
West Indies head coach Daren Sammy lauded skipper Shai Hope's 'amazing innings' of 162 not out, which led the team to a record chase of 352 against India, denying them a series sweep and providing valuable learnings for the Windies.
3rd ODI: 'Jaddu Bhai Wasn't Dropped,' Says Gill On All-rounder Being 'rested' Against WI
PCA International Cricket Stadium: India captain Shubman Gill highlighted that Ravindra Jadeja was 'rested' and not 'dropped' for the third ODI against the West Indies for other players to get a chance to play in what was largely an experimental 50-over series, especially for the bowlers. With an unassailable 2-0 lead, Jadeja was among the three players India changed for the dead rubber against the Windies at the PCA International Cricket Stadium, which they lost by five wickets after failing to defend 351. Prasidh Krishna missed out due to his hamstring injury, while Auqib Nabi was also out after a tough debut in the second match. The Men in Blue gave an ODI debut to Anshul Kamboj, who replaced the injured Prasidh in the squad for the third match, while also fielding Mohammed Siraj for the first time in the series and bringing back Nitish Kumar Reddy. Speaking after the five-wicket loss to the Windies, Gill highlighted that Jadeja wasn't dropped; rather, he was rested for others to test themselves. Firstly, I dont think Jaddu bhai was dropped. We rested him because we had an opportunity today to give game time to other players. When a series is only three matches long, it becomes very difficult to give experience to players sitting outside, Gill said in the post-match press conference. He added that the management's talks with the selectors for the playing combination would revolve around what skill sets of players are needed for the African conditions, where the ODI World Cup 2027 will be played. Going forward, our discussions with the selectors, with the World Cup in mind, will be to keep those players in the squad who can provide us more with their skill sets, he said. He added that the management's talks with the selectors for the playing combination would revolve around what skill sets of players are needed for the African conditions, where the ODI World Cup 2027 will be played. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Shai Hope breaks Chris Gayle's record in Mullanpur ODI
Shai Hope smashed an unbeaten 162 as West Indies chased 352 to stun India by five wickets, setting a new record for the highest score in a successful ODI chase.
'Not Much Time To Experiment': Shubman Gill Wants India To Play World Cup Combination Next
Nitish Kumar Reddy: India captain Shubman Gill emphasised that India need to field their World Cup combination from the next series onwards and that there is not much time to experiment with the global showpiece, now only a year away. With India sending a first-choice T20I team for defending the Asian Games gold medal, several automatic ODI players missed the West Indies series. India were also hampered by injuries to Hardik Pandya and Prasidh Krishna, with the latter missing the third ODI due to a left hamstring. Pace talisman Jasprit Bumrah, ODI vice-captain Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar were also on Asian Games duty, while Harshit Rana was injured as India fielded a mix of first-choice and backup players for the 2-1 Windies series win. In the absence of the first-choice ODI players, opportunities opened for the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Naman Dhir, Anshul Kamboj and Auqib Nabi, while Nitish Kumar Reddy and Gurnoor Brar seem to be the options India are working to groom for the World Cup. Speaking after the game, Gill highlighted that the situation provided the second-string players to put their case forward, while also hoping that India would have a first-choice World Cup combination from the next series onwards, which is an away all-format series against New Zealand with five ODIs, apart from five T20Is and two Tests. It's unfortunate with the injuries and the scheduling of other matches that we have not been able to play the bowling line-up we would have liked to. But that is something that is not in our hands. It is a good chance for the other players, who might not have been in the team if we had the full-strength bowling. So it is a great chance for the other players to showcase their skills, Gill said in the post-match press conference after India lost the 3rd ODI against the Windies by five wickets. However, he felt that time is running fast for too many experimentations. I honestly dont think there is that much time to experiment. The combination that we want to play, hopefully we get all the players that are available from the next series and the combination that we would like to play in the World Cup, we want to start playing with that combination, Gill added. It's unfortunate with the injuries and the scheduling of other matches that we have not been able to play the bowling line-up we would have liked to. But that is something that is not in our hands. It is a good chance for the other players, who might not have been in the team if we had the full-strength bowling. So it is a great chance for the other players to showcase their skills, Gill said in the post-match press conference after India lost the 3rd ODI against the Windies by five wickets. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
The ODI series between India and the West Indies came to a conclusion with the Indian team winning the series. It is worth noting that the Men in Blue won the first two ODIs of...
'Didn't Get It On A Platter': Sanju Samson's Explosive Remark On India's Asian Games Gold
Wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson asserted India did not get the Asian Games gold on a 'platter', and said fielding experienced A-list players helped the team manage the pressures of a high-octane final against Pakistan.
BCCI Rubs Salt On Pakistan's Wounds After Asian Games 2026 Gold Medal Win In Cricket
Be it T20 cricket or ODIs, India have continued to show the gulf that exists between them and Pakistan in international cricket.
PIX: PT Usha Meets Cricket Team After Winning Asiad Gold
IOA chief PT Usha met the Indian Cricket Team after their thrilling win over Pakistan to win the Asian Games gold medal in Nisshin on Saturday.
Gill draws World Cup line: 'Not much time to experiment'
After India's 2-1 ODI series win over West Indies, Shubman Gill says it is time to settle the team's World Cup combination and reduce experiments.
Samson: India's Asiad Gold Did 'Not Come On A Platter'
Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson stated that India's Asian Games cricket gold was not achieved 'on a platter', attributing the success to the experienced 'A' team's ability to manage pressure in the high-stakes final against Pakistan.
Gautam Gambhir Reflects On India's 2-1 Win, Then A Special Message For West Indies
India head coach Gautam Gambhir shared an intriguing post on social media, just days after being critical of the nature of the pitches being prepared in the country.
Gill: Fielding, Death Bowling Need Fine-Tuning Ahead of WC
India captain Shubman Gill has candidly addressed the team's critical shortcomings following their loss to West Indies in the 3rd ODI in Mullanpur on Saturday.
Prithvi Shaw to lead Maharashtra in Ranji Trophy opener
Prithvi Shaw has been appointed captain of the Maharashtra Ranji Trophy squad for their opening match against Services, as regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad is unavailable due to India 'A' commitments.
The 2026 Asian Games marked historic firsts for India in several sports, including debut medals in MMA, Soft Tennis, and new Asian records in shooting.
Shubman Gill Puts India's Coaching Staff Under Spotlight, Openly Criticises Repeated Bowling Issues
After the loss in the third match, India skipper Shubman Gill minced no words and stated that the poor outing with the ball in the powerplay became the root cause of the defeat.
Doing It For Social Media: Pakistan Great Blasts Saim Ayub For Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Sendoff
Former Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Kamran Akmal lambasted Saim Ayub for his send-off to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the Asian Games 2026 men's cricket final. Akmal said that Ayub did so for relevance on social media.
Shubman Gill Asked About Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma. His Reply Is A Clear Message For Critics
India captain Shubman Gill hit critics out of the park, expressing full faith in Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after the third ODI against West Indies.
Gill: India's fielding and death bowling needs to improve
India captain said the team as a whole needs more clarity on when to attack and when to defend with ball in hand
Senior all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was benched in Indias third ODI against West Indies in Mullanpur. His declining ODI numbers were certainly a concern, but the veteran claimed two wickets in the second game in Guwahati....
3rd ODI: Hope's Unbeaten 162 Headlines Record WI Chase, Beat India By Five Wickets
Captain Shai Hope: Captain Shai Hope kept wickets for 50 overs in the heat of New PCA Stadium, before a finger injury and a hospital visit for Jewel Andrew meant he had to open the batting. Despite battling a niggle, Hope stayed through 48.2 overs and lived up to the meaning of his surname to finish on an unbeaten 162 as the West Indies chased down 352 and beat India by five wickets on Saturday. Hopes majestic 162 was laced with 17 boundaries and three hits over the fence at a strike rate of 113.29, as the West Indies achieved their highest successful ODI chase and their first ODI win over India since 2023. The result gave them a consolation win in a series, as India ended with a 2-1 scoreline. Chasing 352, Hope and John Campbell were right on the money from the word go as they hit eight boundaries between themselves in the first four overs. But Mohammed Siraj broke the stand with an inswinger that castled Campbell for 10, shortly after Gurnoor Brar had put him down at third man. Amir Jangoo then settled in alongside Hope to hit boundaries off Siraj and debutant Anshul Kamboj. After Hope got his half-century off 46 balls, Jangoo reached his fifty off 47 balls with a pulled six off Nitish Kumar Reddy, as their stand crossed 100 in the 18th over. Both were lucky to be given lives - Jangoo got one when Virat Kohli failed to hold a catch at point, as he became only the fifth batter to make fifty-plus scores in each of his first three ODI innings in India. The partnership ended at 109 off 103 balls when Jangoo, on 67, was run out after Kohli's throw from mid-wicket hit the stumps at the bowler's end following a mix-up. Sherfane Rutherford fell for 24, given caught behind off debutant Naman Dhir, though he was unconvinced over edging behind. Hope carried on to punch, heave and bring out his stunning back-foot shots to reach his 21st ODI hundred in the 34th over - his second successive century and fifth against India. He did not celebrate, and only adjusted his bat grip as Keemo Paul congratulated him. Even as the West Indies surged ahead, India's body language was flat. KL Rahul went off after the 22nd over, with Dhruv Jurel taking the gloves, and Brar limped off with a left ankle problem. Nine catches went down in the match - six by the West Indies and three by India, equalling the ODI record. Paul counter-attacked with 44 off 35 balls, five of them coming off fours, and added 65 for the fourth wicket before being caught at deep square leg off Brar. Matthew Forde made seven before Kuldeep Yadav took him out. With 66 runs needed from seven overs, Hope pressed the accelerator by sweeping Kuldeep for four and hit him for an 83-metre six down the ground in the 45th over to take the visitors past 300. After Brar was sent for three boundaries, one of which came off Gudakesh Moties willow, the 48th over proved to be costly for India. Kamboj overstepped with Hope on 146, and the batter heaved the no-ball over mid-on to reach 150. Hope then hit the free hit for four as well, even as Motie pulled him for two boundaries to get 22 runs off it. Hope finished the chase by slogging Dhir for six over deep backward square leg to level the scores, and then pushed a single to long-off to complete a remarkable win for the West Indies with 10 balls to spare. Brief scores: Hope finished the chase by slogging Dhir for six over deep backward square leg to level the scores, and then pushed a single to long-off to complete a remarkable win for the West Indies with 10 balls to spare. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Skipper Shai Hope struck a peerless unbeaten 162, stealing the thunder from KL Rahul's classy 129 not out as the West Indies scored a consolation five-wicket win over India in the third and final ODI in Mullanpur on Saturday.
'Special' Gold: India Head Coach VVS Laxman Hails India's Title Defence After Pakistan Win
India head coach VVS Laxman described the team's successful Asian Games title defence as a special achievement after the men's cricket team beat Pakistan by 19 runs to win the gold medal in Nisshin, Japan on Saturday.
3rd ODI: Fielding and death bowling are key areas of improvement, admits Shubman Gill
Digital Desk | New Chandigarh, Oct 3 (IANS) India skipper Shubman Gill expressed overall satisfaction with his team's 2-1 series-winning performance against the West Indies despite the five-wicket loss in the third and final ODI on Saturday, but admitted that fielding and death-overs bowling remain key areas that need immediate fine-tuning. Opting to bat, India piled up 351 for seven, thanks to a dominant second-wicket partnership of 137 runs between Rohit Sharma (92) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (57), followed by KL Rahuls unbeaten 87-ball 129 - his career-best score in the format. The total, however, proved insufficient as West Indies skipper Shai Hope played a monumental knock of 162 not out at a strike rate of 113.29, and guided the visitors to their highest-ever successful run chase in ODI history and secured their first win over India in the format since 2023. A lot of boxes ticked. I think there are still some areas that definitely need some fine-tuning. I was very happy with the total. I think the game was in control. But being behind four overs with this team and then in the last, I think they took the game away from us. Had we not been shortened the overs, the game might have gone to the last over. Death bowling as well. I feel, sometimes we are not really clear whether we are attacking or we are defending, especially when we are bowling the death overs. One day, such a game, if the opposition is five or six down, you are never really sure what fields to take, whether we are going for the death too early or we are still bowling kind of like middle overs. I think these are some areas which definitely we need to be better at, Gill said in the post-match presentation ceremony. He also shed light on his decision to hold back wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav's remaining overs, explaining that an injury scare to Gurnoor Brar forced a tactical delay. No, not really. We didn't know if Gurnoor was gonna come back and bowl with his cramps. So there was a bit of uncertainty there. And we knew the match was gonna go till the end. And he's a wicket-taker, and I wanted his couple of overs to be there in the end, he said. Speaking about his early dismissal to Jayden Seales, Gill said, You're always disappointed whenever you get out early. But I think today, I don't think I could have done much that I would have done on that ball. Looking ahead to upcoming assignments, including a five-game ODI series in New Zealand in November, Gill stated that the squad must lift its fielding standards and find greater tactical clarity when bowling in the final overs. Decently pleased, I would say, but as I said, I think there are still some areas. Our fielding could be much better. Overall in the series, I think we dropped around six or seven catches, which is not a good sign leading up to the World Cup. You want your fielding to be top-notch, he concluded.
3rd ODI: Hope's Unbeaten 162 Overshadows Rahuls 129* As WI Beat India By Five Wickets (ld)
Captain Shai Hope: Captain Shai Hope kept wickets for 50 overs in the heat of New PCA Stadium, before a finger injury and a hospital visit for Jewel Andrew meant he had to open the batting. Despite battling a niggle, Hope stayed through 48.2 overs and lived up to the meaning of his surname to finish on an unbeaten 162 as the West Indies chased down 352 and beat India by five wickets on Saturday. In what was also the first mens ODI played at the venue, KL Rahul stepped up to hit a career-best 129 not out off 87 balls. Fifties from Rohit Sharma (92) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (57) also helped in taking India to 351/7. But Hope had other ideas -- his majestic 162 was laced with 17 boundaries and three hits over the fence at a strike rate of 113.29, as the West Indies achieved their highest successful ODI chase and their first ODI win over India since 2023. The result gave them a consolation win in a series, as India ended with a 2-1 scoreline, though they will be worried about a lack of incisiveness in their back-up bowling options. Chasing 352, Hope and John Campbell were right on the money from the word go as they hit eight boundaries between themselves in the first four overs. But Mohammed Siraj broke the stand with an inswinger that castled Campbell for 10, shortly after Gurnoor Brar had put him down at third man. Amir Jangoo then settled in alongside Hope to hit boundaries off Siraj and debutant Anshul Kamboj. After Hope got his half-century off 46 balls, Jangoo reached his fifty off 47 balls with a pulled six off Nitish Kumar Reddy, as their stand crossed 100 in the 18th over. Both were lucky to be given lives - Jangoo got one when Virat Kohli failed to hold a catch at point, as he became only the fifth batter to make fifty-plus scores in each of his first three ODI innings in India. The partnership ended at 109 off 103 balls when Jangoo, on 67, was run out after Kohli's throw from mid-wicket hit the stumps at the bowler's end following a mix-up. Sherfane Rutherford fell for 24, given caught behind off debutant Naman Dhir, though he was unconvinced over edging behind. Hope carried on to punch, heave and bring out his stunning back-foot shots to reach his 21st ODI hundred in the 34th over - his second successive century and fifth against India. He did not celebrate, and only adjusted his bat grip as Keemo Paul congratulated him. Even as the West Indies surged ahead, India's body language was flat. KL Rahul went off after the 22nd over, with Dhruv Jurel taking the gloves, and Brar limped off with a left ankle problem. Nine catches went down in the match - six by the West Indies and three by India, equalling the ODI record. Paul counter-attacked with 44 off 35 balls, five of them coming off fours, and added 65 for the fourth wicket before being caught at deep square leg off Brar. Matthew Forde made seven before Kuldeep Yadav took him out. With 66 runs needed from seven overs, Hope pressed the accelerator by sweeping Kuldeep for four and hit him for an 83-metre six down the ground in the 45th over to take the visitors past 300. After Brar was sent for three boundaries, one of which came off Gudakesh Moties willow, the 48th over proved to be costly for India. Kamboj overstepped with Hope on 146, and the batter heaved the no-ball over mid-on to reach 150. Hope then hit the free hit for four as well, even as Motie pulled him for two boundaries to get 22 runs off it. Hope finished the chase by slogging Dhir for six over deep backward square leg to level the scores, and then pushed a single to long-off to complete a remarkable win for the West Indies with 10 balls to spare. Before this, after electing to bat first, India's innings began badly. Shubman Gill, who had made a hundred and a double hundred in the first two games, was caught down the leg side by Hope off Jayden Seales for one. Virat Kohli was bowled off the first ball, beaten on the flick as the delivery held its line to castle him through the game, as India were reduced to 4/2 inside three overs. Rohit and Gaikwad steadied things, though it was slow going. Rohit survived an LBW shout and a West Indies review that showed the ball missing the stumps, and India closed the Powerplay on 28/2, among their lowest totals in the ten-over phase in recent years. After the first ten overs, Rohit changed gears, going after Keemo Paul and Alzarri Joseph, and in the process became the quickest to 10,000 ODI runs as an opener, in 202 innings. Gaikwad was dropped four times but made the most of the reprieves, hitting a boundary and four sixes in his 57 off 69 balls and reaching his fifty. Rohit got to his half-century off 58 balls, and the hundred stand came up when he slog-swept Vitel Lawes for six. Lawes had a miserable day, conceding 54 runs in five overs, and later limped off with a left calf problem. Rohit fell eight short of a hundred after top-edging a pull off to deep mid-wicket off Paul. His 92 had ten fours and three sixes, and the stand with Gaikwad was worth 137. Seales then removed Gaikwad when a ball bounced more than he expected and lobbed to backward point. At 160/4, the game was finely poised. Rahul, batting for the first time this series, picked singles and waited to get going. Debutant Naman Dhir hit his first international boundaries off Seales and pulled Joseph and Gudakesh Motie for six each before chipping Motie to cover for 30 off 21. That ended a 65-run stand, and Rahul had reached his fifty off 41 balls by then. Nitish Kumar Reddy struggled for fluency and nicked Paul behind for nine. Debutant Anshul Kamboj lit up the closing stages with two sixes in one Motie over, but his 17 off nine balls ended in a run-out after a mix-up with Rahul. With Kamboj and Gurnoor Brar giving him the strike, Rahul took absolute charge. A short ball on leg stump from Seales in the 49th over was helped over fine leg for his ninth ODI hundred, off 80 balls. He pulled off his helmet, spread his arms wide and was hugged by Brar in mid-pitch. Paul then offered two full tosses that were sent over the leg side, and Rahul ended the innings with a heave through mid-wicket for two. India piled up 105 runs in the last 60 balls, though it all went in vain in the face of Hopes brilliance. Brief scores: A short ball on leg stump from Seales in the 49th over was helped over fine leg for his ninth ODI hundred, off 80 balls. He pulled off his helmet, spread his arms wide and was hugged by Brar in mid-pitch. Paul then offered two full tosses that were sent over the leg side, and Rahul ended the innings with a heave through mid-wicket for two. India piled up 105 runs in the last 60 balls, though it all went in vain in the face of Hopes brilliance. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Asian Games 2026: India Finishes Fourth With 85 Medals, PM Modi Congratulates Champions
India finished fourth in the overall medal standings at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, closing its campaign with 85 medals. The Indian contingent won 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze medals. The fourth-place finish came after a
Rohit Sharma joins elite 10,000-run ODI opening club at 39
Rohit Sharma became only the fourth opener in ODI history to score 10,000 runs, reaching the milestone at 39 during India's third ODI against West Indies.
Brand goes big as Australia flip through Test plans
None of the five frontline pacers bowled over ten overs, Green did not feature, and Renshaw's recovery saw positive signs
In the first two ODIs against West Indies, India registered convincing victories with the top-order trio of Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli doing all the scoring.
'Winning Asian Games Opens Door To Olympics': 1983 World Cup Winner On Gold-Medal Triumph
Former cricketer and member of India's 1983 ODI World Cup-winning team, Madan Lal, hailed the Indian men's Asian Games 2026 gold medal triumph over Pakistan as a significant achievement for Indian cricket.
Sarthak Ranjan Returns To Delhi's Ranji Trophy Squad For Season Opener Against Bengal
Opener Sarthak Ranjan: Opener Sarthak Ranjan has earned a recall to the Delhi Ranji Trophy squad after eight years as the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) named a 16-member contingent for their Elite Group C opening game against Bengal. The selection committee met at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday to finalise the squad for the season opener, set to be played on October 11 in Kalyani. The meeting was attended by selectors K. Bhaskar Pillai, Manu Nayar, and Praveen Gupta, alongside head coach Vijay Dahiya, Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) chairman Sarandeep Singh, and DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma. Batting all-rounder Ayush Badoni continues at the helm as captain, with former India U-19 World Cup-winning skipper Yash Dhull named as his deputy. The headline inclusion, though, is Sarthak, son of politician Pappu Yadav and Ranjeet Ranjan, who returns to Delhi's red-ball setup for the first time since 2018, when he last featured in two Ranji Trophy matches. Sarthak's recall follows him having a stint with Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL earlier this year. Delhi's pace attack will be led by fast bowler Navdeep Saini, with Simarjeet Singh, Money Grewal, and Divij Mehra as other options. Off-spinner Hrithik Shokeen and left-arm spinner Sumit Mathur will anchor the spin-bowling department, alongside Badonis off-spin. The squad features three wicketkeeping options in Anuj Rawat, Pranav Rajvanshi, and Tejasvi Dahiya. Sanat Sangwan, whos playing the Irani Cup clash for Rest of India against Jammu & Kashmir in Srinagar, along with Ayush Doseja, Dev Lakra, and Dhruv Kaushik round off the rest of the squad members. All selected players have been instructed to report to head coach Dahiya for a practice session at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday before their departure for Kalyani. Delhi last won the Ranji Trophy in 2007/08 and under new head coach Dahiya, they will be aiming to get into the knockouts, something which hasnt happened in the last two seasons. The squad features three wicketkeeping options in Anuj Rawat, Pranav Rajvanshi, and Tejasvi Dahiya. Sanat Sangwan, whos playing the Irani Cup clash for Rest of India against Jammu & Kashmir in Srinagar, along with Ayush Doseja, Dev Lakra, and Dhruv Kaushik round off the rest of the squad members. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
'Pakistan Don't Offer Much Competition Anymore': BCCI After India's Asian Games Triumph
BCCI President Mithun Manhas on Saturday lauded the Indian men's cricket team for retaining their Asian Games gold with a win over arch-rivals Pakistan, and said the Shreyas Iyer-led outfit handled a high-pressure final well.
10,000 runs and counting: KL Rahul unlocks new milestone
KL Rahul achieved a significant career milestone, completing 10,000 international runs with a spectacular unbeaten 129 off 87 balls in the third ODI against West Indies, becoming the 15th Indian to reach this landmark.
Ravichandran Smaran's Unbeaten 126 Turns Rest Of India vs Jammu And Kashmir Irani Cup On Its Head
Left-handed batter Ravichandran Smaran struck an unbeaten 126 to orchestrate a stunning recovery for the Rest of India as they went from a precarious 197/8 to 306/8 at stumps on day three of the Irani Cup match against Jammu & Kashmir here at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium on Saturday.
TN closer to glory despite Emanjots heroics for RoI
BCCI President Mithun Manhas Hails Asian Games Mens T20 Gold Medal Triumph In Japan
BCCI President Mithun Manhas: BCCI President Mithun Manhas showered rich praise on the Shreyas Iyer-led T20I team following their Asian Games gold medal victory over arch-rivals Pakistan, stating that the side has established complete dominance on the global stage with no real competition left. India retained their Asian Games mens T20 gold medal with a 19-run victory over Pakistan in the final held at the Korogi Sports Park on Saturday. They are by far the best team of the tournament. We have won this title nine times already. We were defending champions. The way they have performed this time, it is commendable. We have defeated our arch-rivals Pakistan. I don't think they have any competition left, Manhas said to reporters on the sidelines of day three of the ongoing Irani Cup clash between Rest of India and Jammu & Kashmir at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium on Saturday. Opting to bat first, India posted a formidable 211/6, thanks to aggressive half-centuries from left-handed batters Abhishek Sharma (61) and Tilak Varma (51), while Shivam Dube provided late impetus with a crucial 27. In reply, Pakistans chase began with purpose before India made timely breakthroughs. Hasan Nawaz kept Pakistan in contention with a combative 51-ball 96, but the target proved beyond reach in the end. Needing 33 runs off the final over, Pakistan were held off reaching it as Washington Sundar and Axar Patel claimed two wickets each to seal a memorable victory for India. The way our team handles pressure situations, no other team in the country can do that. This is a very happy day. The whole country should celebrate. I would like to thank Jay Shah again. He was the BCCI General Secretary at the time. He has made a lot of contributions to building this team. Not only for the men's team, but our women's team has also won the World Cup. He has made a big contribution apart from men's cricket. I would like to say a special thanks to him, added Manhas. Highlighting cricket's expanding footprint across new regions under Shah, Manhas added, The sport is becoming globally famous. I just spoke about the ICC chair. He had a big contribution as the BCCI secretary. Now he is the chair of the ICC. You can see different teams from all over the world are participating. Every country is getting involved in cricket. It is a good thing that cricket is becoming a global sport. In a chat with broadcasters at the conclusion of the medal ceremony, Iyer lauded his squads willingness to adapt rather than make excuses. Heavy rains continuously disrupted Indias time since arriving in Japan on September 20. Following a brief five-over contest in Sano, which they won by just two runs over Japan, the Indian team reached Nagoya, only to see its September 28 quarterfinal against Afghanistan washed out due to rain. They managed to get their first full-fledged training session just ahead of the October 1 semifinal against Sri Lanka. If I have to use a word, I would say ecstatic. Since the day we arrived in Japan, it was raining cats and dogs, and we couldn't practice for almost a week. But the boys- the way they prepped themselves, and also how we were doing our training on the side we didn't complain, we didn't give any reasons (excuses), so that was the sign of a champion team, and today was just the reflection of that. When you're playing a final, you want every individual to step up and deliver, and that's what we witnessed today. Abhishek giving us that start, and then Tilak basically finishing off the innings and then in bowling, Washy taking the charge, Axar being himself all the time, and Bumrah- we know what he has got in his armoury. So, yeah, collective effort and overall I would say comprehensive win. Quizzed on his thoughts as Nawaz attempted to take the chase deep, Iyer said, Well, they were cruising pretty well, and they got that momentum in between. I just wanted to see to it that I got that fifth bowler (out of the way) as soon as possible, finish it off, and then (Jasprit) Bumrah was there, Washy (Washington Sundar) was there. The lead bowlers, they wanted to come in as well. When you're playing a final, you want every individual to step up and deliver, and that's what we witnessed today. Abhishek giving us that start, and then Tilak basically finishing off the innings and then in bowling, Washy taking the charge, Axar being himself all the time, and Bumrah- we know what he has got in his armoury. So, yeah, collective effort and overall I would say comprehensive win. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Delhi recalls Sarthak to Ranji squad
Madhava Prasad credits Aparajith, Varun and coach Guru for his rise
The camaraderie within the group has also played its part, says the Tamil Nadu u-23 batter
Irani Cup: Smaran spearheads RoI fightback with a sublime hundred
The visiting side has a lead of 265 runs with two wickets in hand at close on day three
Team India has added another gold medal to its Asian Games campaign after defeating Pakistan in the men's T20 cricket final at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan, on Saturday. India won the closely fought contest by 19 runs to successfully defend its Asian Games cricket title.
3rd ODI: 'Believe In Yourself', Virat Kohli While Giving ODI Cap To Anshul Kamboj
West Indies Photo: Talismanic batter Virat Kohli handed fast bowler Anshul Kamboj his debut ODI cap ahead of the third match against the West Indies here at the New PCA Stadium on Saturday, and advised the young pacer to believe in his abilities. Kamboj, who has already represented India in Test cricket by playing the Manchester Test against England last year, has become the 266th player to represent the country in the 50-over format. Anshul, big congratulations to you, Cap 266. We know you already played Test cricket for India. The reason is that, because of your consistency and clarity of thought, you got the opportunity to represent India in the whites, which is the greatest honour. But very few people get to become multi-format players, said Kohli while presenting the cap in the team huddle, in a video posted on BCCIs social media accounts on Saturday. Kamboj joined the Indian team on Friday after being pulled out of India As second four-day game against Australia A in Puducherry, as fast bowler Prasidh Krishna was ruled out due to a left hamstring injury sustained in the second ODI in Guwahati. So another proud moment for you and your family. I just mentioned you have the skill sets; we've all seen that in the IPL with white ball cricket, the clarity with which you bowl and the areas that you bowl make it very difficult for batsmen to go after you. So believe in yourself in the same way; we'll all back you, and congratulations and a very proud moment for you, added Kohli. Kamboj joined the Indian team on Friday after being pulled out of India As second four-day game against Australia A in Puducherry, as fast bowler Prasidh Krishna was ruled out due to a left hamstring injury sustained in the second ODI in Guwahati. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
India and the West Indies took on each other in the third and final ODI of the ongoing series between the two sides. The teams met at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, New...
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Afy Fletcher bagged two wickets and claimed a West Indies record four catches in the win
India Finish Fourth At Asian Games 2026 With 85 Medals After Golden Campaign (Roundup)
Incheon Asian Games: With double gold medals in cricket and hockey, and dominant performances in archery, boxing and athletics, India concluded a successful Asian Games 2026 campaign in fourth place on the medals table with 85 medals, falling short of the country's record haul from Hangzhou three years ago. About 500 Indian athletes took part in the 20th edition of the Continental multisport event in Aichi-Nagoya, and India ended up with 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze medals. India's total was the second-highest ever at the Asian Games, the record being 106 medals earned by a team of 650 athletes at Hangzhou 2023. In Hangzhou, the country had secured 28 gold, 38 silver and 40 bronze medals. In Aichi-Nagoya, athletics was India's leading source of medals, bringing in 24, while shooting, on the other hand, secured 15, three of which were gold medals. In terms of gold medals, archery was ahead of the others with five instances of finishing in the top three, and boxing also won three golds. Lovlina Borgohain was one of India's boxers to win a gold medal, being the second Indian woman to achieve this after Mary Kom at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Aman Sehrawat and Sujeet Kalkal were declared champions in wrestling. India had a successful campaign in team sports as well. The women's and men's cricket teams defended their titles at the Asian Games, winning by beating Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the final matches, respectively. Both the men's and women's kabaddi teams won gold medals, and India's women's hockey team finally ended its 44-year wait for an Asian Games title. History was also made by several athletes in Japan. Pranavi Urs won the first gold medal for an Indian woman at the Asian Games in golf, and 17-year-old Kumkum Mohod became the first Indian woman to win individual recurve gold at the continental championships. Mohod was part of the Indian women's recurve team that won the gold medal, together with Ankita Bhakat and Kirti Sharma, who were the first Indian women to claim the team recurve title at the Games. Neeru Dhanda of India won the first individual gold medal of the event in the women's trap competition, and Kumkum and Suruchi Singh matched Asian records as they secured gold in the mixed team 10m air pistol event. Vithya Ramraj won a bronze medal by breaking a national record in the women's 400 metres hurdles that had stood for 42 years, while Yash Vir Singh and Rohit Yadav each secured a position on the podium in the men's javelin, with Singh taking silver and Yadav bronze, even though Neeraj Chopra was unable to take part in the Games due to injury. Sawan Barwal secured India's first marathon medal since 1982 and at the same time set a national record, while Sarvesh Kushare finally ended India's 56-year wait for a men's high jump medal. Baranica Elangovan also broke new ground by becoming the first Indian pole vaulter to win a medal at the Asian Games. The country's campaign also included a number of firsts in various sports, such as Suchika Tariyal securing the nation's first medal in the Asian Games in mixed martial arts, and Jay Meena achieving the same feat in soft tennis by getting to the semifinals. Mirabai Chanu secured a silver medal in the women's 49kg weightlifting event -- her first at the continental event and thus made it India's first Asian Games medal in the sport since 1998 in Bangkok. Roshibina Devi won her third consecutive continental medal in wushu, and Seema Kumari finally ended India's 16-year drought over a women's 10,000m medal. Anahat Singh achieved the distinction of becoming the first Indian woman to win a silver medal in the singles event at the Asian Games, and both Anahat and Abhay Singh came very close to winning the gold medal since they lost in the finals of their respective singles events. India has also obtained the quotas for the LA 2028 Olympics in archery and hockey. The seven sports that were granting Olympic quotas at Aichi-Nagoya were archery, hockey, sailing, squash, surfing, tennis and triathlon. By winning their places in both the men's and women's hockey events as well as in the compound mixed team and women's individual recurve events in archery, India has given its already historic Asian Games campaign an Olympic dimension. India ended up coming behind its record-breaking showing at Hangzhou, having won 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze medals, but its campaign included several historic firsts, record-breaking performances and successful defences of titles. Their best haul came on Friday, claiming 12 medals including six gold medals -- three of them in boxing. On Saturday, the 17th and penultimate day, India bagged nine medals, winning gold medals in cricket and hockey, adding to those won by their women's teams, while Aman Sehrawat, Kumkum Anil Mohod and golfer Pranavi Urs claimed gold medals in individual events. The Mens Cricket Team held its nerve to beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the final and retained the gold medal; Kumkum Anil Mohod scripted history with Indias first-ever womens recurve individual gold while Aman Sehrawat powered his way to Wrestling gold, Antim Panghal secured silver, and Deepak Punia added bronze. Their best haul came on Friday, claiming 12 medals including six gold medals -- three of them in boxing. On Saturday, the 17th and penultimate day, India bagged nine medals, winning gold medals in cricket and hockey, adding to those won by their women's teams, while Aman Sehrawat, Kumkum Anil Mohod and golfer Pranavi Urs claimed gold medals in individual events. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
CRICKET | Smarans goal: 1000-plus runs in the Ranji season
