Cricket

Jatinder fifty, Ramanandi cameo help Oman beat Zimbabwe in T20 World Cup warm-up

Both teams will be face-to-face once again in their opening match of the tournament proper in Colombo on February 9

Lahore Qalandars announce Mustafizur Rahman as direct signing for PSL 2026

This will be his third stint with Qalandars, after being picked in 2016 and 2018

Teen Sensation Lilli Tagger Stakes Claim As Title Contender At 2026 Mumbai Open WTA 125K Series

Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association: At just 17 years old, Lilli Tagger has proven herself as a top contender at the 2026 Mumbai Open WTA 125K Series, securing a spot in the tournament's quarterfinals at the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA). As the seventh seed and currently ranked a career-high World No. 128 in Womens Singles, she defeated Indias Vaishnavi Adkar in straight sets in the Round of 32 and is aiming for a deep run in the event. In 2025, Lilli Tagger rose to prominence by winning the Junior Roland Garros Singles title, marking her shift from a promising junior to a serious professional contender. The Austrian teenager has maintained that momentum on the WTA Tour, demonstrating maturity and consistency beyond her years. Making her debut in India, the young Austrian said the experience left a deep impression on her. Its my first time here in India, and its very different from European cities. Its very special and interesting. There are a lot of things you can learn just by being here, and I would love to explore the city a bit more, she said. Lilli Tagger also spoke about the surface and facilities at the MSLTA. The courts are very good. It is a bit slow so it is a little challenging physically but that is part of the game. The facilities here at the venue are great and so are the people. That helps us prepare for our matches and creates a healthy competitive environment, where people can learn from each other. The organisers have done a very good job. Tagger's quick ascent is fuelled by an unusual path. Growing up in Austria's mountains, she spent much of her childhood skiing. Her grandmother introduced her to ping pong, which eventually led to tennis. At only 14, she bravely decided to leave home to chase her tennis dreams. I was based in Austria till I was 14, and then I left home and moved to Italy, close to Venice, to train at an academy and for the last two and a half years, Ive been travelling on tour, she shared. Lilli Tagger also spoke about the surface and facilities at the MSLTA. The courts are very good. It is a bit slow so it is a little challenging physically but that is part of the game. The facilities here at the venue are great and so are the people. That helps us prepare for our matches and creates a healthy competitive environment, where people can learn from each other. The organisers have done a very good job. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Lilli Tagger will face Japans Eri Shimizu in her Round of 16 match at the 2026 Mumbai Open WTA 125K Series on Thursday. Article Source: IANS

MCG pitch in spotlight again after 17 wickets tumble on the opening day

Queensland were bowled out for 149 and Victoria slumped to 61 for 7 in reply during the first day of red-ball cricket at the ground since the Ashes Test

T20 WC: Two World Cups, 20 Years Apart Italy Skipper Wayne Madsen's Whirlwind Journey

Two World Cups: When Wayne Madsen takes the field at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on February 9, he will inscribe his name in the history books for more than one reason. Apart from being the captain of Italy playing its first-ever cricket World Cup match against fellow European nation Scotland, Madsen will join a select list of athletes who have featured in World Cups in two different sports. But in Madsen's case, it will also be for different nations. Back in 2006, Madsen played in the Hockey World Cup for South Africa in Monchengladbach, Germany. Twenty years on, he will hold a cricket bat instead of a hockey stick when he dons Italy's blue jersey in the Mens T20 World Cup. None would have pictured this in their wildest dreams - not even those who believe in the stuff of fantasy. Italy, a football-crazy nation with a rich history, could end up missing the bus to the FIFA World Cup in a year in which its much lesser-celebrated cricket team makes its debut on the biggest stage in the shortest format, though the football side still has to clear the European playoffs. Sitting in a hotel in Chennai, a day before Italy play a warm-up match against UAE at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Madsen is imagining the scene when he walks out with the team sheet in hand in Kolkata for Italys first game in a cricket World Cup coming against Scotland. My Italian heritage means a great deal to me. Representing Italy connects family history with professional life. Wearing this badge carries responsibility not just to the present team, but to the future of Italian cricket. Walking out at Eden Gardens will be incredibly special. Pride will be the dominant emotion for me, pride in the group, in the journey, and in what Italian cricket has achieved. Captaining Italy at a World Cup is a huge honour, a great responsibility and one that Im extremely excited for, says Madsen, who has four T20I caps for Italy, in an exclusive conversation with IANS. Though Madsen was announced as Italys captain in November last year, the reality of having that leadership armband hit him after arriving in India. I found out on our November tour, though I would say the reality only properly sunk in arriving in India and I imagine leading the team out at Eden Gardens will take it up another level! he said. For someone who represented South Africa at the Hockey World Cup and played domestic cricket for KwaZulu-Natal, Madsen has carved a reputation as one of English county cricket's most reliable batters, while turning out for Derbyshire. He also had stints with London Spirit and Manchester Originals (The Hundred), Joburg Super Kings (SA 20), Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi (PSL) and Rangpur Riders (BPL). But Madsens Italian heritage, via his family, opened a door that seemed to shut when an England call-up didnt come. I genuinely never imagined myself playing in a cricket World Cup. This journey has unfolded through commitment, opportunity, and being part of a group that truly believes in what its building. Its been unexpected, but incredibly rewarding, he said. From his hockey days, Madsen remembers locking horns with Dilip Tirkey, India's most-capped mens player and current Hockey India president, during the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He was a world-class player and a strong leader. You knew immediately you were facing someone of real quality. Those encounters are valuable because they force you to raise your own standards, he said. That tournament left an indelible mark on Madsen, who had another moment to cherish. Scoring the late equaliser against Korea in a 2-2 draw. That tournament taught me a lot about pressure, preparation, and playing in front of big crowds. Those environments demand clarity and composure, and the lessons from that experience have stayed with me throughout my career, he said. Twenty years later, the setting has changed but the stakes still remain high for Madsen. Its something Im very grateful for. To experience a World Cup even once is rare; doing it in two sports, almost 20 years apart, puts a lot into perspective. It reminds you how fortunate you are and how important it is to enjoy the moment, he added. The technical crossover between hockey and cricket is apparent when Madsen showcases a range of different shots: sweep, reverse-sweep, ramp, and upper-cut. Theres the skill side of things, the wrist work, sweeping, reverse sweeping. The biggest takeaway was learning how to stay calm in high-pressure situations. Whether its hockey or cricket, the crowd, the expectations, and the stakes can be overwhelming if you let them be. Playing at the top level in hockey taught me how to manage that, he said. Madsens years as a mid-fielder in hockey prepared him for cricket captaincy in ways that might not be immediately visible. Very much so. I played a lot in the centre of midfield, where you would help to control the press etc, just like a captain supporting the bowler in setting his field. Leadership is about shared responsibility, trust, and clarity. Those principles dont change with the sport. Im fortunate to be part of a leadership group where everyone takes ownership, he said. Italy's success at the European qualifications last July, in which they finished second to the Netherlands, guaranteed their World Cup debut. For a nation where cricket exists in football's overwhelming shadow, visibility at the Mens T20 World Cup carries transformative potential. This team has been built on commitment and belief. Players come from different backgrounds and systems, but everyone has fully bought into what were trying to achieve. Theres a strong sense of identity and purpose within the group. Its a landmark moment. Visibility at this level matters enormously. When people see Italy competing on the world stage, it creates belief and interest. This tournament is an important step in the sports long-term growth in Italy, added Madsen. Italy's Group C draw in the T20 World Cup offers no easy passage. Two-time champions England are filled with world-class players who play IPL regularly. Fellow two-time winners West Indies are inconsistent but capable of explosive brilliance. Nepal are the tournament's dark horses riding a wave of domestic enthusiasm and Scotland, stung by their qualifying loss to Italy and coming in place of Bangladesh, are keen to spring surprises. Managing expectations while maintaining a competitive edge requires careful calibration, feels Madsen. We want to win games and be competitive in every match. If we play disciplined, smart cricket and back our preparation, we give ourselves a chance. Our focus is always on performance first. The key is routine and clarity. Eden Gardens is iconic, but once the game begins, its still cricket. Were focused on staying present, sticking to our plans, and enjoying the occasion without being distracted by it, he added. We want to win games and be competitive in every match. If we play disciplined, smart cricket and back our preparation, we give ourselves a chance. Our focus is always on performance first. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But on February 9 at Eden Gardens, Italian cricket gets its moment to shine under the Kolkata sun. I hope this World Cup lays a foundation. If it helps create pathways, belief, and opportunity for the next generation of Italian cricketers, then weve done something meaningful, concluded Madsen. Article Source: IANS

Hatcher leads New South Wales fightback after McAndrew, Doggett share seven

The home side lost their last five wickets for 22 but made inroads themselves to keep the contest even

T20 World Cup 2026: Schedule, Format, Venues & Dates

The ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 will mark the tournaments 10th edition and its much-anticipated return to Asia, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March 2026. Also Read: Live Cricket Score A total of 20 teams will compete, divided into four groups of five. The top teams from the group stage will advance to the Super Eight round, followed by the semi-finals and the final. Defending champions India, who lifted the trophy in 2024, will aim to retain their title on home soil. A look at the complete schedule of ICC MEn's T20 World Cup 2026 along with the venue and timings in IST Dates Match Group/Stage Time Venue February 7, Saturday Pakistan vs Netherlands Group A 11:00 AM SSC, Colombo February 7, Saturday West Indies vs Bangladesh Group C 3:00 PM Kolkata February 7, Saturday India vs USA Group A 7:00 PM Mumbai February 8, Sunday New Zealand vs Afghanistan Group D 11:00 AM Chennai February 8, Sunday England vs Nepal Group C 3:00 PM Mumbai February 8, Sunday Sri Lanka vs Ireland Group B 7:00 PM Premadasa, Colombo February 9, Monday Bangladesh vs Italy Group C 11:00 AM Kolkata February 9, Monday Zimbabwe vs Oman Group B 3:00 PM SSC, Colombo February 9, Monday South Africa vs Canada Group D 7:00 PM Ahmedabad February 10, Tuesday Netherlands vs Namibia Group A 11:00 AM Delhi February 10, Tuesday New Zealand vs UAE Group D 3:00 PM Chennai February 10, Tuesday Pakistan vs USA Group A 7:00 PM SSC, Colombo February 11, Wednesday South Africa vs Afghanistan Group D 11:00 AM Ahmedabad February 11, Wednesday Australia vs Ireland Group B 3:00 PM Premadasa, Colombo February 11, Wednesday England vs West Indies Group C 7:00 PM Mumbai February 12, Thursday Sri Lanka vs Oman Group B 11:00 AM Kandy February 12, Thursday Nepal vs Italy Group C 3:00 PM Mumbai February 12, Thursday India vs Namibia Group A 7:00 PM New Delhi February 13, Friday Australia vs Zimbabwe Group B 11:00 AM Premadasa, Colombo February 13, Friday Canada vs UAE Group D 3:00 PM Delhi February 13, Friday USA vs Netherlands Group A 7:00 PM Chennai February 14, Saturday Ireland vs Oman Group B 11:00 AM SSC, Colombo February 14, Saturday England vs Bangladesh Group C 3:00 PM Kolkata February 14, Saturday New Zealand vs South Africa Group D 7:00 PM Ahmedabad February 15, Sunday West Indies vs Nepal Group C 11:00 AM Mumbai February 15, Sunday USA vs Namibia Group A 3:00 PM Chennai February 15, Sunday India vs Pakistan Group A 7:00 PM Premadasa, Colombo February 16, Monday Afghanistan vs UAE Group D 11:00 AM Delhi February 16, Monday England vs Italy Group C 3:00 PM Kolkata February 16, Monday Australia vs Sri Lanka Group B 7:00 PM Kandy February 17, Tuesday New Zealand vs Canada Group D 11:00 AM Chennai February 17, Tuesday Ireland vs Zimbabwe Group B 3:00 PM Kandy February 17, Tuesday Bangladesh vs Nepal Group C 7:00 PM Mumbai February 18, Wednesday South Africa vs UAE Group D 11:00 AM Delhi February 18, Wednesday Pakistan vs Namibia Group A 3:00 PM SSC, Colombo February 18, Wednesday India vs Netherlands Group A 7:00 PM Ahmedabad February 19, Thursday West Indies vs Italy Group C 11:00 AM Kolkata February 19, Thursday Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Group B 3:00 PM Premadasa, Colombo February 19, Thursday Afghanistan vs Canada Group D 7:00 PM Chennai February 20, Friday Australia vs Oman Group B 7:00 PM Kandy February 21, Saturday TBC Super Eight 7:00 PM Premadasa, Colombo February 22, Sunday TBC Super Eight 3:00 PM Kandy February 22, Sunday TBC Super Eight 7:00 PM Ahmedabad February 23, Monday TBC Super Eight 7:00 PM Mumbai February 24, Tuesday TBC Super Eight 7:00 PM Kandy February 25, Wednesday TBC Super Eight 7:00 PM Premadasa, Colombo February 26, Thursday TBC Super Eight 3:00 PM Ahmedabad February 26, Thursday TBC Super Eight 7:00 PM Chennai February 27, Friday TBC Super Eight 7:00 PM Premadasa, Colombo February 28, Saturday TBC Super Eight 7:00 PM Kandy March 1, Sunday TBC Super Eight 3:00 PM Delhi March 1, Sunday TBC Super Eight 7:00 PM Kolkata March 4, Wednesday Semi-Final 1 Semi-finals 7:00 PM Kolkata/Colombo March 5, Thursday Semi-Final 2 Semi-finals 7:00 PM Mumbai March 8, Sunday Final Final 7:00 PM Ahmedabad/Colombo March 8, Sunday Final Final 7:00 PM Ahmedabad/Colombo

'I Look Forward To Working Together,' Says FIFA Prez Gianni Infantino After Meeting ICC Chief Jay Shah

ICC Chairman Jay Shah: FIFA president Gianni Infantino has met the International Cricket Council (ICC) chief Jay Shah in Milan. The meeting marks the crossover between two of the most important people in the world's most popular sports. Infantino shared a glimpse of the meeting with Shah through a post on Instagram. He lauded Shah's work in the growth of cricket and also wished him luck as cricket is getting back to the Olympics. It was my pleasure to meet ICC Chairman Jay Shah today in Milan. The outstanding work he has done to grow the beautiful game of cricket is exemplary. I wish him and everyone the very best as cricket gets reintroduced to the Summer Olympic Games in two years' time, he wrote in a post. Infantino also expressed his desire to work with Shah to unite the world with the help of sports. I also look forward to working together and collaborating as we unite the world through sports, he added. Cricket is set to return to the Olympics in the 2028 Summer Games, to be held in Los Angeles, 128 years after its debut in Paris 1900, when Great Britain claimed gold in a one-off match against France. At LA 2028, cricket will return in a much more modern avatar with separate T20 format tournaments for men and women - each with its own set of medals - gold, silver and bronze. The competitions for the mens and womens categories will run from 12 July to 29 July. The medal matches will be held on 20 July (womens) and 29 July (mens), respectively. Six teams will be competing in each of the mens and womens tournaments, comprising 28 matches in all. A total of 90 athlete quotas have been allocated for each gender, allowing every team to name a 15-member squad. At LA 2028, cricket will return in a much more modern avatar with separate T20 format tournaments for men and women - each with its own set of medals - gold, silver and bronze. The competitions for the mens and womens categories will run from 12 July to 29 July. The medal matches will be held on 20 July (womens) and 29 July (mens), respectively. Also Read: Live Cricket Score However, the qualification scenario for the LA28 Olympics is yet to be decided. It is expected that the topic will likely be discussed during the ICC's annual conference in Singapore, which will start on July 17. Article Source: IANS

The Hundred That Announced the Arrival of Kapil Dev

One of those who didn't play T20 cricket, although could have been a success story, is none other than our Kapil Dev. It would be better if we say T20 cricket missed watching him. There is another reason also to remember Kapil Dev at present. One of the saving graces for England in the recent Ashes series was the hundred Jacob Bethell scored at SCG. The best stat related to his hundred is that he became the 47th player to make a maiden first class hundred in a Test match. In September last year, he made a maiden professional century in an ODI against South Africa. The first player to record the feat of scoring a maiden first class hundred in a Test match was Charles Bannerman in 1877. * Jacob Bethell is the 6th England player to score a maiden first-class century in a Test match. Henry Wood in 1891/92; Billy Griffiths in 1947/48; Jack Russell in 1989; Stuart Broad in 2010; Gus Atkinson in 2024 were the others. *Jacob Bethell at 22y-76d is one of the youngest to record the feat. This feat has a unique parallel also. The Zimbabwe off spinner Ujesh Ranchod took his first, first-class wicket in a Test match(of Sachin Tendulkar) and this remained his only Test wicket. Indian cricketers have fair representation in the club of batsmen scoring a maiden first class hundred in a Test match. Both Kapil Dev and Hardik Pandya are also in the list. Hardiks first Test hundred (108 against Sri Lanka, Pallekele, August 2017) was not only his first, first class hundred, it was his first in any senior competitive cricket. Hardik has not scored another Test hundred since then. Like scoring maiden first-class hundred in a Test, Jacob scored his first List A century in a one-day international. So he opened the account of his hundreds in both the formats in international matches. Four other players have also recorded this unusual feat and this includes our own Kapil paji. Kapil Dev: *Scored 126* against West Indies in Delhi in January 1979. This was his first, first-class hundred also. *Scored 175* against Zimbabwe in Tunbridge Wells in June 1983. This was his first, List A hundred also.The other three to record the feat are: *Mehidy Hasan Miraz of Bangladesh, scored 103 in a Test against West Indies in Chattogram in February 2021, and 100* against India in an ODI in Mirpur in December 2022, *Curtis Campher of Ireland made 111 in a Test against Sri Lanka in Galle in April 2023, and scored 120 in an ODI against Scotland in Bulawayo in the same year. *Marlon Samuels of West Indies, made 104 in a Test against India in Kolkata in October 2002, and made 108 not out in an ODI, also against India, in Vijayawada a month later. While a lot has been written about Kapil Devs famous 175* score in the World Cup 1983, not much is written about his first Test hundred (126* against West Indies in Delhi in January 1979) although in a true sense this was the innings which announced the arrival of Kapil Dev. He picked this as his one of the finest performances in Test cricket. He said: I scored a Test century before I got a five-for but then the pitches in the subcontinent are more suited to batsmen. Test cricket was new to me my debut was the first Test I saw so it took me time to understand how to bowl and take wickets. That hundred was very sweet because I was established that day. People started saying, Hes an all-rounder, he can bat, and that helps you stay in the team. You think, I can contribute with the bat, so I can bowl with some extra pace and try a thing or two. India won the toss and elected to bat first. On a flat, typical Sita Ram made pitch, India batted two full days and three quarters of an hour on the third to accumulate 566 for eight (their highest against any country at that time). In contrast to laborious hundreds (at certain times painful to watch also) by Gavaskar (who took almost six hours to score his 120) and Vengsarkar (playing for his survival after a pair in the previous Test almost matched his skipper and took five and a half hour to score 109), Kapil scored 126* off 124 balls with 11 fours and one six. India paid heavily for this overall slow scoring (RR 3.97) as rain on the fourth and the fifth day came to West Indies' rescue. Also Read: Live Cricket Score For Kapil this hundred was nothing short of an announcement. He didnt bat like someone being intimidated and it broke a mental barrier. He was 94* overnight on day 2, and reached his 100 in the first over on the next morning with a 4 followed by a 6. He became the first cricketer to complete his first century in Test cricket by hitting a six.

WPL 2026 Final: DC Eye First Title As Friends Jemi-Smriti Face Off

Royal Challengers Bangalore: The grand finale of the Womens Premier League (WPL) 2026 promises a thrilling contest, with the stakes at an all-time high as Delhi Capitals (DC) face Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) here at the BCA Stadium (Kotambi) This final has a unique India-South Africa flavour, with key players like Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, and Richa Ghosh lighting up the stage, while the likes of Marizanne Kapp and Laura Wolvaardt add international spice. The build-up to this encounter has been unpredictable. DC, often scraping through must-win situations, make their fourth attempt at WPL glory, having faced intense pressure to reach the final. On the other hand, RCBs dominant run to the summit, finishing atop the group with six wins in eight matches, has seen them surge into this final with confidence, bolstered by key contributions from Grace Harris in the absence of Ellyse Perry. In contrast, the road to the final for both teams couldnt have been more different. RCB will likely back Pooja Vastrakar to play as a specialist batter, with the return of Arundhati Reddy and the possible inclusion of leg-spinner Prema Rawat adding tactical depth. DC are unlikely to change their winning combination, sticking with the 13 players theyve used all season, a testament to their consistent core. The opening battle between Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee of DC and Lauren Bell of RCB will be a highlight. Bell has been a menace with the new ball, and her battle with DCs power-hitting openers could set the tone. Shafali and Lees fiery powerplay performances will be critical; DCs success this season has been built on chasing big targets, with their opening duo crucial to setting the chase. At the other end, Mandhanas leadership has been integral to RCB's journey, and her consistency in the final could be the key to their third title. A victory would not only secure another WPL title but might also solidify Mandhanas case for a more prominent leadership role in Indian cricket. Grace Harris strike rate of 181 is the highest among batters facing over 50 balls, proving shes the player to watch for RCB, while DCs Nandni Sharma, with 16 wickets, leads the Indian wicket-takers chart in WPL 2026. DC are undefeated in matches where Shafali and Lee have put on a 50+ partnership, while RCBs death bowling, with an economy rate of 8.27, is the best in the league, while DC are second at 8.37. Grace Harris strike rate of 181 is the highest among batters facing over 50 balls, proving shes the player to watch for RCB, while DCs Nandni Sharma, with 16 wickets, leads the Indian wicket-takers chart in WPL 2026. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With everything to play for, the WPL 2026 final promises fireworks. Will RCB continue their winning streak, or will DC rise to claim their maiden WPL crown? One thing is certain: the excitement is bound to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Article Source: IANS

Did Not Expect But I Will Be Back On The Field This Early, Says Tilak Ahead Of T20 WC Title Defence

DY Patil Stadium: India all-rounder Tilak Varma, who joined the national side after recovering from an injury recently, expressed gratitude to the BCCI and the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for helping him return to action sooner than expected. Inspired by the aggressive batting around him, he said the atmosphere was electric and added that both he and the Indian team feel ready for the World Cup. Tilak described the packed DY Patil Stadium and the crowd chanting his name as a big confidence boost, even in a warm-up match as India wrapped up their T20 World Cup preparations in style, defeating South Africa by 30 runs in a high-scoring warm-up match in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday. To be honest I did not expect but I will be back on the field this early. Really thankful for COE and BCCI. I always say that World Cup is my biggest dream to play. The way, I entered the ropes and, everyone was shouting 'Tilak Tilak.' So I didn't expect that. I really felt nice and it also boost me when I was going in. The way Ishan was batting, I have seen him, the way Abhishek and everyone was batting, so I was also a bit like 'Mai bhi maarunga jaake.' I did not expect full crowd, the DY Patil was fully packed. It was just a warm up game but still the craze... Really thanks to everyone. The vibe was really terrific, and yeah- Tilak and the Indian team is ready for the World Cup, Tilak said in a bcci.tv video. Opting to bat first, the hosts put on a batting exhibition, led by Ishan Kishans explosive 53 off just 20 balls. Kishan and Abhishek Sharma gave India a flying start, racing to 80/1 inside six overs before both openers retired out to give others game time. Tilak (45 off 19) and captain Suryakumar Yadav continued the onslaught with a rapid 66-run stand, while late cameos from Axar Patel, Rinku Singh, and a blistering 30 off 10 balls from Hardik Pandya powered India to an imposing 240/5. Opting to bat first, the hosts put on a batting exhibition, led by Ishan Kishans explosive 53 off just 20 balls. Kishan and Abhishek Sharma gave India a flying start, racing to 80/1 inside six overs before both openers retired out to give others game time. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India now turn their focus to their World Cup opener against the USA on Saturday. Article Source: IANS

ICC Reveals Broadcast Details For Mens T20 World Cup 2026

Sky Sports Main Event: The ICC has unveiled the broadcast plans for the Mens T20 World Cup, featuring 20 teams and 55 matches, running from February 7 to March 8. Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the tournament will be accessible worldwide through TV, digital, audio, and emerging platforms. Alongside the main tournament, official warm-up matches will be broadcast on select TV and digital platforms, allowing fans to get an early look at the teams before the opening game. In India, JioStar will broadcast the tournament to fans via Star Sports on linear TV and through the JioHotstar digital platform. All fixtures will be accessible in five languagesEnglish, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannadaon JioStars TV and digital coverage, with additional regional feeds in Bengali, Bhojpuri, and Haryanvi available on JioHotstar. Coverage in Marathi and Indian Sign Language will also be provided for all team India matches, semi-finals, and the final on JioHotstar. Building on the success of earlier ICC events, a vertical live feed will be offered in English and Hindi on JioHotstar, catering to mobile-first viewers. In addition, on JioHotstar, viewers will also have the option to enjoy the games in 360 view and via the Multi-cam feature, which allows engagement with the live match from specific POVs/vantage points, including Hero, Stump, Battery, Field view, and Multi-View. JioStar has partnered with PVR Inox for nationwide screenings of multiple matches during the T20 World Cup. Star Sports will also be accessible to viewers in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives through its distribution partners across the subcontinent. For co-host Sri Lanka, Dialog TV will serve as the official broadcast partner, offering extensive coverage across the island. This includes live telecasts on linear TV, the ThePapare.com website, and the Dialog Play mobile app. Additionally, Dialog TV will provide a Sinhala language feed for all matches on both their linear and digital platforms. Coverage will be further expanded through Dialog TVs free-to-air partner, TV Supreme, as well as Sri Lanka Telecom's PEO TV platform. Fans in the United Kingdom and Ireland can watch the action on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event, with digital streaming through NOW. Sky Sports will also offer Hindi commentary for the semi-finals and the final. Furthermore, since Italy is participating in their first ICC Mens T20 World Cup, Sky Italia will broadcast all Italy matches, along with the semi-finals and the final, live on their platforms. Proteas fans can catch all the live action through SuperSports extensive TV and digital services across sub-Saharan Africa. In Australia, coverage will be on Prime Video, with an extra Hindi commentary feed accessible for all India matches, semi-finals, and the final. Fans in New Zealand can watch the matches on SKY Sport, which will also provide Hindi commentary for all India games, including the semi-finals and the final. In Pakistan, coverage will be provided by PTV and Myco, with support from digital partners Tamasha, ARY Zapp, and Tapmad. Additionally, the ICC will create an Urdu commentary feed for Pakistan matches, which will be broadcast on PTV Home and streamed by digital partners. Willow TV will continue providing live coverage of ICC events in the United States and Canada. All 55 matches will be streamed in both English and Hindi, with free access to all USA matches for viewers in the US and Canada. These matches will also be available free of charge on Willows official YouTube channel. Commentary in English and Hindi will be accessible via Willow DTC and CricBuzz DTC platforms, while other Willow platforms will carry only the English commentary. In partnership with popular social media personality Jomboy, Willow will offer fans an alternative commentary option for the USA vs. India and USA vs. Pakistan matches. In the UAE and the larger MENA region, the tournament will be broadcast on CricLife Max, which is accessible via StarzPlay. Moreover, fans throughout the Middle East can watch StarzPlays coverage of the ICC Mens T20 World Cup on the big screen, thanks to partnerships with VOX (UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman), Reel (UAE), Roxy, Cinepolis, Star (UAE), Mukta (Bahrain), and Epix Cinema (Bahrain). ESPN will broadcast all matches live in the Caribbean Islands, while the Disney+ app will stream the event across Latin America. Additionally, some matches will feature Portuguese commentary on ESPNs linear TV platforms in Brazil. Total Sports Management (Bangladesh) will broadcast the event via leading linear channels T Sports & Nagorik TV, as well as on the digital platform Rabbithole. Additional broadcasters include PNG Digicel (Pacific Islands), Hub Sports 4 (Singapore), and Lemar TV (Afghanistan), which will also offer commentary in Pashto and Dari. In Nepal, Kantipur TV will air the tournament, with some matches produced locally in Nepali. The Nepali commentary will also be accessible in certain regions through ICC.tv, expanding reach to Nepali-speaking viewers. In the Netherlands, NOS will live stream all matches involving the Netherlands, catering to cricket fans in the country. For viewers in Malaysia and Hong Kong, matches can be watched on the CricBuzz channel through their partnerships with Astro Cricket and PCCW. Additionally, the tournament will be available in-flight and at sea on Sport 24, allowing fans to stay up to date on the action while travelling. All remaining territories will be streamed live and free via the ICCs own platform, ICC.tv. Besides live match coverage, ICC.tv will offer commentary in multiple languages, including Japanese and Bahasa, with some matches also available live on the ICCs official YouTube channel. Additionally, the tournament will be available in-flight and at sea on Sport 24, allowing fans to stay up to date on the action while travelling. Also Read: Live Cricket Score For Indian audiences, All India Radio will offer live audio commentary, and in Sri Lanka, Derana FM will provide live ball-by-ball commentary for all matches. Article Source: IANS

Fergus O'Neill moves to Sydney Sixers amid talk over Victoria future

The pace bowler was off contract in the BBL and has moved during the trade window

Generations apart: On the Australian Open, Djokovic-Alcaraz final

Despite being separated by 16 years, Djokovic fought as an equal with Alcaraz

Kishan leads India's batting show in warm-up win over South Africa

Stubbs, Rickelton, Smith and Jansen showed off their batting wares to help South Africa reduce the margin of defeat

Ibrahim Zadran, bowlers take Afghanistan to victory against WI

Matthew Forde was the bright spot with the bat for West Indies as they fell 23 runs short in the chase

U19 WC: Georges Century Helps India Chase Down 311, Set Up Title Clash Against England

Harare Sports Club: Aaron George hit a stroke-filled 115 as five-time champions India pulled off a record run-chase to storm into the final of the 2026 ICC Mens Under-19 World Cup with a seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in the second semi-final at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday. Chasing a daunting 311, India rode on Georges 115 off 104 balls, laced with 15 fours and two sixes at a strike-rate of 110.58 to complete a daunting chase. Explosive half-centuries by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (68 off 33 balls), who was also dropped twice by fielders, and skipper Ayush Mhatre (62 off 39 balls) also helped India to seal their place in the summit clash against England, to be held at the same venue on February 6. They completed the chase in just 41.1 overs, with seven wickets in hand, to enter their 10th World Cup final and sixth in succession. George, who had endured a lean tournament until now, rose to the occasion by sharing a 90-run opening partnership with Sooryavanshi, before adding 114 runs for the second wicket with Mhatre and 96 runs for the third wicket with Vihaan Malhotra, who made 38 not out off 47 balls. Earlier, Afghanistan posted a formidable 310/4 in their 50 overs, built on magnificent centuries from Faisal Shinozada and Uzairullah Niazai. Shinozada top-scored with a 93-ball 110, hitting 15 boundaries, while Niazai remained unbeaten on 101 from 86 deliveries, laced with 12 fours and two sixes. They completed the chase in just 41.1 overs, with seven wickets in hand, to enter their 10th World Cup final and sixth in succession. George, who had endured a lean tournament until now, rose to the occasion by sharing a 90-run opening partnership with Sooryavanshi, before adding 114 runs for the second wicket with Mhatre and 96 runs for the third wicket with Vihaan Malhotra, who made 38 not out off 47 balls. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: Afghanistan 310 (Faisal Shinozada 110, Uzairullah Niazai 101 not out; Kanishk Chouhan 2-55, Deepesh Devendran 2-64) lost to India 311/3 in 41.1 overs (Aaron George 115, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 68; Nooristani Omarzai 2-64, Wahidullah Zadran 1-67) by seven wickets Article Source: IANS

India ace record chase to make Under-19 World Cup final

Aaron George led the way with a classy ton as India chased down 311 with 53 balls to spare

Frylinck, Steenkamp set up Namibia's win against Scotland

Scotland fall short in pursuit of 227 despite McMullen's 95

Mandhana and Rodrigues chill out before WPL final

The RCB and DC captains spoke about the importance of letting go when in a high-pressure field

Working Hard At The CoE In Bengaluru, Will Be Back On The Playing Field Soon: Rishabh Pant

World Pickleball League: India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant said his recovery from a side strain is progressing well at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru and he expects to return to competitive cricket soon. Pant has been sidelined after sustaining a side strain on his right side during a practice session on the eve of the ODI series against New Zealand in Vadodara, when he was struck above the waist by a ball from a throwdown specialist. My fitness is getting better day-by-day. I am working hard in the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, and I feel I am going to be out on the playing field soon, said Pant while being on the sidelines of the World Pickleball League, where he was present as co-owner of Mumbai Pickle Power team. He also emphasized the need to remain engaged with the sport during lengthy rehabilitation periods and credited his love for cricket and his support network for sustaining him through the recovery process. When I am injured, one thing that always keeps me close to the game is the love for the game and the support from the people around you. As a cricketer, you always have to keep adding to your game. I need to keep looking to get better in each and every aspect of my overall gameplay, he said. Pant further said his repeated comebacks from injury have shaped his perspective on cricket and life, though he acknowledged that missing top-level competition remains the most difficult aspect of being sidelined. When I am injured, one thing that always keeps me close to the game is the love for the game and the support from the people around you. As a cricketer, you always have to keep adding to your game. I need to keep looking to get better in each and every aspect of my overall gameplay, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score When I am injured, the thing I miss the most is really enjoying the game. You love the game so much, but you also enjoy it while playing it at the top level. Thats something I miss truly, he signed off. Article Source: IANS

WPL 2026: Delhi Capitals Backed By Former Coach To End Trophy Jinx On Fourth Attempt

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Delhi Capitals will attempt to shake off three successive final defeats when they face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2026 Women's Premier League (WPL) decider clash in Vadodara on Thursday, with the sides former fielding coach Milap Mewada backing the side to finally break their jinx in the title clash. DC have always reached the WPLs summit clash since the tournament's inception in 2023, but are yet to lift the trophy, a record that weighs on a squad now led by Jemimah Rodrigues in her first season as their captain. Their route to this year's WPL final was far from smooth - they lost three of their first four matches, before DC clawed back in the Vadodara leg by winning four out of five games to finish third in the league stage and then eliminated Gujarat Giants in the eliminator clash, indicating that they are peaking at the right time. According to me, the mind works towards a feeling that whenever you walk on the road and fall down, you always have that fear of falling down again after reaching a certain point. But in order to avoid, remove or nullify this, first of all you have to be very positive. Second, every day is a new day and its another game of cricket. Here, the thing is you have to work out a little bit on a game plan and take some good suitable decisions in the final. Plus, this is like a new place where they will play the final and the only thing DC have to do is to believe in themselves now and believe in this momentum, said Mewada, who kept track of DCs progress while being busy with his commitments as Goa senior mens team head coach, to IANS on Wednesday. DC have emerged as the tournament's most efficient fielding unit, with their catching percentage at 83.6 percent, according to data provided by CricViz analysts embedded with the franchises scouting team. They held 41 chances and dropped only eight across nine matches, thus placing them comfortably ahead of finalists RCB, which stands at 79 percent. While they looked initially out of sorts, DCs bowling attack has picked up pace as the season progressed. Four DC bowlers feature in the tournament's top 10 wicket-takers the impressive young pacer Nandni Sharma (16 wickets), left-arm spinner N Sree Charani (14), as well as overseas seam-bowling all-rounders Chinelle Henry (12) and Marizanne Kapp (10). Delhi Capitals were the best fielding side in the league by objective measures. The group assessed Vadodara conditions early, where the pitch was lower-scoring compared to DY Patil, and adjusted their approach accordingly. Jemimahs captaincy improved over the season. Even during losses, selection and messaging stayed consistent, which helped maintain morale. The team made only two changes across the entire tournament, the fewest in the league, aiding continuity. Batters largely played straight, and bowlers consistently kept the stumps in play, which suited the conditions, said CricViz analysts, who are a part of the DC scouting team, to IANS. Mewada, who was in the DC camp when they lost the WPL 2025 final to Mumbai Indians at the Brabourne Stadium, listed his advice for the side ahead of the title clash at BCA Stadium. First thing, they do not have to think that we have been a fourth time finalist and we could not win. But there could be reasons behind being a fourth time finalist. That means, there is something in you. At least, you are consistent in being the finalists. Number two is, you handle yourself well for that particular three hours. That's as simple as it is. You have to handle yourself and take good decisions, which is most important. Take very good decisions and play peacefully. So, I think, they can make it to the trophy this time, as everybody has that belief. As per the analysts, the fate of DC in the final against Smriti Mandhana-led RCB will depend on how openers Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee fare, especially in the face of in-form new-ball pacer Lauren Bell. The explosive batting duo have three 50-plus stands (all of them resulting in wins) in nine innings so far, the most by any opening pair this season. Their partnership has averaged 40.11 runs (the fourth highest for a batting pair in WPL), while their highest partnership of 94 came at a brisk run rate of 8.84 and smacking 75 in the power-play in the Eliminator showcased their ability to combine aggression with stability. Though they havent yet registered a century stand, their aggregate of 361 is the second-highest partnership total in the tournament, only behind 383 runs made by Smriti and Grace Harris. The moment I saw Lizelle Lee batting in WPL for the first time, I felt she is actually made for opening in white ball cricket. DCs plan should be in a way that Lizelle and Shafali bat for beyond 6-8 overs. If they can do this and even when they are chasing, like if it's 200, then it is possible, as both of them are game changers. After them, Laura, Jemi, Henry and others will manage the scoring. But the most important thing is, as long as these two bat for long and set the tone, it will be very beneficial for DC. The momentum they have now after winning the eliminator, it is a very good thing that they have come up from behind and into the final. So chances are high for them to get over the line in the final this time, added Mewada. Jemimah's leadership has evolved through the tournament, even as her own batting required adjustment. A week ago, a three-run loss to GG that saw Jemimah being bowled while attempting a scoop shot, DC's campaign appeared to be unraveling. But in the Eliminator on Tuesday, Jemimah sprinted across the outfield to encourage her bowlers, and hit her boundaries with a trademark delight that appeared to galvanize the entire squad. Winning the Eliminator is a good omen for DC as the one whos won that game has gone on to win the WPL. Jemimah's leadership has evolved through the tournament, even as her own batting required adjustment. A week ago, a three-run loss to GG that saw Jemimah being bowled while attempting a scoop shot, DC's campaign appeared to be unraveling. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Now her strike rate is much better than it was last year. That means as a cricketer and as a leader, she is grooming herself. I am sure there will be staff and guys helping her in this decision making and tactical plans. Playing the final for the fourth time, I am sure if they forget about what has happened before and this is the only moment where we are going to give our best, they can manage to get the trophy, concluded Mewada. Article Source: IANS

RCB-W vs DC-W Final Prediction, WPL 2026: Match Preview And Expected Playing XI

RCB-W vs DC-W, Match Final, Cricket Tips :The final of the WPL 2026 will be played between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals. These two have reached the final after dominating the group stage. RCB-W finished the group stage at the top. They have had multiple performers in the league round and probably the best bowling unit. Meanwhile, DC-W have had performances in the lateral half of the tournament. Their batting unit has started performing now. But if we talk about the bowling unit, it is RCB-W who has a little edge because of the several wicket-takers. DC-W have failed to do it in three finals, but can they break the jinx in their fourth attempt? RCB-W vs DC-W: Match Details Date : February 05, 2026 (Thursday) Time : 7:30 PM IST Venue : BCA Stadium, Vadodara RCB-W vs DC-W Live Streaming Details Indian fans can catch the live action of the Star Sports Networks on the cable TVs. Fans can enjoy the live stream of the game on the Jio Hotstar app or website. RCB-W vs DC-W: Head-to-Head in WPL Total Matches : 9 Royal Challengers Bengaluru : 3 Delhi Capitals : 6 No-Result : 0 RCB-W vs DC-W: Ground Pitch Report BCA Stadium has proved to be an excellent batting venue. Batting teams have produced great batting surfaces because of the black soil used here. The toss will be crucial here, as bowling first is an ideal decision here. Bowlers have more to bowl in the first innings. RCB-W vs DC-W: Possible XIs Royal Challengers Bengaluru : Smriti Mandhana (c), Grace Harris, Georgia Voll, Richa Ghosh (wk), Radha Yadav, Pooja Vastrakar, Nadine de Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Sayali Satghare, Shreyanka Patil, Lauren Bell Delhi Capitals : Shafali Verma, Laura Wolvaardt, Lizelle Lee (wk), Jemimah Rodrigues (c), Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Chinelle Henry, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani, Nandni Sharma RCB-W vs DC-W: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Captain Jemimah Rodrigues produced a MOTM performance in the Eliminator. She is in great form and will have a big role in the final. For RCB-W, Smriti Mandhana holds this role. She is an experienced player and knows how to win big games. Probable Best Bowler Lauren Bell has been exceptional in the power play. Her ability to swing at a good pace has troubled the batters. For DC-W, veteran Marizanne Kapp has been the game-changer with the new ball. Today Match Prediction : Both teams have done well this season, but only one can win the final. RCB-W have an edge because of their bowling unit. DC-W seem to have found their form back and are going great. Hence, we predict DC-W to win the final on Thursday. RCB-W vs DC-W Match Final, WPL 2026, Today Match RCB-W vs DC-W, RCB-W vs DC-W Prediction, RCB-W vs DC-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for RCB-W vs DC-W Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.

Sachin Tendulkar Guides Mumbai Players Ahead Of Ranji Trophy Quarterfinal Vs Karnataka

MCA BKC Ground: India's legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar has shared his insights on managing big-game pressure and maintaining a winning mindset with the Mumbai players at MCA BKC Ground on Wednesday, ahead of the team's Ranji Trophy quarterfinal match against Karnataka, which will be played from February 6. In a video shared by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Facebook, former captain Sachin can be seen answering every player's question and also giving them tips to play a particular ball with the help of the bat. Sachin Tendulkar has played 38 Ranji games for Mumbai and scored 4,281 runs at an average of 87.3, with 18 centuries and 19 half-centuries. His best season came in 1994, when he played seven innings and scored five centuries, including twin hundreds in the final against Punjab at the Wankhede Stadium. In 1999-00, Tendulkar registered his highest Ranji Trophy score of an unbeaten 233 against Tamil Nadu at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk. Tendulkar previously interacted with India's U19 team ahead of their fixture against Pakistan in the ongoing U19 World Cup. Tendulkar motivated the young stars and guided them to attain victory from tough situations. The day after, the Indian team crushed Pakistan's side by 58 runs and secured their place in the semi-finals. Mumbai's team has been strengthened just before the match, as their top batter, Yashasvi Jaiswal, has joined the team for the quarterfinals. The team also has experienced players like Shardul Thakur and Ajinkya Rahane. The day after, the Indian team crushed Pakistan's side by 58 runs and secured their place in the semi-finals. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Mumbai is the most successful team in the Ranji Trophy's history with 42 titles to its name, while Karnataka has won eight trophies. Article Source: IANS

Chris Lynn returns to Northants as Matthew Breetzke pulls out of deal

Australian batter starred for Hampshire in last season's Vitality Blast, knocking out Northants in semis

England Beat India By Four Wickets To Take Unassailable 3-1 Lead In Mixed Disability T20I Series

Mixed Disability T20I Series: England sealed the five-match Mixed Disability T20I Series in emphatic fashion, registering a composed four-wicket victory over India in the fourth T20I to take an unassailable 31 lead on Wednesday. England pursued a modest target with depth, discipline, and composure under pressure, finishing the chase with five balls remaining and emphasizing their dominance throughout the match. India, asked to bat first, faced difficulties in forming consistent partnerships, finishing at 133 for 9 in 18.5 overs. Jayesh Parmar was the standout for the hosts, scoring an exciting 59 off just 33 balls. His innings, which included five fours and five sixes, gave a much-needed boost to the Indian batting, coming at a time when wickets were falling regularly. Akash Singh offered brief support with a brisk 21 off 18 deliveries, while wicketkeeper Yogendra Bhadoria contributed 16 at the top of the order. Despite these efforts, India failed to capitalise in the latter stages, as Englands disciplined bowling attack maintained tight lines and lengths, preventing any late flourish. Regular breakthroughs ensured the hosts never gained full control of the innings. Englands innings was confidently led by Liam OBrien, who scored an unbeaten 70 off 41 balls. Demonstrating maturity and calmness, OBrien managed the innings wisely, blending aggressive shots with smart shot choices to maintain a steady run rate. His performance, featuring four fours and three sixes, was crucial to Englands successful chase. Akash Singh offered brief support with a brisk 21 off 18 deliveries, while wicketkeeper Yogendra Bhadoria contributed 16 at the top of the order. Despite these efforts, India failed to capitalise in the latter stages, as Englands disciplined bowling attack maintained tight lines and lengths, preventing any late flourish. Regular breakthroughs ensured the hosts never gained full control of the innings. Also Read: Live Cricket Score England secured their dominance in the series with a 31 victory, having one match remaining. The final T20I on February 6 presents India a chance to regain some pride, whereas England will look to finish the series strongly. Article Source: IANS

T20 WC: Time Of Upsets Is In Past For Netherlands, Aim To Get In Final Four, Says Logan Van Beek

T20 World Cups: The Netherlands have won more matches in the Mens T20 World Cups than any other associate nation. Twin victories over England twice, while taking down South Africa and Zimbabwe have underlined their ability to beat top-ranked sides. But as they gear up to compete in their seventh T20 World Cup, the Netherlands are keen to shed their reputation of being giant-killers and make a serious push to get into the closing stages of the tournament. Seam-bowling all-rounder Logan Van Beek was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, but holds a Dutch passport through his father, and has been a constant presence in Netherlands set-up since 2014 Mens T20 World Cup. In an exclusive conversation with IANS, van Beek talks about the Netherlands aspirations in the tournament, preparation, reliance on data analytics and more. Excerpts: Q. How have you adjusted to the pitches which will be on offer in India and Sri Lanka during the sides recent camp at Super Kings Academy in Chennai? A. Yes, it's my first time of actually understanding the difference between red soil, black soil, and then the combo of black and red. They all have differences depending on what time of day you play. If you're playing a morning game, it might be a little bit stickier. In the afternoon, its a little bit drier, and then come the evening, dew might play a factor. It's just trying to understand the different soils and sometimes it dictates what ball you might go to more often in your spell. Q. Given the Netherlands history of making upsets in recent tournaments, how do you foresee the sides chances in the mega event? A. I think the times of upsets is kind of in the past for us. We're here to reach the final stages of the tournament. We've been together as a group for two or three years now. We've won some big games, which has given us confidence. But we're here to get to the final four and see if we can push for the trophy. Q. Beyond the smaller talent pool, what additional challenges do Associate teams face in competing at this level? A. Obviously, there's the financial kind of problem that associate teams have, the lack of resources, the lack of extra coaching throughout the season, and the lead-in periods. There's also the number of players that we often have to choose from. So, you really have to upskill the guys that are in your kind of 20-man squad. But again, it's something that we just have to deal with and get on with it. Our kind of motto is just to try and get as much as we can out of each individual and then come together as one as we walk onto the field. Q. To what extent does the Netherlands rely on data and analytics in T20 cricket, and how does it shape your preparation? A. We're a big fan of data analytics. We're not afraid of a long meeting and discussion amongst the group and really understanding what guys are thinking and what each person has seen with the data. We've got a coaching staff who really look into the numbers and try to find that little outlier or something that can give us a slight advantage going into the game. I think it's something that we need to do as a group, just to have something one-up against the opposition, because when we go up against the likes of Australia, India, New Zealand. Man for man, obviously they're very good cricketers and we need to find ways to find little gaps in their games that we can exploit, or just ways to try and get a little opportunity. If we can open that up, that doesn't really make sense, but if we can find a way that we can find some information that is unique, use it, and if we can gain that little opportunity to take advantage of and see if we can run with it. T20 cricket is one of those games where there are small advantages. The game can happen very fast, and momentum can shift very quickly. So that's what we're trying to do, is to try and create a moment to try and turn that into momentum. Q. Having beaten South Africa previously, as well as England and Zimbabwe, what do such victories mean for Associate players like you? A. First and foremost, it's a great memory. Some of my greatest memories with the Dutch team are beating those top tier nations, and the most enjoyable part of those games is the way that we've gone about it. In preparation, we've stood tall, guys have had special performances within those games, but we've done it as a group. It's something that we thrive on in terms of being and winning together. So now, going into this tournament, having had those little successes in the past, it's about can we do that in these first four games and try and get those three wins. Q. You continue to play domestic cricket in New Zealand and England. How does that experience help your own game and in adapting to different conditions? A. I just love playing cricket all year round. I guess, getting a little bit older, I want to make sure that I'm playing cricket. I don't necessarily want to be indoors training. The more cricket I can play, whether it be New Zealand or England, I just want to make sure that as long as this body is fit, I want to be playing cricket. It obviously gives you good experiences coming against different types of players, slightly different pitches. It's also exciting because you're trying to evolve your game constantly. Young guys are coming in and doing some really special different things. It's good to get that experience, and then when you go into tournaments like this, you can rely on that experience. If you see something you can, and you do go well, so I've done well by doing this against this. I'm going to trust that and definitely adds to the toolbox. Q. The Netherlands will play matches in Colombo, New Delhi, Chennai and Ahmedabad. How significant will it be to adapt to the conditions on offer closer to game days? A. We've played in Delhi, against Australia (in the 2023 ODI World Cup) and so we know that venue. It's a rapid outfield and quite a small ground. Australia had a bit of a day out that day. But for me, it's exciting. Ahmedabad is a huge stadium. I'm hoping that there's going to be 1,30,000 people there just for that atmosphere against India. I've never been to Sri Lanka. I've always wanted to play in Colombo. So that's going to be a really cool experience. Then Chennai, I've personally played a game there for New Zealand A. But we've watched plenty of IPL cricket and we've seen the Super Kings do so well there. It's just going to be an awesome experience. Playing cricket in India in general is just an amazing experience - doesn't matter which ground you're at. Q. You were born and raised in Christchurch but represent the Netherlands through family heritage. How do you balance this dual identity and more importantly, carrying Dutch cricket forward? A. I am me, really. It's like Logan van Beek is a mixture of being half Dutch. My grandfather's a West Indian from Trinidad and Tobago. I was born and raised in New Zealand. I'm kind of a bit of a mixing pot of different nationalities and that's unique to me. I'm super proud of each and one of those nationalities that I represent. I've been fortunate enough to play and represent the Netherlands in the last 12 years. It's something that I'm very, very proud of each time I get to do it. It's the main thing - just trying to inspire the next generation of Netherlands cricketers. If we can throughout this World Cup, get one or two of them watching, seeing how we play together, how much fun we're having and doing some x-factor performances, then hopefully we create some young cricketers who want to pick up a cricket bat instead of a hockey stick. I've been fortunate enough to play and represent the Netherlands in the last 12 years. It's something that I'm very, very proud of each time I get to do it. It's the main thing - just trying to inspire the next generation of Netherlands cricketers. Also Read: Live Cricket Score A. It is 100 percent. He's the reason why I play cricket. He taught me how to hold a bat and play the game in the right spirit. He was my biggest fan, and my biggest critic. Every time I play cricket, a lot of the times I'm playing for him. I know that he's up there watching me. But he was a massive influence and I definitely wouldn't be playing cricket if it wasn't for him and his passion for the game. Article Source: IANS

ICC T20I Rankings: Kishan Gains 32 Spots, Saim Ayub Becomes No. 1 All-rounder

ICC T20I Rankings: Indian wicketkeeper batter Ishan Kishan has jumped 32 positions in the latest ICC Men's T20I batter rankings after an impressive comeback series against New Zealand, where the left-handed player scored 207 runs in just three matches, which also includes his maiden T20I century. Kishan is now placed at the 32nd spot in the rankings released just before the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will commence on February 7. Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav has also moved past Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan to come in sixth place. While opener Abhishek Sharma continued his dominance at the top. Meanwhile, Pakistan's opener Saim Ayub has grabbed the top spot in the T20I all-rounders ranking after an impressive run in the recently concluded Australia series, which Pakistan won by 3-0. The 23-year-old scored 119 runs and claimed three wickets during the series, which helped him dethrone Sikandar Raza from the No. 1 spot. Pakistan's main spinner, Abrar Ahmed, also made significant gains as he moved to the second spot. The right-armer is just 28 points behind Varun Chakravarthy, who holds the top spot. Pakistan's all-rounder, Mohammad Nawaz, who took a five-wicket haul in the series, moved eight spots to be placed at seventh in the bowlers' ranking. While England leg-spinner Adil Rashid moved up two places to fourth, and New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner jumped eight spots to equal 23rd in the ranking. Pakistan's all-rounder, Mohammad Nawaz, who took a five-wicket haul in the series, moved eight spots to be placed at seventh in the bowlers' ranking. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Other than that, South Africa's opener Ryan Rickleton moved 42 places to the 40th spot, and Australian all-rounder Cameron Green climbed 16 spots to 14. Proteas star Quinton De Kock, who scored a brilliant hundred, has gained 15 places to sit at 22nd. Article Source: IANS

BATC: India Women Crush Myanmar 5-0 In Opener

Badminton Asia Team Championship: Defending champions India women began their Badminton Asia Team Championship campaign in commanding fashion, registering a dominant 5-0 victory over Myanmar in their Group Y opener at the Qingdao Conson Gymnasium on Wednesday. The Indian team suffered a big blow before the start of the tournament as two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, played a major part in Team India's triumph in 2024, withdrew from competition due to a niggle. After Sindhu's exit, all the focus was on 17-year-old prodigy Tanvi Sharma, who was part of India's title-winning squad in 2024, and she did not let down. Tanvi won the first match comfortably. It took her just 32 minutes to beat Myanmar's Thet Htar Thuzur 21-13, 21-16 in the opening match. After a strong start, Rakshita Sree Santosh and Malvika Bansod also sealed points with straight-set wins against the visitors. In the doubles game, the pair of Priya Konjengbam and Shruti Mishra got the better of Su Latt and Thet and beat the Myanmar combination in straight sets, 21-15, 21-16. In the final match, the duo of Tressa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand crushed Htet and Phoo with a straight-set victory of 21-8, 21-6. Defending champions India will now play against last year's runners-up Thailand in the next match, which will be played on Thursday. In the tournament, each group-stage tie comprises five rubbers, which include three singles and two doubles, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarter-finals. Defending champions India will now play against last year's runners-up Thailand in the next match, which will be played on Thursday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India's women are the defending champions, while China are the reigning men's winners. India's men have claimed bronze medals twice, in 2016 and 2020. Article Source: IANS

IANS Welcomes ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy With Dhol, Dance And Desi Tadka

T20 World Cup Trophy: The ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 trophy arrived at the IANS headquarters on Wednesday as part of its official Trophy Tour, setting off a wave of celebration and excitement ahead of the marquee tournament, scheduled to begin on February 7 across co-hosts India and Sri Lanka. The arrival of the coveted silverware was marked by traditional dhol beats and energetic dance, lending a vibrant desi flavour to the occasion. The festive welcome created a celebratory atmosphere at the IANS office, drawing staff and visitors alike to witness the iconic trophy up close. The ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 will be the tenth edition of the biennial global tournament in the Twenty20 International format and is regarded as one of the biggest and most exciting events in world sport. Beyond the on-field action, the event aims to inspire communities worldwide to pick up a bat and ball and share in the excitement of crickets shortest and most thrilling format. It also presents an opportunity to showcase Indias iconic venues, cities and landmarks on the global stage. The Trophy Tour, held in the lead-up to all major ICC events, is designed to offer fans unique opportunities to connect with the most coveted silverware in world cricket. Over the years, the trophy has visited iconic landmarks, met heads of state, supported cricket development programmes and launched community initiatives, all while driving awareness, excitement and unity among crickets vast global fanbase. The ICC's vision for the 2026 T20 World Cup is to make it the biggest, most global and most accessible cricket event ever framing the tournament as a celebration of possibilities. Key objectives include ensuring global accessibility for fans, deepening passion in traditional cricketing heartlands such as India and Sri Lanka, broadening the sports reach worldwide, and inspiring future generations to engage with the game. The Trophy Tour, held in the lead-up to all major ICC events, is designed to offer fans unique opportunities to connect with the most coveted silverware in world cricket. Over the years, the trophy has visited iconic landmarks, met heads of state, supported cricket development programmes and launched community initiatives, all while driving awareness, excitement and unity among crickets vast global fanbase. Also Read: Live Cricket Score As the trophy continues its journey across key locations, its stop at IANS, celebrated with dhol, dance and unmistakable cricketing fervour, served as a powerful reminder that the countdown to T20 glory is well and truly underway. Article Source: IANS

Sam Curran Pretty Happy With flexible Role In The Team

T20 World Cup: England all-rounder Sam Curran has reiterated his comfort with a fluid role in the national side, a trait that has become increasingly valuable as the team builds momentum ahead of the T20 World Cup. Currans adaptability was a defining feature of Englands recent 30 T20I series sweep over Sri Lanka, where his contributions with both bat and ball proved decisive across varying conditions. The highlight of the series came in the third and final T20I, when Curran struck a composed 58 off 48 deliveries to help England post a competitive total of 128. The innings laid the foundation for a successful defence and earned him the Player of the Match award. His impact, however, was not limited to one game. In the second T20I, Curran chipped in with an unbeaten 20, steering England home in a tricky chase of 168 alongside Tom Banton. Earlier in the series, he had already made his presence felt by claiming a hat-trick in the opening match. Speaking after the series, Curran acknowledged the evolving nature of his responsibilities within the side and expressed contentment with the lack of a fixed role. I know my role with the ball is going to be quite flexible, and I'm pretty happy with that. The 25-year-old emphasised his desire to influence games in whichever discipline the situation demands. Just hoping that when I don't bowl well, I can bat well, and when I don't bat well, I can bowl well. I guess that's my logic. Currans role has expanded since his first T20 World Cup appearance in 2022, where he was used predominantly as a bowler. This time around, he has been entrusted with greater batting responsibility, often slotting in at No. 6. That evolution mirrors his growth as a cricketerone that culminated in a memorable 2022 campaign, where England lifted the T20 World Cup trophy and Curran was named Player of the Tournament. He credits his development to the experience gained through franchise cricket and believes it has sharpened both facets of his game. I love my batting, I love my bowling, Curran said, adding that he is eager to continue delivering for England on the global stage. Currans role has expanded since his first T20 World Cup appearance in 2022, where he was used predominantly as a bowler. This time around, he has been entrusted with greater batting responsibility, often slotting in at No. 6. That evolution mirrors his growth as a cricketerone that culminated in a memorable 2022 campaign, where England lifted the T20 World Cup trophy and Curran was named Player of the Tournament. Also Read: Live Cricket Score As England fine-tune their combinations ahead of the World Cup, Currans versatility and willingness to adapt continue to make him a crucial component of the squad. Article Source: IANS

PSL: Babar, Shaheen retained in Platinum category; Sultans release Rizwan

Multan Sultans were the only team not to retain any player; Sialkot Stallionz and Hyderabad will make their retentions by February 7

Absolutely Brilliant Show: Ganguly Hails DCs Performance After They March Into Fourth Straight WPL Final

The Delhi Capitals: The Delhi Capitals clinched a seven-wicket win against the Gujarat Giants on Tuesday to seal their spot in the Womens Premier League (WPL) final for the fourth consecutive time in as many editions of the tournament, and former India captain and DC's Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly hailed the teams efforts by dropping a comment on all-rounder Marizanne Kapps social media post. Ganguly is heavily involved with the Delhi womens team, overseeing overall strategy, squad formation, and team development, including handling the auction process for the WPL team. Kapp shared a post on her X handle on Wednesday after DC made it to the final on Tuesday, and wrote, This is special, 4 finals in 4 years! Couldnt be happier! What a team, what a franchise! So so special! Team DC, Thank you Jesus. On this, Ganguly commented, Absolutely brilliant show. Asked to respond to Gujarats 168/7, Delhi wasted little time asserting control and completed the task with ease, courtesy of a clinical batting display led by Lizelle Lee and skipper Jemimah Rodrigues. Lee was particularly severe on anything loose, peppering the boundary with authority, while Shafali played the perfect foil with brisk support. The opening stand of 89 runs was broken in the eighth over when Lee was trapped lbw by Georgia Wareham for a fluent 43 off 24 balls, an innings studded with eight fours and a six. On this, Ganguly commented, Absolutely brilliant show. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rodrigues 41 off just 23 balls, laced with four boundaries and a six, effectively sealed the contest. When she was dismissed with the team at 160/3 in the 15th over, Delhi were already within touching distance. Wolvaardt remained unbeaten on 32 off 24 deliveries, while Kapp finished the job with a quick cameo as Delhi reached 169/3 with 26 balls to spare. Article Source: IANS

Spin-Heavy Pakistan Hit Form, But India Boycott Risks Early T20 Exit

Pakistan's spin-heavy squad are in winning form ahead of the T20 World Cup, but a controversial decision to forfeit their marquee clash against India could still trigger another early exit. Pakistan came close to withdrawing from the tournament in solidarity with Bangladesh, who pulled out after refusing to play in India, citing security concerns. The Pakistan government eventually cleared the team's participation but it barred them from facing India in Colombo in a blockbuster clash on February 15. With two points for a win, a forfeit of the match will leave Pakistan with no margin for error if they are to progress as one of the top two from a five-team Group A. It means they must win their opening game against the Netherlands in Colombo on Saturday and beat the United States three days later to stay in contention. Their final group game will be against Namibia on February 18. Captain Salman Agha said the move to boycott the India game was out of the team's hands. That is not our decision. We have to follow what our government decides, he said. The Pakistan government has not said what their stance might be if the team were to end up facing India again in the semi-finals or final. Agha was not thinking about that. Our job is to win, and we are capable of doing that, he said. Pakistan will be keen to avoid a repeat of the last T20 World Cup in 2024, where a shock super over defeat to co-hosts the United States led to them failing to get out of the group. The side has since faced criticism for failing to adapt to the modern demands of T20 cricket, with the batting, particularly Babar Azam's low strike rate, under scrutiny. The criticism was fuelled by Pakistan's record last year, where 21 of their 34 T20 international wins came against lower-ranked opponents. - Confidence restored - Against elite teams, the results were sobering: three losses to India in the Asia Cup and a 41 series defeat to New Zealand. However, Agha believes recent performances have restored confidence. Pakistan beat South Africa 21, won a home tri-series, and then completed a 30 sweep of an under-strength Australia. We've had good preparation by beating Australia. We have the luxury of quality spinning all-rounders like Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan and Saim Ayub. We're ticking most boxes and believe we can win the World Cup, Agha said. The spin department has been strengthened by Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq, the latter known for his unusual, slingy action and exaggerated pause at the crease. The pace attack is led by the experienced Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. Faheem Ashraf provides seam-bowling all-round support and newcomer Salman Mirza has been impressive. Batting remains Pakistans most volatile component. When openers Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan provide strong starts, the side can post competitive totals, but collapses remain a constant threat. Head coach Mike Hesson has added another layer of risk by leaving out experienced wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan because of poor form, opting instead for makeshift options in Usman Khan, Khawaja Nafay and Farhan. Also Read: Live Cricket Score For Pakistan, the ingredients for a deep run are present, but with points potentially forfeited, there is little room left for error.

McCullum: Media scrutiny of Brook incident is 'annoying'

Head coach backs intelligence of white-ball captain, and confirms he wants to stay in charge of Test team

'It Was About Having Clear Heads', Says Chinelle Henry After DC March Into Fourth Straight WPL Final

As Delhi Capitals: As Delhi Capitals sealed their place in the final of the Womens Premier League 2026 with a commanding seven-wicket win over Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator at the BCA Stadium here on Tuesday, allrounder Chinelle Henry reflected on the mindset of heading into the Eliminator, saying it was about having clear heads and staying calm. Chasing a target of 169, DC completed the chase with 26 balls to spare, booking a final clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and extending their record of qualifying for every WPL final to four. Before we went in, we had a small conversation about how we were going to go about it. In the previous games we played them, we came out on the wrong end in some pretty tight matches. This time it was about having clear heads and staying calm while chasing this total. An explosive opening partnership of 89 off 43 between Lizelle Lee (43 off 24) and Shafali Verma 31 off 21) laid the foundation for the chase before the middle order steered DC towards the favoured outcome. Speaking about the clarity within the group and the trust in individual roles, Henry added, It was about having clear plans and backing our strengths because we know how dangerous Shafali and Lizelle are at the top of the order. Regardless of the score, it was just about going out there and playing our game. Speaking about leadership within the team she said, As a pace unit, a lot of the work is done behind the scenes. We pick each others brains and have a lot of conversations, especially about conditions. Jemimah (Rodrigues) is always willing to have those conversations about what is working and what each bowlers strengths are. Sharing the powerplay with (Marizanne) Kapp is special. We constantly talk about plans and how we can help the team together. Earlier, DCs bowlers played a decisive role in putting the Giants under pressure with Chinelle Henry picking 3 and Nandni Sharma with 2 scalps derailing the opposition's momentum. With her performance, Nandni achieved a landmark feat, becoming the highest wicket taking Indian bowler in a single WPL season, moving to 16 wickets in the 2026 edition and remaining in contention for the Purple Cap. Opening up on the belief within the squad in high-pressure situations, Henry said, As a team, we trust each other and we believe in the ability of the group. Whether it was Lizelle, Shafali, Jemimah or Laura, or the rest of us at the back end, we knew the job that we had to do. Henry has played a key role for DC this season, contributing across departments. Speaking about her role she said, I was brought into this team as an all-rounder. If one part is not going your way, the other can fall into place. I am just happy to be helping the team in whichever way that I can. Over the past couple of years, it has been about developing different skills, not just bowling with the new ball but being effective in different phases of the game and also improving my batting by reading situations better. With the team now turning their focus to the final, Henry said, It does not matter whether you have a quick turnaround. As a unit, we are never switched off. The conversations about how we can get better are always happening. Over the past couple of years, it has been about developing different skills, not just bowling with the new ball but being effective in different phases of the game and also improving my batting by reading situations better. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Delhi Capitals will take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final of the Womens Premier League 2026 on Thursday. Article Source: IANS

Daly Quiz | On grand slams

Carlos Alcarez on Sunday became the youngest male tennisplayer tocompletea career grand slamin the open era.Here is a quiz onthe grand slams

Stanikzai comes in for Aqil as Afghanistan bat; India unchanged

India come into the semi-final unbeaten while Afghanistan have had one slip-up against Sri Lanka

'One Of The Most Dangerous Teams': Dhoni On Indias T20 WC Squad

Mahendra Singh Dhoni: Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni expressed confidence in the Indian team's prospects for the Mens T20 World Cup 2026, highlighting that they possess the right combination of experience, skill, and balance to perform well in a high-pressure tournament. Dhoni emphasised that the team's strength depends on how well the players handle pressure situations and their clearly defined roles. He noted that players are always in match-ready mode, whether batting or bowling, giving India a crucial edge over competitors. Its one of the most dangerous teams. You know, they would have already started batting or bowling. But what all is needed in a good team? Everything is there. They have the experience. Especially when it comes to this format, the experience is vast. They have played under pressure. Whoever is playing whatever roles they are playing in the team, they have been in that situation for a considerable period of time, Dhoni said at an event. Although Dhoni remained optimistic, he highlighted dew as a factor that can undermine even the most carefully prepared plans in white-ball cricket. He said that dew can significantly affect playing conditions and make toss decisions crucial, potentially creating unfair advantages in matches. What worries me? Again, I hate dew. Dew changes a lot of things. So, even when I was playing, something that really scared me was dew. Where the toss becomes crucial and all of that. If we are playing 10 matches with some of the best teams, we will come out as winners more often than not. If the conditions remain neutral, Dhoni said. Although Dhoni remained optimistic, he highlighted dew as a factor that can undermine even the most carefully prepared plans in white-ball cricket. He said that dew can significantly affect playing conditions and make toss decisions crucial, potentially creating unfair advantages in matches. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The problem is whens some of your players have a day off and somebody from the opposition has a brilliant day. And it can happen in the T20 group. So, thats the time. Whether it happens in the league stage, whether it happens in the knockout stage, thats where all the praying is needed. You know, nobody should get injured. Whatever roles are given, people should accomplish their roles for the team, the former India captain said. Article Source: IANS

WPL: We've Plenty Of Time To Tinker A Little Bit & Come Back Stronger Next Year, Says GG Head Coach Klinger

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Head coach Michael Klinger felt the Gujarat Giants' WPL 2026 season demonstrated noticeable progress, despite an overall sense of unfinished goals, as the side concluded their campaign with a loss to Delhi Capitals in the Eliminator on Tuesday. Securing second place on the points table marked a positive advancement and showed that the Giants maintained composure in close matches throughout the league phase. However, it also identified areas for improvement, especially during the most critical moments. They achieved a clean sweep of UP Warriorz, ending a long winless streak against the Mumbai Indians, and narrowly defeated Delhi Capitals twice in last-over finishes, with Sophie Devine's calm under pressure playing a key role. The margins of victory were often very close, and their confidence was clear, even though losses to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in both encounters prevented a higher league-stage position. As Klinger noted, the season ended in disappointment once again, with the Giants missing out on successive Eliminators in 2025 and 2026. Yeah, certainly, finishing outright second this year is a huge improvement. Probably the two finals (Eliminators) we played, both last year and this year, we just didn't play at our best. We spoke about it today in our team meeting - that when we play close to our best, we're a chance to beat any team in this competition - and we just weren't quite there today, in our batting and our bowling, Klinger said, addressing the media after the Giants' loss to DC. Nonetheless, the overall evaluation stayed positive. We've learned a lot about our squad this year. Whether we won the final or not, or the championship or not, we're pretty clear on the areas we need to improve next year. We've got plenty of time - about 10 months now - to watch more cricket from both local and overseas players, tinker a little bit, and hopefully come back bigger and stronger next year. To qualify two years in a row, there are always teams who would much prefer to be where we are than already gone home. So we're satisfied with that, but at the same time we're aiming for bigger things. It didn't happen this year, but we'll keep giving ourselves a chance by qualifying, and hopefully next year we'll play stronger cricket in the bigger games, he said. Klinger expressed optimism about the Indian talent in the squad, viewing this season as a foundation rather than a ceiling. I think it's about players taking the next step. Anushka (Sharma) had a good season for her first year. She got a lot of good starts, which for a young player is fantastic. The next step for her is realising how good she is, and that she can be a 300-plus run WPL player going forward. She's a fantastic player and person, and she's probably a big chance to play for India before next year's WPL. I hope she does, because that international experience will help her for us next year as well. I thought Bharti (Fulmali) started the season really well and played some fantastic innings. Potentially, the lower bounce here (in Vadodara) didn't quite suit her, so she couldn't get going. It's more about belief - that they don't just have to contribute, but can dominate, like some of the other Indian batters in the competition. If they come in with that attitude next year, they'll be fine. Obviously, we'll have Yastika (Bhatia) next year, touch wood, if she's fit and healthy, which will add another quality Indian player, said Klinger. Klinger discussed effort, balance, and potential improvements from a bowling perspective. He highlighted the narrow victories over DC as proof of the team's fighting spirit, which they highly value. The two wins against Delhi showed our fighting spirit - even when we were up against it in the last six balls. We talk about that a lot. In our team room, we have a big sign that says 'fight'. We'll certainly speak to all the players - maybe not tonight with emotions running high, but over time. Everyone's going back to domestic cricket, and there are areas everyone can work on, whether it's our quicks or our spinners. Klinger discussed effort, balance, and potential improvements from a bowling perspective. He highlighted the narrow victories over DC as proof of the team's fighting spirit, which they highly value. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Regarding the spinners, who played a smaller role, Klinger said, Our spinners didn't get as many overs this year - TK (Tanuja Kanwer) and Raj (Rajeshwari Gayakwad) - but that was more about our team make-up. We had a lot of all-rounders: Ash (Gardner), Georgia (Wareham), Sophie Devine. We didn't have Georgia last year. With three overseas all-rounders bowling, it wasn't a reflection on the spinners, just how we balanced our overs. Article Source: IANS

Dhoni: 'Don't want to jinx but India one of the most dangerous teams at World Cup'

What all is needed in a good team, everything is there, he said

New South Wales refocus after 'tough week' following Shipperd axing

They face South Australia as the competition resumes in a match vital to both side's hopes of reaching the decider

England Seek Fresh Start at T20 World Cup as Harry Brook Faces Early Test as Captain

England are in search of a fresh start at the T20 World Cup after their Ashes debacle and a series of failures at global white-ball events, with captain Harry Brook under scrutiny on and off the field. The 2010 and 2022 champions, who boast an impressive roster of destructive batsmen and match-winning bowlers, are aiming to win the trophy for a record third time. Brook takes charge at a global tournament for the first time since he replaced Jos Buttler as white-ball skipper last year. Buttler stood down following England's early exit from the 50-over Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. That came after an embarrassing title defence at the 50-over World Cup in India in 2023 and a semi-final exit at the 2024 T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States. The 26-year-old Brook, one of England's most gifted all-format players, has recently been in the headlines for the wrong reasons. Last month the Yorkshireman apologised after he was involved in an altercation with a nightclub bouncer during England's tour of New Zealand before the recent Ashes series in Australia, admitting to a terrible mistake. Brook was fined and warned over his conduct by the England and Wales Cricket Board, admitting he was fortunate to keep his job. Now the richly gifted run-scorer has an early chance to shift the focus back on to his batting as he prepares for England's opener against Nepal in Mumbai on Sunday. - Batting firepower - England boast a wealth of explosive talent at the top of the batting order, with Buttler, Phil Salt and Ben Duckett all options as openers at the tournament in India and Sri Lanka. Buttler is now 35, but remains one of the most feared players in limited-overs cricket and is a seasoned campaigner in the Indian Premier League, which is also 20 overs per side. In the middle order, Brook and Tom Banton have the ability to change the game in the blink of an eye while rising talent Jacob Bethell is one of several versatile all-rounders. If there is a potential weakness, it may among the pace bowlerss. Mark Wood is unavailable because of injury while Jofra Archer, another express quick, has only just returned after suffering a side strain during the Ashes. But Josh Tongue has been rewarded for his impressive performances in Australia with inclusion in the 15-man squad. Luke Wood and Sam Curran provide England with left-arm pace options, while fellow seamerJamie Overton, is also dangerous with the bat. Vastly experienced leg-break bowler Adil Rashid leads the spin attack, with all-rounders Liam Dawson, Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed giving Brook a range of slow-bowling options. England head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director of men's cricket Rob Key will be desperate for success after the recent 4-1 Ashes thumping raised serious questions about their respective futures. England will start the tournament with their tails up after beating co-hosts Sri Lanka in both one-day international and T20 series -- they have lost just one T20 series since the 2024 World Cup. There has been a significant turnover of personnel since England's white-ball purple patch, during which they claimed the 2019 50-over World Cup and the 2022 T20 crowns. Also Read: Live Cricket Score But Brook still has plenty of experience to call upon and, if England's new generation also make their mark, his team could challenge for another title.

Jacob Bethell Spins England to 3-0 T20I Clean Sweep Over Sri Lanka

Jacob Bethell underlined his importance to England's T20 World Cup hopes as he spun them to a hard-fought 12-run win over Sri Lanka to complete a 3-0 clean sweep at Pallekele on Tuesday. The series served as a dress rehearsal for the 20-nation showpiece that Sri Lanka is co-hosting with India. The contest hung in the balance heading into the 18th over with Sri Lanka needing 21 runs off 18 balls with four wickets in hand but the part-time spin of Bethel turned the game. The left-armer snared three wickets in a dramatic over to flip the game on its head as the hosts were skittled for 116 with three balls to spare. Bethel finished with career-best figures of four for 11. It was one of the most fun games I have been part of, said England captain Harry Brook. We showed we can adapt to challenging conditions. Today we bowled 16 overs of spin and to do that against a Sri Lankan side in their own conditions is really satisfying. England had mustered only 128 for nine but showcased their depth and nous, defending a total that looked well below par on a surface offering turn and bounce. After just four overs from the quicks, the spinners took centre stage and wove a web around the Sri Lankan batters, much as they had throughout the tour. The spinners had been pivotal in Englands ODI series triumph in Colombo last week and again proved the ace up their sleeve. England head to India to launch their World Cup campaign with momentum at their backs, while Sri Lanka have plenty of soul-searching to do with their frailties against spin brutally exposed. Bethel found able allies in Will Jacks, who bagged three wickets, while fellow tweakers Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson chipped in with one apiece to keep the hosts on a tight leash. Sam Curran, Englands hero in the opening game with a hat-trick, showed his all-round pedigree in the dead rubber, carving out a career-best 58 from 48 balls to rescue the side that had slipped to 60 for six. Returning quick Dushmantha Chameera, back after a groin injury, was a rare bright spark for Sri Lanka, claiming his maiden five-wicket haul in T20Is. His five for 24 are the best figures in England-Sri Lanka contests and the third-best ever at Pallekele. Very disappointing. We need to address a few areas, especially the options we take against spin bowling, said Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka. I thought we had addressed that issue in the last game but the old problems resurfaced again. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Both sides begin their World Cup campaign next Sunday with Sri Lanka hosting Ireland in Colombo while England face Nepal in Mumbai.

Politics Hurting World Cricket, IPL The Only Winner If Boycotts Continue: Lalit Modi On IndiaPak T20 World Cup Row

Pak T20 World Cup: Former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman Lalit Modi has criticised Pakistans decision to boycott its group-stage fixture against India in the ICC Mens T20 World Cup, saying the spirit of cricket is diminished when politics influences sporting participation. Speaking to IANS, Modi said, Cricket was created to be decided on the field, not in boardrooms or through boycotts. When politics enters sport, the game loses but fans always remember who stood for competition. Pakistans withdrawal from the marquee clash, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo, follows directives issued at the governmental level. Despite opting out of the India match, Pakistan is still expected to take part in the rest of the tournament a selective absence that has drawn attention given the storied cricket rivalry between India and Pakistan. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is understood to be consulting stakeholders to evaluate the implications. Tournament regulations allow for points to be awarded in the event of a forfeiture, potentially affecting group standings. Administrators are also believed to be assessing the broader commercial and governance consequences such a move might trigger. Modi further cautioned that the fallout could extend beyond a single fixture. Broadcast rights of bilateral matches and future of ICC revenues will further come under a lens as broadcasters will be cautious bidding high amounts as this could snowball into future participation of teams. Only gainer in this scenario will be IPL, he said. He added that franchise cricket is already taking centre stage globally. IPL has now become the marquee cricket tournament of the year, which delights players and fans alike globally and is the perfect broadcasting opportunity for one and all, Modi remarked. Modi further cautioned that the fallout could extend beyond a single fixture. Broadcast rights of bilateral matches and future of ICC revenues will further come under a lens as broadcasters will be cautious bidding high amounts as this could snowball into future participation of teams. Only gainer in this scenario will be IPL, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score If the boycott stands, India would likely be awarded the match points a development that could shape the group table before the tournament fully gets underway. Article Source: IANS

T20 World Cup 2026: Warm-up Wins For Zimbabwe, Nepal And Oman

T20 World Cup: Zimbabwe, Nepal and Oman enjoyed confidence-boosting victories in the latest round of ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up matches. Zimbabwe beat the Netherlands by 29 runs, Nepal chased down 146 to beat the UAE by seven wickets and Aamir Kaleem impressed with the bat as Oman defeated Sri Lanka A by five wickets. Burl and Ngarava shine for Zimbabwe: Ryan Burl and Richard Ngarava played key roles as Zimbabwe overcame the Netherlands by 29 runs. Burl entered the fray at 77 for three in the ninth over, Dion Myers having got Zimbabwe off to a flyer with a 14-ball 32, and made an unbeaten 50 from 31 balls, with six boundaries, to guide his side to 178 for nine. Logan van Beek was the pick of the Dutch attack with three for 22 but the reply got off to a nightmare start as both Max ODowd and Bas de Leede fell for ducks. Captain Scott Edwards made 26 but his departure left the Netherlands on 94 for eight, with Van Beeks 40 not out, with three sixes, proving too little too late. Nepal power past the UAE: An unbroken century stand between Dipendra Singh Airee and Aarif Sheikh led Nepal to a seven-wicket win over the UAE in Chennai. The UAE batted first and slipped from 42 for one to 66 for five, Sandeep Lamicchane taking two for 24. Sohaib Khan (38 not out) and Harshit Kaushik (35) added 68 for the sixth wicket to repair the damage and two run-outs early in the reply left Nepal with plenty of work to do from 45 for three. Singh Airee and Sheikh made light work of the task at hand, however, finishing unbeaten on 50 and 61 respectively to guide Nepal home with three overs to spare. Sheikh struck eight fours and two sixes in his 37-ball knock. Aamir leads Oman home: Aamir Kaleems entertaining 80 led Oman to a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka A in Colombo. Sri Lanka A opted to bat first but lost regular wickets in the powerplay, which ended with them on 49 for four. Sahan Kosala (21) and Wanuja Sahan (29) helped guide their side into three figures while Chamindu Wijesinghe made an unbeaten 24 from 13 balls as the hosts finished on 145 for nine, with Jay Odedra, Shah Faisal and Shakeel Ahmed taking two wickets apiece. Sri Lanka A opted to bat first but lost regular wickets in the powerplay, which ended with them on 49 for four. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sahan bowled tidily to claim three for 16 from his four overs in a losing cause. Article Source: IANS

Lee, Shafali and Rodrigues fire Delhi Capitals into their fourth straight final

They chased down GG's 168 with 26 balls to spare to set a finals clash with Mandhana-led RCB

WPL 2026 Eliminator: Most Balanced Giants Side Weve Had, So Many Things To Be Proud Of, Says GG Skipper Gardner After Exit

Losing Sophie Devine: Gujarat Giants captain Ashleigh Gardner admitted her side paid a heavy price for a sluggish start with the ball as Delhi Capitals cruised to a seven-wicket victory, but noted the positives from their campaign and expressed pride, stating that this is the most balanced side that theyve had, pointing to the emergence of young Indian talent such as Anushka Sharma, alongside experienced campaigners like Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Devine. Despite posting a competitive 168/7, rescued by a composed Beth Mooney and a vital middle-overs partnership with Georgia Wareham, Gujarat were quickly put on the back foot by Delhis aggressive intent in the powerplay. Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma capitalised on anything loose, racing away to 75 runs inside the first six overs and effectively setting the tone for the chase. We felt like that was enough at halfway if we bowled well, Gardner said after the match. But when you dont start the powerplay, either taking wickets or restricting runs, it brings that team in, and obviously they took the powerplay on. Thats their ammo, and they did that brilliantly today. Gardner pointed to missed execution and an inability to apply sustained pressure as decisive factors, particularly under dew-laden conditions that made control difficult. Once the dew sets in, the ball slides on if you miss the stumps, she explained. We just missed the stumps a little bit too much tonight and gave them too many free hits early. Delhi never relinquished control after the opening stand, with Jemimah Rodrigues and Laura Wolvaardt calmly steering the chase through the middle overs. Though Wareham briefly revived Gujarats hopes with two wickets, Gardner conceded her side could not maintain that momentum for long enough. Georgia set the tone with her first over, taking those two crucial wickets, she said. But we just werent able to do that for long periods of time, which is obviously really disappointing. Earlier, Gujarats innings had been shaped by Mooneys resilience after early setbacks. Losing Sophie Devine and then slipping to 48/3 at the end of the powerplay put pressure firmly on the Giants, before the wicketkeeper-batter and Wareham stitched together a stabilising stand. Probably wasn't the most ideal start. I think Mooney did a fantastic job of kind of rescuing the innings with Georgia, Ash reflected. Despite the defeat, Gardner struck a reflective, optimistic note about the campaign as a whole, highlighting the Giants growth and balance as a team. This is probably the most balanced Giants side that weve had, she said. We've unearthed some fantastic talent. Looking at someone like Anushka Sharma, she hasn't looked out of place. 22 years old, batting 3, and what's almost like international cricket. She's, I guess, looked at home. And then you look at someone like Rajeshwari, who's come into this side and she has so much experience. And I guess talking about the Indian players, I think they're the players that almost win you these competitions. And then in saying that, someone like Sophie Devine has been fantastic throughout the whole campaign as well, the GG skipper added. Theres so much things to be proud of. For this team, obviously, we had a pretty brutal start to the WPL. We didn't win many games, so to do back-to-back, making finals two years in a row, there's certainly plenty of positives to take out of it, but plenty of learnings as well going forward, Gardner added. We've unearthed some fantastic talent. Looking at someone like Anushka Sharma, she hasn't looked out of place. 22 years old, batting 3, and what's almost like international cricket. She's, I guess, looked at home. And then you look at someone like Rajeshwari, who's come into this side and she has so much experience. And I guess talking about the Indian players, I think they're the players that almost win you these competitions. And then in saying that, someone like Sophie Devine has been fantastic throughout the whole campaign as well, the GG skipper added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With the win, DC sealed their spot in the final of the WPL for the fourth consecutive time in as many editions. Article Source: IANS

End of the road for all the Indians in singles

Sahaja, Shrivalli, Vaishnavi and Maaya fall woefuly short, losing in straight sets in the round-of-32, to leave the faithful ruing the day

WPL 2026 Eliminator: DC Cruise Past GG By Seven Wickets To Enter Fourth Straight Final

Delhi Capitals Women: Delhi Capitals Women produced a dominant all-round performance to defeat Gujarat Giants Women by seven wickets, chasing down a competitive target with ease, courtesy of a clinical batting display led by Lizelle Lee and Jemimah Rodrigues, to enter the final of the tournament for the fourth consecutive time. Asked to respond to Gujarats 168/7, Delhi wasted little time asserting control. Openers Lee and Shafali Verma set the tone with an aggressive powerplay, racing to 75 runs in the first six overs. Lee was particularly severe on anything loose, peppering the boundary with authority, while Shafali played the perfect foil with brisk support. The opening stand of 89 runs was broken in the eighth over when Lee was trapped lbw by Georgia Wareham for a fluent 43 off 24 balls, an innings studded with eight fours and a six. Shafali followed soon after for 31 off 21, but the brief double blow did little to derail Delhis momentum. Skipper Jemimah Rodrigues took charge in trademark fashion, rotating the strike smartly before unfurling a range of strokes against the spinners. Laura Wolvaardt provided calm assurance at the other end, ensuring the chase never drifted off course. Rodrigues 41 off just 23 balls, laced with four boundaries and a six, effectively sealed the contest. When she was dismissed with the team at 160/3 in the 15th over, Delhi were already within touching distance. Wolvaardt remained unbeaten on 32 off 24 deliveries, while Marizanne Kapp finished the job with a quick cameo as Delhi reached 169/3 with 26 balls to spare. Earlier, Gujarat Giants posted 168/7 after coming under pressure from disciplined bowling and sharp fielding. Their innings was anchored by wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney, who carried her bat for a composed 62 off 51 balls. After a cautious start and early setbacks, including the loss of Sophie Devine and a damaging double strike that left Gujarat 48/3 at the end of the powerplay, Mooney held the innings together with patience and control. A vital 61-run partnership with Wareham in the middle overs revived Gujarats hopes, and late cameos from the Victorian and Kashvee Gautam, who struck a brisk 18 off 10 balls, pushed the total into competitive territory. Chinelle Henry was the pick of Delhis bowlers with three wickets, consistently breaking partnerships and preventing Gujarat from fully accelerating. Earlier, Gujarat Giants posted 168/7 after coming under pressure from disciplined bowling and sharp fielding. Their innings was anchored by wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney, who carried her bat for a composed 62 off 51 balls. After a cautious start and early setbacks, including the loss of Sophie Devine and a damaging double strike that left Gujarat 48/3 at the end of the powerplay, Mooney held the innings together with patience and control. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: Gujarat Giants 168/7 in 20 overs (Beth Mooney 62*, Georgia Wareham 35; Chenille Henry 3/35, Nandni Sharma 2/44) lost to Delhi Capitals (Lizelle Lee 43, Jemimah Rodrigues 41, Laura Wolvaardt 32, Shafali Verma 31; Georgia Wareham 2-28) by seven wickets. Article Source: IANS

Bracewell progressing 'really good' as NZ prepare for varied conditions

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Rew ton trumps Peake's as England qualify for Under-19 World Cup final

Peake scored 22 runs off the 46th over to drag Australia back, but his side fell 27 short in the 278 chase

WPL 2026: It's Just About Keeping Things Super Simple, Doing What We've Done Well, Says Voll

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru top-order batter Georgia Voll said the key to handling huge expectations around the franchise in the 2026 Women's Premier League (WPL) final will be keeping things simple, doing what has gone well for them before and not getting overwhelmed by the occasion. Smriti Mandhana-led RCB are in the WPL final for the second time after finishing as table-toppers in the league stage. The franchise won their first WPL title in 2024 after beating Delhi Capitals in the final at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. RCB awaits the winner of the Eliminator clash between DC and Gujarat Giants in Thursdays title clash at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara. I think obviously it's a big expectation when we see the sort of team that we're a part of and the fan base that we have at RCB is something that I've never been a part of. So, obviously there's that sort of expectation of the fans and outside. But I think within our group it's just about keeping things super simple and doing what we've done well all year and not trying to change that in terms of the final. I think if we can continue to do the small things well and not think too big a picture is what we'll be looking to do and hopefully we can bring that trophy home, Georgia told IANS in a select virtual interaction on Tuesday. The WPL has provided overseas players like Georgia a unique opportunity to share the dressing room with India's domestic players. Georgia, who has made 91 runs in five innings so far for RCB, has taken the mantle of being a researcher for best coffee shops in both Navi Mumbai and Vadodara. She revealed an amusing side to life in the RCB camp, including her ongoing campaign to get skipper Smriti Mandhana to make her a coffee. It's been pretty cool. Obviously, being in these different T20 tournaments around the world, obviously a lot of the Indian girls don't sort of venture over to the Big Bash or the Hundred. You only sort of see a couple of them. To come over here and be sort of a part of their competition and see the way that they go about things as a whole group, we've obviously spent quite a bit of time together and it's been cool to see the way that they go about things and they're pretty quiet off the field as well. I don't see a lot of them other than when they come into my room for a coffee occasionally. I'm still getting Smriti to try and make me a coffee, but that hasn't worked yet. So, hopefully I can get her to make me one by the time we leave here, she said. To come over here and be sort of a part of their competition and see the way that they go about things as a whole group, we've obviously spent quite a bit of time together and it's been cool to see the way that they go about things and they're pretty quiet off the field as well. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Obviously similar to what Georgia said. I haven't got to play much with the Indian players before. So, especially around training and stuff, it's been really nice to see how they go about things and done a lot of bowling in the nets with Radha and Shrey (Shreyanka Patil) which has been really nice just to see how they approach things and the different things that they work on. It's been nice to explore different ways to train and how they go about things. Article Source: IANS

WPL 2026 Eliminator: GG Ride On Mooneys Unbeaten 62 To Survive DC Scare And Post 168/7

The West Indies: Delhi Capitals bowlers kept the hosts in check, while wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooneys sluggish yet resilient knock and Gerogia Wareham and Kashvee Gautams efforts with the willow helped the Gujarat Giants get to a competitive total of 168/7 when the two sides squared off in the crucial and penultimate contest of the Womens Premier League 2026, the Eliminator, here at the BCA Stadium (Kotambi). Marizanne Kapp conceded six runs in the opening over as Sophie Devine edged a four over the slip cordon, with Gujarat moving to 6/0 after a cautious start. However, Chinelle Henry struck early for Delhi, removing Devine for six as she edged an outswinger to Lizelle Lee at slip, leaving Gujarat one down in the second over. No. 3 batter Anushka Sharma and Mooney then showed tremendous confidence against Henry and Kapp and scored 29 runs off the next three overs, but Nandni Sharmas double strike in the final over of the powerplay led to Anushka and skipper Ashleigh Gardners exit off consecutive deliveries as GG reached 48/3 in the first six overs. DC bowlers kept the opposition batters in check and picked up wickets at regular intervals. While Mooney tried to score runs from one end, she kept losing partners on the other. She found an able pair in Georgia Wareham as the duo stitched a slow but valuable 61-run stand in the middle-overs before Henry broke the partnership. The West Indies all-rounder took wickets on the second and fourth balls of the 17th over, dismissing Wareham, as Bharti Fulmali headed back to the pavilion. GG gained some relief during the death overs because the DC bowlers struggled significantly. Mooneys undefeated 62 off 51 balls, which she played throughout the entire innings, coupled with Kashvee Gautams quick 18 off 10 balls, helped the home team reach a total of 168/7 in 20 overs. DC bowlers kept the opposition batters in check and picked up wickets at regular intervals. While Mooney tried to score runs from one end, she kept losing partners on the other. She found an able pair in Georgia Wareham as the duo stitched a slow but valuable 61-run stand in the middle-overs before Henry broke the partnership. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: Gujarat Giants 168/7 in 20 overs (Beth Mooney 62*, Georgia Wareham 35; Chenille Henry 3/35, Nandni Sharma 2/44) against Delhi Capitals. Article Source: IANS

T20 WC: Stayed Calm Through Uncertainty When Scotland Was To Get Last-minute Call-up, Says McCreath

T20 World Cup: Scotland batter Finlay McCreath said he tried to remain calm and focused on training as uncertainty swirled around whether his team would replace Bangladesh at the Men's T20 World Cup, starting on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka. Scotland eventually secured their place by replacing Bangladesh in the tournaments main draw due to the latter not agreeing to travel to India due to security reasons. That last-minute entry into the mega event earned the Associate nation a fifth consecutive appearance at the Mens T20 World Cup. Definitely a lot of emotions. A lot of uncertainty was probably the main one. A lot of rumours were flying around on social media. So the emotions were a lot of uncertainty, as we didn't really know what was going on all the time. But I was trying to stay as calm and as neutral as possible and not sort of expect too much. We were still training at the time. So just kind of focusing and trying to be as ready as possible. If the call did come, we would come to the World Cup. So, just trying to stay calm and see what would really happen, McCreath told IANS in a virtual interaction from Bengaluru ahead of the tournament. When the news eventually came of Scotland getting a late entry to the T20 World Cup, joy surrounded McCreath and his family. I was just at home. We had a message that selection was being made that day. So just waiting on the call, really. Not too many expectations, just waiting to find out the news and then managed to tell my family and I spent the night with them, which was awesome. They're really happy and pleased and it was a very proud moment for me, receiving the call up for my first World Cup. It's obviously a dream. Once you start playing, competitions like this, and big occasions are what you dream about. I mean, receiving the news was pretty surreal. A big moment for me in my career. But now I'm here, it's just back to my processes, training hard and just trying to improve and be ready for the start of the tournament. Scotland's qualification for a fifth straight T20 World Cup is a testament to the team's consistency in the shortest format, with McCreath crediting the squad's ability to rise to big occasions. I mean, there's a couple of lads in the squad that are there and they've given us a bit of insight into when they were there. It's credit to the team over the years just to be consistent in this format of the game. We've got some exceptional players that enjoy the big occasion and enjoy putting their hand up when we need them as a team. I think that helps with the consistency and at these big tournaments, we feel like we have the players that step up and enjoy the challenge, he added. After playing warm-up games in Bengaluru, Scotland will play three league games against West Indies, Italy, and England on February 7, 9 and 14 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata before taking on Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on February 17. McCreath, 27, will look to draw on his experience of playing for Scotland in the 2016 Mens Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh as they prepare to face largely alien subcontinental conditions in India. In that tournament, McCreath made 127 runs in six innings and even won the Player of the Match award for hitting an unbeaten 68 and taking three wickets in a 13th Place Play-off Semi-Final against Fiji at Cox's Bazar. It seems like a long, long time ago, but I was there and that was an amazing opportunity. From what I can remember, conditions were good, and were challenging. I played on some really good wickets. So it's nice for myself as a batter to look forward to those wickets. Obviously, the spin will play a big part and the practice we've had so far here has been really helpful for us to get used to the conditions, and acclimatise to the heat. So, draw on those experiences, like you said, and trying to put it all into our performances at the end of the day, he said. After going through the grind of domestic games, McCreath made his white-ball debut for Scotland last year and has played 10 ODIs and four T20Is so far. I had a few matches under my belt and just learning as quickly as possible. Learning from my teammates, opposition, and just trying to get as much information in as possible and while sticking to my strengths, finding the balance while coming in. Obviously, the spin will play a big part and the practice we've had so far here has been really helpful for us to get used to the conditions, and acclimatise to the heat. So, draw on those experiences, like you said, and trying to put it all into our performances at the end of the day, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score I guess it's a combination of those things and trying to put it into a performance that will help us as a team. It's a learning process and I'm enjoying the challenges and the experiences at the minute. I'm looking forward to any opportunity I get to try and help us win some games, he concluded. Article Source: IANS

WPL: Own That Position And Try To Do A Job For The Group, Says Sophie Devine On favourite Playing Role

Danny Wyatt Hodge: New Zealand and Gujarat Giants all-rounder Sophie Devine believes that experience alone does not define a players value in a team, stressing instead the importance of clarity and consistency of role in building confidence Devine said this clarity has helped her perform in the ongoing Womens Premier League (WPL), where she has been able to understand her role and contribute effectively to the side. Asked how she views her role in the team, Devine highlighted the advantage of being a versatile cricketer. Depends on the day. That's a great thing about having different skills, as you get two cracks at it during a game. Its obviously been a great tournament for us so far, but the job's certainly not done yet, the all-rounder told broadcasters ahead of the Eliminator clash between Delhi Capitals and GG on Tuesday. Reflecting on what has been one of her most consistent seasons in recent years, Devine said she does not necessarily have a favourite role, but values the stability she has found this season. Yeah, I don't know, I guess it's funny to look back at the start of my career, and I was a bowler to start, so it's always nice to, I guess, to go back to my roots and yeah to do a real job. I think I said previously that I think any player it doesn't matter how experienced you are but when you get consistency and clarity of role you grow confidence in that and I think that's just been an example of this probably this tournament is knowing exactly where I fit in this group and being able to own that position and really just try and do a job for the group. Which probably adds to the importance of your season because you haven't had consistency in your role because you've sort of gone from middle order to opening, depending on if Danny Wyatt Hodge was in the team or not, she said. The former New Zealand skipper also spoke about the challenges of frequently switching batting positions and how experience has helped her manage those transitions. Yeah it is and I certainly think if it was 10 years ago I think I probably would have struggled with it a lot more but I guess I've hit the luxury is maybe not the right word but of having batted 1-11 being able to make that shift really quickly and I think with my game my game plan is it doesn't actually change too much. Its probably more about what happens in the out-of-field, do you know what I mean? It's two fielders out or it's four fielders out, so for me, not much changes in that sense, and I think that's a real positive is that I don't have to change too much, it's probably more so how the opposition goes about bowling to me, she stated. The former New Zealand skipper also spoke about the challenges of frequently switching batting positions and how experience has helped her manage those transitions. Also Read: Live Cricket Score You look at successful teams not just here but around the world the ones that have got depth and have trust and faith that if you know the top four or five don't score runs your number six, seven, eight, nine, ten can also chip in with really valuable runs so having that confidence and freedom I think really has helped this group and I think as well we've probably adapted nicely to the conditions here in Baroda, Devine concluded. Article Source: IANS

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WPL 2026: Harris Hails 'opposites Attract' Opening Partnership With Mandhana Ahead Of Title Clash

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengalurus big-hitting all-rounder Grace Harris said her contrasting personality with skipper Smriti Mandhana has been key to their successful opening partnership as the team prepares for the 2026 Womens Premier League (WPL) final, set to happen at BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Thursday. The Australian power-hitter was handed the role of opening the batting alongside Smriti by head coach Malolan Rangarajan in a practice session ahead of the tournament. Rangarajans words for Grace while being handed the opening slot was that she should go for the cheese and not the cat, which translates to take the extra risk, and not be afraid of getting out. Grace has amassed 228 runs in eight innings at a strike-rate of 180.95 has formed a formidable opening combination with Smriti, whos the third leading run-getter in WPL 2026 with 290 runs at a strike-rate of 141.46. She's been fantastic. She's such a quiet-natured kind of person, probably the opposite of myself come game day. Sometimes opposites work and sometimes they go horrifically bad. But I'm glad to say that opposites have worked this time around, at least from my end. You'll have to ask Smriti how she feels, but she's easy going. She doesn't say a lot out in the middle. She kind of just glove-punches me and then makes sure that we're reiterating how we're going to play and how we're going to play certain bowlers. So, there's a little bit of chat every now and again. Well, a bit of casual chat every now and again. But most of the time, it's just good vibes and a good time, Grace told IANS in a select virtual interaction on Tuesday. Ahead of the title clash, where RCB are aiming to win their second title after emerging triumphant in 2024, the side had a short break in Goa before commencing their practice session for the final. Its something Grace believes was crucial for maintaining mental freshness ahead of the tournament's title clash. Obviously, finals come with higher expectations and pressure, or perceived pressure. But I guess it's just really good. Sometimes when you, again, come to these kind of franchise competitions, you kind of live in a little bubble and it can go south. Well, the mental side of things can go south real quick, especially if you're an overthinker or if you spend a lot of time just watching and thinking about cricket. So, Goa was a fantastic experience. I've never been there before, but I really enjoyed it. I think a lot of the girls did, too. If you work really hard, I think you earn those trips away if you can kind of have too much business and not enough pleasure. But getting that balance right is only the best thing for an athlete or for a performance occupation. Sometimes the mental clarity is more significant or more important than how many hours you train or how your body is going, if that makes sense. So, it was very good fun, she elaborated. Well, the mental side of things can go south real quick, especially if you're an overthinker or if you spend a lot of time just watching and thinking about cricket. So, Goa was a fantastic experience. I've never been there before, but I really enjoyed it. I think a lot of the girls did, too. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So it's just been good fun and we tried to learn a fair bit from the losses or the wins, which has been exciting within our team chats. But we're just kind of trying to adapt quickest to the conditions and then play a successful brand of T20 cricket, which has been good fun. Article Source: IANS

WPL 2026 Eliminator: DC Ask GG To Bat As Both Teams Bank On Unchanged XI

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Delhi Capitals won the toss and elected to bowl first against Gujarat Giants in the crucial Eliminator tie of the Womens Premier League (WPL) 2026 at the BCA Stadium (Kotambi). With both sides heading into the contest with an unchanged XI from their previous game, the winner will go on to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the final on Thursday. The fourth edition of the Womens Premier League has been characterised by narrow margins, making dominant wins uncommon. Delhi Capitals have experienced this pressure firsthand, failing twice in run chases against Gujarat Giants in the league stage and struggling to finish close games under the steady leadership of Sophie Devine. Those results shaped contrasting routes to the eliminator. Gujarat Giants finished second on the table, sealing their spot with an impressive win over defending champions Mumbai Indians on the final league day. Delhi, in contrast, had to wait until the very end to confirm qualification. Yet, as the Eliminator arrives, past journeys matter little. Both teams arrive with strong recent form at the venue, winning three of their last four matches and having settled into their line-ups after brief tactical adjustments. The main difference is in depth: Delhi Capitals have received match-winning contributions from many players, whereas Gujarat Giants rely heavily on a few key individuals. Whether this reliance costs them, or Devine once again steps up to lead the Giants to their first final, promises an exciting knockout clash. Winning the toss, DC skipper Jemimah Rodrigues said, It looks like a fresh surface. Any target feels chaseable, and with the dew coming in, the pitch should get a little better under lights. Just control the controllables is the message to the team. Today is a new game, if any game matters the most it is tonight. So want to win. Meanwhile, GG captain Ashleigh Gardner said, We were going to bat and just had a feeling they might want to bowl and it worked out well. We want to be aggressive with the bat and take it on the powerplay. Nothing changes for us tonight. Looks very similar to the last couple of wickets. Assess conditions quickly and adapt on the run. Playing XIs: Meanwhile, GG captain Ashleigh Gardner said, We were going to bat and just had a feeling they might want to bowl and it worked out well. We want to be aggressive with the bat and take it on the powerplay. Nothing changes for us tonight. Looks very similar to the last couple of wickets. Assess conditions quickly and adapt on the run. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Gujarat Giants: Beth Mooney (wk), Sophie Devine, Anushka Sharma, Ashleigh Gardner (c), Georgia Wareham, Bharti Fulmali, Kanika Ahuja, Kashvee Gautam, Tanuja Kanwer, Renuka Singh Thakur, Rajeshwari Gayakwad Article Source: IANS

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WPL 2026: Season-opening Win Over MI Gave A Lot Of Confidence, Says RCBs Nadine De Klerk

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Big-hitting all-rounder Nadine de Klerk has pointed to the WPL 2026 opening match, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Mumbai Indians by three wickets, as the catalyst for the franchise believing that this could be a special season for them. In that game at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, RCB were struggling to get going in the chase of 155 and were reeling at 65/5 in the eighth over. But Nadine, who picked a four-for earlier, came in and got going to hit an unbeaten 63 and pull off a heist for RCB. That game began a dominating run for the Smriti Mandhana-led side, who are now gearing up to play the title clash on Thursday. I think momentum is really a big thing in T20 competitions, especially when the games come thick and fast - like they do in this competition. So I guess obviously it was the first game of the tournament and there's been a massive build-up around that game obviously. I guess just to get over the line and get a win from a difficult position with our backs against the wall and then giving ourselves the confidence that if we end up in that same position again, we can do the same thing, and we have actually (done that). It's been different players doing that for us, whether it was Radha or Smriti or Grace or Richa has done it for us and we've had so many batters that actually stood up when we were under pressure and pulled out some sort of miracle, which is obviously great. I think in the final, we're going to need more of that. So it's great that people have done it in this competition and take that confidence with them as well into the final, Nadine told IANS in a select virtual interaction on Tuesday. The tournament has presented challenges in the second half, when action shifted from high-scoring games in Navi Mumbai to pitches in Vadodara giving assistance to spinners. Nadine explained how she has made that adjustment in terms of her all-round role on Vadodaras slow pitches. Obviously quite hard for the bowlers in Navi Mumbai - high-scoring games and the wickets were pretty good for batting, and boundaries were quite small. I guess the biggest thing for us was to just really again stick to our strengths, use your pace off or use your strengths, stay on the stumps as much as you can. It's been a little different, maybe not as much bounce, maybe a little bit slower as well. But I think we've adjusted really well. We've recognised that maybe going down the ground when you're batting is a better option than going across the line. I think we've adapted really well to the conditions and we've executed pretty well over the last couple of games as well, she said. For a long time, Nadine struggled to be a regular starter in WPL playing elevens for RCB and Mumbai Indians. But this time in the absence of star all-rounder Ellyse Perry, Nadine has become a regular starter for RCB seen from her amassing 126 runs as a finisher and being the second leading wicket-taker with 15 scalps. Nadines mantra of finishing games has been very simple: its all about timing, being in a good position and staying really calm in the last four or five overs, when the onus is on her to pull off jaw-dropping heists. The South African revealed that maintaining a never-give-up attitude under pressure comes from an acceptance that failure is part of the game, combined with a personal ritual keeping her grounded. It's not always easy, but I think a little bit of faith really helps. I think just about, I mean, as a professional cricketer, you do know that things are not always going to go your way. You're not going to pick up wickets every game, you're not going to be economical every game, and you're not going to finish off games every single time and I think that is okay as well. I think making peace with the fact that you are going to fail sometimes, that's just how cricket works. Dealing with it, not trying to get hung up on that too much. I think try and move on quickly, whether you've scored hundred or got a duck. I just try to take the learnings and move on quickly. But like I said, it's very important for me in whatever role I play, whether it's with bat or ball. I mean, any cricketer really is always under pressure. So whatever works for you, but like I said, for me, it's just one small prayer that really does miracles. It really just keeps you calm and I think once you are calm, you just make better decisions and your natural skill set will just kick in as well, she elaborated. In RCBs final league game win over UP Warriorz, the scrambled seam became Nadines go-to option Meg Lanning was caught at cover point, while Amy Jones was trapped lbw on WPL debut. She again used the scrambled seam well to get two more scalps in the back-end and add more sheen to her value as the best bowler in middle and death overs in WPL 2026. Nadine signed off by revealing how her South Africa team-mate Anneke Bosch was the main driving force behind her developing the scrambled seam delivery. Its actually a funny story. I'm obviously an out-swing bowler. We actually played a Test match against England. Weird enough, Anneke Bosch was a seamer back in the day. She said to me, try bowling that cross seam ball for the one to kind of that. She bowled someone through the gate by getting it to nip back. I've actually started working on that a bit because people always expect me to swing the ball away. Nadine signed off by revealing how her South Africa team-mate Anneke Bosch was the main driving force behind her developing the scrambled seam delivery. Its actually a funny story. I'm obviously an out-swing bowler. We actually played a Test match against England. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Then I will mix it up with going seam up, hopefully for the one to just go straight on or try and swing it away. So funny that it came from her, who's now a spin bowler. But you learn from different people on this journey as you go, and sometimes different things work for you. I feel like that specific ball has worked really well for me over the last couple of years. Article Source: IANS

Kaleem, bowlers help Oman take down Sri Lanka A

Kaleem made 80 off 47 on a pitch where his team-mates struggled to help Oman chase 146

Last over in multi-day cricket to continue despite a wicket after latest amendments to Laws

The MCC also changed the Hit Wicket and Overthrow laws, among other revisions

No mention of boycotting India A match as PCB announces Pakistan A squad for Womens Asia Cup Rising Stars

Umm-e-Hani Replaces Injured Rameen In Pakistan Womens White Ball Squads For SA Tour

Asia Cup Rising Stars: The Pakistan womens national selection committee has named off-spinning all-rounder Umm-e-Hani as a replacement for the injured Rameen Shamim in the ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming tour of South Africa, which will commence on February 10. Rameen sustained a left-hand thumb IPJ dislocation during a training session at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. The PCB said the batter is expected to remain sidelined for four to six weeks and has begun her rehabilitation process with immediate effect. Umm-e-Hani was recently appointed captain of Pakistan Womens A for the ACC Womens Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament. As a result of her selection for the South Africa tour, Omaima Sohail has been named as her replacement in the squad. Meanwhile, Hafsa Khalid has been appointed captain of Pakistan Womens A for the upcoming 20-over tournament to be held in Bangkok, Thailand. The Pakistan women's South Africa tour begins with three T20Is in Potchefstroom, Benoni, and Kimberley on 10th, 13th, and 16th February, which will serve as crucial preparation for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in June to be held in England. The two sides will then compete in a three-match ODI series whose first match will be played on February 22 at Bloemfontein. Pakistan's tour will end with the final ODI on March 1st at Durban. The Pakistan Womens T20I squad will depart for South Africa on February 7, while the Pakistan Womens A squad is set to leave for Bangkok on February 10. Pakistan Women's updated squads T20I squad: Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza (wicket-keeper), Humna Bilal, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Umm-e-Hani, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Sidra Amin, Tasmia Rubab, and Tuba Hassan T20I squad: Also Read: Live Cricket Score Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Umm-e-Hani, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah and Tasmia Rubab. Article Source: IANS

Chahal Picks Kishan-less India XIs For T20 WC Opener Against USA

T20 World Cup: India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has picked his playing XI for India's opening match of the T20 World Cup 2026 against the USA, which will be played on Saturday at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, leaving out Ishan Kishan, who was in great form during the recently concluded New Zealand series. In a video shared by Star Sports on X, Chahal backed his former Rajasthan Royals skipper, Sanju Samson, to open the innings for the team with Abhishek Sharma, despite his recent below par performance, where Samson scored just 46 runs in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. Chahal has trusted Tilak Varma, who will return from injury to bat at number three, a position where the left-handed batter has achieved major success. T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav was slotted to bat at No. 4, while Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh will continue to play the middle order and finisher role for the team. Chahal went with two spinners in Axar Patel and Varun Chakravarthy and two specialist seamers in the form of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. The combination left no room for his partner Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI. Kuldeep has played just five T20I matches since the 2025 Asia Cup Final. T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav was slotted to bat at No. 4, while Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh will continue to play the middle order and finisher role for the team. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Chahal's playing XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah. Article Source: IANS

Bangladesh Women Gain Big In T20I Rankings After Unbeaten Run At T20 WC Qualifier

T20 World Cup Qualifier: After their unbeaten run at the recent ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier, Bangladesh's players gained big on the latest ICC Women's T20I Player Rankings. Bangladesh won through to this year's ICC Women's T20 World Cup in style during the recent Qualifier tournament in Nepal as they registered victories in all seven matches they contested at the event. Bangladesh received strong performances from a variety of sources, with hard-hitter Sobhana Mostary, skipper Nigar Sultana Joty and opener Dilara Akter all making solid contributions to finish high on the list of leading run-scorers, ICC reports. Sultana Joty gained three places to move to 19th overall on the list for T20I batters following her 154 runs at the Qualifier, while Mostary (up 16 rungs to 36th) and Akter (up five spots to 65th) also made gains following their efforts at the tournament. In the bowling chart, left-arm spinner Nahida Akter improved eight spots to move to 28th overall following her eight wickets at the Qualifier. The Ireland duo Arlene Kelly (up seven spots to 36th) and Orla Prendergast (up 10 places to 45th) also made ground on the list for T20I bowlers after a string of superb efforts at the tournament, while Scotland will be buoyed of the performances of young all-rounder Katherine Fraser during the event. In the bowling chart, left-arm spinner Nahida Akter improved eight spots to move to 28th overall following her eight wickets at the Qualifier. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Bangladesh, Ireland and Scotland and the Netherlands have secured their places for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, which will take place in England in June-July, with big wins at the qualifying tournament on Sunday. Article Source: IANS

Rogers, Handscomb and Murphy star as Victoria hammer Queensland

Rogers took a one-handed screamer to dismiss Labuschagne before making 69 while Handscomb finished 90 not out after Murphy's 3-29 ensured Victoria's target was only 216

'My Effort To Win Matches For My Country Will Always Continue': Rohit On Being Honoured With Padma Shri

T20 World Cup: Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma has expressed his gratitude after being conferred with the Padma Shri, one of the countrys highest civilian honours, calling it a special moment for him and his family and stating that he will continue to win matches for India. Calling the award a very special moment, Rohit thanked the government of India and everyone who supported him throughout his journey in cricket. Receiving the Padma Shri is a very special moment for me and my family. I thank the Government of India for this honour. I am also grateful to all those people who have played an important role in my career. My effort to win matches and trophies for my country will always continue. Thank you. Jai Hind. Rohit said in a video shared by Doordarshan Sports on X. Rohit, who made his international debut in 2007, has been one of Indias most consistent performers across formats over the last 19 years. He has left a significant mark on Indian cricket, both as a batter and as a captain. Under Rohits leadership, India achieved major success on the global stage. The men in blue clinched the T20 World Cup in 2024 after defeating South Africa in the final, ending a long wait for an ICC title in the shortest format. A year later, India also lifted the Champions Trophy in 2025, further strengthening Rohits credentials as a successful leader. Rohit, who made his international debut in 2007, has been one of Indias most consistent performers across formats over the last 19 years. He has left a significant mark on Indian cricket, both as a batter and as a captain. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Rohit has taken retirement from Test and T20I, but he is still playing ODIs and scoring runs for the team as he aims to play the World Cup in 2027. Article Source: IANS

Hazlewoods Trying His Best To Be In T20 WC About Halfway Through: Cummins

T20 World Cup: As Australian fast-bowler Josh Hazlewood is racing the clock to feature in the T20 World Cup at some stage, fellow pacer Pat Cummins stated that the right-armer is trying his best to return about halfway through the tournament. Hazlewood, who missed the home Ashes series due to an Achilles injury, has been working on his comeback to return at the T20 World Cup. Cricket Australia earlier revealed that the pacer would remain in Sydney for the start of the T20 World Cup as he continues his rehabilitation before travelling to Sri Lanka. I caught up with Joshy a couple of days ago and hes working so hard. I really feel for Joshy, hes had a few setbacks, (hes) one of the hardest trainers. Hes doing everything he can. I dont think he will be there for the start of the tournament, but hes trying his best to be there about halfway through, Cummins said on Nine Network. Australia are scheduled to play a warm-up match against the Netherlands on Thursday before opening their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on February 11. Hazlewood has a formidable T20 record despite not playing a match in the format for nearly four years, from March 2016 to January 2020. He helped Australia to their only T20 World Cup title, in the UAE in 2021, taking 3 for 16 in the final against New Zealand. Australia are scheduled to play a warm-up match against the Netherlands on Thursday before opening their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on February 11. Also Read: Live Cricket Score In IPL 2025, he was the leading wicket-taker for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who won their maiden IPL crown. Article Source: IANS

ICC, PCB Open 'back-channel Talks' After Pakistan Boycott India Match In T20 WC: Report

T20 World Cup: Pakistans decision to boycott their T20 World Cup group match against India has reportedly prompted ack-channel talks between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Pakistan Cricket Board amid concerns over potential financial fallout. On Sunday, Pakistan government announced that its national cricket team would not play the T20 World Cup group-stage match against India at Colombos R.Premadasa Stadium on February 15. The decision could reportedly cost world cricket more than 250 million dollars. As per The Dawn report, a few other cricket boards have also extended support to the ICC in its attempt to reach an understanding with PCB. It is currently unclear whether Pakistan will be sanctioned for the move, with the ICC urging the PCB to consider the significant and long-term implications if the boycott were to go ahead. In response to Pakistans announcement, the ICC issued a strong statement on Sunday, urging the PCB to seek a mutually acceptable resolution and warning that selective participation undermines the principles of global competition. While the ICC awaits official communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), this position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms per the event schedule, the ICC said. In response to Pakistans announcement, the ICC issued a strong statement on Sunday, urging the PCB to seek a mutually acceptable resolution and warning that selective participation undermines the principles of global competition. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Pakistan is in Group A alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands and the United States of America (USA). All of Pakistan's matches are scheduled for Sri Lanka, which is co-hosting the tournament with India. Article Source: IANS

Thakur, Jaiswal back for Mumbai's Ranji quarter-final against Karnataka

Mumbai cruised into the knockouts with four wins and three draws in the group stage

'I Just Ran Out Of Time,' Says Cummins On Missing T20 World Cup

T20 World Cup: Australias fast-bowling spearhead Pat Cummins has revealed that he came very close to being part of the T20 World Cup 2026 squad, but a minor delay in his recovery ruled him out of the final 15-team squad. Cummins was replaced by Ben Dwarshuis in Australias squad for the mega tournament, which begins on February 7, due to an ongoing back issue. The right-arm pacer said he was feeling good physically but simply did not have enough time to complete his recovery. It was really unfortunate. I feel pretty good, just a minor setback, and just ran out of time, really. I'll rest up for a few weeks and go from there, Cummins said to AAP, as quoted by the ICC. The Australian captain explained that after the Adelaide Test, the medical team felt his back needed between four and eight weeks of rest before he could build up his workload again. We knew after the (Adelaide) Test match we were going to need somewhere between four and eight weeks to let the bone settle right down before then building back up. Initially, we thought it might only be four weeks, because I was feeling really good, but just had a follow-up scan, he said. They thought it probably needed another couple of weeks, so the timeline just became a bit too tight, he added. Cummins is now hopeful of returning to competitive action during the Indian Premier League (IPL) in March, but stressed that his main focus is being fully fit for a busy test calendar later in the year. Australia has a packed schedule ahead, with home tests against Bangladesh, an away series in South Africa, followed by multiple matches against New Zealand and India before the current World Test Championship cycle ends. We thought the first half of the year was a pretty good time to be conservative with the amount of cricket that's coming up. We'll get it right, then hopefully that will mean you won't have to worry about it, and you can just go out and play all those Test matches, he explained. Whereas, if you're not careful with it now and it flares up, you're chasing your tail a bit, Cummins added. Despite missing the World Cup, Cummins backed Australia to perform strongly in the tournament. He said the recent T20I series loss to Pakistan does not reflect the true quality of the squad. It wasn't our greatest few games (in Pakistan), but the guys are coming off a strong Big Bash, and a couple of guys are coming back from injury for the World Cup, Cummins said. Despite missing the World Cup, Cummins backed Australia to perform strongly in the tournament. He said the recent T20I series loss to Pakistan does not reflect the true quality of the squad. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The 2021 T20 World Cup champions will face Ireland, Zimbabwe, Oman and co-hosts Sri Lanka in their group-stage matches. Article Source: IANS

Tony Pigott, former Sussex seamer and CEO, dies aged 67

Club stalwart became transformational chief executive from 1997 to 1999

Mayank Yadav Returns To India A Squad For Warm Up Match Ahead Of T20 World Cup

The Lucknow Super Giants: Fast bowler Mayank Yadavs long journey back to competitive cricket has reached an important point as he was named in the India A squad for warm-up games against the USA and Namibia, ahead of the T20 World Cup. Mayank, known for his speed and match-winning spells during IPL 2024, returns after a long injury layoff. The Lucknow Super Giants bowler had been out for more than a year due to a stress fracture. His last competitive game was against Punjab Kings in IPL 2025. His inclusion shows a careful return as the selectors assess his readiness in high-pressure situations. Tilak Varma also makes a timely return. He has been cleared by the BCCIs Centre of Excellence after a successful recovery from a groin injury. The left-handed batter missed the recent T20I series against New Zealand. He will gain valuable playing time before rejoining the senior team. Tilak Varma will play in one warm-up match before joining the senior team, the BCCI confirmed in a social media post announcing the squad. India A will face the USA at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on February 2, then play Namibia at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on February 6. These games are important preparation for both fringe players and those returning from injuries before the global event. The 15-member squad will be led by Ayush Badoni. It includes a mix of established domestic players and emerging talent like Naman Dhir, Vipraj Nigam, and Riyan Parag. The presence of experienced players like Ravi Bishnoi and Khaleel Ahmed adds balance to the team. India A will face the USA at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on February 2, then play Namibia at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on February 6. These games are important preparation for both fringe players and those returning from injuries before the global event. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India A squad: Ayush Badoni (capt), Naman Dhir, Ashutosh Sharma, Priyansh Arya, N Jagadeesan (wk), Tilak Varma, Riyan Parag, Manav Suthar, Ashok Sharma, Urvil Patel (wk), Gurjapneet Singh, Vipraj Nigam, Ravi Bishnoi, Khaleel Ahmed, Mayank Yadav. Article Source: IANS

Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals Eliminator, WPL 2026, Who will win today GG-W vs DC-W match?

GG-W vs DC-W, Match Eliminator, Cricket Tips :Royal Challengers Bengaluru became the first team to qualify for final of the WPL 2026. The other two teams to qualify for the playoffs will now face each other in the Eliminator to make it through. Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants will lock horns on Tuesday at BCA Stadium at 7:30 PM IST. DC-W have lost both group games against GG-W this season, and they will fight hard to avoid the hat trick of defeats. They did well in their previous game against UP Warriorz. GG-W have been in good form with three consecutive wins. It will be a competition between two in-form teams. GG-W vs DC-W: Match Details Date : February 03, 2026 (Tuesday) Time : 7:30 PM IST Venue : BCA Stadium, Vadodara GG-W vs DC-W Live Streaming Details The live action of the Eliminator contest on Tuesday will be available on the Star Sports Networks. Fans can also catch the live stream of the game on the Jio Hotstar app or website. GG-W vs DC-W: Head-to-Head in WPL Total Matches : 8 Gujarat Giants Women : 4 Delhi Capitals Women : 4 No-Result : 0 GG-W vs DC-W: Ground Pitch Report It has been a great batting wicket in Vadodara so far. The assistance for bowlers is very little, but some balls have grip into the surface in the lateral stages. Bowling first is ideal, as in such a big match, there is always pressure to post a big total. GG-W vs DC-W: Possible XIs Gujarat Giants : Sophie Devine, Beth Mooney (wk), Anushka Sharma, Georgia Wareham, Ashleigh Gardner (c), Bharti Fulmali, Kashvee Gautam, Kanika Ahuja, Tanuja Kanwer, Renuka Singh Thakur, Rajeshwari Gayakwad Delhi Capitals : Shafali Verma, Laura Wolvaardt, Lizelle Lee (wk), Jemimah Rodrigues (c), Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Chinelle Henry, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani, Nandni Sharma GG-W vs DC-W: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Captain Jemimah Rodrigues played well in the last game and took the team to playoffs. She will be a big wicket in this game. For GG-W, Sophie Devine has been the best player and won MOTM awards against DC-W this season. Probable Best Bowler Kashvee Gautam has been a difference-maker and has bowled well in the middle overs. For DC-W, Nandni Sharma has been the best bowler. She has the second-most wickets this season. Today Match Prediction : GG-W have already beaten DC-W twice this season, and they are in good form to make it three in a row. GG-W vs DC-W Match Eliminator, WPL 2026, Today Match GG-W vs DC-W, GG-W vs DC-W Prediction, GG-W vs DC-W Predicted XIs, Injury Update for GG-W vs DC-W Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.

All-round Smuts, Harry Manenti headline Italy's win against Canada

Smuts top-scored with 49 and also picked up a wicket as first-timers Italy defeated Canada in the warm-up game

Sri Lanka Drop Test Captain Dhananjaya De Silva From T20 World Cup Squad

Sri Lanka on Monday dropped Test captain Dhananjaya de Silva from their 15-man T20 World Cup squad led by Dasun Shanaka. De Silva had been recalled for a three-match T20 international series against Pakistan early last month after an 18-month absence and played the opening game against England in an ongoing series. But he was dropped for the second T20, while the final match is scheduled for Tuesday. Since his recall, he has only scored 43 runs in three innings and taken one wicket with his off-spin. Against England at Pallekele last week, he laboured to 11 off 12 balls before being dismissed by Adil Rashid. Seam bowler Eshan Malinga has been named in the squad despite suffering a shoulder injury against England on Sunday. Sri Lanka are co-hosting with India the T20 World Cup, which starts on Saturday, and face Ireland in their opening game in Colombo on Sunday. They will also play Australia, Oman and Zimbabwe in Group B, with the top two teams to qualify for the Super 8 stage. Sri Lanka T20 World Cup squad Also Read: Live Cricket Score Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Pavan Rathnayake, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga

Sussex enter special measures after agreeing ECB bail-out

Club hit with points deductions across all men's competitions, following three-year funding agreement

Tilak impresses on return as Jagadeesan ton, Badoni fifty down USA

Riyan Parag didn't have much to do on return after a shoulder niggle, while Mayank Yadav went for 37 runs in three overs in his first competitive game since May 2025

Sri Lanka vs England, 3rd T20I- Who will win today SL vs ENG match?

SL vs ENG, 3rdT20I , Cricket Tips :England are on the right path of preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. They have beaten the hosts comprehensively in both games and taken a 2-0 lead. in the three-match series. England have ticked most of the boxes, but Sri Lanka have found some areas of concern just ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026. The final contest will be held at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday at 7 PM IST. England will be keen to carry on their form and make it a 3-0 whitewash. Sri Lanka have found it hard under pressure. They need a complete performance from their senior players to avoid the whitewash. SL vs ENG: Match Details Date : February 03, 2026 (Tuesday) Time : 7 PM IST Venue : Pallekele International Cricket Stadium SL vs ENG: Live Streaming Details Indian fans can tune into the Sony Sports Network to watch the live action. Fans can also watch the live stream on the Jio Hotstar app or website. SL vs ENG: Head-to-Head in T20I Total Matches : 16 Sri Lanka : 04 England : 12 No-result/Tied : 0 SL vs ENG: Ground Pitch Report The wicket in Pallekele has been bowling-friendly. The rain has also made it a little challenging for the batters, as the ball is sticking on the wicket. Hence, the toss will be important, and the team that will bowl first will have an edge. SL vs ENG: Possible XIs Sri Lanka : Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (c), Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana, Eshan Malinga England : Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook (c), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid SL vs ENG: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Kusal Mendis has looked a different batter so far. He needs a big knock to take Sri Lanka to win. For England, Phil Salt is very dangerous at the top, and he can change the game within the powerplay. Probable Best Bowler Adil Rashid has been the game-changer for England and has already won the MOTM award in the first game. For Sri Lanka, Mattheesha Pathirana has shown great form with the ball. Today Match Prediction : Sri Lanka lack the firepower, and England are too strong with the bat. Hence, predict England to win the final game on Tuesday. SL vs ENG Match 3rd T20I, Today Match SL vs ENG, SL vs ENG Prediction, SL vs ENG Predicted XIs, Injury Update for Sri Lanka vs England Match Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.

Pakistan On Warpath, Not To Write To ICC On India Match Boycott

The Pakistan Cricket Board: The Pakistan government may have announced via social media that their team will not take field for the match against India in the Men's T20 World Cup later this month, the country's cricket board is not ready to convey this decision officially to the International Cricket Council (ICC), a news report claimed on Monday. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to remain on warpath on the issue of boycotting the World Cup match against India and will not convey the decision to the ICC to maintain suspense over uts future course of action, Telecom Asia Sports said in a report quoting sources. Since its a government decision and conveyed through an official platform so there is no need to write to the ICC, sources told www.telecomasia.net. The Shahbaz Sharif government on Sunday cleared Pakistans participation in the T20 World Cup being jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8 but announced the team will not take the field in the tournament's highest money-generating match against India. Did India at any point conveye to the ICC that they will not travel to Pakistan and when once it was demanded of India to show Governments letter they never showed it. So is there a need to give anything in writing, No, the PCB source told www.telecomasia.net. Though the decision not to convey the decision to ICC officially via a letter is being seen as an attempt to keep the issue afire, it is clear PCB will not heed to any ICC appeal for amicable solution to avoid the boycott of the match because the decision has been taken at the government level. The decision has shaken the cricket world as the ICC's official broadcaster will suffer huge financial losses if the Indo-Pak match is not played and will in all probability take the matter to the court. The ICC responded by conveying to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of the serious consequences and warning them a selective participation will not be accepted. However, sources told Telecom Asia Sport that the Pakistan government has taken legal advice on the consequences and will back the Board against any possible ICC action. Sharif also met former PCB chief Najam Sethi before meeting Naqvi in Lahore on Sunday. Sethi also advised the PM to take a strong action against India as under Sethis chairmanship India also backed out on an agreement in 2016, the report said quoting sources. Sharif also met former PCB chief Najam Sethi before meeting Naqvi in Lahore on Sunday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score PCB indicating it will counter any ICC meeting with Naqvi allowing a lawyer to the team officials in any meeting and take the issue head on. Article Source: IANS

WPL 2026: 'This Is Just A New Beginning' - How Rajeshwari Gayakwad Silenced The Doubters

How Rajeshwari Gayakwad: On the eve of Gujarat Giants second appearance in a Women's Premier League (WPL) Eliminator at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara, Rajeshwari Gayakwad exudes a quiet confidence that belies the tumultuous journey that brought her to this juncture. At 34, left-arm spinner Gayakwad is having her best WPL season 10 wickets coming in seven games at an average of 14.50 and economy rate of 7.63. Nothing much is going on. All we have in mind is to play well at any cost and win tomorrow's match. Simply, that's it. I have that confidence in myself and in my team as well. This time, I feel we will play in the finals. We have the confidence to play in the finals, but winning tomorrow's match is very important for us. All we have in our mind is to play well and win tomorrow's match. We will surely play in the finals for the first time, which is going to be a very happy moment. But we will play with confidence tomorrow, Gayakwad told IANS in an exclusive conversation on Monday. For Gujarat Giants, reaching the final for the first time would be historic. But for Rajeshwari, it would be validation of the hard work done in the last 12 months. She didnt perform well in the last three seasons for her previous team UP Warriorz, but this season shes leading the spin bowling attack for GG. With her wide of the crease deliveries and subtle changes in flight and loop trapping batters on spin-friendly pitches in Vadodara. The secret behind her good showings, as per Rajeshwari, has been the improved fitness work, especially after undergoing a knee surgery in September 2024. I got a lot of break from cricket. Since I was in rehab, I was trying to be mentally and physically fit. I have worked a lot on myself. I have given myself a lot of time. I have tried to work on my weaknesses. I have been wanting to play WPL for a year and this is a big break for a player. I have learnt a lot from this break and got time to implement it. I have always tried to give my best and do well whenever I get a chance to bowl. No matter what happens, I always try to do my best to make the team win, she explained. The injury layoff, while devastating at that time, proved to be an unexpected blessing. Away from the intensity of competition, Rajeshwari had the luxury of time to rebuild her fitness, reassess her game, and work on technical refinements that would have been difficult to implement mid-season. When I just came back from rehab, I didn't get a chance to play that many matches last year. I have always learnt a lot of things from the outside whenever I didn't get to play. If a chance to play arrived, I have always tried to implement those things on the field. The physical transformation is evident - fitter and leaner than in previous seasons, Rajeshwari has retained the guile that has always been her hallmark. I did become mentally stronger by learning a lot of things from the outside and I have also taken care of my fitness. You must be thinking that I look fit - I have worked hard on myself. It's my main focus to always do well when on the field and whoever thinks that my time in cricket is over, I have to show them by doing well and saying that 'Yes, I am doing great and I have to play a lot more cricket ahead, she said. For Rajeshwari, the decision to undergo surgery came with the knowledge that the path back would be arduous, and there were no guarantees of returning to her previous best self, including being back in the Indian team. When the surgery was about to happen, I knew that it was not going to be easy for me. I had realized a lot of things like it is going to take time for me to get out of this. At that time, I was mentally very down. When you do know that things are not going to be right in the coming times, it was a very big decision for me to get the surgery done. I knew that it was not going to be easy and will be a tough thing for me. Still, I agreed to get the surgery done. But I did not get a chance to join the team and I was mentally down. It's just that whenever I get a chance to play, I will do my best. That is why I did well in the domestic season as well I was the (third) highest wicket there (in Senior Womens T20 Trophy). What has happened is that age is something everyone talks about, but I don't think that age is a big deal for anyone. Rather than accepting the narrative that her time had passed, especially due to the emergence of young left-arm spinners N Sree Charani and Vaishnavi Sharma, apart from Radha Yadav and Shuchi Upadhaya being given chances, Rajeshwari chose to work hard and come back to playing the game she picked as a kid in Bijapur. As long as I am fit, I can play and I want to drive out that mentality from everyone's mind and make them realise that age is just a number. As long as I want to play, I will play. So, let's see - I have always tried to give my best. A lot of people thought that my cricket career was over, but that is not the case. This is just a new beginning for me and I would like to say that, she said. With WPL 2026 seeing her be back at her best in T20s, Rajeshwari is naturally keen to add more scalps to her international career worth five Tests, 64 ODIs and 58 T20Is. It means a lot to me. Everyone gets a chance after an injury, but I didn't get a chance and I do feel very sad about that. It's okay, as I will play whenever I get a chance. It has felt like everyone gets a chance after an injury, but when it came to me, I didn't get a chance. I should have got a chance and I feel regretful about the fact that I should have got at least one chance. One more thing - I didn't have a bad performance in ODIs, but I am not there in the ODI side. I am on 99 wickets and it does feel that I should have got a chance to play and complete 100 wickets. But I haven't got that chance and I feel I should have got that opportunity, she elaborated. Asked if she still harbors hopes of an India comeback, her response is very direct. If one doesn't look at the age, then I can get a chance. No one cares about the age and if you think about it, you won't get a chance. But if they think I can play, I will get a chance. Through the toughest periods - the surgery, rehabilitation, and being out of action, Rajeshwaris family constantly stayed by her side. There was no one except my family. They have supported me a lot. No one else knew what I was going through. When you do well, people ask about you. But when you need someone, no one supports you and I have noticed this. At that time, no one supported me except my family. Even now, I play for my family because they do think that I can still play cricket. I am able to play now because of my family and their support. Her younger sister, Rameshwari, also a cricketer and played for Karnataka, has become Rajeshwaris most trusted technical advisor and mental support. She plays a very big role in my life. She never thinks about herself when it comes to me. I always consider her more of a mentor than a sister. She is younger than me, but she is more mature than me. Whenever we go home, as of now, I don't have a personal coach for a long time. My sister is everything to me because she understands and tells me everything. We started playing cricket together. She knows what I do wrong and what I do right. We tell and listen to each other about what improvement we can bring to our respective games. She tells me what I am doing wrong or what I used to do right before. She understands everything about bowling and tries to tell me about it and she supports me a lot. The support is unconditional, irrespective of performance or results. She is always happy. My family always supports me - even if I don't get a wicket or pick four-five scalps, they are happy. They just want to see me play well. My family supports me a lot and I can say that I am still playing because of them, she said. This WPL season has seen Gayakwad bowl in contrasting conditions, from the flatter surfaces in Navi Mumbai to the more helpful tracks at Vadodara. Though she didnt get much bowling time in the first half of the competition, the second half has been a productive one for her. The pitches here aid the spinners, while flat pitches were there. But I didn't get many chances to bowl in Navi Mumbai. It was a little challenging for the bowlers there. But the wickets here are slow and the bowlers are getting help. Both the wickets were different, but it is fun to play. Her pre-game preparation, however, eschews the modern trend of elaborate routines like data and analytics. No, nothing like that. I have been playing for so many years. I don't have any routine of that kind. I believe in what is going to happen, will happen. Nothing is the same every day and I believe more in that. The day we do well, the day will be good. If we don't do well, we can't do anything. There are ups and downs in the lives of the players and that's it. Her pre-game preparation, however, eschews the modern trend of elaborate routines like data and analytics. No, nothing like that. I have been playing for so many years. I don't have any routine of that kind. I believe in what is going to happen, will happen. Also Read: Live Cricket Score For her, a crack at playing the WPL final and potentially lifting the trophy will be proof that age is irrelevant, passion endures, and Rajeshwari has no plans of fading away quietly. Article Source: IANS

Kamindu in, Dhananjaya out as Sri Lanka flip-flop with T20 World Cup selection

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ICC Announce Match Officials For U19 Mens Cricket World Cup 2026 Semi-finals

The Inyernational Cricket Council: The Inyernational Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced international panels of umpires and referees for the two semi-finals at the ICC U19 Mens Cricket World Cup 2026. Australia and England, who are both unbeaten in the competition so far, go head-to-head on Tuesday with Zahid Bassarath and Virender Sharma the on-field umpires. Bassarath took charge of Englands most recent victory, over New Zealand, while Sharma has been in the middle for Australias wins over Japan and Sri Lanka. Lubabalo Gcuma will be the third umpire, with Prageeth Rambukwella in place as fourth umpire. Prakash Bhatt is the match referee. Shaun Haig and Russell Warren are the on-field duo for the second semi-final between India and Afghanistan in Harare on February 4. Haig oversaw Afghanistans group stage wins over South Africa and the West Indies, while Warren was in the middle for Indias successes against the USA and Bangladesh. Shawn Craig is in place as third umpire, with Masudur Mukul named as fourth umpire. Graeme La Brooy is match referee. Semi-Final 1: Bulawayo, February 3 Australia v England On-field Umpires: Zahid Bassarath & Virender Sharma Third Umpire: Lubabalo Gcuma Fourth Umpire: Prageeth Rambukwella Match Referee: Prakash Bhatt Semi-Final 2: Harare, February 4 India v Afghanistan On-field Umpires: Shaun Haig & Russell Warren Third Umpire: Shawn Craig On-field Umpires: Shaun Haig & Russell Warren Also Read: Live Cricket Score Match Referee: Graeme La Brooy Article Source: IANS